|
 |
3/1/2011
Today, reality hits home
Geez. I leave Wisconsin for a month and all heck breaks loose.
Of course, I’ve been following the goings-on from afar – not difficult, given the national and international exposure garnered by Governor Walker – and by coarse signage, professional demonstrators, smelly Capitol halls and escaping State Senators.
In light of tens of thousands of demonstrators, fraudulent sick notes and school closings, it’s very very cool to see Wisconsin pols described this morning (by MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough) as “dull-as-dishwater.”
… Democratic allies are the ones surrendering the high road in the debate by comparing the supremely bland Mr. Walker to murderous tyrants like Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Hosni Mubarak. Also seen in the pro-union crowds was a sign accusing Walker of being a rapist and another painting a gun target over his face.
…. Walker responded to these crazed insults by appearing to be about as temperamentally threatening as Fred McMurray in “My Three Sons."
…. Judging from recent events, Republicans need not worry that Walker or Ryan will seek a safe middle course for the sake of political expediency…. Their steady-as-it-goes, dull-as-dishwater Midwestern approach may be the best way for these new leaders of the GOP to fundamentally change the U.S. government’s direction.
Way too much news today to summarize in a 600-word piece. You’ll read/see tons of info on the just-released NYTimes/CBS Poll that claims to say labor unions are great and aren’t tearing apart America after all. Here are the questions and the internals – scroll down to page 5. Here’s CBS’ take on the poll and here’s how the NY Times explains it all.
I like Governor Christie’s response to the poll (here, 2nd video down in the CBS piece) – “I'm the governor, I think I've got a better idea on public opinion in my state than CBS News does…. If not, Katie Couric should run for governor of New Jersey."
You’ll often hear Christie call for “reasonable” and “responsible” collective bargaining that “must be adversarial.” Therein lies the huge problem - the public sector has/is a monopoly (a bunch of monopolies) and the chief adversary – the taxpayer – is nowhere to be found in negotiations. Remember, more often than not, and unlike private sector unions, public employee unions negotiate with those they helped get elected – not those who pay the bill.
Mike Antonucci will no doubt take the poll with a grain of salt, claiming most Americans are just plain ignorant of the ins and outs of unions and collective bargaining, much less the high cost of public services.
Voter ignorance of particular public policy issues doesn’t redound to the benefit of either side. Unions can claim that voters don’t know about the benefits of organized labor, but opponents can claim they don’t know about the costs.
(Quiz – what was the cost of educating each and every public school student in Wisconsin in the 2009-10 school year?* How does that compute for a single classroom? For your community?) Antonucci’s the same guy who can’t believe NEA is doubling its member assessment for political dues. Wonder if the NY Times surveyors shared that little fact?
I’ve strayed far afield of Governor Walker’s budget to be released this afternoon which (we’re promised) will dig Wisconsin out of the red; schools and local governments will find their state aids cut by $1 billion. Yup. Wake-up time for local officials.
Unions will continue the bitter fight against collective bargaining to protect hundreds of millions in dues. But it’s just those collective bargaining reforms offered by Walker that give school boards and taxpayers the flexibility they absolutely must have to implement education reforms in a very difficult fiscal situation. I don’t have to tell you how critically important this stuff is.
Yup, today, reality will hit home, just as it did for Willie Brown, one of the wisest, most savvy, most union-friendly and most liberal politicians in America (I know – I fought him during my many years in California).
"When I was [California Assembly] Speaker I was in charge of passing spending. When I became [San Francisco’s] mayor I was in charge of paying for that spending. It was a wake-up call."
Imagine that.
Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
*Via the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance annual SchoolFacts (a huge wealth of school cost, revenue, employee and performance data), the average 2009-2010 budgeted cost per public school student in Wisconsin - $12,366.
COMMENTS
Hi Jo,
Good to have you back on-line and providing some good info and links. Of course we are glad to hear of your mother's well being. Family First!!!
JB (Tue Mar 01 08:01:46 2011)
Ah, yes, Jo. But wouldn't you feel better if Walker (and the Dems and the R's) were NOT taking cash dollars from the union and corporate interests on both sides of the issue, and these jokers were instead working in the best interest of the state taxpayers?
Jack Lohman (Tue Mar 01 08:21:26 2011)
Welcome back, Jo. I misssed you. You're the only way I have of contacting Jack. LOL
Jack, there's only one thing wrong with your comment, where is the money Republicans get from the unions? Democrats receive campaign donations from both unions and corporations. Now, is that fair?
C. R. Stevenson (Tue Mar 01 08:55:05 2011)
And... most of that union money is MY money I paid in taxes to public employees who paid their union dues to unions who support Dems in a very big way almost across the board. Grrrrr.
Jo (Tue Mar 1 13:55:54 2011)
C.R., if you you've followed my web site you know that I criticize both parties equally. They are both corrupt, though business outspends labor by 4-to-1.
We have one very serious problem; a corrupt political system that allows those with the most money (bribes) to control how they want this state and nation to be run. In their best interest, not that of the citizenry. I fault both parties for it, but mostly the conservatives that are on their high horse fighting the spending this corruption causes, but refuse to fight the corruption itself.
They seem not very good at math.
Jack Lohman (Tue Mar 01 09:08:08 2011)
Jo, it's so good to have you back, even if only for a bit. My internet experience has been just a little less enjoyable since you left.
I hope all is well, and you'll return soon!
Joanne (Tue Mar 01 11:01:08 2011)
Glad your back Jo! It's been quite a few weeks, and this is my favorite local political blog.
Rohn W. Bishop (Tue Mar 01 12:33:36 2011)
I have been doing this math for years, it has been frustratingly lonely. Spending in my district amounts to about #300,000 per year per student, yet I am to believe that out of this they can't afford to pay a teacher. There appear to me to be two problems, The districts are grossly administratively top heavy, and they are paying so much to so many teachers that are no longer teaching that they can't afford to pay the ones that are. I am also to believe that somehow this is all Scott Walkers fault. K-12 education currently consumes 40% of the total state budget plus what they collect locally. Spending on public education in inflation adjusted dollars has trippled since 1970, what are we getting for our money?
By the way, Walkers apocalyptic, draconian budget cuts amount to a little over 7%, that's almost 2% less than the increases in Jim Doyle's last budget.
D Martin (Wed Mar 02 10:52:54 2011)
D Martin, our budget is increasing because politicians are paid campaign cash to ensure that their special project is included in the budget, needed or not. If Walker wants to control the deficit he MUST get the cash bribes out of the political system. That can only be achieved with public funding of campaigns.
Jack Lohman (Wed Mar 02 17:55:35 2011)
D Martin, Umm, what district? I assume by#300,000/student/yr you mean dollars.
That is about 20-30 times what it costs elsewhere in Wisconsin.
Dean Weichmann (Sat Mar 05 10:04:47 2011)
|
|
Blog Archives
| 2010 |
  December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
|
February
|
January
• Solberg: Healing After an Abortion
• Basketball fans eyeing extension of Miller Park sales tax
• Nanny sex-ed bill goes to Doyle
• A first. Village limits pension contribution for employees
• Nanny State update: Toothbrushing mandated
• Obama pushes education inflation
• WI Investment Board votes to borrow to juice up returns
• So Republicans have brought nothing to the table?
• You have got to be kidding me
• Nygren: Governor Continues Terms of Failure in State of the State
• Sen. Fitzgerald: Governor down the wrong track at high speed
• Phosphorus is the new CO2. $Billions in Wisconsin
• More Obama giveaways
• A reprimand? Would you keep him on the job?
• Burri: Sarah Palin for Prez troubles me
• Quote of the Day – Obama after the pie-eating contest
• Populism, abused and trampled
• Fitzgerald: Senate Republicans Propose Real Job Creation Agenda
• Stripped down health insurance – it’s about time
• Ok GOP, scrap the Party of NO; time to lead
• No way Feingold is a Coakley. Is Wall a Brown?
• Burri: Conservatives off the chart for a RINO?
• Paltry quid pro quo?
• Doyle says ARRA has ‘created or retained’ 44,000 WI jobs
• Does most of the public fall for this stuff?
• When you get signatures, always get a couple extra
• Blame it on the outmoded computers
• Scott Brown victory does not scuttle health bill
• 8th Congressional Candidate Forum, Jan. 25
• Scott Walker Meet-and-greet, Monday, Jan. 18
• Aren’t consumers taxpayers too?
• MORE taxes on investment income - dreadful and wrong
• Join the blaze orange army and say ‘Enough is Enough’
• The future of government-run health care
• Tax on banks is a really bad idea
• Roth, Savard on the stump, grassroots style
• Savard speaking in Appleton, 8 PM, Wed., Jan. 13.
• Rahmlow: Savard, Bies frontrunners for State Senate
• Burri: Failing Political Correctness 101
• School contracts and Race to the Top
• Senator Feingold worrisome and big red flags
• Psephological?
• This is really important. Contact Rep. Kagen. Now. Please.
• This is exactly what we need from Governor Doyle
• This guy is my hero
• Why am I not surprised?
• Talk health reform with Feingold (Th), Petri (today)
• Give the Mayor power over MPS - if he can break contracts
• Burri: Yup, Dems really are going to bypass a conference
• The $2.7 billion Wisconsin deficit no one told you about
• Walker launches county accountability website
• Rahmlow: Why is Van Hollen dodging the Nebraska deal?
|
| 2009 |
December
|
November
|
October
• The Lawton-Bader files
• Yup, it’s the TAX LEVY, not the tax RATE
• Ellis: costly automobile insurance laws must be rolled back
• If not Barrett, who?
• The subsidy game
• Burri: Bailouts, Banks, Health Care, and the Mob
• Attend Appleton Schools budget meeting tonight
• A public option WON’T increase costs? That’s delusional!
• Appleton Schools budget meeting Monday
• Wisconsin should be screaming for accountability
• Burri: If anything, we need more obstructionism around here
• WI on the leading edge - in the wrong direction
• Rep. Montgomery: Utility Customers Join State’s Crime-Fighting Efforts
• Public Conservation and Recreation Lands Total 16.5% of State
• In the crow's nest of the Titanic, shouting 'Iceberg!'
• Is Rep. Nelson a political hack?
• Health care: The road ahead will be brutal
• Kagen's pandering again
• Birthers - good stuff for you
• How much do we bend over backward for seniors?
• The trouble with health care is paying for it
• Two-parent families: The Gold Standard
• Burri: Kids... the joys and blessings
• Very, very worried about health care
• Rep. Huebsch: Wisconsin is proof government health care isn’t the answer
• School district contracts push up tax levy
• What? Obama, the Peace Prize?
• TODAY - hearing on Campaign Finance Reform
• Appleton School District tax levy up way too much
• CBO report is out - and the bill isn't even written yet?
• So, how much do YOU budget for health care?
• Burri: Copenhagen trip was amateurish
• “Sotomayor, you have blood on your hands...”
• Cap and Trade. Always follow the money
• Rep. Kagen gets (almost) free health services
• I actually agree with Rep. Kagen
• Future Wisconsin Conference for Conservatives, October 10, Wauwatosa
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
|
February
|
January
|
| 2008 |
December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
• Important votes Tuesday, including Appleton Common Council
• Democrats are becoming supply siders??
• Further debunking Hillary myths
• WEAC has created an unsustainable monopoly
• From Mark Gundrum: One of the greatest honors an American can experience
• 'Operation Chaos' working?
• Joe Martin the best candidate in Appleton's 8th
• State programs to cut? - Volume II
• Oh the naivete of youth
• Not just disingenuous - flat wrong
• Steve - you will be missed
• Make cuts only AFTER you're elected....
• Getting serious: What programs can we cut?
• Rep. Steve Kagen joining me on Jerry Bader Show today
• Rep. Van Roy: Dental Care Pilot Program
• Has Dave Obey turned the corner on earmarks?
• Speaker Huebsch: Governor turns down Federal Aid?
• Mark Rahmlow: "We're Broke."
• As taxpayers, how do we know if it's a Chevy or a Lexus?
• This is trash talk - about a veteran
• Frank Lasee: Take time to get the Compact right
• 'The Gableman Ad' - is it racist?
• Roth thankful, Kagen shaking money tree
• Gov. Doyle's office not enamored with Freedom of Information
• Governor Doyle will never do it
• Leadership on smoking ban? Not Hanna
• Rep. Van Roy speaks out about smear ads
• You're threatening me about potholes?
• Losing the Hastert seat is NOT a trend and NOT curtians for the GOP
• First suggestion for 'slashing' programs
• Big money-saver for municipalities
• More one time fixes. Nuts.
• Any chances???
• I'm doing the Jerry Bader Show, today, the 11th
• Representative Frank Lasee: Final Waltz of the Season
• Guest Blog: It's not the county's business to be in the nursing home business
• Yup, Hillary won Texas and Ohio
• Gableman/Butler race featured - and it isn't pretty
• Lies from Planned Parenthood and NARAL
• He who sacrifices liberty.....
• Duh.
• The Troha sentencing, Doyle and that $200K
• Guns, passion and "originality"
• How hard is it anyway, to shut down a government program?
• Voting is a PRIVILEGE. And so are property taxes....
• Guest Blog: Governor Doyle, cancel your Ireland trip
|
February
|
January
|
| 2007 |
December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
|
February
|
January
• Lots of ideas. No money.
• The Cigarette Tax - "Poor Policy Instrument?"
• School budget Lite?
• Frankenstein - not in the library, but in the legislature
• A librarian, a legislator, a president
• $1.25/pack - NO, NO, NO, and NO
• Kagen and Reagan in the same breath?
• Menasha: behind the 8-ball, but not biting the dust
• Any way you slice it, Wisconsin government wants (further) in on health care
• The World is Flat...what about health care?
• The PAC - too precious to fail. Day 3
• News follow-ups: Appleton West, Kagen at the White House
• Fox Cities PAC - too precious to fail - Day 2
• Fox Cities PAC - too precious to fail
• New Transit Tax coming your way
• Rep. Petri has his finger in the dike - I guess
• AASD Retirement Costs Burdensome
• Health care, health care, health care, health care
• Water rate increase was no slam dunk
• Education for all is just a bad dream
• New Year's resolutions from a parade snob
|
| 2006 |
December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
| 2000 |
May
|
|
