Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Government (Unaccountability for Scott Walker) Board

September 27, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

Corruption in government occurs when politicians and those who influence them seek to undermine the spirit and literal intent of the laws in order to benefit their own narrow interests -- ethics be damned.

By which definition, Scott Walker is fast making himself one of the most damnable and corrupt governors in Wisconsin history, and in only a matter of a few months. Those of us Milwaukee County residents who watched his ethical failings while he was county executive saw this coming, but couldn't fully anticipate just how brazen and power drunk he would become once assuming the state's top elective office.

Worried that Walker might indeed actually face a recall petition drive from angry voters, the Wisconsin Republican Party is now apparently moving to give their maximum leader ultimate power over the rules created by the non-partisan Government Accountability Board (GAB). The board oversees elections, including recalls, and -- although this power already has been largely gutted by other partisan attacks -- oversight of campaign spending and reporting.

A modest proposal: Ask the people to vote on Medicare, Social Security

September 26, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

An excellent idea from Matt Pommer, a longtime Capital Times staffer who now freelances a column that runs in the Daily Reporter, among other places:

Why not ask the voters what they think about Medicare and Social Security?

 Says Pommer:

Let’s have some advisory votes on the future of Social Security and Medicare.

Wisconsin and other populist states have a history of deciding spending issues by the way of referenda in which all citizens can vote. We decide school spending plans and overrides of spending limits by counting ballots. It seems at the heart of a democracy...

The folks in Washington seem hopelessly deadlocked. Perhaps referenda in Wisconsin — state or local votes — could provide impetus to find a solution. A good time for such advisory votes would be next year’s presidential primary. At a minimum, candidates would have to discuss the questions.

Why not put that issue front and center? And what a great opportunity for progressives to organize and educate the public.

We thought it was "Eat cheese or die," not "Eat Cheese AND Die"

September 23, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

 

Green Bay Press Gazette explains.