“Wisconsin: state of anger, state of action” - Updates
“Wisconsin: state of anger, state of action” - Updates
Moving into the first FULL (all 7 days) WEEK of JUNE 2012, WE THE PEOPLE know that Tuesday will be a historic date in WI state history regardless of the outcome of the RECALL ELECTIONS. All of us are able to vote in the RECALL ELECTION for Governor and Lieut. Governor. There are four (4) WI State Senate districts in which there is a RECALL ELECTION for the State Senator. What do YOU expect as the results of our WI Recall Elections on Tuesday?
There is general agreement that the RECALL ELECTIONS on Tuesday will be very significant for the FUTURE of WISCONSIN. I voted absentee late last week. Have YOU voted absentee? If not, do YOU plan to vote next Tuesday?
AND NOW, WE THE PEOPLE of WI who received the mailing from the Greater Wisconsin Political Fund of Madison KNOW that whether or NOT one votes is PUBLIC RECORD. I make it a point to be sure that my American Government & Politics students KNOW that there is a PUBLIC RECORD of when and if they vote in WI. It is a secret ballot in terms of the content of the vote. ONLY the voter knows for whom s/he voted.
I was surprised to read the Gazette report (page 1, yesterday), “Election mailer sparks concern: Official voter history is public information.” Were YOU surprised to learn that YOUR voting record is PUBLIC INFORMATON?
New reports today - Monday, June 4 - WISC-TV News @channel3000.com - "Voting history flyer catching recipients by surprise" and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Mailings that list voting records set off some neighbors"
While there is a subtitle about "inaccurate" report, the ONLY example in the report is a person who lived and voted in IL in Nov. 2008. The list is for WI. So, the report on WI voting is NOT an error! I doubt one will find an error in the OFFICIAL WI VOTING LISTS!
I would remind YOU that it is very important to know! Especially IF you choose to be a candidate sometime, be sure you are scrupulously HONEST about YOUR OWN voting record! I clearly remember a Milton School Board election in which a candidate claimed that he had voted in every school board election since moving to the School District of Milton. Within 48 hours, there was a boxed report on page 1 of The Janesville Gazette clarifying that candidate’s voting record. Truth be told, he had NOT voted in a school district election since residing in the school district. Honesty is the best policy! (I would suggest that Scott Walker consider that reality. The TRUTH, the WHOLE TRUTH and NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH!)
Today readers of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel have the benefit of a perceptive and thoughtful analysis of the present state of Wisconsin through the work of Craig Gilbert in his feature column, “Wisconsin Voter.” I urge you to read, “Wisconsin: state of anger, state of action.”
Gilbert accurately asserts as he starts his article, “In the War for Wisconsin, voters here have become famous for three things: participation, polarization and discord.” And then he clarifies, “In plainer language, they're active, they're divided and they're angry.” That’s THE TRUTH!
You will benefit from several data charts complementing the text of the article making it easier to grasp the meanings of the data.
Gilbert notes, “The official turnout forecast for Tuesday is 60 to 65 percent of the state’s voting-age adults, which in the context of recent decades is a more or less insane figure. Dating back to 1950, average turnout in a mid-term election for governor is 47% and the highest was 52.4% in 1962.” I honestly expect that SWE THE PEOPLE of WI will EXCEED this official forecast. What do YOU expect?
His analysis moves beyond voting to actual involvement. He cites the polls by Marquette Law School this year with the following data: • one in five voters said they had given money to a political candidate • almost one in five said they had attended a political rally or demonstration. • almost half said they talk politics with co-workers at least once a week. • two-thirds said they talk politics with family and friends at least once a week • more than half said they had tried personally to influence another person’s vote. • one in three said they had stopped talking about politics with someone because of disagreements over Walker or the recalls.
Today's “WISCONSIN VOTER” column is going in my file to be used with my American Government & Politics class. I urge YOU to read it and consider it. What is YOUR comment?
Another key dimension of the RECALL ELECTION debate is JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!
Rick Romell has analyzed the surprise data in his article, “High-wage industries hire, but wages fall: Data adds fuel to bitter political debate in Wisconsin.”
Read and consider the data. Again, the benefit of a chart helped me understand the data – see the chart, “Jobs up, wages down” complementing the article online.
We are all well aware of the JOBS issues which Walker and Barrett have raised. The article concludes with the following summary, “All manner of questions have been raised about the jobs numbers advanced by both Walker and Barrett as the politicians vie for advantage, and the data the state published on Friday contains at least one eyebrow-raising line:
“The biggest employment gain by far - 7,002 jobs - came in the ‘Unclassified’ sector. That catchall category also saw a whopping 36% drop in its average wage.
"’Very peculiar,’ Freeman said. ‘ . . . It makes no sense that wages fell by one-third.’”
What do YOU think?
COUNTDOWN to our WI RECALL ELECTION is now 2 days – today and tomorrow with the POLLS opening on Tuesday morning, June 5.
Here we go…
Mr. E.
John Eyster lives in the Edgerton area. He is an adjunct professor of political science at UW-Waukesha and an advocate for democracy/civics education in Wisconsin high schools. John is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
Jun 6, 2012 at 10:34 a.m.
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State of Relief...thank you Scott!
Jun 5, 2012 at 7:38 p.m.
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They’re Cutting Property Taxes In Wisconsin (April 16, 2012): Today Governor Walker announced that statewide property taxes for the typical homeowner have gone down for the first time in 12 years. The tax bill for the median value home is $39 per homeowner lower than originally estimated by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau when the 2011-2013 budget was passed.
Since 1998, property taxes paid by homeowners have risen 43 percent. This year property taxes paid by the typical homeowner went down 4 percent. Without the Governor’s reforms the average homeowner would have paid an additional $700 over the biennium.
When you try to do this, you get recalled. Not that Walker is likely to lose the recall. He’s going to win, and the unions will have spent a big pile of money on not a lot of success.
But states – who have to balance their budgets – that can cut taxes are states which are doing a lot better job of managing their money. Walker is an example of somebody who has a clue. He was willing to deal harshly with the unions and pay the price they’d exact on him politically in an effort to properly manage that money.
Walker needs to be held up as the standard. We should keep him in mind as we watch the Louisiana legislature’s efforts to resolve an $800 million (or larger) budget deficit or enact pension reform.
Jun 5, 2012 at 8:22 a.m.
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The hatred the unions and democrats use in their campaigns have caused some anger but I believe most of the anger that caused division in the state comes from the most unfair method of taxation in the nation especially the property tax. My property tax supports schools and county government, and others, but these two are out of control and I believe the way land is assessed favoring farmers who I believe are the wealthiest sector in the state is the major problem. Every one should pay their fair share. End all tax breaks, subsidies, grants and special loans would be a great start in GOING FORWARD.
Jun 5, 2012 at 7:03 a.m.
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The left, supported by eysterCAPS, is stooping to new lows. to try to intimidate their own base into voting for Barret
Jun 4, 2012 at 5:28 p.m.
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Sure wislady, what's so unfactful about a sitting governor thinking about planting troublemakers among Wisconsinites last year, referring to "dropping the bomb" on constituents he later claimed knew it was coming, and then plotting a divide and conquer strategy to break unions while telling a congressional panel he had no plans of busting unions. Whether walker wins tomorrow or whether some protester defecates in the public won't change the fact that he is scum.
Jun 4, 2012 at 5:18 p.m.
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Sorry that some don't like the FACTS...just don't read it then.
Money, paid volunteers flowing into anti-Walker PAC in final days before election
tp://www.wisconsinreporter.com/money-paid-volunteers-flowing-into-anti-walker-pac-in-final-days-before-election
Jun 4, 2012 at 4:57 p.m.
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There is nothing more low and disrespectful than Scott Walker and his blind puppeteer supporters.
Jun 4, 2012 at 4:51 p.m.
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Behaving badly at Solidarity Sing-along
One anti-Walker protester gives a class of grade schoolers an earful about Gov. Scott Walker at Solidarity Sing-along outside the Capitol the day before the recall election.
http://youtu.be/HgNpvvwPSu4
Jun 4, 2012 at 1:33 p.m.
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Politifact -- "Governor Walker supports hunting on public land, always has supported hunting on public land, and will continue to in the future," Walker spokesman Cullen Werwire said in an email. "Governor Walker will not enact ‘steep fees’ to hunt on public lands. That is crazy."
How do we really know Walker won't enact steep fees on pblic land? Did Politifact take into account BY THEIR OWN ACCOUNT ...LOL...that more than 3 out 4 of Walker's statements are not true? LOL!!
Jun 4, 2012 at 10:32 a.m.
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"READY......FIRE.........AIM!!!!! The liberals are coming!
Jun 4, 2012 at 9:03 a.m.
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(24) hours from now I will have Voted..
Hope all of you will also.
Time to end this hatred and crap being spewed at each other here....and then move on.
Jun 4, 2012 at 8:25 a.m.
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ATTENTION Mouse - 1. Why would the NRA back Walker IF the same stupid comment you keep posting was even remotely true - keep grasping at straws maybe just maybe, one will stick.
2. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results. Is it possible you have any sanity left?!
Jun 4, 2012 at 7:05 a.m.
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youkillme
Obviously, you missed the entire point of the information Ann Althouse was presenting.
Jun 4, 2012 at 6:33 a.m.
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If your so smart, why didn't you make sure all the Signers of the Recall Petitions knew that was public record as well? or was this just something you came up with AFTER the big stink about making the recall petitions public information?
Jun 4, 2012 at 2:45 a.m.
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Tuesday will be very interesting , very seldom do we get a chance to see what a politician is all about then get the chance to get rid of him .
Jun 4, 2012 at 12:17 a.m.
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RetiredAirForce and The Greater Wisconsin Political Fund; both diligently working to keep citizens informed on other people's voting history.
Jun 4, 2012 at 12:12 a.m.
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Interesting words on Wisconsin’s Peter Pan progressivism.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/g...
Jun 4, 2012 at 12:08 a.m.
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Yeah RAF, That Mahlon, he's such a terrible guy. Nothing like the jackbooted career lying politician we have for governor right now. The link you posted actually makes Mahlon wholesome and clean compared to the trash we have in office right now. Thx.
Jun 3, 2012 at 11:46 p.m.
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Interesting information on the dem candidate that wants to be the Lt Gov of Wisconsin.
http://legalinsurrection.com/2012/06/wis...
Jun 3, 2012 at 10:51 p.m.
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wislady, Althouse thought THAT was creepy huh? She obviously never got a load of Walker's CRG seriously despicable flyer targeting only Janesville school teachers, disparaging them as radicals, asking people to match up names to the recall petition and then posting contact information to the school superintendent while cowardly keeping their own identity a secret. The people behind that flyer are total trash.
Jun 3, 2012 at 9:36 p.m.
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Rick_Raff
Then you can buy 3 bottles of that wine that Paul Ryan doesn't drink.
Jun 3, 2012 at 9:32 p.m.
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fordfan
Ann Althouse has been a professor at UW Law School since 1984.
I will post the entry, since you choose to edit and distort. Obviously, you approve of the tactic.
.....
June 1, 2012
"We're sending this mailing to you and your neighbors to publicize who does and does not vote."
"Incredibly creepy mail today from the Greater Wisconsin Political Fund:
I obscured names and addresses, but be assured, this was a list of real names and addresses of people who live near me, with the information about whether they voted in the last 2 elections. This is an effort to shame and pressure people about voting, and it is truly despicable. Your vote is private, you have a right not to vote, and anyone who tries to shame and an harass you about it is violating your privacy, and the assumption that I will become active in shaming and pressuring my neighbors is repugnant.
Not voting is a valid choice. If you don't have a preference in the election, don't vote. If you think no one deserves your vote, don't vote.
This may be the most disgusting thing I have ever received in the mail."
http://althouse.blogspot.com/2012/06/wer...
Jun 3, 2012 at 9:24 p.m.
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I;m waiting for President Obama to make a speech on the danger of eating "yellow" snow .....just so i can tune to FOX and find out ALL the good points of eating "yellow" snow !!!
Jun 3, 2012 at 8:47 p.m.
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fordfan
You don't find it objectionable to be intimidating people regarding voting?
What did you find objectionable about The entry from the Althouse blog?
Jun 3, 2012 at 7:25 p.m.
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wislady - why is it that everything you post is "the most disgusting thing I have ever......"
Jun 3, 2012 at 6:10 p.m.
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Interesting blog from Ann Althouse regarding those voting records, and how the Greater Wisconsin Political Fund organization is using that information.
http://althouse.blogspot.com/2012/06/wer...
Jun 3, 2012 at 5:16 p.m.
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I got to 32 all-caps-words and my eyes started spinning.
Jun 3, 2012 at 4:37 p.m.
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Pop goes the weasel!
Jun 3, 2012 at 4:11 p.m.
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Gee John, It's great to know, for the 98th time, that you voted absentee. Is there any other personal info that you care to share with us that most of us don't care a rats rear end about? Thank God, you'll have something else to bore us with after Tuesday.
Jun 3, 2012 at 1:47 p.m.
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poo: I like your comment. With cost of living going up, and wages going down, working folks will have a harder and harder time making ends meet. I, too, like the links John puts into his blog.
We voted absentee on Thursday because this Tuesday we won't be around most of the day.
Jun 3, 2012 at 11:10 a.m.
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RECALL WALKER!
Jun 3, 2012 at 11:03 a.m.
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John, thanks for reminding me of the ole' principle; IF you don't read the newspaper, you are uninformed, and if you DO read the newspaper, you are MISINFORMED!
Jun 3, 2012 at 9:40 a.m.
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John, thank you for citing the articles in your blog. The Journal Sentinel article, "High-wage industries hire, but wages fall" that cites Department of Workforce Development data is very interesting.
Using the data cited in that article for the ten industry groups that showed the greatest increase in the number of jobs, I calculated that the annual payroll decreased by $1,338,430,444 in those ten industry groups. To highlight some of the annual payroll decreases in those industry groups, Ambulatory health care services saw a drop in payroll of $457,743,000 per year, Machinery manufacturing saw a drop of $348,994,844 per year, Unclassified a drop of $253,110,365 per year and Management of companies and enterprises a drop of $222,114,308 per year.
As cited in the data, the average weekly pay for Wisconsin jobs dropped from $835 to $817 or a loss of $936 per year from 2010 to 2011. Using the CES estimate of 2,732,000 total jobs in Wisconsin, this represents a drop in payroll of over $2.5 billion per year in Wisconsin under Walker's administration.
Walker promised to add 250,000 jobs, but at what cost to the state and to wage earners? If this trend continues, average weekly pay will be decimated by the time he reaches his goal.
Jun 3, 2012 at 9:16 a.m.
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" I make it a point to be sure that my American Government & Politics students KNOW that there is a PUBIC RECORD"
Huh?!? Just what kind of tangents are you going off on during your lectures??:)
Jun 3, 2012 at 8:20 a.m.
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John your laughable attempts in the past few days remind me greatly over that great piece of work by Sir Thomas More, as you grasp at straws to save your political ideology which is falling flat with the majority of voters in this state.
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