Canadians seem free enough to me

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday July 01, 2012 · 7:45 AM PDT

2012/07/01 · 07:45

The avalanche of right wing protest about the Supreme Court ruling seems to focused on the "loss of our freedom." Doesn't the existence of Canada (or Germany, Great Britain, etc.) who have both universal health care and freedom, completely refute this argument?

My brother is a good man and a staunch free market conservative. I'm an unabashed liberal. We've been politely trying to find the common ground we share on the role of government.

We agreed quickly on defense, police, criminal justice, education (which surprised me), and infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc). We also agreed that our political system has become deeply corrupt, and a greatly simplified tax structure with almost no deductions or credits would help to eliminate the massive amount of rent-seeking that currently exists. He even agreed to a reasonably progressive set of tax brackets.

Universal health care, though, appears to be the line in the sand between us. In his last email to me, he went totally Galt. "Robin Hood was a thief." "Government creates two classes of citizens, free men and irresponsible mooches." And so on.

Here are the two key quotes:

1. I think you're nuts if you think the government can provide health care in an efficient sustainable fashion.

2. I can't think of a (health care) 'program' that would create more good than bad. I don't think its possible. This is why we end up apart.

Every other country in the "free" world has a health care program that is more efficient and fair than ours, but he thinks I'm nuts.

Walker hires attorneys to insure he can "aid" John Doe investigation

orymartin

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday February 04, 2012 · 9:15 AM PST

2012/02/04 · 09:15

Scott Walker: "To assemble additional background information, I hired counsel to insure that I am in the best position possible to continue aiding the inquiry."

Ha, ha, ha.

This is a masterpiece of attempted spin. Walker hires two high-powered defense attorneys prior to a "voluntary" meeting with Milwaukee County DA John Chisolm. The discussion will center on the ever widening John Doe investigation into the blatant campaigning (on the taxpayer's dime) that was done by Walker's staff during his time as Milwaukee County Executive.

He didn't hire these attorneys to provide representation in a criminal investigation. No, no, no. He wants to "aid the inquiry" into the wrong-doing of multiple key members of his former and current staff.

Ha, ha, ha.

The full article can be found here.

Fantastic WI Protest Video and Song

orymartin

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday August 05, 2011 · 10:15 AM PDT

2011/08/05 · 10:15

Wisconsin Protest Video and Song

Better than anything else I've seen, this video captures the spirit of the February and March protests in Madison.

"Tell me what democracy looks like?" "This is what democracy looks like" has a rhythm that is positively infectious. The intro to the song catches this completely, even the "Union Cabs" honking the rhythm in unison.

Sorry I couldn't embed this, and also sorry if this has been linked here before (I found nothing on search).

4 days until we take Wisconsin back.

Welcome to Waukesha, my home town.

orymartin

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday April 27, 2011 · 6:12 PM PDT

2011/04/27 · 18:12

"Waukesha" has almost become a swear word on this site. Waukesha County, the reddest county in Wisconsin, came through with an extra 7,000 votes for Supreme Court Justice David Prosser 2 days after the polls closed. Scott Walker received more votes in Waukesha County than in any other county in the state during the 2010 governor's race.

I understand the hostility. But I live here, and all is not what it seems.

orymartin

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday April 12, 2011 · 12:18 PM PDT

2011/04/12 · 12:18

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel printed an editorial by Gov. Scott Walker today. If you have the stomach for it, the entire editorial can be found here here.

But here's the part that has me fuming:

While other states are cutting billions from schools, local governments and universities without assistance, we are giving them the tools to balance budgets now and in the future.

orymartin

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday April 06, 2011 · 8:16 AM PDT

2011/04/06 · 08:16

I'm from Wisconsin and I'm as partisan as it gets. As a Democrat, I had to vote for Kloppenburg. FitzWalkerstan has become a lawless, heartless regime, and the Supreme Court is obviously vital in this situation.

I know very little about Kloppenburg, though. What I've heard is positive - she's smart, hard-working, and has tried very hard to stay above the political fray.

I know very little about Prosser as well. I never paid much attention to State Supreme Court races until this year. What I've heard makes me believe he is not impartial, and doesn't seem to have a judicial temperament at all.

But judgeships should not be so political, and I think we all know that.

orymartin

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday April 05, 2011 · 9:14 AM PDT

2011/04/05 · 09:14

I have some anxiety issues, so even though I'm a passionately anti-Walker Wisconsinite, I haven't done very much to help the cause (other than showing up at many Madison rallies).

The thought of knocking on someone's door and asking them to sign a recall petition literally makes my hands sweat, and I can't stop my tongue from pressing hard against my lower teeth.

I've donated as much money as I can, and I've called all the people I know to remind them to vote for Kloppenburg today. (My own daughter, a senior at UW-Madison, did not even know there were elections today. She protested with me several times at the capitol, too! Glad I called.)

Until today, though, I've basically been on my butt.

But I nervously stepped into the arena this morning.

orymartin

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday March 16, 2011 · 8:19 PM PDT

2011/03/16 · 20:19

Sure, Walker and the Republicans are trying to bust unions for political gain. But they are also deliberately destroying education in Wisconsin. It isn't enough that teachers are taking a 5-10% cut in pay to cover health care and pension contributions.

Walker held a press conference today to refute separate releases Tuesday by the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau and the state Department of Public Instruction that cuts to education in the next budget would be more in the order of 1.6 billion, rather than the 900 million indicated by Walker.

Here's the money quote:

Gov. Scott Walker defended his proposed cuts to education and shared revenue today, releasing numbers that he says show the reductions will be offset by the austerity measures passed by the Legislature last week. He also argued districts and locals can go above and beyond the health care and pension contributions now required of public employees to save money thanks to changes in collective bargaining.
"In every case, they can accommodate and adjust what they offer at the local level to make sure they have maximum flexibility to preserve jobs and, ultimately, to protect the curriculum," said Walker.

orymartin

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday March 09, 2011 · 7:39 PM PST

2011/03/09 · 19:39

Here's a direct link to the bill that passed in the WI senate tonight.
Budget Repair bill

Even the briefest look shows that there are fiscal implications galore. Actual dollar amounts are spelled out on almost every page. The Senate needs 20 members to vote on fiscal matters. They are claiming that since there are no "appropriations" in the bill, it is legal.

This is highly questionable. So, why are they doing this now, if they could have done it anytime in the last 3 weeks? It doesn't make sense. More below.

Poll

0 votes Show Results

0 votes Vote Now!

Imagine shoe on other foot

orymartin

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday March 07, 2011 · 12:31 PM PST

2011/03/07 · 12:31

What if the Democrats had the governorship, and both houses of Wisconsin’s legislature:

Shortly after election, the governor announces a bill banning handguns, conceal and carry, and enacting every other gun regulation that could possibly be constitutional. Wisconsin would have the tightest, most restrictive gun laws in the country.

The bill is set up to pass in less than one week, with only cursory public hearings, and no negotiation. “The safety of the public cannot be negotiated away,” says the governor.

The newly elected governor did not campaign on restricting gun laws.

The “gun safety repair” bill also includes provisions to allow the governor complete administrative control over the budgets of state family planning agencies. “Studies have shown that crime rates dropped when abortion was made safe and legal,” says the governor, citing Steven Levitt’s book, Freakonomics.

Poll

0 votes Show Results

0 votes Vote Now!

On Wisconsin: My favorite quotes

orymartin

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday March 06, 2011 · 8:20 AM PST

2011/03/06 · 08:20

“Next up, dropping puppies from the top of the capitol on protesters,” WI Sen Chris Larson (D), responding to arrest warrants being issued against he and fellow Democrats by Republican senators.

"Wisconsin is the only state that can have massive labor unrest and still be f***ing adorable," Seth McFarland, creator of Family Guy.

“We thought about that,” Scott Walker during prank call, responding to “fake Koch” when he suggests sending in agitators. Politifact “pants-on-fire.”

“We campaigned on this,” Scott Walker on stripping collective bargaining rights from unions. He didn’t. Politifact “pants-on-fire.”

Poll

0 votes Show Results

0 votes Vote Now!

Gov. Walker's talk of "tools?"

orymartin

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday March 04, 2011 · 1:10 PM PST

2011/03/04 · 13:10

Perhaps some of you good folks can help me to understand something that has been puzzling me for the last 3 weeks. Gov. Walker has insisted that he will not negotiate on collective bargaining rights, even though public employees have agreed to financial concessions - basically pay cuts to cover health insurance and pension contributions. Walker has repeatedly said that he must give local authorities “the tools” they need to deal with the massive cuts being proposed in his new biennial state budget.

I’m not trying to be snarky here, but what exactly do you think he means by “tools?”

Poll

0 votes Show Results

0 votes Vote Now!

Newer
Older

RSS

Canadians seem free enough to me

Walker hires attorneys to insure he can "aid" John Doe investigation

Fantastic WI Protest Video and Song

Welcome to Waukesha, my home town.

Walker's editorial today really galls me

Even if we win, this is not how judges should be selected

Anxious recall volunteer survives first shift

The "tools" are hammers, and their job is to nail teachers.

WI - Something fishy

Imagine shoe on other foot

On Wisconsin: My favorite quotes

Gov. Walker's talk of "tools?"