Walker Backers Say They're Ready for Recall Fight
A kickoff rally at Wauwatosa's Hart Park invigorates Republicans to battle to keep Walker in the governor's mansion and the state moving forward.
Photos
Delivering baked goods and fiery speeches, supporters of Republican Gov. Scott Walker warmed a crowd several thousand people strong Saturday, igniting what will be a months-long battle to save the governor's office.
"I want people to see that the majority of Wisconsin cares about Walker and Wisconsin," said Jeni Berdan, 28, of West Allis. "He's one of the first politicians who kept what he promised. That people came out in this kind of weather shows how people are behind him."
Temperatures were in the single digits before the rally began, but rose to the low 20s for the three-hour-long outdoor rally in Wauwatosa's Hart Park. Skies were sunny and blue.
"See, the sun's coming up for us," Jerrid Madden, a 16-year-old Muskego student who spoke at the event, told Patch.
Supporters traveled from blocks away in Wauwatosa or hours away such as La Crosse and Rosholt in Marathon County. A trio from the La Crosse Tea Party drove three hours to cheer on Walker and sell $2 "No Recall" bumper stickers.
Teachers came from Twin Lakes in Kenosha County to help with a bake sale, encouraging donations for goodies that covered long tables. Among the items: frosted red, white and blue cookies in the shapes of T, G, F, S and W — or as a sign explained: "Thank God For Scott Walker."
Teacher from Walker ad helps with baked goods
Helping at the bake tables was Kenosha English teacher Kristi Lacroix, who appeared in one of Walker's first television ads and received threats after saying in the ad that the recall was "sour grapes."
"I support my governor and what he's doing to help save teachers," she said Saturday. "He is fighting to give me a choice on whether or not I want to pay union dues."
Lacroix said she liked what she heard from Walker this week about his planned education reform package, aimed at improving elementary school reading, teacher effectiveness and creating a school rating system. Teachers could be more easily let go if their evaluations fall short and high-perfoming teachers could be rewarded with increased merit pay.
"Why wouldn't we want better teachers?" Lacroix asked.
Another Kenosha Unified School District employee, Lori Deutscher, drove from Twin Lakes to donate homemade apple cinnamon muffins. She joked she was a terrible baker but a friend gave her an easy recipe to try.
"I want him to stay in office," Deutscher said of Walker. "He's doing a great job. Things need to change."
She said she was concerned about burdening her three children and two grandchildren with too much debt, and she praised Walker for attacking the state's deficit.
Protesters set up smaller counter-event
But not everyone at Hart Park was singing Walker's praises. A much smaller group of protesters marched with signs on 70th Street, just outside the barricades erected for the event.
Shouting things such as "Walker 1 Percent" and "Where are the jobs?" they got into verbal tussles with Walker supporters, some of whom stopped to argue, exchange name-calling or take photos and video of protesters.
Dean Sperry from Milwaukee told Patch what upsets him most are the cuts to education funding and the recently enacted Voter Identification law.
"He lied to the people," Sperry said.
He said a rally of a couple thousand people paled in comparison to the support of 1 million via signatures on Walker recall petitions.
Dorothy Ann Phinney of Milwaukee called Walker's moves over the past year a power grab. She said she doesn't believe the majority of Wisconsin citizens support Walker, but the governor will gain votes by spending millions in the coming months on TV ads.
As top Republican elected officials took the stage, Madison resident Michael Dickman was one of several protesters who frequently blew vuvuzelas or shouted taunts.
Dickman acknowledged the horns were "annoying," but said the noise was needed to send a message of disgust at what Republicans were doing to Wisconsin.
"They're devastating our state," he said. "We're last in jobs. We used to be at the top of the heet in education, now we're almost dead last."
Walker crowd tells protesters 'shame, shame'
But the crowd of Walker supporters responded in kind to the horns with chants of "Shame! Shame!" and "Walker! Walker!"
Gail and Robert Toerpe of Bay View held up a large American flag. Gail said it was draped in 1926 on the coffin of her great-grandfather, a Civil War soldier.
Gail said she spent $340 to get signs made reading "Recalls Divide Us!"
"It can be taken as a bipartisan sign," she said. She added she and her husband were "recovering Democrats" who years ago helped the campaigns of Gov. Patrick Lucey and Attorney General Bronson LaFollette.
But Gail said she believed the Democratic Party had grown too extreme and as a pro-life advocate, she now votes Republican and backs Walker.
Terri Bullock of Milwaukee said she was never really politically active until the Capitol chaos last February after Walker's effective end to most public employee collective bargaining. Many of her relatives are teachers who were angry at Walker.
The final straw for Bullock: when her state senator, Lena Taylor, was among 14 Democrats who fled the state to block a vote on the governor's reforms.
"That was so cowardly, just totally shirking your responsibilities," Bullock said.
Now she plans to help the governor's recall fight. She had rally participants sign her homemade sign that said "We Luv Our Guv." She will deliver it to Walker in Madison on her way to Verona where she visits relatives every other weekend.
"I have never done anything like this before," she said. "We're empty nesters and we just want to show him that we all support him."
Teamster member rallies for Walker
A Teamster Union Local 200 member with Bullock carried a pro-Walker sign but said he didn't want to identify himself and face possible backlash. He criticized the recall movement as a waste of money, the same way he said the protests last winter at the Capitol wasted millions in security costs.
"Think about all the teachers that could have paid for," he said.
Pete Kosovich, a Republican Party activist and member of the Grandsons of Liberty, a Tea Party group that has 10,000 volunteers nationally poised to help review Recall Walker petition signatures for validity, said he has seen an increase in grass-roots enthusiasm for Walker. People like Bullock are coming in for the first time to volunteer, he said.
"I honestly believe we're going to find 20 to 30 percent fraud," he said of the recall petitions.
Kosovich, who served on the Franklin Common Council from 2003 to 2008, said he knows Walker from past political events. "I personally like the man. He's honest, ethical, moral. He's doing what's right for Wisconsin."
The silent majority no more
Todd Osborne of Milwaukee said the supporters of Walker haven’t been as vocal as those who oppose the governor, but Saturday was about supporters converting from the silent majority to the not-so-silent.
In other words, Saturday was all about rallying the troops.
"We're going to have to fight a battle again, and we are going to win again," Osborne said.
"The changes in collective bargaining, to me, is a good start to making Wisconsin a right-to-work state," he said. "That’s just huge."
Marquette University student Lucas Baker said he supports Walker because he turned around a large budget deficit facing the state and did what he told voters he would do in 2010.
"The only way we can get the finances in order is to get the public union members to pay half of what the rest of us in the real world have to pay," said Bill Maher, from Kenosha.
Some in the crowd were too young to vote or understand deficits and pensions.
Ariel Lewandowski, 7, helped her older sister April Feltz, 24, carry a Walker sign decorated with glitter. Feltz drove three hours from Rosholt in Marathon County. She said she backed George W. Bush for president and now is supporting Walker.
Carley Hansen, 12, was sick and couldn't come to the rally with her mother Deb of Monona and sister Rachel Westberg, 17, so she made a sign Saturday morning for them to bring for her.
"I get to vote in the next election," Rachel said.
Hansen said she has backed Walker since he opposed adding light rail in Milwaukee. Now she supports many of his initiatives on collective bargaining, concealed carry and the castle doctrine.
Falk the preferred recall opponent
Hansen echoed many Walker supporters in her preferred choice for the Democrat on the recall ballot: former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, who lost races for state attorney general in 2006 and governor in the Democratic primary in 2002. The reason they want to see her on the ballot? They believe she's too progressive for Wisconsin moderates.
Bill Berdan, 24, of Milwaukee, said Falk has "Madison money" and is beholden to the state teachers union, which has urged Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett not to get in the race and force a primary election with Falk.
But Hanson said Barrett wouldn't be able to criticize Walker's collective bargaining and pension reforms because the mayor used those "tools" to balance his budget.
"He used Act 10," Hansen said.
Melissa Ugland
7:32 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Several other sources have cited a "several hundred" figure, and the number appears to have been inflated over the day. Let's get it right, Patch.
Cynthia
8:06 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
How about blow up the pictures and start counting..... JS misreported and the rest followed. Patch WAS THERE!!!! As you can see JS has updated once they were caught misreporting........... funny was less then 100 recall supporters yet you don't question that miscount.... And all but a dozen left after an hour...
Sara Conrad
8:09 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Several hundred of what? I was there....& the photos don't lie. The Wauwatosa Police have estimated FOUR THOUSAND pro-Walker, pro-American, pro-Wisconsin patriots were in attendance. Sorry to burst your entitled blue bubble. Unlike fake & duplicate signatures on a recall petition, you can't fake the overwhelming support Walker had today & will have in the future.
Bucky
7:48 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Cymthia ... Don't count Walker's wife as two people.
Babykit
7:37 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Recalls divide us? How about Scott Walker divides us? Good luck, pro Walker folks. You're going to need it....
Cynthia
8:03 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
How about the unions divide us....
Brian Dey
8:44 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Hey Keith- The reason capitalist are sending jobs overseas is because of greedy unions who think they should get executive pay to lean on a shovel. Yes, the public unions are exactly the same, except we have a Governor who said enough is enough. You can no longer steal 85 cents on the dollar that is suppose to be four our kids. Driving a Madistan bus shouldn't pay $150g's per year.
Al Campos
2:50 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
A quote from the Tea Baggers: Pete Kosovich, a Republican Party activist and member of the Grandsons of Liberty, a Tea Party group that has 10,000 volunteers nationally poised to help review Recall Walker petition signatures for validity,
I have news for them. They have NO authority to even look at the ballots much less review them. They did that to themselves by allowing some repuke judge in crooked Waukesha courts to put the burden on the GAB and that took it away from the Walker clowns altogether. So much for taking a pass on your rights you fools.
Guess who gets the last laugh here folks!!!
Keith Schmitz
6:16 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Brian, with unions at 7% of the workforce it's hardly a factor in the decision making process.
How about corporate greed? CEOs and others at the management level making 200 to 500 times or more than what the average worker makes is inexcusable and unsustainable to this country or our democracy.
If any thing we need more unions. Germany has them. Their leaders sit on corporate boards and Germany basically calls the economic shots in Europe.
People must be making a decent living working for a company and that should be a cost of doing business. No ifs, ands, or buts.
As far as the bus drivers in Madison, unless you have a link, that's a right wing legend.
Bucky
7:50 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Fact ... Walker divided the state period not the unions.
Bucky
7:51 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Brian .... Greedy CEO's forced job's over seas not the unions.
CowDung
3:01 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Keith:
What does the wage of the average worker have to do with CEO salary levels? CEO salaries should be tied to the revenues and complexity of the company. CEOs in command of a large, multinational company should earn more than the CEO of a small company.
Here's a link about Madison bus driver...
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt_and_politics/article_24af32d4-13f4-11df-86b2-001cc4c002e0.html
"Nelson earned $159,258 in 2009, including $109,892 in overtime and other pay.
He and his colleague, driver Greg Tatman, who earned $125,598, were among the city's top 20 earners for 2009, city records show."
mau
7:39 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
"Todd Osborne of Milwaukee said the supporters of Walker haven’t been as vocal as those who oppose the governor, but Saturday was about supporters converting from the silent majority to the not-so-silent."
For once, why couldn't this whole story been about the pro-Walker rally. Which is what it was organized for.
SkinnyDude
7:55 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Walker will get 54 percent of the vote this go around . It will be a stake in the heart liberals and unions fighting for what is essientially UNION DUES!
Keith Schmitz
8:46 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
BS.
It's attacking Wisconsin values. It's suppressing the vote. And yeah, it's attacking unions for cheap political advantage and no savings to the state. lt's turning down millions in federal funding. It's putting right wing hacks in charge of our health care system. Are you still processing?
It's balancing the budget on the backs of the least among us. Its raising taxes on the least among us. It's going after innovation. It's conceal carry, which a majority of the state doesn't want. It's attacks on women's health. It's seeing all of this hard reich policy being put in place and still watching our state being at the bottom in job creation.
It's people fed up with his arrogance and the baboonery of the Three Stooges.
If you dig this crap, who and I to stand between you and the abuse you love. But as for those who stand up for themselves, we're fed up.
Many of you aren't engaged when it comes to the news in first place because you only seek out sources that confirm your narrow prejudices. If you don't think a valid, ironclad million signatures does tell you that. Good. We want you clueless and blubbering when we win this recall election.
Cynthia
9:43 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Putting right-wing hacks in charge of our health care system...........
keith do you realize that badgercare and the other WI medical programs are much better then obamacare? Why would you want to replace it? The Federal funds just returned were for computers and setting up a health exchange.... for what? To waste money since obamacare will most likely be repealed this spring? What do you prefer? WI healthcare or obamacare? I Vote for WI healthcare any day!!
You always yell about fair share..... well it's time the public sector paid part of their fair share of benefits. Most Federal employee's pay 25% of their healthcare.... Private Sector much more then that.
There is no attack on woman's healthcare either..... there are many more places for women to go then PP. PP should NOT be receiving money from the taxpayers.
I would look into who is the clueless one....... it happens to be you. I have seen your previous posts...... You need to look into the support CC had.... and realize that was a bi-partisan bill, majority of the State wanted it. Are you going to recall those dem senators for voting 'aye'? WI is the 49th State to allow it. Only 1 State does not, I recommend that you move to IL since they have the policy's you support. WI is moving FORWARD.
Patriot
9:53 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
@Keith-What do you call Obama Care? 74% of small business owners feel they may not even be able to stay in business once Obama Care fully kicks in? WOW!! How does an individual/Group become so distant from reality?
Patriot
9:55 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
@Keith-My values have not been attacked at all!! So where do you come up with this stuff. Collective bargaining is a privealage not a right!!! If it were a right it would be written into the Constitution. Rememeber the Constitution?
Keith Schmitz
6:29 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Cynthia, happy to answer your questions.
"The Federal funds just returned were for computers and setting up a health exchange.... for what?"
Exchanges are something Republicans have advocated for years to keep health care costs low through competition. Now because Obama is pushing them, the Republican robots are against them. Looks like Walker is carrying water for the health insurance companies.
And yeah, I like Badgercare, but Walker wants to push 59,000 people off of it.
"You always yell about fair share..... well it's time the public sector paid part of their fair share of benefits. Most Federal employee's pay 25% of their healthcare.... Private Sector much more then that."
No doubt federal employees are getting paid more in salary than benefits. It all equalizes out. Besides, it is hard to argue that cuts this deep this fast to public employee purchasing power has been a blow to our economy. The job creation numbers prove that, and if they can continue Walker will be toast when we finally get to the elections. You like that? Just because Governor Comb over thought Koch money would buy him another term.
Keith Schmitz
6:30 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
"There is no attack on woman's healthcare either..... there are many more places for women to go then PP. PP should NOT be receiving money from the taxpayers."
There are many places in the state where PP was the only provider of health care for women. We all know who Walker is trying to please, the medievalists in the anti-abortion groups.
"You need to look into the support CC had.... and realize that was a bi-partisan bill, majority of the State wanted it. Are you going to recall those dem senators for voting 'aye'? WI is the 49th State to allow it. Only 1 State does not, I recommend that you move to IL since they have the policy's you support. WI is moving FORWARD."
I give a rip about the bi-partisan vote. A majority of people in this and any state -- including NRA members -- are against conceal and carry. Why didn't they put it up for referendum (they never have in any state)? Because it would go down in flames.
And please, let's refrain from that stupid line, "if you don't like it here why not move." It's so childish. I'm sure you are smarter than that.
And yes, Walker is moving this state BACKWARDS. La Follette led the progress movement. Walker leads the regressive movement.
Patriot
7:55 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Keith-Your assumption that the majority of people in this State are against conceal carry is absolutely false!!! The NRA was and is one of the major players in Wi finally getting ccw legislation. The only ones against it are once again is the progressive minority liberal!! If your statement were true then every business in this State would post a now weapons sign!!!! Get clue me Schmitz
Bucky
4:17 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Sorry Skinny not this time around. Maybe you can help him find another job some where else, hopefully out of this state.
Patriot
4:29 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
@Bucky-I see you had no response to your comments regarding conceal carry. You know the ones when u stated where I can carry? Hopefully you took the time to educate yourself before making false statements
FL Born
7:55 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Trina when and where did Gov. Walker divide us? Did you really mean to say how Obama is dividing us? Is he not behind class warfare and OWS?
Brian Dey
8:45 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
No Keith, Wisconsin values are not stealing from our children. Walker is restoring Wisconsin and American values.
Bucky
7:57 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
This is all about Walker and the party. This agenda down the long road will not benefit ANYONE pro or anti.
Bren
2:40 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
FL Born, Barack Obama is not behind class warfare and definitely not of OWS, which protests Republican and Democratic politicians.
OWS' mission is to point out wage disparity and the damage that Big Business is doing to the American dream.
Patriot
4:31 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Bren-Seriously Obama is the biggest community organizer/divider of the people than any other President in History? Where is the transparency and all he promised? Bren Bren Bren. Its ok we understand you can't help it
Andrew Martin
8:35 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
A few hundred or two thousand, who cares. Now let's see you repeat that every weekend to the tune of hundreds of thousands, you know, like the recall rallies in Madison last year. Or, you could out into the cold and collect a million signatures in opposition to the recall of Walker.
The Anti-Alinsky
8:59 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
I, and most everyone at the rally, would love to show up to one of these everyday. Unfortunately, we all have jobs.
BTW, did anybody notice how clean the park was. I had to leave just before it was over, but not a bit of garbage that I saw. Bit different from the Capitol last spring.
Brian Dey
8:46 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Andrew- We are saving the best for last, election day. Then you will see our millions show up to shut you up.
Cynthia
9:44 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
DId you see the photo's of the trash the recall supporters left behind? Once again Conservatives left to clean up their mess..............
greensheet
8:36 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
This election will be a national news event, and this would be a good time to show off our most important state asset, A BALANCED BUDGET!
Bucky
8:02 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Green ... a balanced budget, with thousands of job losses and even thousands of more every month. Wait till you can not get health care then hold up your Walker sign if you still have the strengh to do so.
Patriot
8:27 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Bucky-Then why are you not re-calling Mr Obama?
Kathie
8:38 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
I was there today and there were thousands of us. None of us are surprised that JS misreported our numbers once again. Sorry dems, but there are no "do overs". Scott Walker is a rare politician - one that does what he says - one with a backbone. He was elected by the people to take back the state of Wisconsin! And to keep YOUR hands out of OUR pockets! We are sick of the cowardly, entitled liberals. "It only takes ONE Walker to beat 14 runners"! We luv our Gov!
morninmist
9:55 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
ha ha
Walker did what he did not say he would do.
And to top it off, it had to admit under oath to the US Congress that CB was NOT a fiscal issue!!
Walker deceives people but folks like you do not care. But I care and so do the over a Million folks who signed the petitions.
Bucky
8:05 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Kathie ... now that the Walker TV ads are embeded in your brain , just keep repeating the few talking points. Scott Walker has been recognized accross the country and the national Repub Party does not even support him because of his terrorist actions.
Patriot
8:10 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Bucky-Really? Then explain Indiana soon to become a right to work State?
Bren
2:43 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Patriot, that legislation is being rushed through--however, a new group, the "Lunch Pail Republicans" was formed to fight it and/or get it repealed. This bill has also drawn the attention of the NFL union, because the SuperBowl will be played in that state this year as you know. This bill is not popular.
Patriot
3:51 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Bren-Its very popular amongst the people of Indiana. That is why the dems went into hiding. But of course its being rushed thru just like Wisconsins Bill was rushed thru
Bren
4:16 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Patriot, it's just not true. According to the Economic Policy Institute, "We find that the mean effect of working in a right-to-work state results in a 6% to 8% reduction in wages for workers in these states, with an average wage penalty of 6.5%. Controlling for regional costs of living reduces this amount to approximately 4%."
Here is a link to the report: http://www.epi.org/publication/datazone_rtw_index/
This is just another attempt by Big Business to depress wages.
Patriot
4:33 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Bren-Again just another George Soros think tank funded org.
Bren
12:06 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Those pro-Walker supporters should get a job--after they take a bath.
Bucky
8:12 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Why Tosa ... Take your B.S. some where else. Tosa use to be a strong Repug area back in the 70's and 80's but times have changed and take Walker with you.
Patriot
8:24 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Bucky-WOW such division between the people. So now its BS? Just because we feel differently? This would not be an issue if you and your side would allow the democratic process to run it course. That is why we have elections and after 4 another 3 years if the people are not happy Gov Walker will not be re-elected. Face it this is an attack driven by the big unions bosses PERIOD!!! Its like the rat given several different water bottles, one filled with water, once filled with sugar water, and once filled with a mind altering substance. Well after time the only bottle the RAT looks for is yes you guessed it the bottle that makes him feel differently. No longer able to think for himself and now totally dependent on the bottle filled with crap!!
alrighalready
4:17 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
What part of "there is no money" do these people not understand? This is what happens when our politicians spend decades making promises to their constituents so they can get re-elected.
There is not enough money to keep on making promises folks -- promises made by "hot air" politicians (many of whom are trained as lawyers who know how to pretend that they know all the "angles" or, worse yet, actually believe that they know all the answers).
The "day of reckoning" has arrived and these people do not like it.
Bucky
8:11 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Walker is A DROP OUT.
Patriot
8:39 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
STEVE JOBS WAS A DROPOUT AS WELL. Your point
Walker
10:11 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Walker is no Jobs. In every sense of the word.
Patriot
10:41 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Walker-And Obama is? Hate to inform you Government does not create jobs but rather make the enviroment for job creation. And again why would any job creator open his or her doors in this enviroment. Locally or abroad!!
Walker
10:48 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Where did I ever say I supported Obama? You, like your comrads, are quick to jump to conclusions & not see outside your little box. & why when someone calls out Walker you feel the need to respond with "But Obama . . . ."? Always the recourse when you have nothing to respond with.
Patriot
11:00 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Walker-Nice try!!! Gov Walker believes in smaller Government, less regulation, and feels public sector employess are already protected!! Collective bargaining for pay and benefits does nothing but hold the tax payer hostage. Refer to the links I attached to a previous post. Enlighten yourself
Bucky
6:53 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Walker is not Steve Jobs.
alrighalready
4:21 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
alrighalready is from Illinois. Alrightalready knows what he is talking about when he talks about politicians, empty promises, and NO MONEY.
alrighalready
4:27 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
The politicians have spent your money, your children's money, and your grand children's money. Now you are in the streets demanding that "more money" be spent. Wake up already -- there is no money, unless you want the government to keep printing it until we end up like Greece (or are we already there?).
Jerry Person
5:55 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
MADISON, Wisconsin (WKOW) - The Wisconsin Budget Project found state lawmakers left more than $1 billion in federal funds they could have taken, after looking at figures from the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau.
According to an October LFB memo, state budget cuts or incomplete funding of state programs meant Wisconsin did not capture an additional $506 million of federal funds that were available over the current biennium. This is in addition to $803 million in two large federal grants, including a grant for high-speed rail, that Wisconsin turned down.
According to the most recent national data available, the Wisconsin Budget Project found the state ranked 32nd among states in federal spending per capita.
According to the LFB memo, the Legislature bypassed at least four different opportunities to bring additional federal money into the state: nearly half a billion dollars in Medical assistance; $13.2 million to provide job training for people with disabilities; $8.3 million for enforcing child support orders; and $4.2 for administering FoodShare and medical assistance programs.
The Wisconsin Budget Project is an initiative of the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families. Its web site says it focuses on state budget and tax issues related to low and moderate income families.
Jerry Person
5:56 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
If Wisconsin US attorney was a honest honorable person not a Protection Rackeet for his fellow republicans. Walker would be in a federal penn. A federal judge in Milwaukee in 1/2011 ordered Milwaukee county to rehired all the people Walker fired. The judge stated Walker mislead the county board on everything. The judge basicily stated Walker commit a few dozens of crimes and without any doubt abused his power. The judge stated Walker created a FALSE emergency. The judge detailed Walkers crimes. This has cost the state how many millions? Why is US attorney John Vaudruel protecting Walker and allowing him to continue his reign of terror on the seniors, poor, and or future our children. Is Vaudruels agenda protecting his GOP pals more important than our children? John stop your protection rackeet.
Patriot
9:59 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Oh because Federal Money is always FREE RIGHT?
Jerry Person
5:56 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Walker is moving Wisconsin forward; In 1920 Moscow did not allow due process the ruler did anything he wanted too. The law was only for the people not the dictator. In 1920 Moscow had voter suppression. In 1920 Moscow did not allow freedom to assemble. In 1920 Moscow did not allow free speech. In 1920 Moscow all of Stalin’s followers were allowed to bare arms. In 1920 Moscow they had thousands of political prisoners. In 1920 Moscow was one party rule. In 1920 Moscow they had slave labor and wages. In 1920 Moscow healthcare was a myth for most. In 1920s Moscow liberty and justice was a myth. It was all about conviction rates to make the Dictator happy. In 1920`s Moscow the Dictator robbed from the poor people and destroyed the countryside for personal gain. In 1920`s Moscow the dictator sold state properties for personal gain and a complete loss to the state. I am sorry. The date is 2012 in Madison not Moscow. They are the things Walker did to move Wisconsin forward to the roaring twenties like in Stalin’s Moscow. The place David Koch’s father grew up and made his first millions building power plants for Uncle Josef Stalin. Walker has plan and as he said. It is working..
Brian Dey
8:51 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Hey Jerry- The money isn't free, it's our money and we a fed up for paying for overinflated pensions and healthcare benefits. Fed money isn't manna from heaven and usually costs you twice as much as you get. Ask the school districts how nice it was to get free money from Obama which left huge holes in their budgets when it was taken away.
Jerry Person
5:57 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Webster’s Dictionary says: To change what is norm for personal, political or religious reasons is an act of perversion. GOP good old p ?
Patriot
10:02 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
@Jerry-Here we go with Websters Again. Remember Websters definition of you Jerry?
Definition of IDIOT
1usually offensive : a person affected with extreme mental retardation
2: a foolish or stupid person
Lisa
8:36 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Blah blah blah-all this preaching to the choir by both sides is tiresome. All I know is that I had trouble getting to my home because 70th Street was closed. No one is changing anyone's mind at this point. Go rah rah and boo boo somewhere else-that's my vote.
Bucky
6:56 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Why not State Fair Park ? They all could have rallied in the Swine barn.
Bucky
8:17 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Im with you Lisa ... stay out of Tosa.
Keith Schmitz
8:56 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Why did Governor Mouth'Breather's wife have to front for him? Was off chasing vulture corporate cash?
Patriot
11:10 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Your awful quiet now!! Now that you have been revealed!!!
Keith Schmitz
5:10 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
it was tempting, but you know what pal, after the personal attack by George the Kochpuppet it is like screw it. The string is being polluted by the childish numbskulls like you, who hid behind their screen name.
You are a prime example why this state is swirling around the drain. I have no idea what you find so wonderful about this corrupted incompetent that we have running this state. I won't even guess because there is no way that your childish mind could be ciphered.
Patriot? My ass. What kind of Patriot would sell out this wonderful state to outside interests, many of whom are foreign owned. What a pathetic joke you are.
Since you lack the mental capacity to come back with any kind of answer, you have to lurk around our background web site.
Tell you what. My picture and my name is on here, which indicates that I have more guts than you'll ever have. I've frequently at Alterra working. Why don't you pull yourself out of your mother's basement and I can help you out with your little problem. But I don't think you have the guts.
What a creep.
By the way. It's you're, not your numbskull.
Patriot
8:04 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Keith-Did I strike a nerve? We are the silent majority and we will once again prevail!!!! A typical with your personal attacks!!! And your statement regarding ccw could not be more false. To say the majority including NRA members are against it is so incorrect.
Patriot
8:05 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Keith-What I find amazing is that your side aka Jerry Person can constantly attack and name call, yet thats ok? Hmmmmmm just because we disagree? Again Gov Walker was elected by the people, has done nothing illegal, but because a small minority disagree Re-Call? Childish behavoir-like throwing the tempertantrum in the corner until we get all the attention and someone gives us what we want? Not this time!!
Tosans for walker
9:14 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Jerry person has quite a interesting no bill paying past , CCAP him and it all makes sense.
Jerry Person
1:03 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
tosans supports walker and his child porno pals.
Patriot
3:54 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
He is also very concerned about pervs and child pornos. Are we sure he is not on the registry or maybe he should be? Hmmmmmmm keep your children away from Jerry
Tosans for walker
9:17 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Keith I notice that you run a failing PR "company" from your spare bedroom.....interesting , and no , we will not entertain a proposal from someone like you.
George Warez
10:06 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Mr Schmitz did you pay back the $35,000 loan from the Village of Shorewood for your failed bookstore experiment?
http://www.jsonline.com/business/88705292.html
Patriot
10:10 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
@George-That is awesome!! Just shows the mentality of these people. Their total lack of fiscal responsibility and their lying cheating ways. Thank God for Gov Walker!!!
Patriot
10:24 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
@Keith-I think you have been put in your place and your credibility has been flushed. Hmmmmm just wondering what you have to say now? Im guessing you will now change your screen name so you can hide behind all your BS!!!
Patriot
10:27 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
To the gas chambers with Mr Keith Schmitz
Mike Dee
12:17 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
now that was funny George. It's usually the one with faults that will try and shift the blame to take the heat off themselves.All I hear is how this effected the kids in the classroom. yet the teachers[LIED BY CALLING IN SICK],going to Madison to protest then getting phony doctor excuses to cover their absence.What a great way to to be role models for the kids they teach. Lie,cheat, do damage that the taxpayer has to pay for but win at any cost. Ha really a great world we live in.Hooray for me and screw you that's the way of the unions and lefties. Talk about deceet, how about the 14 fleebaggers that took off, failed to do their job[which was to be in Madison, not Illinois] and then have the guts to pick up a paycheck. Yep really great.
Bewildered
1:11 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Drill down to "comments" in George's link to JS article about Schmitz. No more needs to be said.
Bucky
8:26 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Patriot
10:27 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
To the gas chambers with Mr Keith Schmitz
Great comment ! ... Adolf Walker and his wife Hildi would be so proud of you.
Patriot
8:59 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Well some of your fellow supporters refer to us as well you know. So I thought the comment would be fitting:)) Dude you really need to take a chill pill and lighten up a little. Allow the democratic process to play out. If your so hell bent on re-calling Walker then you should be just as bent on Re-Calling Mr Obama
Michael
10:40 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Keith I think you're gonna find that your 1,000,000 ironclad signatures aren't so ironclad.
Keith Schmitz
6:57 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Hate to be the one to break it to you, but if you are thinking like I think you're thinking (you might be a pessimistic progressive), but people in this state don't love Walker as much as you do or as much as you think we do.
Not only did we painstakingly go over these signatures, but from what volunteers told me, we could have gotten hundreds of thousands more, especially if we had gone door to door.
So round up thousands to go over the signatures. Love to see this colossal waste of time.
Bucky
8:33 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Fraud in any signatures would only be the cause of the Walker supporters. Walker gets all these fools pumped up only begging them to save his job and his family's life style. Save Fritz ... Save Dogfish ... I don't want to have to move off the lake property, Save everyone , but who is going to save you, not Walker. Wake up FOOLS !
Walker
10:15 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
1,900,000
Jerry Person
11:26 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Nothing makes me sicker than the idiots that cll themselves patriots or tea party patriots when nothing can be farther from the truth. Westers explains the Tea Party best Pervsion. To say collective bargaining was not in the constitution is ignorat as they get. Free speech is jethro. The constitution does not say hand every village idiot wa gun either. It sasy the right to bare arms. Once jethro passed the third grade he was a rocket sceintist. you have a decadeds to go to get there. GOP and diapers are the same always full of crap. If not now it will only take a minute.
Patriot
11:39 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
@Jerry-Again refer to Websters!!! The right to keep and bear arms period!! Does not say locked in my closet or gun safe either. Again it clearly states the as an American Citizen I have the right to keep and bear arms. On my person, my car, my house or anywhere I may travel.
No where is it written Collective Bargaining is a right!! Just as driving is a privelage. Voting is a right as well and no one is denying anybody the right to vote. The only reason for the uproar is this will prevent the illegals from voting legally!!
Patriot
11:40 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
@Jerry-You truely fit the description of an IDIOT!!!
Definition of IDIOT
1usually offensive : a person affected with extreme mental retardation
2: a foolish or stupid person
Bucky
6:53 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Patriot ... Great name calling again , of course this is what you and your party are all about. Go seek out people that have children that suffer from disabilities like mental retardation and get in their face. Looks like your the biggest idiot on here.
Patriot
7:11 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
@Bucky-Maybe you need to take the time to read your spokesperson Jerry Persons posts!!! I am only referring to Mr Person. Click on his name and read all he has responded to before you pass judgement my Friend!!!!
Its okay because when its all said and done Gov Walker will still be at the Helm!! Then what ya going to do to disrupt democrocy and spend more tax payer dollars
Bucky
8:40 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Patriot your wrong, better read again. Better have a CC permit. A Wisconsin CC permitt is not good in every state. You can not carry a pistol on your person in an auto without a CC permitt. But Patriot thanks to Scott Walker YOU can step on someone's front lawn and get your brains blown out. Watch where you place your feet.
Patriot
9:05 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Bucky-See once again you are wrong!! With the recent ccw legislation you are now able to posses a handgun in your vehicle loaded period!! If your not a permit holder it must be in the open and accessible. My WI permitt is valid in I believe 13 other States, then my Utah permitt covers the States Wi does not. You should really be informed before making Statements that you have no clue about.
Again you can have a loaded handgun in your car without a permit as long as it is in plain view and within reach. Obviously permit holders can have a concealed weapon in their vehicles. You should know the law before making statements
Patriot
9:08 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Bucky-And again you lack common sense!!! Castle Law does not give someone the right the right to blow somebody away for stepping onto their lawn. Again you have no clue. Do some research Bucky. But very typical of the left
Patriot
9:20 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Bucky-Correction it is 21 States that recognize the Wi permitt, which 2 of those are Constitutional Carry.
http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/wisconsin.pdf
Patriot
9:30 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Bucky- Read the law and get informed.
http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/related/acts/35.pdf
http://www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/cib/ConcealedCarry/ccw-faq-20111020.pdf
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/es/enforcement/concealed_carry_q&a.htm
So take some time and research the law my friend before making false statements t
Patriot
9:52 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
And again Bucky were talking about Wi not other States. I live in Wi bro so thats what matters to me
Lamont
11:54 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Little scott had his day. Many people came to hear him and other's. Boy I bet the air quality was bad yesterday, with all that B.S. smell in the air.
Patriot
12:09 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
@Lamont-Consider the source Lamont. Just sit back and watch as the silent majority speak once again!!!!!!!!!!!
Bren
12:28 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Well, we'll see what happens. But from a PR standpoint, yesterday's rally would have been the time to bring it on, the pro-Walker 100,000 rally. The JSOnline article I read didn't report on attendance, but a comment suggested it was about 1,000 people--lackluster.
Democracy isn't always comfy. If you on the "right" (and I mean that politically, not morally) support Walker instead of Wisconsin, then come out into the snow and show it in your tens of thousands. Get off Patch, your Lazy Boy armchairs, use up some vacation days, and get out there! Hold your signs until your arms ache, let the snow seep into your socks and shout yourselves hoarse to support cuts to K-12 education and the Walker/Koch/ALEC agenda.
1,000-2,500 people doesn't suggest wide-scale support to me.
Waukytalk
12:33 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
I saw about 4000 Walker supporters.
It was cold outside yesterday, ... must have been Walker's fault
Sara Conrad
2:39 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
I don't think it would've mattered if 10 pro-Walker patriots made the trip out to support him or 10 million. The fact that ANYONE supports Walker is something liberals can't wrap their heads around. They live in little blue bubbles filled with union money and talking points taken from the bulletin board in the Teacher's Lounge. The ONLY way we will be able to grab their attention is on Election Day.....AGAIN. Sadly I don't think even that will suffice their Scott Walker tirade. Even more sad...they will have raped the taxpayers of Wisconsin of another 9 million dollars. But who cares? It's not THEIR money. It's not money that could have been better used on the children in the classroom they supposedly care so much about. It's not money that could have been better used to attract the creation of jobs our out of work neighbors so desperately need. The moral of the story is that the pro-union liberals in Wisconsin right now will not listen nor will they believe anything that does not perfectly sync with their views. If Walker came out and stated the grass is green, the sky is blue they would say "actually today the grass is brown because it's sprinkled with Koch! and the sky is gray because of all the Koch fumes you've been smoking!! DIE WALKER DIE!!!" Their behavior is embarrassing, it's ludicrous and as long as it has a pit of union money feeding it's lunacy, it won't end.
Bren
3:42 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Waukytalk, can you confirm your count with another source? Cold weather didn't stop protesters last year.
Sara Conrad, I think it matters a great deal how many people came out to support Walker yesterday as I said. The bar was set high last year, and the Walker supporters should have been there in force to blow that number clean out of the water. Now it just sort of looks as if support for Walker is waning--lackluster--as I said.
In their hearts, I think most Wisconsinites are kind and compassionate people--
cutting poor people from the state healthcare program, cutting K-12 education, cutting/converting 21,000+ state jobs from the payroll or turning them into crony jobs at higher pay, giving out tax cuts to corporations and paying for them out of pay cuts to public employees who had already undergone furloughs under Doyle...I think the more Wisconsinites read about this stuff, the more it goes against the grain. Maybe that's why this well advertised rally only mustered 1,000-2,500 people.
And, concerning "The fact that ANYONE supports Walker is something liberals can't wrap their heads around," the phrase used to describe pro-Walker supporters is "low information voter."
Randy1949
4:11 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
@Sara Conrad -- " They live in little blue bubbles filled with union money and talking points taken from the bulletin board in the Teacher's Lounge."
By all means, go on thinking it's just about the unions.
Keith Schmitz
11:39 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Excellent point Randy. Just how many people on the north shore are union members?
Don't ya just love an opposition that is smug and clueless?
Jerry Person
1:06 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
waukytalk I saw the the 4000 supporters too. I saw bigfoot and I saw the easter bunny too. It was just before you passed out. Good night flakey.
Waukytalk
1:15 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
@ Jerry You must be smoking something, either that or you are delusional.
Jerry Person
1:11 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Walker has state wide support. They live under rocks in swamps all over. Some are germs some are mere spiecies and some are plants. The are all most wasted matter.
Michael
1:38 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Childish, borderline adolescent.
SkinnyDude
1:56 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Wow ...you people are upset cause you know very well and rightly so , that Scott Walker has a very good chance to succeed again in the recall . Why else would you whine and name call to everyone who supports him. You only talk of your rights and trample others. It's pathetic . The true majority will decide and that apparently has you all very worried. Walker wont win easily ,but he wont lose easily either . We all know this . I dont care if you vote for Union dues .....thats your right . But others have rights too and they will likely re elect Walker again. I am not worried , why are you?
Jerry Person
2:10 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Not to worry or have consceince is the first traits of a psycopath. just look at scooter he has all the traits of a pysocpath.
Bren
3:48 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
AWD, if Walker has such a good chance of succeeding in the recall, why did so few people show up to support him yesterday, and why didn't he bother to show up himself? Compared to the heights of the protests last year, 1,200 folks is barely a showing. Rumor has it Mrs. Walker is enjoying the perks of being the Governor's spouse, so it's no surprise she showed up.
The real takeaway from the rally I think is, "Wow, where was everybody?"
Bob McBride
4:55 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Let's harken back to the Darling/Pasch battle of last year. If one were to go by the number of folks who showed up in support of Pasch and/or showed up at Darling's office with scarecrows-on-a-stick performing mock funerals and the like, you'd have thought, as I did, that Darling was toast. Didn't turn out that way. So if you're betting that the number of signatures obtained and the number of people showing up in public to either support or protest is any indication of impending loss, I wouldn't put a wad on it.
And, seriously, can you imagine what would have happened had Walker himself shown up?
That being said, Tommy Thompson, proved himself to be the gaffe-machine I predicted he would be early on. The upside of his attendance is that, hopefully, no one will waste anymore time and money on him after that performance.
Bren
11:31 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Bob, for this significant race and first public rally I would have launched it a bit more aggressively, but you have to work with the tools you have.
And what you said about Tommy Thompson doesn't surprise me at all. His Q&As as governor were cringe-worthy. I hope you're right about people losing interest in him.
Bob McBride
7:11 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
I'm not a fan of rah-rah rallies, regardless of who's putting them on. I think I'm probably like most on the right in that regard. But since we've now seemingly moved into this age of public displays of hyped up angst or elation, I suppose we have to do it too, to an extent, if we want the media to show up. I still think it's silly and, ultimately, I'm not sure how many people you engage or attract to your side by doing so. I think I heard some mutterings from folks in the area about having to contend with traffic and such and, just as I thought the march on Walker's house intruded into the daily lives of folks who just trying to deal with an evening after work, I think this probably had the potential to create more bad will than good by doing the same thing.
There's a reason we have convention centers and auditoriums and such. Use one of those, use your head and get out of the cold (was anybody really impressed that some folks stood around in a park or marched around in the streets downtown or took over a bridge on North Avenue?). Nobody looks smart standing outside in the middle of winter listening to someone yell into a microphone.
If you're attempting to portray the government in power as fascists, I suppose the whole street rally, marching, chanting, singing, banging on noisemakers, taking over chunks of public property and disturbing the peace thing has to be part of the show. I just see no need for my side to attempt to respond in kind.
Patriot
8:13 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Bob-Very well said!!!! Totally agree!!!
Bren
5:02 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Bob, the times they are a-changing. To be taken seriously these days it's all about the numbers. That's why it was such a joke when the Tea Party Express rolled a few dozen people around for "rallies." It also led to the TP's exposure as an "astroturf" "movement."
As far as "attempting to portray the government in power as 'fascists,'" I would say that the recall movement (and OWS) does not. Wisconsin state government is not fascist; however we have a Governor in place that actively pursues a radical, national corporatist agenda to destabilize our country's economy in the name of profit. That is not fascism, it is sedition in a subtle form and it must be stopped.
Bob McBride
5:39 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Bren, the numbers that are taken seriously are those that show up at the voting booths. The rest of it is political theater.
Fascism, corporatism, sedition, whatever you choose to call it doesn't matter. The point is that in order to justify the kinds of extreme measures your side is partaking in to attempt to force a do-over, it needs to sound and look (via the street theater aspect of it) as if we're in some state of emergency that can't wait until we're at the next election cycle.
My point is that attempting to counter it in kind, even if there was a similar number of folks on my side willing to do so, is ridiculous. All it does is add to the cacophony. It's best to leave the antics to your side and let there be a strong distinction between the state of panic that's basically incongruous to what's actually happening, as anyone can readily observe, and a sane, but not submissive, counter campaign run in orderly fashion.
Jerry Person
2:06 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Keith you jave to post shorter sentences. Simpler words. Like see scooter run. Is scootter pretty . Otherwise your wasting your time. Educated already know waht your satating as fact. It is the the home schoolers like walker who can read but can not comprehend. They are used to the fox brainwashing. If you repeat a lie enough times any idiot will beleive it. Like walker has created jobs or the line job creators. They are job cremators and walker has lost jobs.
alrighalready
2:34 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
There is no more money. One day, just as homeowners have discovered, the "state" will not be able to borrow. Then what?
Sara Conrad
2:54 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
If you're upset about job loss, why not recall Obama? If you're upset about the "rights" of public employees, why not cry to Obama about the "rights" not being offered to federal employees? I think it's not that Walker can read but cannot comprehend...I think it's that he was the only one to not only FINALLY do both but have the support and audacity to do something about what has been going on behind the tax payer's backs for so, so long. Why do you feel it's okay for the union to create a health insurance company that costs hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars more than private sector insurance companies...and then utilize the "right" to collective bargain it into exclusive contracts with school districts? Why do you feel it's the "right" of Wisconsin tax payers to have no say in the matter & unwillingly pay those insanely inflated rates simply to line the pockets of union bosses? While we, in the private sector, have struggled with the dying economy...having to make hard decisions....much harder than where will I get the extra cash to pay 12% towards my otherwise paid for benefits....why do you feel it's your "right" to sit back, allowing our tax dollars to pile up at the feet of public employees while we try to pick the cheapest brand of bread to feed our families on our now nonexistent budgets? Public employees did not win the lottery at the expense of their neighbors, friends and family members. This is WISCONSIN. Not your personal trust fund.
Bren
3:50 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Sara, can a president be recalled? And do you remember being this angry about public unions before February 11, 2011?
jbw
5:37 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
I remember being that angry about public unions back in 1990 when I noticed how many public school employees drove luxury cars. I remember one teacher taking time out in class to tell us about his newly built McMansion out of town with a hot tub. But they still complained bitterly about being underpaid and how "you can't get much on a teacher's salary" - always comparing themselves to the highest paid corporate executives, doctors, and law firm partners.
Brian Dey
2:28 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Jerry Person- At least the homeschoolers can spell and correctly use sentence structure. You must be a graduate of public education, which tells me that maybe the teachers are a bit overpaid if you are a graduate.
alrighalready
2:46 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
In 2011 Illinois raised the personal income tax rate 67% and the corporate income tax rate 46%. The 2012 Illinois State Budget is still showing a $700 million DEFICIT. Chicago Tribune Editorial 1-22-2012
The spenders want to keep on spending and it does not seem to matter in what state one resides . It borders on insanity. When the roof comes down on are heads (as it must -- for example: Greece), the spenders will probably be wondering "what happened."
Jerry Person
7:38 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Walker began his term with a blatant assault on the rights of Wisconsinites to organize unions and to collectively bargain. These rights are so broadly accepted that the United States uses them to assess whether other countries are free. They are so broadly accepted that candidate Ronald Reagan said on Labor Day 1980: “Where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost.” As president, Reagan expanded on this principle when he said: “Collective bargaining … has played a major role in America’s economic miracle. Unions represent some of the freest institutions in this land. There are few finer examples of participatory democracy to be found anywhere.”
Patriot
6:19 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Jerry-Private sector unions Jerry!!!! Tell me why Federal Employees do not have collective bargaining? Your free to join the private sector and be part of a union if you so desire. There is just no place for collective bargaining in the public sector
Walker
10:24 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Patriot why do you keep spreading lies? Federal Employees do have colective bargaining rights.
http://www.afge.org/index.cfm?Page=PressReleases&PressReleaseID=1267&from=home
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 625,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia.
Patriot
10:47 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Walker-Let me rephrase that. Most federal employees do not have collective bargaining rights for pay or benefits. Come on dude lets be specific before you go blanketing with your statements!! Federal workers do not have collective bargaining rights for pay or benefits. As it should be!!!
Walker
10:54 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
You were the one spewing "blanket statements" I just corrected your misleading lie.. The fact is Federal Employees Do have Collective Bargainging Rights. Correct, many not for wages & benefits. But they Do have Collective Bargaining Rights.
Patriot
10:56 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Walker-We the silent majority do not want to become another California!! For your reading enjoyment and just maybe it will enlighten you a little. Maybe?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/02/26/IN5N1HUAMS.DTL
Patriot
11:05 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Walker-Just a public sector employees in Wi. Except now it does not include wages and benefits!!! So your point? You really are clueless. Spend some time researching. Just as your counter part Jerry spewed some non sense regarding conceal carry. Telling me I better have a permit to have a loaded handgun in my car. The law now allows me as a non permit holder to have a loaded hand gun in my car as long as its in plain site and within reach. Either way it does not affect me as I am a permit holder.
Walker
11:14 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Your problem is you use a broad paint brush to color all who don't totally agree with you & you like to insult which only accomplishes getting a deaf ear turned your direction. I for one am not a fan of the granola state (land of fruits, nuts & flakes) so it doesn't mean much with an opinion piece being posted. I too am an advocate fo CC & wondered why it took WI so long. I also have my CC permit. One fo the first to receive it.
Bewildered
11:33 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Walker, you are playing semantics. You know this discussion is about union "rights" ( your word, not the Contitution's) regarding wages and benefits barginging. And you know Fed unions do not have bargaining for them. Keep linking useless articles that are totally irrelevant to the discussion. Maybe you can fool somebody.
Patriot
11:59 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Walker-Not at all. Gov Walker was voted in by the people. I just cant understand how your side can condone what the Fab 14 did in the name of democrocy? Nor can understand the reason for recalling him and the others. Other than you did not get .your way and are unable to push your agendas on the people of Wi thus the recalls
Michael
7:51 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Wasn't it proven that Ronald Reagan had alzheimer's while in office?
SkinnyDude
10:11 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
To bad Obama doesnt have Alzheimer's than maybe he would forget how to destroy the country as well as he has . As to Reagan, I dont know his mind as well as his achievements. Sadly for President Obama there are no achievements.
Keith Schmitz
6:58 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
DUDE, maybe if you strayed out of your FOX pen and did an reading, you would find accomplishments. Lot's of them.
Bucky
8:45 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Ronnie's wife hired a gypsy that looked into a plastic ball which ran the country.
SkinnyDude
6:19 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
@KIETH
I noticed you didnt mention any of them amazing Obama achievements.
Jerry Person
8:11 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
His altimers was at the end. He knew collective bargaining is needed to be free. A complete counterdiction from scooter.
Patriot
6:20 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Jerry-So is the 2nd Amendment
Stubborn Old Man
10:18 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
All this talk about how many people attended the Walker rally is amusing to me. Even Graeme Zielinski said it was pathetic, but Graeme never met a camera and a microphone that he didn't like.. What Graeme DIDN'T say that 'his' turnout of Walker protesters numbered around a few dozen. Now, THAT's pathetic. Seriously though, am I the only one who noticed that the recall organizers submitted a 'million' signatures (allegedly), but that was still less than the number of people who voted for Barrett in the last election? Seems to me that everybody who voted for Barrett would be first in line to sign a recall petition. What am I missing?
morninmist
4:01 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@greensheet
You would be showing off a Walker LIE.
Get with the news! Walker admits to the FEDS that the WI budget is NOT balanced!
http://thewheelerreport.com/releases/January12/0118/0118richards.pdf
................
libraryleah Leah
RT @defeatvos: Scott Walker admitted it. He did NOT balance Wis budget bit.ly/Ajfriy #WIUnion #WiRight #GOPlies #p2 #u1
.....
greensheet
8:36 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
This election will be a national news event, and this would be a good time to show off our most important state asset, A BALANCED BUDGET!
Bucky
8:49 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Mist ... read the same thing. Walker lies to the people of Wis, or he lies to the Feds , or is he just lieing to everyone.
morninmist
9:29 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
I do not think Walker would lie to the Feds so the memo must be true.
But that said--then Walker DID and IS lying to the people of Wisconsin
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Keith Best
6:30 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
This event inspired folks who know that Gov. Walkers reforms are working saving this state from fiscal ruin, and all it took was for some whiners to contribute to their own benefits, like the rest of us. It was put together by Face Book friends, No GOP, no TEA Party, no organized group whatsoever. These were SOME of the "Silent Majority" who decided to be less silent. The rest will speak up at election time when we re-elect Gov. Walker.
Patriot
8:16 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Keith Best-Absolutely!!
Jeff Christensen
8:39 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Keith, I notice that you post the same exact thing on multiple stories. Are you afraid of original thought? Here is the other story you posted the exact same thing: http://wauwatosa.patch.com/articles/tonette-walker-arrives-at-rally-will-speak-for-husband-family
How about adding to the discussion, not just adding to the endless talking points?
PacNcheeese
8:28 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
As an independant I think this is all just a waste of taxpayer money. By the time this is all over he will be halfway through his term. The recall will probably fail and life will go on. Im not a supporter of unions after being in one for 7 years. I dont think state workers should be allowed to unionize or any other publicly funded worker. I can just see the military unionized, wow no thanks.
Bucky
9:29 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
As an independent think of all your rights being taken away, no health care , minimum wage job or your family having no job at all. No unemployment beneifits and foreclosure on your home. Stick with Walkers plan and thats the trail your headed down. You are not part of Walkers agenda in the long term.
Adele Roberson
10:44 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
It matters not whether you are for Scott Walker or against him. What matters is the fact that OUTSIDERS are determining what is good for the State of Wisconsin. They are
determining what is bad for the State of Wisconsin and not giving one hot damn about what is good for the Citizens if Wisconsin. You all need to stop barking at each other and support each other. Division is exactly what the Politicians want.
UNITED YOU STAND AND DIVIDED YOU FALL.....
SkinnyDude
11:45 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Walker will win re election against any pro union due platform. We all know that is why the unions are involved. They really dont care if people get laid off , educational results or costs They only care that they get their public employee cut to feed their bloated Hierachy, Unfortunately, that means they oppose tax payer rights and fiscal responsibility. This is long been proven through their actions. The WEA insurance trust scandal revealed a yearly multi millions dollar scam on taxpayers. So I will have to support successful reforms and go against taxpayer funded union dues. That is essientially the choice. I will choose the RIGHT one!
Jerry Person
3:00 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Walker began his term with a blatant assault on the rights of Wisconsinites to organize unions and to collectively bargain. These rights are so broadly accepted that the United States uses them to assess whether other countries are free. They are so broadly accepted that candidate Ronald Reagan said on Labor Day 1980: “Where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost.” As president, Reagan expanded on this principle when he said: “Collective bargaining … has played a major role in America’s economic miracle. Unions represent some of the freest institutions in this land. There are few finer examples of participatory democracy to be found anywhere.” Bush said" Alkita hates our freedoms and democracy and we must preserve them at all cost. We must do what ever means are necessary to save our democracy.
SkinnyDude
6:29 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Unions and I was in one are the one organiation the rivals the governement in Coruption. I was not in a public union and oppose them just as PRO UNION PRESIDENT FDR did. His reasoning is well documented and accurate. FEDERAL employees do not have these Broadly excepted rights. In fact , Jimmy Carter of all people did the right thing and ended that. Even he seen the poisoness inherit issues involved were a total violation of the public trust and went against the BROADLY accepted rights of tax payers. Laws decide what is legal and what is right. Not Unions. The sooner you realize this the better off you will be.
Jerry Person
3:19 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Patriot Why are you stating Reagan said only private sector works have collective bargaining rights? Another wet dream ? George Bush stated hundreds of times . If you here your neighbor, co worker or anyone speaking out against Democracy report them. They could be learning to fly airplanes without learning to land. Your comments need to be reported. “Collective bargaining … has played a major role in America’s economic miracle. “Where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost.” Why do you hate the American Dream? Why do you hate Democracy ? Bush called it Alkita.
Patriot
3:59 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Jerry-You really make me laugh. ROTFLMMFAO
Private sector unions have every right to negotiate and collectively bargain with their company or corporation. Publicy NO!!! Federal employees do not even have that right to bargain for wages and benefits. Again smear it to fit your agenda.
See something, say something, hear something, do something. You are the poster child for Homeland Securtiy and Janet Napolitano
Patriot
4:00 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
@Jerry-You might need websters to define ROTFLMMFAO
Mother of Two
6:09 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
For those of you that want Scott Walker as governor, when the democratic primary comes along...Just write in Scott Walker on the empty line. If he gets enough write in votes he will be running against himself. Thus saving the state millions of dollars.
Patriot
7:54 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
http://www.prisonplanet.com/soros-warns-of-violent-riots-in-america-financial-collapse-government-clampdown-%e2%80%9csurvival-is-the-most-important-thing%e2%80%9d.html
Do your own research. For those of you standing behind the clinched fist. Keep drinking that progressive Liberal koolaid.
Keith Schmitz
11:39 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
What a lack of discernment.
What it comes down to is our billionaires are different from your billionaires, demonstrating that we don't have the envy and resentment that we are accused of having, but the brains to know when someone is pushing their own agenda, to the detriment of all of us.
Patriot
4:27 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Exactly and your progressive partner Soros is pushing his agenda. Your words exactly. Mr Schmitz you should really be paying the village. After all it was tax payer money u managed to con from them
Jerry Person
12:20 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Patriot or is it Alkita or is it hanoy jane. what ever it is all lies. Turn off fox channel squirely. Walker began his term with a blatant assault on the rights of Wisconsinites to organize unions and to collectively bargain. These rights are so broadly accepted that the United States uses them to assess whether other countries are free. They are so broadly accepted that candidate Ronald Reagan said on Labor Day 1980: “Where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost.” As president, Reagan expanded on this principle when he said: “Collective bargaining … has played a major role in America’s economic miracle. Unions represent some of the freest institutions in this land. There are few finer examples of participatory democracy to be found anywhere.” Bush said" Alkita hates our freedoms and democracy and we must preserve them at all cost. We must do what ever means are necessary.
Your a russian tea party terrorist who hate democrcay like Bush stated.
Craig
12:03 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
Alkita? Do you mean Al-Qaeda? It is hard to follow your train of thought with all the typographical derailments. You quote Reagan praising the Unions, you do know he fired the air traffic controllers? Thirty years later and we are not all dead.
Patriot
5:47 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
@Jerry-Again all public sector workers still retain the right to collectively bargain. But a big Thanks to Gov Walker it does not include wages and benefits. Now they are equal to Federal Workers. So please explain to me how they lost freedoms?
Being held hostage by a union who needs more money is the loss of freedom you speak about. As a tax payer I have no say in the matter so explain the freedom in that? Jerry I am neither Al-Qaeda nor Hanoy Jane, but a very conservative, common sense thinking American citizen. Nothing more nothing less.
Craig
7:19 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
So much bashing of CEO's getting filthy rich off the backs of the worker. Has anyone thought about Union CEO's? Business Managers for Unions make big money, and have fat pensions. Where are the 99%?
Who is pulling the strings with the recall? The Unions!
They requested membership assist with the signature collection, many did so out of fear of retribution.....But the union goons can not follow them into the polls.
SkinnyDude
7:34 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
@ SAXON
Ditto! :)
Jim Price
10:37 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
A number of comments involving perceived threats, some involving firearms, have been deleted from this thread. Not only the threatening comments but also those in reply have been deleted. Any further comments involving threats of the use of firearms will not only be deleted but will be reported to local law enforcement authorities. Patch.
Craig
11:47 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Kudos Jim!
That was the right thing to do.
Bucky
11:55 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
Jim if you have the time would you please entertain my question.
Patriot
10:27 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
To the gas chambers with Mr Keith Schmitz
I perceive this comment being stated as a hate crime. Would you care to comment ? The Jewish community is very sensitive to these types of statements. Was Patriots comment stated to provoke a criminal act. Threats of this nature have no place in our society. Jim perhaps you should consider contacting your local law enforcement officers to further investigate these hate crime allegations.
Patriot
12:20 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
@Bucky-I will respond to my comment. It was in reference to Mr Jerry Persons constantly remarking about those of us on the right as being Stalin Moscow Dictator perverted GOPers. So it was in theme with all the reference to nothing . Bucky you seriously need to get a job or find something else to do!!!!!
Bucky
12:41 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Thank you Patriot for your response it was very much appreciated, but my question was specifically directed to Jim. I would like to hear from Jim on his thoughts. I flagged your post as being inappropriate 3 times and it was never deleted from this site.
Keith Schmitz
7:31 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Think it us time that the Patch consider requiring that people use their real names.
Most disgusting is the person who calls himself Patriot.
He is anything but. Maybe it is a sick little personal joke, but there are people who have fought and died so this numbskull can belch his hatred and racism. It is doubtful that these people made their sacrifices would appreciate some spineless creep crapping all over their efforts.
OK pal. Go nuts. If you think your harassment and bullying is going to have an effect, guess again jerk.
Patriot
4:45 am on Saturday, January 28, 2012
@Keith-Harassment and Bullying? What are you talking about? OMG This is flipping NUTS!!! I have way better things to do than this thats for sure. Hoffa said it right "Did this board ever get STUPID"
Patriot
4:47 am on Saturday, January 28, 2012
@Keith-I will see you at the Walker Victory celebration. Where people have common sense and are real people.
Patriot
4:53 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
Thank You Jim!!
Patriot
1:41 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
@Bucky-Seriously just move on!! Your taking this once again to another level. Man this is a forum for open discussions no need to be threatening or over the top. Understandably political discussions can become heated but we all have to remember its just a discussion. Takes all kinds to make a world and not everyone is going to agree 100% of the time.
I Stand Behind Gov Walker just as many others do as well. You brought the whole topic to a different level. My comments are neither harmful, threatening or hate crimes of any kind. Again lighten up its ok.
James R Hoffa
3:08 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Wow - did this board ever get stupid, and in record time no less!
Say What?
8:31 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Godwin's Law, or something like it.