Bren you know nothing. A lot more people VOTED for Scott Walker.
My taxes went down and ZERO loss of services, so take your Koch brother hype and go get a clue.

Actually Greg, more people didn't vote at all than voted for Scott Walker. That should be concerning to an informed Walker supporter knowing that research would show the majority of those non-voters are not Republican voters and that Walker's destructive agenda has awakened 2 million sleeping voters. As for property tax bills, there are a lot of peoople hurt by these budget cuts who own no property.

A reply to Greg, When the smoke screen clears, then maybe you will get a clue on how misled you have been! But I doubt it. Unfortunately, ignorance is blind.

When the State Government Accountability Board staffer said they would accept names like Mickey Mouse and Adolf Hitler on the recall petitions, there is definitely something wrong with our system! And, to allow people to sign petitions more than once really should make these petitions illegal. Where is the logic in all this?

My dog is smarter than Bremdog. 1. People who don't vote don't count in elections...sad to say, but that's the way it is. If we counted people who didn't vote, every election would be suspect. 2. People who don't pay property taxes probably pay rent. If property taxes go up, rents go up.

An addendum to Nancy Skar's accurate, but incomplete post: The Government "Accountability" Board also stated that they would not check to see addresses were actual, but would accept any address as long as it was followed by Wisconsin, Wis., or WI. So am I to suppose that if I signed a petition "Donald Trump, New York City, Wisconsin", it would be accepted by this watchdog for accuracy and honesty?

Greg, Walker won with 52% of the vote in 2010 or 1,127,798 votes. Did you actually know that? Recent polls show that 24% of Wisconsin Republicans support the recall. I'm glad you've had ZERO loss of services. What do you care that children are getting less-teacher time and that the state leads the U.S. in job loss? But I'm guessing you didn't really understand my comment, and that's okay.

Dicks Deli, I suggest you review Bremdog's comment with your intelligent companion animal so he/she can explain the actual meaning of his post. I'll give you a hint so you don't embarrass yourself in front of your dog--people who didn't vote in 2010 might be inspired to participate in the recall election because they don't like Scott Walker! Please give your pup an extra biscuit in thanks for walking you through this concept.

@Bren -

Enough with the Koch Bros already! You've effectively worn that line dry a hundred posts ago! Don't you have anything better to contribute than the same repetitious conspiracy theories over and over again?

Independent my rear-end!

@BremDog -

Where were all of these sleeping eligible but non-voters when the left made the Prosser v Kloppenburg race a referendum against Scott Walker and his policies? Or during the previous round of senatorial recalls, that actually experienced a lower voter turn-out than their corresponding general elections?

Epic failure on this one!

Try again.

@Bren -

"What do you care that children are getting less-teacher time... ?"

Prove positive that this assertion is at all true.

"... and that the state leads the U.S. in job loss?"

Directly attributable to the senatorial and recall Walker efforts, and not Walker's policies.

You’re just failing miserably tonight Bren!

Greg- It will take two years for the cuts implemented this year to trickle down to the local level. Many of his cuts have not even taken effect yet. Over the next two years you will see the impacts to local government and you will start seeing the cuts to services and increases in taxes. Look at minnesota and you will see a model of how the impacts take effect.

What happens when you lie and decieve the voters? ans. You go down in flames!

In 2010, the population of Wisconsin was 5.7 Million. If the recall effort collects 750,000 to 1 million valid signatures that is a statically significant. Regardless of your position, a significant portion of the population is not happy with the performance of the Governor. It remains to be seen if those that signed the recall petition will actually vote or not. Some of you may not like the effort, but facts are facts and the numbers speak volumes. Whether this carries through to the recall election remains to be seen, but you do yourself a disservice ignoring these essential facts; a month into the recall effort up to 10% of the population of the state desires a recall. That has import.

The majority voted for Scott Walker. A million signatures is FAR from a majority of voters. Furthermore, children signing and mouth breathers who sign multiple times should not be considered part of the majority- and certainly should not be counted. Of course this proves the point of needed voter ID, how can one verify fraud if it can not be verified. Piss away the State's money on a useless recall election- priceless!
I prefer to see those people move to Illinois and see what happens when nothing is done to repair a budget. Makes me curious how you people deal with your household budget? Do you go to the boss and demand a wage increase because you have a spending problem? Or do you see fit to steal from the neighbors because they got it good?

@Nancy Skaar -- You've been listening to the wrong information: http://www.wisn.com/politics/29998848/detail.html

Who are the 24% who were polled, that shows that 24% of Republicans support the recall? A truly committed Republican as well as a truly committed Democrat do not turn against their candidate of choice. I'm an independent, don't belong to any political party, and I do not support the recall.

The Koch brothers didn't spend anywhere near what the unions spent on Democrat candidates. Not even in the same ballpark. Unions spent about 1.9 million dollars and the Koch brothers about 160,000 bucks. Nice try at comparisons. But math and facts are stubborn things. I know that is rough for you Dems to understand.

Wrong! Two years ago my tax bill was $2600. Last year is was $2900.00. This year it is over $3,000.00. Walker is a liar!

Voter101: maybe you should have paid attention in economics 101....can't continue to spend what you ain't got. Depending on where you live, if the looney left didn't use the tools Walker gave them- blame them for the tax increase.
In the meantime, you might see fit to rest your hands- they must be very tired from holding them out for so long.....

Voter -101,
You may need to understand things like valuation and levy to understand your tax bill. The elimination of collective bargaining did not increase your taxes, rather it gave LOCAL control and tax stability.

Our property taxes haven't gone down in 30 years. They always go up. Was Walker the governor 30 years ago?

It's already been proven that property taxes have dropped in the districts that signed onto Act 10. Those that didn't...such as Milwaukee, have gone up. There will be a lot of buyer's remorse and I think that will show in the election (if it comes to fruition)

Eh?

Okay I'll make it easier for you. I'll even do your part:

Me: Bren, if the population of Wisconsin was 5,654,774 as of July 2009, what number would represent "the majority of Wisconsinites"? (Hint; it's not 550M, the "results" of the recall effort so far).

Bren: Wha?

Bob McBride, you should collaborate with oak creek resident to write comedy shows. I'm serious, the two of you make me laugh out loud!

Speaking of the Koch brothers, their latest project is building a huge database of right-wing "conservatives" so soon you'll be getting those talking points as quickly as possible. It's abhorrant to me (basically that means I don't like the idea), but I suppose having ready-crafted talking points is preferable to independent thought for some.

What would a DailyKos-fueled answer-bot know about independent thought?

I'd be more concerned about my inability to do simple math if I were you. Maybe you can take an evening class. Or better yet, hire yourself a private tutor. Surely you'll be able to find some unemployed teacher selling apples on the street corner who'd be more than willing to help you out for cheap. There's one every couple of blocks from what I can see, usually standing next to the corpses of old people and the poor stacked like cordwood waiting to be carted off to the furnaces.

It should be easy to spot Bren out collecting signatures: you can't miss the tinfoil hat that they are wearing.

I haven't gotten mine yet. I looked up my listing for the year and my assessment went down, but not as much as it should have. We'll see where the taxes end up.

I checked mine online. It went down as expected because MY local government officials didn't go running to extend labor contracts before Act 10 kicked in.

Dirk, more front-loaded post February 11, 2011 anti-public union invective. Pavlovian stuff!

For the record, I made my decision about Scott Walker without the aid of anyone in Chicago. Minnesota and Illinois are ahead of Wisconsin in terms of college graduates, and the gap will only increase thanks to Walker's cuts to education. The dismal job situation in Wisconsin will probably result in further brain drain. Wisconsin isn't moving forward, it's falling behind.

We are already starting to sink below our neighbors, are employment numbers have been dropping, and wages are falling.

This of course means that the recall of the Democratic governor of California, Davis, would not have occurred and I recently saw some video of Scott Walker rallying for a recall that happened years ago against some foe of his. It was okay years ago, but not now. hmmmm.

WP, I agree with you about nonvoters--they are mushrooms that enjoy the benefits of our American way of life but do not give back. But try to see the recall effort as democracy in action, a defensive effort to protect our state from a governor who is more interested in serving the Koch brothers than Wisconsin. He did not run a forthright campaign, pretending to promote a "jobs" platform while concealing a wholly different agenda. Now that the real Slim Shady has been exposed, I believe it is appropriate to have another election to see how many Wisconsinites actually support Walker's/Koch brothers' true agenda.

@Bren -

Thanks for reiterating all of the lefty talking points, rhetoric, and propaganda made against Walker courtesy of MS-NBC this past week.

BTW - Didn't you just recently chastise J.B. Schmidt for reiterating all of the Fox News talking points, rhetoric, and propaganda over on another board?

So what exactly makes it OK for you to reiterate the MS-NBC equivalent to us on this board and at this time?

You're nothing but a partisan hypocrite Bren, just admit it already!

Low voter turnout is a huge issue, we agree on that one. One party wants to make it more difficult to vote, the other not so much. In addition, our election process is flawed by media influence. Far too many eligible voters are ignorant of politics and only learn from television ads - scary. Other voters are one issue voters. I know a guy who voted based only on gun laws, now his family stands to be kicked off Badger Care.

and what about the ones that voted and now need an Id and are having trouble getting one because of age or other factors?

it would be kind of hard to hear them whining all the way up hear from Illinois

You missed Obama. But otherwise job well done.

@morninmist -

In your own words, as used over on another board, 'Dicks Deli provided you with the information, now do your own homework if you wish to know more.’

I already did my homework.

Cheers.

Go to the original press release the statement is taken out of context.

@morninmist -

You're actually citing to a strongly biased and deeply partisan liberal blog to support your point about the Koch Bros while claiming to be a member of "the enlightened people?"

Is this some kind of new comedy that I'm not yet aware of? You'll have to forgive me, as I’ve always preferred old school Borscht Belt humor, so I'm often oblivious to this new brand of comedy!

Very hilarious indeed and thanks for the laugh!

Hey Misto...

So, are only YOUR billionaire benefactors the enlightened ones? You know, the kind that bet against socialist government systems like the Bank of England, or rip off poor countries' bond markets to make their billions?

I'm just wondering where the line is drawn and where folks like you draw their principled lines. Because I see a massive wave of voters turned over a record number of state, local and federal seats and executive offices to Conservatives last November, confirmed many more in the months since, and seem to generally poll the same today nationwide... but the only meme coming from folks like you is that it's a couple of evil billionaires known as the Koch Bros.

You can keep bringing them up; the ignorance of the Progressive movement's minions will continue to shine forth with every instance.

@morninmist -

BTW – While you so-called "enlightened people” worry about false boogeymen, we the people who support Scott Walker, Paul Ryan, and other patriotic leaders of this country will continue to focus our concerns on fixing the problems that our state and nation presently face.

I am with Morninmist and Bren on the Koch brothers. We cannot talk about them enough. They have relentlessly and methodically taken over the GOP and apparently, are just warming up. The GOP has lost any and all credibility. I used to be a Republican, but they have lost their grasp on reality. An overwhelming number of Republicans don't know who the Koch brothers are, who the fund, how they fund and why. The Tea Party is under the impression they are fighting for "individual liberty" when in reality they are throw away pawns for the Koch brothers. I am not paranoid nor the conspiracy theory type but you can connect the dots and follow the cause of most of the problems our country is experiencing to the Koch brothers. Their vast network in influencing public policy is very impressive (in the worst way).

You cannot talk about the KOCH brothers enough. EVERYONE, please, do your homework because if these guys succeed in 2012, like they did in 2010, our country will be never be the same.

Valorie
4:31 am on Thursday, December 15, 2011
I am with Morninmist and Bren on the Koch brothers.

***********************

Yes you are. Good idea keeping it on the down-low by taking turns, too. All 3 of you in the dayroom at once would have no doubt drawn the attention of Nurse Ratched.

All you have to do is listen to the Walker-Koch brother phone tapes to understand how much the koch brothers control and own walker. Any govenor that provides such a detailed accounting of his days in office and strategy to a non resident corportate sponsor has no business in office.

Koch bad, Buffet Soros Gates good.

Would I be correct in assuming you feel the same way regarding George Soros? He certainly isn't good for this country. However, I think I have to disagree with you about the Koch Bros.. I'd say they do quite a bit for the benefit of the country as listed....

http://www.kochind.com/files/120611KochCompaniesRecognizedwithAwards.pdf

The awards are sourced so don't just write it off since I posted it directly from their website. Those that aren't sourced on the website, you can Google them and see for yourself.

Edward:
Well said! The silent majority will win again.

@Todd Elving

Yes, the people have and are arising against cooporate greed. But many-as evidenced on this board fail to see the writing on the wall. They refuse to educate themselves and will not read anything that has not been Hannitized. I think they know what is happening outside their circle but the only response most have is to mock writings that are not of their ideolgy. Mainstream media has failed the citizens of the US.

Todd:
You lost your argument when you used California as an example to be respected. CA is in worse shape than the USA. Do you really want that??

Lucky Lucky California got Jerry "Moonbeam" Brown back again.

Stay classy Valorie. There are high school aged children who read this as well.

Valorie:
I live in River Falls and am not employed by the Kochs. Yet, I still don't like people taking shots at them while the left has many more billionaires doing the same thing....supporting their causes.
Why single out the Kochs?
And yes, I have done my homework and see good and bad on both sides.

Don Van- The koch brothers are singled out because they have used thier wealth and the wealth of a number of investment bankers to finance thier lobbyist grover nordquist. Currently a lobbyist contols the actions of our government through thier financing and purchase of candidates. Listen to the walker/koch tape to see the extent of his ownership by the koch brothers. Look at this election for president and follow the money.

@Valorie -

"I absolutely feel enlightened after my research."

It must not take very much for you to “feel enlightened” if reading talking points, propaganda, rhetoric, and conspiracy theories on liberal blogs does the trick for you!

Nah, even the people that work at flint hills are wary of the koch brothers. They know better than to support them.

Art:
Another classy remark. Thanks for nothing

Great Idea!

I just signed up to make sure 11-year-old smokers, Mickey Mouse and Hitler have their signatures counted as many times as possible. Thanks for the heads up!

Beth-
Dont bother when people write stuff like that on the petition we cross it out anyway. Out of the 422 signatures I have collected we so far have gotten only one alfred E Neuman. If the person acts or looks questionable we ask for a drivers lic. to verify the information. There are so many willing signers there is no reason to stack the deck so illegible or questionable names are crossed off. But waste your time if want too.

Couldn't win the general election, so now they are asking for a do-over.

I was out in the misty cold weather yesterday with several others. Even in that kind of weather, people stopped to sign the petitions. It was a good day.

the sha guy

He misrepresented his positions before the election. I am changing my vote.

MOST OF THEM? Does that mean 90% or 51%? Leave the burden to verify authenticity to someone else. Funny you admit 'most'...just like there is no voter fraud (because there is no verification process).
So it is likely a recall election will take place at millions of dollars burden to the taxpayor, but it is stipulated that it may be under false pretences because the signatures are bogus. The hipocratic process in action!

Craig, I'm sure you had no problem with the GOP wasting our money with the fake primaries.

And if you want to look hard enough, the GOP is wasting our money in so many ways throughout government.

Keith: I do have a problem with Government wasting our money- on both sides of the aisle. I also have a problem with those who feel they are above the rest and can waste taxpayor money for their special interests. Just because the neighbor has a car that leaks oil doesn't mean you should change oil over the storm drain...
If there was a recall Walker campaign attacking him for not making the cuts on par with the rest of us- I might sign that one. I feel asking public workers to pay half of what the rest of us pay for benefits doesn't go far enough. I also think the elected SOB's should all take a 10% cut in pay.

Ray:
What a pile....Real Classy. Why don't you get your nose out of the trough and come up for some air?

Students do deserve a great education. I'd be interested to hear your take on what is necessary to provide that education. Highly qualified teachers with advanced degrees? Recent technology available to students? Small class sizes? It all costs money, period. Just like road maintenance, fire and police protection, public libraries. I am concerned that lowering teacher salaries by requiring higher benefit contribuions further reduces the pool of talented students choosing education for a career, especially in fields of math, science, and technology, where the private job market is far more lucrative. Do we need a better way to evaluate teachers? Absolutely. But attracting those that will pass those stringent evaluations will be a tall order without some incentive to enter the profession.

Studies have shown that advanced degrees do not translate into better student performance. I don't think that an advanced degree should be a requirement for teaching.

I don't think that a salary adjustment of only a few percent is going to reduce the pool of talented teachers. If anything, schools now have the flexibility to pay higher salaries for the teaching positions that are the hardest to fill with qualified candidates. Schools are not bound by union seniority based payscales--they can let supply and demand determine the level of compensation that teachers earn.

@BremDog... I haven't seen the teachers union propose that we pay math,science and technology teachers at a higher rate, than other teachers, to attract 'the best' away from the private sector. Maybe, we could redistribute the wealth, and pay the math,science and technology teachers more, by paying the other teachers less. teachers .

Total union employment in the state is less than 15% of all workers and teachers are a fraction of that. How can unions do all the things that you blame them for? They do not have the numbers of voters needed. This whole union thing is nothing more than a constructed tactic to rally people against a perceived evil. The insurance argument is bogus, whenever a company or group negotiates a new contract the first year is lower to get the contract then the rates escalate. The savings are a short term event.

William:

What are you reading in our comments that indicate that we are blaming unions for much more than a 15% membership can possibly be responsible for? It seems pretty reasonable that unions are actually doing what we are 'blaming' them for--implementing a wage structure that is based on seniority, rather than by supply and demand...

MikeL, how did you find out? I thought I was keeping it hid pretty well, but you're a smart one.

Yes, folks the evil tentacles of the Koch brothers reach right into the Shorewood Patch (in my case by way of WFB, but still...). The independent progressive thinkers posting on Patch represent such a threat to the Koch brother's dastardly intentions that they've paid me and several others (and yes, you're correct as well, it is in peanuts, not cash, as they didn't think the work was actually worth cash, but the squirrels like the peanuts so all is good), to do our best to counter the totally non-talking-point fueled works of logical brilliance put forth by you brave souls who've logged on to fight the good fight for the people and hate on Scott Walker and the Koch boys themselves.

I confess. I am ashamed. Please don't hurt me. I need a hug.

@ Bob - we have different ideologies, but that post was funny!

@MikeL MCO -

Did McBride rat me out? If that snitch did, I'm going to have to report him directly to David Koch for some baseball bat administered justice! He'll need a hug after the beating that he gets for exposing us as the Koch stooges that we really are! There goes my secret identity. And to think I spent all that time watching Michael J Fox’s ‘The Secret of My Success’ over and over again just to learn how to counter liberals such as yourself while concealing the extreme right-wing agenda of our employers. I guess I just failed to account for your vastly superior progessives.org derived intellect. I should have known that I couldn’t ever have fooled you!

But fear not, as your Daily Kos fueled wisdom has shown me the errors of my way! So, if you could just kindly inform me on how I get on the Soros payroll that you’re apparently privy to, I’ll start posting on behalf of the MS-NBC crowd. Together, and with plenty of monetary contributions from the AFL-CIO, we’ll show those dastardly Koch Bros what true democracy looks like, so long as the checks clear.

@Bob McBride -

Instead of getting my weekly ration of peanuts from the Kochs, all I received this week was a letter telling me that I had to start picking up my peanuts directly from Jimmy Carter’s farm. What’s up with this?

The constant mention of the Koch Bros. is laughable. Right out of the playbook of the lefties, "Rules for Radicals" by Saul Alinsky...Obama's mentor.

Here's a fact for you to ponder. George Soros in his effort to prevent the re-election of GW Bush in 2004, spent over $20 million dollars. Since then, $$millions more on myriad liberal causes. Koch Bros. don't even come close...go figure.

1) Funny how the right wants to discount the Koch brothers when they are in fact, a factor in the elections. You guys prattle on and on about the dead organization ACORN, which BTW did a lot of good for poor people in the cities where they operated. But of course among the right wing sociopaths and Scrooge admirers, that was a bad thing.

2) Soros, unlike the Kochs and other predator capitalists, tends to work against his self-interest. His concern is what he saw with the fascist take overs where he grew up, he doesn't want to happen here. That $20 million is peanuts vs what the Kochs and other predators are spendings.

Among simple minds Soros is rich and the Kochs are rich.

That's where the similarity ends.

Yes, but do the members have to produce a birth certificate in order to get the Photo ID? It would have helped if you'd spelled hypocritical correctly.

And, to avoid hypocrisy, since the picture is to prove you are you you claim to be, an expired drivers license out to suffice if you're still at the same address. I proved my age, citizenship, and residence to the satisfaction of the State back when I registered to vote in 1970. I haven't changed precincts since.

Steve
Is a massive crybaby
The butthurt flows through him
I drink his delicious tears
They grant me sustenance
That's the real reason for the recall
To wring as many GOP tears as I can at public expense
LOL
Cool poem though, bro
And thanks for the property tax savings
Which I spent on abortions

I was a republican for over 35 years and now I am an independent. I am far from alone in rejecting the new ultra conservative lunacy that has taken over the remains of the party. Win or lose you will end up losing. Time and history are great equalizers.

@Tom Connelly -

I think you got that backwards there bud - Walker will win in a recall election by a 20 point margin!

@JRH

Some of your posts are a hoot--this is one of them.

Cheers.

"Walker will win in a recall election by a 20 point margin!"

continued:
Flint Hills Resources, LLC, through its subsidiaries, is a leading refining and chemicals company. Its subsidiaries market products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, ethanol, olefins, polymers and intermediate chemicals, as well as base oils and asphalt. A subsidiary distributes refined fuel through its strategically located pipelines and terminals in Junction City, Waupun, Madison and Milwaukee. Another subsidiary manufactures asphalt that is distributed to terminals in Green Bay and Stevens Point.

Koch Pipeline Company, L.P. operates a pipeline system that crosses Wisconsin, part of the nearly 4,000 miles of pipelines owned or operated by the company.

The C. Reiss Coal Company is a leading supplier of coal used to generate power. The company has locations in Green Bay, Manitowoc, Ashland and Sheboygan.
All three of these Wisconsin based companies are the largest –or among the largest – in their fields. And they all have one thing in common.
Each of these companies is a subsidiary of Koch Industries.

This is just one example of how your governor has created law to benefit the corporation he's in the pocket of. Government and the laws they make are bought and paid for, and unless you're a big company or extremely rich you're not part of that elite club and you're a fool to think the government makes any decision to benefit regular citizens.

this may be a step in the right direction:
http://tinyurl.com/78uk7eq

How many of those heating, cooling, and/or power plants have gone to the Koch brothers on a no bid basis?

They know how to play the game and they're biding their time to see if their puppet gets the boot. They know acting now would hurt his chances of staying in office. OH, and the Dems are no better, they are bought and paid for just the same. I'll say it again, ALL government is bought and paid for and you're not part of that elite club. Our government officials are not going to bite the hand that feeds them and they're not going to change the laws to end the corruption, they have no incentive whatsoever to do so.

WATCH this as it may finally be a step in the right direction:
http://tinyurl.com/78uk7eq

@whatever -

"I'll say it again, ALL government is bought and paid for and you're not part of that elite club."

So, if a recall election is triggered, you will definitely not be voting for Walker or his Democratic rival, right? So which politically independent candidate will you be backing exactly?

@James R Hoffa
Good question... It's never an easy choice, blindly sticking with a party is for lazy sheeple, there are poor choices for candidates all around and it's our responsibility as voters to be informed so we use out vote as wisely as possible. So, as usual, I'll do my homework, I'll become as informed as possible and base my vote on that information. The sad part is I most often have to vote AGAINST a candidate and RARELY get to vote FOR a candidate. I refuse to vote for someone simply because of party affiliation. If the Dems or anyone else (whatever party/s including independents), can't field someone better than Walker I'll vote for him.

"There is in fact a $137 million budget shortfall. Republican Gov. Scott Walker, coincidentally, has given away $140 million worth of business tax breaks since he came into office. Hey, wait. That’s about exactly the size of the shortfall."

He's obviously a corporatist and not a true Republican and that's not good for our state or our country. Our elected officials are SUPPOSED to represent the people, but they don't. Another example: Why do you think there is a bill to call pizza a vegetable? the politicians know pizza isn't a vegetable, but that bill was bought and paid for too.

@whatever -

"The sad part is I most often have to vote AGAINST a candidate and RARELY get to vote FOR a candidate."

So in other words, you will vote for a Democrat or Republican so long as they represent the lesser of the perceived two evils to you, despite having asserted that no side is fundamentally better than the other. As opposed to voting for a third party or politically independent candidate that does reflect your values and isn't 'dirty' or 'corrupted' by the dominant two party system. Doesn't this attitude make you a part of the problem as opposed to a part of the end solution that you appear to be abdicating for here?

@James R Hoffa
Yes, no side is fundamentally better and often there is not a third party to vote for. Also, when there is a third party, they don't automatically "reflect my values" just by being a third party, but when they are the outstanding candidate (or even least evil) I cast my vote for them. My point is people should strive to make the most informed decision possible, and cast their vote accordingly, not just vote for a specific party. Too many blindly follow and just automatically vote for a specific party. Sometimes that's Republican, sometimes that's Democrat, sometimes that's a third party. And yes, that often means voting for the lesser of the two (or more) evils. The system is in fact corrupt, the major corporations and super wealthy create laws and buy the politicians to enact them. That's why it's imperative to research and vote for the candidate that is the "least worst", and on that rare occasion, best. This country was created as a republic that employes a democratic process but we've become a corpocracy. Walker has proven himself a corpratist and not a Republican. I'm not anti-large corporation I just don't agree they are people and that they have the same rights as people. They should have separate rights as corporations and not the same rights as people, and the government we elect is SUPPOSED to work for the PEOPLE that elects them, NOT the corporations and super wealthy that BUY them, INCLUDING non-profit corporations, trade associations, and unions.

ha! it's Imelda (MikeB) Marcos the job creator !
LOL

Both sides make good arguments beyond just the K bros., but if that's all you choose to look at then that's all you'll see.

Look, Dirk. We want to win this thing. Do you honestly think we'd jeopardize that by taking signatures that would be tossed out?

There are at least four genuine signatures from my family -- none of us union members.

Perhaps those recall supporters are counting on those signatures not being thrown out. The GAB doesn't seem to be too picky on what they will allow to be counted as 'valid'...

LOL DIRK U MAD BRO

U SO MAD U GONNA HAVE A HEART ATTACK

AND OBAMACARE WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE

Funny, but in four weeks of collecting signatures and talking with other people who are, I have yet to me an out of state volunteer. I would say you are either naturally paranoid based on your mindless diatribe or you are just spewing lies to sound big. Either way you are an example of why walker must go.

Why would you for a moment think Scott Walker was going to have a press conference about this topic?

For the record... it was a four-minute error... and yeah, I'm the moron who corrected it. ;)

Oh I think there are some sitting on that back burner. I have heard some things. Who knows how true the rumors are, however. They aren't going to be announced or come forward until the recall is a go. Otherwise that gives Walker's campaign much more time to levy a battle against the particular individual. Also, if someone doesn't like the choice, it may deter them from signing. I think they are being smart by keeping quiet. But it also could backfire. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Right now it does the Democrats no good to talk about a candidate. The focus is Walker, and anyone popping up would be a distraction.

Given that their moderate candidate failed to defeat Walker in the general election, I wonder if the Wisc Dems will put up someone that is associated with the hard left. If they do, then I would view it as being a nail in the coffin for any chances that they may have had in this recall. The earlier held senatorial recall elections proves this point to a ‘t.’

And if they go with another moderate, as they did with Barrett in the general election, they also lose once again to Walker. The Prosser v Kloppenburg state wide referendum against Walker and his policies conclusively prove this point.

Thus essentially proving that this whole recall effort is nothing more than a waste of time and resources without having a polled and viable candidate to challenge Walker with out of the gate!

Epic fail by the Wisc Dems!

So far Hoffa your skills as a pundit are lacking.

The Prosser/Kloppenberg race was a million years ago. In the meantime the Three Stooges have managed to do something to piss off everyone.

Of course if you got your way you'd not have us do this at all, but you aren't getting your way. And guess way. The people of Wisconsin are getting fed up with Fitzwalkerstan seems to want to get their way.

The more you post the more we can smell your buckets of sweat. And why in the world you are defending this bunch of corrupt incompetents is baffling. What do you get out of this? Certainly not an improved economy. Even the hapless Rick Scott is having a better time of it in Florida with their economy.

So what is there to defend here. Not our future, and the economy will kill a politician every time.

Sure, Democrats can screw up an election because we don't seem to have the apocalyptic vision you guys have. But oh we can make a case.

Stay tuned.

I downloaded a petition but left it with my son so my daughter-in-law could pass it around, intending to sign myself at the very end. But last Saturday, we saw the volunteers in front of Brookfield Fashion Center, so I decided to sign theirs. Which brought me to the area right at the end of the incident with the angry Walker supporter.

There are still signatures coming!

Threats please....go back to the Land of Oz.
I wonder what you would do if a bunch of bums pitched tents and defacated in your front yard in the name of democracy? This recall would not be happening if it weren't causing declining funds to union thugerosity. Follow the money trail to see the light.
At least put the pipe down when driving back from Illinois with those signatures you collected.

@Keith Schmitz -

You rip on the "right wing radio mind set," while doing nothing more than reiterating the MS-NBC / Daily Kos mind set in your post. How very hypocritical of you!

Walker was elected by the majority. Sorry, but your side lost. And now you can't deal with it and want a do-over despite having already made the Prosser v Kloppenburg election a referendum on Walker and his policies, which failed, as well as retaking the state senate via the earlier senatorial recalls, which also failed.

Attempting to recall Walker is just an extension of this temper tantrum that your side has been having ever since the 2010 election results were certified, which is having a negative impact on job creation in the state I might ad.

Just like those other referendums against Walker and his policies have failed, so will this one! And then what you will your side do? Continue with these recall efforts indefinitely into the future making Wisconsin a state of never ending campaigning?

This has stopped being a so-called exercise of the democratic process and has instead become an attempt to subvert the democratic process!

How many more referendums and do-overs will your side insist on having, despite always failing to gain a majority? When is enough, enough already?

You reality don't get this democracy thing do you Hoffa. And what mind set was in my post other than the facts. Walker's policies are tanking the state, just as we on the right knew it would.

The Kochs and other predator capitalists wanted to take the progressive state of Wisconsin and use it as a laboratory for right wing nonsense and guess what, the people of this state won't have it.

God only knows why you support what Walker is doing. Unlike many of you I won't assume.

But I can safely assume that those of you on the right who are on these blogs constantly must be shivering knowing that the people of Wisconsin -- including many Republicans -- have wised up.

This is what Walker did -- wake up a lot of people.

Things change.

True, Mark, but we the people get to elect our representatives. We can also fire them when they forget whom they're working for.

Obvious Mark from this gale of insults you have nothing to say.

Push yourself away from the keyboard and stop making a fool out of yourself. You don't understand how this country works, so why put it on display?

@Randy1949 -

We can't fire Obama.

True, JRH. We have no recall provision at the Federal lever, but you're certainly free to vote for someone else in 2012. And there's impeachment in the case of high crimes.

Don't you respect the laws of our state, that allow for a recall if certain criteria are met?

That's why Wisconsin is superior, because we have the ability to remove people. But of course our national government has impeachment, which probably has been abused more than recall.

no, it really doesn't.

@Keith Schmitz -

No he doesn't! He's just a man who loves to express his love for our constitutional rights, the same as the nut jobs on the left. And what is so wrong with that?

Free speech won't blow my head off. Most freedoms aren't used as physical threats, and the second more than other amendments seems bring out the puerile impulses of some like this guy.

And than any amendment, the second is used to cause people to vote against their self interest.

@Bob Simmons -- I think you need to rephrase that. Nearly 50% of Americans pay no Federal income tax. They do pay FICA, which is then borrowed to keep income taxes lower. They pay state sales taxes, gasoline tax, and real estate tax either directly or through their rent. And what does it say about our country that 50% of us don't make enough to pay Federal income tax?

Randy1949. Federal income tax is not the same as FICA or other taxes. In fact 50% get more Federal income taxes back than they pay in. Want to fix the problems in this country? Let everyone pay taxes- even those who get credits for pumping kids out like they are bunnies.

"50% of Americans pay no taxes at all."

Yeah, because they HAVE NO MONEY.

I see you have caught on to that bit of FOX dog whistle.

I understand that, Craig. But you said taxes, so you need to clarify. By the way, I've been in every position. For a few years I qualified for the Earned Income Credit although I rarely got back more than I'd paid in. Other years I paid self-employment tax while owing no income tax. And last year I paid Federal income tax on an AGI of $21,000.

I resent your implication that 50% of the country is poor, shiftless and pumping out kids like rabbits. It may ease your conscience to think that, but it's not true.

Randy I did say Federal Income Taxes- no need to clarify. Granted you paid Fed Income taxes on an AGI of $21,000- I bet you got it all back and then some?
50% of this country is considered poverty. There are countless examples of people earning $15,000 family income and tax returns are nearly $10,000. Child credits add up when you have a whole litter of pups.

@Craig --No, I didn't get anything back. With an AGI of roughly $21K I paid 10% of a few thousand dollars -- everything above what the standard deduction for a married couple plus two exemptions got us. I don't qualify for the EIC, I don't have a mortgage, none of the common deductions and credits. I live on IRAs.

I'll admit, it wasn't much tax that I paid, but it cut into my quality of life more drastically than the tax paid by someone earning a lot more.

@Randy1949 -

How exactly does one live off the Irish Republican Army (IRA)?

I donated money to the Sinn Fein for years and never got anything back from them! If you have some kind of connection with Gerry Adams or something, could you hook me up as well?

Your numbers are wrong.

Just curious, what's your point may. A lot can be read into this article.

Thanks for posting that... I had concert tickets to TSO tonight. The pictures turned out well though.

You're welcome.

TSO!!!???

Kind of like a multi-faceted Yanni concert with lasers, but without Yanni and his overly-dramatic head jerks.

It's Mr. Denise's favorite group.

@patchreader 123 -

Who doesn't love Yanni? I saw him twice live and in concert at the Bradley Center years ago, and let me tell you, it wouldn't have been a Yanni show without the "overly-dramatic head jerks!"

Somebody is really afraid of what the Wisconsin voters will do. Pathetic.

You weren't the *somebody* I was talking about.

Over a half million angry Wisconsin Badgers coming for Scooter.

Sweet image (for the Democrats)----not so for Scooter and his fans.

Brian,
silly you,

The so-called 'new figure' is not new to us volunteers. We knew that figure from our training sessions from the very beginning. Do some reseach, we always wanted a big cushion.

And you are listening to Walker and his pals-and RW radio who keep lying about out of state volunteers. Get your head out of the sand.

cheers.

Self regulation didn't work in the financial industry, do you actually think it is going to work here?
Talk about the fox guarding the hen house.

robert does because he thinks the dems are above all that, impervious to graft and corruption, immune to outside influence and always looking out for the best interest of "the people". Please don't burst his bubble of gullibility before I'm able to unload this herd of thoroughbred racing unicorns on him, k?

You know what? There are idiots on both sides, judging from the anonymous 'man' who told a WISN reporter he had signed over 80 petitions and the fools in Caledonia who announced they were going to circulate petitions only to burn them. But it's to the interest of the Recall workers to weed out as many dubious names and signatures as they can before it goes to the GAB. After that, there's software.

And if Walker and Kleefisch have to be responsible for challenging the remainder -- tough beans. It's the law.

Indeed. But as I remember, some Democrats faced recall last summer and dealt with it.

patchreader 123 - I agree that there is the potential for this recall/election cycle to go on forever. Allowing a recall just for "high crimes" or something similar is too black and white. This recall is about removing a governor that has abused his absolute and total control of the government. Changes needed to be made, no doubt about that. But to do it the way he did and push the state into such a divided mess shows he is incapable of handling his job well. And for what:
http://www.jsonline.mobi/business/state-lost-11700-privatesector-jobs-in-november-n43f475-135682638.html?ua=iphone&dc=smart&c=y
http://wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=256083
From the first article:
"On average, Wisconsin has lost 4,980 private-sector jobs each month for the past five months.

John Heywood, an economics professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, said the state data is prone to sample error and revision. But after five months of consecutive declines, he said the decreases cannot all be attributed to statistical error."

He's had almost a year to come through and show progress on his job-creation promises. Time's up. We need someone who can fix the divide and bring the state together again to make it attractive to others. Someone from the far-left or far-right will not make that happen. We need compromise stemming from the middle.

Brian Dey
I just got my taxes today and they went up. That means it will go up for our city. Lots of folks will be affected. And services will still be cut and there are increased fees. You have to remember that aid was cut not only to to the schools but to counties-municipalities. The mantra from the TeaGOP is no new taxes but Walker has raised taxes on the working poor with his cutting of the Earned income tax credit and the Homestead Act.
People value a certain level of services and good schools. And it taxes have to be raised to somewhat to maintain these services, then so be it. The tax burden should fall on all. Teachers and staff have constantly been demeaned by WalkerTeaGOP this last year. It is time for that to stop! Walker has been divisivive and has attached one group of workers over others. That was wrong and we have long memories.

I, and others believe it will talke an election or two but we will turn back some of these dracronian policies of Walker and the TeaGOP. ALEC has infested our good state with policies that are not good for the people nor the enviroment.

morninnist- If you live in the city of Racine, yes, your city tax went up. Why? Because the city of Racine rushed to sign contracts prior to the enactment of Act 10. And yes, if you live in the Racine Unified School District, your taxes increased dramatically. Why? Because they too, rushed to sign contracts prior to te enactment of Act 10. Then look at your county and state taxes. They went down. They are living under Act 10. In our village, our taxes went down, after decades of rising taxes.

I will not demean teachers, but I do demean their leadership. In RUSD, if you are a teacher, you should be made as hell at the REA/REAA and the school board. The changes made to your healthcare plan had nothing to do with Act 10. For the same as you are paying in premiums, you could have kept your no deductible plan and stayed with your previous provider or switched to the WEAC plan. But your unions and board rushed through a two year deal with $6,000 family deductible. All because they wanted to avoid placing their name on a program that is working without union contracts.

And sorry, but the Governor didn't attack anyone. This group of workers, with an attitude much like yours, thought that you were an immune, protected class during a prolonged down economy. The people that have been enduring cuts like you've taken, were being asked by people like you, to keep paying, and paying... We, the rest of Wisconsin, said enough is enough.

@morninmist -

You have Sunday mail delivery?

I and other volunteers have been diligent in making sure all the fields are completely filled out. No P.O.Box mumbers, steet addresses and zip codes etc.

no. it was a long day. sorry to confuse you.

............
James R Hoffa

12:31 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2011

@morninmist -

You have Sunday mail delivery?

You havent lost any services yet under the cuts since they have not actually been implemented yet. The real impacts will be felt over the next three years as the funding cuts filter down to the cities, school districts, and counties. They will still be working off the former funding plans for another six months or so. If you want to see the real impacts look at minnesota. It took three years for the taxes and service fees inplemented to get around the tax increase limits to fully kick in. After eight years of pawlenty property taxes for commercial property are now about 2.5 times higher with fees based on appreciations that are 30% less. People wonder why despite the 800 million in tax give aways companys are still leaving, its because they have a chance to get out before the impacts hit. Walker is doing nothing but putting us into a downward spiral competing with MN and ILL for low wage workers, which means more money going to subsidize them and the services we all want but they cant pay for. Walker is the worst form of illusionary government. Before you go on a liberal biased rant I voted republican for well over 30 years and own a number of businesses. With the advent of the tea party all rationale reason has been lost in that party. I will vote for anything now that is not a conservative including a willow stick lying in the road because I know it will in the long run be more effective than a conservative.

Those shouting curses at you and your friends deserve critisism, but understand where they learned that classless act. Last Spring I attended a benefit for disabled people who support themselves with the help of private social workers. The anti Walker brigade knew that he was a guest speaker at the benefit, and demonized the company and all who attended. Hundreds of people not on State aid because of self support-- and they were protesting this?
Calling women names that would offend a drinken sailor was despicable. If you wonder why there is so much comtempt, this is one example.

Christ, You are dumb. Read for content? Nope. Did you read what I wrote? No, you didn't, and you would see that what I advocated for was that if someone were so inclined, they would start working the campaign on the other side of the issue. But, knowing AWD, freeAWD, and the other alias' of our good friend the racist, he wouldn't be inclined to do so on merits of Walker but against those he doesn't like. There is a reason why he has more deleted comments than anyone, else, ever. So, what do I suggest? Get off you horse, and do something for what you believe in. I didnt call anyone Hitler, but if you want my most favorite Hitler rant, here ya go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1s4fj-5zlk

Then tell my why Democrats Barrett and Abele in Milwaukee city and county, used Gov. Walkers reforms for their budget proposals. They would NOT have been able to do this without ACT 10 legislation. Corporations don't control WI. politics. They provide JOBS to people. Gov. Walker has done everything we expected when we voted for him. Job numbers are disappointing, but those will necessarily skyrocket when Obama is removed next November, because Walker improved the business climate in this state.

So John apparently would have preferred tax and spend mentality to continue. Stick the taxpayor in the kiester without any lube...
Illinois has a 60% tax increase thanks to kissing the asses of organized crime (I mean Labor).
Don't people get the idea that if Scott were to lose a recall, there will be a driving force to recall the Looney leftie?
Let fair election results stand!

Please do keep insisting you be allowed at places like this regardless of the feelings of the property owner. Your right to be a sore loser trumps everything. Continue to demonstrate to the public in general that it's your way or the highway. It certainly won't provide any motivation for those whose votes in the Nov '10 election you wish to negate. Be more selfish, act more like spoiled children and be proud about it. It's all about you.

Oh, and don't forget to write to your local Patch editor to complain about people being mean to you. It's all about you.

It may be private property, but I'll take careful note of those private property owners who consider their potential patrons to be trespassers. I'll take care not to trespass in the future.

Were you planning on driving all the way in to Bay Shore to collect some signatures while doing some shopping, Randy? I'm pretty sure that's the only way you could possibly run afoul of their policy.

Regardless, should you choose to not spend the giant wads of money you no doubt spent there in the past, I'm certain they'll manage to survive. And who knows, maybe some folks who actually do spend money may be willing to drive out of their way to shop somewhere where they won't be confronted by some forlorn sad sack with a clipboard.

Not really, Bob. I've already circulated my small petition and am about to mail it in.

Please don't make fun of the size of my wad. Large or small, it's all mine.

Too bad the law isn't written that way. I'm still eligible to sign, even under your rules, and I did.

The libs haven't thought that far ahead.

I've heard a few names mentioned, but why give people with deep pockets a three month jump on the attack ads?

Doesn't really matter. This whole thing is about removing Walker from office. The folks who hate him would be happy with a chimp with a D behind its name. The folks who have a problem with the whole concept of mulligans because someone's side didn't win the last election aren't going to vote against him. This won't be a race where the fence sitters are a factor.

But if you insist - Kathleen Falk.

Oh please let be Kathleen Falk.

Now is the time
Down load recall petitions for Walker and Kleefisch and Van Wanggaard from the comfort of your home and mail it in.

Have a friend sign also--or collect some signatures. Thank you.

http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/documents/ScottWalkerRecallPetition.pdf

http://www.unitedwisconsin.com/

http://www.wisdems.org/

No need to leave your house at all, just sit home and sign all the names yourself. Be creative with the names you sign as well. There will be a prize for the most creative name on the petition... (an autographed copy of "Manifesto of the Communist Party").
SIGN EARLY; SIGN OFTEN!

Funny I have been out getting signatures and have talked to a lot of the others that are working thier family and neighbors. I have yet to see one of these mythical union creatures you so fondly tirade about. Then again none of us have been able to verify your yeti sightings either.

oh, they're there Billy. Just squint your eyes a little and open your mind. Once the kool-aid wears off you will see them.

Walking in any Recall office around the state you will find a phone book out with paid unionistas gathering names and addresses and copying them onto petitions. How do I know? Pure speculation but that is what they do for to them, the end justifies the means.

@Keith Best

You give the Republicans a bad name by posting silly speculations and lies.
Have you resently arrrived from a Spanish speaking country? Do you need a dictionary for the word 'unionistas'? Perhaps google can help if you do not have a translation dictionary.

........
Keith Best

4:50 pm on Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Walking in any Recall office around the state you will find a phone book out with paid unionistas gathering names and addresses and copying them onto petitions. How do I know? Pure speculation but that is what they do for to them, the end justifies the means.

Tampering is a felony so there goes another conservative vote. Felons cant vote.

@ morningmist... You think I'm advocating criminal conduct? Really, that's what you took from my post? Quite the contrary; I think your behavior and your shameless acts of falsifying election petitions are reprehensible and indefensible. I look forward to when the whole lot of you end up in jail where you belong.

@Sam Vedder -- Hold on, here. First you facetiously (I hope) tell us to stay home and make up names and signatures for the petitions, and then jump from that to the assumption that we've been doing that very thing?

I'm about to mail in a petition with four genuine signatures, all family members. That doesn't include my son, who signed at the library, and me and my spouse, who signed out on Bluemound Road in front of the Brookfield Fashion Center right after that phone grabbing incident. I know it's hard for you to believe, but there are people who are definitely unhappy with our Governor. It's about much more than the union-busting.

@mornimist...I can't wait to see which programs he cuts even more to comply with the federal order. Guarantee it won't be any of 2 billion to his business buddies. My guess is he'll hit welfare or the UW System.

I suspect there's more than enough slop in the UW System alone to cover this. Of course then we'll have folks who've been cruising along with no accountability for years in that system howling that it's the end of the world.

God forbid anything be cut while there are still people who selfishly sock their own funds away for a rainy day. What makes them think they have to the right to do that when it could be taxed away from them and put to good use by the government? They can't start confiscating inherited wealth soon enough, can they Lyle?

Bob, If you know of any "slop" at UWM please share.

Are you suggesting there's none there, Andrew?

Is this more bait, Bob, when you answer a question with a question? There probably is room to trim in Madison but UWM has already been cut to the bone. Moreover, beyond providing accredited degree programs and enriching the cultural scene, an urban university such as UWM is an important generator of economic activity within the local economy. Estimates on the return on tax-payer dollars used to support public universities run from 2 to 4 dollars worth of economic activity for every dollar invested. So cut away if you want to cut off your nose to spite your face.

Andrew,

You're not a disinterested party as you work there. Of course you're going to be resistant to cuts. But I'd be willing to bet there are plenty of areas where there's been absolutely no attention paid to cost cutting and efficiency. In this day and age, when virtually every other type of organization is subject to the dictates of lean management and operation, its inexcusable that our University system, including UW Milwaukee, isn't subject to those same dictates. Savings can be found on many levels without jeopardizing the quality of valuable, non-frivolous education that the system provides now. The University system as a whole can either start doing it on their own, or subject themselves to further cuts made by outsiders for whom the bottom line is all its about. It will happen, regardless of who ends up in the Governor's office.

@Bob McBride -- Non-frivolous? You mean by cutting 'frivolous' things like Women's Studies and Philosophy in favor of Business Administration? Education is not always about the bottom line.

@Andrew Martin -- yes, it was bait.

I wouldn't presume to pick a particular line of study to eliminate, but certainly it's not outside the realm of possibility that some coursework (including in the school of Business Administration) is unnecessary. I could have done without the mandatory semester of Philosophy taught by an avowed Marxist when I was in the School of Business there. If there aren't enough voluntary students to support such a course, then maybe we don't need it and we should eliminate it, rather than subsidize some professor by making it a mandatory requirement of absolutely no import for those following a different line of studies.

In the not too distant future choices are going to have to be made in order to maintain a University System that the taxpayers of the state can afford to support. Either that, or the University System is going to have to develop a better network of sugar daddies to allow it to operate in the fashion it's become accustomed to. In the meantime, I'd suggest that the system examine areas that are non-academic in nature, as well as those that are academic, for places where cuts can be made that don't negatively effect their ability to provide, again, a valuable, non-frivolous education.

Cost cutting and efficiencies became the administration’s religion at UWM years ago as the state began to cut the amount of public tax support for UW Universities. But using the universities as the state’s annual cash-cow for balancing the budget is self-defeating and dangerous.
Yes, I’m not disinterested but you didn’t take my “bait” about how a local university generates positive economic activity. I would think that Republicans would very intrigued with that—a positive return on tax contributions. A quick look on Google (try “universities and economic activity”) and I learn that Maine and Connecticut university systems generate $8 for every dollar of state tax support. My claim of $2-4 dollars per dollar return was based on a University of Iowa report from 1984. Still, a pretty good investment that delivers year in and year out.

By doing more with less, it might be possible to increase that ratio. In fact, the private sector source of that portion of funding for public institutions such as the university system has been operating in in a system of it's own for which that has been the driving principle for years. That's not likely to change at any point in the foreseeable future. Since the vast majority of that kind of funding comes from the "99%", one might expect that those who fancy themselves progressives would be in favor of and, in fact, embrace efforts to reduce the burden placed upon that segment of society by encouraging cost saving efficiencies in that segment of the economy where they're in the overwhelming majority - the public sector.

Of course we want to cut costs wherever possible, but it appears like what Walker did with the county, he is having the UW system slice off muscle and bone. You got the same opinion on our state's bloated prison system Bob? At least the UW system gives the state a benefit.

Absolutely, Keith. I bet there could be numerous cuts made. Of course, it might make the whole prison experience even less enjoyable than it is now, but that actually be a plus.

I'm for cutting and slicing everywhere our tax dollars are not being used efficiently. Prisons, schools, public works - you name it.

As far as the university system goes they're hardly being cut to the bone. Simply saying it doesn't make it so. I'm around the UWM campus enough to know that some of the upgrade projects that have been taken on haven't been done so in a fashion that indicates the most cost effective methods were used. In fact, I'm familiar with a couple of folks involved in one of them. They love that kind of work, because materials tend to be spec'd without much thought of looking at less expensive, equally durable materials. One guy I know had a very good year based on that job alone and the markup he was able to apply to it.

You guys who get all wound up about the possibility businesses getting sweetheart deals from the government completely miss the picture when it occurs at that level and I'd be willing to bet if you added up all that slop that actually occurs, it far exceeds the stuff you blow out of proportion that never actually does.

Then again you live in a village that's notorious for the number of sweetheart deals it cuts with developers and free flowing loans and grants to businesses, and yet I don't think I've ever seen you comment on that.

Actually it was pretty impressive that a total unkown in a matter of several months got as close as she did. No wonder harsdorf is sweating and doing all kinds of give away deals like her new dairy tax breaks to try and bribe voters she is on thin ice.

@FAWD...I would be disappointed if you hadn't responded the way that you did. That much hate must be shared.

Lyle, The sad thing is that no one from right on these blogs ever speaks out against the looney tunes in their midst.

Andrew, as long as you guys keep taking the bait, it's going to continue to be cast in your direction, regardless of what anyone says.

If you find a particular post disagreeable, you know what to do.

It's actually rather pointless to reply to AWD in his numerous incarnations. His racist posts are gone soon enough.

@Bob McBride...There are always debates as to what core curriculum should consist of. I think we need to go even further and possible separate the School of Education and the Business School from the UW System. I know there would quite a bit of resistance to separate the business school since business school graduates are the largest contributors, but there are a number of courses that business, communications, and media students probably shouldn't have to take, allowing them to finish their programs much quicker. I would separate the school of education since they are also out of step with normal academics and it often is very specialized to teaching, education theory and student teaching. the original idea of a normal school was on the right track. It's like getting a masters in education, it is more advanced course work and not really program with a standard master's level requirements with a thesis requirement.

It's funny you brought up business administration majors having to take philosophy. In a program where I taught, all business majors had to take a philosophy 101 course to meet graduation requirements. Invariably they would put it off until their last year and a large percentage couldn't pass it and had to take it again. Now the requirement for graduation at UW=M is a course in logic and not general philosophy, My son who teaches at San Fransisco State teaches a similar course called Critical Thinking. Philosophy is probably not one to cut.

Union thugs. For god's sake, these are our neighbors. Or maybe you don't get out among people and you should push yourself away from the keyboard and get to know some.

@Hudson Resident

You vile Name-calling home care aids and nurses who care for you, the vets and your loved ones, the EMT's who may save your life some day, the person who plows and sands your slippery roads, the prison guards who protest you, (the list of good folks who do the everyday jobs goes on and on) just shows what a small mind you have.

Unionized workers represent less than 14% of the total wisconsin work force and less than 30% of all state workers. Just how is it even remotely possible that unions can do so much. You are either spinning an incredible union versus goliath story or you are falling for the pablum the conservative leadership under grover nordqust is spoon feeding you. Every movement needs a common enemy is it just possible one was invented for you?

Sorry but that is a pathetic response. However considering the only union represented public workers thanks to our great gov. are law enforcement, I understand why you do not use your name. You may find yourself regreting that post.

@FreeAWD -- the inside of your mind must be a very dark and lonely place, filled with anger and ignorance.

So, I made a typo. Glad you had a good laugh.

Gov. Scott Walker will not be recalled. Here's the reality....
Quote from the Sunday Jan. 1st Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-"The governor did balance the budget with fewer gimmicks than in the past; he did reduce the structural deficit significantly; he did put a lid on property tax increases; he did give schools and municipalities more control over their budgets."
Note this is not coming from the governor or talk radio, but the largest newspaper in WI. Walker's reforms are working, there's no denying it.

The Right leaning Journal Sentinel endorsed Walker for Gov.
They endorsed a person without a soul who Lies.

Enough said.

..............
Keith Best

11:07 am on Monday, January 2, 2012

Gov. Scott Walker will not be recalled. Here's the reality..........

Note this is not coming from the governor or talk radio, but the largest newspaper in WI. Walker's reforms are working, there's no denying it.

Since when did liberals discover ethics?

@Hudson Resident...Long ago and we're still waiting for you to discover them!

@Sam Vedder ...You bring so much to the discussion. Thank you for your insight.

@Hudson Resident...How do you sign a social contact?

@Hudson
It is you and your kind that like death and blood.
Here is the latest TeaGOP thug!

ifoloyou1 ifoloyou
Oshkosh pizza guy Carl cited for death threats against recall petitioner oshko.sh/stE8rg #slaponthewrist #wiunion #RECALLWALKER

http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20111231/OSH0101/112310413/Tensions-over-Walker-recall-effort-lead-rise-complaints-police

@Hudson
The only gov. union thugs now are the police and firefirefighters. You going to take them on with your bully talk?

And who gave China all the US manufacturing jobs? It took 12 years to come back and bite us squarely on the a$$.