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On Imperfection, Or, How Do You Choose A New Bank?

October 3, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

Like a lot of people these days, we have come to the conclusion that it’s time to change our lousy bank.

And it wasn’t even like we chose badly, either – we were customers of Washington Mutual for almost two decades, and we loved ‘em: they were nice people to deal with, they didn’t constantly hammer you every time you came in to the branch with desperate sales pitches, and they didn’t even charge you for using another bank’s cash machines.

It turns out, however, that all that beneficence came at a cost: WaMu made a lot of money making sketchy mortgage loans, and when it all came crashing down, we found ourselves customers of JPMorgan Chase, who we now hate with the fire of a thousand suns.

But it turns out choosing a new bank ain’t all that easy – and that’s where you come into today’s conversation.

Kooyenga: Butter my butt and call me a biscuit

October 3, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

"I literally Googled 'stupid Wisconsin laws' and this one came up as No. 1," said Republican state Rep. Dale Kooyenga, a 32-year-old accountant from Brookfield who wants to undo law he calls silly, antiquated and anti-free market. --Associated Press.

Well, maybe not literally.

I'll tell you what: If you Google stupid Wisconsin laws and can find one site where that is on the top of the list, I'll eat a stick of margarine.

Here's one site's list to get you started:

One may not camp in a wagon on any public highway or risk a fine of up to ten dollars.

It is a class A misdemeanor to wave a burning torch around in the air.

Livestock have the right-of-way on public roads.

The government may not prohibit manual flushed urinals.

Margarine may not be substituted for butter in restaurants unless it is requested by the customer.

Butter substitutes are not allowed to be served in state prisons.

Who knows if some of those are even on the books?

Does screwing consumers create jobs?

October 3, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

All you need to know about the latest "job creation" bill added to the special legislative session on jobs by Gov. Scott Walker:

People who successfully sue for injuries would earn a lower interest rate on their judgments than banks and credit card companies who take their customers to court, under a bill Gov. Scott Walker included in the upcoming special legislative session on jobs.

Hey, what more could be fairer?

Sheriff Clarke has a Dem primary opponent -- for 2014

October 3, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

Sheriff David Clarke, a rabid right-wing conservative who runs as a Democrat because that's the only way he could elected in Milwaukee County, survived a strong primary challenge last fall, winning with only 53% of the vote.

Chris Moews (pictured), a Milwaukee police lieutenant who ran against him, is already mounting a campaign for the 2014 primary, the next time Clarke has to face the voters (provided his ego doesn't take over and convince him to run for mayor or county executive or president.)

Moews (pronounced Moews) has a campaign website and page, and has scheduled a fundraiser for next week, almost three years before the election.

Ryan's Medicare plan poses a big problem for Wisconsin GOP Senate candidates

October 3, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

Paul Ryan opted out of running for Herb Kohl's Senate seat next year. But he left a little something behind. His Medicare plan -- to end Medicare as we know it and replace it with a type of voucher plan that would cost seniors more -- is very much going to be a part of the 2012 Senate race in Wisconsin.

The problem for GOP candidates, who are fighting in the primary to win the party's conservative base, is that while Republican voters tend to like Ryan's plan, most other voters don't. It will take some careful positioning to finesse the problem Ryan has created for them.

Of course, Mark Neumann doesn't need to prove his conservative bona fides. It's former governor Tommy T who's getting flak about being too liberal for 21st Century Republicanism.

Maybe to prove himself Tommy will come out to the right of Neumann on Medicare and Social Security. But that could kill him in November.

This little dance could be fun for Democrats to watch.