Monday, December 31, 2007

It's a scandal!

It's a scandal, I tell ya!

In an effort to silence Cletus and teachings about the non-existence of global warming, someone proceeded to sneak onto my balcony last night and swipe Cletus's lips.

Can anyone vouch for Al Gore's whereabouts last night?





Not to worry, Cletus will not be silenced for long!

Does anyone know where I can purchase snowman lips?

A positive spin

The MJS is attempting to put a positive spin on Wisconsin's competitive business outlook, which I can certainly appreciate.

I love living in Wisconsin, but I hate our tax and business environment.

What I dislike even more is the fact that under Doyle's leadership, this state is dropping in it's rankings, year after year.

MJS-
Wisconsin was 22nd in the annual study by the Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University in Boston, which measures eight categories that affect economic activity. Wisconsin was 16th in 2005, 19th in 2006.
One of the suggestions offered up in this article is to make Wisconsin wages higher.

Of course, higher wages equals higher income tax revenue.

Higher personal income tax revenue should give the state an opportunity to take the pressure off of the business taxes.

I can certainly understand this argument.

However, this is not the direction that the Democrats in this state are leading Wisconsin.

In fact, it is totally the opposite.

Democrats want to increase the pressure on Wisconsin businesses.

Clearly, with a new proposal touted by the Senate Democrats, is that they want to increase the pressure on Wisconsin businesses.

Democrat Senators Dave Hansen, Bob Jauch and my own personal senator, Bob Wirch, have decided that they should demand answers from Wisconsin businesses on why they are not paying enough taxes.

MJS, Dec 20-

Democrats lauded and Republicans panned a proposal introduced at a Capitol news conference Wednesday aimed at forcing public companies to disclose strategies they use to lower their Wisconsin corporate income tax bill.


The Democrats appear to believe that the problems with Wisconsin's high taxes is because businesses do not pay their fair share.

The proposal would make publicly traded companies disclose what they paid in Wisconsin taxes; what tax breaks, credits or exemptions they had that affected their tax liability; and the taxable income of all subsidiaries. Companies doing business in the state and not filing a return also would have to send the Department of Revenue an explanation of why.

So the conundrum continues...

What we need here is clear leadership and we do not have it.

Currently every area of Wisconsin is under pressure to pay more and more in taxes.

Starting tomorrow Wisconsinites personal incomes are under attack by Governor Doyle and the Democrats that continue to back him.

Car registration fees are up.

Driver's license fees are going up.

Cigarette taxes are going up.

UW tuition is going up.

Local and county taxes are going up.

On and on...

The pressure being put on Wisconsin's upper, middle and lower class of taxpayers has gotten way out of control.

Now, the Democrats want to ratchet up the pressure even higher on Wisconsin businesses.

We need Wisconsin businesses to be fiscally strong and viable in order to continue to employ Wisconsinites and pay them good wages.

Wisconsin businesses cannot pay people more money, because they are too busy trying to exist in Wisconsin's horrible tax climate.

We learned from another study, that Wisconsin businesses are marching backwards in their ability to be able to complete.

I do not know how to put it more simply that this:

Wisconsin's taxes are too high!

Personal incomes are taxed too much!

Businesses are taxed too much!

Every level of government in Wisconsin is charging too much in taxes and fees. Local, county and the state government are guilty of this same crime.

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Mucky Hucky Steps in Yucky

Hat tip- Pete Republic

Conservative Christians, if you were not paying attention before now, perhaps this would be a good time to start.

Too many conservative Christians have bought into Mike Huckabee because he was a former pastor and he spends his time on the campaign trail talking about values.

Apparently Huckabee is willing to overlook his values for a big paycheck.

From the Politico-
Mike Huckabee last year accepted $52,000 in speaking fees from a biotech giant that wants to research human embryonic stem cells, a nonprofit working to expand access to the morning after pill and a group pushing to study whether tightening gun control laws will reduce violence.
This is horrible. The very idea of accepting $52,000 from groups that do not support a conservative message is beyond the pale.

It does not matter what he says at these events, what matters is accepting the money.

Imagine the reaction from the left if Hillary accepted money from a pro-life group. If Pro-Life Wisconsin offered Hillary $25,000 to speak at one of their engagements and she accepted, some of the lefties heads would burst into flames.

When Mike Huckabee was offered these speaking engagements, he was offered a moral choice.

In the eyes of most conservative Christians, Mike Huckabee chose wrong.

The two faces of Rep. David Obey

I could not help but get a kick out of reading both of these stories posted at WisPolitics. The stories are listed back to back. I am guessing the person listing these on WisPolitics on Dec. 29th probably got a little giggle too.

Check these out:

Obey's district benefits from new Federal Budget Bill (Obey regally announces millions upon millions of federal tax dollars in pork barrel spending for his neck of the woods)

Federal Aid for State Police Set to Decline in 2008 (Officials complain of draconian cuts to federal funding for state and local police. Obey blames Bush.)

In one breath, Congressman Obey makes this claim when it comes to federal funds for his district:
"The basic building blocks for community growth — like access to clean water, good roads, and efficient sewers — can cost taxpayers a lot. That's why I've worked with local officials throughout my district to ensure our local taxpayers get a hand in bearing those costs," said Obey, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
However, when local and state officials are asking for help in funding programs to keep Wisconsinites safe, apparently there just is not enough money to go around.

Don't blame Congressman Obey because according to him, he did the best he could and it is not his fault anyway:

Rep. Dave Obey (D-Wis.), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said President Bush has cut local law enforcement programs in the past and "this year again made recommendations of more than $1 billion cuts."

"We restored some of the cuts, but he insisted on his total numbers because he wanted to pump every dollar into that stupid war in Iraq," Obey said.

It's all Bush's fault, according to Obey.

Well, golly gee wizz, how is it possible that Congressman Obey finds millions upon millions of dollars for his pet projects and cannot find any money to keep Wisconsinites safe?

Check out the millions of dollars Congressman Obey secured for his friends and pet projects:

The $7.872 million included in the Northern Wisconsin Environmental Assistance Program will go to help pay for needed improvements to water-related infrastructure in Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas and Iron counties.
The appropriation bill also includes $478,721 for the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians to rebuild a tribal health facility in Odanah that was destroyed by fire.
The bill also includes a total of $1.715 million to assist Bayfield County in improving County Highway "C".
Congressman Obey managed to swipe $10,065,721 worth of Federal tax dollars for these three projects along.

By the way, the Northern Wisconsin Environmental Assistance Program was created by David Obey himself in order to siphon millions of dollars in taxpayer money to benefit the four counties in his district- Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas and Iron counties.

To date, Congressman Obey has pilfered $26,000,000 in federal taxpayer funds to give to his group.

That is a quite a sweet deal for his buddies.

I wonder how many of these buddies donate to Obey's campaign?

That would be an interesting fact to find out.

But hey, when local and state police are asking for federal assistance to aid programs that are actually working, Obey blames Bush, perfectly pandering to his anti war buddies.

Amazingly, Obey found over $10 million to give to his pet projects, but cannot find another $4 million to help state and local police.

Like a typical two faced politician, Congressman David Obey accepts the accolades for bringing the pork back to HIS district, but does not have the courage to accept the criticism and immediately points the finger of blame to someone else.

There is no sense in questioning Congressman David Obey on his two faced approach to governing.

Congressman Obey is as full of lame excuses as a dieter who continues to order pizza because pizza includes all four food groups.

Cletus is a Packers fan

Good news folks, Cletus is a Packers fan-

Saturday, December 29, 2007

General Petraeus- Letter to the Troops

This is very cool. General David Petraeus sends a year end letter to the troops in Iraq.

Real Clear Politics:

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and Civilians of Multi-National Force-Iraq:

As 2007 draws to a close, you should look back with pride on what you, your fellow troopers, our Iraqi partners, and Iraqi Coalition civilians have achieved in 2007. A year ago, Iraq was racked by horrific violence and on the brink of civil war. Now, levels of violence and civilians and military casualties are significantly reduced and hope has been rekindled in many Iraqi communities. To be sure, the progress is reversible and there is much more to be done. Nonetheless, the hard-fought accomplishments of 2007 have been substantial, and I want to thank each of you for the contributions you made to them.


In response to the challenges that faced Iraq a year ago, we and our Iraqi partners adopted a new approach. We increased our focus on securing the Iraqi people and, in some cases, delayed transition of tasks to Iraqi forces. Additional U.S. and Georgian forces were deployed to theater, the tours of U.S. unites were extended, and Iraqi forces conducted a surge of their own, generating well over 100,000 more Iraqi police and soldiers during the year so that they, too, had additional forces to execute the new approach. In places like Ramadi, Baqubah, Arab Jabour, and Baghdad, you and our Iraqi brothers fought--often house by house, block by block, and neighborhood by neighborhood--to wrest sanctuaries away from Al Qaeda-Iraq, to disrupt extremist militia elements, and to rid the streets of mafia-like criminals. Having cleared areas, you worked with Iraqis to retain them--establishing outposts in the areas we were securing, developing Iraqi Security Forces, and empowering locals to help our efforts. This approach has not been easy. It has required steadfastness in the conduct of tough offensive operations, creative solutions to the myriad problems on the ground, and persistence over the course of many months and during countless trying situations. Through it all, you have proven equal to every task, continually demonstrating an impressive ability to conduct combat and stability operations in an exceedingly complex environment.

Your accomplishments have given the Iraqi people new confidence and prompted many citizens to reject terror and confront those who practice it. As the months passed in 2007, in fact, the tribal awakening that began in Al Anbar Province spread to other parts of the country. Emboldened by improving security and tired of indiscriminate violence, extremist ideology, oppressive practices, and criminal activity, Iraqis increasingly rejected Al Qaeda-Iraq and rogue militia elements. Over time, the desire of Iraqis to contribute to their own security has manifested itself in citizens volunteering for the police, the Army, and concerned local citizen programs. It has been reflected in citizens providing information that has helped us find far more than double the number of arms and weapons caches we found last year. And it has been apparent in Iraqi communities now supporting their local security forces.

As a result of your hard work and that of our Iraqi comrades-in-arms--and with the support of the local populace in many areas--we have seen significant improvements in the security situation. The number of attacks per week is down some 60 percent from a peak in June of this year to a level last seen consistently in the early summer of 2005. With fewer attacks, we are also seeing significantly reduced loss of life. The number of civilian deaths is down by some 75 percent since its height a year ago, dropping to a level not seen since the beginning of 2006. And the number of Coalition losses is down substantially as well. We remain mindful that the past year's progress has been purchased through the sacrifice and selfless service of all those involved and that the new Iraq must still contend with innumerable enemies and obstacles. Al Qaeda-Iraq has been significantly degraded, but it remains capable of horrific bombings. Militia extremists have been disrupted, but they retain influence in many areas. Criminals have been apprehended, but far too many still roam Iraqi streets and intimidate local citizens and Iraqi officials. We and our Iraqi partners will have to deal with each of these challenges in the New Year to keep the situation headed in the right direction.


While the progress in a number of areas is fragile, the security improvements have significantly changed the situation in many parts of Iraq. It is now imperative that we take advantage of these improvements by looking beyond the security arena and helping Iraqi military and political leaders as they develop solutions in other areas as well, solutions they can sustain over time. At the tactical level, this means an increasing focus on helping not just Iraqi Security Forces--with whom we must partner in all that we do--but also helping Iraqi governmental organizations as they endeavor to restore basic services, to create employment opportunities, to revitalize local markets, to refurbish schools, to spur local economic activity, and to keep locals involved in contributing to local security. We will have to do all of this, of course, while continuing to draw down our forces, thinning our presence, and gradually handing over responsibilities to our Iraqi partners. Meanwhile, at the national level, we will focus on helping the Iraqi Government integrate local volunteers into the Iraqi Security Forces and other employment, develop greater ministerial capacity and capability, aid displaced persons as they return, and, most importantly, take the all-important political and economic actions needed to exploit the opportunity provided by the gains in the security arena.

The pace of progress on important political actions to this point has been slower than Iraqi leaders had hoped. Still, there have been some important steps taken in recent months. Iraq's leaders reached agreement on the Declaration of Principles for Friendship and Cooperation with the United States, which lays the groundwork for an enduring relationship between our nations. The United Nations Security Council approved Iraq's request for a final renewal of the resolution that authorizes the Coalition to operate in Iraq. Iraq's leaders passed an important Pension Law that not only extends retirement benefits to Iraqis previously left out but also represents the first of what we hope will be additional measures fostering national reconciliation. And Iraq's leaders have debated at length a second reconciliation-related measure, the Accountability and Justice Bill (the de-Ba'athification Reform Law), as well as the 2008 National Budget, both which likely will be brought up for a vote in early 2008. Even so, all Iraqi participants recognize that much more must be done politically to put their country on an irreversible trajectory to national reconciliation and sustainable economic development. We will, needless to say, work closely with our Embassy teammates to support the Iraq Government as it strives to take advantage of the improved security environment by pursing political and economic progress.

The New Year will bring many changes. Substantial force rotations and adjustments already underway will continue. One Army brigade combat team and a Marine Expeditionary Unit have already redeployed without replacement. In the coming months, four additional brigades and two Marine battalions will follow suit. Throughout that time, we will continue to adapt to the security situation as it evolves. And in the midst of all the changes, we and our Iraqi partners will strive to maintain the momentum, to press the fight, and to pursue Iraq's enemies relentlessly. Solutions to many of the tough problems will continue to be found at your level, together with local Iraqi leaders and with your Iraqi Security Force partners, in company and battalion areas of operation and in individual neighborhoods an towns. As you and your Iraqi partners turn concepts into reality, additional progress will emerge slowly and fitfully. Over time, we will gradually see fewer bad days and accumulate more good days, good weeks, and good months.

The way ahead will not be easy. Inevitably, there will be more tough days and tough weeks. Unforeseen challenges will emerge. And success will require continued hard work, commitment, and initiative from all involved. As we look to the future, however, we should remember how far we have come in the past year. Thanks to the tireless efforts and courageous actions of the Iraqi people, Iraq's political and military leaders, the Iraqi Security Forces, and each of you, a great deal has been achieved in 2007. Thus, as we enter a new year, we and our Iraqi partners will have important accomplishments and a newfound sense of hope on which we can build.

As always, all or your leaders, our fellow citizens back home, and I deeply appreciate the dedication, professionalism, commitment, and courage you display on a daily basis. It remains the greatest of honors to serve with each of you in this critical endeavor.

Sincerely,

David H. Petraeus

Huckabee needs to think before speaking

I understand that Huckabee is trying to look presidential, but thinking before speaking should be at the top of his priority list.

AP-

Yet, missteps have hurt Huckabee's efforts to make that case as rivals hammer him on foreign policy. He has struggled to explain his comments on the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and the resulting upheaval in her country.

In Orlando, Fla., on Thursday, Huckabee expressed "our sincere concern and apologies for what has happened in Pakistan." Amid criticism, his campaign said he meant to say "sympathies" not "apologies." He also referred to martial law "continuing" in Pakistan - though the state of emergency was lifted two weeks ago.

Huckabee also linked the Pakistan situation to illegal immigration in the United States, advocating "an immediate, very clear monitoring of our borders and particularly to make sure if there's any unusual activity of Pakistanis coming into the country."

snip

He made the same assertion to his Iowa audience, saying: "It's interesting that there are more Pakistanis who have illegally crossed the border than of any other nationality except for those immediately south of our border - 660 last year."

Pressed by reporters about where he got that figure, Huckabee said: "Those are numbers that I got today from a briefing and I believe they are CIA and or immigration numbers." Later, in a conference call with reporters, he identified the figure coming from news reports that cited Homeland Security Department figures of immigrants caught entering the country illegally.

Homeland Security figures for 2006 show that many more illegal immigrants living in the United States came from India, Korea, China and Vietnam than Pakistan.


The man needs to get his facts straight before making this kinds of idiotic statements.

Video game tax

This story has been out for a little while and due to the holidays, very few have really noticed it.

The latest sin tax proposed by the Democrats is a video game tax.

State Senator Jon Erpenbach wants to 1% sales tax to every video game purchase in Wisconsin.

Let's start with the biggest problem.

Senator Jon Erpenbach wants to use the money to pay for 17 year old juvenile delinquents.

The idea of linking video games with children committing crimes, just does not seem fair.

My 6 year old niece will love hearing that her Pokemon video game will lead to illegal behavior.

Second biggest problem-

We are punishing people for not doing anything wrong. Buy a video game, pay an extra tax.

We have gone way beyond ridiculous with these tax schemes and fees in the state of Wisconsin.

Do these Democrats go to bed at night and dream up new ways to tax us?

Seriously, a video game tax?

Friday, December 28, 2007

Making my peace

I am attempting to make my peace with the great white death.

You folks that were not raised in Texas call it snow.

Meet my new friend- Cletus.




Cletus stands about 7 inches tall, and boasts a weight of about 2 pounds.

Cletus dreams of living a life on the lamb, perhaps finally settling in Alaska.

If that dream falls apart, Cletus hopes to end his own life by flinging himself off the balcony and landing on the head of Al Gore, as Al is preaching about global warming.

I will keep you posted on my new friend Cletus.

Pakistan's upheaval

I spoke to a friend last night who is understandably devastated by what is taking place in his former homeland, Pakistan.

He and his family grew up near Karachi, where a major upheaval is currently taking place. He is worried about his extended family that still live in the area. His immediate family all live in the US.

More than anything he is mourning the death of Bhutto.

I suppose it is hard for us to understand exactly what Bhutto meant to her fellow Pakistanis. When I asked my friend what she meant to Pakistan, he told me that she gave the common people hope. Hope for a democratically elected government. Hope for stability.

He told me that Pakistan was always under the threat of violence all the time. His father was like a mayor of a small town, and even as a child he would worry about violence against his father and his family. His father sent his sons to America about 15 years ago to start a new life. The rest of the family shortly followed suit. His father died last year as an American citizen.

He told me now the Bhutto is gone, the people of his former homeland have lost hope.

He believed that even if Musharaff manages to stop the current violence with military force that the people will be in their homes with "hatred in their hearts" and it was only a matter of time. That was a direct quote from him.

As Americans, we need to remember as we watch everything that is taking place in Pakistan that this country is full of nuclear weapons.

The violence and chaos that is taking place, puts those nuclear arms at risk of falling into the hands of the terrorists or a terrorist government.

For a little background of what Pakistan has survived over the last 60 years, check out this article from the Wall Street Journal today.

For most of its 60 years of independence, Pakistan has been run by the military, which hasn't helped resolve the question of religion and state, and in many ways planted the seeds for today's instability. Pakistan's military rulers suppressed political dissent in the 1980s and 1990s. At the same time, they provided succor to militants who fought the Soviets in Afghanistan and India in the disputed territory of Kashmir.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Blogger Holiday Party

This is directly copied from Fred at Real Debate Wisconsin:


It will be held this Sunday the 30th of December beginning at noon at Papa's social club , 7718 W. Burleigh in Milwaukee.

We are still trying to get a handle on how many people will be coming, so if you have not yet, would you please RSVP in the comments section so we can give the bar a heads up as to how much space we will need. I would appreciate it. (if you would rather not leave anything in comments, email me, fkd1015 at yahoo dot com)

This is an open blog party. If you write a blog, read a blog or can spell blog you are invited. (The Kilngon spelling, blaughh, will also be acceptable).

The bar will provide pizzas at halftime of the Packer game. For drinks you are on your own.

Also be prepared to write down a prediction for 2008. These predictions will be gathered and published after the party.


We are expecting a rather prominent guest, candidate for Supreme Court Judge Michael Gableman is scheduled to appear.

A number of your favorite blogs will be represented including: Boots and Sanders, Badger Blogger (Patrick, Bruce & Glenn!), Wigderson Library & Pub, Reality Check, Texas Hold 'Em, The Confidentials, Pete Republic, Caledonia Unplugged, Subject 2 Change, Silent E Speaks, Stepping Right Up, Fox Politics, The Asian Badger, No Runny Eggs, yours truly and many more!

If you miss the party and blame the impending white death expect the coming year to be filled with people making fun of you!

We'll see you on Sunday!
Step over to Fred's place at this link and RSVP.

Pandora's Box is Open

Uh-Oh, Pandora's box is open, the cat out of the bag, or the genie is out of the bottle.

Pick you own cliche, but one thing is certain, the truth about the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign in coming out.

On December 24th, a columnist in the main stream media, Daniel Bice, picked up on the fact that there are some serious issues with the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. This is a fact that many on the conservative side of the blogosphere has known for while now.

The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign has billed itself the watchdog of Wisconsin politics and policies. WDC claims to be against all special interest money. The WDC has twisted itself into what must be painful contortions, screaming about Annette Ziegler and her conflicts of interests for the last year.

Doing a some investigative work Daniel Bice has discovered that the WDC has their own problems with conflicts of interests.

Earlier this year, the WDC came out in support of the Healthy Wisconsin plan touted by the Democrats. The problem is that some pretty serious campaign laws were allegedly broken by the Democrat leaders of Healthy Wisconsin, Senator Jon Erpenbach and Senator Judy Robson.

Some special interest groups, along with Senator's Erpenbach and Robson financed a poll to support Healthy Wisconsin. Erpenbach and Robson both used their campaign warchests in order to partially finance the poll with the special interest groups.

Obviously, this is a campaign no-no.

Being the campaign watchdogs for the state of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign mysteriously had very little to say about this campaign no-no. In normal conditions, the WDC would be out banging their pots and pans demanding justice and integrity. Not in the case, they are not.

It appears that WDC's support of Healthy Wisconsin might have affected their judgment and the reason they had little to say about this campaign infraction.

Clearly, the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, has a major conflict of interest problem sitting right in their lap.

One of the biggest problems with the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign is that the main stream media continues to bill them as a non-partisan campaign watchdog.

If the main stream media took a few moments to scratch the surface of the WDC, they would be able to clearly see what so many others including Professor John McAdams from the blog, Marquette Warrior, is able to see- the WDC is anything but non-partisan.

So let's scratch the surface just a bit:

Mike McCabe, Executive Director of the WDC had this to say in a speech at the liberal Fighting Bob Fest:
So here we are . . . in the midst of a disastrous war, in the midst of the biggest political corruption scandal in our state’s history. There’s no better place than these fairgrounds to ask ourselves: What would Bob do?
Clearly, the chief finger pointing watchdog is a anti-war zealot, speaking at the liberal anti-war zealots festival. As an individual, Mr. McCabe is certainly allowed to think and feel any way he chooses. However, Mr. McCabe was speaking as a representative of a non-partisan watchdog group. This is certainly not non-partisan behavior.

So we already know that the leader of this so-called non-partisan watchdog group is not exactly displaying non-partisan behavior, how about the rest of the leadership?

From the pages of the "WDC- Who are we?", you can clearly see who they are.

WDC Board of Directors President, Sheila Guilfoyle is with the Progressive Dane.

Now, I ask you- do the name "Progressive Dane" even sound the least bit non-partisan to you?

No? That is because they are not. This is their webpage. You cannot get much more liberal than this.

Also on the WDC Board of Directors is Mark Evenson with AFT-Wisconsin.

AFT Wisconsin is united with the AFL-CIO, here is their webpage. I don't think that the AFL-CIO even tries to hide their liberal politics, so there is no sense even asking which political direction they lean.

Another member of the WDC Board of Directors is Leigh Roberts with the Wisconsin Association of Retired Teachers.

Need I say more? Teacher's union, WEAC, etc... A little common sense is all that is needed to tell which direction this group leans in it's politics.

A quick scan alone of the WDC coalition identifies a series of liberal political special interest groups and left leaning groups.

AFT Wisconsin
Burlington Progressives
Common Cause in Wisconsin
Madison Teacher's Inc.
Peace Action Wisconsin
Progressive Dane
Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice

Between WDC's executive director, liberal board members and coalitions with liberal groups, it is very difficult to understand why anyone would reasonable believe that they are non-partisan.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with these individuals or groups supporting whatever cause they choose to support. This is America, we are all allowed to do this.

For the media to continue to identify this group as non-partisan is very difficult to understand when clearly there is a ideological bend to the WDC.

Let's stop pretending.

If it look like a liberal duck, waddles like a liberal duck and quacks like a liberal duck- it is probably a liberal duck.

Removing the school district lines

I am more than a little curious as to what people think of this.

In Kenosha, next year's high school freshman and their parents will be able to pick the high school their kids will be able to attend.

Kenosha News

The two boundary schools - Tremper and Bradford - might get most of the press since that's where the majority of students go based on where they live, but there are four other schools that focus on specific interests and needs.

Each of those schools - Harborside Academy, LakeView Technology Academy, Indian Trail Academy, and Reuther Central - will have open houses so prospective students and parents can get more information.



I think it is great that our high schools will be forced to compete for students and the best teachers.

As a parent, if you are looking to surround your child with advanced students, clearly from the test results alone, LakeView is a great school:

(blue and green are good on this chart, red and yellow not so good)


However, all of the schools have advanced and not so advanced students

Indian Trail also offers students the opportunity to excel:




The good news is that each of Kenosha's High Schools, including Bradford and Tremper offer kids the opportunity to excel.

Just like everything else in life, students and parents need to make the effort and make education a priority.

I went to high school in a district that allowed parents the opportunity to send their children to any public school in the district. It worked. At the time, it was considered to be one of the top school districts in Texas.

This should be interesting in Kenosha.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Budget mismanagement

Could someone please tell me how it is that our state government manages to collect more money than it ever has in taxes and fees, and still they cannot balance a budget?

Of course state law mandates that the budget be balanced, so Democratic Governor Jim Doyle is scrambling. Currently he is attempting to dump $100 million in over spending.

Why is it, less than two months after passing a budget, Doyle administrators are running around like chickens trying to dump $100 million is budget over expenditures.

I mean, for heaven's sake, the budget was only passed two months ago!

The answer to the above question is spending.

Governor Doyle and the state legislators increased spending in the state budget by 6.6%.

After debating the budget for months and months, the Governor's budget still is spending more money than it is bringing in.

So the dumping begins. The Governor has the audacity to claim that no one will not affected by these budget cuts:

$40 million will be dumped by the Department of Health and Human Services. Medicaid alone will be dumping $30 million.

$25 million will be dumped by the Department of Transportation.

$10 million be dumped by the Department of Corrections.

I am just not buying it.

Don't tell me that if you cut Medicaid by $30 million that some patients will not be hurt by this action.

What we are seeing in full view is horrifyingly bad money management on the state level.

There is absolutely no reason that the state is collecting more money in taxes and fees than ever before and the Governor still cannot spend the money in a proper fashion.

If the Governor is cutting Medicaid, then clearly our tax dollars are being spent on the wrong priorities.

Spending went up by 6.6%.

What is it that they are spending this money on?

For one thing, we are spending millions more for the UW system. Still UW increased the cost of tuition by hundreds of dollars per student each semester.

What are they spending the money on?

For Pete's sake, they increase taxes, they increase fees, and they increase tuition, and still it is not enough money.

It is time to hold our governor's feet to the fire and demand answers. He is not running for reelection any time soon, so there is no reason to lie to us.

In simple terms the Governor needs to explain what it is that he is spending money on, what are his priorities and why in the world we are all paying more money that ever to our state government and still our Grandma's Medicaid is being cut.

Grandma's Medicaid needs to be a priority over the Governor's state trips on taxpayer funded airplanes.

Grandma's Medicaid needs to take priority over the state purchase of more land, when the state already owns 1/5 of this state's properties. Here is a thought, why don't we

Most Wisconsinites willing pay their taxes. In exchange we expect a Governor and a state government that takes seriously the responsibility of spending our money is a responsible fashion.

Clearly, we have a Governor that does not know how to properly manage our taxes.

If we had a governor that could properly manage our money, we would not constantly be pressured into tax increases. The governor would not be scrambling with a week left, dumping $100 million that his administration is overspending on.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Are they allowed to do that?

Uh-oh

American troops seen praying in Iraq on Christmas Eve-




I betcha this lady is going to give them a nasty lecture-



(Photo borrowed from Badger Blogger)

So, Annie Laurie Gaylor, are you going to try and shut these guys down too?

These military fellows even went so far as to get themselves a Christmas tree too.


Now, I don't hate Ms. Gaylor or her group for trying to shut down our religious freedoms.

In fact, our American soldiers are fighting for her right to speak her mind.

However, now is the time to fight back.

Americans have sat back for too long and allowed Ms. Gaylor and her friends to shut down our rights.

It is our turn to speak.

I admire the mayor and the city council in Green Bay who displayed the nativity scene that has got Ms. Gaylor and her buddies all up in arms.

Here is the story connected with the photos of our American soldiers.

Our guys are over there fighting hard and we are proud of them. Pray for them to get their mission accomplished quickly and come home to all of us, safe and sound.

To our soldiers...

Yes, it is 5:30 on Christmas morning, and I am wide awake. I have been awake for well over an hour now.

This morning, my mind immediately went to our US troops serving overseas. I know that they are already up and working this morning.

All across the world this morning, our military friends are standing guard. From Korea to Germany to Afghanistan and Iraq, our soldiers stand in a precarious situations. They don't get the day off, just because it is Christmas.

As you sit down with your family and friends today, say a prayer for our soldiers who are so far away from their family and friends.

We all will be bellying up to our favorite Christmas dinners and many of these soldiers will be eating MRE's today.

God bless you men and women who are serving and protecting our families and our homes today.

Thank you and Merry Christmas.

Monday, December 24, 2007

The Reason for the Season

Merry Christmas everyone!


Luke 2: 1-14

1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

No really, I am Pro Choice too...

I am Pro Choice, see...

Choose one-

White Christmas?

For those of you hoping for another winter blast to add some more snow, well- you got your wish, I think.

It is kind of hard to tell. It did snow here in Kenosha yesterday, but with 37 mph winds, I think most of the snow is now in Iowa.

The wind was so bad, here in Kenosha, that after a Cessna landed safely at the Kenosha airport, the wind blew the Cessna so hard that it nosed down and slid off the runway.

Shortly after rescue crews pulled a woman and her college-aged daughter out of the plane, the wind flipped the Cessna all the way over.

That is windy, folks.

With 30+ mph winds, if you are out shopping with your kids today, keep a tight grip on 'em- don't want to lose anyone before Santa comes.

It is supposed to snow again tomorrow night- so the white Christmas appears to be on it's way.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Joy To the World Mannheim Steamroller, Murfreesboro TN

This is very cool.

H/T Ol' Broad

Illegal Immigration: The elitists are not listening

I swear, it is almost like they are deaf and cannot hear the people of this state who are screaming at their top of their lungs that they have had enough.

I am talking about the issue of illegal immigration and the editorial board at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Once again, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is lecturing the people of Wisconsin, Republicans in particular, for their stance on illegal immigration.

Clearly the MJS editorial board is completely ignoring the legal residents of this state. Not even a month ago, a very telling poll came out.

76% oppose allowing illegal immigrants to hold driver's license. 19% support giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

As if that was not enough, even more of a telling sign, 86% of Wisconsin residents do not want to have the benefit of in-state tuition like all of the legal residents of this state. Only 10% of Wisconsinites believe that illegal immigrants should have that benefit.

To completely ignore these types of statistics and write the type of editorial they did, bashing the Republicans, means that MJS editorial board has completely lost touch with this issue and how it relates to Wisconsinites.

This is a sign of irresponsible journalism. The MJS board is literally lecturing Republicans for NOT SUPPORTING ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR.

It is almost like MJS does not realize that they are doing it. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is supporting the illegal behavior, lecturing Republicans for not supporting it, and giving the impression that the wise Democrats do support illegal behavior.

The excuse they are using is we need the workforce. What we cannot get the workers we need in the US by bringing them here legally?

I understand the paper's argument that the Latino community is not happy with Republicans on this issue, but for heaven's sake, the Democrats are now showing that they have the same problem.

Think back for just a moment to when Hillary's campaign began to nosedive. It was the moment she stood up in a debate and claimed that she supported driver's licenses for illegals.

As soon as she could, she began to backpeddle. The Democrats had turned on her.

As the MJS lectures lawmakers about not yet coming up with a solution to fix the problem, perhaps they should have recognized that the Democrats control both houses of Congress.

Whatever issue it is the Democrats feel needs to be addressed, they have the platform to do it.

The Democrats have the floor.

You don't see the MJS editorial board lecturing the Democrats for not fixing this issue in this op ed piece, they are lecturing Republicans and 86% of Wisconsinites that has had enough.

Why is it the MJS does not seem to recognize that the Democrats run this state and run this nation?

Why haven't the Democrats brought this issue out front and into the limelight?

If the MJS wants the issue of illegal immigration addressed in this country, then they need to talk to their buddies, the Democrats, because the Democrats hold the gavel.

Common sense tells the us that the issue of illegal immigration may indeed pick up some Latino votes for the Democrats, they could very well lose everyone else.

America has had enough. Billions and billions of tax dollars are being spent supporting health care, education and housing for illegal immigrants.

What would have really been cool is to have the WPRI poll to address the issue of health care for illegal immigrants.

That would be a tough question to answer for both Republicans and Democrats. We have already heard that one of the biggest issues in Wisconsin is the issue of health care.

How do Wisconsinites feel about paying for the health care of illegal immigrants, even as the legal residents struggle to keep themselves and their families healthy?

Wisconsin's health care is not cheap, but we have some of the best doctors in the world at our disposal in Wisconsin.

That is billions upon billions of tax dollars that are not being spent on legal residents of the US.

Wisconsinites are not alone in their beliefs on illegal immigration. All across the country, poll numbers just like ours are popping up.

Check out Ohio's poll numbers done just a month before our poll-

84% to 11% oppose driver's licenses for illegal immigrants
61% to 35% oppose giving a free education to children of illegal immigrants
70% oppose giving benefits like health insurance, welfare or food stamps to illegal immigrants

These types of numbers are nation wide.

With these types of numbers, rest assured, it isn't just Republicans that want illegal immigration problems to be dealt with. There are plenty of Democrats that have had enough also. Just ask Senator Hillary Clinton.

Amen to this!

The Packers are an embarrassment

The Packers are stinking up the joint. It has been a long time since I have seen the Packers play this awful.

Brett Favre needs to pull himself together. A third string quarterback is outplaying him. Somehow Orton can throw a pass in this weather, but Brett cannot?

Defense and special teams are playing just as bad.

Let's be frank, they are flat out being out coached also.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Bush had a good year?

According to Larry Kudlow, Bush did have a good year.

Against all odds, and despite the usual drumbeat of criticism, President George W. Bush has had a very good year. The troop surge in Iraq is succeeding. America remains safe from terrorist attacks. And the Goldilocks economy is outperforming all expectations.

At his year-end news conference, President Bush stated with optimism that the economy is fundamentally sound, despite the housing downturn and the sub-prime credit crunch. The very next day, that optimism was reinforced with news of the best consumer spending in two years. The prophets of recessionary doom, such as former Fed chair Alan Greenspan, Republican advisor Martin Feldstein, ex-Democratic Treasury secretary Lawrence Summers, and bond-maven Bill Gross have been proven wrong once again.

continued...

Personally, I am just happy I survived. That is always good news.

Long live King Jim Doyle!

There he goes again, one single man, rewriting a law in our state, and then signing that law into affect.

Whether you are for or against the new cable access bill, that is beside the point. Governor Jim Doyle significantly rewrote the bill that passed in our state legislature and then immediately signed the bill into law.

Our state legislators could go back and attempt to override the Governor's vetoes, but with a split legislature, that is unlikely to happen.

Democrats have already stated that they are not the least bit interested in overriding the Governor's vetoes.

MJS-
"I don't think there's any (vetoes) that gut the substance of the bill," said Sen. Jeff Plale (D-South Milwaukee), its chief Senate sponsor.


This statement comes from the big dog, the head man in charge of getting the original bill pushed threw the state Senate.

Senator Plale spent hours and hours writing and rewriting this piece of legislation. Legislators spent hours and hours in endless hearings, listening to both sides make their case. All of that work went right down the drain the moment they placed a bill on Governor's desk.

What happened to your spine, Senator Plale and Senate Democrats?

What has happened here clearly signals two things:

First, our Democrat controlled state Senate consists of a bunch of weaklings. The Democrats controlling the Senate do not have the courage to even make an attempt override their Governor.

Clearly, Senate Democrats do not represent their constituents in their home districts, nor will they stand up and fight for their constituents. The needs and the cares of their constituents mean nothing to these Senate Democrats. Senate Democrats represent Governor Jim Doyle. What Doyle wants, Doyle gets from his obedient servants in the state senate.

Governor Jim Doyle is king and the Democrats in the state Senate are his court jesters turning back flips for their king.

Secondly, this signals that the state of Wisconsin has given too much power to one man.(or woman, someday)

Currently there is no balance of power in Wisconsin's state government. Our state legislature has very little power to control what the governor is allowed to get away with. The state legislature is not an equal partner in governing the state of Wisconsin

In the 1930's, Wisconsin handed the power of the state over to one single person- the Governor. In the 1990's the people of Wisconsin partially fixed this problem when the "Vanna White" veto power was removed.

Next up is the the Frankenstein Veto power that our governor has.

The idea that the governor can cross out words and clump together a bunch of other words in order to rewrite legislation, is a power that no governor, from any political party, should have.

By dragging their heals on the Frankenstein veto vote in the State Senate, Senate Democrats allowed this to happen. They held off on voting for the Frankenstein veto in order to let the Governor change the budget debated a few months ago. In this veto, the Governor doubled the cap on the amount of taxes that local governments are allowed to charge taxpayers.

Now we have another piece of legislation that the Governor has completely rewritten.

Yes folks, clearly we have a "weak in the knees" state Senate led by Democrats and a governor who is king.

As Democrats across the state are running for election next year for either State Senate or State Assembly, you wonder if any of them have the courage to stand up to their governor.

The reality is, Democrats across the state are closely aligning themselves with Governor Jim Doyle. They worship their king.

What is the state Democrats mantra in 2008?

"Long live King Doyle!"?

It sure seems like it!

Friday, December 21, 2007

It's not her fault...

I grew up in Dallas and have been a Cowboy fan for years. I am also a Packer fan. When the Cowboys play the Packers, I cheer for the Packers.

I like the idea that the Packers might get home field advantage if the Cowboys lose another game and the Packers do not.

However, this garbage of blaming Jessica Simpson for the loss by Dallas is for the birds. I saw Romo play at Buffalo a few months ago and he played just as bad. 6 interceptions, I think. He got lucky at the end of the game and was playing a defense that was not so good and pulled it out. The Cowboys were within a touchdown last week and could have gotten just as lucky, but he was playing a good defense.

It is really annoying that some Cowboy fans are not mature enough to admit that Tony Romo is responsible for his own actions both on an off the field.

Romo has bad days, just like Favre does. It happens.

Get over it.

Rush doesn't like Huckabee

I caught a couple of minutes of Rush Limbaugh today, which I rarely get to do.

In the few moments I listened, it is very clear, Rush does not like Huckabee.

I heard Rush say that he didn't like Huckabee because Huckabee was for exercise and Rush is totally against exercise.

I cracked up, that was funny. (yes, people-Rush does have a sense of humor, even if the liberals and Huckabee are not laughing)

Seriously, a few others had a lot to say about Rush vs. Huckabee-

Jim Geraghty, from NRO was keeping up with Rush today.

So was our favorite Eggster.

Sshhh! You are not allowed to even say the word "Christmas"

Hat Tip: Red State

The Oklahoma Attorney General has forbidden employees for the state school, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, from saying the word "Christmas" or use of the word "Christmas" in their Christmas decorations.

When I first read this on Red State, I automatically thought that this must be a ugly rumor. Surely no attorney general in his right mind would actually try to ban someone's speech. Certainaly this man had to have read the US Constitution at some time during his schooling.

So, I started scanning the internet trying to find out some info. I came across Daily Kos. Originally Daily Kos gave the impression that this entire story was false. Now, Daily Kos isn't so sure that the story is false, anymore.

Liberty Counsel is the originator of this story. They are coughing up some names and details on who was told that the word "Christmas" had been banned. The Washington Examiner has picked up on the story.

So far, the Admissions department, the Records department, the business offices and the IT department seem to be confirming that they have all been told to remove the word "Christmas" from all decorations, emails and voice mails.

City Commissioner, Warren Goldman, contact the school's provost, Dr. Sonove and was told that the Attorney General had issued this declaration.

Folks it appears to be true, no matter how hard the Attorney General is now attempting to deny it.

Red State has encouraged folks to call the Attorney General Drew Edmonson's office and wish him a very Merry Christmas at 405-521-3921.

I plan on calling myself.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

And $17 Million later...

Wouldn't it be great if Abbott Labs actually decided to build in Kenosha County?

Even now, Pleasant Prairie is giving away the farm, but still no commitment from Abbott Labs.

The Village of Pleasant Prairie taxpayers have spent $17 million attempting to attract them, and even today, Abbott Labs will not make a commitment.

$17 million for a village the size of Pleasant Prairie is boatload of cash. Plus, the state has committed money to helping develop the land for Abbott. Millions of our tax dollars sits in the hands of the Kenosha Area Business Association, waiting for Abbott to make a move. Think of what this money could be doing for Wisconsinites, instead of sitting and waiting on Abbott Labs?

As much as I like to beat up on the government in Pleasant Prairie, clearly these guys are doing everything in their power to make this happen for Pleasant Prairie.

Just last night, the village board approved rezoning the land for pharmaceutical and health care use only. Basically, this protects anyone else from coming in and undercutting Abbott Labs. They are now protected- still no commitment from Abbott.

As stated in the Kenosha News today, this is not a normal practice for the Village to do-
"In this village, we have typically rezoned land for development only when we have had the final, detailed development plans and the final construction contracts on the table."
The problem here is that the reputation of Abbott Labs proceeds them. Just ask the folks in Antioch, Illinois. Those folks also believed that Abbott was going to bring thousands of jobs to their area also. Well over 10 years later, Abbott is now trying to sell the land. Or perhaps they have already sold it- that was a couple of years ago.

Either way, Antioch did everything that Pleasant Prairie is doing now- then they got punched in the gut after spending millions.

The question is, how long of a wait is reasonable for Abbott to make a decision? It has already been two years.

This is prime real estate sitting on I-94. That land could be used for so many other developments.

How patient should taxpayers be until they start demanding answers from Abbott?

Well, we are two years in and counting.

The Huckabee collapse continues...

I know that one of the national poll triumphantly declared Mike Huckabee as polling ahead of Giuliani nationally yesterday.

All I can say is that the polls in Iowa are telling a different story.

The combined poll numbers by Real Clear Politics showed Huckabee with a +8 lead two days ago, which I highlighted in this post.

Yesterday, polling averages showed Huckabee down to a +5.5 point lead.

Today, Huckabee is down to a +3.8 average polling data lead.

Just last week, Huckabee had at least a +13 lead. Huckabee's numbers are going in the wrong direction.

Romney, McCain and Paul are moving up.

Here is a link to a chart where you can track the Iowa numbers more closely. The chart is clearly showing drop in support for Huckabee.

Yes, I am a numbers geek.

I have been fascinated with numbers for years. I think they tell a powerful story.

Still even with my fascination with numbers, polls never tell the entire story. Polling numbers can be wrong. Pollsters can be wrong. We should have learned that from the 2004 elections as the media declared John Kerry the victor.

Polls only show a trend, they cannot predict the outcome.

There is one pollster I trust above all others, that is Rasmussen. Their numbers have most closely matched the finally outcome in many tight races. In 2004, they final numbers were within .5% of the actual results, calling Bush the winner. No one else was anywhere near this close.

As of yesterday, Rasmussen only shows Huckabee with a +1 advantage.

You can track Rasmussen's daily presidential numbers here.

For those on the Democrats side, Rasmussen is reporting that Clinton has made a comeback in Iowa and across the nation. She now leads in Iowa by +4 and nationally by +18.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Fire at White House Executive Building

Fire at White House Executive Building


I am a little curious on how long it will take the liberals to start accusing Cheney of starting the fire on purpose to destroy sensitive documents.

I am pretty sure the Congress will insist on a full Congressional investigation with possible impeachment charges to follow.

After all, it was Cheney's ceremonial officies!!!!

UW bombing, 37 years later...

Just within the last year, I met a gentleman at work who went to UW shortly after the bombing in 1970.

An event that he bitterly recalls as he speaks of the current anti-war movement.

Over the last several weeks, the anti-war movement from the 60s and 70s in Wisconsin has gotten some blog attention.

Then just yesterday, in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ran a story about a current official still looking for Leo Burt, who is still a fugitive from law. The lead did not pan out.

Interestingly, Jessica McBride is pointing out the remaining remnants from that era and their influence on today's Wisconsin lefty blogosphere.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Is Huckabee crashing already?

The following is my opinion and observations.

A little over a week ago, Huckabee had a pretty substantial lead in the Iowa polls. His average was about +13.5.

As of today, Huckabee's average is now down to 8%.

In fact is the latest single poll conducted just yesterday by Insider Advantage, Romney was already back up by +3.

Just like in 2004- Huckabee seems to be following the same path as Howard Dean. From what I remember, Howard Dean peaked about 3-4 weeks before the Iowa caucus. About 2-3 weeks out, Dean's lead was down to single digits. By about 1 week out, Dean's lead was gone. By election day, Dean was way behind and fell to third in the polling. We all know what happened after that. Complete collapse.

To you Huckabee supporters, the signs are not good.

To you Romney supporters, this is good. Romney needs a good showing in Iowa, followed by a decent size victory in New Hampshire to launch him forward.

To you Thompson supporters, this is good. Thompson has dedicated himself to Iowa and will remain there for the most part until election day. This will drive his numbers up, possible to a second place showing. Thompson needs a decent showing in Iowa to continue.

To you Giuliani supporters, never fear. Giuliani never intended to win Iowa. Giuliani appears to plan on showing big on Feb 5th- when all the big guns are voting. Possible Florida is where he plans on really starting the steam roller before Feb 5th. However, it may all backfire. We will see.

To you McCain supporters, pray. No seriously, just pray. Unless something unexpected happens in the next few days, you might need a miracle. McCain does not appear to be showing any strong support in any state that I can see. I could be wrong. Pray that I am wrong.

To the Paul supporters, gosh, I love you guys. You are by far the most enthusiastic bunch out there right now. Who knows? Anything can happen in politics.

On this same note, the Democrat race in Iowa has also shifted. Clinton seems to have stopped the bleeding and as of today, Obama is back to only a +1 in the polls. That is within the margin of error.

I believe that the Clinton folks may have gotten the message that Hillary will still have to work to become the nominee. Nobody is going to hand her the nomination.

Edwards is doing even better in Iowa. However, a second place finish will not do, unless it is very close. Edwards needs to win Iowa- he seems to be trailing in the other states by a wide margin. He needs Iowa.

Government spends too much money

I don't care how many ways our government tries to spin it, Wisconsin government spends too much money.

A recent survey done by WPRI shows that a walloping 62% of Wisconsinites believes their government is flat out spending too much money.

I am not sure how our government can continue to justify this type of majority of people feeling that the government is spending too much money and yet, they continue to raise taxes, so they can spend more.

Surely our government recognizes that our state is running a deficit right now and yet they continue to spend more and more.

Governor Jim Doyle cannot balance a budget.

In fact, I am not sure if he really wants to balance the budget.

In the next few weeks, Governor Jim Doyle will stand up in front of our state and once again make the claim that he balanced the budget. He will also make the claim that Wisconsin families are better off because of his leadership.

Democrat legislators will nod their heads in agreement and applaud, never once paying attention to how Wisconsin families really feel about their government.

Clearly, Wisconsin families believe their government is spending too much of their money.

So how do we fix this problem?

How do we finally get through to our government that we have had enough?

Ultimately, we as taxpayers, get the government that we elect.

Clearly we continue to elect officials that promise to stop spending taxpayer money frivolously, but who never follow through on that promise.

As voters we have known for years that we have this problem. Yet, when election season rolls around we blindly believe an ad we see on television or even something we read in the newspaper.

We let these same politicians convince us that the most important issue during the election is stem cell research or something similar. We let these politicians convince us that we HAVE to publicly finance stuff like stem cell research, even though the private firms are more than willing to continue to do it.

It is almost like we put blinders on and refuse to see what is really happening.

What would really be really interesting is see what area of government the taxpayers feel our legislators are overspending on.

Is it education or health care or perhaps an "all of the above" answer.

What I do know is that until we are willing to hold our government accountable during elections, this vicious cycle will never end.

Monday, December 17, 2007

"Paygo" is gone

Where did "Paygo" go?

I don't know, ask the Democrats.

What is Paygo?

Paygo is a commitment made to voters by the Democrats when they took over after the 2006 elections to offset any new spending or tax cuts with either tax increases or cuts in spending.

Not even one year into their own rule of pay as you go, the Democrats have to break their own commitment they made to the country.

In order to fix the massive AMT problem, they have to waive the Paygo rule-

Michael Barone- Real Clear Politics

The paradox is that the same Democrats who want to increase top-bracket income and capital-gains tax rates are desperately eager to spare relatively high earners from the AMT -- so desperate that Senate Democrats agreed to waive the "paygo" rule they reinstated when they took control.

Paygo requires that a tax cut be offset by a tax increase or a spending cut of corresponding dollar amounts. But when the Senate early this month passed its $50 billion AMT "patch" exempting 230 million taxpayers from the AMT for one year, it waived the paygo rule.

House Democrats are simmering, but they will probably have to go along. There's a process argument for waiving paygo, which is that future AMT revenues are fictitious because no Congress will allow the tax to go into effect. But it's nonetheless embarrassing for Democrats to renounce a rule they adopted as a guarantee of their fiscal responsibility.

The reason Democrats risked this embarrassment is that the AMT tends to fall on voters in places with high state and local government spending and taxes -- Democratic places like Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and California.

continued...

So either the break the Democrats break a promise or they raise taxes on $230 million Americans.

Either way, they will be seen as having miserably failed.

Got milk?

Someone just emailed this to me-

Political Science Simplified


DEMOCRATIC
You have two cows.Your neighbor has none. You feel guilty for being successful.

REPUBLICAN
You have two cows.Your neighbor has none. So?

SOCIALIST
You have two cows.The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor. You form a cooperative to tell him how to manage his cow.

COMMUNIST
You have two cows.The government seizes both and provides you with milk. You wait in line for hours to get it.It is expensive and sour.

CAPITALISM, AMERICAN STYLE
You have two cows.You sell one, buy a bull, and build a herd of cows.

BUREAUCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE
You have two cows.Under the new farm program the government pays you to shoot one, milk the other, and then pours the milk down the drain.

AMERICAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.You sell one, lease it back to yourself and do an IPO on the 2nd one. You force the two cows to produce the milk of four cows. You are surprised when one cow drops dead. You spin an announcement to the analysts stating you have downsized and are reducing expenses. Your stock goes up.

FRENCH CORPORATION
You have two cows.You go on strike because you want three cows.. You go to lunch and drink wine.Life is good.

JAPANESE CORPORATION
You have two cows.You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. They learn to travel on unbelievably crowded trains. Most are at the top of their class at cow school.

GERMAN CORPORATION
You have two cows. You engineer them so they are all blond, drink lots of beer, give excellent quality milk, and run a hundred miles an hour. Unfortunately they also demand 13 weeks of vacation per year.

ITALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows but you don't know where they are.While ambling around, you see a beautiful woman.You break for lunch. Life is good.

RUSSIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.You have some vodka. You count them and learn you have five cows. You have some more vodka.You count them again and learn you have 42 cows. The Mafia shows up and takes over however many cows you really have.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Why would the Democrats travel down this road again?

Apparently, it was not enough that John Kerry looked like a flip flopper on 50% of the issues, the Democrats have decided that the entire party should look like a bunch of flip floppers.

That is what is will take for the Democrats to actually impeach VP Dick Cheney.

One of the reasons the Democrats believe that it is wise to impeach Cheney is because of what the VP has said about Iran.
Adding to the sense of urgency, the members argue that "recent revelations have shown that the administration including Vice President Cheney may have again manipulated and exaggerated evidence about weapons of mass destruction -- this time about Iran's nuclear capabilities."
During the 2006 elections, one of the Democrat's main themes as a party was to get troops out of Iraq and that the real threat to America was IRAN.

Let's just examine for a moment some of the RECENT comments made by the Democrats two front running Presidential candidates had to say on Iran-

Hillary Clinton on January 18,2006-
I believe that we lost critical time in dealing with Iran because the White House chose to downplay the threats and to outsource the negotiations.
Did Hillary actually accuse the President's administration of downplaying the threats from Iran?????

Now, Tammie Baldwin and her comrades believe that the threats from Iran were exaggerated.

Even more recently, Presidential Candidate Barack Obama this to say-

Barack Obama March 7, 2007-
Obama said global leaders must do whatever it takes to stop Iran from enriching uranium and acquiring nuclear weapons. He called Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad "reckless, irresponsible and inattentive" to the day-to-day needs of the Iranian people.

To look tough in the war on terror, Presidential Candidate Barak Obama even went so far as to say that he would bomb Iran, if necessary-

Barack Obama Sept. 25, 2004-
U.S. Senate candidate Barack Obama suggested Friday that the United States one day might have to launch surgical missile strikes into Iran and Pakistan to keep extremists from getting control of nuclear bombs.
Now, you would think that with a little common sense, the Democrats would figure out that these statements by their own leaders are pretty incriminating against their own Presidential candidates.

But just in case that is enough evidence to go ahead and start impeachment proceedings against their own Democrat leaders at the same time they are attempting to impeach Cheney, here is some more evidence-

Nancy Pelosi-
One that immediately comes to mind is Iran, which is a proliferator, an exporter of terrorism to the Middle East, a threat to its neighbors, [and] is developing weapons of mass destruction.
Hum? "developing weapons of mass destruction"?

Hey, she said it, not me!

My guess is that we could find tons of Democrats who have made statements about Iran's threats.

Of course, we could also look at the statements made by the IRANIAN leader-

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

The president of Iran again lashed out at Israel on Friday and said it was "heading toward annihilation," just days after Tehran raised fears about its nuclear activities by saying it successfully enriched uranium for the first time.
Really the Democrats have to know that this stuff will come back to haunt them.

They can once again claim that the Administration misled them.

Holy cow, they have already used that excuse once.

Would the American people believe that the Democrats would be so stupid as to fall for this again?

An even if they were that stupid to fall for it again, would the American people then trust the Democrats to keep them safe when they cannot even read the intelligence reports they receive every single day?
Better yet, are the Democrats so stupid as to continue to pursue this when they know that their own top two Presidential candidates would get creamed because they are pursuing a vendetta?

The Democrats that are pushing this all but admit they are doing this because Clinton was impeached for far less, in their minds-
They argued that "a Democratic Congress can show that it takes its constitutional authority seriously and hold a sober investigation, which will stand in stark contrast to the kangaroo court convened by Republicans for President Clinton. In fact, the worst legacy of the Clinton impeachment -- where the GOP pursued trumped up and insignificant allegations -- would be that it discourages future Congresses from examining credible and significant allegations of a constitutional nature when they arise."
Clearly the Democrats believe that it is payback time and they have a very short period of time left to get the Republicans for what they did to their hero, President Bill "drop 'em drawers" Clinton.

Apparently these Democrats are so vindictive that they would even hurt their own presidential candidates by pursuing this. Based on the comments their own candidates have made about the threat of Iran, they would get hurt in this vendetta.

Should be interesting if Pelosi even let's them continue forward with this.

We will see.

Ryan Grant: Clearly he does not do it for the money

I have become a huge fan of Ryan Grant. In today's MJS, there is a piece on the struggles this young man has had to face in order to make it in the NFL.

The young man is only 256 yards away from 1000 yards this year. He will only have started in half of this year's games.

Wouldn't it be great if he made it to 1000 yards? Surely the man does not get paid much more than the league minimum- he was pulled off the practice squad in New York.

The Packers have found a running game. Grant has found a home in Green Bay's backfield.

Packer fans have found a running back we can cheer for.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Welcome to the Dark Side

I always feel guilty every time I complain about the winter weather.

Not today.

Welcome to the Dark Side, Patrick.

I have had enough of this white stuff to last me the rest of winter.

Can you hear me now?

For years, taxpayers have been screaming for help in Wisconsin. Maybe now they are finally getting the message.

The LaCrosse Tribune is asking:
Is a taxpayers’ rebellion coming?
Mike Huebsch is correct when he stated:
“I think they (taxpayers) are being punished,” Huebsch said.
Maybe a rebellion is in order.

After this post, we all know what is happening in Kenosha.

It is time for us to rise up and make sure our legislators finally hear us on the tax issue.

Checks and Balances

Sure, the Congress cannot manage to pass simple legislation as they are required to do, but they can carry out a vendetta against Cheney.

The Madison Times-

U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, and two other senior members of the House Judiciary Committee have called for the immediate opening of impeachment hearings for Vice President Richard Cheney.
The great thing about elections is that we, the people, are the check and balance in our system of government, not a US Representative.

I care about baseball's drug use

Perhaps I am naive, but the Mitchell report has really gotten me angry.

I know that many others are treating this with a ho-hum attitude. Others have also said that they know that there are drugs in baseball and they don't really care or they are numb to it by now.

AP-

After years of BALCO and Barry Bonds, fans like Burman are almost numb to news that yet another player took a pharmaceutical short cut. The Mitchell Report might have been bigger and more noteworthy, but its shock value wore off a long time ago.

Well, I care. I expect better. I expect these so called professionals to end this practice immediately.

I don't believe that it will end immediately, especially since we now know that there is still no way to test against the human growth hormone.

I paid good money last year to go about a dozen games, easily dropping $350 to $400. I was also planning on purchasing a package of tickets for next season. I am not sure anymore.

Even though others do not care, I have soured on the game.

If I could only see a little remorse from those accused of cheating, I could move on a little faster. Instead all we hear from these guys is denial after denial.

If Bud Selig could least attempt to be little apologetic to the fans of the game, it might be easier to move on.

So far, none of these things have happened.

Why should I dump my hard earned money into watching a baseball game, when all I can sit there and do is wonder who on the field is doing drugs?

Friday, December 14, 2007

Boo Hoo say the Democrats

Today, I am seriously getting a kick out of reading liberal op-ed journalist, E.J. Dionne.

What a riot.

Dionne makes excuse after excuse after excuse as to why the Democrats have failed to get anything done this year.

Liberal Dionne is boo-hooing about how terribly unfair it is that Democrats cannot get anything accomplished.

Of course, every single one of these excuses, Republicans are to blame for the failure of the Democrats


Real Clear Politics-

In an ideal world, Democrats would pass a lot of legislation that Bush would either have to sign or veto. The president would have to take responsibility for his choices. The House has passed many bills, but the Republican minority has enormous power in the Senate to keep the legislation from ever getting to the president's desk. This creates the impression that action is being stalled through some vague and nefarious congressional "process."

Not only can a minority block action in the Senate, but the Democrats' nominal one-vote majority is frequently not a majority at all. A few maverick Democrats often defect, and the party runs short-handed when Sens. Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd and Barack Obama are off running for president.

Perhaps some of these liberal editorialist are beginning to see what the rest of America has seen for months. It is a failure in leadership. Democrats have failed to prove they can lead America in a positive direction.

Global warming: Not quite the impact they were shooting for...

How many carbon credits were used for this global warming meetings?

Healthy Wisconsin just won't die

Of course the Democrats will continue to push Healthy Wisconsin.

Wausau Daily Herald-

State Senate Democrats plan to reintroduce a version of the near-universal health insurance plan for Wisconsinites early next year, Sen. Russ Decker said Thursday.

The Senate majority leader said legislators are rewriting parts of the Healthy Wisconsin bill to ease the burden on small business owners and families earning two incomes before they bring the bill back to the committee.

Unfortunately, even with the Democrats attempt to ease the burden on small businesses and two income families, there is still the problem with $15 Billion in income tax increases.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Doping in Baseball

Should Gagne be fired from the Brewers?

Should Turnbow be fired from the Brewers?

Take the poll and feel free to comment in this thread.

Baseball's dirty little secrets

Names are beginning to roll out on the investigation into steroids in baseball. 60-80 names should be released in the next couple of hours.

Rumor has it that there are MVP and All stars on the list.

The first two names have been leaked.

Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte are on the list.

Is it time to move?

Wow, the Kenosha News has pulled together this chart showing approximately how much more in taxes the average Kenosha county resident is paying this year compared to last year. Kenosha county residents this is how much your taxes have gone up in one year:

Brighton/Westosha : $348.11

Brighton/Union Grove: $324.24

Brighton/Wheatland: $382.78

Bristol/Westosha: $160.16

Bristol/Paris: $304.50

Bristol/Salem: $409.18

Kenosha/Bristol: $59.05

Kenosha: $138.13

Kenosha/Paris: $146.56

Paddock Lake: $123.94

Paris: $160.07

Even more stunning than these numbers is the amount that property taxes have gone up in Kenosha since 1998:

$1049



Kenosha has seen a 48.5% increase in property taxes in the last nine years.

Burnt Steak

Really, I have to agree with MJS columnist Daniel Bice on this one:(MJS)

On the campaign Web site, Shaw starts with the most egregious case, in which a guy sued a restaurant for giving him a well-done steak when he had ordered it medium well. The man - who also sued the town board members, the police department and the police chief - asked for $55,000 in damages.

Seriously folks, the lawyer representing the burnt steak case, is running for mayor of Milwaukee.

Good grief, $55,000 for burnt steak.

2008 Presidential race: Getting ugly

If you are interested in a knock down, drag out Presidential primary, you are in for a treat.

Now the Clinton campaign is bringing Obama's drug use into the Presidential race(AP):

Shaheen, an attorney and veteran organizer, said much of Obama's background is unknown and could be a problem in November 2008 if he is the Democratic nominee. He said Republicans would work hard to discover new aspects of Obama's admittedly spotty youth.

"It'll be, 'When was the last time? Did you ever give drugs to anyone? Did you sell them to anyone?'" said Shaheen, whose wife, Jeanne, is the state's former governor and is running for the U.S. Senate next year.

"There are so many openings for Republican dirty tricks. It's hard to overcome," Shaheen said.

Huh? How did the Republicans get dragged into this?

I still find it amazing that as Democrats sling mud at each other, they still manage to blame the Republicans for it.