Proposed Wauwatosa charter trashes district funding. Simple Lesson on Privatization.

Here’s an easy to understand example of just how Republicans plan to dismantle the existing public school system slowly, without anybody really noticing:

Wauwastosa Now: The Wisconsin Historical Society said this week it supports the proposed use of the Eschweiler buildings by the Forest Exploration Center for its University Lab School, but the school now faces a challenge from the Wauwatosa School Board. The School Board has passed a resolution urging the governor to strike a clause in the state budget that allows the charter school to go forward as planned.

The Legislature has inserted a clause in the state budget package that would allow charter schools to operate independently of public school districts if they are sponsored by UWM in the five-county metro Milwaukee area.
"Let's say that they draw 100 students from the Wauwatosa School District," Superintendent Phil Ertl said. "Right away that's at least $700,000 that would go to that charter school. ... It's hard to reduce costs to make up that difference." Board member Phil Kroner said UWM could sponsor other charter schools in Wauwatosa if it liked, further eroding funding and the number of students in the district, and possibly prompting the closure of a school.

Any questions?

Conservative Wisconsin State Journal looking fairly liberal lately? Even they can't make sense of Republican Policy.

For a newspaper that has tried to match the extremist right wing bent of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, they're back tracking like nobodies business. The following pictures should send a message, and tell conservative voters to pay more attention. Political control doesn't always mean all is well:

The message...You were warned!!!!

Walker's Con: Unemployment is going Down, even without creating one job!!!

I still can't believe state Republicans want to balance the unemployment fund on the backs of the unemployed. This is so business won't have to spend a cent. This should have been a bigger and more unsettling story.

Businesses were wiped out during the Great Recession and millions of people lost their jobs...so the Republican solution is to make unemployment insurance harder to get? jsonline:

- Tighten the definition of workplace misconduct so that fewer people would qualify for benefits. 

-Eliminate nine instances in which a worker can quit a job and still claim benefits.

 Republicans are also proposing an amazing misuse of general taxpayer money to pay into the unemployment insurance fund, instead of businesses. Do Republican voters even know about this?

And then to loan the unemployment fund another $50 million from taxpayers to show a positive balance and trick the government into not raising taxes on business, is nothing short of crooked.

Mind Numbing Dumb Ron Johnson idea, “agreeing to the size of the problem” first! It's insulting, condescending.

Dumb Ron Johnson has been in a breathless panic since he started running for the Senate. He’s only gotten worse since, imagining the end of American via Obamacare and massive deficits that have actually declined.

I've said it before; Republicans need to find a way to wipe out the deficit they created first, then come back for a serious discussion.

But Dumb Ron Johnson chose instead to treat everybody like clueless knuckleheads, by first offering to help Sen. Tammy Baldwin understand budgeting, something she did as a Representative, and then suggested Obama “understand the size of the problem” before spending one more dollar.

The latter is now catching on as a Republican do nothing talking point, believe it or not. Imagine this:

Politico: Johnson made a presentation to (the White House) on behalf of Senate

Republicans on how they view the deficit problem. And the GOP senators urged the White House to begin a public campaign ... Rather than typical budgets that show 10-year windows, Johnson laid out government revenue and spending projections covering three decades. The Wisconsin Republican argued that using a 30-year window would depict a more accurate picture of the growth of entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security. One source pegged the budget gap growing from $70 trillion to $120 trillion over the next three decades, depending on the assumptions.

30 year projections are notoriously inaccurate, manipulative and missing future congressional action. But to Dumb Ron Johnson, it's all too real. Seeing the economy swirling down the drain, his “sky is falling” world of catastrophic consequences must be understood by all.

So what would Johnson do? Where is his detailed plan for entitlements, spending and deregulation? He’s got nothing, and he admitted it, while praising Obama:

“I think [the White House officials] were hoping for us to lay our solutions on the table — more looking to that as opposed to the definition of the problem,” Johnson acknowledged. “Let’s face it, the 10-year budget window is pretty favorable in terms of minimizing what kind of solutions we have to look at.”

That’s Dumb Ron Johnson, talking up Obama’s economy.  But Johnson’s catchy “we must understand the problem first” lunacy is catching on:

But “We have suggested to the chief of staff — [what] we need to do is to agree on the size of the problem,” said Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.)  

“We’re not negotiating anything; we are discussing,” said Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) “We are making progress on getting some understandings.”

Why do hard working Family Farmers support Freeloading, do-nothing Republicans? Compare Sen. Baldwin and Dumb Ron Johnson on much needed Farm Bill.

Dumb Ron Johnson doesn't like making difficult decisions. The Farm Bill is one of them. He can’t shake the “food stamp” problem he says costs too much at the expense of doing more for farmers. Like doing what for farmers Ron, since government handouts aren't possible when you’re trying to make cuts, cuts, cuts?

But for Johnson, it’s always something isn't it?

Yet Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin stepped in, made decisions and took action. She helped pass the farm bill in the Senate:

Wisconsin Ag Connection: Wisconsin's newest U.S. Senator says she glad to see her

colleagues vote in favor of a new five-year farm bill on Monday. Tammy Baldwin called the measure, which passed in the Senate, a bipartisan piece of legislation that will help move Wisconsin's economy in the right direction.

Here’s Tammy’s view:

"Wisconsin's family farmers have been an engine for our state's economy for generations," Sen. Baldwin said. "The Farm Bill makes important investments in our rural communities and supports an industry critical to our state's economy."

Johnson voted against it:

But GOP Sen. Ron Johnson doesn't feel the 'Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act' does enough to help farmers. He's argued for months that the program contains too much money for food stamps. "About 80 percent of the spending in the bill will be spent on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program," Sen. Johnson said in a statement. "That is out of control … This bill is simply not targeted to help farm and dairy families dealing with over regulation, misguided federal policies, and weak demand brought on by terrible economic growth."

Really? Let’s see if that’s true. Johnson rejected:

Several of the key provisions in this year's farm bill include providing training and access to capital to new farmers; creates manufacturing jobs by growing bio-manufacturing to replace oil-based products; increases the ability for farmers to sell what they grow in their local markets; and expands export opportunities for American farm products.

Dumb Ron Johnson walked away, leaving Tammy Baldwin to pass and include the following additional aid:

Baldwin says the Specialty Crop Block Grants will help support research for crops like cranberries, potatoes, ginseng, and cherries. The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act to provide tools for farmers including technical assistance and training programs, as well as matching funds for savings accounts and lower loan rates. And the Rural Energy Investment Act will provide funds for renewable projects including anaerobic digesters and investments in biofuel crops.  Meanwhile, the Dairy Security Act was also part of the Senate's version of the farm bill with the controversial market stabilization program in place. 

What’s not to like Ron? Oh yeah, food stamps for those still effected by the Great Recession thanks to the "free market." Baldwin helped both sides, standing with farmers and added:

Chippewa Herald: “The bipartisan farm bill makes the most significant reforms to farm programs in decades,” Baldwin said. “It ends unnecessary subsidies like direct payments, eliminates duplication, and streamlines programs to save more than $24 billion.”

She pointed out that the average age of U.S. farmers is about 60. “Many of them inherited or were able to buy into a family operation. That’s getting tougher and tougher these days. That’s why we have to start investing in a new generation of farmers and ranchers,” Baldwin said. “The farm bill provides training programs and helps new farmers access important tools, land, and capital to get their operation off the ground.”

Even Elected Freeloading Public School Officials are Gaming Obamacare!

This is a matter of stepping up, or showing your true freeloading colors.

Businesses that short change employees so they don’t have to pay their fair share of health care are morally vacuous freeloaders, period.

Yes, business does and should have some moral backbone and some social responsibility. They after all, rely on people to make their product or service, and exist within a civilized society. Correct anyone who says the only objective of business is making money. Don’t let em off the hook, it’s more than that. This goes for public workers as well, which we really haven’t talked about much. Legislators in conservative states won't increase or update taxes as times change. In some states, like Wisconsin, they're even giving tax cuts instead of paying toward the future; education and health care for all:

NewsMax: Schools in Indiana are reducing the hours of workers, including teachers' assistants, bus drivers, and cafeteria workers in order to avoid the federal healthcare employer mandate under Obamacare.

Dennis Costerison, executive director of the Indiana Association of School Business Officials, told The Courier-Journal: "What I'm seeing across the state is school districts, unfortunately, having to reduce the hours that they're having some of their folks work, primarily so they don't have to worry about the penalties, or they don't have to provide them health insurance, which would be very, very costly," he said.

 Republicans will like this conflict and shortfall, and not see it as something to fund. That's the difference between the parties.

Do you want Madison Democrats...I mean Republicans, telling you what you can or cannot do? Oops, Welcome to Red State Madison.

When Democrats were in control, Republicans came up with the old refrain, “Madison thinks it knows what's best for the state.”

Well, check out what our nanny state Republicans in evil “Madison” want everybody else in the state to do. (Keep in mind, local laws are usually indicators and beginnings of inevitable social change. Stopping that would have a major unintended consequences, you think?).

First the crazy unconstitutional law protecting the our constitution rights:

1. Illegal to Enforce Federal Law: State Representative Michael Schraa announced legislation today to protect Wisconsin from unconstitutional gun control measures being pushed on the federal level.  The bill would bar local and state law enforcement officers from assisting in the enforcement of federal measures to ban certain firearms, firearm accessories, magazines, or types of bullets. “This bill, the Firearms Freedom Act, sends a simple message to the federal government,” said Schraa (R – Oshkosh).  “Wisconsin will not help you take away our second amendment rights.”

2. Big Gulp Law-Health First Wisconsin: “The budget provision (Motion #150) will go far beyond the motion’s stated purpose of preventing local “Bloomberg Big Gulp” soda size restrictions. The far-reaching motion could prevent local communities from promoting nutritious food choices in parks, neighborhoods and businesses and could also severely limit employee wellness programs that promote healthier habits and reduce health care costs. Motion #150 is a classic example of preemption, which occurs when state government revokes the authority of local governments to make their own policies. The measure silences local voices and prevents local officials from responding to unique local health needs.”

3. Unnecessary Health Care Tests/Government Control-American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists are extremely concerned about the ramifications of SB206 and believe its passage would represent unnecessary legislative intrusion into the physician-patient relationship … sets a dangerous precedent where government will be directing physicians on what procedures they should be required to perform on patients … which the government has no valid role. The proposed requirements do not make abortion safer for women, but do create unnecessary bureaucratic barriers and add both emotional and financial stress to an already difficult decision.

4. Walker's Garage Sale: There are a whole lot of things wrong with a provision in the state budget bill that gives the governor much more authority to sell state property. The power also is so broad that property such as university dormitories, prisons and highways — and even the Capitol — are included. Selling one of those properties might sound like a good idea to someone in state government, but it should worry residents, who rely on the services those properties provide and deserve to have a say, through their representatives, in how they’re run.

5. Guns Made in Wisconsin...special: Another provision of the bill declares that firearms manufactured in Wisconsin and including the stamp “Made in Wisconsin” is not subject to federal interstate commerce regulation as the firearm has not traveled between states.

6. Stacking GAB with Cronies…the sweeping election “reform” plan pending in the Wisconsin Legislature, one component of which would bring the independent Government Accountability Board under the partisan boot with an FDR-like “packing” strategy to rein in the watchdog agency. The GAB portion of the bill would double the number of governor’s appointees, essentially allowing the board to be overwhelmed by political cronies.

7. GOP Freeze on your personal Bank Account: The Wisconsin Senate is scheduled to vote on a bill that would make it easier for the state to recover overpayment of unemployment benefits by allowing officials to check private bank accounts. The bill requires financial institutions doing business with the state to disclose information about accounts held by people who owe money to the unemployment system.

8. Defending Walker’s Medicaid Expansion Costs:  It is already well understood that Walker’s plan costs more state money, by current Legislative Fiscal Bureau projections $149 million more over the next 2 years to cover over 84,000 fewer people. Defenders of Walker’s plan on the Joint Finance Committee last week asserted his plan costs less in combined federal and state dollars … According to the Congressional Budget Office, it costs on average $9,000 per recipient to subsidize health insurance exchange­based coverage, and only $6,000 per recipient for Medicaid. This puts the price tag of Walker’s plan at over $1.3 billion in the current two year budget, compared to $579 million for the Democratic alternative. “It shows a stunning contempt for the citizens of Wisconsin for Governor Walker and his supporters to continually propagate false rationalizations for his decision to reject hundreds of millions of federal dollars to strengthen Wisconsin’s BadgerCare program,” said Robert Kraig, Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin. “

And so the downsizing of government continues...?

Immature Bully Sheriff David Clarke earns Conservative admiration for public tantrums. Plus other gun related horrors.

My message to Republicans, “grow up!!!” Leave childish things and behaviors behind. But they won’t.

My conservative friend in Milwaukee loves Sheriff David Clarke, and defends him by saying “no one’s perfect.” A meaningless response of course. The same goes for Clarke’s wasteful use of my friends taxes. Journal Sentinel's Dan Bice writes:

When Milwaukee County Supervisor Patricia Jursik proposed a ban on taxpayer-funded radio and TV ads starring elected officials, you knew exactly what Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. was going to do next. “So you know what I did a few weeks ago?” Clarke laughed. “I took out another $10,000 and made a new ad.”

My conservative friend laughed too. A little wasteful…? That’s David Clarke, he’s a character, so big deal. He will still gets their vote for tantrums and political playground bullying. Audio:

"And if you smell trouble?" Clarke says. "Trust your instincts, be decisive, use the element of surprise against your attacker, and most importantly, be ruthless in your response. Are you ready?"

The veteran supervisor (Jursik) said Clarke was putting out a "very dangerous message" by encouraging people to surprise attackers and to be "ruthless" with them.

Ya think? The following stories came to mind after reading this, as we slip rather quickly into a conservative world of chaos and in your facedefiance:

(Since) Gov. Andrew Cuomo pushed the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act through the legislature … Some sheriffs have stated that they refuse to enforce the law, lawsuits threaten to defeat the law, and now gun rights proponents have promised to ignore the law completely. Melody Burns, a New York talk show host, told gun supporters at a rally, “Do not comply. I just want to remind you — do not comply!”

Hypocritical? Is this the civil disobedience Republicans bashed here in Wisconsin when over a million protesters came out against Scott Walker’s union busting Act 10, or the “anti-American” war protests in the turbulent 60’s? It's worse. We've got big time problems when we’re seeing “law enforcement” refusing to uphold laws.

Most people were stunned after reading this story:

A Texas jury has acquitted a man accused of murdering an escort he found on Craigslist after she refused to have sex with him. Ezekiel Gilbert admitted to shooting 23-year-old Lenora Ivie Frago on Christmas Eve of 2009 … Gilbert testified that he had found Frago's escort ad on Craigslist and believed sex was included in her fee. When she arrived at his house, she walked around for 20 minutes before leaving to allegedly give Gilbert’s cash to her driver, Gawker reported. Gilbert's lawyers claimed he was justified in shooting Frago because he was trying to retrieve stolen property — the $150 fee he paid her. Texas law allows people "to use deadly force to recover property during a nighttime theft."

Stay away from Texas is about all I can say, a place where your life apparently isn't worth anything.  There's more: 

State Senator Tom Corbin (R-Greenville) introduced a bill that would make every South Carolina resident ages 17 and up a member of the state’s “unorganized militia.” Check out this excerpt from the bill: “Any able-bodied citizen of the state who is over 17 years of age and can legally purchase a firearm is deemed a member of the South Carolina Unorganized Militia, unless he is already a member of the National Guard or the organized militia not in National Guard Service.”

Still more...

Some Maryland gun store owners are ignoring pleas from the State Police, opting to sell guns to customers rather than waiting for background checks.

...and more:

A Houston nonprofit is giving away free shotguns to single residents who live in neighborhoods with high crime rates. The neighborhood of Oak Forest was one of the first in the country to receive free guns and training from the Armed Citizen Project. The 29-year-old founder of the nonprofit, Kyle Coplen, said they expect to train 50 residents in Oak Forest, where residents will put up signs warning that the neighborhood is armed.

Don't forget the kids:

Parents of a 6-year-old boy who was accidentally shot and killed by his 4-year-old neighbor are now suing the neighbor's parents. Brandon Holt, 6, was playing at his neighbor’s home in Toms River, N.J., at about 7 p.m. on April 8. The boys were playing “pretend shooting” when the younger boy shot Holt in the head with a loaded .22-calibre rifle.  
Americans hate terrorists and love our kids, right? So you might be shocked to know that preschoolers with guns have taken more lives so far this year than the single U.S. terrorist attack, which claimed four lives in Boston. This is admittedly tongue-in-cheek, but one has to wonder if the NSA’s PRISM program would have saved more lives had it been monitoring toddlers – or gun owners – rather than suspected terrorists.

The return of Six-gun-Justice: Like the song about outlaw Liberty Valance says, "The point of a gun was the only law that Liberty understood."

A West Virginia journalism professor at Marshall University wrote an op-ed accusing the National Rifle Association of treason and calling for members to be executed by firing squad. In Christopher Swindell’s May 30 article from the Charleston Gazette titled “Gun safety debate is B.S.,” Swindell claims he’s pro-gun ... “The NRA advocates armed rebellion against the duly elected government of the United States of America," Swindell wrote. "That's treason, and it's worthy of the firing squad. The B.S. needs a serious gut check. We are not a tin pot banana republic where machine gun toting rebel groups storm the palace and depose the dictator.” 

Capitol Hill Staffers have positive opinion of Corporations, not so much for labor.

“The poll comes amid rising complaints from the private sector that Capitol Hill doesn’t understand or appreciate business.”-Politico

Businesses feelings are being hurt.

The above quotation from the Politico article below reminded me of a recent poll here in Wisconsin by corporate lobbyist Wisconsin Manufacturing and Commerce.

In fact, I was so appalled by this comment by WMC President/CEO Kurt R. Bauer, that I wanted to give it its own blog post. I can’t really imagine what would make someone think like this, especially after the jobs losses due to the Great Recession:

“Many employers say burgeoning government sponsored benefits like protracted unemployment insurance and other entitlement programs are undermining workers abilities to re-enter the workforce,” Bauer said. “People don’t keep their skills up when they can get unemployment benefits for 24 months along with other entitlements. Employers can compete against each other on wages, but they can’t compete against the government on handouts.”

Again: “The poll comes amid rising complaints from the private sector that Capitol Hill doesn’t understand or appreciate business.”

This should tell you something our corporate takeover.  I know, it sounds clichéd, but…there’s nothing secret or “dog whistle” about it anymore, as corporations decide how they’re going to tweak the few remaining nagging details. Even staffers on Capitol Hill trust business over labor...help:           

Corporations are still seen as trustworthy and necessary by Capitol Hill staffers, according to a new survey … of 328 bipartisan congressional staff:

65 percent of Hill staffers have a positive opinion of corporations — calling them very or somewhat trustworthy. Less than half — 49 percent —say the same about organized labor.

71 percent of Hill staffers found meetings with CEOs and top executives useful to do their jobs, while only 45 percent said the same about meetings with labor leaders.

64 percent of Hill staffers said that meeting with corporate lobbyists was a helpful activity in formulating policy, while only 45 percent reported that meeting with labor lobbyists was useful.

Again: “The poll comes amid rising complaints from the private sector that Capitol Hill doesn’t understand or appreciate business.”

The Doritos Deer!!

Just odd, but anything that likes snack food this much gets my sympathy:

NBC: Florida deputies spotted an endangered Key Deer with a bag of Doritos over its head early Sunday. Deputy Joshua Gordon removed the bag from the deer's head.


 Sheriff's spokeswoman Becky Herrin said, "It must have wanted that last chip in the bottom of the bag."  

Health Care Exchanges adding more insurers, resulting in more Competition.

While Wisconsinites have to wait for the federal government to put together our Obamacare exchanges, the other states that have moved way ahead are already reporting the number of insurers participating. Taking into consideration a states size and population, the following interactive graph tells the story so far. More insurers will probably added along the way. WP:

I hope to have more when it comes to rates soon.

Health plan participation on state exchanges | Create infographics

Were Republicans lousy students who hated school? Attack on Public Education Their Revenge.

I noticed Republicans are continuing to tear down the nation’s educational system to…actually, I don’t know why, this time in Philadelphia PA. 

The Philadelphia School District announced Friday is it laying off 3,783 people across entire range of district employees, from senior administrators to support staff. Superintendent of Schools William Hite made the dramatic announcement ... "The layoff notices that will be issued today are nothing less than catastrophic for our schools and our students." Beginning July 1, no guidance counselors. No secretaries. No football. No glee club. Without these employees, "our schools will be just empty shells," Hite said.

Sometimes it’s not a bad idea to get a perspective on Republicans efforts to dismantle public education, by seeing what’s being done elsewhere.  

(And like Scott Walker, little has been done) to restore the deep cuts the Corbett administration has made to education funding over the past three years. As the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center recently noted, state aid to basic education is still $800 million below what it was before Corbett took office.

Here's what's the Republican school yard bullies have created:

Philadelphia is cutting over $300 million in the district's $2.7 billion budget … principals will be asked to cut their schools' budgets by 25 percent. They will only receive enough funds to staff one principal and the number of teachers necessary for maximum class sizes: 30 students per class for kindergarten through 3rd grade, 33 students for all grades higher. Earlier this year, the city's education officials voted to close down 23 of the city's underenrolled schools as a money-saving measure … believed to be one of the largest to have occurred in the nation.

The state has a major role in the shortfalls. Oddly, many of the stories covering this mess don’t mention the Republicans role in this at all. I did find one that brought up the usual business tax cuts and what is basically a tax free natural gas giveaway that won’t benefit state residents:

City Controller Alan Butkovitz called on lawmakers to find money to stave off the school funding crisis … said the GOP legislature should end corporate subsidies and shift the focus to restoring school funding.

Butkovitz, who was joined by other controllers and school board members from the Better Choices for Pennsylvania Coalition, want to freeze the phaseout of the Capitol Stock and Franchise tax and implement a tax on natural-gas drilling to raise an estimated $560 million for education.

Are they crazy? Have they forgotten the “no tax” pledge? And like in all other Republican states; prisons first:

Philadelphia is so broke the city is closing 23 public schools, never mind that it has the cash to build a $400 million prison. Construction on the penitentiary said to be "the second-most expensive state project ever" began just days after the Pennsylvania School Reform Commission voted down a plan to close only four of the 27 schools scheduled to die. 

Walker's Fossil Fuel Energy Policy will have negative effect on jobs and savings for decades!

To misquote a line from Airplane, "I guess we picked the wrong time to elect Scott Walker."

Walker has decided to go with the old standby, fossil fuels. Stunning:

Cap Times-Mike Ivey: A new report from a California group shows the state continuing to lag behind its Midwest neighbors in development of clean energy, such as wind and solar power. Wisconsin did move up to two places in the index to 19th ... But all states adjacent to Wisconsin ranked better, with Minnesota and Illinois both landing in the top 10.

The Clean Tech Leadership Index also shows Wisconsin trailing in areas like energy-efficient buildings, use of alternative-fuel vehicles and clean energy venture capital.

“It’s too bad,” says Keith Reopelle, energy policy director at Clean Wisconsin. “There are lots of policymakers in positions of power who are missing out on the opportunity to grow the state’s clean energy sector, which is making people in other places a lot of money.”

If moving in the opposite direction is the “right direction” for Walker, than we’re screwed. The following is an amazingly disconnected and backward record of mistakes:

Rates have soared in part because of the costs of building new coal-fired power plants and constructing high-voltage transmission lines to move the electricity, in part, to markets in Illinois and points east. The reliance on fossil fuels in Wisconsin is largely an economic drag since the state has no oil, coal or natural gas reserves of its own. The state spends an estimated $12 billion annually to import fuel to generate electricity and power its vehicles.

In a move that seems to defy logic, the Legislature’s budget committee has directed another $8 million each year away from weatherization programs to a program that helps low-income residents pay their utility bills … the weatherization (is) particularly ironic since the constant drumbeat from the Walker administration and Republicans has been about ending handouts to low-income residents in the state. “You talk about making people more self-sufficient but then you cut a program to help people get their energy bills under control.”

Walker’s first budget in 2011 eliminated the state Office of Energy Independence, which worked to reduce the state's annual energy bill. He also nixed a directive for the state to reduce its gasoline use, stopped a program for hybrid-electric or alternative-fuel state-owned vehicles, and ended a requirement that the state consider energy use in the purchase of new appliances, lighting or heating systems costing under $5,000. Walker also killed plans for using biomass as a fuel at the new UW-Madison power plant.

U.S. becoming "Third World India 40 years ago" with low wage jobs. We don' Build Thinks Anymore....

Former Assistant Treasury Secretary Paul Craig Roberts identified the jobs Republicans like to call “going in the right direction,” with the 179,000 jobs created in May. Thanks to America United for the story tip:

TruthDig: Retail, 27,700; wholesale trade, 7,900; ambulatory health care services, 15,300; servers and bartenders, 38,100; local government, 13,000; amusement, gambling and recreation, 12,500; temporary help, 25,600; business support services, 4,300; services to buildings and residences, 6,400; accounting and bookkeeping, 3,100; architecture and engineering, 4,900; computer systems and related, 6,000; management and technical consulting, 3,200.

“For a decade this has been the jobs profile of ‘the world’s most powerful economy.’ It is the profile of third world India 40 years ago. The jobs that made the U.S. the dominant economy have been moved off shore by corporations threatened by Wall Street with takeovers if they did not increase their profits. The U.S. has twice as many people employed in government than in manufacturing,” and virtually no new jobs for the “vast number” of recent college graduates.

Mayor Nickels: "Republicans...putting a price tag on everything and value on nothing."

I thought this speech at the Democratic Convention in Oconomowoc, by Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels, kicked ass. Nuff said:

WisPolitics: Nickels said the Democratic party is the party of compassion, which

presents challenges when running against Republicans who he said have an easy time appealing to those concerned about the price of government rather than its value.

Republicans and the Tea Party, he said, are “putting a price tag on everything and a value on nothing.”

He said that in a society where people increasingly care about themselves more than others, “Republicans can shout at the wind and tell us that overpaid public employees and high taxes are the problem” and that they can cut taxes and grow the economy.

But Democrats, he said, are forced to explain the value of supporting things like education and public transportation that may provide opportunities for others, rather than just themselves, to succeed in society.

He said radical groups tell Democrats they need to read the Constitution. “While they are living in a world focused on "me," Democrats are focused on "we"--“we the people,” he said to applause.

Zielinski book on Walker: "Rotten; the story of Scott Walker."

I like the title a lot:

Wispolitics: Former Dem Party spokesman Graeme Zielinski said he's working on a book

about Gov. Scott Walker. The book, "Rotten: The Scott Walker Story," will be a takedown of the guv, focusing on his "lack of principles," Zielinski said. He declined to go into more detail on the project.

Walker Brags; 94 % of CEO's like State Direction and Economic Policy Failures. Yeah, let's put them in charge.

Keep in mind, we’re talking opinions here...

...If you polled CEO’s way back when, before Obamacare, they would have probably made health care their number one issue. It's been killing businesses bottom line for decades.

So is it any real surprise CEO’s in the latest WMC poll said health insurance is their number one concern again? Oddly, by this small percentage; 26%. 

These free market bullshitters are still pushing their contrived and nonsensical talking point, "certainty:"

WMC: “Clearly, the oncoming federal health care mandate has employers mired in uncertainty,” said WMC President/CEO Kurt R. Bauer. “CEOs in Wisconsin are looking for certainty, predictability..."

The big news touted by Scott Walker, who’s only option at this point is to use opinion polls because actual data would destroy him, is how rosy Wisconsin CEO expectations are despite economic reports. 

Weren't they this jazzed a year ago, before we were graded 49^th in economic growth and 44 in job creation. Guess they were wrong, huh?

The media should hold Walker to a higher standard than reprinting absolute hearsay from the same CEO's keeping employment down, wages down and regulation down. 

Just as insulting are the unfettered comments from these Republican favored freeloading blowhards, because life isn't easy enough for them yet:

“The constant state of ‘unknown.’ As a businessman, we just ride it out until there is a ‘known.’”

“Too many existing and proposed entitlement programs; unreasonable regulation based on emotions, not facts. No fiscal responsibility at the federal government level. Wisconsin is doing much better.”

If that wasn't enough trash talk:

But while WMC member company executives believe Governor Scott Walker’s administration is business friendly, there is concern that his pro-growth policies haven’t been embraced by state bureaucrats.

“Governor Walker understands – the Legislature and the bureaucrats do not.”

“It is better than previous years but still has a long ways to go with regulation reform and taxes.”

Workers Not Desperate Enough for these CEO's: If this doesn't make you flame on, than nothing will:

“Many employers say burgeoning government sponsored benefits like protracted unemployment insurance and other entitlement programs are undermining workers abilities to re-enter the workforce,” Bauer said. “People don’t keep their skills up when they can get unemployment benefits for 24 months along with other entitlements. Employers can compete against each other on wages, but they can’t compete against the government on handouts.”

If only we didn't have entitlements, sigh!

SUCKERS!!!! Update: Politifact has already bought into the lie and misdirection play, equating actual fact with opinion. CEO "opinions" are not the same as studies. Shameless:

Walker said the state’s ranking "in terms of the best and worst states to do business in was 43 four years ago, and we just moved up to 17 two weeks ago."

That’s correct, in one study of CEO perceptions, but the "state’s ranking" depends on which study you read. The governor cherry-picks the most favorable of three studies on his side, but ignores studies showing much lower rankings and little or no improvement, creating a misleading impression of dramatic improvement.

In reality, the rankings are very mixed. We rate his statement Half True.

Republicans seek force field at border before passing Immigration Reform, that's all....

The following "must have" guarantee for Republicans may be pie-in-the-sky ridiculous, but it also sounds like a massive cost to taxpayers. Another unfunded mandate? Of course. And echoing a common Republican complaint...ONE THOUSAND PAGES? 

The Hill: Confidence among Democrats that the 1,000-page bill will pass the upper chamber was shaken last week when Rubio said he would not vote for it without changes to border security language — even though he negotiated the original draft … working on amendments to bolster border security apart from a border-security package drafted by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).

Hey, Republicans are only asking for a little “security:”

They would require the Department of Homeland Security to achieve full situational awareness of the entire U.S.-Mexico border and complete operational control — defined as a 90-percent apprehension rate of illegal border crossers — of every border sector.

I’m surprised they left out a cure for cancer and a perfect world.

Money in Elections about to get Worse, in exchange for Online Voter Registration.

In this case, both sides are conspiring to take in double the amount of campaign contributions currently allowed by law. Why?

For online voter registration.

jsonline: Democrats and Republicans in the Assembly are working together on a bill that would double the amount donors can give politicians and allow voters to register online. It's a surprise collaboration that emerged just days after Democrats reacted with outrage at a public hearing to an earlier version of the bill from Republicans. 

The original plan to overhaul election laws, by Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greendale), were dropped in the new version of the bill, which is sponsored by Stone, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), Rep. Fred Kessler (D-Milwaukee) and Rep. Terese Berceau (D-Madison).
In a change that would affect everyday voters, people with valid Wisconsin driver's licenses could register to vote on a secure state website up to 20 days before an election. Backers say it is a key way to boost turnout. 

Recall Elections for Bad Politicians, Good Politicians making tough decisions, or Criminal Politicians?

While there's a new plan for election laws being written, Republicans here are still moving toward a constitutional amendment that would change the rules regarding recall elections.

My theory goes like this: Once Republicans take power, they feel the need to pull up the ladder that got them there and protect their one party castle. Until then though, well, that’s a different story.

In Wisconsin, Republicans have super majorities and now gerrymanders safe districts, no worries. So they've decided to constitutionally change the recall laws so only criminal behavior, not bad lawmaking, can result in throwing the rogues out of office.

But in Colorado, it’s just the other way around. Conservative gun nuts have organized recalls against Democrats on the false notion that gun regulation is unconstitutional. Talk about frivolous.

WPR: John Morse isn't bogged down in personal scandal. The Democratic president of the Colorado Senate isn't accused of ethical improprieties or anything else that might directly violate his oath of office. But by pushing a sweeping gun-control measure he's alienated a swath of voters who are determined to toss him out of office before his term ends.

On Monday, groups opposing restrictions on guns turned in twice as many signatures as they needed to trigger a recall election against Morse. A recall of another state senator appears likely.

It's the latest example of an elected official facing recall not because of criminal misconduct, but simply because their opponents disagree with their policy choices.

Is the following a Democrat talking about Scott Walker, or a Republican talking about a Democrat who passed gun regulation. Eerily similar, don’t you think?

"Waiting for the next election would still give them another year to trample freedom with anti-constitutional bills pushed by an extremist minority," says Anthony Garcia, spokesman for the lead group seeking Morse's ouster. "We appealed to people's common sense and found that many wanted action now, both to simply remove him and to send a message to the Legislature here."