The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the Republican governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker, and his wife Tonette Walker have invited a couple thousand of their rich and well-connected friends to an event to raise funds for restoration of the Governor's Mansion.
The invitation to the private party and croquet tournament on the mansion lawn (no, really) includes this accompanying note from Tonette:
"I am inviting fellow leading ladies like yourself to please join me in donating a purse filled with some of your favorite things. The purses will then be raffled off at the event...For example, I'll be donating a Tignanello bag filled with some of my can't-live-without items like my favorite shade of Bobbi Brown lipstick and an Aveda hand cream that I can't get enough of."
The event is scheduled for Thursday, September 22nd from 5 to 7 p.m. The mansion is located in a wealthy village on the shores of Lake Mendota called Maple Bluff.
I have a feeling there will be a flotilla of boats cruising past the mansion that afternoon bearing "Shame" signs. Perhaps the Solidarity Singers can schedule a special "Croquet Edition" of their popular noon sing-along to be held on the sidewalk next to the mansion. After all, what's a genteel afternoon of croquet and bribery without a choir of disgruntled but peaceful commoners singing "Solidarity Forever" and "Roll the Union On"?
Shockingly, union leaders, progressives, union-represented state employees and liberal politicians were not invited to the fundraiser, despite the governor's insistence that attendees - including many lobbyists and the donors of some of his largest campaign contributions - are not going to gain influence by donating to the "Wisconsin Executive Residence Foundation." The governor and his wife insist this is simply a way to refurbish the mansion without using taxpayer funds.
You know what? If the building needs work, solicit bids and use tax money to pay for the work. That's why we pay taxes. While you're at it, fix the schools, the roads, the bridges, the veterans home, and the bathrooms at Wyalusing State Park, then tax the citizens, including your rich friends, to pay for it. That's how clean government is supposed to operate.
Serenity now....
So, which designer handbag are you donating to the Governor's croquet event? And what will you fill it with? I can't decide between my "Union YES" tote bag filled with "Recall Walker" buttons, or a used airsick bag.