Conference focuses on limited government
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David P. Baumgardner, left, a lawyer from La Farge, was one of the speakers at the 2012southern Wisconsin Freedom Conference held in Janesville on Sunday. Jake Schmidt of Milwaukee was one of a crowd estimated at about 100 for the event.
JANESVILLE — Freedom is defined in many ways, but for a group convening in Janesville on Sunday, there was a uniting theme: Freedom means limited government.
One of the speakers at the 2012 Southern Wisconsin Freedom Conference at the Holiday Inn Express and Convention Center, Kirsten Lombard of Madison, defined limited government. About 100 people braved rainy, windy conditions to attend the meeting.
"Section 8 Article 1 of the Constitution spells out the powers of the federal government," said Lombard, the organizer of Wisconsin 9/12 Project, a conservative organization that attempts to educate through the use of constitutional documents and activist training. "If it's not in Article 1, government should not be doing it."
While Lombard focused on the Constitution, Three Percenters emphasized a return to constitutional rights.
"In 1775, 3 percent of the population of our country fought tyranny and King George III for the freedoms we enjoy today," said Sean Anderson of Janesville, the 7th District commander of Three Percenters. The district includes Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota and South Dakota.
"We see ourselves as freedom fighters," said Anderson, who helped at a booth at the convention. "We are the 3 percent who believe that the rights fought for in 1775 are being taken away."
The constitutional violations range from local to national matters, Anderson said.
"We are forced to purchase dog licenses, and farmers can't sell raw milk," Anderson said. "Where is that addressed in the Constitution?
"In 1775, we fought taxation without representation," he said. "That's happening again."
Representing concerns about "smart meters" at the convention was Dolores Kersten of Madison.
"We are very concerned about these utility smart meters that transmit signals that are collected through wireless means and end up in the utility's computer system," Kersten said. "We recently heard a speaker on (information technology) issues at a university forum in Madison reveal the security risks of these systems. He said you can purchase a gizmo on eBay that can hack into this system."
Kersten said she has two main concerns with smart meters.
"First of all is the cost," she said. "The Madison water utility has raised the residential rate 33 percent in the last three years and wants to raise the rate another 12 percent for 2013. Rates go up, in part, to fund these new metering systems."
Kersten is also concerned about privacy.
"The less strangers know about us, the better," she said. "I'm concerned that the third party doctrine will apply, and the utility can sell this information."
Lombard said Sunday's Freedom Convention is part of a movement the media has tried to define as the tea party. She pointed out that there's room for diversity within the organization no matter what it's called.
"There are differences of opinions on specific issues," she said. "There are, however, three basic principles that unite the movement," Lombard said.
"We all believe in a smaller, less intrusive government; the restoration of personal freedoms and a return to economic freedom in which government would simply get out of the way and let a free market function."
Lombard did not hesitate to defend her position when asked about those who want less government but benefit from such programs as Social Security and Medicare.
"I maintain those programs are not in Section 8 and, therefore, should be, over time, abolished," she said. "We are the greatest and most charitable people on Earth, and that's where those programs belong."
Sunday's conference displayed no evidence of any tea party organization and was not a function of the Republican Party.
"By law, we cannot be involved with other political organizations," Jason Mielke, chairman of the Republican Party of Rock County, said earlier. "I know of no members of our organization who are involved in this project."
That doesn't mean Republicans are not interested in or don't attend such gatherings, Mielke said.
"Diversity in thought on issues is important to us," he said. "It's also important that all voices be heard. That why it's important that events like this are held."
Oct 17, 2012 at 2:11 a.m.
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If the members of this movement truly believe the principals they preach one would certainly hope they are not voting for either of the big government candidates the oligarchy has to offer them up. How much you want to bet that the vast majority at this thing voted for GW in 2000 and 2004? Thee biggest government expansionist, and anti civil liberty presidents we have seen since Nixon.
Oct 16, 2012 at 9:32 p.m.
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You sound like one of Romney's 47%, teapartysal; feeling entitled to something simply because you asked for it.
Oct 16, 2012 at 8:44 p.m.
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so, poohbah, I've asked you this before and you have failed to answer, but once again, please provide documented examples of 'hatred' expressed by tea party patriots at a tea party. Dates and locations, please.
Oct 16, 2012 at 7:24 p.m.
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So simply saying the pledge of allegiance and singing the national anthem make your group ok? I was at the Obama rally in Madison and they said the pledge of allegiance and had an invocation before hand too.
Oct 16, 2012 at 2:50 p.m.
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Everyone should question labor party's facts. I was one of the planners of the rally, and it certainly was NOT 4 years ago, it was 2. We would all love to stay out of everyone's bedroom, that is why we do not want to have to pay for ANYONES contraception. If you do not like pictures of bloody fetuses, you certainly have the right not to look, I'm not convinced its effective myself, however, the right to freedom of expression does not stop with you. Labor states 'my church', so I guess he's Catholic, and I do think that people are entitled to hear that there is evidence that the catholic church is funding abortions, since the church claims to be against it.. truth in advertising. Not sure what was at that table, as I was nowhere near it the whole time. As for guys carrying guns, what exactly is your issue with that, labor? Open carry was legal at the time. Did any of them threaten to shoot you or something? Did they try to force you to carry one? What is your objection to them exercising their 2nd amendment rights? Not sure what the reference to 'keep them out of my workplace is", but I can tell you most tea partiers agree with your sentiments.. We want to be free to live our lives w/o interference. Did the raw milk people try and force you to drink raw milk? I bet they didn't. Did the car collectors try and make you buy some old car? Nope they just want to be free to legally own and title their own. I advised the Gazette and all people that were invited to speak that we were trying to reach all across the spectrum and that the views presented by any speaker or exhibitor did not necessarily reflect our own. It was an attempt to bring candidates and issues not normally (or fairly) presented in the media to people's attention so they could make their own INFORMED decisions. If you heard me speak, you certainly know that I was not in agreement with the Republican party that day. All we ask from you 'Labor Party' is what you ask, to be free to live your life w/o interference from others.. including the government and yes.. UNIONS, Mr./Ms Labor party.. how about keeping YOUR FORCED unionIZATION out of MY workplace? Just sayin...
Oct 16, 2012 at 9:38 a.m.
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What "hatred" do you have proof of? Or is it your hatred of anyone you disagree with?
Oct 16, 2012 at 8:25 a.m.
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wislady said, "The "ignorant and deluded wingnuts" also recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem."
You forgot to mention the American flag lapel pins and the Lord's prayer. I guess for some people that's enough to overlook the hatred harbored by tea party "patriots."
Oct 16, 2012 at 7:05 a.m.
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The "ignorant and deluded wingnuts" also recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem.
Oct 15, 2012 at 11:06 p.m.
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Not a real group of people by the left fringe standards if they aren't banging drums, echoing others comments "Mic Check!", claiming others owe them things, while occuping others property with disregard for public health and safety.
Oct 15, 2012 at 9:58 p.m.
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An elderly woman came by my house a few weeks ago, trying to get my views on the election. No thanks. I then found printed ads about this event wedged by the mailbox, and other flyers blowing around the area. Garbage from ignorant and deluded wingnuts. I hope they paid a lot to print them.
Oct 15, 2012 at 9:51 p.m.
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poobah
I assume MOST people follow the links, if they are interested enough to comment on the subject. I didn't write the information, and I can't change it to suit your wants.
Oct 15, 2012 at 9:41 p.m.
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wislady said, "That is what a "link" is...for YOU to decide if you want to follow up."
And counting on the fact that people would not follow the links as I did is one possible reason why you provided a link instead of the names of the seven states. When basing a position on the fact that seven of the most regressive states in America have the same policy as the one being discussed, I doubt I'd want to name them either.
Oct 15, 2012 at 9:24 p.m.
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Well.....thank God that this is America where every kook can express their half-baked opinion and hold a public gathering to express their views - no matter how crazy. God bless 'em and please pass them the anti-psychotics.
Oct 15, 2012 at 9:22 p.m.
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poobah
I provided the information (YOU were commenting on " vaginal ultrasound the legal necessity for abortion access". .
The trans vaginal ultrasounds are NOT being forced on women (in ANY state). Other than that, if you wanted more (which you obviously searched for from the link), it is up to YOU.
That is what a "link" is...for YOU to decide if you want to follow up.
Oct 15, 2012 at 8:50 p.m.
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wislady, you really don't get it, do you? How did I originally get the list of seven states if I hadn't followed a series of two links you provided and read the article cited within the article you cited? I did my research. The fact remains, you provided a link buried in another link and didn't provide us with the names of the seven states because they read like a Who's Who of the most regressive states in America: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
Oct 15, 2012 at 8:44 p.m.
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I provided you with the access, it is YOUR job to educate yourself if you want to know more.
Write to the GUTTMACHER INSTITUTE and tell them they are with holding information.
Oct 15, 2012 at 8:39 p.m.
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Read this very carefully, wislady. As I previously stated, I read the article you cited and I read the two articles that were cited in the article you cited. I read the matrix of states in the Guttmacher link.
My point remains, "wislady will tell us that seven other states require ultrasounds, but she won't tell us which states those are as she knows the list reads like a Who's Who of the most regressive states in America: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas."
Oct 15, 2012 at 8:25 p.m.
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You're welcome.
Oct 15, 2012 at 8:24 p.m.
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"but she won't tell us which states those are"
poobah
I just went to the article, the LINK is still there. Here it is, since you obviously missed it:
http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/sp...
Oct 15, 2012 at 8:13 p.m.
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wislady, I did read the article and I read the two links in the article prior to commenting. As I stated, "wislady will tell us that seven other states require ultrasounds, but she won't tell us which states those are as she knows the list reads like a Who's Who of the most regressive states in America: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas."
Oct 15, 2012 at 7:58 p.m.
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poobah
Had you read the article, the link was in the article. It provides a nice, easy to comprehend chart showing this data:
HIGHLIGHTS:
12 states require verbal counseling or written materials to include information on accessing ultrasound services.
21 states regulate the provision of ultrasound by abortion providers.
2 states mandate that an abortion provider perform an ultrasound on each women seeking an abortion and requires the provider to show and describe the image.
6 states mandate that an abortion provider perform an ultrasound on each woman seeking an abortion, and require the provider to offer the woman the opportunity to view the image.
9 states require that a woman be provided with the opportunity to view an ultrasound image if her provider performs the procedure as part of the preparation for an abortion.
5 states require that a woman be provided with the opportunity to view an ultrasound image.
If you wish to go read the link I provided, the information is all there.
Oct 15, 2012 at 7:45 p.m.
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wislady will tell us that seven other states require ultrasounds, but she won't tell us which states those are as she knows the list reads like a Who's Who of the most regressive states in America: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas
Oct 15, 2012 at 6:34 p.m.
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Wislady, why should they have to get an ultrasound period? Shouldn't the person be able to use their freedom of choice and make a decision without the Government getting involved at all?
Oct 15, 2012 at 6:23 p.m.
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Virgina became the 8th state to require ultrasound before abortion.
You are "misinformed" if you believe that a vaginal ultrasound is necessary before abortion in Virginia.
"The Virginia House of Delegates passed a revised version last week that allows women to "reject" a transvaginal ultrasound and instead opt for an abdominal ultrasound, which generally yields less information in the early stages of a pregnancy."
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-5...
Oct 15, 2012 at 6:07 p.m.
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The only thing missing was the trailer park spokesman and the ufo sightings. This is a bunch of of nuts most of who already get goverment handouts! Next be a little more credible.
Oct 15, 2012 at 6:07 p.m.
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The only thing missing was the trailer park spokesman and the ufo sightings. This is a bunch of of nuts most of who already get goverment handouts! Next be a little more credible.
Oct 15, 2012 at 4:46 p.m.
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Yup--abolish S.S. --only do it after I have collected "mine".
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