I spent several hours yesterday listening to the new health care proposal.
Senator Erpenbach, Senator Wirch and Senator Lehman presented their universal health care plan to Kenosha to mixed results.
Kenosha was the first area that the Senate Democrats visited in order to finally explain the Healthy Wisconsin plan.
The afternoon started with Senator Erpenbach giving a little story on the Healthy Wisconsin proposal. It was all general information and did not go any real detail.
The floor was then opened up to questions. One right after the other, the union folks, and a couple of doctors, stood up and poured praise down onto the wonderful Democrats. Clearly, it was a complete setup.
The crowd tolerated this for a while. Although- things did start to get very dicey after the details of the plan started coming out.
Let me first start by telling you, Senator Erpenbach and the rest of the Democrats refuse to let anyone call this “government run health care”. If they said it once, they said it 50 times. Senator Wirch was getting downright hostile if anyone spoke against his plan. “It’s not government run healthcare!” Senator Wirch was slamming Republicans right and left. Stating all they cared about was the status quo, etc…
Senator Erpenbach was patient, intelligent and he most certainly has his heart in the right. There is no doubt about it. However, he was leading the charge on “It’s not government run healthcare”.
After telling us that this is not “government run health-care”, the senators began to give details on exactly how their government would run the healthcare.
First, the state government would MANDATE that every single Wisconsinite have the state’s insurance plan. Senator Erpenbach told us that they HAVE to make it mandatory or the plan will not work. More details later.
Then, a new board will be created in order to administer this new plan. How would this board be created? According to Senator Erpenbach, 16 people will be hand picked by the governor. With senate approval, the governor would then appoint these members to the Healthy Wisconsin Board. If I understand this right, certain groups, like the labor unions and WMC will be presenting names to the governor, and the governor is to pick from the list.
This board, appointed by the governor, would then make all of the important decisions. This board would start by defining “gainfully employed”. Until the words “gainfully employed” are defined, there is no way possible to tell who will be paying out of their own pockets for this plan. Full time? Part time? Senator Erpenbach cannot answer this question. (I wonder how in the world these legislators can possible claim that this plan will save all of Wisconsin money, when they have absolutely no clue who will actually be paying into this plan.)
The Board will then make a decision for about three or four different levels of health care plans to be offered to the people of Wisconsin. Some would be more expensive than others but provide better coverage.
Hang onto your hats, conservatives; this next statement is going to get you riled up.
WEA Trust (WEAC Insurance) will be one of the insurance companies allowed to bid.(In fact, Erpenbach made it sound as if it was a done deal) If this board, appointed by the governor, chooses the WEAC insurance, every Wisconsin resident could actually be forced to pay for WEAC insurance.
Senator Erpenbach stated this on more than one occasion. One person even went back and asked the question again to make sure this was right. The senator spoke of the QEO and how it is only fair, etc…
Bless his heart, one gentleman who owned a small business, stood up and looked the senators in the face and stated- “If you do this, it will cost me $47,000 a year. If you do this, I am out of business.” Apparently, he and his wife have worked for 10 years to build up his business and he will have to close the doors, if this plan goes thru.
Senator Erpenbach sympathized with this gentleman and promised to think long and hard about this. He also said that they were looking into ways of helping this gentleman and thousands like him.
That’s not all folks. Here’s more-
Yes, the Senator recognizes illegal immigrants will be covered
Yes, the Senator recognizes that Wisconsin may be flooded with folks from out of state (he believes that there will be a huge influx at the beginning and level off in the future)
Yes, the Senator recognizes that this will drive some business out of Wisconsin (he doesn’t think too many)
Yes, the Senator recognizes that this will drive some business out of business (he doesn’t think too many)
And on and on…
I finally got a question in- I asked how does this control the rising cost of health care.
The answer: It does not!
Senator Wirch and Senator Erpenbach both admitted that this does not control the rising cost of health care. The senators are hoping that this will slow down the rising cost.
There is just so much more that I could tell you.
However, the most important point that the Senators were attempting to make is that this is not “government run healthcare”.
Then they proceeded to tell us that the government is mandating healthcare and mandating that every single Wisconsin resident pay for this healthcare coverage. Then they proceed to have political appointees run this healthcare program.
To top the whole thing off, the government will take money out of each and every paycheck and force you to pay for health insurance, whether you want it or not.
It has got to be a hard argument for the Democrats to claim that this is NOT “government run healthcare”, even as they are swiping money out of your paycheck to pay for it.
Since we are not allowed to call this “government run healthcare”, we should call it something different.
Perhaps, we can call it “government mandated healthcare”?
Even better, we can call it “GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED HEALTHCARE”.
Sound better, Democrats?
Friday, July 20, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Live blogging interview with Senator Wirch and Senator Erpenbach
Live blogging interview with Senator Wirch and Senator Erpenbach on WLIP 1050AM on Healthy Wisconsin.
Currently small talk is taking place
9:57am- more small talk- interview to start after the top of the news.
Both men will be given the opportunity to explain their positions before the questions begin. No one will be allowed to call in and ask questions.
Lenny Palmer made his position clear- he is against this program all together. Sweeping health care plan
10:07
Erpenbach's position: The governor support is luke-warm at best. We build on the governor's plan of Badgercare Plus. The governor's plan does not go far enough. Health care costs are too high.
Wirch- thousands declaring bankruptcy because of health care costs
Health care costs are above the national average by 26 percent.
Erpenbach: the UAW is suffering cutbacks to healthcare.
Why do they not control costs with insurance companies?
Erpenbach: Hospitals freak out, but the Democrats still have a plan. We had free market competition and it did not work.
Lenny asked the question again.
Erpenbach: Healthy Wisconsin is pooling the risk. We are saving companies money and individuals money.
Still the question not answered.
Now debating the demographics. 400,000 uninsured- but Erpenbach disagrees.
Lenny askes: Have you done your homework- how many of these folks do not want insurance?
Erpenbach: not everyone does not want it-some cannot afford it.
Teachers exempt?
Erpenbach is stating that teachers are in the program when the QEO is waived????
Erpenbach: QEO is wrong!
Firefighters, and police cannot strike- why are teachers the only exemption?
Wirch: Insurance companies refusing to cover people.
Erpenbach: Does not agree with Wirch- everyone does have access to healthcare, they just cannot afford it- so they don't go.
Erpenbach: there is no competition in health care- they all want to be rich. Insists that Democrats will save people money.
Wirch: the high cost of co-pays, high cost of deductible, penalties for improper use emergency will keep people from abusing the system. (I cannot believe he just said that! He is admitting the program is expensive????)
Erpenbach: State board will control administration of plan, appointed by governor. He promises that the board will be balanced- the Senate will make sure of it.
Will these be political positions?
Erpenbach: Yes- these are political positions controlled by governor.(apparently, we have learned nothing from the State Elections board debacle)
Who qualifies?
Define gainfully employed.
Erpenbach: The board will be defining gainfully employed. It depends on how the board defines it. He personally believes that people working more than 30 hours a week- but board can change this.
This plan is encourages part time employment. Now Erpenbach is stating that gainfully employed could be defined as part time. He doesn't know how it will be defined.
Wirch: complaining that people are beating up on their plan. they are losing coming and going.
Erpenbach: Yes, illegal immigrants will be covered. At least if they are working, they are will be paying, so they are covered. (no hesitation)
Personal responsibility?
Erpenbach: health care is not affordable, that is why the government has to take it- but it is still not government run. employees will control
Can doctors opt out?
Erpenbach: No. Doctors will not run- they are going to happy that they are insured.
Can citizens opt out?
Erpenbach: No
Medicare- doctors don't want to treat patients
Erpenbach: This isn't Medicare. Doctors will love this because people have coverage
Wirch wanted to talk about underinsured. Erpenbach shut Wirch down.(kinda funny)
Lenny askes about this program and why folks from other states won't move
Erpenbach: nothing prevents this from happening.
Lenny is mad!
Erpenbach- Yes- people can come across the border and get free health care. They would get it anyway under Badger care.
Erpenbach: this plan is cheap.
Wirch: this still enforces personal responsibility with deductable and such (so I guess it isn't cheap???)
Erpenbach: self insured will pay 10%- $40,000 a year will cost you $400 a month for healthcare.( this is cheap? BTW, This would be mandatory)
Erpenbach: this will attract new small business.
Wirch: babbling about an individuals costs that went up 19%
Erpenbach: Businesses will bang down the doors to get here. This levels the playing field.
Erpenbach: wants to put this on the governor's desk.
Wirch: this may not be the best program, but at least we want to do something- Republicans do not(even mentioned Reince)
Has there been any polling?
Erpenbach: it is a liberal pollster, but everybody loves this- 67%, People in Middleton(just outside of Madison) really love this.
Basically- the Democrats are insisting that business loves this and will save money.
Currently small talk is taking place
9:57am- more small talk- interview to start after the top of the news.
Both men will be given the opportunity to explain their positions before the questions begin. No one will be allowed to call in and ask questions.
Lenny Palmer made his position clear- he is against this program all together. Sweeping health care plan
10:07
Erpenbach's position: The governor support is luke-warm at best. We build on the governor's plan of Badgercare Plus. The governor's plan does not go far enough. Health care costs are too high.
Wirch- thousands declaring bankruptcy because of health care costs
Health care costs are above the national average by 26 percent.
Erpenbach: the UAW is suffering cutbacks to healthcare.
Why do they not control costs with insurance companies?
Erpenbach: Hospitals freak out, but the Democrats still have a plan. We had free market competition and it did not work.
Lenny asked the question again.
Erpenbach: Healthy Wisconsin is pooling the risk. We are saving companies money and individuals money.
Still the question not answered.
Now debating the demographics. 400,000 uninsured- but Erpenbach disagrees.
Lenny askes: Have you done your homework- how many of these folks do not want insurance?
Erpenbach: not everyone does not want it-some cannot afford it.
Teachers exempt?
Erpenbach is stating that teachers are in the program when the QEO is waived????
Erpenbach: QEO is wrong!
Firefighters, and police cannot strike- why are teachers the only exemption?
Wirch: Insurance companies refusing to cover people.
Erpenbach: Does not agree with Wirch- everyone does have access to healthcare, they just cannot afford it- so they don't go.
Erpenbach: there is no competition in health care- they all want to be rich. Insists that Democrats will save people money.
Wirch: the high cost of co-pays, high cost of deductible, penalties for improper use emergency will keep people from abusing the system. (I cannot believe he just said that! He is admitting the program is expensive????)
Erpenbach: State board will control administration of plan, appointed by governor. He promises that the board will be balanced- the Senate will make sure of it.
Will these be political positions?
Erpenbach: Yes- these are political positions controlled by governor.(apparently, we have learned nothing from the State Elections board debacle)
Who qualifies?
Define gainfully employed.
Erpenbach: The board will be defining gainfully employed. It depends on how the board defines it. He personally believes that people working more than 30 hours a week- but board can change this.
This plan is encourages part time employment. Now Erpenbach is stating that gainfully employed could be defined as part time. He doesn't know how it will be defined.
Wirch: complaining that people are beating up on their plan. they are losing coming and going.
Erpenbach: Yes, illegal immigrants will be covered. At least if they are working, they are will be paying, so they are covered. (no hesitation)
Personal responsibility?
Erpenbach: health care is not affordable, that is why the government has to take it- but it is still not government run. employees will control
Can doctors opt out?
Erpenbach: No. Doctors will not run- they are going to happy that they are insured.
Can citizens opt out?
Erpenbach: No
Medicare- doctors don't want to treat patients
Erpenbach: This isn't Medicare. Doctors will love this because people have coverage
Wirch wanted to talk about underinsured. Erpenbach shut Wirch down.(kinda funny)
Lenny askes about this program and why folks from other states won't move
Erpenbach: nothing prevents this from happening.
Lenny is mad!
Erpenbach- Yes- people can come across the border and get free health care. They would get it anyway under Badger care.
Erpenbach: this plan is cheap.
Wirch: this still enforces personal responsibility with deductable and such (so I guess it isn't cheap???)
Erpenbach: self insured will pay 10%- $40,000 a year will cost you $400 a month for healthcare.( this is cheap? BTW, This would be mandatory)
Erpenbach: this will attract new small business.
Wirch: babbling about an individuals costs that went up 19%
Erpenbach: Businesses will bang down the doors to get here. This levels the playing field.
Erpenbach: wants to put this on the governor's desk.
Wirch: this may not be the best program, but at least we want to do something- Republicans do not(even mentioned Reince)
Has there been any polling?
Erpenbach: it is a liberal pollster, but everybody loves this- 67%, People in Middleton(just outside of Madison) really love this.
Basically- the Democrats are insisting that business loves this and will save money.
Did the 18 Democrats who voted for this plan, ever consider the consequences?
I was struck by the above question that Charlie Sykes asked yesterday on his blog-
Did the 18 Democrats who voted for this plan, ever consider the consequences?
Sykes goes even further to ask the question-
Did they even read it?
Well, I think that I can answer these questions for Charlie Sykes in a single word.
NO!
No,not all 18 Senate Democrats considered the consequences. No, it does not appear that all 18 Democrats actually read the plan.
Of course the 18 Democrats did not consider the consequences. If they had considered the consequences they would never have introduced it into the budget and then passed that budget in a 24 hour period.
If the Democrats wanted to seriously consider the consequences they would have scheduled more than a few hours worth of hearings before they passed this horrifying budget.
From the Senate Democrats own website, we see exactly how many hearings they have had on this subject-
In 2005- they have one hearing on November 7 in Wausau
In 2006- they had a total of three hearing in Beloit, Milwaukee and Racine
In 2007- once again they had one single public hearing on the subject on March 22 before they slammed it into the budget on June 25.
That's it folks. Senate Democrats heard from a handful of doctors, business people and a couple of citizens before they made their power grab.
My guess is that Senate Democrats did not want to hear about the real and true consequences or they would have taken their time and opened the debate up to every single Wisconsin resident.
Now on to the second question: Did they even read it?
Did the 18 Democrats who voted for this plan, ever consider the consequences?
Sykes goes even further to ask the question-
Did they even read it?
Well, I think that I can answer these questions for Charlie Sykes in a single word.
NO!
No,not all 18 Senate Democrats considered the consequences. No, it does not appear that all 18 Democrats actually read the plan.
Perhaps some of the 18 Democrats did read it, but not all of them. How would I know this? I will get to that answer in just a moment.
Let's start with the first question- Did the 18 Democrats, who voted for this plan, consider the consequences?Of course the 18 Democrats did not consider the consequences. If they had considered the consequences they would never have introduced it into the budget and then passed that budget in a 24 hour period.
If the Democrats wanted to seriously consider the consequences they would have scheduled more than a few hours worth of hearings before they passed this horrifying budget.
From the Senate Democrats own website, we see exactly how many hearings they have had on this subject-
In 2005- they have one hearing on November 7 in Wausau
In 2006- they had a total of three hearing in Beloit, Milwaukee and Racine
In 2007- once again they had one single public hearing on the subject on March 22 before they slammed it into the budget on June 25.
That's it folks. Senate Democrats heard from a handful of doctors, business people and a couple of citizens before they made their power grab.
My guess is that Senate Democrats did not want to hear about the real and true consequences or they would have taken their time and opened the debate up to every single Wisconsin resident.
Now on to the second question: Did they even read it?
I sure does not appear that all of the 18 Senate Democrats actually read the plan. I know of one State Senator in particular who doesn't seem to have read it- State Senator Robert Wirch. He does not seem to have any clue what is in the Healthy Wisconsin plan.
A few days after voting for a massive tax increase for this health plan, Senator Wirch was interviewed on the air by Lenny Palmer and asked why WEAC employees were not going to be part of this plan. At the time, Senator Wirch insisted that they would be part of the plan.
Apparently, someone has since set him straight.
Then, the Senator made his biggest mistake to date- he called into the Lenny Palmer show yesterday, when RPW chair Reince Priebus was hosting.
Senator Wirch was attempting to defend the Healthy Wisconsin plan. The senator was given an opportunity to spew his normal talking points on how this would save people money, etc...
That is when Reince began to question the senator on different parts of the plan. It became obvious that the senator really did not have a grasp on this plan.
Yesterday, the senator was attempting to state that the Healthy Wisconsin plan was not really government run health care- insurance companies would kinda be running it. Of course if you check out the Senate Democrats web page, the plan eliminates "hassling with insurance companies".
So which is it? Is this government run plan or a insurance company run plan?
When the senator was asked about folks moving to Wisconsin just for free health care, he claimed that people had to wait 12 months before coverage would kick in. When Reince pointed out the exceptions to this rule such as being "gainfully employed" the senator began stumbling around again.
Reince then asked Senator Wirch what it legally meant to be "gainfully employed" in order to define what this portion of the Healthy Wisconsin plan meant. Senator Wirch stumbled around without giving a definition. The senator finally became so exasperated he exclaimed "I'm not a lawyer!".
Of course, Reince immediately asked the senator- "You are a LAWMAKER, aren't you?" The good news is that the Senator did actually agree to the fact that he is indeed a lawmaker.
When Reince asked how this plan would save taxpayers money. The Senator claimed that lawmakers would make the insurance companies "cut out the shenanigans".
Shenanigans? What shenanigans specifially would the lawmakers cut?
Well, we don't know- the Senator did not exactly answer that question.
State Senator Bob Wirch actually made the problem worse for Senate Democrats, because he had no real grasp on the Healthy Wisconsin plan.
Senator Wirch is bringing his buddy, Senator Erpenbach, along with him to do an interview again today on Lenny Palmer's show. He is attempting to minimize the damage done.
So we are back to the original questions-
Did the 18 Democrats who voted for this plan, ever consider the consequences?
Did they even read it?
These are questions that both liberal and conservative Wisconsites should be asking. This is an issue that each and every person of the state will be affected by.
It is time to get serious about this. It does not help anyone when all the Democrats continue to do is spew some talking points and never actually explain the program in detail.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Big mistake
I am certain that State Senator Bob Wirch was not prepared for this. Senator Wirch got stuck being interviewed by RPW Chair Reince Priebus on this morning's Lenny Palmer show on WLIP AM1050.
Talk about a deer caught in the headlights, Senator Wirch had to have been in a panic.
Since I work in Illinois- I was not able to listen to this mornings show. However, I have received two phone calls and one email talking about what transpired this morning.
Rumor has it- Senator Wirch was creamed. Senator Wirch lacked details on the health care plan and he did not know what was in the plan.
Reince even asked if Senator Wirch could define what it meant to be "gainfully employed" and Senator Wirch could not answer that question.
I would like to know why in the world Senator Wirch voted for a expensive new health care system and yet the Senator has no idea what the plan consists of.
Tomorrow's Q & A with Senator Wirch, Senator Erpenbach and Senator Lehman should be interesting.
Feel like joining us- see this link for details.
Talk about a deer caught in the headlights, Senator Wirch had to have been in a panic.
Since I work in Illinois- I was not able to listen to this mornings show. However, I have received two phone calls and one email talking about what transpired this morning.
Rumor has it- Senator Wirch was creamed. Senator Wirch lacked details on the health care plan and he did not know what was in the plan.
Reince even asked if Senator Wirch could define what it meant to be "gainfully employed" and Senator Wirch could not answer that question.
I would like to know why in the world Senator Wirch voted for a expensive new health care system and yet the Senator has no idea what the plan consists of.
Tomorrow's Q & A with Senator Wirch, Senator Erpenbach and Senator Lehman should be interesting.
Feel like joining us- see this link for details.
It is about Milwaukee and only about Milwaukee
Now do not get me wrong, when I read this editorial in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Sunday, I was not surprised. Of course, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is in Milwaukee and it is to be expected that they would demand more money for Milwaukee in this next state budget.
That being said, some of what the MJS is stating in this editorial is flat out disrespectful to all of the rest of Wisconsin.
In defending the Assembly plan to reallocate local shared revenue, Huebsch stated: "This is not the Milwaukee and Madison budget. This is the state budget."
Well, of course, but where is the greatest need, Mr. Speaker? It is in the state's urban areas, and that costs more money.
This statement is insulting to the 90% of us who do not live in Milwaukee.
We all have needs.
In fact, it is a safe bet that every single community in the state of Wisconsin could make the same arguments that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel did in Sunday’s paper. Each community leader could state- “We need more than our fair share of tax dollars because of (insert request here)”.
No doubt about it, every community has needs, but why are Milwaukee’s needs more important than any other community does?
Right here in Kenosha, residents are faced with a school referendum to build a new high school. Total new taxes going to referendum next April is about $57 million.
Why are the needs of Milwaukee more important than the needs of Kenosha? Why are the kids and the families of Milwaukee more important than the kids and families in Kenosha?
For Milwaukee to continue to insist they deserve more than their fair share of tax dollars is certainly egotistical, but it is also disrespectful to Wisconsin’s communities.
Hey Milwaukee- we are people too!
By the way, since we are on subject of communities receiving more than there fair share- what is up with the all the whining about four democratic communities receiving cuts under the Republican assembly budget?
It unfairly slashes aid to four Democratic-leaning communities, including Milwaukee. The city would lose $28 million, which would force painful choices on a city already hurting. It's unfair and seems almost spiteful. The Milwaukee delegation needs to show some backbone and fight this partisan swipe.
We already know that Milwaukee has been receiving more than there fair share of revenue, is this also true with the other three democratic leaning communities?
For how long have these democratic leaning communities been getting extra perks from their elected democratic officials?
It is amazing how that door swings both ways.
The democrats want to know why their communities have been targeted and Republicans want to know why the extra perks for democratic leaning communities.
Grow up Democrats! Nobody is treating your communities unfairly.
We are all in this together.
It is important that we all do what we can to take care of each other. However for Milwaukee to continue to insist that the rest of us must bow to their wishes- is very disrespectful to everyone else.
That being said, some of what the MJS is stating in this editorial is flat out disrespectful to all of the rest of Wisconsin.
In defending the Assembly plan to reallocate local shared revenue, Huebsch stated: "This is not the Milwaukee and Madison budget. This is the state budget."
Well, of course, but where is the greatest need, Mr. Speaker? It is in the state's urban areas, and that costs more money.
This statement is insulting to the 90% of us who do not live in Milwaukee.
We all have needs.
In fact, it is a safe bet that every single community in the state of Wisconsin could make the same arguments that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel did in Sunday’s paper. Each community leader could state- “We need more than our fair share of tax dollars because of (insert request here)”.
No doubt about it, every community has needs, but why are Milwaukee’s needs more important than any other community does?
Right here in Kenosha, residents are faced with a school referendum to build a new high school. Total new taxes going to referendum next April is about $57 million.
Why are the needs of Milwaukee more important than the needs of Kenosha? Why are the kids and the families of Milwaukee more important than the kids and families in Kenosha?
For Milwaukee to continue to insist they deserve more than their fair share of tax dollars is certainly egotistical, but it is also disrespectful to Wisconsin’s communities.
Hey Milwaukee- we are people too!
By the way, since we are on subject of communities receiving more than there fair share- what is up with the all the whining about four democratic communities receiving cuts under the Republican assembly budget?
It unfairly slashes aid to four Democratic-leaning communities, including Milwaukee. The city would lose $28 million, which would force painful choices on a city already hurting. It's unfair and seems almost spiteful. The Milwaukee delegation needs to show some backbone and fight this partisan swipe.
We already know that Milwaukee has been receiving more than there fair share of revenue, is this also true with the other three democratic leaning communities?
For how long have these democratic leaning communities been getting extra perks from their elected democratic officials?
It is amazing how that door swings both ways.
The democrats want to know why their communities have been targeted and Republicans want to know why the extra perks for democratic leaning communities.
Grow up Democrats! Nobody is treating your communities unfairly.
We are all in this together.
It is important that we all do what we can to take care of each other. However for Milwaukee to continue to insist that the rest of us must bow to their wishes- is very disrespectful to everyone else.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Nice sob story
There appears to be a few necessary facts left out of the sob story the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Democrats were peddling last week-
But in 2005, Alma dairy farmer Kathleen Vinehout and her husband, Doug Kane, faced a tough decision: Should they pay $900 to $1,000 a month for their own family health insurance or to cover their farm expenses?
They went without the insurance. "It was very scary," Vinehout said.
It got scarier. Their 10-year-old son required an emergency appendectomy last fall, forcing the couple to take on debt to pay for the surgery.
However, even though Vinehout could not afford health insurance, last fall she and her husband managed to lend her campaign $9000. That is alot of money for someone who could not afford insurance.
Senator Vinehout made a choice on whether or not she would carry health insurance. She choice not too and got stuck. It happens However- she and her husband had a choice. Currently Senator Vinehout is on the bandwagon that would remove that choice from Wisconsinites. We won't have the same choices she had, Senator Vinehout will take our money and decide how it should be spent.
Many will not have the same choice that the Senator had on whether or not we want to fore go health insurance for a little while and chase our dreams like she did.
Rick Esenberg at Shark and Shepherd has the details.
But in 2005, Alma dairy farmer Kathleen Vinehout and her husband, Doug Kane, faced a tough decision: Should they pay $900 to $1,000 a month for their own family health insurance or to cover their farm expenses?
They went without the insurance. "It was very scary," Vinehout said.
It got scarier. Their 10-year-old son required an emergency appendectomy last fall, forcing the couple to take on debt to pay for the surgery.
However, even though Vinehout could not afford health insurance, last fall she and her husband managed to lend her campaign $9000. That is alot of money for someone who could not afford insurance.
Senator Vinehout made a choice on whether or not she would carry health insurance. She choice not too and got stuck. It happens However- she and her husband had a choice. Currently Senator Vinehout is on the bandwagon that would remove that choice from Wisconsinites. We won't have the same choices she had, Senator Vinehout will take our money and decide how it should be spent.
Many will not have the same choice that the Senator had on whether or not we want to fore go health insurance for a little while and chase our dreams like she did.
Rick Esenberg at Shark and Shepherd has the details.
A smidge tacky
I know that every politician has to raise money in order to continue their campaigns. I get that. However- every once in a while, something strikes me as tacky.
This week-I am giving my own "tackiness of the week" award to Tommy Thompson.
I received a email that stated this-
Here's my problem: I have to pay for this straw poll and I don't have enough money in the campaign to pay the bills sitting on my desk.
Here's a sample of what I have:
$48,000 for buses to carry voters to Ames, Iowa.
$48,000 for buses to carry voters to Ames, Iowa.
$34,000 for invitation and phone calls to turn out voters at our 110 stops.
$70,000 for 2000 tickets to the straw poll.
$10,000 for bus rental and fuel for our 110 city tour of Iowa
$27,000 for payroll
Good grief- whatever happened to the saying "never let them see you sweat".
However, what really got me going was this little ditty with an accompanying photo:
At a recent stop in Davenport, Iowa, 175 people turned out to show their support for the governor. They had a simple message. It's my message.
Really folks- this is Thompson's campaign message? Please send money?
No thanks- I already send plenty of money to politicians in Washington and Madison.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Now it is a time for some answers
After passing a $15.2 billion health care plan without vetting it first, Senator Wirch and a couple of his friends have now decided it needed some discussion.
It is imperative that conservatives also have a say in our health care as we move forward.
Please join me in a Q & A on the health care plan with Senator Wirch, Senator Lehman and Senator Erpenbach.
When: 4pm to 6pm Thursday July 19th
Where: Gateway Technical College(3530 30th Avenue-Kenosha 53144) - Madrigrano Hall
Bring your questions, folks. It is time to get some answers.
Edited to add:
I have already heard the answer that these politicials are peddling- "It's going to save me money". That answer will not work tomorrow.
See sign on septic tank in the post below....
It is imperative that conservatives also have a say in our health care as we move forward.
Please join me in a Q & A on the health care plan with Senator Wirch, Senator Lehman and Senator Erpenbach.
When: 4pm to 6pm Thursday July 19th
Where: Gateway Technical College(3530 30th Avenue-Kenosha 53144) - Madrigrano Hall
Bring your questions, folks. It is time to get some answers.
Edited to add:
I have already heard the answer that these politicials are peddling- "It's going to save me money". That answer will not work tomorrow.
See sign on septic tank in the post below....
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Welcome to the Cheddarsphere Cathy Stepp
Fred from Real Debate Wisconsin has a new posting partner. Former State Senator, Cathy Stepp, has joined the Cheddarsphere via Fred's blog.
Here is a link to Cathy's first post- "My Maiden Voyage"
Great to have you Cathy.
Here is a link to Cathy's first post- "My Maiden Voyage"
Great to have you Cathy.
Thank you MJS
Very cool- I made the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Best of Wisconsin Blogs this week.
Best of the Wisconsin Blogs
Congrats to Owen Robinson, Ed Garvey and Bill Christofferson- these fellows also made it.
Edited to add: This is the blog that made it- The buzz is back for Republicans in Wisconsin and we have the Democrats to thank
Best of the Wisconsin Blogs
Congrats to Owen Robinson, Ed Garvey and Bill Christofferson- these fellows also made it.
Edited to add: This is the blog that made it- The buzz is back for Republicans in Wisconsin and we have the Democrats to thank
I apologize
Hey folks- I have made a few changes today- one of which was upgrading to a Haloscan account.
As a result of making this change, all of the previous comments made by visitors to this site have been wiped out. Unfortunately there is no way of getting them back.
I apologize to all of you.
However, I felt it was important to improve the commenting, trackback and posting process, but there were a few side effects.
Feel free to make comments- I have no intention of changing things up real soon- unless I have a problem.
Your comments are very important to me. I hope all of you will continue commenting.
Bare in mind-I do not have a moderation feature set up for comments, but I reserve the right to remove any comment I see fit.
You are welcome to disagree with me on any subject, however, I will not tolerate vulgar or profane language. Plus I draw a real fine line on name calling. Try not to personally direct your name calling at any person posting on this blog.
If you have any questions or you would like to make any suggestions, please feel free to email me at stepping_right_up@yahoo.com
As a result of making this change, all of the previous comments made by visitors to this site have been wiped out. Unfortunately there is no way of getting them back.
I apologize to all of you.
However, I felt it was important to improve the commenting, trackback and posting process, but there were a few side effects.
Feel free to make comments- I have no intention of changing things up real soon- unless I have a problem.
Your comments are very important to me. I hope all of you will continue commenting.
Bare in mind-I do not have a moderation feature set up for comments, but I reserve the right to remove any comment I see fit.
You are welcome to disagree with me on any subject, however, I will not tolerate vulgar or profane language. Plus I draw a real fine line on name calling. Try not to personally direct your name calling at any person posting on this blog.
If you have any questions or you would like to make any suggestions, please feel free to email me at stepping_right_up@yahoo.com
Recall Senator John Lehman??
H/T Real Debate Wisconsin
I am not a real big proponent of recall elections. However, this is interesting politics.
Apparently, there are a few folks revving up to recall Senator John Lehman.
I am not a real big proponent of recall elections. However, this is interesting politics.
Apparently, there are a few folks revving up to recall Senator John Lehman.
Ted Rall: American Troops = Suicide Bombers
Yes folks, he did it again. Cartoonist Ted Rall is calling our American troops, suicide bomber.
If you can stomach it, check out this cartoon.
H/T Michelle Malkin
Click to enlarge
Clearly, this is hate speech.
So, does Ted Rall speak for the Democratic party in general? Is this how they all feel?
I know what you are thinking- How could I possible ask these questions?
Well, it is simple. Just recently, a Democrat right here in Kenosha County, stated that Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh were the faces of the Republican party. They even went so far as to ask why we do not denouce Limbaugh and Coulter.(the answer to this question is that conservatives do denounce their bad behaviour)
So I ask- Is this the face of the Democrat Party?
I could make a clear and sustainable argument that yes- Ted Rall is speaking for the Democrats.
The argument is simple, the man that the Democrats placed on a pedestal as their leader and the next President of the US was John Kerry. John Kerry basically stated some of the accusations that this cartoon is implying. Per John Kerry, American soldiers are uneducated, lazy, yada, yada, yada...
Democratic Sen. John Kerry warned students in a campaign speech last night that if they don't study hard and get a good education they might "get stuck in Iraq."
The remark is being interpreted by many veterans – including Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. – as a slam at military service, suggesting it's a last refuge for the lazy and uneducated.
Video of Kerry's comment can be seen here.
The remark is being interpreted by many veterans – including Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. – as a slam at military service, suggesting it's a last refuge for the lazy and uneducated.
Video of Kerry's comment can be seen here.
And this is not the first time that John Kerry has made these types of implications.
It is doubtful that any Republican as high up as John Kerry is in the Democrat party sided with Ann Coulter and her trashing of a handful of the 9/11 widows.
Keep in mind, Ted Rall is quite the hero in some liberal circles. For example, his Alma mater- Columbia University. Rall wrote a book called "Wake up, you liberal" and then wrote another article just recently showing his excitement that the "pendulum has swung back" to his liberal way of thinking. He is also excited that Hillary is moving towards his way of
I know plenty of Democrats that would be just as appaled as I am about this cartoon. They do not deserve to be represented by extreme liberalism or socialism.
Ted Rall is no more the face of the Democratic Party than Ann Coulter is for the Republican Party.
Yes- every American has freedom speech, even Ted Rall.
It is our duty as Democrats and Republicans to all denounce Ted Rall.
Write your newspapers and let them know that you will not tolerate the evil that Ted Rall is portraying. If you see this cartoon or any cartoon by Ted Rall, send an email or write a letter to your news publication.
The only way to take down a liberal hater like Ted Rall is to hit him where it hurts- his pocketbook.
Changing the look
Okay, so I changed the color scheme of this blog a little, plus I added a few new features. Let me know if you like it or not. I can always change back.
I added the trackback and the links to this post features to this blog. Yes- I am finally catching up with the new technology.
I added the trackback and the links to this post features to this blog. Yes- I am finally catching up with the new technology.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
Temper, Temper
That was a nice hissyfit that Governor Doyle, Mayor Barrett and his buddies threw yesterday.
In Milwaukee, Doyle stood outside the downtown fire station with Mayor Tom Barrett, Common Council President Willie Hines Jr., Police Chief Nannette Hegerty, Fire Chief Douglas Holton and others to say the GOP budget would force huge property tax increases or deep cuts to police and fire service.
These government officials must be counting on Wisconsin taxpayers being total idiots. Either that or they are counting on folks having a really, really short memory.
In the last several weeks and months alone, Wisconsinites have been treated to complete and total failure of their local and state governments on the front pages of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other papers in the state.
As Governor Doyle and Milwaukee government throw their temper tantrum and snivel about $28 million worth of cut backs to Milwaukee in the Assembly Budget, the ink is barely dry on this story from July 2nd-
As the end of its budget year approached last week, Milwaukee Public Schools had not spent more than $50 million slated to be used for the 2006-'07 school year.
Administrators say that if they hadn't spent the money by June 30, it would have hurt MPS in the future because of state school aid rules - with Milwaukee property taxes rising as a result. So they unloaded some big payments at the last moment, including $37.8 million to prepay costs such as debt service expected in 2007-'08.
That $50 million worth of taxpayer money that Milwaukee government officials were scrambling to spend. Apparently government officials could not waste the money fast enough.
Speaking of wasted taxpayer dollars, perhaps Mayor Barrett and Chief Hegerty, the officials throwing a temper tantrum yesterday, can explain why millions and millions of dollars have been wasted in Milwaukee-
Milwaukee police are racking up far more overtime than officers in similar-size cities with smaller police departments - enough overtime to pay the salaries of nearly 400 more officers, according to an audit released Wednesday.
There is another $29 million wasted by government officials.
Not to be completely outdone, Doyle's government has wasted over $100 million in failed computer programs-
An analysis this week showed how state agencies have fouled up more than $100 million worth of projects intended to improve their computerized data systems.Millions upon millions upon millions have been wasted and Governor Doyle and Milwaukee officials and now they are throwing a temper tantrum because some folks have the gall to stop them from wasting even more.
Enough is enough!
Until Governor Doyle and Milwaukee officials start properly managing our tax dollars, why should any single Wisconsin resident agree to giving them more money to mismanage?
Governor Doyle and local officials can continue to stamp their feet and throw a their temper tantrums all they want. However, they continue to look real foolish doing it. Grow up, people!
Government officials work for us!
Until these can prove to be responsible, respectful and are able to properly manage taxpayer dollars, there is no reason that Wisconsinites should continue to throw away good money after bad.
Edited: to remove Hines from this list of taxpayer dollar abusers- see comments
In Milwaukee, Doyle stood outside the downtown fire station with Mayor Tom Barrett, Common Council President Willie Hines Jr., Police Chief Nannette Hegerty, Fire Chief Douglas Holton and others to say the GOP budget would force huge property tax increases or deep cuts to police and fire service.
These government officials must be counting on Wisconsin taxpayers being total idiots. Either that or they are counting on folks having a really, really short memory.
In the last several weeks and months alone, Wisconsinites have been treated to complete and total failure of their local and state governments on the front pages of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other papers in the state.
As Governor Doyle and Milwaukee government throw their temper tantrum and snivel about $28 million worth of cut backs to Milwaukee in the Assembly Budget, the ink is barely dry on this story from July 2nd-
As the end of its budget year approached last week, Milwaukee Public Schools had not spent more than $50 million slated to be used for the 2006-'07 school year.
Administrators say that if they hadn't spent the money by June 30, it would have hurt MPS in the future because of state school aid rules - with Milwaukee property taxes rising as a result. So they unloaded some big payments at the last moment, including $37.8 million to prepay costs such as debt service expected in 2007-'08.
That $50 million worth of taxpayer money that Milwaukee government officials were scrambling to spend. Apparently government officials could not waste the money fast enough.
Speaking of wasted taxpayer dollars, perhaps Mayor Barrett and Chief Hegerty, the officials throwing a temper tantrum yesterday, can explain why millions and millions of dollars have been wasted in Milwaukee-
Milwaukee police are racking up far more overtime than officers in similar-size cities with smaller police departments - enough overtime to pay the salaries of nearly 400 more officers, according to an audit released Wednesday.
There is another $29 million wasted by government officials.
Not to be completely outdone, Doyle's government has wasted over $100 million in failed computer programs-
An analysis this week showed how state agencies have fouled up more than $100 million worth of projects intended to improve their computerized data systems.Millions upon millions upon millions have been wasted and Governor Doyle and Milwaukee officials and now they are throwing a temper tantrum because some folks have the gall to stop them from wasting even more.
Enough is enough!
Until Governor Doyle and Milwaukee officials start properly managing our tax dollars, why should any single Wisconsin resident agree to giving them more money to mismanage?
Governor Doyle and local officials can continue to stamp their feet and throw a their temper tantrums all they want. However, they continue to look real foolish doing it. Grow up, people!
Government officials work for us!
Until these can prove to be responsible, respectful and are able to properly manage taxpayer dollars, there is no reason that Wisconsinites should continue to throw away good money after bad.
Edited: to remove Hines from this list of taxpayer dollar abusers- see comments
Thursday, July 12, 2007
The buzz is back for Republicans in Wisconsin and we have the Democrats to thank
The last several days have been quite exciting for conservatives in the state of Wisconsin.
I have received some very excited emails from several folks who were simply giddy to see the Wisconsin Republican movement heading forward again.
Let us just say- Wisconsin Republicans are inspired.
We have the Governor Doyle and the Democrats to thank for this new inspiration in the Republican Party of Wisconsin.
Remember, it was only a few short months ago that Republicans and conservatives in Wisconsin felt frustrated and defeated.
There was anger building inside the caucus. Even a little finger pointing was taking place. In fact, most of the fingers were being pointed directly at our Republican elected officials.
For good reason, many Republicans were really bent out of shape watching our own elected officials spend tax dollars just like the out of control Democrats like to do.
Then it happened.
February 13, 2007- the day that the rejuvenation of Wisconsin’s Republican party began.
Governor Doyle released his budget on this day and the “surge” began.
After seeing the massive tax increases and the huge expansion of government programs, the Republicans found a reason to stand up and fight.
Republicans realized that they have a job to do. It became the clear that it was the responsibility of conservatives to protect the people of Wisconsin from their very own government. Not only is it important for conservatives to fight against an over-taxing government, but to also protect us from an over-reaching government.
After reviewing the governor’s budget, the Senate Democrats carried the over-sight of government even further. The Senate Democrats are now attempting to seize our heath care plans and let government control our lives.
Feeling inspired by the Democrats plans, the conservatives in the took up the gauntlet and are fighting back.
This past week, the Assembly Republicans took a stand against the Senate Democrats plan to expand government and the Governor’s plan to increase taxes beyond what Wisconsinites can afford.
Yes, the buzz is back for Republicans in Wisconsin and we have the Democrats to thank for this.
The Democrats could have just played it cool for a little while and the Republicans would have continued to wallow in their self-pity. Instead of letting Republicans wallow, the Democrats decided they would launch themselves into a tremendous power grab. They may have over-reached.
The fight to stop the Democrats in Wisconsin has just begun. Now the Republicans are excited, determined and truly motivated to protect Wisconsin.
I have received some very excited emails from several folks who were simply giddy to see the Wisconsin Republican movement heading forward again.
Let us just say- Wisconsin Republicans are inspired.
We have the Governor Doyle and the Democrats to thank for this new inspiration in the Republican Party of Wisconsin.
Remember, it was only a few short months ago that Republicans and conservatives in Wisconsin felt frustrated and defeated.
There was anger building inside the caucus. Even a little finger pointing was taking place. In fact, most of the fingers were being pointed directly at our Republican elected officials.
For good reason, many Republicans were really bent out of shape watching our own elected officials spend tax dollars just like the out of control Democrats like to do.
Then it happened.
February 13, 2007- the day that the rejuvenation of Wisconsin’s Republican party began.
Governor Doyle released his budget on this day and the “surge” began.
After seeing the massive tax increases and the huge expansion of government programs, the Republicans found a reason to stand up and fight.
Republicans realized that they have a job to do. It became the clear that it was the responsibility of conservatives to protect the people of Wisconsin from their very own government. Not only is it important for conservatives to fight against an over-taxing government, but to also protect us from an over-reaching government.
After reviewing the governor’s budget, the Senate Democrats carried the over-sight of government even further. The Senate Democrats are now attempting to seize our heath care plans and let government control our lives.
Feeling inspired by the Democrats plans, the conservatives in the took up the gauntlet and are fighting back.
This past week, the Assembly Republicans took a stand against the Senate Democrats plan to expand government and the Governor’s plan to increase taxes beyond what Wisconsinites can afford.
Yes, the buzz is back for Republicans in Wisconsin and we have the Democrats to thank for this.
The Democrats could have just played it cool for a little while and the Republicans would have continued to wallow in their self-pity. Instead of letting Republicans wallow, the Democrats decided they would launch themselves into a tremendous power grab. They may have over-reached.
The fight to stop the Democrats in Wisconsin has just begun. Now the Republicans are excited, determined and truly motivated to protect Wisconsin.
Representative Samantha Kerkman on Assembly Budget
Thank you for putting the taxpayers first, Representative Kerkman!
Statement from Representative Kerkman-
Madison - On Tuesday, July 10th, the State Assembly passed its version of the 2007-09 Biennial Budget Bill. Our budget addresses our priorities of funding K-12 education and providing for the health care needs of our most vulnerable citizens, and we do so without increasing the tax burden on state residents. That’s right – the Assembly budget contains no tax increases.
In addition to K-12 funding and health care for the needy, our budget contains many welcome changes for our state’s families, businesses and retirees. Assembly budget highlights include a tax deduction for child care expenses; a three-year real property tax freeze; an expansion of the college tuition tax deduction to $6,000 per year; a tax exemption for retirement income for seniors; full funding of SeniorCare and income tax deductions for health care savings accounts; and elimination of requirements for combined tax reporting for businesses.
A major area of concern with the budget process in recent years has been the “raiding” of dollars from funds that were established for very specific purposes and using those dollars to fill budget shortfalls. The Assembly budget rejects a $175 million transfer from the Patients Compensation Fund, as well as a $164 million transfer from the Transportation Fund.
Statement from Representative Kerkman-
ASSEMBLY APPROVES “TAXPAYERS FIRST” BUDGET
Madison - On Tuesday, July 10th, the State Assembly passed its version of the 2007-09 Biennial Budget Bill. Our budget addresses our priorities of funding K-12 education and providing for the health care needs of our most vulnerable citizens, and we do so without increasing the tax burden on state residents. That’s right – the Assembly budget contains no tax increases.
In addition to K-12 funding and health care for the needy, our budget contains many welcome changes for our state’s families, businesses and retirees. Assembly budget highlights include a tax deduction for child care expenses; a three-year real property tax freeze; an expansion of the college tuition tax deduction to $6,000 per year; a tax exemption for retirement income for seniors; full funding of SeniorCare and income tax deductions for health care savings accounts; and elimination of requirements for combined tax reporting for businesses.
In stark contrast to the State Senate’s recently approved budget that contained $9.5 billion in tax increases, our plan rejects many of the provisions that were included in that house’s finished product. Some of the major changes we made included elimination of: a $1.2 billion property tax increase; the cigarette/tobacco tax increase; and the $418 million tax on hospitals that many worried would drive up health care costs. In addition, we eliminated the nursing home bed tax and the $247 million tax on oil company profits – non-partisan analysts predicted that this tax would have been passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices at the pump; and we reduced the real estate transfer fee, the so-called home tax, by 66%.
Another major difference between the two budgets is the Assembly’s elimination of the $15.2 billion per year payroll tax on employers and employees to fund the Senate’s universal health care plan. (That $15.2 billion is in addition to the $9.5 billion tax increase previously mentioned.)
A major area of concern with the budget process in recent years has been the “raiding” of dollars from funds that were established for very specific purposes and using those dollars to fill budget shortfalls. The Assembly budget rejects a $175 million transfer from the Patients Compensation Fund, as well as a $164 million transfer from the Transportation Fund.
In summary, it’s my feeling that the budget that we passed in the Assembly is a common sense, fiscally responsible plan. We fulfill our obligations without further burdening our residents with increased taxes. We do what families of the 66th District do everyday – we require the state to live within its means, or more accurately – the taxpayers’ means.
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