Where did you read that Terry or did you imagine that? As usual.

And so what if it was the unions. Aren't you wondering why the affluent from God knows where were stuffing money into Walker's campaign.

You don't read too well do you.

What Jesse proved was that a three way race can split the vote and enable an independent to win.

If the money didn't have an impact then the international aristocracy wouldn't have spent to buy Wisconsin. It wasn't the message, because it was largely lies, though I'll admit that the Democrats suck when it comes to messaging.

What the money bought was fooling a lot of disengaged voters to support Walker.

@Steve ... Still have that Blue fist up your ass ?

There's no room with that other thing that's there.

The crazy butt hurt left members here show up to prove it is made up excuse. Thanks guys.

in solidarity
- the majority

@Eddie & everyone, really - I've read and re-read this article and I don't understand how anyone could think the story slants one way or another. The facts are clearly spelled out without pointing fingers or making assumptions in either direction. The point of the story is to let residents know how much money was involved, nothing more and nothing less.

@Heather Asiyanbi...I read it the same way. I don't understand the conservative take on this article. These are public numbers and it indicates how much money this recall campaign cost. If nothing else there should be a lesson to all of how expensive politics has gotten.

Heather, One fact was eliminated, it may or may not be important, but I don't understand why it was left out. The Wispolitics story, that was linked, was small enough to get all of the information.
"Overall, Barrett raised $6.3 million for his guv campaign between March 30 and June 30. That does not include money he transferred from his mayoral fund. "
Was the mayoral fund transfer $50 or $5 million? I don't want to say it's a slant, but an omission like this could be perceived as one.

Hoffa never claimed that the article was biased - only that he didn't care much about campaign financing and doesn't understand why the political left is having a conniption over the issue.

Message is what matters in electoral politics - not money! The only instance when money becomes bad is if it is used to change a candidate and/or gain preferential treatment from an elected official. And even then, the solution is to toss out the politicians that have allowed themselves to become influenced by money.

I'm getting so sick of the blaming the drug dealer mentality of this country as opposed to holding the drug addict personally responsible for their addictions! It's the epitome of nanny-state ideology!

I'll put it to everyone in a real world example:

Since Walker took over, we've all repeatedly heard how he is owned by ALEC and the Koch Bros, right? And yet, not a single check has been cut from the WI state treasury to the Koch's or any of their direct or indirect Wisconsin interests that anyone has been able to point to - and we damn well know that the Dems are watching the man like a hawk.

Contrast with President Obama. He repeatedly meets behind closed White House doors with a major campaign contributor/bundler, despite his promises of closing the White House to lobbyists and running a transparent administration. Next thing we know, that bundler gets a $.5B loan from taxpayers to fund Solyndra, and we all know how that turned out.

So, the HYPOCRITICAL left complains about the influencing factor of big money in electoral politics, but then fails to hold their own man accountable on concrete proof of corruption, and instead chooses to chastise a man premised on nothing more than unfounded conspiracy theories.

What in the hell is wrong with you people?!?!

What corruption Jimmy? Or is all that imaginary was well.

@Schmitzy -

Google Solyndra.

That's one possible spin.

Most of the opinions I've heard from people who actually have some background in this sort of thing suggest that, if anything, the amount of money spent had very little, if anything, to do with the outcome of this race. It was an issue that, for most people, was decided one way or the other before the ad buys even began. It was front and center of its on volition for nearly a year prior to the election.

As an example of a race where money will most likely make more of a difference, they point to the upcoming Senate race which has drawn little attention so far, contains no singularly decisive issue (as did the recall election) or stand-out candidates.

The claims by the left that they lost because they were outspent are nothing more than yet another case of the endless sour grapes that show no sign of dissipating.

@Bren -

The money had nothing to do with it and deep down inside you know this to be true as well. Is it so hard for you to admit that Barrett had a crappy message that the majority of people refused to buy?

I still can't get over how you were so critical of Walker's omission from distinguishing between cash and GAAP accounting methods in his campaign commercials/literature but gave Barrett a free pass for claiming in his literature that his sound budgeting in the City of Milwaukee was saving future generations from paying back the debts incurred today when Barrett had just issued a $100M bond that caused yet another downgrade of the City's credit/debt rating.

How exactly do you justify the hypocrisy you displayed during the election?

Frankly I'm not seeing the point of endless rehashing. It would have been so much easier had I just stuck my head in the sand like so many others and to be honest I have been complacent in some other circumstances. But my personal experiences of Scott Walker made inaction impossible to my conscience. There was an opportunity to do something positive for Wisconsin by recalling Scott Walker and that opportunity was lost. It doesn't matter now how that happened, really. All we've learned is that it's cost tens of millions of dollars to Scott Walker to admit that he made some mistakes.

Mr. Hoffa, I haven't had time to research the bond or the downrating. It doesn't mean I've "given a free pass." How can you accuse me of hypocrisy if I haven't even weighed in on the issue.

@Bren -

If you had taken the time and did the research, you'd realize that Barrett's campaign advertisements and literature were far more dishonest and misleading than Walker's was. And now you're admitting that you didn't even do your homework on Barrett before deciding to back him over Walker! There's nothing like the ends justifying the means, is there Bren? Again, how can you claim to be independent?

At least Hoffa fully vetted Walker, Barrett and Trivedi before making his decision.

Care to try again?

Bren
3:24 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Frankly I'm not seeing the point of endless rehashing.

***************

And yet...

Is someone forcing you to beat the dead horse mercilessly? You've been doing so since about two days after the election.

Most of us are ready to move on. It's those on the left for the most part who, even given a second shot at Scott Walker, just can't seem to process the fact that the majority did not agree with them.

Move on if you wish. Nobody's holding your hands to the keyboard insisting you revisit your dislike for all things Scott Walker, ad infinitum.

Personally, Hoffa thinks that Bren needs a vacation - unfortunately, her favorite place to escape, the Penn Hills Resort, has closed down:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbVRCGU98OE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxHlrpXT4f0

What's ironic is that the resort was essentially taxed to death, something that Bren would probably applaud in practice.

Bob, I didn't post this article.

Mr. Hoffa, I have not had time the last few weeks to do my usual amount of research and I'm not in the habit of forming opinions freestyle. That's not being a hypocrite, that's having no little free time right now.

Maybe I do need a vacation. Loved your clip but here's where I want to go on my next vacation: ; )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv813f2Xtrg

Bren
9:37 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Bob, I didn't post this article.

**************

I'm aware of that. You did, however, respond to it and contribute to the rehashing you see as pointless. As you've done here numerous times since the last election.

You need to let it go. You lost. Not because of the amount of money spent, not because of a bunch of ads, but because, again, the majority didn't agree with you. They didn't agree with you in 2010, they didn't agree with you according to the polling leading up to the recall election and they didn't agree with you when it came time to cast votes in the recall election.

It doesn't matter what you think of Scott Walker now or what you thought of Scott Walker as CE. The majority is, apparently, okay with him for now and I'd venture to say most of them are aware of all the same things you seem to think are only available to you due to some special privileged position you seem to think you hold. Nothing you've come forth with hasn't been repeated time and time again in other venues by other folks, some who, believe it not, actually carry more weight as an opinion maker than you do. And yet, Walker prevails. Deal with it and move on.

@Bren -

I had no idea that you were an XTC fan!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfRQGZUKS2Y

Indeed, that would be an awesome visit, but Portmeirion is so very far away!

The Poconos are much closer and Penn Hills probably won't be there for too much longer ;-)

Bob, I suppose it would be convenient for Walker's supporters if enlightened people just ignored his activities going forward but that's not going to happen. As I wrote above, my personal knowledge of the man as CE was enough to convince me he ought not to be governor. And that was even before 2010. If you have issues with Milwaukee's financial prospect do call Scott Walker as he was CE from 2002 to 2010. He was the one who could apply for additional federal grant to support to help Milwaukee. Call him and ask him why he didn't do it and while you're at it, ask him if his buddy David Koch would transfer $61 million to Milwaukee County to cover his illegal firings and furloughs of public workers and to clean up the $55 million deficit he left behind when he sauntered off to Madison to "divide and conquer." You want me and others to "get over it," there's 61 million reasons not to. Can't wait for the next round of shenanigans from Walker.

Mr. Hoffa, I was trying to get to Portmeirion during my most recent vacation (2009), driving from Cardiff. The travel time was severely underestimated on our itinerary, the weather was getting rough, Welsh roads are notorious and I had to cancel the stop in order to reach Holyhead and the ferry to Dublin. It's on the U.K. do-over list.

The Prisoner is amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6Ffr1U7KMY

Bren,

I think you grossly overestimate the relative value of repeating the same complaints, known to practically everyone (btw, so are the results of the actions of the CE prior to him, which resulted in much of what Walker had to attempt to deal with when he held the position, as they have his successor - but let's just ignore that altogether), while implying that you possess some special insight that escapes those who don't view Walker in the same light as you do.

You just in this same thread bemoaned the endless rehashing of the topic, then attempted to slough that off on the author of the article, and now you're rehashing it. I don't know about anyone else, but for me it's plenty "convenient" to have you do this all in one thread, because all I have to do is point it out.

If you want to believe that you're somehow inflicting damage on Walker or undermining those who support him by repeatedly beating a dead horse, enjoy your little fantasy. In truth, it's starting to look pretty foolish, petty, smacks of sour grapes and a refusal to accept that you aren't quite as influential as you fancy yourself to be.

Bob, I see I struck a nerve. Perhaps a nice cuppa of chamomile tea would set you right?

I'm not a "told you so" type of person, and that means doing a little extra prep work. If/when the time comes, there will be no need for me to say "I told you so" because my stance is soundly established. I much prefer the awkward, extended silence when these circumstances occur (which they frequently do). ; )

As far as my "influence" goes, it's not my style to pull in markers if that's what you mean. Walker didn't win the recall by a landslide by any means. A great many people have figured him out and will be observing closely going forward.

But keeping a close watch on our representatives is something we should all be doing anyway, regardless of party affiliation. Representing all constituents in a respectful way is Job #1. Integrity is Job #2, and Cooperation/compromise for the good of the district is Job #3. Would you agree, Bob?

You struck a nerve? You'll have to enlighten me on that one. Looks more like I struck one and put you on the defensive.

You've been singing the same song here for months and continue to sing it, post recall election. It's not registering. In the event Scott Walker falls flat on his face, he'll most likely not be re-elected. In the meantime, you can keep on crowing. It has no effect other than making you look obsessed with both him and your own self-imagined expertise regarding the man.

I tried to get you to see how foolish it looks, but you persist, so have at it and enjoy the continued flack you'll no doubt get for doing so.

@Bren -

"Representing all constituents in a respectful way is Job #1. Integrity is Job #2, and Cooperation/compromise for the good of the district is Job #3."

But you've already proven that you don't actually and honestly believe in any of that feel-good crap when you were advocating your full support of the actions of the Fleeing 14. So, please explain to me how exactly the Fleeing 14 were "representing all constituents in a respectful way" from the state of IL, instead of being in Madison to vote 'nay' on Act 10. Because they were in IL instead of Madison to vote, the voice of all their respective constituents were officially recorded as being 'absent' in regards to such landmark legislation. That sure seems more like a slap in the face as opposed to respect to me - which says a great deal about those senator's "integrity," doesn't it?

As far as "cooperation/compromise" is concerned, the Republicans gave the Dems more than ample time to propose amendments and debate the bill. The Dems act of fleeing when it became apparent that they weren't going to get their way was a wholly selfish and self centered act, just as all of the recalls were.

So, given that the Republicans adhered to your 3 principles far more than the Democrats did over the last year and a half, how exactly do you justify having supported and advocated for the Democratic candidates in these frivolous recall elections?

Being hypocritical again?

BTW -

Leo McKern was the best #2!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zalndXdxriI

Bob, I've been on the "defensive" since the 2010 elections, defending Wisconsin against ALEC, the Koch brothers, and their puppet Scott Walker. ; ) Your derogatory comments toward me suggest and inability to discourse on a fact/intellectual level. I'm sure that's not true.

Mr. Hoffa, I believe the Wisconsin 14 perfectly embody my three tenets of good representation. They left the state because their constituents (and most of the state) had no idea of what was in the "budget repair bill" that Walker and his sycophants were trying to shove through the legislature (1). They continued to work from Illinois (2), and ultimately forced transparency. This elicited the scrubbing of the ALEC union stripping/non "budget repair" portion out of the bill and a short-notice vote (and probable violation of Open Meetings law). It is conjectured that this shenanigan was embarked upon because the original bill was unlikely to pass once its contents were known. I've posted links previously on the normal amount of time taken to discuss and pass a bill (months), this bill was introduced in February 2011 and the attempt was made to shove it through immediately. Let's not start indulging in revisionism, please!

And I agree. Leo McKern was the best Number Two, but Patrick Cargill is not far behind. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo65ZGbg7sg

@Bren -

The Dems stayed in IL all most long enough to gain legal residency in that state! They accomplished the goal of transparency after the second week of their unauthorized vacation, if not by the end of the first week. There's no reason why they couldn't have returned to Madison to vote 'nay' on the bill, as their jobs demanded. But they didn't. And apparently, much of their respective constituencies didn't agree with that tactic, considering that three actually faced recall elections for their effectively silencing the voices of all their constituents for the benefit of favoring a select special interest. I guess that the voice of the minority only matters when it's your side that's in the minority, right?

Funny how you recognize the SCOTUS's decision on Obamacare as being well reasoned and good precedent, but ignore the state Supreme Court's decision regarding the legislature's NON violation of the state's OML. Once again, your partisanship is clearly showing!

Finally, the original BRB was considered an emergency measure that needed swift attention so that the state could start righting many of the wrongs that the Doyle administration had saddled us with. As far as time is concerned, the GOP afforded the BRB far more than Doyle and Dems gave with their final midnight budget, yet, I don't recall you howling about how that was rammed through with very little delay and transparency.

You're just not on your game today - perhaps the recent heat wave has gotten to you!

And yes, Hoffa concurs that Cargill was a close second to McKern - a great show :-)

@Keith Best...Did someone pull your string again. Same old prerecorded message from Keith Best, a.k.a. "Chatty Cathy".

Whatsamatter Lyle Ruble?
Are you denying the truth......again?

@Keith Best...I'm not denying anything, just stating a fact; all you can do is spout what your programed to spout. How's it feel to be a "Chatty Cathy"?

Sorry Lyle Ruble, that's where you're wrong.

I state the facts, you resort to name calling.

@Keith Best...You say the same thing over and over again, whether it is relevant or not. Perception of reality is based on interpretation of what you call "facts". I could care less about the recalls, they are over and done with and we're into a whole new matrix. You are clearly fulfilling your role as a drone for the Waukesha Republican Party, who determine for you what the facts are. If you come up with something original, I would more than welcome your contribution. What you call name calling is nothing more than a statement of fact about functional role.

@Lyle -

What's your fascination with Keith Best? Most of the lefties that post here just recite the party line talking points and propaganda, yet I don't see you going after them with the same vigor as you are Mr. Best.

Here's a suggestion for that vacation I'm recommending:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbph6DTb9_0

If you go, be sure to say hi to Helen Kutsher for me!

Lyle Ruble, as per usual, you are wrong once again. I write what I want, when I want. NOBODY tells me what to write.

You say you could care less about the recalls. Then why are you commenting here?
Once again, I will say we must never forget the perpetual campaigns and elections and waste of time and money liberal Democrats and unions put the people of Wisconsin through. This cannot be emphasized enough.

@JRH...My only fascination with Keith is that he just keeps repeating over and over again the same thing without varying one bit. He has been on the same message for nearly a year and a half. It doesn't matter what the topic is, same thing over and over again. Spinning and spinning.

@Keith Best...Oh really, then why did you state your same message again. I really don't care about the recalls, but I think that it's just wrong for all this money to be spent on nonsense.

Lyle, Keith has to keep repeating himself because:
A)you keep repeating the same nonsense yourself and have yet to refute his response and

B) you and the other Socialists just keep refusing to LISTEN!!!

@Joanne -

Why does any of this matter? Do dollar bills get to cast ballots, or people? Please explain to us why you feel that any of this relevant to anything.

It's denial, plain and simple. The election is over, the money is spent, the results are essentially the same as they were first time around and they're grasping at straws in order to avoid dealing with the inevitable. They lost - again.

Give it up already. It's done until 2014.

I look at the issue from another angle. I don't see it as how much one campaign spent, rather how much the other didn't. Barrett raised about $3 million, about 40% was from out of state. So at best, the one million recall petition signers only coughed-up $2 million. I think this is an incredibly low number, in what everyone knew was going to be an expensive venture.

@JRH....If money doesn't matter, then why do politicians collect so much to buy media and advertising? When I was actively involved in political campaigns, congressional and senate; contributions to campaigns buy access to the elected official. Access determines legislative action. Therefore, if money and media didn't affect voter preference, why would campaigns collect and spend so much?

@Lyle -

First off, we're talking about electoral politics. As I previously stated, if money is being used to corrupt and/or gain favoritism from office holders, such as the Obama Solyndra fiasco, then the remedy is to hold the elected official accountable and oust them. But no, you'd rather hold the drug dealer accountable. But what you don't seem to understand is that it's impossible to kill the supply so long as there's a demand for something, as we've seen with our so-called war on drugs.

The only reason that campaign advertising has been deemed necessary by political campaigns is because the MSM has devolved from legitimate news gathering and distribution outlets into propaganda machines. Bottom line is that successful campaigns rely on message. As a former businessman, even you must realize that all the advertising in the world doesn't count for jack if the product sucks. Must I remind you of the Ford Edsel? If it was all about advertising, that car should have been a top seller instead of disappearing two years after its introduction. Recent proof of what I'm talking about was witnessed in Rick Santorum's win in the Iowa caucuses. Of all the primary candidates, he spent the least amount on advertising but carried the caucus.

Like I said - it's all about message.

@Lyle -

It may be time for a vacation. While Bren prefers the Poconos, my guess is that you'll better enjoy the Catskills ;-)

@JRH....The whole system is corrupt. Santorum was picking the low hanging fruit with his message. But that is only one example, but by and large, the money sells the message. Santorum's message was not accepted elsewhere or he would now be the Republican candidate for President.

You keep referring to the addicted. Who exactly are they? If you're referring to the electorate, then we have a problem if they can be so easily influenced by 30 and 60 second spots. The Main Stream Media, as you call them, are nothing more than big business seeking to create a profit, the American Dream in practice. So, who is the addict?

@Lyle -

"You keep referring to the addicted. Who exactly are they? If you're referring to the electorate, then we have a problem if they can be so easily influenced by 30 and 60 second spots."

Didn't you answer your own question wherein you stated "… the money sells the message?"

The reason that Santorum didn't win the nomination was largely due to his perceived electability, as opposed to his message. People thought that Romeny stood a better chance against Obama. While I personally disagree with the consensus of the masses on this issue, that was the reality of it.

When I refer to the addicted, I'm mostly referencing those elected officials that permit themselves to be influenced by big money. As I've stated before, if a person or business wants to give a campaign all the money in the world because they believe in the candidate, then that's fine and there isn't any issue with such. It becomes a problem when an official allows themselves to be bought-off by the money and starts engaging in favoritism and/or what has been called crony capitalism.

Thus far, Walker has been pretty consistent in delivering on the message he espoused during his campaign, wouldn't you say? And as previously noted, no one can point to any specific act of intentional favoritism and/or crony capitalism from his administration. However, Mr. I'll close the While House to lobbyists and back room deals Obama took a complete 180 on these promises and we've seen billions of taxpayers dollars being handed out to campaign donors/bundlers as a result. What I can't understand is why Obama hasn't been impeached over such practices yet and how people like you can continue to support him despite the concrete evidence of favoritism / crony capitalism.

Back when the MSM was more about journalism, it was radically different and I'm sure you know exactly what I mean on this. Today's MSM is hyper-partisan.

@JRH...Forgive me for my pursuing the question on the addicted, but it's now clear who you are referring to. Ideally, you and I are in agreement on this issue. The two party system promotes the system of donation addiction. I want to take all outside money out of politics and go to a publicly funded system and shorten the campaign seasons down to three months before the elections. Without having to be dependent on campaign contributions, I think we would get much more legislation completed and in general more honest politicians.

Exactly Lyle. What the GOP bought was high priced fiction. They like to crow about the people spoke, but so much of what accounted for their support were disengaged voters who were swayed by what they saw on the Tee Vee.

So what these guys expect us to believe is the the Kochs, Adleson, an assortment of corporations and perhaps Carlos Slimm have no good reason for blowing their money out of water cannon?

As usual our friends on this blog are either hugely ignorant or duplicitous.

@Keith Best...Pulled your string again, huh? Is the only way you get to hang out with rich people is to be their lackey and footman?

In the DNC's defense, they are a little short. They have had to downsize their convention so many times, that I think it is going to be in the backroom of a Denny's.

Grandslam breakfasts for all!

Next time at the IHOP; Rooty, Tooty, Fresh 'N Fruity?

Hoffa,
Nah... Michelle will order lobster for everyone and have us foot the bill!

I never did like lobster - too rubbery!

Denny's was never known for it's lobster.
On a side note, Maine has a bumper crop of lobster. Good news for the lobster lover in you. They claim lobster is selling for less than bologna.

At least the food would be edible at a Denny's. How many $1,000/plate fundraising luncheons feature a boxed lunch.

@Bren -

Are you saying that box lunches are inedible?

No, not saying that, but then the focus isn't on the meal at these things. From a dietary standpoint the box lunch rarely works for me.

Best advice every from a former boss, "When you're invited to something, event, meeting, whatever, your first question should always be, 'What are you serving?' And that's how you prioritize a schedule conflict.'"

Has served me well! ; )

I think the menu for the GOP events is Fin & Feather.
Your choice: Grilled Baby Dolphin or Baked Bald Eagle.

Is this supposed to be some kind of racist slam against the Republican party?

Keith - apparently, the white people of the Democrat party are okay. The white people of the GOP, not okay. What about the white Hispanics?

Still dealing with your unresolved racial guilt?

Keith, it's not there aren't racists in the GOP. Just alot few than in the Democrat Party!

No Auntie. It's just that the Democrats don't work it in as an election strategy.

^^^^^^^The biggest lie ever told on Patch^^^^^^^^^^

"As usual our friends on this blog are either hugely ignorant or duplicitous."

@Dave Koven -

"You have to try to appeal to all voters, and that will eventually lead you into hypocrisy."

Not true at all. All you have to do is run on a common sense message and stay consistent, as common sense tends to have a broad-based appeal.

"What is odd to me is that so many people are voting against their own interests."

With this statement alone, you've proven yourself to be a koolaid drinker, easily susceptible to propaganda and rhetoric.

Why are you shifting the subject away from campaign finance and into education reform? There are other boards that directly deal with education reforms - you may want to try making your comments concerning such on those boards!

"Teachers aren't miracle workers."

Explain the successes that Escalante, Clark and Rhee were able to achieve with low achieving students then. The thing that all of these great educators focused on was attitude over aptitude. And none of them whined and complained about the size of their compensation packages. The problem with many teachers today is that they refuse to try to change bad attitudes, as they don't think it's a part of their job. In reality, a student with the proper attitude achieves most of their effective learning on their own accord - the teacher is merely a guide. Thus, a teacher's number 1 priority should be in attitude adjustment, correct?

Hoffa says try again!

@Dave Koven -

Actually, common sense is more common than you realize, otherwise, we'd barely be accomplishing anything as a society and definitely not for as long as we have thus far. However, common sense does get lost on people like you when instead of analyzing a situation for yourself and determining a proper course of action, you believe everything that's being spoon fed to you in spinned propaganda and rhetoric that's used to advanced the causes of select special interests.

Hoffa isn't convinced as to your reasoning for shifting the subject of this board.

You don't need millions to win an election or to effectively convey your message. Jesse Ventura won the governorship of Minnesota spending less than $200k on his campaign, which was possible because his common sense message resonated with a majority of the people in the state.

Why can't every teacher be an "uber teacher?" After all, what makes Escalante, Clark, or Rhee so much more special than any other person? Could it be that they were just dedicated and actually really did focus on it being all about the children instead of themselves?

It would appear that you are suggesting that certain kids aren't worth investing public monies into in trying to provide them with an education because they outright reject the opportunity of the provided education.

And yeah, I agree that some children aren't worth it. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't be trying to get the most efficient and effective opportunities.

Who's singling out teachers exactly? You're the one that has chosen to focus on teachers. Hoffa believes that all public sector workers should have to take a cut in their compensation, as it only makes sense. We are in an economic recession. That means that less people are actually working and making money and those that are working are making even less money than they used to. Less work and less money means lower consumer spending power. Lower consumer spending power means that the value of real estate drops. Lower real estate values and less work/money means less revenues being raised by the government. When the government has less revenues, it is limited in what it can do. Instead of raising taxes on people that are already suffering because of recession, and to be able to cut as little as possible from relied upon state programs, Walker said the he would lower public worker's compensation packages - a logical and expected action.

You must be a public worker, as only someone who's looking out for their own self interest would advocate raising taxes on everyone just so that they can maintain their own expected lifestyle.

Additionally, while public workers do indeed pay taxes just like everyone else, their salaries are paid for by taxpayers, and the public workers aren't paying in as much as they're receiving, are they?

Try some Folger's next time, as you really need to WAKE UP!!!

Walker and TEAGOP of WI did an excellent job at dividing and conquering. And Hoffa is proud of it and is one of them. Shameful!!

@morninmist -

You're so brainwashed that all you know how to do is recite the talking points. There's never an original thought, analysis, idea, etc coming from you.

And yes, Hoffa is very proud of our wonderful Governor that is able to make the tough choices uninfluenced by the special interests for the betterment of all Wisconsinites!

The only shameful activities have come from your side over the last year and a half.

Perhaps it's time for you to finally wake up and get a clue!

Many candidates also aren't nationally recognized entertainment figures, either. That name recognition was huge for Ventura.

Dave, Will the crying ever end? What does this mean? "but committing economic suicide because I have a publicly financed job is ridiculous"
Are you currently employed as a teacher?

@Dave Koven -

"I thought you guys were into self-reliance. Well, this is the form it takes when you're a public worker."

Gee, what happened to "ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country?" Public employees are called public servants for a reason - because they serve on behalf of the taxpayer. The taxpayers here in Wisconsin, the 4th highest taxed state per capita in the nation, voted against raising taxes. If you don't like it, no one is forcing you to be a public employee, are they?

"… but committing economic suicide because I have a publicly financed job is ridiculous."

If Walker's reforms mean that you'll be committing economic suicide if you keep your publicly financed job, then you've been living beyond your means, haven't you? I hope you're not a personal finance teacher!

"Your comment about lowering real estate values is ridiculous as well. Most realtors will tell clients how good the schools are as a selling point, thus justifying the higher cost of a home."

Umm… yeah, if people don't have the money to pay a higher cost, then the value goes down irregardless of environmental factors. That's why real estate prices dropped everywhere, including the Hamptons and Beverly Hills. I hope you're not an economics teacher!

"Firefighters and police are public workers too. They do not prevent all crime or save all lives and buildings, but they are not receiving the same vilification that teachers are."

Did the firefighters or police stage a sickout at their departments so that they could all go and protest at the Capitol on the public's time and dime? Did they use public email systems to transmit prohibited political communications? Did they espouse their political viewpoints to their constituents' children in the classroom the way some in your profession do? Do their union contracts prohibit departments from being able to shop around for insurance coverage? Did they offer school children free pizza and community service hours in exchange for canvassing for Democratic candidates? Sorry, but the actions of your fellow professionals and your unions are what created your professions current negative public image. The good teachers that distanced themselves from all that will come out on top!

"As for your comment about Jesse Ventura, don't try to make a case by citing one anomaly."

It's wasn't an anomaly. How about Rick Santorum winning the Iowa caucuses, despite spending the least amount of money of all the other candidates in the field? Tim Boyle beating Mark Nielsen for Circuit Court judge despite being outspent by nearly 5:1? There are many examples. Message always beats the money. It's just most of the time, there isn't much difference in message between the two candidates in any particular race. The Tea Party is starting to change that though!

BTW - You probably wouldn't like Ventura, as he was tough on the teacher's unions as well!

morninmist--Walker did an execellent job of erasing a $3.6 billion dollar deficit, removing the hands of public employee union leaders off the throats and wallets of the taxpayer, putting school districts in better financial shape than they have been in a long time, ALL WITHOUT RAISING TAXES.

@Keith Best..."Chatty Cathy"!

Keith, Walker restructured debt. That's not an "excellent job," that's not dealing with the problem. All of those cuts to education, etc., it's a little frustrating that the issue wasn't dealt with even after causing all that pain. Walker wasn't asked to ALEC union strip in fact he campaigned on negotiating with public employee unions. The state pension fund has "$0" liability, for example. That's the problem with enacting cookie-cutter legislation, our state did not have the same issues as others. This budget situation is what could be reasonably expected from an underqualified governor surrounded by sycophants (I certainly expected it, that's why I didn't vote for him). Again, not excellence. I'd call that pandering to special interests. The jury is still out on whether Act 10 has "helped" because districts already had a measure of negotiating power. We'll see what 2012-2013 school year looks like. Concerning "ALL WITHOUT RAISING TAXES," ending/cutting tax credits (Homestead, EIC) is a tax increase.

Walker's best action as governor to date was to cut a deep political divide through our state, "divide and conquer." Did we need this? Who has this helped?

Speaking of 'Chatty Cathy'...

Yes, speaking of chatting, according to Christian Schneider's (MJS), "Following his recall election victory a month ago, Wisconsin governor Scott Walker has toured the country, instructing states on how to get their fiscal houses in order. Today, he makes a stop at the Manhattan Institute in New York..." "http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/purple-wisconsin/161781005.html#!page=1&pageSize=10&sort=newestfirst

Getting your "fiscal house in order" means restructuring debt and increasing interest payments?? And how does a new round of gubernatorial gallivanting help Wisconsin right now, today? Whose paying for this?

And this other headline nugget from Sunday's MJS? "Former Prosser aide made recommendations for judicial panel." Let's discuss!

"Three of the five people Walker appointed to the state Judicial Commission earlier this year were presented to the governor by former Assembly Speaker John Gard...former lobbyist for school voucher proponents School Choice Wisconsin.

Gard told an aide to Walker that he had found people for the commission who were "fiercely conservative" and "will never wimp out," according to an email recently released along with other documents under the state's open records law. Gard also wrote that he'd told one of the appointees "what we were looking for and (he) said he would do it if needed..."

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/former-prosser-aide-made-recommendations-for-judicial-panel-4660olg-161687715.html

The beat goes on...

So Bren, what does the things Gard said really mean? "what we were looking for and (he) said he would do it if needed..." can be taken a few different ways. Come back to us when you actually have something.

Apparently Hoffa, Keith and Greg are doing a great job. Lyle is reduced to "Chatty Cathy" for points he can't refute, and Bren is trying to repeat garbage we put to rest a month before the election.

Gold stars for everyone.

@Bren -

Why are you now shifting the subject of this board?

Yes, it is very Chatty Cathy considering that you and I have been through this song and dance a trillion times now! And you're still trying to spin the facts instead of fairly representing them. Walker's two biggest campaign promises were to get our financial house in order without raising taxes and jobs.

Your argument that Walker raised taxes on the poor by changing the qualification formulas for the Earned Income and Homestead tax credits was effectively debunked by both Politifact and the MSJ. The fact is that both of those were fully refundable credits, thus a person could get a check from the state even if they had no state tax liability for the year. Walker's plan fixed the loophole that gave certain people a handout - I wouldn't exactly call that a tax increase, when those same people still have zero state tax liability.

http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2012/may/10/gwen-moore/rep-gwen-moore-says-gov-scott-walker-gutted-tax-cr/

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117501518.html

Now then, concerning the restructuring of Doyle/McCallum/Thompson's debt - raising taxes was off the table because the people voted against it. And the corporate tax credits were necessary to make good on the commitment to jobs that the people voted for when other states were offering similar incentives and the fact that every industrial employer that has either decided to stay, expand operations, or move their operations here has attributed those breaks as being a large part of their decision to do so. So, that leaves us with even deeper program cuts, additional state layoffs, or additional compensation cuts to public sector employees if we were going to immediately pay back that debt instead of restructuring it in this biennium. And let's not forget that the only reason we couldn't pay it back in this biennium was because Doyle's tab with Minn and illegally raided segregated funds had to be paid back first. With some of Doyle's blunders out of the way, we'll be able to pay down the debt more aggressively in the next biennium.

So, if you're going to continue to be critical of Walker's restructuring of debt, then please tell us what programs you would have cut, who you would have laid off, and how much more of a pay cut you would have instituted to achieve such in this biennium. Also, please explain how that left wouldn't have been even more outraged had Walker taken such actions.

As reality stands, your assessments aren't fair, nor do they reflect the full truth of the matter. You complain about Walker being unwilling to compromise with the Dems, but the Dems fully supported and voted for the debt restructuring that you're now slamming him on. Please explain how this isn't hypocritical of you and the Dems/left.

Not to mention that restructuring old debt is better than taking on new debt, which is exactly what Walker's opponent, Mayor Barrett did in Milwaukee to the tune of $100M, which had the effect of lowering the City's credit rating yet again during his tenure in such a position. And yet, I didn't see a single post from you chastising Barrett for taking on new debt, and yet, you have the audacity to slam Walker for a situation that he's handling admirably and in such a way to compromise/appease the Dems/left.

Sorry Bren, but you've lost all credibility on this issue - so give it up already! If he continues restructuring instead of paying off in the next biennium, then you'll have something to complain about - but until then, drop it!

And is it really news that Walker would appoint people that share a similar ideology to his own?

You're turning into morninmist with all of the red herrings and deceptive spin!

What's next - are you going to start posting in Tweets?

HOFFA FOR STATE SENATE!!!

Mr. Hoffa, Scott Walker (or his puppeteers) set the metrics, not I. His strident campaign promises to balance the budget using GAAP, creating 250,000 new jobs in his first term, negotiate with public employee unions, etc., came from his mouth. Now you would have Wisconsin use--what did Mitt Romney's strategist call it--"etch-a-sketch," these flamboyant, ridiculous promises away? This is Walker's authoritarian personality in the spotlight.

This is who you voted for, twice.

Greg, I'll continue to follow the story. Wouldn't it have saved a lot of trouble if we had elected a SC justice without an (apparent and serious) anger management problem? Alas.

@ Bren.... Yes, the State pension fund is in very good financial condition, currently funded at 99.8%(per outside reporting), WRS itself reports 100% funding. Regardless, of the minor discrepancy, it is among the best in the country.

All public pension accounting is reviewed by the Government Accounting Standards Board(GASB). They have recently elected to tighten the standards that government funded pensions follow. This 'new standard' will more closely reflect the higher accounting standards that are applied to private sector pension funds.

On the day the change to more responsible accounting standards occurs, across the country, it is expected the Wisconsin Retirement System funding levels will drop about 6% to 93.9%.

http://www.wisconsinreporter.com/new-standards-could-cost-wisconsins-vaunted-public-pension-system

@Bren -

It's too bad that Kloppy wasn't right for the job either, having admitted during the debates that she had already decided how she would have ruled concerning Act 10, despite not even having heard the case! Aren't justices supposed to be impartial?

She was the biggest joke of a candidate for public office that this state has had in a long time! At least Lena Taylor and Gwen Moore are coherent with their ramblings! In every debate, Kloppy looked like a deer in the headlights and didn't even realize it when she contradicted herself! If Kloppy would have had to take the bar before receiving her law license instead of being admitted under Wisconsin's unique privilege system, I'm convinced that she never would have passed. That woman is definitely not operating on all 8 cylinders upstairs!

@Anti-Alinsky -

Do you think I'd get an endorsement from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters ;-)

Mr. Hoffa would be the first comment board candidate in state history I believe. An interesting idea!

Assuming you live in my Senate District, you have my vote!

Can I be the first comment board campaign manager?

Well then, if I'm going to campaign, I better do it right!

Who can point me to the local mafia leaders? Just kidding ;-)

The most important part to any good campaign is picking the right theme music. Here are my choices:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doCf0WYEKho

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUgglGF4gvs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lGNlO-yQFo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i139Ew6mMFM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSf5tx4e_PA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQL0h2TNJG0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RllRPZw--9Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3om1qTBihVI

BTW - That last one was a joke!

Greg - I leave it in your capable hands to choose, but you must choose wisely!

It appears you need me more than I thought, I was thinking something more like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrRVW-p8SJ8
I would rework the lyrics, substitute Hoff for Tusk and tone down Lindsey Buckingham's screaming a bit, then get the U.W. marching band instead of UCLA.

@Greg -

Perhaps I do! But if we're talking a campaign song, as opposed to theme, then I was thinking something a little simpler like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D_srHpH6jg

Substituting 'Diet Pepsi' with 'James R Hoffa,' of course!

I was paid $16,486 by Walker for his vote.

It's summer - rerun season.

Bob, see my post above, apparently a summer tour for our "rockstar" governor and interesting choices for the Prosser judicial panel. No need for reruns, the tragi-sitcom that our state government has become now runs all year, each one a "very special episode."

Bren, no thanks. I've seen enough of your posts. There's nothing new or interesting in any of them.

Funny though, I was going to mention something to the effect of "Next thing you know we'll be revisiting Prosser v Kloppenberg". Would have gotten half of it.

Bob, MJS is "revisiting Prosser/Kloppenburg" (well, Prosser anyway), not me. This isn't about the election, it's about the defensive hands-around-the-neck issue.

What I really enjoy about following the Walker administration is that Fellini-esque sense of unreality. Is this really happening? He did what? Is this a joke?

I view my posts as post-abstractionist literary navigations, battling with hard-gleaned facts through murky, nauseating rings of right-wing schadenfreude back to the surface of the reality-based world. There, after intellectually cleansing myself of the stench of hypocrisy, the clumsy alliteration, and mind-numbingly repetitious talking points that attached themselves like leeches during the journey, I review what I have learned and share them with friends like you. I'm shocked and devastated that you don't enjoy them! ; )

@Bren -

You know we love you!

But at least my mellifluent prose is written in first-person tense! ; )

Inebriated or constipated?

Dave, Do not try to draw emotion out of a Conservative Vulcan.

How Hoffa, the great Conservative Vulcan, was conceived:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xla4BnppeUM

I can't tell you how happy I am that my parents didn't record that sheeeit.