Wisconsin politics

davidg wrote: Well said Skicat! You nailed it.

Thank you David.. It started from your post above.


Is it five o clock yet. Did somebody say "beer".. o hell! count me in

phospher wrote: I've got to say, it's quite fun watching all you guys get schooled by a much younger more educated person than yourselves.

I am actually quite a bit older than those guys, but, thank you for the compliment!!! Well make conservatives out of them yet once they see the folly of their ways.

Hansel wrote: Hi Dave, Yes I am young, but just to dispel some of what you might assume about me and my background; I grew up in a very conservative area, and went to a small, Christian liberal arts college. I would not call either of them remotely close to a place where liberal brainwashing takes place. In fact I would argue just the opposite. I think we should because our country needs the money and it seems to me to be the most ethical way to solve our problems. I mean honestly, do you really think that there is any good reason for Warren Buffett and others like him to pay lower taxes than you do? C'mon! Thanks again for the good conversation. Dave, or Dave, or Tom, or Lee, if any or all of you are ever in Madison, first beer is on me. Peace

I went with the odds on your background. Swing and a miss for me. At least i had a lot of qualifiers in my guess just in case. It is always a shame to see a kid with all the "right " backgrounds swerve so drastically "left" Actually we all come to our own conclusions. I just cant see saddeling a small percent of the population with the problems created by our legislators. our elected representatives have made promises and baought votes for the last 50 years in most cases knowing they would not be an issue till long after they have retired. If a docter makes a blunder he gets sued for malpractice, why cant we go back after those that created this situation. in the private sector if you use the funds from one client to pay your costs for another it is called a ponzi scheme, and if caught you go to jail. In the government sector thay call that social security and medicare. The double standard are so clear to anyone that wants to look, but most do not. For instance why can unions like the teachers spend millions per state on lobbying and campaing contributions but a buisness cannot?

As far as Warren buffets tax bill, I probably paid 35-40 grand total tax burden this year (income,property,and sales), and that is up due to a property sale. Are you really trying to tell me Warren paid less? You will have to show me some proof. If you are talking rates, warren primarily makes his money on dividends and interest, which the government chooses to tax at a lower rate to incourage investment and savings. You cannot blame Warren for following the governments policys.The government has the bean counters to figure out where they get the maximim bennifit.

As far as "fair share", no where else but government do you determine a price based on ability to pay. Considering the bottom 40 percent of the US pay no income tax of recieve checks, but still get military protection, fire and police protection, government services (which they use far heavier as a percent of population. What about their "fair" share. Have you ever gone out with a group that splits the check, its great till that one guy orders a lobster or three drinks off the top shelf, and then wants to pay only his split of the bill. Everybody hates that guy, but we are supposed to feel great about redistribution when the government forces us to do it. Redistribution is proven to bread mediocrity at best, this country is better than that.

Tom, have you paid any attention to the poll questions. Often they will ask "are you for worker rights?". Well who wouldnt be, but ask "do you think government employees should pay similar rates for bennifits as private sector employees?" you would see different results. Or better yet, "would you rather have your childs class size smaller or have his teacher retire at 50 with their last years pay and health bennefit as a retirement bennefit for life?"

On the other side, what has the govenors proposed for his own bennifit package? I hope he started at the top. If not he is a hypocrite.

davidg wrote: phospher wrote: I've got to say, it's quite fun watching all you guys get schooled by a much younger more educated person than yourselves. I am actually quite a bit older than those guys, but, thank you for the compliment!!! Well make conservatives out of them yet once they see the folly of their ways.

I think you mis read that...

OverMyHead wrote: Tom, have you paid any attention to the poll questions. Often they will ask "are you for worker rights?". Well who wouldnt be, but ask "do you think government employees should pay similar rates for bennifits as private sector employees?" you would see different results. Or better yet, "would you rather have your childs class size smaller or have his teacher retire at 50 with their last years pay and health bennefit as a retirement bennefit for life?" On the other side, what has the govenors proposed for his own bennifit package? I hope he started at the top. If not he is a hypocrite.

One definitely need to watch the poll's questions.


That's a good question regarding the governors own benefit package, but I've got to assume that he would make his own benefits in line with what he is proposing for his constituents.


Today I tried to ignore the politics on the news. It's overbearing, and I needed a rest from it today, especially after a long tough day at work.

In my state our new democrat govenor Dayton has propsed a new budget of 37 billion, last cycle it was 32 billion (that was up double didget percentages from the one before). That is an increase of nearly 15% in times when the rest of us are being told by our president to spend within our means. The projections are for the govenors budget to be 5 billion in defect, (Hhhmmmmmm. whats exactly is the difference between 32 and 37 billion?)which he wants to make up for by taxing the rich (those over $200,000). Our liberal media is calling the republican plan to hold spending near its previous 32 billion "drakonian cuts". How can staying the same be a cut? I don't see a problem with our rich not paying enough taxes, 27 billion is a big chunk of change. I do see a spending problem when the govenor wants the budget increase at a rate 5+ times the rate of inflation (again).

OverMyHead wrote: horkn wrote: davidg wrote: phospher wrote: I've got to say, it's quite fun watching all you guys get schooled by a much younger more educated person than yourselves. I am actually quite a bit older than those guys, but, thank you for the compliment!!! Well make conservatives out of them yet once they see the folly of their ways. I think you mis read that... I think Dave twisted it in a brilliant display of humor. Dave, I am starting to think you are my brother form another mother.

Dave....Thanks! The feeling is mutual. I have noticed we both have similar blindingly brilliant points of view on things.

I also must say, I don't think we ought to exploit our fine young liberal friends viewpoints based on thier relative youth and inexperience.   

Yall see Obama's spending budget for 2011. ***************g 4 TRILLION DOLLARS. NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR Big spender..

skicat2001 wrote: Tom buddy I wouldnt go picking with David or Dave.Them too both knows there polotics very well or Liberals aer very inexperienced peps. I think brainwashed and ignorant.. Because those union people can not and will not except the bargaining agreement that has been purposed, the govenor has to let people go teachers and police etc to cut the budget.. Huge layoffs coming! And it is people they do not even are apart of these union crap. I think the worse is to come..

While I don't like talking politics often, I definitely know politics.

I've got no problems using my education to my advantage.   Don't be trying to pigeon hole any one voting demographic as ignorant, brainwashed, or dumb. I'm sure we can name examples of each on both sides.    I won't even get into the grammar issues Lee.

The issue is that the governor is not willing to bargain at all. The union people have agreed to every cut/ reduction except the CBA.

That is the real problem.

Ski, i did see unemployment dipped to 9.8%....just another sign of Obama fixing Bushes f-ups

why do we keep hammering the government? this is exactly what happens when there is no money, what would one expect? print more money? that might solve it.
funny, i remember months ago telling everyone to grab 10 things around them and see if you could find a USA label...to no avail Im sure. well the mainstream media, ie Good Morning America did the same thing....and i do have to say that "stupid" Americans didnt realize how much *************** was not made here.
now, i dont preach and not follow thru, I will purchase a new set of New Balance tennis shoes today, because they are whats termed as "made in the USA" by Americans.
manufacturing creates jobs, manufacturing creates growth, manufacturing creates a positive economy.
the squeeze is starting to affect everyone and your just finally noticing it.

As for the earlier comments about youth, coined not verbatum by Mark Twain. " at 20 I realized how stupid my father was, when I turned 30 I then realized how much he learned in 10 years."

davidg wrote: There was a plastic molder here in Chicago that did a big portion of Motorola molding. In fact, every molder in Chicago had a Motorola program. No more. All in China now. Sad to see.

Yup!! Both the IPC (Skokie) and the Vision (Elgin) plants we bought and moved to Schiller park were running Motorola at one time. The equipment is going on the auction block next week!!

its just not the manufacturing, one must understand the olive branch around a producing epicenter, bars, diners, hardware stores, hookers, drug dealers, car dealers,
I did hear somewhere that china will surpass us in manufacturing within a few years.
alot, i would truly say is from technology, but do some reading on for instance, New Balance tennis shoes up there in i believe Conneticut, competing effieciently with a workforce and keeping the cost at the same as those sweatshop bring your kid to work Nike's.
I dont and I wont wear a pair. it killed me recently to purchase a TV, I had no choice, but being a smart shopper is key.

horkn wrote:       The issue is that the governor is not willing to bargain at all. The union people have agreed to every cut/ reduction except the CBA. That is the real problem.

Oh boy! Okay, I am going to go very slow now.....

- The Repblicans won in November by large margins.

- They hold the majority in the house and senate in Wisc.

- Thats what the voters wanted.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO BARGAIN!!!!!

If the MIA Dems would come back, and do what they were elected to do, negotiate/discuss/bargain/vote, maybe it won't pass. Have them let the voters of Wisc know exactly where they stand. They will be remembered during the next elections for their bravery, and the Republicans will be swept out.   

Democracy my good man, Democracy!!!

davidg wrote: horkn wrote:       The issue is that the governor is not willing to bargain at all. The union people have agreed to every cut/ reduction except the CBA. That is the real problem. Oh boy! Okay, I am going to go very slow now..... - The Repblicans won in November by large margins. - They hold the majority in the house and senate in Wisc. - Thats what the voters wanted. THEY DON'T HAVE TO BARGAIN!!!!! If the MIA Dems would come back, and do what they were elected to do, negotiate/discuss/bargain/vote, maybe it won't pass. Have them let the voters of Wisc know exactly where they stand. They will be remembered during the next elections for their bravery, and the Republicans will be swept out.    Democracy my good man, Democracy!!!

Walker does not want to discuss it at all.   He won't answer the phone calls from the democratic officials, but he will answer a call from a campaign promoter that has nothing to do with WI. Odd huh?

If they didn't think they needed anyone's approval, then why don't they simply vote and make is so?

They are very concerned with the backlash they would get if they simply voted it through.

The governor's race wasn't a blow out, and the "big" deal back then was the high speed rail debate. I have a feeling that if the intentions of walker regarding this issue were made known to the public previous to the election, that walker would not be in office. I'm pretty certain that the union members that voted for walker are mad at what he is attempting.

Current polls show a 70% dissatisfaction rate with Walker. If he were to be recalled, and a vote would happen today, Walker would not be governor.

Now it's so odd that families are not even speaking to each other because some are union members and some are republicans.

One local radio host had this to say..

"remember 3 weeks ago when the Packers won the Super Bowl and everyone loved each other?"

It's so true.

Both of my immediate managers at work have SO's that are on the union side of the fence, and from what I can tell, both sets voted republican. What's funny is that these are 2 of the most outwardly obvious in their political feelings, but neither will eve mutter a word about the union/ walker issue.


As I said before, this goes way further than simply union members rights and $$. This would affect the entire state with around 200 laws being affected.