On Survey: Wis. gov recall will cost $9 million

Posted on January 7 at 8:17 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

My opinion.

There are things that Gov. Walker could have done differently that may have prevented all this.

First off I don't think most people would have objected to state union employees contributuing to their pensions and health benefits. The budget crisis dictated the need and I believe had it been handled better, would have been a non issue. Republicans held power in both houses so why did Walker feel the need to propose these changes and try to ram them through without debate? Proposing to strip unions of their collective bargaining rights and trying to vote on it 24 hours later was about the worst move he could have ever made. Had he proposed these measures, let everyone debate about them and then vote on them after a reasonable amount of time, the same outcome would have resulted as the repubicans hold power. So it's not what Walker did, but rather how he did it.

Also had he put in his campaign that part of his plan for Wisconsin was to bust state unions, he would have never been elected in the first place. He never mentioned it because he knew that most certainly he would have lost all endorsements from unionized labor folks.

His policies and his plan for Wisconsin have caused a great divide within the state. In a time when we most need people to come and work together to solve Wisconsin's problems, he has forced people apart farther than ever.

Just read the comments on this article and it's obvious. Take a look at what else our state government got accomplished this past session. Not much. Too much division between the parties and not strong enough leadership to bring them together.

I think if the Democrats don't come up with a worthy challenger, there is chance that Walker will remain Governor.

My gut feeling is that he will be recalled.

On Governor to sign bill today

Posted on March 11 at 8:52 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

He should use the pen while he is at it to polish his resume.

On Teachers unions tell members to go to work

Posted on March 10 at 9:22 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

"We must close union offices, confiscate their money and put their leaders in prison. We must reduce workers salaries and take away their right to strike.”
- Adolf Hitler, May 2, 1933

On Fill'er up

Posted on March 5 at 7:33 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

It sucks. I feel for the guy who has a vehicle that only gets 10-12 MPG and has to drive and fill up more than once per week. Maybe this will start a bicycle revolution and more people will start biking or using mass transit.
I also think anyone thinking of opening a moped or scooter dealership, now might be a good time.

On Erpenbach's pay check is in the mail

Posted on March 4 at 7:09 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Desperate times call for desperate measures. What people fail to realize is that people elect these representatives to do what what THEY, the representatives, feel is best for the majority of thier constituants. I, for one, believe they are.

On Wisconsin landfill oil filter ban to start in January

Posted on December 3 at 7:33 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

There are no recyclers listed for Rock County at all. If someone knows a business or place that does take them please post it. I'd like to continue to do my own and do the right thing with the used oil filters.

On My cowbells are polished for IMoo

Posted on September 8 at 7:04 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Thanks Steve for the support this year. We will return the favor next year as we will not be racing but will be volunteering. The training is long for just one day of Ironman racing, but it is well worth it. Enjoy and see you Sunday.

Mike Wimmer

On Thank you Principal McKilligan

Posted on August 17 at 9:09 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Norm Graper, Mrs. DeLong at Wilson, Mrs. Reed (both of them), Mrs. Koebler, Mrs. Mohr, Mr. Walters at Washington Elementary. All had a positive influence on me. Teachers are under appreciated and under paid for the impact they have on students.

On None

Posted on August 8 at 11:53 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Anyone who has swam at Lions Beach lately knows it is posted that swimming is restricted to the roped off area only. The roped off area only goes to a depth of about 5 feet.
It is posted swim at your own risk.
It's too bad this happened, but don't put the blame anywhere but where it belongs which is on the person who decided to swim outside the roped off area at their own risk.
The city does not want to return Lions Beach to its days of glory and that is too bad because it has so much potential.

On Pain sufferers say fired doctor, opiods helped them

Posted on August 4 at 11:06 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

I think there is some good discussion here.
But what is the solution?
Should doctors be able to prescribe as much of a drug as necessary to make the patient comfortable at all cost (even at risk to the public), or should there be a limit and if it causes the patient to be in some amount of pain still then that is just something they have to live with?
I am not in chronic pain, in fact I live every day pretty much pain free except for things I do to myself (sore muscles from exercising, or doing a yard project that involves muscles that don't normall get used), so I am not going to judge anyone. I know some people have a high pain threshold and some do not so everyone is different.
I know that some people are in pain and based on doctor after doctor, no one can tell them why, but they are in pain. No one should have to live in chronic pain if there is a treatment that helps them. However, there is a duty to protect the public from those who fake it in order to get pills and drugs to sell or to abuse or those who do have pain, get hooked on pills and then when the pain is gone still take them and will do anything to get them.

So what's the answer?

Maybe people who need higher doses should be held to a higher standard and be forced to go the extra mile to ensure the public interest is upheld. Perhaps they have to have a nurse come to dispense the meds prescribed to them daily to ensure all meds are taken by the person they are prescribed to (some way to keep accountability of the medication to be sure it's not being sold or given to someone else). Some people may be forced to give up driving, or any other activites that may put others in danger. A small price to pay for those truly in pain who need the drugs to function. They should also sign something saying that they are aware that these high doses of meds will probably cause them to be addicted, damage other organs, or may cause death and that despite the risks, this is how they want to live their lives at NO LIABILITY to anyone but themselves. I don't know the answer.

I do know that this doctor had rules in place by his employer and he crossed them. Also drug samples are normally given out in the office during office visits, not from the front seat of your car in a parking lot.

Dr. Hobson was my personal doctor for 3 years. I have nothing but good things to say about him. He was kind, caring and did a great job for me. I don't know why he got fired, nor do I care. While he was my doctor, I was very happy. I was able to go within the Mercy System and get another great doctor (as they have a WHOLE BUNCH of great doctors there).

So what's the answer to be sure that people living in pain get the treatment they need, yet the public is protected?

And should doctors be able to side step rules put in place by their employer based on their judgement?