Republican or Democrat? It’s not supposed to matter at local level
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JANESVILLE — Two candidates for Janesville City Council and one for Rock County Board also are high-ranking members of the Democratic Party of Rock County.
Coincidence? Or is it an organized effort by Democracts to influence politics after their power eroded at the state level?
And are Republicans gearing up their troops as well, turning the supposedly non-partisan seats on the council, county board and school board political?
Local councils and board seats are nonpartisan to negate the influence of political machines, said Dennis Dresang, professor of public affairs and political science at the La Follette School of Public Affairs at UW-Madison. Those elected are supposed to serve the community with no other agendas.
In reality, partisanship at the local level is nothing new, and the state is seeing more of it, especially with the furor in Madison, Dresang said.
“The reality is that unless we’re going to do away with partisan elections at the state and the federal level, it’s going to really have an affect all the way down the line,” he said.
Local offices sometimes serve as springboards for those who seek higher office. Democrats Kevin Murray, a school board member, and Yuri Rashkin, a council member, are running for state Assembly, for instance.
Candidates who are members of the executive committee of the Democratic Party of Rock County said their decision to run for local office had nothing to do with their party.
They did say they, however, that the party as a whole is energized since the Republican-controlled Legislature stripped most collective bargaining rights from public unions.
Those running for local office who are Democratic executive committee members are:
-- Michael Southers, deputy chairman, running for council.
-- Angela Smillie, vice chairwoman of finance and fundraising, running for council.
-- Cathy Myers, vice chairwoman of communications, running for Rock County Board.
In addition, Sam Liebert, secretary, already is on the council.
Ted Kinnaman, vice chairman of elections for the local Democrats, acknowledged a “partisan tinge” to some councils and boards. He said most would like to keep it nonpartisan.
“Things have definitely become polarized since Scott Walker became governor,” Kinnaman said. “Many people have said he has energized the Democratic Party like nothing has done since maybe the Vietnam years.
“In some of the younger people … it has encouraged them to move ahead like this.”
Membership in the Democratic Party of Rock County quadrupled in 2011, according to a news release.
Liebert said the Democratic Party encourages anyone who wants to run for office, and he’s sure the Republican Party does the same.
He believes the Janesville City Council remains “pretty nonpartisan … I hope it’s not just me being naive. I really think a lot of the members—we read the packet and the agenda the week before, take input from people and base decisions on core values.”
He said he ran for the city council because he was ready for a leadership role.
Local offices are good places to learn how government works, he said. There also are ways local government can “push back” on state actions, he acknowledged.
‘Nuts and bolts’
Myers agreed that Madison politics awakened in some the need to get involved.
Myers, a teacher, said she was raised in a political family, is on a union bargaining committee and has been involved in public service for years.
She is running for the Rock County Board because she believes people should be active in their communities.
“You really don’t have any business complaining about anything unless you are part of what you deem the solution to be,” she said.
Being a member of a certain party might mean she puts more weight in certain areas, she said. For her, that includes social services. She would like to see collective bargaining rights restored, but she realizes that is a state issue.
“Local government is really nuts and bolts—keeping the roads paved and making sure health and safety is top priority,” she said.
“You can be as focused on ideology as you want, but, honestly, you gotta pay the bills.”
Angela Smillie, a state employee, said her run for city council has nothing to do with personal political ideologies but rather timing in her personal life.
Madison politics reignited her interest in politics, and she was “highly encouraged” by her fellow Democrats, she said.
Still, “I think it has more to do with my values as far as serving others and helping others more so than, ‘Am I blue or red?’” Smillie said.
“It is a nonpartisan race, and, ultimately, it is about serving community members. It’s not about me. It’s about, ‘What do the citizens want?’”
Michael Southers, a county employee, said timing was right for him to run.
“I felt that I couldn’t stand around anymore and wait for something bad to happen in my backyard,” he said.
“Ultimately, when you are dealing with local issues, it’s more of a common sense (solution),” he said. “What works at the state or the federal level doesn’t necessarily apply to the local level.”
He categorizes himself as a “conservative Democrat” who has a degree in business management.
As far as negotiating wages, pensions and benefits, “you need to look at what package is being presented,” he said. “There’s a city to be run.”
The other candidates
Andy Murray said he is running for Janesville City Council because he is committed to Janesville.
His father is Kevin Murray, a retired firefighter who is on the school board and who is a Democrat running for Assembly. His mother worked for the United Auto Workers.
Andy Murray is employed in the private sector, and he believes that gives him good balance for a nonpartisan seat.
“I’m going to do my best to see the issues from the other person’s point of view, get feedback from the taxpayers and make informative decisions on resources I have available,” he said.
Murray said he is not “really looking” at running for higher office, but if others think he would make a good candidate, he would make the decision then.
DuWayne Severson said he is running for city council to serve the community. He does not belong to either political party, and he describes himself as a fiscal conservative.
He decided to run when the council approved a wheel tax for residents but then OK’d bonuses to employees to make up for what they recently were required to pay toward their pensions.
“We have to cut taxes as much as possible … so that people can maintain their homes and get a job,” he said. “That’s what I’m concerned about.”
City council candidate Matthew Kealy said he is pays $25 a year to be on the Rock County Republic Party’s mailing list, but that’s the extent of his party affiliation.
Kealy, who owns three restaurants, said he is running partly to represent the small business point of view on the council. The recently approved 21 percent increase in water rates will hurt his business and his employees, and he doesn’t know if that was even considered by the council.
He said he would strive to look at all sides of an issue.
He is also concerned about employee wages.
“Until the city employees contribute to their health and pensions, we’re going to be in a tough spot, “ he said.
Kathy Voskuil, the only incumbent running for re-election to the city council, said she has no aspirations to be in Madison or Washington. She is running because she believes in the community.
She agreed council members are acting more partisan. A recent comment by Rashkin—he called the wheel tax the “Walker Tax”—was “blatant partisanship,” she said.
Comments like that worry her, she said, because the council’s goal is do what’s best for the city, not any party.
“I see that more as a personal agenda, and I don’t believe that is the reason why individuals were elected,” Voskuil said.
Brad Westness, a state employee, said earlier he decided to run for city council after talking to his childhood friend, Sam Liebert. They were discussing what was happening in Madison, and he decided he had to do something, he said.
Westness said he realizes the council is nonpartisan. He could not be reached for further comment.
Billy McCoy said he is neither a Democrat nor a Republican and would approach council business from a “Janesville point of view.”
“I’m looking at it more as a homeowner, as residents of Janesville (who are on) fixed incomes and are tired of being overtaxed.”
City council candidate Jim Farrell said there is a “real danger” that the city could become politicized by people who are officers of any party.
Farrell said he’s an independent and is running to offer his knowledge of finance. He said he has no other agenda and no interest in running for higher office.
The Republicans
Jason Mielke, chairman of the Republican Party of Rock County, said it’s disingenuous to say local offices are nonpartisan.
He sees county board and city council members at times act very partisan, and not just recently.
“My response is, ‘I’d like to resort to a little bit more reasonable tone and use some common sense,’” Mielke said.
He said his party doesn’t push slates of candidates, but it does encourage people to run for office.
He said some in the party give him flak because the city council is supposed to be nonpartisan.
“I think it is still consistent with our political agenda to make sure that our philosophies are carried out as best as possible,” Mielke said.
Democrats and the unions do it, as well, Mielke said.
When you get a look at people’s backgrounds, he said, “you get a much clearer picture of where things stand.”
Jan 2, 2012 at 1:48 p.m.
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Partisan politics at a local level run by Democrats will turn Janesville in to Chicago Part Duex...
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Rashkin's blind partisanship is nothing more than his true colors as a puppet of the Democratic Party. Rashkin has shown no intelligent self started acts. Do you as a community want someone in assembly that is a puppet or a self starter? Democrats want solidarity.. all for the common good (ie. communism) , but will you be there to pay? Guess it makes sense to default communistic behavior to Rashkin as he is the expert (from experience)
Dec 29, 2011 at 12:11 a.m.
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vatoloco:
haha: yeah, that's why when socialist policy gets enacted many on our side will say: "this is a very slippery slope". As once the policy is enacted, it often proceeds to become more and more extreme, and more and more part of on the state bureaucracy, and can ultimately evolve to pure communism, in extreme cases. Notice how known, fully self professed communists, are deeply involved in unions and education today.
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My previous post was just to illustrate what many don't know, and often just generalize. They just hear Communist, Nazi, Socialist, and think it's all the same thing. When in fact they are all vastly different.
Dec 28, 2011 at 9:05 p.m.
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Trouble maker, I basically agree with you. I just beleive that all of us almost NEVER buy into ALL of one party's agenda, lock-stock-and-barrel. I think that conservatives and liberals can agree on at least a handful of issues. If you we all can find common ground on a a sizable minority of issues, then at least we have a fighting chance on finding more common ground.
I'm a moderate conservative, but some of my favorite people are democrats (some, far left). I believe they are not as far left as they claim to be based on their personal lifestyles. We all need more intellectual honesty.
Dec 28, 2011 at 7:09 p.m.
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Good point TroubleMaker. Why would we want County Boards, City Councils, Town Boards and School Boards voting on party lines? Someone please give me examples of local government policy or services that are republican or democrat policy issues.
Dec 28, 2011 at 4:41 p.m.
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The real issue with "choosing a party" at any level of government, and the local level in particular, is the animosity created by the existing two-party system. Our elected officials at all levels need to work together to come up with solutions to difficult, multivariate, problems. If there were three or four strong political parties it might be different. But with only two parties and the associated pressure to accept the whole "party line" of one or the other, things get stupid. As long as we continue to only elect people associated with one of the two major parties, party affiliations should definitely be downplayed at the local level.
Dec 28, 2011 at 4:28 p.m.
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@ vat.."Too much Facebook, twitter, web blogs, media influence, Xbox, texting, etc
Glorifying gangs, athletes, rappers," Agree with you up to this point. "big government Obama programs." Has nothing to do with Obama programs. These statistics are from 2007.
"Why work hard when you can sell drugs?" This is just a sterotype.
"Too many trips to Mcdonalds, pizza hut, Wendy's, taco bell, no activity from sitting on the couch....." Agreed.
"responsibility people..ll" Yes, I can agree there. We have allowed our nation to be dumbed down to the point where Americans know more about the lives of the Kardashions than who is running for President. We have tolerated for generations kids simply being passed through the system and not educated. Privatizing is not the answer, Accountability is.
Dec 28, 2011 at 4:16 p.m.
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@SuperDave...I don't care for big gvt. programs either but it seems when anything is privatized, profits, greed and corruption become the norm. For example, the Mercy COO story, his focus was on growing revenue and expanding when their focus should be on providing affordable health care. Instead healthcare has become a for profit business and we, the consumer, are getting screwed. Somethings that are vital to the nation should never be privatized such as healthcare and education.
I wish the "free market" really worked but I'm not so naive as to believe that deregulation is a good idea considering the corruption in our Financial and Political systems over the last decade. Unfortunately, there is greed and corruption at all levels and thus govt interference by regulation is needed.
Dec 28, 2011 at 3:44 p.m.
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"The United States is currently 18th among the 36 industrialized nations in education.
Fifteen-year-olds in the U.S. ranked 25th among peers from 34 countries on a math test. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/a0923110.h......
The US is currently 37th in health care"
Too much Facebook, twitter, web blogs, media influence, Xbox, texting, etc
Glorifying gangs, athletes, rappers, big government Obama programs,
Why work hard when you can sell drugs?
Too many trips to Mcdonalds, pizza hut, Wendy's, taco bell, no activity from sitting on the couch.....
responsibility people..ll
Dec 28, 2011 at 2:53 p.m.
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@oneday: You said "Personally, I believe a nations greatness should not be measured by the ability to wage war and kill others but by how they care for their own people". Sure, people should care for one another, but that should not involve big government programs.
@kiowah: Good post.
Dec 28, 2011 at 2:49 p.m.
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"They believe a person has no individuality, and is simply property of the state. Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, and individualism mean absolutely nothing. You are simply a cog in the in machine. You do what the state tells you to do, and the state will provide you with everything they feel is necessary in your time of existence...Hence, why I said communism is today's liberalism in extreme...Having the same basic philosophy that government be the provider of everything for you."
Kiowa
In short, you have just outlined the public education model for our kids.
Dec 28, 2011 at 2:33 p.m.
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Super Dave:
I am a fellow libertarian. However; I must disagree with you that all are socialist.
All though the Nazi's were indeed the "national socialist workers party", That definition of socialism is much different then what many think of today. All are very similar in that they have all had powerful dictators at the top. However; the actual philosophies of their government are VASTLY different.
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Communism is socialism taken to extreme. They believe a person has no individuality, and is simply property of the state. Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, and individualism mean absolutely nothing. You are simply a cog in the in machine. You do what the state tells you to do, and the state will provide you with everything they feel is necessary in your time of existence...Hence, why I said communism is today's liberalism in extreme...Having the same basic philosophy that government be the provider of everything for you.
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Nazism is actually a strong believer in the individual, and the individual excelling. However; it was taken to the manaical extreme of that individual excellence being based on race, and one race being born superior to another. The whole grand vision of Nazism was to purge the 'weak' individuals, and create a master race of superior individuals.
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Nazi's is WAY WAY more of a threat then Communism will ever be IMO. Communists are totally brain washed (see N Korea for recent examples) and the head of state is just some power hungry dope over seeing a bunch of bots. In conflict/war Communism fails, simply because when engaging a country that promotes individualism, that countries people will simply overwhelm them in the area of strategy, innovation, and technology (all things created via individualism).
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The Nazi's were so scary because the people were a super aggressive regime of free thinkers! Hitler at the beginning was a huge fan of the US, and our ways, because we promoted the same sort of individual values that were the basis for great culture: art, architecture, technology, ext...He later changed that position because we promoted "weaker races" in our country (One would have LOVED to see his reaction when Jessie Ownens BLEW AWAY all the 'superior' German track athletes, or when Joe Lewis beat the German "superman"; Max Smelling, like a drum!!!). Because of individualism (taken to extremes) a rather small country conquered most all of Europe, N Africa, and part of Asia, and hardly no time. Many don't like to hear this, but it was Nazi innovation that brought much of what we now in the US have taken credit for. The whole space program, and going to the moon, was all Nazi innovation and technology given to us by defectors (Von Braun mainly), or ones we captured from the battle field, and brought over here.
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And NO I am not advocating, promoting, or ever been affiliated with Nazis in ANY way. As some will always come back and accuse you of being, when you try to point out basic history of the regime.
Dec 28, 2011 at 2:25 p.m.
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Government-run single payer Medicare for all is not socialism. It's American Exceptionalism.
Dec 28, 2011 at 1:31 p.m.
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3children: A candidate probably has little say about his own platform.
Dec 28, 2011 at 1:28 p.m.
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vato: Do you consider nearly every developed nation to be socialist? Don't most or all of them guarantee health care for their citizens? It's sad that the United States trails the world in this aspect.
Dec 28, 2011 at 12:01 p.m.
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"While life is characterized by growth in a structured functional manner, the necrophilous person loves all that does not grow, all that is mechanical. The necrophilous person is driven by the desire to transform the organic into the inorganic, to approach life mechanically, as if all living persons were things. . . . Memory, rather than experience; having, rather than being, is what counts' The necrophilous person can relate to an object -- a flower or a person -- only if he possesses it; hence a threat to his possession is a threat to himself, if he loses possession he loses contact with the world. . . . He loves control, and in the act of controlling he kills life. (4)"
"Oppression --overwhelming control -- is necrophilic; it is nourished by love of death, not life. The banking concept of education, which serves the interests of oppression, is also necrophilic. Based on a mechanistic, static, naturalistic, spatialized view of consciousness, it transforms students into receiving objects. It attempts to control thinking and action, leads women and men to adjust to the world, and inhibits their creative power."
The above quotes identify with the left's thinking.
Dec 28, 2011 at 11:55 a.m.
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" That doesn't mean I am a socialist, although most CONServatives stereotype us that way. By the way, I also take care of myself, although I have been without health care for the last few years"
You claim not to be a socialist but you sure wanted a government run public option health agency...
Dec 28, 2011 at 9:25 a.m.
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Just keep tearing each other apart and applying those labels people...afterall, it's what has made the Divided States the most exceptional country in the world.
The United States is currently 18th among the 36 industrialized nations in education.
Fifteen-year-olds in the U.S. ranked 25th among peers from 34 countries on a math test. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/a0923110.h...
The US is currently 37th in health care
The US is currently 29th in infant mortality. American babies are three times more likely to die in their first month as children born in Japan, and newborn mortality is 2.5 times higher in the United States than in Finland, Iceland or Norway. (Those terrible socialist countries)http://articles.cnn.com/2006-05-08/health/mothers.index_1_mortality-rate-death-rate-world-s-mothers?_s=PM:HEALTH
You can continue to keep your heads in the sand (I was thinking elsewhere)believing the lie that we are the greatest nation on earth, while statistics show exactly the opposite. Personally, I believe a nations greatness should not be measured by the ability to wage war and kill others but by how they care for their own people.
Dec 28, 2011 at 9:10 a.m.
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Ah, but that doesn't sell newspapers, 3children. Controversy and sensationalism do. Haven't you seen Fox News and MSNBC lately?
Dec 28, 2011 at 8:44 a.m.
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@kiowah: There are various flavors of statism (Nazi, Communist, dictators, Marxist, etc.). While they may have different political philosophies, they all share the same economic system, and that is called Socialism. And Socialism is very much in line with the American liberal way of thinking, with the inherent assumption that the State can do a better job allocating scarce resources than the free market can do. And that is why today we have gubmint involved in health care, auto manufacturing, banking, school loans, etc. to such an astonishing degree.
So why am I a Libertarian? Republicans favor economic freedom but restrict personal freedom. Democrats favor personal freedom but restrict economic freedom. Libertarians favor both personal and economic freedom. It's an easy decision.
Dec 28, 2011 at 8:32 a.m.
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Thank you 3children. A wonderful comment from someone who isn't just on this site to insult other posters. Very refreshing and to the point.
Dec 28, 2011 at 7:42 a.m.
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spark: Me knows you are a bully.
Dec 28, 2011 at 6:25 a.m.
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I could care less what political party, religious affiliation, or favorite football team a candidate has. Why not do an article about what platform each are running on? Give the voters real information to help them decide.
Dec 28, 2011 at 1:53 a.m.
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Nazism is far closer to the "right" or conservatism. Communism is much closer to the left, and "liberalism". If people do not get that, they should read their history better. The German Nazi's, and Soviet Communists were BIG TIME adversaries (much the way extreme liberals and extreme conservatives are now). Hence why both sides brutally slaughtered the other in mass, in the German blitzkrieg advance into Russia, and subsequent Russian advance to Berlin, after the Nazi's retreated. .
When the allies (communist Russia being part of the 'allies') captured Berlin and the Nazi regime fell to dust. The great American general George Patton had thee best, and most accurate quote which foresaw what would happen.
"The allies have simply replaced the brutal Nazi regime, with an even more brutal communist regime!".
He was heavily ridiculed for that statement, and his advocacy to next take down the communists..However; in time, he was proven to be very much correct in his brilliant assessment!
Dec 27, 2011 at 7:35 p.m.
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Wonders--Could you tell me ONE thing that the 'right' has actually voted on that will DIRECTLY benefit you?
Dec 27, 2011 at 6:08 p.m.
Dec 27, 2011 at 4:50 p.m.
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SarahB1 - Those that disagree could say the same about you.
Dec 27, 2011 at 4:33 p.m.
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me thinks you don't even know your party colors
Dec 27, 2011 at 4:28 p.m.
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Me thinks Midnight_Ride is color blind.
Dec 27, 2011 at 4:22 p.m.
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It appears this will be a big year for either Republicans or Democrats as people go into choose now more then ever for a party and not the individual. That is why Obama will be out, Walker will be in and it's very fortunate for the locals who are up in April in Blue Rock County. We will see a lot of the beautiful Christmas RED winners in November.
Dec 27, 2011 at 3:56 p.m.
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I will admit I lean more right than left, and the way things are going I am going farther to the right. I have voted for both parties in the past and I probably will again in the future.
I think when you step into the booth there should be NO party affiliation associated with the candidate’s name. You vote for the person Not the party, how do you think voting will go then when a person really has to pay attention to the candidate and not the party?
Dec 27, 2011 at 3:29 p.m.
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Let's get back to square #1 people. Local elections are in April and not tied to the partisan state and national elections. And there is good reason for it - there are no partisan municipal platforms. If dems, repubs, teas, greens or green teas want to hold local public office, fine. But leave the partisan politics out of local government. The last thing we should want is the nonsense in Janesville that is happening in Madison.
Dec 27, 2011 at 3 p.m.
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LOL LOL LOL on article there are 2 sides at all levels My level is DEMOCRAT Can't wait to vote WALKER OUT AND OBAMA BACK IN.. Love Yuri and Sam
Dec 27, 2011 at 2:40 p.m.
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Yep, you got that right Dad!
Yours Truly, Scout Finch
Dec 27, 2011 at 2:02 p.m.
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Hmmm...a candidate who is the communications director for the Democratic Party? Tell me there won't be access to data such as addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, etc. How handy! Hard to imagine being nonpartisan in this situation. Fishy.
Dec 27, 2011 at 1:51 p.m.
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"... if the Gazette was truly concerned about the fact that so many of the candidates for local offices belong to political parties, it could have highlighted the fact that in these turbulent times, so many of our outstanding young men and women - from business owners to government employees - are stepping up and taking leadership roles in our communities by getting involved in political parties (nothing wrong with that) and by running for local elected offices. ..." – http://yurirashkin.blogspot.com/
Dec 27, 2011 at 1:35 p.m.
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rick-raff: I've got news for you, sir: I HAVE STATED MANY TIMES HERE THAT I AM A LIBERAL ... and proud of it. That doesn't mean I am a socialist, although most CONServatives stereotype us that way. By the way, I also take care of myself, although I have been without health care for the last few years (can't afford it with my pre-conditions). But, I have recently signed on for a new job that will include health benefits (yippee!!!). I would like you to prove to me that there is true voter fraud in this state before I will back this (IMO) useless, yet costly, ID law. As far as this article goes, I don't think affiliation meant as much or was mentioned much at the local level until Walker started his mess, got everyone going at each other's throats (sorry, Prosser), and now everything has become us vs. them/them vs. us.
Dec 27, 2011 at 1:31 p.m.
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Some of you are missing the point and I expected that. My response to rickraff has nothing to do with the history of Nazism or political movements. Even though you are also completely wrong about your version of Nazism, you're entitled to staying wrong. I won't argue your beliefs. My point has everything to do with the deliberate spreading of falsehoods and fallacies to demagogue your perceived opponent. Calling fellow Americans who are merely engaging in political free speech, "Socialists," "Communists," "Marxists" and "Nazis" because they have different viewpoints are all out of line and improper. But like riffraff wrote, you'll all deny what you are.
Dec 27, 2011 at 1:19 p.m.
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Badgerlvr - Actually, my post was to clarify some "history" on where the term nazi along with other "factual" bits originated from. Really wasn't meant to be funny like you are trying to be with your previous posts.
Dec 27, 2011 at 1:08 p.m.
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2112: You might want to watch this history lesson. It will clarify a few things. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXk4P12p1...
Dec 27, 2011 at 12:50 p.m.
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youkillme: You might want to watch this history lesson. It will clarify a few things. Especially at the 2:00 mark.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-oS4WLui...
Dec 27, 2011 at 12:43 p.m.
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Actually, if you are going to throw around the term Nazi, it would more appropriately be used to refer to what are now known as progressives or liberals. The Nazi movement was founded to fight for the little man (ie: occupy crowds) and they utilized populist rhetoric (ie: Obama) to allow them to impose a socialist society, similar to what many are trying to do today.
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History is a wonderful thing to study. Those who don't learn from it are bound to repeat it.
Dec 27, 2011 at 12:39 p.m.
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Youkill me , here is a little something you may want to think about. Hitler was an advocate of Socialism, and that is something the far left believe in. so I think you may want to rethink what you are saying.
Here are some quotes from a Nazi party web site.
The socialism Hitler advocated is much closer to that of Soviet communism than liberals are willing to admit, or than many people realize,[3] especially those who think in terms of "right wing" and "left wing" politics.
The origin of the Nazi Party itself was a small group called The German Workers' Party, founded by a locksmith named Anton Drexler who, in 1918, had set up a “Committee of Independent Workmen” in reaction to the Marxism of the free trade unions.[4] A year later The German Workers Party was formed when this merged with another group, the Political Workers' Circle. [5] [6]
Dec 27, 2011 at 11:55 a.m.
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Well said Rickraff, but you didn't write what your affiliated party is. Since you call yourself a "conservative," I would assume you're Tea Party or a Republican and since you call liberals and Democrats "Socialists," it should be okay to call you a Nazi, right? Calling conservatives “Nazis” serves up the same fallacy of irrelevance as you referring to the Left as socialists. Don't be ashamed of who you are or bristle when you're called that Pure Nazis I would suppose never want us to know what they really are, so they call themselves conservatives. So conservatives will probably deny being Nazis.
Dec 27, 2011 at 9:33 a.m.
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Wish more politicians had the nerve to speak and follow through like this.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEArFmRDt...
Dec 27, 2011 at 9:28 a.m.
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Badger,
Your liberalism is showing again. When unable to present an argument, you attack the opponent personally. This is an age old liberal tactic because their arguments are based on emotions rather than facts.
Dec 27, 2011 at 9:19 a.m.
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Well said Rick
Dec 27, 2011 at 8:49 a.m.
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Shrek: You obvious came from "Far, far away".
Dec 27, 2011 at 8:09 a.m.
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Well said Rick, you got a liberal to do exactly what you talked about.
Dec 26, 2011 at 6:41 p.m.
Dec 26, 2011 at 6:25 p.m.
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Marcia, why didn't you mention School Board member Scott Feldt in your article? A few years ago he ran a statewide campaign for Wisconsin's Secreatry of State as a republican. Think his party affiliation doesn't spill over to the positions he takes as a School Board member?
Dec 26, 2011 at 4:46 p.m.
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"Republican or Democrat? It’s not supposed to matter at local level."
This is the left setting the premise. They hate being called socialists because the system they espouse has never worked in the history of the world. The only ones running from their party are the democrats. They are the ones who seek peaceful coexistence.
Yeah…Peaceful, like the occupy crowds.
They all want you to think you are the 99%. Well, I’m a factory worker, I pay for my own healthcare, I am responsible for my families welfare, not anyone else. I have no problem showing an I.D. when I vote because I don’t want cheaters voting multiple times. And as sure as there is a heaven and a hell, you can bet the ones who do not want any “party affiliation” are liberals. They hate being called what they are and they bristle when you do. You can call me conservative all year long, right up to the time I walk into that booth and vote Scott Walker back into office and Obama out of office.
Pure socialists never want you to know what they really are. They just want you to pay for what they want: Which is EVERYTHING!
Dec 26, 2011 at 4:14 p.m.
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"Coincidence? Or is it an organized effort by Democracts to influence politics after their power eroded at the state level?" Not only does the writer reveal her bias at the story's outset, she also selected a silly topic. Are we supposed to be shocked that people who run for local political office have political affiliations?
Dec 26, 2011 at 3:47 p.m.
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Dec92, I am sure Scott Angus is laughing off of his chair the moment he reads your comment. I am quite certain he takes your comment as a compliment. Frequently I and many of my ilk, "the far righties," have accused the Gazette of being just the opposite in their selection of stories. I also have at times believed the local writers exhibit quite a bias to the left as well. I guess he and his staff can sit back and laugh at all of us at the end of the year with the knowledge that they have done their job.
Dec 26, 2011 at 3:13 p.m.
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Kealy you should study about city employees first before you open your mouth. I will not vote for you and I will no longer eat at your restaunts. I will go someplace else now.
Dec 26, 2011 at 1:19 p.m.
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@joeflint: A LEADER is a representative! Leaders aren't into agenda's, status, ego...they're there to serve through principles such as character and virtue rather than politics and agenda's. Every leader is an ambassador of the people in which he or she is serving. Leadership comes from the inside, it's not a title or something given to people, it's a duty and a responsibility.
Dec 26, 2011 at 12:35 p.m.
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So what is Voskuil? By her partisan statement about Rashkin, she must be a Republican.
Dec 26, 2011 at 11:41 a.m.
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And the Janesville Gazette wants to know why their advertisers and subscribers are going away? It's because of this kind of journalism...The only real bias in this is that of the Janesville Gazette...I long for the balance that Mitch Bliss offered when he was in charge and he was not even related to the Bliss Family who appears to have gone off on the deep end. It is truly sad that such attacks on the representatives that were duly elected and not always endorsed by the Gazette continue...Shameful and disturbing that the gatekeepers only see through a Far Right Conservative Prism....Where did all the moderates go? Of course...they are now on the city council and the school board trying to do what they can to take us out of the mess that the Janesville Gazette tried to influence and failed to do so except for their wacky endorsements of those that are now being readied for Recalls....
Dec 26, 2011 at 11:39 a.m.
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No one should believe in the fairytales of nonpartisian politics. Whether its your priest-your rabbi-your pharmacist-everyone has a bias. Its no different in politics and this is true whether its local politics or national politics.
For example-while Bill McCoy is probably a very nice person-it is entirely foolish to believe that if elected he will approach council business from a Janesville point of view. Janesville is not a monolithic society with one point of view. Bill cannot represent these views-he can only make what he thinks is the best decision. Some will agree with him-some will not. It is as simple as that.
Dec 26, 2011 at 11:27 a.m.
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Politics and politicians, if we were to eliminate the Dem/Rep/Ind./Labor Party labels, how and where do we know to start investigating the field?
Dec 26, 2011 at 10:35 a.m.
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Thank you, Kathy Voskuil, for your courageous statement:
"[Voskuil] agreed council members are acting more partisan. A recent comment by Rashkin—he called the wheel tax the “Walker Tax”—was “blatant partisanship,”
Yes, perhaps "all politics are local", but partisan council members should should have the better judgement to put aside their political agenda as much as possible. Some of our Council members should rise above the political crassness they commonly resort to. Unfortunately I believe it's part of their DNA.
Dec 26, 2011 at 10:15 a.m.
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Mr. Kealy , the city employees contribute to the health insurance already. I hope you do better research about the city if you wish to be on the council.
Dec 26, 2011 at 10:08 a.m.
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Thank you for this article, Marcia. We need more reporting like this.
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:14 a.m.
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Shame on you, Gazette! Local political offices have been filled with hierarchy from the local GOP for decades - including many office holders now - and yet you choose to run an article about partisan politics now? Get real. It was the GOP who proudly and visibly promoted using local offices as stepping stones to higher office back in the 1970s. There never has been and never will be anything nonpartisan about any elected office. Instead of trying to run Democrats down, why not THANK those who choose to run for these usually unappreciated, and as in the case of the Council, VOLUNTEER jobs?
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:07 a.m.
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It would be nice if local newspapers were non-partisan too, especially in small cities with just one major newspaper. But if you believe that, you are living in a dream world.
Dec 26, 2011 at 9:04 a.m.
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In Wisconsin parties don't men a thing, it's whether you are a socialist or a conservative. Wisconsin is a socialist state and controlled by the public and farmers unions.
Dec 26, 2011 at 8:25 a.m.
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I'd rather have representatives than leaders.
Dec 26, 2011 at 8:24 a.m.
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Well said jv93. Anyone who thinks otherwise must also believe in Santa Clause.
Dec 26, 2011 at 8:15 a.m.
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It shouldn't matter at ANY level! It's not about Republicans or Democrats! It's about LEADERS doing what needs to be done for the good of their community or country!
Dec 26, 2011 at 8:13 a.m.
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This is just another sign how pathetic we've become.. You have to have a D or R by a candidates name, or how would you know who to vote for? You don't expect some voter to actually educate themselves about the candidates? IMO it is pretty much a straight party vote now with people, and that is sad...
Dec 26, 2011 at 7:40 a.m.
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It's always good to see fresh faces. The current council seems to be incompetent (wheel tax, ice arena, SHINE).
Dec 25, 2011 at 10:02 p.m.
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where's the pictures? Republicans usually have a set on file at the Gazette is what i heard. where are the Democrat's pictures?
Dec 25, 2011 at 6 p.m.
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No elected position is nonpartisan. If you believe they are nonpartisan you are just plain naive.
Dec 25, 2011 at 4:46 p.m.
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For the most part, US political parties don't operate at the local level and don't have municipal platforms, anyway.
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