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On Common Ambitions, Or, Occupy Wall Street Likes Capitalism – Sort Of

October 16, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

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Original Author: 
fake consultant
Well I’m finally back here at work after another recent series of personal adventures; in the middle of all the fun I’ve been finding time to get down to my local “Occupy” event, and for those of you who have not been keeping up I thought we’d take a moment today to compare a bit of Fox-driven perception to the reality I’ve been seeing. What I’ve been told to expect, at least in certain quarters of the public space, are dirty filthy hippies with no jobs or ambitions hoping to destroy America while having deviant public couplings fueled by the free distribution of dangerous psychotropic drugs. Sadly, I’ve found that there’s not really much truth in that description, even as tiny bits of it do ring true; but with a manifesto in hand and a few conversations under my belt we’ll see what we can do to create a picture that will surprise a lot of the 99% who already support Occupy Wall Street, even if they don’t know it yet.
Individuals or individual states may call themselves what they please: but the world, and especially the world of enemies, is not to be held in awe by the whistling of a name.

Republican-based democracy: America is a club you can't afford

October 15, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

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Original Author: 
Man MKE

As the nutball legislation dispensed by the Republican caucus in Madison continues apace, it's good to take the 10,000-foot view and consider what the overall GOP asgenda means for average state residents. When you look over the list, one theme emerges: It's all about money.

If you don't have any money or an insufficient amount of it, you simply are not going to be able to afford the new GOP flavor of democracy. America is rapidly being transformed into an exclusive club, whose members are wealthy and whose dues are paid by the rest of us.

Here's a brief but not totally inclusive rundown exemplifying this bold new GOP world:

Injured by a corporation? Too bad, because you no longer will be able to afford the cost of suing.

Buying a product or service? Risky! You won't be able to complain if something goes wrong, unless you first sign the seller's "compulsory arbitration clause" signing away your remaining rights to sue in court. 

Get sick? You won't be guaranteed paid days off.

The Republican chaos engine

October 14, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

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Original Author: 
Man MKE

The thing to keep in mind when dealing with modern Republicans is that they depend heavily on two tactics: One of those tactics can best be described as a sophisticated version of the childhood retort: "I know you are, but what am I?" That's the effective GOP response when, for example, critics accurately note that Republican administrations tend to run high deficits and enact tax giveaways for special interests that make those deficits worse.

The second tactic, which is really just a psychological means of dealing with their own hypocrisy, is when Republicans project their own behaviors and motives onto the opposition. In short, Republicans are willful dissemblers but also, deeper down, in denial of their own dysfunction and inadequacy -- and quite willing to fantasize that it's always the other guy's fault. Projection increasingly is the psycho-glue that holds their fractured party and ideology together.

Citizens can help keep concealed weapons out of public places; Here's how

October 14, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

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Original Author: 
xoff

Concealed carry of weapons becomes legal in Wisconsin on Nov. 1, and local governments across the state are deciding whether to allow weapons in public buildings. Most communities are saying no.

It is also a decision business owners face. The law allows them to forbid their employees from bringing guns to work, and allows them to ban weapons on their property simply by posting a sign at the entrance.

Rather than sit back and watch, Wisconsin citizens, individually or in an organized way, can help them make that decision.

Every day, as you spend money in businesses you normally patronize -- the coffee shop, hair salon, grocery store, gas station, restaurant -- ask them to post a sign keeping weapons out. The Wisconsin Anti- Violence Effort has produced some small cards you can give to businesses, asking them to post a sign and giving them some reasons it makes sense to do so. (For example, workers at businesses that allow guns are 5 to 7 times more likely to be murdered, and 80% of all businesses in the country prohibit guns.)

Everybody else hates it, but Paul Ryan loves Herman Cain's goofy 9-9-9 plan

October 13, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

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Original Author: 
xoff

The Chief, an Oshkosh blogger who deserves a wider readership, asks:

If Paul Ryan takes Herman Cain's 9-9-9 Plan Seriously, should we keep taking Paul Ryan Seriously?

It's entirely possibly that there has never been a more ridiculed and completely dismissed domestic policy proposal than Herman Cain's 9-9-9 Tax Plan. Democrats hate it. Conservatives hate it. Even Grover Norquist hates it. Bruce Bartlett says of the plan:
 
Even allowing for the poorly thought through promises routinely made on the campaign trail, Mr. Cain’s tax plan stands out as exceptionally ill conceived.

Quote, unquote

October 13, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

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Original Author: 
xoff

“Sometimes you don’t get what you prefer in politics and in that case I would have to think about it.”-- Dave Obey, saying he might have to run for governor if Herb  Kohl or Tom Barrett doesn't.  

Talk about not getting what you prefer in politics.   That would be it for sure.


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

October 13, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

Uppity Wisconsin's picture
Original Author: 
xoff

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.

Quote, unquote

October 12, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

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Original Author: 
xoff

History will tell whether Karl Rove is right or Mark Block is right. -- Wisconsinite Mark Block, Herman Cain's campaign manager, in Roll Call.

Tough to pick between two repulsive choices, but I'll have to go with Karl Rove.

Did I mention that Block was once banned from doing any political work in Wisconsin?


US taxes corporations at highest rate -- Except they don't pay any taxes

October 12, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

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Original Author: 
xoff

Incredible.

That means unbelievable.

The Journal Sentinel's PolitiFact, which prides itself on putting things "into context" -- which is how it justifies its frequently warped conclusions -- says Rep. Fat Jim Sensenbrenner's (Isn't that what the F stands for? See photo) claim that US corporations pay the highest tax rate in the world -- 35% -- is true.

No mention of the fact that the Government Accountability Office says that two-thirds of US corporations pay no federal income tax at all.  Zero.  Zip. Zilch. Nada.

In fact, PolitiFact Ohio (it's a franchise operation) checked a claim by Rep. Marcia Fudge that some of the biggest corporations pay NO taxes. Her statement rated true.

Any corporation that is paying 35% needs a new accountant.

Ryan Commits Class Warfare and Division by Blaming Obama for Class Warfare and Division.

October 12, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

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Original Author: 
xoff
Paul Ryan likes to divide us by bringing up and blaming others for class warfare and division! But its really the old game of, "I know you are but what am I."

Paul Ryan is a master of this game. His use of talking point cliches, like a Klingon cloaking device, hides many of his plans major flaws. The formula Ryan uses looks something like this:
Ryan: "(wonky sounding numbers), cliche, (wonky sounding numbers), cliche.
Studying Ryan's Reactions: Looking past the condescending leadership style of Paul Ryan, you'll see him falter a little with Meet the Press' David Gregory, and then spew his formulaic answer. He makes the false claim Obama's stimulus failed, deflecting attention away from his own daja vu policies that ended up crashing the global economy.

Gregory: "Aren't you vulnerable to the charge Republicans are only looking out for the rich, isn't that divisive?"
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