| Wisconsin Votes for Corruption
The reelection of Jim Doyle was a referendum on corruption and Wisconsin voted for corruption.
The Doyle administration has been Pro-corruption since he set his money sack inside the governors mansion. A majority of Wisconsin voters voiced that they want no say in matters. They cast votes to make sure decisions are made by those who give donations to Doyle friendly PAC's.
Jim Doyle was worried about the outcome if people had to prove they were who they claimed to be. Jim Doyle had routinely vetoed legislation requiring the showing of a photo ID. He seemed to think that without people who could somehow find a photo ID which had their picture and the name of the person they were voting enough people would be turned away to keep him and other members of his party from winning.
Much of Doyle's success came from negative ad's. Doyle had ad's made to attack Mark Green for taking illegal campaign contributions. Then when Green managed to make fund transfers the day before new guidelines written specifically to keep Green from doing so went into place Doyle cried fowl.
Michael S. Maistelman, a lawyer for the Doyle campaign team, wasn't concerned about beating the deadline by one day. Maistelman lobbied the State Elections Board telling members appointed by the Democrats that they had to publicly sanction or punish the Green campaign.
In an e-mail sent to Carl Holborn and Kerry Dwyer, board members appointed by Democrats, Maistelman wrote "Even if this ends up in Court it is a PR victory for us since it makes Green spend money and have to defend the use of his Washington DC dirty money," Maistelman said. In a Deja-Vu moment, ala Georgia Thompson, Doyle claimed he didn't know Maistelman, and had no idea Maistelman worked for him.
But at the end of the day regardless of how ignorant Doyle is or isn't about who works for him, about who is making donations to him just before and just after being given huge government contracts, about how he forgets that he never returned tainted donations for Adelman Travel, other pay for play donations; regardless of little Doyle does it does not change the fact that a vote for Doyle is a vote for the corrupt administration he may not know.
John Q Cheeshead
Scott Walker Withdraws from Governors Race
Statement of Scott Walker, Republican Candidate for Governor Friday March 24, 2006:
Tonight is special for me. Thirteen years ago (when I was the 5th district chair), I announced my candidacy for the State Assembly at this caucus. Many of the special people who helped me in that race are here tonight.
A year ago, I got into the race for Governor for three reasons:
First and foremost, Jim Doyle is wrong for Wisconsin.
Second, I thought our campaign had the best chance of defeating Doyle.
Third, I thought that I would make one heck of a good Governor.
Over the past year, Tonette and I traveled all across the state. From the blue hills of northwest Wisconsin, to the bluffs along the Mississippi; from the shores of Lake Superior to the top of Rib Mountain; from the plains of southern Wisconsin to the frozen tundra of Green Bay, we were re-introduced to the state we fell in love with so many years ago.
Along the way, we had some great help too. Over 10,000 donors helped us raise $1.5 million. Hundreds of great volunteers helped us hand out a half million flyers all over Wisconsin. And, with your help, we took on important issues like the repeal of the automatic annual gas tax increase and the need for ethics reform.
When Jim Doyle filed his report in January, it showed that his campaign raised as much money as was spent on his entire campaign four years ago. To defeat Doyle, our campaign would have to pick up the pace in fundraising. Specifically, we set a goal for a minimum amount we had to raise by the end of March to have a chance against Doyle in the fall.
Unfortunately, we did not hit that goal.
Looking at the numbers this week, it became clear to me that our fundraising totals would only allow us to run a campaign in a fraction of the 72 counties in this state. In addition, our resources would be so limited that most of it would likely be spent on ads attacking our Republican opponent, an un-appealing option for me, which will only bolster Jim Doyle’s re-election chances.
Then, even if we made it through the primary, our campaign would face an enormous challenge against the Governor. A campaign that does not focus on Doyle before the primary will almost certainly insure his re-election. To me, that outcome is unacceptable.
With this in mind, I regret to inform you that I am withdrawing from the race for Governor.
I give my full support and endorsement to my friend Mark Green.
Mark and I were both sworn in as members of the State Assembly in 1993. We worked on things like the Limit Excessive State Spending plan, Truth-in-Sentencing, patient privacy and many other important issues.
His son and our oldest son were born about the same time when we served in the Legislature and Sue Green’s parents live just east of where I grew up in Walworth County. Family is important in both of our lives.
I was honored to serve as a co-chair of the President’s re-election campaign with Mark and his campaign manager grew up just down the way from where we live in Wauwatosa.
Mark just learned of my decision today so he’s probably as surprised as many of you.
In the end, I love this state too much to see Jim Doyle elected to another term. This decision is made with the best interests of the people of Wisconsin in mind.
I want to thank all of our unbelievably great supporters - particularly the core of volunteers who stream in and out of our office as well as the extraordinary group of people who work on our paid staff. Thank you!
Most of all, I want to thank my family. My parents are always there for me and they are a constant source of inspiration – to me and to our supporters. My father-in-law works harder than anyone I’ve seen before on a campaign. Even my 90-year-old grandmother attended a few of our campaign events. And my brother and his family in Arizona got into the act wearing Walker t-shirts and spreading the word during spring training.
Our sons Matt and Alex are a big help and a constant source of joy for me. And Tonette, this campaign reminded me why I fell in love with you the first place. You are a steady source of strength and I love you.
Early last year, we jumped into the race together after a great deal of prayer. I believe that it was God’s will for me to run. After a great deal of prayer during the past week, it is clear that it is God’s will for me to step out of the race. Now is the time to support Mark Green. It is our prayer that all of you who joined our cause will follow my lead and support him too.
The State of our State's Executive Branch is Troubled:
Special Interests Control Wisconsin's Highest Elected Office
Scott Walker addressed the Taxpayers for Fair Zoning Leadership Conference in Wausau in late February on his view of property rights and state accountability. Walker's leadership on this issue is second to none and the conference attendees were excited to know there is a candidate with strong feelings and well thought out positions on these issues.
We've gotten positive feedback on Walker's speech so we felt you would enjoy Scott's views on these very important issues.
-When in doubt, government should error on the side of the property owner
-Government should limit the amount of land owned by the state and local governments
-The DNR should be limited to enforcing laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor (not given broad lawmaking powers)
-DNR Secretary and leadership should be replaced with a new focus on customer service
-Responses to requests should be given in written form (from DNR and other state agencies)
-Consider dividing the DNR into reasonable parts dealing with issues like land and water management separately from wildlife management and things like the state park system
-All governmental bodies with the power to levy taxes and take legal actions should be elected
John Q Cheeshead
The State of our State's Executive Branch is Troubled:
Special Interests Control Wisconsin's Highest Elected Office
Wisconsin voters need to see through the election year pandering and realize the truth about Jim Doyle: his priorities have been hijacked by special interests.
Governor Doyle has turned his back on the people of Wisconsin in favor of his special interest pals and big campaign contributions. There are several areas in which Doyle has failed Wisconsin's working families.
The state of our electoral system is in jeopardy. Jim Doyle has allowed our election system to become a mockery by repeatedly vetoing reasonable solutions to protect the integrity of Wisconsin's ballot box.
The state of our education system is damaged. In his first budget, Jim Doyle broke his campaign promise to fund 2/3 of the cost of our schools. Now he has borrowed millions to fund education, placing our children's educational future at risk. In addition, Jim Doyle is blocking the door to a brighter future for many poor and minority children by refusing to lift the caps on school choice.
The state of our economy is in danger. As one of the only Governors in the country to veto the tax deduction of Heath Savings Accounts (HSA's), Jim Doyle has once again chosen special interests ahead of farmers, small businesses and Wisconsin's working families. Additionally, Jim Doyle vetoed important legislation to protect Wisconsin businesses from frivolous law suits; he placed the interests of his trial lawyer buddies ahead of the working people of Wisconsin.
The state of integrity in our public institutions has crumbled. Jim Doyle's actions as Governor have destroyed the public trust in Wisconsin's highest elected office. The Doyle administration is reportedly under investigation by Federal and State law enforcement for "pay for play."
Scott Walker, a challenger for Doyle's job said "This Governor's credit card spending and phony tax freeze along with his attacks on Wisconsin business and healthcare systems will doom us to third world economic status."
Scott Walker submitted Governor Jim Doyle's State of the State speech to the Burlington Liars Club of Burlington, Wisconsin, for its annual World Championship Liars Competition.
"That was the biggest whopper I have ever heard," said Walker. "The unfortunate part of Jim Doyle's lie is that it will hurt Wisconsin's working families the most," he added.
Walker cited at least eight (8) different fabrications in Doyle's speech:
DoyleLie:Our budget is balanced
Truth:Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) shows a $2.12 billion general fund deficit (Source: Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance)
DoyleLie:I solved the worst fiscal crisis in history without raising taxes
Truth:The non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau said taxes and fees went up $368 million (Source: Non-partisan legislative Fiscal Bureau)
DoyleLie:We froze taxes
Truth:Under Jim Doyle's administration, Wisconsin property taxes have increased 11% since 2003 (Source: Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance)
DoyleLie:I've asked the Legislature to increase the cap in the Milwaukee school choice program
Truth:Doyle has vetoed lifting the cap three times
DoyleLie:We created more than 140,000 new jobs
Truth:Doyle was using number that had not been seasonally adjusted; the actual number is just under 70,000 new jobs (Source Wisconsin State Journal Story, 01/19/2006)
DoyleLie:Health care is a priority
Truth:Doyle is the only Governor in the U.S. to tax Health Savings Accounts
DoyleLie:Affordable higher education is a priority
Truth:UW tuition has risen over 50% since Doyle took office
DoyleLie:He demands the highest standards of integrity
Truth:Doyle is under investigation by Federal and State officials for campaign finance violations
"The record is clear, Jim Doyle's rhetoric doesn't match reality," said Walker. "I will gladly pay the one dollar lifetime membership fee for Jim Doyle to join the Burlington Liars Club," added Walker.
John Q Cheeshead
Falk vs. Lautenschalger Really All About Doyle vs. Green
By Barbara Boxer
It is a widely accepted fact that Gov. Jim Doyle encouraged Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, a former 2002 gubernatorial rival, to run against fellow Democratic Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager. But why?
There may be an emotional reason (He doesn't like Peg). But there's a very good strategic reason, too. Look at the election map.
In order to stay governor, Doyle needs to win Milwaukee County in November 2006 by over 53 percent. The number may be as high as 58 percent if there is no major third attraction running like Libertarian Ed Thompson, who peeled off Republican voters in the 2002 election.
In order to get the Milwaukee County margin he needs, Doyle needs to make sure County Executive Scott Walker is defeated by Green Bay-area Congressman Mark Green in September. By having Falk in the AG race, Doyle has forced Democrats to stay in the Democratic primary, instead of switching over and voting in the GOP primary for Walker, who is very popular in Milwaukee County.
In Wisconsin's open primary system, voters have to stay with one party slate during the primary unlike the general, when they can split their tickets. So, in order to get the candidate he wants to get in November -- Green -- Doyle needs to keep Dems in the Democratic column in September. An additional motivation: for some reason Falk currently is more popular with the women in southeastern Wisconsin than Lautenschalger and thus, should help draw that vote for Doyle come November.
More than one of Doyle's advisers has told me they think Lautenschlager on the ticket hurts Doyle and they think Green is easier to beat than Walker. If Doyle runs against Green, he can run the same campaign he ran against ex-Congressman Tom Barrett in the 2002 Democratic gubernatorial primary.
Green and Barrett have the reputation of congressional ``nice guys.'' Doyle will define Green as he did Barrett -- as a nice guy with no executive leadership experience. Furthermore, having been intimately involved in the Barrett campaign for governor, I can tell you it is extremely hard to run for a statewide office when the candidate has to be in Washington, D.C. the majority of the time.
Doyle is counting on Falk to keep Walker from being his gubernatorial opponent. It is all about Doyle's re-election.
--Boxer, an attorney at Reinhart Law in Milwaukee, is a veteran Democratic activist and fundraiser who supports Lautenschlager's re-election.
Time to Curb Abuse of Eminent Domain
In Wisconsin there is little protection that of ones property. If you don't know someone who has land taken by the state, county, or municipal government it's time you crawl out from under your rock.
To lose your land all that has to happen is someone just has to point and say "I want that". Stand back and see how fast your elected officials come running to kick you out of your home. In fact the only way to guarentee your home won't be stolen by the government is to be elected to office yourself.
Eminent domain is leaving an increasingly bitter taste upon the our tongue as more homeowners see their rights trampled. It is imperative that we act to protect our communities and keep this power from being abused for private gain. However, the time when most your municipal legislatures are most excited is when they are talking about stealing land so they can hand it over to some private business. They have the same glee as someone who just won the lottery.
This theft is often justified either through increasing tax revenue, even though most the time the property is taken off the tax roles put in a TIF district and the money used to help improve the property for the developer, or through job creation without taking into account the lives and livlehoods destroyed in the process.
Through a series of Supreme Court decisions the once-clear definition of public benefit has been gradually broadened to suit the interests of municipal leaders and powerful developers. Originally constrained to projects like roads, bridges and public buildings, government is increasingly willing to use the power of eminent domain to put money in the pockets of the private corporations. The Court's ruling on this in Kelo vs. New London has blown the doors open for further abuse of homeowners' rights, making the need for state-level regulation of eminent domain usage obvious and urgent.
Before Kelo there were over ten states which had restrictions on government abusing eminent domain to take property for private gain. Listening to city planners the only way to have growing economy is to take land and give it to private corporations. Without this one would have the great successes of downtown Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Marinette, and Manitowoc. One can also compare this to the failing economies from states which limit theft of property for private gain like Florida and Nevada.
In Wisconsin there restrictions don't exist. Doesn't matter what they want to build road, school, park, dump, condo's, parking lot, casino, convention center, waterpark, hotel, supermarket, autolot, they don't care. They will build a bike trail through the middle of your back yard and then criticisize you for building a fence which destroys the view of the rest of your back yard. They will take land from established and profitable businesses as with the same lack of remorce they have when displacing renters and elderly.
Assemblyman Jeffrey Wood (R-Chippewa Falls) and Senator David Zien (R-Eau Claire) introduced legislation to restore private property rights and prohibit government entities from hiding behind the eminent domain law to confiscate private property for the benefit of corporations and private companies.
Wood say's eminent domain shouldn't be used to buy homes and replace them with condominiums. He also outlined a scenario in which two members of a three-member town board could vote to seize farmland for economic development in part because they bear a grudge against the property owner.
He does leave the door open for taking property if it is a blieght. Not surprisingly blight seems to ony be in the eye of person wanting to steal the property.
Assemblyman Gary E. Sherman (D - Port Wing) has a bill that would ensure that eminent domain would not be used in Wisconsin to transfer non-blighted property to a private developer.
"What my bill does is to simply restrict eminent domain to purposes expressly authorized by statute," Sherman said. "Current law does not expressly authorize the use of eminent domain in the abusive manner described in the recent case, but it does contain the words 'for any lawful purpose.' While this has never been interpreted as such broad authority in the past, the fact that it could be in the future has made people uneasy. This bill removes the 'any lawful purpose' language, which should resolve any lingering doubt."
Since the Governor hasn't mentioned that he will veto any such legislation it has not seen any movement through the republican legislature.
Contact:
Senator David Zien (608) 266-7511
Representative Gary Sherman (608) 266-7690
Representative Jeffrey Wood (608) 266-1194
John Q Cheeshead
DOYLE'S PHONY FREEZE
By Charles Sykes
Typically, as summer turns to fall, the temperatures begin to drop, but this is the season that Governor Doyle’s tax freeze began to melt.
You’ll recall that the governor, wielding a mighty veto pen, declared that he had managed to create his own tax freeze, while shifting hundreds of millions of dollars to his friends at WEAC. The governor said that tax bills wouldn’t go up and the Legislative Fiscal Bureau agreed. “We've got a freeze, it's a good freeze," his top aide, Marc Marotta claimed.
Well, not exactly.
Under Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett’s proposed budget, property taxes on the typical home would rise 7.2%. On top of that, the mayor is proposing dramatic increases in “fees,” including a 76% increase in the so-called garbage fee that will boost the overall tax/fee increase to around 10%. Although it’s called a “fee,” the garbage fee is indistinguishable from a tax, except that it also hits non-profits and isn’t deductible from your federal income tax.
And in Madison, city officials will be able to jack up property taxes by more than 7%.
So taxpayers are left to wonder: in what alternative universe is this a property tax freeze? Under what definition of the word “freeze” do taxes and fees rise at a double-digit rate?
To his (partial) credit, Mayor Barrett doesn’t pretend his budget is any sort of “freeze.” But what about Doyle’s claim?
What we have here seems to be a case of Madison math combined with the now familiar fiscal shell-game played by politicians who say one thing and do quite another.
As it turns out, Doyle’s “freeze,” was a rhetorical artifact crafted to make headlines, steal an issue from the GOP, pacify the grassroots, while rewarding friendly special interests. The devil was in the details, including enough loopholes – excluding debt payments for instance – to turn the “freeze” into more like a “:friendly suggestion” for cities like Milwaukee.
Maybe the governor was hoping that taxpayers would believe the headlines, not their actual tax bills.
In contrast, County Executive Scott Walker’s budget includes a property tax levy increase of zip, nada, bupkus. Swept into office in the wake of the Ament pension scandal, Walker promised to freeze property taxes. Unlike Doyle’s “freeze,” Walker’s comes without asterisks, loopholes, hedges, fudges, or backdoors. It doesn’t rely on reassessments or sleight of hand. For Walker a zero increase means a zero increase.
All of which makes Walker a double anomaly in Wisconsin politics (1) a politician who actually does what he says he will do, and (2) an officeholder prepared to actually make cuts in spending.
The political reality in Wisconsin is that while everyone talks about spending, nobody wants the nasty and messy job of cutting popular programs. Jacking up spending makes friends, cutting spending draws brickbats and controversy.
So we end up with “freezes” that mean double-digit tax/fee increases and “balanced” budgets that include billion dollar structural deficits. And the politicians hope we won’t notice the gap between what they say and what they do.
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