On You can only vote for one party today
Posted on September 15 at 6:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
To expand on Roadmaster's point a bit:
In many states, you must pre-register for one party and only can vote in that party's primary (closed primaries). In some states, the primaries are not even on the same day. Wisconsin doesn't require you to pre-register (no one knows what party you support), but still requires you to vote within one party. You are helping the party you support the most choose its candidates for the fall, not choosing who you want to actually hold the office.
The open primary system can be confusing at first, but is actually a more permissive system than many states. I'm not saying it can't be improved, simply that I prefer it to other states' systems.
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sannio makes a good point too. If a voter wants to purposely vote for the weaker candidate in the party they oppose, they must vote entirely in that party. This could mean that they are not giving a vote to an important candidate in their own party. It isn't perfect, but it does help prevent such tactics. Again, it's somewhat preferable to closed (separate) primaries or caucuses.
On Why drive with that dog on your lap?
Posted on August 25 at 7:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
My 7-month-old 55+ pound lab/hound mix rides in the back seat in a car harness that secures him to a seat belt. In addition to being safer for him, he is less of a distraction/bother when harnessed in. He is an energetic dog but tends to lie down and sleep or sit and look out the window, even on the rare occasion when I forget his harness.
On Music is cultural bridge in teacher of the year's classroom
Posted on May 25 at 11:26 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
econgirl,
Does Parker High School have German, French, or "African" (I realize that there are likely hundreds of languages from the African continent) speaking students who are immigrants or from a family of recent immigrants who would be interested in participating in such an event? If so, then you have a very valid concern. If that isn't so, then I don't see your question as particularly relevant.
I don't see anything in the article to suggest that Conway is particularly concerned about elevating Latinos above other any other ethnicity, but rather that he is exposing students to other cultures using available student resources.
On Edgerton puts collar on K-9 program
Posted on May 18 at 7:08 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Based on my (admittedly limited) understanding of the situation, this was the right choice.
I think EPD having a K-9 unit is pretty good idea, but it needs to be handled differently from the get go. The chief, a heavily administrative position, should not have the dog. His handling of the dog and this situation in general doesn't inspire a lot of confidence.
If Edgerton chooses to continue with the program, hopefully they will learn from the events that lead to this decision.
Posted on February 12 at 10:40 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
While I certainly think that the obesity topic is one worthy of being discussed, I suspect that some people choose to focus on Horowitz's metaphor rather than addressing his point that local, temporary trends (weather) differ from large-scale, long-term trends (climate) because it's easier than explaining why it is acceptable to ignore the science behind climate change and conflate weather with climate.
It's much easier to skirt the issue (or insult Horowitz') than to actually offer a counterargument.
On Hixson decides against state senate bid
Posted on February 9 at 4:07 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
If I recall correctly, Hixson was a professor of advertising at UW-Whitewater and a member of the Whitewater Common Council prior to getting elected to the Assembly, not a farmer. Whether or not he ever was a farmer, I fail to see how being called one is an insult.
On Hixson near the top of law makers in per-diem reimbursements
Posted on February 4 at 8:25 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Matt,
We can agree to disagree, I just think it's very important for the voters of the district to see that you aren't even capable of defending your position against Hixson's common, legal, reasonable use of the per diem. As Edgerton_Lady points out, it makes it look like you are trying to sensationalize something that is quite boring (we're talking about $13K for one member of the Assembly here). If you can't defend this position against some guy on the internet, are you capable of arguing in committee or on the Assembly floor to influence legislation? Your weak argument and lack of ability/will to defend it with reason says a lot more about you than Hixson's use of the per diem says about him.
On Hixson near the top of law makers in per-diem reimbursements
Posted on February 3 at 3:08 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
You claim you like to stick to the facts but you ignore them and resort to vague accusations as to the weakness of my argument rather than addressing the real issues. While you may think that makes you look like a politician, it just makes you look wrong.
Hixson having the third highest per diem says nothing about his efficiency as a legislator nor the quality of his representation. F
If Hixson's (salary + per diem) is less than his income before becoming an Assemblyman and you currently make less than the salary you would make as an Assemblyman, your gesture is a lot less noble than you would like it to appear. While I do not know what you make, I simply suggested that if you found out what percentage (if any) of his pay Hixson gave up to represent the district, would you be willing to take that same percentage pay cut? Not profiting from a salary increase would impress me much more than giving up the additional income from the per diem.
Despite my arguments, do you still feel that Hixson is "exploiting" taxpayers by "abusing" the per diem? You're welcome to show that you have been enlightened (I won't see it as a flip-flop) or offer counter arguments. You're not worth anyone's time or vote if you can't respond to a few arguments against your stances.
On Hixson near the top of law makers in per-diem reimbursements
Posted on February 3 at 10:19 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Matt,
To be frank, who cares what people you know have to do for their jobs? I know people who get paid much better than the per diem to travel a lot less for their job. Certainly that isn't evidence that the per diem is too low or that it should apply to in-district travel.
A few points for consideration:
1. Hixson isn't "exploiting" or "abusing" anything. He is getting reimbursed for official travel to and from Madison for legislative business to help offset the costs that he incurs for doing so. Plenty of state (and non-state) employees get reimbursed for travel to help cover fuel, wear and tear on a personal vehicle, maintenance, and depreciation.
2. Legislators do not get reimbursed for travel within the district. When legislators, including Hixson, travel around the district for listening sessions, various meetings, or to meet with constituents, they are not reimbursed. I can easily imagine Hixson spending more than $13,464 a year for travel.
3. Many legislators take a pay cut to work on our behalf. I assume (but don't know) that as an associate professor and Whitewater Common Council member, Hixson was making more money than as an assemblyman. With a family to help provide for, it isn't unreasonable for him to take reimbursement for some of the travel that generates extra costs for him.
4. Legislators have a maximum number of days that they can claim per diem for, even if they travel to Madison more often. It is possible that Hixson, or other legislators claiming the maximum number of days, worked at least a few days at the Capitol without being able to claim the per diem. 153 days a year works out to approximately 3 days a week on average.
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While I think it's great that you would choose not to accept any per diem pay if you were elected, I certainly don't hold it against any legislator who does. Also, as far as we know, becoming a legislator will be more of a pay raise for you than the incurred travel expenses. As far as we know, you won't be traveling to Madison as often as Hixson to do legislative work for the district nor traveling around the district for relevant work.
You challenge Hixson to pledge to give up per diems. Would you pledge to take the same percentage decrease in pay as he did to become a legislator? We wouldn't want you "abusing" and "exploiting" the taxpayers for the pay, would we?
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On Wisconsin will soon have first Latina legislator
Posted on December 27 at 9:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This story does point out something rather interesting.
If voters ignored demographics, we would expect that the make up of our legislators would look somewhat like our population. Since Latinas (and other female Hispanics) make up approximately 2.6% of the population of Wisconsin, the fact that our legislature has had 0 Latinas until this point is interesting.
While I would be willing to partially accept that a low number of Latinas is due to incumbency or perhaps a difference in demographics (e.g., age or education) of Latinas versus non-Latinas, zero is an extremely low number. Combine the low number of Latinas with the fact that Calon was the first Hispanic of either gender, and it isn't unreasonable to assume that there has been some sociological or political influence that has kept them out for so long. The fact that this barrier has been broken is a tribute to the fact that we are making strides.