Back to Blogging – Must Be An Election Year

Well from the looks of it, I haven’t posted in about a year and a half.  I surprisingly didn’t follow up on my September of 2010 posts, after the Scott Walker and Ron Johnson wins, considering those were epic and fun to watch.  I also did not follow the absolutely disgusting display of “protests” by our admirable State Senator’s and public sector employees.  And lastly, I haven’t waxed poetic about the past recalls in 2011 and the impending one in 2012 – but not to worry….I will.

I do try and keep these types of conversations civil, as I state in my “mission statement” for this blog, but I will admit, it is going to be difficult for me, this time around to not be snarky, sarcastic, and somewhat demeaning of the other side.  If I start to get too out of hand, I’ve learned to back off (a little).  The reason I will have such a difficult time is the tactics that have been employed by the left in this state are simply abhorent.  I will go into some more detail as to what actions I find especially stupid, but sufficed to say, there is plenty to discuss.

If you happen across this blog, or are directed to it, I hope you share your opinions (positively and negatively) and I will engage accordingly.  The next couple of months are going to be an extremely bumpy one.  Not just in state politics, but locally and nationally as well.  I will also be blogging about many local sports issues that are out there – Packers playoffs, Bucks swan dive, Badgers Football and their need for a real coach, Badger Basketball and their issues, along with the impending Ryan Braun debacle, and much more.

Happy 2012 and enjoy the ride!!!

Primary JUSTICE

September 14, 2010 has passed.  With that, we see that the primaries, locally, statewide, and nationally providing much glee to those of us who believe that smaller government, upgraded national security, and less socialism is necessary for our country to get back on the right track.  Now those on the left side of aisle will “spin” the news to reflect good things for the Democrats, like the Tea Pary “win” in Deleware, and inconsequential wins in local races (despite other overwhelming wins in relation to the BIG PICTURE), but the bottom line is the Republicans, and hopefully the Tea Party supported candidates, are not only going to win, but DOMINATE!!!  You can put any silver lining on this, but as a friend of mine once said, you can’t “dress up a pig”, or an even more decriptive analogy; “you can’t polish a t**d!”.  Whatever euphimism you choose to use, the end game is the Republicans are going to contend to take over the House and/or the Senate (despite the MSM), and whether you like it or not, that’s a good thing.  We saw, in a VERY SHORT amount of time, what a liberal (sorry progressive) economic ”plan” can do to a  free market system.  If the voters have learned anything, it surely is THAT! 

There are 7 crucial weeks coming up.  That time needs to be filled with vigor and enthusiasm, especially if there is a severe desire to win the general election.  This is a watershed moment.  A President that was voted in with an OVERWHELMING majority about 2 years ago is now being treated like one of the worst Presidents ever.  To say this an indictment on the individual candidates across the country I believe is shortsighted.  Are the candidates really that worthless?!?!? Sure, most of them are, but it’s more than that.  This is the same “mandate” the citizens gave Washington two years ago when they voted Obama into office.  Unfortunately they were so blinded by their hatred for Bush they voted in the most unqualified candidate this country has seen in almost a century.  Hopefully the electorate has learned their lesson and are looking to correct that MAJOR mistake.  We most certainly will have that answer in about 7 weeks; the fun part is watching the left squirm, kick, scream, and cry, all the while realizing that the landslide is unstoppable.

Wisconsin’s Future

The attached article frames a perfect picture of the difficulties Wisconsin faces in the upcoming election cycle.  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-27/democrat-feingold-confronts-businessman-rival-amid-wisconsin-economic-woes.html  Here we have our three term joke of a Senator (Russ Feingold), basically towing the Democrat company line, sometimes being even MORE liberal than those that have crafted some of the bills, versus a business man trying to make things a little more frugal. 

The point that is raised in the article pertaining to the “brilliant” idea of connecting Milwaukee and Madison via “High-Speed” Rail is a perfect example of Liberalism run amok in this state.  Russ is, in poker terms, ALL IN.  Russ thinks that building what equates to 1950′s technology in the 21st century world “is in fact building a legitimate, environmentally sound, infrastructure for the future of our state.”  WOW!!!!  Hey Russ, 1) define legitimate!  Oh, and 2) how is building a train going to help the environment?  Same amount of people utilizing the roads will lower carbon emissions?  Infrastructure?!?!?  You mean that 800+ million dollars you want to spend on a train that NOBODY is going to use is better than spending money on real infrastructure, say like separated sewer lines in Milwaukee?!?!!  I know, I know, the Federal Government has “earmarked” that money for transit, so there’s NOOOOO way it could be spent on something else (sarcasm dripping).  Lastly, if we build this white elephant, the future you speak of will be bleak, at best, but thanks for playing. 

Feingold SPENDS….who else spends?  Liberals.  They spend and spend and spend until they can’t spend anymore, than cry “tax the rich” (whatever rich is defined as these days).  This rail line is going to cost taxpayers $800 or more million dollars to build, JUST to Madison.  There’s a proposal to extend this to Minneapolis, which will cost at least another 800+ million dollars, not to mention the 10′s if not 100′s of millions of dollars to staff, maintain, and repair this white elephant.  All of these costs will crush this state, which is already in severe budgetary straits, and push it further down the tax well we’re already in.  Why? So we can have a train to take a handful of people to Madison on the six Saturday mornings there are Badger football game??  I would go into detail as to the absolute joke of a project this is, but I will save that for a later post.  Sufficed to say, spending the federal money, the state money needed for repairs etc, and the subsequent need to RAISE taxes in this state is not only irresponsible, but it is downright reckless.  Wisconsinites, do you want a person like Russ Feingold spending money indiscriminately, or do you “take a chance” on a person that isn’t immersed in Beltline chicanery?  I know what I’M going to do…..

Wisconsin is a proud state and we should be, but this environment of socialism-lite we’ve employed over the last 80-100 years isn’t working.  The “need” to have unions is over, the days of regulating and taxing business unnecessarily has to end, and looking for government to solve our woes must be altered.  This state must look FORWARD, not because of candidate platitudes, but with pro-business attitudes.  We must look for ways to attract people to come here.  That includes job CREATION (see Mercury Marine as an example of the opposite of creation), lower taxes on businesses, (especially small to medium business so they can invest in more capital and in turn employ more people), and it also includes relieving regulations on business so they can concentrate on their core competencies not on the bureaucracies of government.  Wisconsin is in the top 10-20% of most taxed states in the union, one of the most regulated (especially if you take out CA and NY), and is soooooooo anti-business that the Governor of the state can’t attend the last labor meeting for a company proposing to leave, in essence saying “toodle-oo” to 400+ jobs to Louisiana (good job Diamond Jim). 

Russ Feingold is not a leader; he’s a detriment to progress, especially in our state.  If the “maverick” moniker is to be used on Russ Feingold it is because he truly doesn’t just vote for the most liberal interpretation of a bill; he’s a maverick because he votes against liberal bills because, in his keen eye, they’re NOT LIBERAL ENOUGH – that my friends should say it all……

Quick Hit – And So The Bureacracy Begins – Wisconsin Style

Leave it to good ‘ol Jim Doyle to start the expansion of government jobs by announcing a new office in his adminstration called – The Office of Recovery and Reinvestment.  What a joke.  The President is only 3 days into his adminstration, and our Governor is already expanding the state government (even though we’re in a 5 billion dollar hole)……Gotta love Wisconsin, gotta love Wisconsin politics – They never disappoint.

 http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/38234629.html

Quick Hit – Denise Revels Robinson

The first thing I have to say to this is, GOOD RIDDANCE….. 

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/36179844.html

As far as I’m concerned the state is not doing enough to all of the responsible parties in this debacle.  I mean a poor THIRTEEN MONTH old child died, and all Robinson says is she wants a transfer?!?!?  AND La Causa response to this was to ”re-assign” the case worker and demote the supervisor?!?!?  Unacceptable, but par for the course when it comes to organizations that have to “report” to the government or ARE the government.  These are the organizations, and people, we want controlling our health care (amongst other things)????  Unbelievable!

Corruption, Partisanship, and Everything Else

Who’s more corrupt Milwaukee or Chicago?  OK, that’s an easy answer – Chicago right?!?!?  Not so fast; Milwaukee,with impotent DA’s and more importantly do-nothing federal prosecutors (Buskupic not included), Milwaukee has made leaps and bounds to equal their southern counterparts – but I digress. 

I know it’s been several days since the IL Governor scandal broke, and every newspaper, blogger, and TV newstation has beaten the IL machine horse to death, but I wanted to look at this in a slightly different, somewhat biased way. 

We Milwaukean’s, along with the rest of the American public have been able to sit on our proverbial soapbox and look down on the people and politicians of the Chicago/Illinois machine, but is any community, state, or government really that “clean”?  Chuck Chvala, Scott Jensen, three Milwaukee Aldermen, THE Michael McGee debacle, and the Milwaukee County pension scandal…and that’s just Wisconsin politicians, off the top of my head.  How many other “back-door” deals have MKE aldermen, county supervisors, mayors, county executive, assemblymen, senators (state and federal), and congressmen been able to get away with, without retribution (not to mention the boundless other politicians strewn about the American political landscape)?  My guess is as good as yours, but sufficed to say, we are not a community, state, or government without skeletons. 

Why do I bring this up?  Simple….I read and comment on numerous liberal blogs, and for the most part I try to be civil, but I am sick and tired of those on the left accusing me and others on the right of demagoguery, stupidity, hypocrisy, double standards (you name the insult and it’s out there), when they are as guilty or culpable of the same corruption, maneuvering and political pandering as the right. 

I consider myself a realist.  I understand that people that I may agree with on an ideological front may be absolute jack-asses.  I get it….don’t like it, but I get it.  What I despise, and what I believe creates a serious divide in political discourse, is when one side doesn’t acknowledge that there candidate/PARTY can a) be as corrupt b) be as dishonest c) perpetuate and support the “same-’ol-same-’ol” – “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” mentality. 

Pontification is easy.  I should know, I probably do it more than I should, but I’m admitting it…..I’m out there.  I’m admitting that there’s a partisan problem.  We talk about it, we complain about it, but when it comes down to correcting it, AS VOTERS, we do nothing about it.  Couple that with the fact that if there are two people in a room with differing political opinions (God forbid, egregiously different opinions) not only will NOTHING get accomplished, but there is a good chance that there will be a physical altercation.

I’m a conservative.   I’m a family man.  I am empathetic, giving and kind.  I’m not a racist, misogynist, or a homo-phobe.  I just have an opinion(s) as to how to better move our country forward.  Do I have all of the answers?  Will you agree with me 100%, 75%, 50% of the time?  NO!  But here’s the kicker…because I don’t vote for Barak Obama, because I believe in the free market, and because I believe that there needs to be some societal boundaries, I’m called a neo-con, racist, homo-phobe, anti-feminist and the like.  Calling people names, especially “charged” names (racist being a big one) all you’re doing is creating division, shoving people in corners and forcing one to defend themselves.  Sometimes without merit and honest discussion…..unfortunately.

ANOTHER New Tax

I am now on board.  There is a recession coming (if it isn’t here already), and it doesn’t look good.  I for one, am cutting back on costs, spending less, talking with the family and deciding what we can buy and what we can’t, but is Milwaukee City/County, Racine County, Kenosha County cutting back?!?!?  Hell no!  The Taxers are going to be in power soon, so why should the small business or common taxpayer not be “more patriotic” and start paying more in taxes????  This region/state is a joke!  The Democratic party is voted in on the premise that they are “for the working family” and then they turn around and propose MORE tax increases. 

There is a group out there that was developed several years back called the Regional Transit Authority, that includes Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha representatives.  The “Authority” (interesting choice of words) is made up of one representative from the following elected officials: City of Milwaukee Mayor, Milwaukee County, County Executive, City of Racine Mayor, Racine County, County Executive, City of Kenosha Mayor, Kenosha County, County Executive and a 7th lackey that votes for any addition to the KRM proposals.  The reason I titled this post ANOTHER tax is simple.  This quasi-group of people voted themselves surveryors of the whole region as it relates to transit.  They are going to control the buses in Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha  along with looking at and building the KRM (Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee railway that connects to Chicago’s METRA system) rail system – at the very least.   They also voted to increase the sales tax .5% for the three counties referenced to pay for all those systems (bus and rail).  Admittedly it’s not even close to being binding, but all the legislature has to do is say “Yes, that is a good idea” and we have an all encompassing Regional Transit Authority that can raise our taxes and give the big middle finger to all of those hard working tax payers.  This, for you Milwaukee residents, is in addition to the proposed and voted on sales tax increase for Milwaukee County, the guaranteed sick leave “tax” the city of Milwaukee businesses will have to face (many of them small businesses), and the double digit tax increase MPS has proposed. 

Sound like a lot?  Well, that’s because it is.  And since the Wisconsin, and specifically the Milwaukee, electorate decided to put people in power that do nothing but lick their chops and put their hand in your wallets, you have nobody to blame but yourselves.  Thank you, I’m rich enough, I can handle more of my hard earned money going to an entity that has proven time and again that they handle money like a 4 year old….. I’m being sarcastic by the way - I can’t handle anymore of my hard earned money being taken from me!

Quick Hit – The Dow Jones Argument

I’m a conservative, so this post may seem a little strange, but I want to tell all of those people on the left and the right to stop using the Dow Jones roller coaster ride as a reason to make your “case in points” argument.  In the case of liberals when the Dow plummets, don’t get on your soap box and say ”look, if we privatize Social Security, this is what can happen”.  In the case of conservatives, don’t use the dip in the Average when Barak Obama gets elected as a “see, I told you so…” moment.  This is not the best economic indicator we have, and when it goes up and down (especially recently) it more often than not, is NOT based on some political issue.  Just one mans opinion, but seeing blog posts on both sides jumping on that band wagon, well….it’s just plain annoying.

Quick Hit – Glendale: The Tax Hell Within The Tax Hell

I thought the City of Milwaukee was bad with taxes, looks like Glendale is the tax hell within the tax hell (countywise):

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/34272399.html

 

No wonder Glendale was only 1 of 3 communities last week to vote for the Sales Tax Increase…..I guess they’re just as bad as Milwaukee when it comes to dipping their fingers in private businesses pocket books – especially those nasty tax-exempt ones.

“Tolerant” Left

Here’s what happens when you don’t agree in totality with the Democratic Party: http://www.usatoday.com/news/states/2008-11-07-reid-lieberman_N.htm?csp=34 Amazing, just 8 short years ago, Senator Lieberman was the Democratic nominee for Vice President.  Now, because he has a brain, and excercises the use of it, contrary to the wishs and DECREES of the Democratic Party, they’re looking to strip him of committee leadership positions and are shutting him out of Democratic caucuses.  This in conjunction with their failed attempt to get him voted out of office a few years ago. 

Anytime a liberal or a Democrat talks to you about tolerance, bi-partisanship, reaching across the aisle, “progressiveness”, etc, ask them about Joe Lieberman.  I was told as a conservative by the MSM and those same liberals that John McCain’s bucking of the Republican Party was “ground breaking”, important, and enlightented, but the minute there’s disention in the ranks of the Democratic Party, the minute someone has a differing opinion, the ever so tolerant, accepting Democrats just cannot allow that to happen.