T Wall’s distortions and Grothman’s hypocrisy

Terrence Wall’s press release yesterday irritated me, sermonizing that the attempted Christmas Eve bombing  “should serve as [a] reminder to Sen. Feingold.” In a WisPolitics interview (mp3) Wall seems to state that he doesn’t have all the facts on Afghanistan and should reserve judgment. Yet a little preaching to cash in on a near tragedy is fine.

Q: But do you think that there should be an increase in troop levels in Afghanistan?

Wall: You know, you and I can’t make that decision here because we don’t have, we don’t have access to the secret intelligence. Russ Feingold is a member of the Intelligence Committee, he does have access to all of that information he has the ability to articulate a plan, yet you and I, Joe Public, we can’t do that, we don’t really know. And the bottom line is you and I really don’t know what’s going on over there. We read in the paper, and you know a lot of it, some of it’s wrong, some of it’s right but we, you know, we watch the news, right? But we don’t know, we’re not on the ground, we’re not boots on the ground. I, you know, I can tell you this I mean that Afghanistan is very tribal, it’s got mountainous regions which makes fighting over there very difficult, you know there’s the question of if you pull out, and I raise this as a question, you know, if you pull out, does the Taliban or the al-Qaeda take over the government of Afghanistan? And do they then destabilize Pakistan? If they get hold of the government of Pakistan they also own and control a nuclear arsenal. And if we withdraw from Pa-Afghanistan, the question in my mind is what’s the alternative strategy to preventing al-Qaeda from getting a hold of those nukes? I would like to know from Russ Feingold, as a voter, I want to know from him what is his alternative strategy?

But Wall knows that Feingold’s defense of American’s civil liberties enables terrorists to attack. Yeah right.

In other news, state Sen. Glenn Grothman is so riled up about Madison’s plowing failure in the wake of this months blizzard, he wants the state to usurp snow removal policy.

Typical conservative hypocrisy, limited government until something offends ones sensibilities. Grothman gives us this gem however;

This is what happens when you have a city with politicians whose base is people who walk to their job at the co-op. They become incapable of handling their responsibilities to the state as a whole.”

A knock on the hippie population of Madison. Hilarious.

Walker 2008: Privatize Mitchell Intl. — Walker 2009: Record Traffic at Mitchell Intl.

Scott Walker issued a press release today announcing November was the busiest month on record at Mitchell International Airport, owned by Milwaukee County.

In 2008 as part of an ongoing campaign to dismantle government (while simultaneously running for governor), Walker proposed the privatization of Mitchell.

Politicians issue press releases to attack rivals or brag about accomplishments, Walker is clearly bragging about the high traffic at Mitchell International last month.

AirTran announced today it will establish a hub in Milwaukee, creating 100 jobs. Walker has press release praise for that announcement as well. Add AirTran’s addition to the 800 jobs Republic Airways will create by moving operations to Milwaukee and the future looks good for Mitchell International.

What a difference a year makes. I can’t wait to see what capper makes of this.

Terrence Wall issues another distorted press release

Terrence Wall believes the attempted terrorist attack on Christmas Day should “serve as a reminder to Sen. Feingold.”

Wall goes on to describe the blatantly obvious security failures illustrated by the attack, then claims;

“Feingold has been at the forefront of the effort to scale back law enforcement’s ability to track, apprehend and punish terrorist suspects.”

Wall has taken a near-tragedy and used it to denounce Russ Feingold.

Worse, there is absolutely no connection between Wall’s attack on Feingold’s defense of civil liberties and the attempted bombing. Feingold has never advocated allowing obviously dangerous people to board airplanes. Wall’s press release makes clear the obvious warning signs that should have been picked up by security.

If this is how Wall’s campaign attempts to cash in on a near-tragedy, imagine how disgusting the real thing would be.

WISGOP flip-flops on fiscal responsibility

Gov. Doyle appointed state Rep. Gary Sherman to the District IV court of appeals earlier this month. Sherman will have to resign his Assembly seat, which would normally result in a special election. However, Gov. Doyle has asked Sherman to serve out the remainder of the Assembly session, scheduled to end in April 2010 because;

“Holding a special election this spring to send someone to a Legislature that will be out until the fall would cost taxpayers money without adding active representation.”

The Republican Party of Wisconsin, instead of applauding an exercise of the fiscal responsibility they so often advocate, attacks the decision. GOP Executive Director Mark Jefferson claims the Democrats are waiting until fall because;

“The chances for a Democrat loss could be somewhat reduced,”

which simply isn’t true. Jefferson apparently knows this judging by the lack of evidence he gives in support of the statement. If Democrats are really running the state into the ground he should be happy to give them another six months (with the legislature out of session anyway) to prove his point.

The GOP has gone beyond being the party of no ideas. They now attack their own ideology when implemented by political enemies.

Wisconsin Family Action is no friend of liberty

State employees are now able to insure their domestic partners regardless of gender or marital status. The insurance comes at significant cost to the employee as the federal government treats the benefits as taxable income, but Julaine Appling of Wisconsin Family Action claims to be concerned about the cost to the state, saying;

“It’s unfortunate at a time of great economic crisis it’s going to cost taxpayers more to give these employees special benefits.”

Appling is wrong multiple counts.

These are not special benefits, merely equal benefits that would apply to any married couple.

The state of the economy has no bearing on Appling or her hateful organization’s opposition to shared benefits.

Equal protection under the law is never unfortunate.

Although Wisconsin Family Action’s website proclaims the virtues of “life and liberty” without the caveat “for straight people only” the group will attack any advancement in the civil rights of gay citizens. The group goes beyond advocating “traditional marriage” to actively oppose a system of benefits that attempts to provide equity yet still costs a gay couple more than a married couple. When “married couple” does not inherently signify heterosexuality, Wisconsin will be one step closer to liberty.

But liberty is a concept selectively applied by WFA. They state “pornography…must be controlled by the government,” “we oppose stem-cell research” and “the expansion of casinos.”

Liberty is neither practiced or achieved by imposing government regulation on every action that offends someones sensibilities.

The lesson is, Wisconsin Family Action is no friend of liberty and Scott Walker isn’t the only person who will oppose equal rights under the guise of recession.

Thank You Tim Walz

From the Winona Daily News
By: Chris Tubbs

I am a recent graduate of Winona State University. Unfortunately, I began looking for a post-graduation job just as the Great Recession hit hard. Suddenly jobs disappeared, I was laid off, and my life suffered because of it. I have been prevented from beginning my career in earnest, my credit rating took a huge hit, I was almost kicked out onto the street, and my five-year relationship with a woman that meant the world to me crumbled under the pressure of my chronic unemployment.

Two groups of people bear primary responsibility for the ruination of everything I had worked for. Wall Street bankers and financiers caused the Great Recession by trying to make as much money as possible without caring about the consequences of their actions. President Bush and Republicans in Congress repeatedly blocked attempts to hold Wall Street accountable for its actions before it was too late. The result of the actions of these two groups of people was the destruction of the lives of millions of Americans.

Fortunately for us all there is one group of people that are making sure that Wall Street will never again ruin the lives of hard-working Americans like me: Democrats in Congress. The U.S. House of Representatives has recently passed the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which will increase consumer protections against predatory lending, protect future homeowners, rein in irresponsible Wall Street pay packages, and end taxpayer bailouts and the “too big to fail” mentality.

I would like to thank our excellent Representative Tim Walz for voting to protect average people like me and hold Wall Street accountable for its actions. Rep. Walz has brought great credit to the State of Minnesota in Congress. It is stunning that Minnesota’s Republican representatives, along with ALL Republicans in the House, voted against protecting the American people from Wall Street greed. Shame on them – and thank you Tim Walz.

WI Government Accountability Board recommends roadblocks to voting

The Government Accountability Board is recommending absentee voting be cut off the Friday before election day.

Yes, the Government Accountability Board, which states;

“A key to developing and maintaining public trust is to make the election process accessible and transparent for all participants”

Just recommended the state take action to undermine that trust, to make casting a ballot more difficult.

The recommendation came because municipal clerks were “overwhelmed by the number of voters who came in just before the November 2008 election.”

A clerks job is to facilitate the election process.

I have defended municipal clerks in the past with posts about redundant and prohibitively expensive early voting. If the GAB recommendation comes to fruition, I may have to retract the “redundant” assessment.

But further discussion of early voting in Wisconsin will not be necessary, as the Government Accountability Board recently advised against early voting. To address the concerns that brought about an examination of early voting in the first place, the board recommends the state “pursue procedures that will streamline in-person absentee balloting.”

Slash-and-burn streamlining, the state’s new balloting policy.

The board’s recommendation does not completely bar voters from casting an absentee ballot in the three days before an election;

“Voters could still vote absentee until 5 p.m. Monday if they sign an affidavit stating they are unable to make it to the polling place on Election Day.”

I can see the challenges from JB Van Hollen now. No excuse would be acceptable from a demographic that skewed Democrat.

Wisconsin encourages citizens to vote. The recommendations of the board are a step backwards for democracy.

Terrence Wall to fire everyone who has worked for him over a decade

Terrence Wall believes the US Senate needs some “business sense.”

“We have too many career politicians in Washington,” Wall said.

According to Wall, Russ Feingold has been in Washington too long.

Wall is going to prove his point by sacking all employees of his firm, T. Wall Properties, who have been with the company in excess of ten years.

Sounds ridiculous right?

So is claiming that a Senator isn’t doing his job because he has been doing his job for the last 18 years.

Terrence Wall is proclaiming Sen. Feingold a career politician and crying for his defeat next year. Was it ridiculous that 1,623,562 Wisconsinites voted for Feingold in 2004? Was the affirmation of their Senator some sort of mistake?

It was not a mistake, Mr. Wall. Nor will it be when the voters do so again in 2010.

So Terrence, run on the premise you have the better vision for Wisconsin. Run on the premise you will help us win our wars overseas. Run with an idea to reform our broken health care system.

But don’t run on the premise Russ Feingold has been working too long. If you want to win you will have to turn several thousand supporters of Feingold in 2004 away from their old candidate. Insulting their choice five years ago isn’t going to endear you to them.

Terrence, I know you don’t have any new ideas to rally Wisconsin’s voters. That is why you are running on the tired old GOP line that “the government needs some business sense.”

The business of a US Senator is running the country. Pony up an example of what you will do that better than Russ Feingold.

WIS GOP Chair Reince Priebus puts his foot in his mouth

The GOP and Dem chairs debated this week, the highlight being GOP chair Reince Priebus saying;

“The fact is, whether it’s true or not, the mayor has given a very bad mixed message as far as what his commitment is to running for governor, and it’s causing him a problem.”

Priebus is insulting Barrett’s announcement of his candidacy only a year before the election.

Everyone reading this and following WisPolitics is keenly aware of Barrett’s “late” announcement of candidacy.

The other 99.7% of eligible voters have yet to even consider the governors race. Things like Easter and Presidents Day are  weighing more heavily on their minds.

Anyway, on to the Senate;

“Priebus also said that Gov. Tommy Thompson told him that he was thinking about running for U.S. Senate.”

Is Thompson also giving a “very bad mixed message as far as what his commitment is,” Reince?

That’s quite the double standard…

Terrence Wall’s super-duper-top-secret plan for health care reform

I hope the title didn’t mislead you into thinking I had some information on the plan. It really is super-duper-top-secret. In an interview with WisPolitics Wall (at 9:30) declares he has six or seven simple changes to resolve the nation’s health care problem, that he is “not going to give out right now.”

If Terrence Wall were to win the general election, he would take office in 2011. The health care debate will be over by then, so if you’ve got the answers Terrence, we need them now.

Wall acknowledges the need to bring down costs, but the only aspect of a health care reform plan he offers is (at 8:58);

“If Democrats really wanted to make health insurance affordable for example, they would simply allow health insurance to be sold across state lines.”

Health insurance can already be sold across state lines so long as health insurance companies abide by the rules set forth by individual states. Sounds odd that someone who is against universal health care would favor taking power away from the states and putting it in the hands of the federal government.

At least Wall offers one idea, flawed as it may be. In a WisPolitics interview the other contender for the GOP nomination, Dave Westlake’s idea is (at 19:05)… do nothing;

“We already have 100% universal coverage to health care… emergency rooms. Um, now, it, it may sound callous to say well, if you need health care and you don’t have health insurance uh you know, find an emergency room, but it’s also the way the system has been designed, uh, and it works.”

The emergency room system doesn’t work Dave. A little preventative care would bring down costs for everybody. You are all for fiscal responsibility, right Dave?

So, Terrence Wall has a super-duper-top-secret plan to address health care he is not going to let us in on. Dave Westlake thinks doing nothing is a good idea. Feingold is working working hard right now to add something to the debate and make health care affordable for everyone. Are you going to vote for that, or these guys?