Sen. Ron Johnson: Comments on the Fiscal Cliff Vote

Sen. Ron Johnson is Wisconsin's Republican senator in Washington, D.C. This commentary is taken from his weekly e-newsletter to constituents.

Although I strongly prefer extension of current tax rates for all Americans, I supported the compromise bill that protects 99% of Wisconsinites from an income tax increase, limits the death tax, and prevents a dramatic increase in milk prices. It is by no means a perfect piece of legislation. The revenue raised by this legislation will equal approximately 7% of projected deficits. It is now time for President Obama and his Democrat colleagues to show the American public their plan to close the other 93% of the deficit. Our nation's debt now stands at $16.4 trillion, and has reached its statutory limit. We blew through the $2.1 trillion increase in the debt ceiling granted in August 2011 in only 17 months. This is clearly unsustainable, and…

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Walker

8:05 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013

47% . . . wasn't that Mitt's final vote tally? How ironic.   more ›

The Shorewood Insider Bids Farewell

Writer leaves Patch (and keeps shirt) after two years chronicling her small town.

The Shorewood Insider

The Shorewood Insider Bids Farewell

Writer leaves Patch (and keeps shirt) after two years chronicling her small town.

Well, this has been a hard one to write. Amongst the holiday fracas, I learned this journey via Patch has come to an end. And so as I sit down to write thank you notes for so many blessings, on the top is this farewell. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of your lives. Working for the Patch has been two years of small stories that connect us. To quote Walt Whitman, "I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey work of the stars." I honed my voice through Patch, over the last two years discovered I love to write (and on deadline), and have enjoyed one of the best working relationships of my life. I feel like Dorothy saying goodbye to her fellow travelers in Oz to Mark, Matt, Jeff, ... and Adam most of all. I won'…

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The Donny Show

9:43 am on Friday, January 4, 2013

Is there anyway we can get rid of Jason now? We would all PAY for him to leave.   more ›

Gov. Walker: Cherish Family This Holiday Season

Gov. Scott Walker delivers a Christmas message for this week's radio address.

Each week, Gov. Scott Walker delivers a weekly radio address. The following is the transcript from his address on Thursday, titled Holiday Message. Hi, I’m Scott Walker.  My wife Tonette and I would like to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones peace and happiness this holiday season.  As we get ready to celebrate Christmas with our sons, Matt and Alex, we pray for a new year filled with faith, hope, and prosperity. This joyful season can be a time to remember as well as a time to hope for the future.  It is also a time to be grateful for the past year and for our loved ones. We hope that in the midst of the hustle and bustle, and in light of the recent tragedy, everyone will take the opportunity to cherish the family around them…

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The Shorewood Insider

You Shopped, Now Ship

Keep your spirits bright and enjoy these local in-person shipping tips.

I know there is some controversy regarding the post office. But here's what it does. It takes my mail, no matter what, and for a very reasonable and reliable price, delivers it by hand. And as we hunker down for our first big snow, just remember the unofficial mission of the PO.  Inscribed on the general post office facility on 33rd Street and 8th Avenue in New York City is, "Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." I know others who share my intense fondness for the post office as an institution. Nancy Bird, who frequents Shorewood, says the post office makes her feel safe. "I don’t go to church," she said, "but I love going to the post office. I feel …

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Views From the Capitol

We Must Examine the Causes of Shootings, Our Perceptions of Mental Illness

State Rep. Sandy Pasch (D-Shorewood) talks about America's perception of those with mental illness, gun regulations and putting politics aside "to make a sincere and bold effort to prevent future tragedies," like the Newtown, CT shooting.

In the aftermath of the tragic shooting in Connecticut — which left 27 people dead — Americans have been trying to find some sense or understanding of how such a terrible act could have taken place.  As the facts and evidence continues to get sorted out, we must ourselves sift through the speculation and consider that there were likely many factors that influenced 20-year-old Adam Lanza to commit such horrific acts. What we must not do is allow this devastating event to incite more hate and anger and contribute to our already overheated political culture. While there will certainly continue to be disagreements on matters of policy and politics, we must come together to show support for those lost during the tragedy and engage in a sincere …

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CowDung

9:19 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Banning guns in Chicago and Washington DC actually increased the amount of gun violence in those cities.   more ›

Join Discussions on the Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting

Writers in the Patch "Local Voices" section share strong opinions about the tragic shooting in Newtown, CT. Read, consider and comment.

Opinion writers who use the Patch “Local Voices” feature in the Milwaukee area reacted immediately and strongly to the tragic Newton, CT shooting on Friday. Read what your neighbors are writing, see how they’re reacting and join the discussion on Patch: Shorewood Patch also spoke with school officials about the district’s emergency preparedness.

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Lyle Ruble

5:25 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012

Having worked for a number of years with those that are mentally ill; I have observed that available mental health services have been harder to come by. There is a shortage of qualified facilities, staff, and mental health remains a low priority for funding. Just look at the VA; 300,000 vets have been diagnosed with PTSD and need treatment in one form or another. But, the system is overwhelmed. …   more ›

The Shorewood Insider

Gift Ideas and Acts of Kindness in Shorewood

The Shorewood Insider digs deep after holding court in the locker room to point you to local gifts for $20, $40, as well as priceless acts of kindness.

So I was in the locker room with the group I call the "Amazon aqua boot camp ladies," relaxing after class at the it's-still-dark-out-when-I-get-home hour of 6:15 a.m. And, one said she was going to get some chocolate and wine as a gift for a friend at the Public Market downtown because, with Thirst & Vine closed, it's the closest place to get locally-made chocolate. Cue my big fat Shorewood mouth. "What — leave Shorewood? For chocolate and wine?" My voice cracked as it pierced the hair-dryer and suit-spinning air. "You can do all that here!" These power-houses who can tread water for a half hour with a brick know me really as the one in the far lane who chokes on their kick-wakes...but now they can add "village know-it-all" to my general …

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Aaron Rodgers Day: Share Your No. 12 Photos Here!

Are you celebrating Wisconsin's special 12-12-12? Share what you like best about the Green Bay Packers quarterback here – or tell us why you can't stand him!

I personally think 12-12-12 should be a national holiday, but with our president being a Bears fan and all … it’s not going to happen. It’s Aaron Rodgers day. A day for Green Bay Packers fans to celebrate the success of the team under the leadership of No. 12. Let’s just face it, it’s a day for us to wear our green and gold jerseys, to paint our fingernails green (am I right, ladies?) and to just get darn excited that we are Packers fans from Wisconsin. Aaron Rodgers day started as a Facebook joke that became viral. The state legislature officially declared Dec. 12, 2012, to be his day. Milwaukee County workers are being allowed to wear Packers jerseys or shirts to work on Wednesday. Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is encouraging …

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Connor Perry

11:43 am on Friday, December 21, 2012

That's cool that one person can have so much influence in a state that he gets a day to call his own.   more ›