I support recalling all of the Republicans who went along with the sleaszy methods of ramming through the Budget Repair Bill -- cutting off debate, voitng with the Democrat Assembly members and Senators not even present, trying to push the bill through before the public even knew what it was really about, etc. etc. I realize we can't recall the Assembly members, but I would love to see any of the Republican Senators replaced with people who are willing to listen to the public, negotiate and behave ethically -- not meekly follow Scott Walker's extreme agenda that is so ant--middle class, anti-unions, anti farmers, anti-education, anti environment
and pro big business .

What liberal bullet point material did you get that from?

This needed to be done, 66 hours of debate was "cutting it off" The teachers union has stole Hundreds of millions of dollars from the taxpayers of this state with their heath care scam and that is OK with you?

Mike

What a shame, what we need now is voter ID and they could not recall any republican.s without the sleezy demacratic voter fraud, also this all about fredom of choice, Walker is giving the workers the choice if they want to belong to a union or not, because when they have the choice lets see after one year how many will still pay thier dues on thier own? and then ware will the poor demacrats get thier fund raising from, if it's not forced with manditory dues?

I support recalling the 14 senators who ran away from their jobs because "they did not like what was in front of them" kind of like a little child ..."I'm not coming home, you can't make me."
Republicans have dealt with this sort of thing for years, never have they run away. They might not have liked the issues before them, but they showed up, voted and are now changing things.
Bravo to our Senator, Mary Lazich for standing up for all of us who voted Republicans in this time. Remember November?? We voted & our governor & senators are now working for us. WI is BROKE..what part of that do you not understand?????

I think maybe YOU have not read the bill or perhaps you are just confused?? I have read the bill & support it 100%.
If the bill is NOT passed, taxes will be raised, teachers will be paid off and on & on. I am a small business owner & I understand sacrifice. $900 million from local schools?? Tools are being given to school districts to help them manage budgets & concessions WILL NEED TO BE MADE. That is just part of life. I am tired of paying for other people pensions & health care. Time to make the sacrifices that we have all been making for years. It's time somebody like Gov. Walker took a stand. I am proud of Gov. Walker & Senator Lazich. I think YOU should thank Gov. Walker for having the courage to do what is right and do his job, unlike the senators who think running away from your duties is the answer. When people still have jobs a year from now (democrats & republicans) you will see this is what was needed to be done. The sky will not fall, the sun will still come up.

Who is selfish????
Again YOU don't understand the bill
Shame on YOU

Have a FABULOUS Day ! :-)

This bill only has the most vulnerable (young, poor, old, disabled) making sacrifices while those at the top receive all of the perks. See here: http://www.franklinnow.com/blogs/communityblogs/117988109.html

To help recall Senator Lazich please visit: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Recall-Mary-Lazich/189844957715467

Linda, the Tools are the removal of collective bargaining PRIVELEDGES (They're not really rights) which will allow the local Gov and school districts to modify the benefits and perks that teachers get. If the local politicos are too foolish (Or in the pocket of the unions) to utilize the tools provided, then YES, your taxes may go up. If that happens you will have no one to blame but your local democrats who do what ever the union bosses tell them . But you REALLY knew all that didn't you? But that didn't stop you from trotting out the ol' lefty tactic of making an emoton based argument saying the poor and the underpriveledged will be ruined, oh the humanity. Sheesh

No one to blame but a democrat? You seem to forget that the democrats have no power right now. So, how are they to blame? They did not create this mess, the republicans did. The democrats did not create the fiscal mess either, Wall Street did. And if you think the coming abuse/neglect of children, the elderly, the environment, police and fire-fighters, schools, and the poor is an okay thing, there is nothing I nor any other reasoning person can say to you. I have always been an independent voter - for 42 years now - and I am neither a right nor left winger. I have never worked in the public sector nor have I ever belonged to a union. That is why I can say definitively that this is not about unions. That whole angle was to give Scooter an illusion of power in thinking he had broken the democrats. The only thing he broke was the public trust in the promise of change in this state. Oh, there's change coming alright. And you and other "conservatives" are going to be mighty surprised when you find out just how much your lives will change for the worse when it comes.

Linda take a deep breath !! WOW.

I heard last week on TV that taking a nap helps people with "smarts."
I think it's time for a nap Linda !!

Linda, I don't know if you're trying to be misleading, or if you're really this ignorant of the facts. When I said, you could blame a Democrat, I was talking about the Dems that run local school boards, or in municipalities like Milw, Madison, etc, where they are always in power. Walker gave each municipality the tools to cut costs WITHOUT having to raise taxes, yet I'm sure some of these municipalities that are run by Dems won't take those tools. We see it right now with many school systems and cities, etc, ramming through quick contracts at the behest of the union bosses who funnel campaign cash to the Dems.

As far as who startedthe economic crisis? You really hink it was all the republicans fault?? Then you are foolish. Ever hear of the Community Reinvestment ACt?? The act that started forcing banks to loan money to people who shouldn't be getting loans?? Brought about by Jimmy Carter, a Democrat. Another administration madesome significant changes to it that put even more pressure on banks to loan even more $$ topeople even less likely to pay it back, that was Clinton, another Dem. One president asked TWICE to have more regulation put on Fannie mae and Freddie Mac (Bush, a Republican) but was continually rebuffed by the likes of Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Charles Shumer and the Black Democratic Congressional Caucus, all Democrats, many of whom have received sweetheart deals on loans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klylOHDhew

Here's some more fbor you Linda, listen and learn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxMInSfanqg&feature=related

Hoping you will be able to break free of the Union/DEmocrat mind meld and start to learn and think on your own. Do a bit of research beyond the garbage your union mails to your home.

Oh, man, you do have a problem, don't you? Do you really get your news from YouTube? No wonder your intellectual growth has been stunted. Try switching from Fox, CNN, MSNBC and try news sources that have no fiscal debt to one side or the other. You could start with BBC and Reuters, for instance. Broaden your horizons and shed the need to be identified by a party and vote by who the candidates are and what they represent instead of who follows your income level and manipulates you with fear of losing any of it. I recognize that you will not change your beliefs based on anything I have to say, but please be respectful enough to recognize that I will not change any of my beliefs based on YouTube. Good grief, my grandchildren post things to YouTube, as anyone can. Do you really believe anything on there is Gospel truth? If so, I've got some land to sell you in south-central Florida.

Bravo Fiscal !!
Sadly though..unless it's what she WANTS to see & hear...it just won't matter.
It doesn't appear that "thinking on her own" is an option.

Never been here before. Nice site.

Here's what I take away from Linda's posts.
Republicans are "voting to let people die".
Handicapped children and the elderly will suffer.
We will lose our parks, pay more taxes and police and firemen will suffer.
People who want to reduce pay or benefits for government workers are greedy and [by Linda's standards] not good Christians.

I've heard this my entire adult life from the left and to be frank, it's hard to take it serious anymore since it's their only response. In my opinion, what the public unions are saying is that they themselves would let all those bad things happen before they'd consider taking less money or merely average benefits.

My bottom line: I see no reason why I [as a taxpayer] should give State, County and City employees anything more than a salary, 401k plan for retirement and an average health care plan.

Some of Linda's comments suggest she thinks we should view this as charity. The problem with that argument is that the people on the receiving end of this charity - the government workers, are insisting that I give them better benefits than I receive from my own employer.

I pay $5000 per year toward my health care insurance, receive no employer contributions toward my 401k so I kick in 11% of my salary into my 401k. Finally, I work in private industry so my job could be gone at any time. Alot of us are in this position. That's why the sob sister approach isn't working anymore.

I think you are the one who fears the loss of income, as do many others. I don't blame you for being upset, if I all of a sudden had to pay more for my health care & pension after many years of receiving it from others. I'd be pretty angry as well, but I'd also realize that WI is broke & we need to do something. We can not continue going on like this. Cuts have to be made. Everyone is all for not raising taxes and balancing the budget...until THEY have to give something up. You talk about being selfish...you are the selfish one. Many of us have been giving for years !!! Enough is enough, we are tired of it.

Do you really believe all the info from the unions is Gospel truth??? Really??
I respect you not wanting to change your beliefs, that is your right, but what about the rights of us that voted for Gov. Walker?? Why is it that WE can't go to Madison & express OUR views without being spit on, screamed at or having profanity shouted at us (yes that did happen to myself & my friends). Why does my niece, who pays good money to attend UW Madison have to sit in class & listen to teachers run down our ELECTED Gov. when she is supposed to be learning Spanish???
Just because his agenda does not match yours, you people run away, threaten, bully, extort.
Really?? Really Sad.

The median family household income has fallen since 2008. What's wrong with the public employees "catching up" with the private sector?

When times were good, they got increases, AS THEY SHOULD HAVE.
When times are bad, they have to pull back like the rest of us.
It's not a one-way-street.

Now that you have all spent yourselves slicing and dicing me, all I have to say is that your reading comprehension skills are very sadly lacking. But, as all THINKING people know, this is a tactic well used by neo-con, so-called republicans. Since I never said half the things you folks quote me as saying, and the other half have, quite expectedly, been misconstrued, and to continue the discussion is moot. As I said earlier, I do not expect anyone to change what they believe based on anything I say; however, you will never be granted the power to deprive me of the right to say it, anywhere I choose to say it. If you think monied corporations have enough power, or will ever have enough power, to change that basic right, then stick to YouTube for your news; keep listening to Glenn and Rush; and enjoy your future retirement of poverty, no health care, and taxes you cannot pay. I expect to live to be 100, so 35 years from now, we'll see who was right. In the meantime, it's time to go to work getting the rest of those signatures to get Mary Lazich and others recalled and restore balance to the State Senate so that current and future generations will still enjoy the freedoms we are enjoying here today.

"all I have to say is that your reading comprehension skills are very sadly lacking."

Pot to kettle, You're black!

That's the best you can come up with? Sad.

Linda ... Good luck with that recall.
I mean it... sounds like you are truly frightened of what is to come.
You should be happy.....
You are now free....
you're welcome !

Mike

Hi Linda I'm the one with the bad grammer this morning, I've been out working all day while you've on this site. Say what is your intelagent explanation of the Union Goon's ripping up the recall petition today in Merril, for Halpren? Also I am a self employed sales rep on a road trip, [that I pay all my own expenses] And just returned to my Motel room from dinner,and had a teacher for my waitress, and she told me her Union Rep told her That Scott Walker was totaly abolishing the Union"s I went to explain to her, he was just giving her and the rest of the Teachers a freedom of choice, and that the state of WI. was just not going to be the collector's of the Union Due's any more, It was now Her choice just like abortion's, if she wanted to pay those dues or not. Linda I challenge you to prove me wrong, on ether subject. even with my bad grammer.

Linda, do you condone what the Teachers union has done by charging the taxpayers $68 million more this year alone than the state plan for their union owned health care plan? Hundreds of millions over the years. Was this right and justified?

I know this may be a hard question but I think the answer is on page 158 in you union answer handbook.

If you want to see what the teachers in your district realy make with benies here is a link, It is amazing when the left news organizations say it's one number but when you don't factor in the teachers aids and other low pay non teaching positions the salary would jump substantially.

http://www.postcrescent.com/article/99999999/APC0110/80221166/DataMine-Search-Wisconsin-teacher-salaries?appSession=668286385743951

All of you have had all day to respond to the questions that I posed, and yet the only issue you are arguing is teachers and their union. If that is what you think is at stake here, then far be it from me to deprive you of your delusions. I'll just sit back and wait until the reality of it steps up and smacks you in the face. And it will have nothing to do with teachers and who says how much they are paid. I'm sure you believe that there are no poor or disabled people in this Senatorial District, no retired or elderly people either, but you will soon find out otherwise. Some of them are your family and friends. Like I said earlier, get that spare room cleaned out. Your elderly family members will soon be needing somewhere to live.

As well it should be. Family members should take care of each other. My uncle is disabled, we love him so very much that WE take care of him, not the government. I think what is happening here is that this idea that we don't need to depend on the government scares people. Unemployment up to 99 weeks, government getting people out of trouble for home and credit problems, bailouts, etc. I need help, help me over here, what about me! This is becoming the new way for our society and it is sad. I understand there is times we all need help, but when family used to be called upon when rough times hit has now became 'don't worry the government (taxpayers) will bail me out.' That includes the big companies as well, if you fail that's your fault so be smarter next time.

This coddling thing does not work. I don't care if it's a teacher, child, student, public/private worker. Entitlements for everyone must go, and it all begins with the man we put in our State Capitol with our last election.

As Alexis said.... Be very afraid Linda :)

PS... Working for a living isn't that bad. And I don't mean bringing home a pay check , I mean working.

Mike
Hi Linda

Can you respond to my question's or just dodge them 1. Why is the teachers union lying to thier member's about being able to belong to the Union after the bill passes ? Why did the Union Goons rip up the recall petitions in Merrill today, And somthing I did not mention earier, why did my Grand Daughter's Teacher tell her Scott Walker is evil ? And Talks to rich oil men. Boy that is SO profesional of them,and unbiassed of them.

Hi Linda
Is it true what they're now accusing the teacher union members of doing: (1)Sending out lists of WI businesses to boycott who are not backing the teacher's unions position, thereby putting the employees of those businesses at risk of losing their jobs, (2)Using their classrooms as political forums to unduly influence the very children they are there to teach, (3)Turning those same children against their parents who do not side with the union's position, & (4)Bullying their students who are not willing to along with their intimidation tactics.
Sounds to me like they could use some ADULT supervision.

You know what? You're right, all of you. Screw unions. Screw teachers, nurses, police, firefighters, sheriffs, state patrol, hospitals, nursing homes, children, the elderly, the disabled, people who enjoy parks and wetlands, having a say in what we pay for power, local governments, local school districts, the unemployed (most of whom lost their jobs through no fault of their own), public transportation, garbage pick-up, snow removal, for that matter all public services and those who provide them. Screw 'em all. I don't need any of 'em, do you? Of course you don't, right? Right? Cut all them blood-suckers off at the knees. Don't pay 'em a dime. Why should public employees make as much as the rest of us, right? Why should they get health insurance and retirement plans (which they pay for) when our employers have discontinued ours, right? Right? Why should the police and firefighters make a living wage, right? Nobody asks for their help, right? And who needs 'em anyway. Why should disabled children get health care that enables them a higher quality of life than was available 100 years ago, right? Just let 'em all die, right? Don't help anyone out, right? All a bunch of bums, everyone of 'em, right? Right? Right?? Just go on through life believing that no one should have anything you don't have and everything will be just fine. Everyone will be happy and screw anyone who dies in the process. Right?

The sky is falling!!!!!

These unions screwed the taxpayer through its collective bargaining. They are still going to have caddilac health care that most could not afford . So they have to put into a retirement fund that they will get back with interest. The only reason this is an issue is because the unions will loose members volintarily (dues) the union will loose $68 million in free taxpayers money they were scaming from the taxpayers with their collectivly bargained health care.

Linda, please answer a queastion before you start typing word for word from your uniontalking points memo.

Do you believe that the $68 million the teachers union charged the taxpayers this year for their union owned health care when a state equivalent plan was available 8 to $12,000 cheaper per teacher was justified for the tax payers of this state? And if yes please elaborate.

No Dan, it wasn't. But does that justify your utter hatred for people who are not teachers, never have been and never will be? Does that justify giving Walker absolute power to decide who gets health care and who doesn't, without any oversight? Does that justify giving him absolute power to decide to sell off a large tract of wetlands in Green Bay to Gander Mountain, a Koch brothers company? Does it justify giving him absolute power over who owns our power companies and how they are run? Does it justify giving him any of the things he has demanded for himself? If you answer yes to any of those questions, please elaborate. Or don't you trust your republican-dominated Legislature to take care of business? What justifies giving one politician absolute power over anything?

Power?? Power???
Seriously...??
Ok lets see....14 democrats run away because they don't get their way, they won't come back unless it's THEIR WAY.... because they want to have POWER.
Supporters can't SUPPORT Gov. Walker without being bullied or being threatened.. why??? The Unions have to much POWER.
I think it's about time somebody else takes charge & yes........ has some POWER.

As much as I'd love to continue on this site...I too have work to do(what a concept...work)
As Mark said.....I actually work, not just bring home a paycheck or sit home & collect my pension.

Cheers

Linda, can you verify the following from your posts?

sell off a large tract of wetlands - How many acres is large?
Gander Mountain, a Koch brothers company? - I can't verify.
who owns our power companies? - I know WI owns power plants, but what Power Companies?
things he has demanded for himself - What has he demanded for himself.

Shout out to my son's teachers at Butler Middle School. I asked him what his teachers have had to say and none of them have expressed any opinion on the whole budget and union rules subject. One teacher said this when asked directly:

"It's not appropriate for me to offer my opinions on that but I will say that I think teachers have an obligation to show up for work every day."

I am 110% behind the governor. That doesn't mean I forget for one single second that most teachers I know are good people with challenging jobs who care about the education system and the education the kids are receiving.

I simply don't believe the union is similarly motivated. The union is absolutely focused on doing a unions job.... getting the best compensation package it can for it's members for less work and better working conditions.

The union generally pushes those goals while wrapping itself in claims that it's all about the kids.
I believe those goals are often met in ways that work to the detriment of the kids.

I wanted to mention how pleased I am with my kids' teachers here in Waukesha in order to stress that this is not personal!
I think the union negotiating style is literally a force for ill and I want to reduce it's power - it's really that cut and dried. If we can do that by letting the teachers [your neighbors and mine] stop being forced to send their dues to an organization that wastes their money - all the better.

Committee to recall Senator Lazich tonight at the Greenfield Public Library, 6:15 p.m. No "outside agitators" allowed - they like it quiet in the library.
http://wisconsinrecall.net/blog/?category_name=district28

Jake like the lbs up north that took the ladies papers and ripped them up?

Linda, It's obvious the Koch bros were in you union memo, The only problem is it wasn't Gander mountian or the Koch Bros it was Bass Pro Shop that is owned by John L. Morris. The large tract of wetland is a ditch on the side of the road that is full of road salt and sand. The proposed water retention pond for the development was many times bigger and deeper than the ditch and would also be a prime area for aquatic life along with other animals.

This is whats wrong with your type, you listen to the unions or other extremist anti development groups and do your little protest and just ran out of Green Bay an exceptional business that would have employed 100's.

Jake get a life even demacratic Mayors are now stating that Walkers plan is going to save their communities money while keeping "the Children" safe and in class while not laying of teachers or other government employees. The sky is not falling the budget is getting fixed.

Jake, on another post you mentioned you were a a landscape contractor. I asked if you were a union contractor and if you paid your employees union wages and benefits. Since you didn't reply, I'm asking again.

See you tonight, Jake...

Are you taking a drum? Don't sing Kum bye yah to loud you are in a library.

You can still have a sense of humor!!

Exactly Mark, perpetually P Oed people like Linda can't get that. Could you imagin the group at the library last night? I wonder how many people where wearing foil hats! (Linda more humor)

obtw, I will put it as clear as I possibly can for you since you haven't figured it out for yourself yet - I am paid by contractors for jobs that they have bid on and won, or by home owners, per job. I have NO employees. And no, I am NOT paid a union wage. Would you also like to know what color underwear I wear and if I tweeze my nose hairs out or let them grow until they itch. (tweeze)

It is time to stop listening to the hatred and fear spewed by Rush and Glenn and time to stop pretending that the very rich want anything to do with having the likes of us in their "class". The income gap in this country was only this wide once before, during the great depression. Herbert Hoover also thought that the best thing to do was balance the budget. Oops!

Why are you taking the sides of CEO's and big business instead of the people who actually work for a living? Check out this blog and learn something that Rush won't tell you: http://www.franklinnow.com/blogs/communityblogs/118087089.html

Oh, as a sole-proprietor contractor, you can still join the union.

No more excuses.

obtw, You pay $52.00 per hour to your landscapers! That means @ 40 hours per week they earn $2,000 and @ 4 weeks per month they earn $8,000 per month, and @ $8,000 per month for say 9 months of work per year you pay them $72,000! Wow, and I though teachers had lucrative deals.

Are you hiring? I do great work.

Jake, here is a link to the Building Trades Council. The can tell you where you would best fit, but I'd guess The Labors.
http://www.milwbuildingtrades.org/construction_categories.php
Good luck.

So you agree teachers have lucrative deals???
Huh??? I would have figured you'd be crying they are all underpaid & we should all pay their health care & pensions...FOREVER.
Guys I think he is switching sides??

Are you Linda's son Jake??

You can always tell when people have run out of intelligent argument - they slither into the gutter of name-calling, mud-slinging, misguided attempts at humor, and lies. So very typical of the right-wing, neo-con, elitist thugs that are plaguing this country. Your time is almost up. Righteousness has re-emerged in this country now, and we will prevail.

Linda
How did your union rally go at the library last night? I was told this AM that the library had to call in the Hazardous Waste Disposal people, right after your meeting, to get rid of the horrendous stench that you guys left behind. How many of you'll were wearing T-shirts with the closed fist symbol? Is it true that you guys met in the Karl Marx room?

And, again, your post reflects more on the lack of proper parenting and education you received as a child than it does on anything presently happening in State Government. Lack of intelligence and proper education are always displayed by people who rant nonsense instead of presenting an educated argument for their side of an issue. You have publicized your own defeat. When you're old enough to vote, do vote your conscience, not what Glenn and Rush tell you to vote for.

Linda
As so aptly stated by both Glenn & Rush:
ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES, LEARN TO DEAL WITH IT!

Yes, they do Douglas. And when those consequences are illegal, unconstitutional and generally immoral, the citizens have a Constitutional right and responsibility to correct the wrongs that have been done. And, again, if you think all this is only about unions, you are sorely misinformed and very naive.

We all did vote our conscience...and WE WON or did you not receive the memo last November???
I can tell you there are many people who now SUPPORT Gov. Walker, whether you want to believe it or not. Just because we can't take off work to trash the Capitol or protest all day long does not mean there are not THOUSANDS of us out here. We also do not want to have to deal with all the "thugs" associated with your kind, but we ARE out here !!
Oh & I can't stand Rush and.... who is Glenn?? (JK)

I agree. I get sick of people always mentioning Beck and Rush, I personally don't like them. Becks first book wasn't bad but things went south from there.
If you listen to the people we elected and hear what they have to say about what's going on, that's what matters. I don't think I have missed a Walker new conference and it is always reassuring to know he is doing what I elected him to do, fix the budget problem that Doyle left us.
Now... that creates a difficult situation for the left, seeing all they have done was yell, scream and act like fools. They had the extremely 'noble' senators that fled the state too! What exactly were they saying? Oh yeh, I think it was something like 'if I can't get my way I will run away and try to protect my largest campaign donors (er I mean constituents)'.

Linda
Please define; Illegal, Unconstitutional, & Immoral.
Illegal: As in illegal immigrant(Democrat Party constituent)
Unconstitutional: As in Obama & the AG saying they won't defend laws passed by Congress
Immoral: As in Queen Barney
Gee, wonder what's the common thread in all three words?
I know, Democrat ownership.

55 more signatures collected last night in the heart of Republicanville. About 75 volunteers showed to the committee to recall Lazich. If each volunteer collects 300 signatures in 5 weeks, we have the 21,000 necessary. We collected 315 in one day last week @ HWY 100 & Grange.

We will be @ 84th & Grange again Sunday from 12-3. But please, if you are a member of the "moral majority" conservatives that screamed the F-bomb or flipped me off - I think you should know that my seven year old daughter and five year old son that were playing in the park witnessed your acts of vulgarity. Thanks, now they have new words in their vocabulary and a little bit of sign language to go with it.

http://www.recalllazich.com/events.html

Yes, Jake, the epitome of class and dignity, aren't they? And they all wonder why the new moral majority have stood up and declared "no more". They can indulge in all the name-calling, vulgarity, insults, and personal attacks they want to, but it won't stop the tide of moral outrage that is now awakened and aroused in the working people of this state. They're too ignorant/lazy to do their own research so they repeat what they've been told by the talking heads in Madison and Washington. Hope they enjoy it while it lasts, which will not be long. Victory is ours.

LOL LOL
I bet your children are learning all kinds of new things from YOUR people .
Are you kidding?? I was spit on, called every name in the book, pushed, flipped off numerous times, shall I go on?? We were just walking through !!!! My 70 year old father was pushed...FOR NO REASON, he did not have a sign or say anything to anyone. Really??
Oh & that is not the "heart of republicanville" well maybe in your mind.
We had two people trying to get signatures in our area & both left with their tales wagging between their legs. One friend said she tried to talk to one of the gentleman just to see what he had to say and he said that he was "just doing what he was told" & than left.

Alexis, that you find any of this funny on any level clearly demonstrates your own lack of intelligence and contact with reality. Please, stop making a fool of yourself and go back to work.

WOW !
Let's see...some poor 16 year old working so she can buy her first car, may now lose HER JOB because union thugs want to boycott a family owned, Wis based company, and she may not even know who Walker or Barrett are.
We need jobs in WI but yet unions are trying to run businesses out of town or out of business.

Class & dignity?? LOL Oh yes, the animals crawling through the windows in the capitol had allot of "class & dignity" & so did the creepy filthy teacher who yelled "Fox Lies" over & over like some freak of nature.

If a 16 year old is working to buy her first car, and she doesn't know who Walker or Barrett are, she needs to spend more time in school and less time at McDonalds. And as for "the creepy filthy teacher" who you claim yelled "Fox lies" over and over? Again, your lack of intelligence and contact with reality come to light. Who was this "creepy filthy teacher" anyway - the one who failed you in high school English? And when Fox news shows a video purportedly of Madison during the demonstrations that shows no snow and palm trees lining the streets, they are lying. I've never seen palm trees lining any street in Madison, have you?

I was not laughing at WHAT happened, I do not condone that by anyone.
I was laughing at the fact that you guys can't see that your people are 10 times worse !!!
The fact that somebody flipped you off is minor(no not right) compared to having folks rip up petitions, prevent people from signing, threatening to burn down a building if a recall effort takes place there, etc.

Oh & Jake the whole world is not watching....just you & linda.

What window-less little box do you live in Alexis? You obviously do and I suspect it is buried somewhere deep underground where no light comes in. You are almost pitiable.

Wow... you are a mean old lady & so out of touch it's not funny !!
It's 2011 !!
Isn't there a bingo game someplace calling your name???
I'm just sayin'

Typical response from someone who has been proven wrong. When intelligence fails, lower yourself to lame attempts at insult. You clearly are that 16 year old working to get a new car. I suggest you go back to school and take some courses on American History, Economics 101, and basic Mathematics. And while you're at it, ask your mother to teach you some manners and respect. She clearly forgot to.

LOL
Now I AM laughing at you !!

Have a FABULOUS Weekend !! :-)

And, again, you show yourself for who, and what, you truly are.

Regardless of your politics, dailykos polls are reliable. Notwithstanding her rubber stamp votes, I'm concerned about Mary Lazich because her office doesn't respond to calls. A candidate is elected to represent the people of her/his district. She/he was elected by a majority because they supported her stated views on issues and record. Logically, once in office, the candidate becomes something more: an elected official who represents an entire district. Suddenly assumptions are confronted by realities and the candidate has to be sophisticated enough to adjust. Part of that is listening to all constituents to learn everything that is going on. Part of that is reading proposed bills and discussing them with the district. Election is not a mandate to follow your heart, and I'm concerned that, especially with an uncontested election under her belt, Ms. Lazich has lost touch with her district. Even if she isn't recalled, I hope this effort wakes her up. And unrelated, while Repub. recall efforts are from in-state, Dem recalls were started by orgs like Koch-funded PACs, American Patriot Recall, a national organization, etc. (astroturf: big $-funded policy manipulation efforts disguised as efforts started by ordinary Americans [grassroots]). And I wonder how the special interest folks at the Koch brothers' new office across from the Capitol Building are settling in with their new neighbor Scott Walker. Cozy!

Uh oh...Fiscal you had to see that one coming.
They just can't handle what is REALLY going on with the protesters.
I can tell you first hand that sort of thing was/is happening in Madison. Contrary to what Jake may think, I was up in Madison & witnessed such behavior...twice actually !! Folks loaded with class & dignity !

Bill aside (which I know they can't do even for one nano second)
As bren said "regardless of your politics."
Are you guys really on board with ALL of the violence & hatred that is going on around you? I am just curious? Is it really ok for that 16 year girl old to lose her job because of a boycott? or the death threats, phony sick notes, or the graffiti or ripping up petitions? I realize this is something you feel very strongly about but so do we & whether you agree or disagree, one thing I do know for sure is that the things I see going on around me, not on TV, radio or youtube are wrong, really wrong. My friend attends Madison and is sick & tired of her teachers preaching to "attend rallies" &" get involved." Her TA in one class was bragging how her friends were the ones climbing thru the capitol window. How proud those parents must be.
Linda, maybe I am not as smart as you, does that make me a bad person?? or because I support Gov. Walker I am stupid or do I deserve to be spit on or cursed at?? I bet you will justify it somehow. You say I "live in a box" and twice you said I am "not intelligent" and I'm almost pitiable. You really are like all the rest of the self-centered, egotistical people who think they are entitled to something for nothing. I know you are already thinking of things to call me & that my grammar is not perfect & I did not use big enough words or brilliant references but at least I know right from wrong & I am a decent girl.

Alexis, there are morons who attach themselves to every public conflict - my side and yours and everyone else's. And it's always wrong to do the things you cite. And, it's never appropriate for a teacher at any level to bring their own personal political agenda into the classroom. But you're not looking at the bigger picture. As I've said numerous times before, this is not just about unions, although that is what seems to be most peoples' focus. This is also about children and the elderly being cut off from medical assistance they desperately need. This is about the Greendale School District being denied $1.3 million in aid for our schools. That is completely separate from teachers salaries and benefits. That's equipment and text books; sports programs; nurses in the schools for sick children until their parents can come to pick them up; and it means teachers will have to spend even more of their own money on classroom supplies. Is that what you really want to see happen? Greenfield parents have been told that their school district will soon be bankrupt because of the cuts and will have to merge with another district to survive. This isn't what I've been paying taxes all my life to see happen. It is just plain wrong. The weakest members of our society should not have to pay the price for the fiscal irresponsibility of our government - republican, democrat or any other party. I expect our leaders to be better than that and I hope you do too.

I am not a teacher and never have been. And the only people I know at this point in time who can retire with full pension benefits and free healthcare for life are Scott Walker and, well, just Scott Walker.

Fiscal, could you share your source for the salary and pension savings for Greendale? The Greendale school district has an interesting report on post-employment funds, http://www.greendale.k12.wi.us/district/Financialinfo/assets/OPEB-Status-2011.pdf. The other information I found elsewhere on this site http://greendale.patch.com/articles/state-projections-show-greendale-facing-a-438084-budget-gap describes a gap. According to the Greendale school district report, the arrangements with district employees were made back in the days before health insurance costs skyrocketed. At the same time, provisions were made to reduce liability.
The great concern with the proposed budget slashes are their overall impact. For example, a criterion for Fed stimulus funding for county transit funds around the state is collective bargaining. After Scott Walker's "Blue Shirt" incident (canceling a contract for a sculpture after $100K+ was paid), the courthouse security firings (which will cost the county more than $600K), etc., I do not have confidence that Walker or his advisors always understand the legal ramifications of their actions (most recently the procedures surrounding the budget repair bill). So I would appreciate seeing your source, and hope it is from an unbiased entity. Thank you!

If teachers are so overpaid, have such an easy job and live "lavish" lifestyles, then why aren't we all teachers? Because none of that is true. We don't dare take away the retirement or health care benefits from veterans because they provide such a valuable service to our society. Teachers however, heck anyone could do that job right! Wrong! You try it! The service they provide is just as valuable as that of a soldier.

Jake: Do you hang out at the Village Club all summer with all the teachers? Is that where you get your info?

Jake, perhaps you can import some of those non-union teachers from Texas. They will improve Greendale's educational system and lower costs at the same time.

obtw, next time you should do some fact-checking before you post. The percentage of Wisconsin students far outnumbered the percentage of Texas students who met or exceeded the College Readiness Benchmark score in all four core subjects (English, Math, Reading, Science).

http://www.act.org/news/data/10/benchmarks.html?utm_campaign=cccr10&utm_source=data10_leftnav&utm_medium=web

WI students also outperformed TX students when it came to the ACT as well. WI had 69% of its graduates test, while TX only 33%. WI students scored an average of 22.1, TX scored 20.8. http://www.act.org/news/data/10/states.html

Greendale's composite ACT score for 2010 was 24.0.

Keep those non-union teachers in Texas, partner!

Well Jake I do fact checking and your facts don't stand up to academic scrutiny . Try this one:
http://educationnext.org/are-wisconsin-schools-better-than-those-in-texas/

It would also behoove you to check out Virgina, another teacher non-union state.

And if you are rally interested, you'll find that teachers in non-union sates make MORE than teacher in union States. If you can't find it, let me know and all do your research for you.

And even though I didn't see it, CBS recently had an inner city school success story. Starting teachers made $120,000.00. Oh, and they were non-union.

You see Jake I'm not anti-teacher, my wife is one. But I am anti-teacher union. There is a difference, a big one.

Thank you for reasoned response. If you follow the links in the article it takes you to Iowa's blog. He clearly discusses the dropout rate and does more comparisons.

$125K is take home pay.
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/60_minutes/video/?pid=emHeZbI1_zPCejbX7tJjPc9LG1k88nKW&vs=homepage&play=true

T don't think the average teacher's salary of $56,000.00 in MPS is too much. I think some teachers are paid too little and some are paid too much. One of t he problems is that they are all paid the same. I think a math or hard science teacher should be paid more than a gym teacher or a shop class instructor. And a good teacher should be paid more than a bad teacher. And you can't get rid of the really bad ones. Even the teachers know who the bad ones are. But they show up every year and get a step raise. ....Last in - first fired and tenure must go.

I think it's important for taxpayers to expect value for their tax dollars. Let''s take MPS. The average teacher with benefits makes just over $100,000.00. The cost per student at MPS is about $15,000.00. Assume the average class size is 20 (probably larger), that's $300,000.00 per classroom per year. How is the extra $200,000.00 being spent? Does it take $200,000.00 a year in building costs and support staff to support that one teacher and classroom?

There are too many sacred cows in the educational "system'. Major reforms are needed. And I see the teacher's union as the primary obstacle to those reforms.

Jake the Landscaper - BRAVO!! You did the right thing moving from North Carolina to Wisconsin for your children's education. And I'm so happy you brought it up here. I have the ACT/SAT rankings for the 5 states in the USA where no collective bargaining law exists or may even be deemed illiegal. They are as follows: (from the bottom, up)
South Carolina - 50th
North Carolina - 49th
Georgia - 48th
TEXAS - 47th
Virginia - 44th
So for anyone who thinks having a union (to bargain for competitive wages and excellent benefits to attract the best and the brightest teachers) has nothing to do with the quallity of education,..... think again. Just sayin'!!

Well that leaves me some room over in North Carolina for some real golf!! All my kids will have to do is be able to properly count to 72 (288 for a round) on their score card and we should be all set. Screw all that other silly school stuff. I feel the need to reteach my kids half the time they get off the bus from school anyways! The fun part is UNTEACHING some of the social thinking the teachers like to fill them with :)

Anyone not quite sure if tax-payer funded vouchers for charter or private schools is a good idea, check out this article: http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/118442744.html

It is about a now-defunct charter school, L.E.A.D.E.R. that was part of the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, which allows low-income children to attend private schools on publicly funded vouchers. The state Department of Public Instruction issued payments to the school totaling more than $1 million over two years. Henry E. Tyler, 39, former executive administrator of L.E.A.D.E.R. Institute has agreed to plead guilty to mail fraud and money laundering, using part of the money for personal expenses such as jewelry and a visit to a Las Vegas strip club.

Now THAT is where our WI tax dollars should go, towards some guys bling collection or stuffed into the side of a sweaty G-string in Nevada, but NEVER, NEVER into public school teachers' health insurance costs or towards free and reduced lunch for poor inner-city children - that is a WASTE of tax money.

http://www.recalllazich.com/events.html

Its hard to argue with the facts. If you choose not to take the truth into account as you make your decisions, I'd say you are making some poor, uninformed choices. But hey, who cares? For golf, you only need to know how to count to 72 and lots of money. You have confirmed my opinion of most (not all) Republicans.

@Marybeth Mack - you should do some more research on correlation vs. causation. There is a big difference, and many factors go into finding the cause of something vs. simply noticing a correlation. Just saying.

Vote Prosser on April 5th.

Prosser on April 5th
Walker for president 2012 !!

Go Gov. Walker !!

@Marybeth Mack
I love facts! That's usually what makes people Republican. If you like to use quotes and opinions from professors and 'experts' sprinkled in with some funny accounting (see Doyle years) and tons of overreaction and emotion, that usually makes a person a Democrat.

Seeing lots of Prosser signs and that makes me smile :)

You bet!

@Mark

Kloppenberg is the last hope for the moment. If you want to see tons of overreaction and emotion, wait until Wednesday April 6th........ after Prosser wins.

**edit**

I've seen lots of Prosser signs as well. I have one of them ! :-)
I've also seen some of the Walker signs from this past Nov being resurrected.

I saw one Kloppenberg sign & it looked like the homeowner constructed it themselves.
It had the cut & paste look of a bad ransom note. I had to look twice to read it. That was THE only one I saw, but my area is quite conservative so it was not a surprise.

"QUITE" conservative????? That's an understatement!

Settle down ! LOL

Bren wrote-
Question for Douglas Woodard: regardless of your politics, do you believe that becoming a one-p arty nation is a good idea? Do you understand the inherent danger to democracy if only one group of voices is allowed to be heard and to make all policies?"

The answer is we have a one party system NOW. You see, Democrats lost last November but according to them, if they don't have the votes it's OK to run to Illinois, or to challenge everything in court. Even when Republicans win elections fair and square, Democrats will do everything to negate it, for to them, the end justifies the means. This is why Republicans must remain strong and why we will win more inthe next election. For all the games liberal Democrats play means BACKLASH BABY!

I think we should band together and recall all the democrat senators who fled the state like fugitives I dont want to be represented by someone who runs and hides instead of sucking it up and doing thier job. As for collective barganing all you teachers and government workers welcome to the club, welcome to the club! I pay my retirement and until now yours too, it is time you start paying your share. I have taken pay cuts since 2001 while your average salary is double mine. I'm not cring like you babies I am dealing with it. It makes me sick, collective bargaing is NOT a right it IS a benifit and that benifit is destroying this state from the inside out, making my childrens future look bleak.
Conservative power is mighty! gready unions should and will fall.

Union power is mighty! Greedy corporations should fail and will fall!

RECALL MARY LAZICH PETITION SIGNING
Location: HWY 164 AND NATIONAL AVENUE-BIG BEND(STEIN'S/MCDONALD'S)
Time: ‎11:00AM Saturday, April 2nd..

"Union power is mighty! Greedy corporations should fail and will fall!"

Wow Mare lay off the liquer in the morning! Should they fail like GM? Wait! Obama proped them back up and helped the greedy corporation. Isn't he your guy? They have the same tax options as GE oh wait thats another huge Democrat supporter. These greedy corporations supply great jobs for millions of people that pay the taxes used to run the public sector. Your hypocrisy is astonishing.

Should I bring a drum if I were to come to the Mcdonalds? I would get dreadlocks put in but I can't unless I would go to Bosely first.

Would the "tax option" you're refering to for GE be this one?
Tell General Electric: Pay your taxes
act.credoaction.com
GE made over $26 billion in profit over the last five years but paid nothing in federal income tax. Meanwhile, lack of revenue is causing brutal cutbacks across the country. We shouldn't be firing teachers and denying health care to children because GE shirks its responsibility to pay income tax
Should the fact that they do create jobs exempt them from paying their fair share of taxes? Maybe we'd all have a little lower taxes if GE paid theirs, and then you could stop picking on the public sector. Do you REALLY not see that huge tax breaks for these guys under the guise of "but they create jobs....." is allowing some of them to profit unreasonably. GREED is the operative word here. btw Danny boy, my name is Marybeth.....not Mare. Please use it when referring to me (unless of course you mean to call me a female horse....which I sincerely hope is not the case) And could you please tell me how GE is a huge Dem. supporter?

RECALL MARY LAZICH PETITION SIGNING
Location: HWY 164 AND NATIONAL AVENUE-BIG BEND(STEIN'S/MCDONALD'S)
Time: ‎11:00AM Saturday, April 2nd..

Bring your drum......you'll be easy to spot that way!

Mare,

People just need to remember... Corporation are bad and da unions are good.

Isn't it ironic that you are using some corporations and their land for your location to sign the recall petitions?

Hypocrite.

RD - really grasping at straws now aren't we?? Soooo petty!! Maybe they happen to support the cause of democracy......and not all corporations are bad, just the greedy ones that exploit the middle class and suckers.
DB - never mind.....I just found out what you meant

Just spoke to the GM @ Steins and the recall petition will not be allowed to be done on their property unless prior authorization has been obtained from the corporate office which he does not see happening. Stein company policy is not to allow any type of activity such as filming, donations, politicking etc... to be done without this approval. If you are doing this on Stein's property they will ask you to leave.

Update, just spoke to both managers on duty at the McDonald's (Big Bend/National). They also stated that this activity will not be allowed, nor would it be allowed by any group on their property or in their parking lot.

I suppose you could stand in the median of he road? Please keep us updated as to when/where you will be doing this and good luck.

@Linda,

Hey Einstein. I wasn't the one who not once, but twice, gave the Steins/McDonalds as the location for the recall. Set up in the left turn land for all I care. Make sure you don't park in their lots either... those evil corporations.

In case you missed it, Reagan's been dead a long time, and the viability of his economic policies has been dead even longer. Perhaps it's time to enter the 21st century and take a long look around you. There are no jobs, people are losing their homes as a result, children are going hungry, people are dying because of the unavailability of medical care, and this country is spending trillions of dollars on wars we have no business fighting, killing tens of thousands of American soldiers, and leaving even more with crushing injuries that will leave them disabled for life. Somehow, I don't think that's what Reagan had in mind. But if you insist on hiding behind the name of a dead president, so be it. But you make yourself look like a cowardly fool.

Linda said "There are no jobs, people are losing their homes as a result, children are going hungry, people are dying because of the unavailability of medical care, and this country is spending trillions of dollars on wars we have no business fighting, killing tens of thousands of American soldiers, and leaving even more with crushing injuries that will leave them disabled for life."

I completely agree! Obama has been a complete failure and does not keep his promises. The stimulus plan was supposed too create millions of jobs immediately after passing. Obama also told us he would close Guantanamo and end the wars. Now he is starting even more wars! I wasn't aware that his medical plan was already causing deaths either, but that is good to know and another reason why people should not vote for him again in '12. Glad you see it the same way, for a second I thought you may be one of those nut jobs who still tries to blame everything on Bush.

No, dear, I'm not a nut job. And I also did not vote for Obama for President. I thought in '08 that he was too inexperienced to be president and I still feel the same way. But Bush doesn't get a free pass where the economy is concerned, however I will never say it was all his fault. I look at George Bush as just as inexperienced to be president as Obama. I'm quite sure there are many qualified candidates out there. Let's hope the various political parties can come up with viable candidates that won't make us a universal laughing stock, or keep us in so many wars we kill off a whole generation.

RD - The location is Hwy 164 and National Ave. - public property - Stein's/McDonald's is simply given as a landmark. Sorry to put you in such a "tizzy"....lol

Civics lesson 101. A bill is voted on by the Assembly and if passed goes onto the senate. It is voted on in the senate and if passed goes to the governor. If the governor signs it, it should become law. THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!

Not mob rule. Not spoiled drum beaters. Not liberal activist judges interfering where they don't belong.

Hi Lori! I did not mean to ignore you, I've just been busy reading comments here and elsewhere. I won't pretend that I can name "good corporations" just hopeful that there are some out there who do not exploit workers, who give back to society and pay their fair share of taxes. I have to do some looking on that one. I'm borrowing from Bren's comments a few back to help identify some of the bad ones though: AT&T has moved tens of thousands of jobs to the Phillipines. Rather than lifting that economy, AT&T takes advantage and pays exploitative wages. Or perhaps Walmart, whose leadership forces companies to close American factories and move American jobs to China so we can pay a few pennies less for poorly-made products. Or Haliburton, which took billions of dollars of American tax dollars on no-bid contracts during the Bush administration to provide shoddy service to American servicemen in Iraq (charging soldiers for travel, pro-rating soldier's pay to the family during the month that soldier died, etc.), then taking said tax dollars and moving its corporate headquarters to Dubai.

You are right about tax laws needing to be changed. I personally have never had a year where I didn't pay ANY tax. And I wouldn't want to pay any more than what is deemed to be my fair share. But, I don't feel I should be paying nothing either. I feel we should all be willing to pay for the services we enjoy, companies/corporations included. If they need an incentive to locate here let it be that this is a state where new business/new ideas are welcome and encouraged, that provides quality housing and educational opportunities, that this is a state that may give them a break initially, but that we expect them to stay and pay back to the communities in which they locate; not have a free ride forever. We need to close the loopholes. I feel Mercury Marine and Harley Davidson did the right thing by negotiating an agreement with workers/communities/governments that they could all live with and still keep jobs and continue to do business here.

Maybe we need to start giving the tax incentives to companies that keep their business HERE, and produce their products with raw materials that come from HERE, and sell their products HERE, and create jobs HERE. I know I'm rambling and throwing out random thoughts......sorry. Just don't have time right now to do much more. I hope I've answered some of your questions Lori. btw.....I've been reading and enjoying your thoughtful comments here and elsewhere. Please keep posting.

Food for thought for ALL of us!
COLUMN — American workers got what they deserved
www.hollandsentinel.com
Go to the website to read this column.

Sorry about the name Lor-Y......lol. In looking back I see I misspelled it not once, but twice!! and didn't even realize I did it! I do not have the answers to all these questions but you raise valid points. Dollar for dollar trade agreements seem reasonable but I suppose they would have to be enforced by contract and through law. I agree that huge incentives have not worked, so why are we still trying to do the same old thing instead of trying something different? (Why not TRY something new?) I don't have an answer for that either. And I have no documentation, but I would guess its because changing things would take away the "gravy train" some multi-million $ corporations now enjoy and so they put their political prowess to work getting "their guy" in an elected position to oppose new ideas. The difference between what HD and MM did and what Walker is trying to do is this as I see it: He is using taxpayer money (which he claims we don't have) to lure "new business" while at the same time breaking the back of the Wisconsin worker. HD and MM asked/negotiated/bargained WITH workers/communities/government to reach a workable FAIR agreement for all AND they were successful! I feel they were successful because they are established, respected, trustworthy, long-time corporations with strong ties to this state and not solely bent on ONLY profit. I think they are/were genuinely concerned about their workers. .

He (Walker) is not trying to work with EVERYONE for the betterment of the state. He has HIS plan and accepts no one else's ideas if they are different from his. (my opinion) I don't think people trust him, many do not respect him especially not after the way things are shaking out with this whole budget/collective bargaining issue. If he wants to be successful he needs to gain the trust of Wisconsinties.......an area in which (in my opinion) he is seriously lacking. I'm not sure he knows how/can work with ANYONE who has an idea different from his own. I don't doubt that he may have some really good ideas, but if he keeps on with his insistence that only HE is right, I'm not sure how many will still think he is leading us in the right direction. AND, (my opinion) I think he is DEAD WRONG on the cuts he is making in education......superintendents, State superintendent of Public Schools, many school boards think so too.

Did you read the recent MJ article about Mitch Daniels, the governor of Indiana? He zapped collective bargaining for public employees a few days into office with the stroke of a pen. Their agreement wasn't part of the laws so the legislature's votes weren't required. He has basically provided Scott Walker his game plan. I think it's useful to analyze how Indiana has fared in the years since he was first elected. BTW, he was elected to a second term of office. I agree that there is a lot of mistrust of Gov. Walker by a sizable population of Wisconsinites. He may be able to regain it IF his business incentives do end up bearing fruit and our economy rebounds. If his business incentives don't show demonstrable success, then they will be deemed a very poor trade-off for increased costs for public workers and cuts in education. Our state has struggled for several years before the additional business incentives. Utilization of stimulus funds and other state funds as well as loans were used as stopgap measures, but eventually our state had to face that our input of taxes were much less than our desired output. We all must admit that the health of our business community (and adequate taxation derived from their success) is the key to increasing our pool of funds for state workers and services. I'm still willing to give some time to see if this change of governance benefits Wisconsin.

I did not see the article about Mitch Daniels......do you have a link or know the day it appeared in the MJ? Where can I go to find info on how Indiana has done since he was elected which was when.....do you know? When did his second term begin? I am very interested in noting how Indiana has done with these changes and appreciate any direction you can give. Thanks!

I do know that he (M. Daniels) is now facing a lot of opposition, but not sure exactly why.

Here's the link to the article that the MJ ran On Sundary March 27, 2011: http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/118719549.html
It does mention the date he was elected and when his second term began. Most likely, he has supporters and detractors for his decisions. His record will definitely be debated if he runs for president. I have not read much about Indiana's economy, but would like to learn more.

I regret that Walker is our governor and will never vote for another Republican as a result. President Reagan and Tommy Thompson would be considered Democrats by comparison to Tea Party types like Walker. He degrades their good names and the Republican party by pulling the stuff he and Fitzgerald have at the Capitol. It is horrifying that he and his cronies are destroying the democratic process and breaking the law. All they would have had to do was follow the rules if they wanted to pass the bill. Now, he is actually costing the state more as a result. Where is our good state headed under such lawless and embarrassing leadership? Walker is no Reagan and he certainly is no Thompson. What a shame!

Thank you Cathy. If my very staunchly republican mother was alive today, she would be standing right up there with you asking, "What happened to my republican party? Who do these law-breakers think they are?" Needless to say, she and I differed tremendously in our political ideology, but we respected each other's views and never missed an opportunity to change the other's minds. The true, historical, republican party is dead and has been replaced with a bunch of tea-bag-dunking thugs screaming "Let them eat cake" when there is no bread. They are a disgrace to our American history.

Just imagine if that right wing radical JFK was alive today.

Ask not what your State can do for you. Ask what you can do for your State.

Such hubris!!!!

Cathy and Linda, don't dispair - they are on the way out and I think the door will be hitting them in the azz.