Madison

Hidden Agendas In Wisconsin Jobs Bills Replay "Budget Repair" Feint

October 16, 2011 by The Political E...

Beware Walkerites bearing jobs.

And always look past the gift-wrapping.

Remember that Scott Walker began his first year as Governor by offering the infamous "Budget-Repair Bill," his so-called "modest proposal" which was meant to wipe out 50 years of public employee collective bargaining.

Justifying the deception, Walker falsely claimed he had campaigned on that anti-union plan, only admitting the truth when challenged, under oath, before a Congressional committee.

But the pattern was established. Make stuff up, spin it and stick with it.

It was an exercise in Power Politics 101, backed by majorities in both legislative houses and a compliant, 4-3 pro-business and conservative majority on the state Supreme Court.

Baldwin's campaign shows savvy, to set up in Milwaukee

October 13, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

Tammy Baldwin has hired an experienced campaign manager with good national connections.

The best news in the Roll Call story may be this:

Karin Johanson is taking leave from her position as a principal at the Dewey Square Group and is headed to Milwaukee as soon as she lines up office space in the area.

That's a smart decision. Statewide campaigns based in Milwaukee have a different feel and different view of the state. For Democrats, it is where the votes and money are. For Madison-based Baldwin, setting up shop in the city is a good first step.

I ain't Art Kumbalek, but I told you so.

Overture Center for the Arts: Do You Really Want More Money?

October 11, 2011 by Waxing America

The spending increase from 2011 to 2012 in the proposed city of Madison budget is $1,000,000, or less than 1%. This was accomplished by significant sacrifices made by many people and agencies. While the city budget increase is .93%, some are expressing concern that the Overture Center for the Arts is not getting the expected increase in city funding of 66% from $1.265 million to $2 million. The 2012 executive budget recommends $1,325,000. The proposed 2012 budget works because: 448...

The One Percenters: Game, set, and class warfare

October 9, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

Naomi Klein, author of "The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism," really tagged the wealthiest one percent of America the other day in a speech at the Occupy Wall Street rally.

Her speech was shortened because there were no amplified microphones, but here's what Klein said in the full, written version. You can't get much more succinct about what's happening in the US right now regarding "class warfare," and her words surely will remind many of the Scott Walker school of public policy. Here she is:

If there is one thing I know, it is that the one percent loves a crisis. When people are panicked and desperate and no one seems to know what to do, that is the ideal time to push through their wish list of pro-corporate policies: privatizing education and social security, slashing public services, getting rid of the last constraints on corporate power. Amidst the economic crisis, this is happening the world over.

And there is only one thing that can block this tactic, and fortunately, it’s a very big thing: the 99 percent. And that 99 percent is taking to the streets from Madison to Madrid to say “No. We will not pay for your crisis.”