Obama's Sequester Spending Cut Disaster Charade Continues

We've known it was coming. The very idea came from the White House. He approved it a year and a half ago, and in November 2011, insisted it be done. What is it? Why the Sequester, of course.

What is a sequester? Automatic spending cuts triggered to go off in 2013, after the 2012 presidential campaign. Sequester was a gimme the money now, I'll economize later deal.

And here is a graph of that Sequestration deal. Nothing cut from present levels of spending, just $85 billion cut from 2 years of* FUTURE spending! Take a look here. (Put your reading glasses on or you might not notice the change.) *Correction: About $44 billion cut from this year, remaining cuts spread out over the next 7 years.

Now our Spender in Chief doesn't want to go through with Sequester cuts and threatens the sky will fall if we don't increase the increase in government spending on Friday. So much for his famous last words from November of 2011 regarding welching on the deal: “Already, some in Congress are trying to undo these automatic spending cuts. My message to them is simple: No. I will veto any effort to get rid of those automatic spending cuts – domestic and defense spending. There will be no easy off-ramps on this one.”

But then our President seems to enjoy running our government in sky-is-falling-crisis mode, or as Peggy Noonan just wrote, "Government by Freakout". And to make sure you freakout, Obama's Federal Immigration officials just approved 100s of illegal convicted criminal detainees released from prison for emphasis on how these budget increase cuts will affect us. Now the President could easily find $85 billion savings by eliminating redundant programs, fraud, and wasteful pork spending but instead chose this avenue to make his point.

Refreshingly, for once Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner is not negotiating this one in advance but is challenging the Senate to 'Get off its [posterior]' to propose other cuts if those in the Sequester deal are unacceptable. Reason being, the House has come up with 2 proposals thus far with no response from the President or Senate. Hope the Republicans stand firm on this.

One reason the president might be balking is that he again is talking about increasing revenues in any substitute sequester deal: "So when the president asks that a substitute for the sequester include not just spending cuts but also new revenue, he is moving the goal posts." 

Increasing revenues could be the real reason for Obama's flip-flop. Incidentally, $85 billion in sequester cuts funds the government for about a week and a half--hardly worth freaking out about.


And here is another heads-up: The debt ceiling/government shut down could come at the end of March, so I would avoid planning any extensive vacations touring our National Historic Sites and Parks until later in the spring. Like a school district facing a budget cut with the threat the cut will eliminate the music program, government threatens to close the Washington Monument* or Grand Canyon, etc. (We had an extensive National Park trip tour planned for the last debt ceiling crisis in April 2011! Rangers told us they put up barricades to block park entrances the eve of the debt ceiling agreement--just in case. That agreement was reached at the 11th hour, 11pm our time.) 
*Washington Monument is presently closed for repairs.


More Reading:
Bob Woodward: Obama's sequester deal-changer
President Obama in 2011: 'No Easy Off-Ramps' on Sequester
Noonan: Government by Freakout
Federal Spending Without and With Sequester Cuts
Boehner tells Senate to 'Get off its [posterior]
Immigrants Released Ahead of Automatic Budget Cuts

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, WisPolitics Quorum Call, Wisconsin Reporter, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation, VoteWatchWI, The Way <><

Only Disney's Obama swears to uphold Constitution daily

On President Obama's first Inauguration, he put his hand on the Bible and swore to uphold the Constitution. During his first term, however, he did everything but.

Yesterday he swore in for his second term, using 2 Bibles. But before he even reached that date, his actions already negated many of our Constitutional rights with the sweep of his Imperial, Executive pen.

He circumvented the Constitution and our Congress with his Executive Order on immigration. His EPA sends out its decrees that usurp our liberties and property rights. His 23 Executive Orders relating to gun control infringe on the 2nd Amendment.

In recent days, some Democrats allude to the 14th Amendment as justification for a president raising the debt ceiling without Congress! (The 14th Amendment dealt with Reconstruction: Citizenship, Civil Rights, and paying Civil War debt. It was not meant to authorize a carte blanche credit line.)

The President is acting more and more like an Imperial President, not a co-equal branch of the government.

Alas, only the animatronic Disney version of our president swears to uphold our Constitution multiple times a day. The real President Obama thwarts our Constitution every chance he gets.

Mark Levin: If Obama sidesteps Congress on debt ceiling, 'no choice' but impeachment 
Mark Levin refers to Obama as the Imperial President in his book Ameritopia: The Unmaking of America 

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, WisPolitics Quorum Call, Wisconsin Reporter, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation, The Way <><

Republicans stuck between a Barack and hard place must unite, stand firm, and go on offense

We averted the so-called fiscal cliff this week with mixed results: some say Republicans caved on raising taxes, some say Republicans protected most taxpayers, some Democrats thought Obama lost. I was surprised that Conservative Senator Ron Johnson voted for it and pleased that Senator Marco Rubio and our Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner didn't. But honestly, under the no floor debate, lame duck, back room negotiating circumstances, I don't know how this could have been resolved in a positive way. If Republicans had voted it down, Obama would just have come back later to play the role of hero by enacting a middle tax cut, knowing he had already turned up the tax heat on all those evil rich. We would have needed more proactive leadership in Congress and have been discussing this all year long, not just in the eleventh hour to achieve a better outcome.

The only positive thing to come out of the deal was that the Bush tax rates were made permanent for 98% of American earners. (Permanent as long as Republicans hold the majority in the House, that is.) But even this is Kabuki theater because our tax burden is still going up with other tax increases already in place as of Jan. 1st and new revenue increases via eliminating some deductions that were part of the fiscal cliff deal as well.

With the Bush tax rates now at least set for the 113th Congress, Republicans could for once in their lives go on the offense and get the message out that our out of control spending cannot, cannot continue. Republicans could redeem themselves by presenting a united front in the House and Senate and standing firm against increasing the debt ceiling by another 3 trillion dollars as the president wants.

But this will only work if they start talking about it now and are willing to draw the line in the debt ceiling sand and say, no further.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Pat Toomey talked about this on Jan. 2nd. McConnell said, "'We have an immediate opportunity to act: the debt ceiling,' McConnell said. 'Washington’s credit card has reached its limit again, and the Senate majority must act on legislation early in February—rather than waiting until the last minute, abdicating responsibility and hoping someone else will step in once again to craft a last-minute solution for them.'”

Toomey was more emphatic, “'[Obama] got a $2 trillion debt limit increase just 17 months ago — blew through all that,' Toomey said on Morning Joe. 'We will only solve this problem when we finally get the spending under control. And the debt ceiling, and after that, the continuing resolution expiration — those are the vehicles that give us the opportunity to insist on making progress on the real problem.'”  He "suggested" a "partial government shutdown" may be necessary to make the point, where truly necessary spending is continued and funded via tax revenue income, and non-essential spending is stopped.

Getting the Republican message out is a problem with the pro Obama Praetorian press ruling the media markets. Maybe Republicans could hire the same people who created Senator Ron Johnson's ads for his senate campaign. Johnson's ads were short, concise, and explained just what was at stake with our out of control spending. We really need messaging like that in the GOP.  RNC, are you listening?

I urge you to contact your legislators and tell them to stand firm on the debt ceiling. We have less than a month to do this.
Contact your Representatives and Senators
Find your  U.S. Senators by last name
Wisconsin's  U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (202) 224-5323
Wisconsin's   U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (202) 224-5653

Find your  U.S. House of Representatives member by state
House Representative James Sensenbrenner Washington D.C. (202) 225-5101, Brookfield (262) 784-1111

House Speaker Boehner phone line (513) 779-5400

More Reading: 
Norquist: Take 'fiscal cliff' deal
Morning Bell: Fiscal Cliff and Tax Hikes to Start the New Year
Mitch McConnell: Debt ceiling offers opportunity to cut spending
Strassel: The Debt-Ceiling Fight Will Be Dirty h/t Jay Weber

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, WisPolitics Quorum Call, Wisconsin Reporter, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation, The Way <><

Tell Republicans to stand firm: No New Taxes

They call it the Fiscal Cliff. Falling off it is seen as disastrous to the U.S. economy and will cause us to fall back into recession. (Did we ever leave it?) If we do nothing to avert the cliff, we fall off on New Year's Eve.

But what is the Fiscal Cliff? Primarily, it is the end to the Bush Tax Cuts they band-aided back into law in December of 2010. It also includes expiration of the Payroll Tax Cut, which has little support from either side of the aisle. If you remember, it reduced the Social Security payroll deduction from 6.2% to 4.2% so workers would have a bit more take home pay. (Did you even notice?) However, it also reduced the amount of money flowing into the Social Security coffers--a bad idea for an entitlement already facing solvency issues. The $700 billion or so Doc Fix, military reductions, and some token spending cuts also part of the mix.

Our Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner wrote, Don't trade a cliff for an iceberg.  In it he points out,

Currently, the US debt is on track to reach 187 percent of GDP by 2035. But unlike Greece, there is no "Germany" to bail us out. If our debt reaches this level, an international economic crisis would ensue. 

The President and Congressional Democrats have called for a “balanced” approach to reducing the deficit. 

But their approach has been anything but balanced. The President’s “offer” included $1.6 trillion dollars in taxes and $400 billion in spending cuts. That’s neither balanced nor helpful for our economy. When spending on entitlements is 62 percent of our budget, the President’s focus on tax increases is not going to cut it.

We can’t solve our debt problem without economic growth, and tax hikes could cost 710,000 jobs according to an independent Ernst &Young study.

Simply put, the President wants no cuts in spending, in fact wants even more increases including another Stimulus! Obama wants to increase taxes on the "rich" that will raise only around $85 billion, enough to run our country for 8 and a half days. So losing over 700,000 jobs in exchange for running the government for 8.5 days is a good deal?

House Speaker John Boehner has been offering up plans, even more generous than last time, to President Obama. They include increases in tax revenue by closing loopholes. But on whose authority? Boehner certainly doesn't have the backing of his party. By the way, Obama rejected his offers.

So at this point, if you don't want America to increase tax rates, spending, and debt, I think your representatives need to hear from you.  I would like to see the House pass an extension of the Bush Tax Cuts for all income levels, then see what the President offers. Don't forget we have a debt ceiling deadline coming and Obama will need Republican votes then.

Contact your Representatives and Senators
Find your U.S. Senators by last name
Wisconsin's U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (202) 224-5323
Wisconsin's U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (202) 224-5653

Find your U.S. House of Representatives member by state
House Representative James Sensenbrenner Washington D.C. (202) 225-5101, Brookfield (262) 784-1111

House Speaker Boehner phone line (513) 779-5400

More Reading:
The Social Security payroll tax cut: Let it die
Don't trade a cliff for an iceberg

Boehner tax increase sparks conservative backlash

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, WisPolitics Quorum Call, Wisconsin Reporter, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation, The Way <><

Nov. 6, 2012 Wisconsin ballot picks: Romney, Thompson, Ryan, Hutton, Kooyenga, Gudex ...

In person absentee voting is over in Wisconsin, so this Tuesday, the big "E" day* is it! It's the day we can return the United States to its Constitutional roots. Voter turnout is key, so disregard the latest polling data, which is often very skewed (CNN called it a tie but used D+11 to get there. In 2008 it was D+7 !) Just go vote Republican to preserve liberty.

If you still need some inspiration, watch these young teens' plea in Voices Without a Vote.



Voting and Poll Information: If you don't know what districts you live in, specific directions for finding your specific ballot here.  

This year, depending on where you live, you may need to vote for the same person in 2 different races on the ballot: Residents in Congressman Paul Ryan's Congressional District 1, MUST remember to vote Ryan for Congress  IN ADDITION to voting for the Romney/Ryan Presidential ticket. If you fail to remember, the Democrat Congressman could win and Republicans will lose the seat.

Same situation for Wisconsin State Assembly District residents in Paul Farrow's District 98 and Chris Kapenga's District 99. Constituents must vote for them in TWO places on their ballots:Once in the Assembly race and again in the 33rd Wisconsin State Senate District Primary. If you forget to vote for Farrow or Kapenga in their Assembly races, the opposing Democrat candidates could prevail.

Polls open at 7am and close at 8pm. If you aren't in line at 8pm, you will not be allowed to vote. Listed below are my picks for the major races on Brookfield's and neighboring areas Nov. 6, 2012 Presidential & General Election ballot. Being the conservative I am, I am voting for the Republican in all races, because we don't belong to the government as Democrats declared at their convention, the government belongs to us!  However, you must vote for each individual candidate, because Wisconsin no longer offers a straight party ticket choice. 

So here it goes, from the major races to the more specific in our area of the state, in the same order they appear on your ballot. Each race and candidate name will be in bold, so you can easily scroll down and find them, with candidate websites and pertinent links below.

However, before you scroll down the page to find your specific district races, Waukesha County voters should know the only contested county government race on their ballot is WAUKESHA COUNTY CLERK.  Kathleen Novack the Republican is running against a Democrat. This might seem like an unimportant race, but as anyone involved with election observing, poll watching, or observing recounts knows, we need a Republican in this position!  Vote Novack.

PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES:  Mitt Romney / Paul Ryan (Republican) 
This is the most important election of my lifetime. Like Ronald Reagan after Jimmy Carter, I believe Mitt Romney is the right man for such a time such this. Romney supports biblical values, repealing ObamaCare, lower taxes, energy independence, job creation, etc. He offers Real Change From Day One. In fact, Madison's liberal Wisconsin State Journal endorsed Mitt Romney: "Not enough hope and too little change. ...This is not an easy endorsement to make. ...We endorsed Obama for change last time around. Now we’re endorsing change again: Mitt Romney."
Romney for President
21 Newspapers Switch to Romney 
Ann Coulter: Romney is what the country needs now
CNN's Erin Burnett fact-checked Obama's second term plan, it's old and doesn't add up.

US SENATOR:  Tommy G. Thompson (Republican)
All of Wisconsin votes for US Senator. My vote goes to Tommy Thompson for a whole host of reasons but mainly to be the 51st vote to repeal ObamaCare and help Republicans gain the majority in the Senate. If they don't, the gridlock continues: Democrat Senate Majority Leader already said he won't work with Romney (or the Republican House). Tommy would also be another vote against Supreme Court activist justices (think Kagan and Sotamayor) and a vote for Supreme Court Originalist Justices, who would follow the Constitution.
Tommyforwisconsin
Madison's Wisconsin State Journal: Tommy best to tackle Washington  gridlock
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Baldwin's voting record places her among top liberals

Tommy Thompson, Wisconsin & all of U.S need you to stop ObamaCare


US CONGRESSIONAL RACES                                                                            

CONGRESSIONAL - DISTRICT 1:  Paul Ryan (Republican)
In addition to voting for the Mitt Romney / Paul Ryan ticket for President, residents in District 1 will vote for Ryan in the Congressional race. This is because Paul Ryan was picked by Mitt Romney for Vice President, and Wisconsin's Favorite Son Rule allows him to be on the ballot twice. If the Romney/Ryan ticket prevails, there will be a special election next year to fill his seat. District 1 includes parts of New Berlin, and fans out from there to cover the southeastern corner of the state.
Paul Ryan House Website
Paul Ryan for U.S. Congress

CONGRESSIONAL - DISTRICT 4:  Dan Sebring (Republican)   
Vote Dan Sebring so"In November we can say, 'No Moore'!" District 4 has been redistricted to now include Bayside, Fox Point, Whitefish Bay, Shorewood, Glendale, Brown Deer, most of Milwaukee, and south along the shoreline to South Milwaukee. People I know in these areas are livid that they lost Jim Sensenbrenner and now have Gwen Moore as their representative.

Republican Dan Sebring hopes to change that with his candidacy. He says, "You have a choice of whether you would like to embrace my opponent’s collectivist vision that “it takes a village” and you need government assistance in order to succeed, or my vision that you, the individual should be making decisions that determine your own destiny, without government interference." Sebring is endorsed by 4 Pro-life groups, Senators Alberta Darling and Leah Vukmir, among many others. Check out his issues page. He has pledged to oppose any debt limit increases unless Congress adopts Cut, Cap, and Balance.

Even though we are bombarded with non-stop political ads, I never tire of hearing his 'No Moore' ad featuring Gwen herself screeching, "Scott Walker, you gotta go baby, cuz we don't want you no more!" 
District 4 map
Dan Sebring for US Congress
Listen to Sebring's 'No Moore' ad on job creation

CONGRESSIONAL - DISTRICT 5 - REPUBLICAN - F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. 
Jim Sensenbrenner is running unopposed, but he still gets my support.

STATE SENATE    -    Wisconsin needs to regain its majority here 

STATE SENATE - DISTRICT 4:  David D King (Independent)
Independent David King is running for State Senate against Democrat Lena Taylor in the 4th district. He would be a welcome change! Certainly more favorable to job creating,  pro-family, and pro-business legislation.
David King for State Senate
Senate District 4 map includes Assembly Districts 10, 11, 12

STATE SENATE - DISTRICT 18:  Rick Gudex (Republican) Sen. Leah Vukmir alerted me to Rick Gudex, a pro-jobs, fiscal conservative. He is in the Fond du Lac area running against the incumbent Democrat, who won in the 2011 recall election against Republican Randy Hopper. I would love to see this district return to the Republican column. We need to gain a healthy majority in the State Senate if we want to see good for Wisconsin legislation passed such as the mining bill. Don't forget voter ID and Act 10 are mired down in the Dane County Judicial snare.
Rick Gudex for Senate
Senate District 18 map includes Assembly Districts 12, 13, 14

STATE SENATE - DISTRICT 20:  Glenn Grothman (Republican)
Grothman is a solid conservative in the West Bend area.

STATE SENATE - DISTRICT 28: Mary Lazich (Republican)
Lazich from New Berlin represents suburbs to our south.

STATE SENATE - DISTRICT 33:  Vacant Seat - Primary election in District 33 between Republican Assembly Representatives Paul Farrow and Christ Kapenga.
Former State Senator Rich Zipperer resigned his Senate seat to join Governor Walker's administration as Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Legal Counsel to the Governor. Residents of the 33rd Senate District will choose between Farrow and Kapenga, who presently each serve in Wisconsin's Assembly (If I lived in the 33rd, I would be hard pressed to choose between them.)

Chris Kapenga is a CPA and business owner, who states he's pro jobs, pro business, pro life, for limited government.
Paul Farrow platform is much the same. He is endorsed by Lt. Gov. Kleefisch, Sen. Leah Vukmir, and a host of others.
Senate District 33 map includes Assembly Districts 97, 98, 99 - Hartford, Lisbon, Pewaukee, west Brookfield, Waukesha areas.

WISCONSIN STATE ASSEMBLY                                                                       

ASSEMBLY - DISTRICT 13:   Rob Hutton (Republican)
This is an open seat due to redistricting, so there is no incumbent. However, Brookfield native Rob Hutton does have a very  liberal Democrat opponent from Wauwatosa, who signed the recall, failed in bid for mayor, and is adamantly against voucher schools.

The new new district now includes southern Brookfield, Elm Grove, Wauwatosa, West Allis and Milwaukee. In Brookfield, it combined the southern half of the former 98th and former 14th Districts. I was not too pleased when I was redistricted out of the 14th Assembly District, because it meant losing my Rep. Dale Kooyenga. But Conservative businessman Rob Hutton will be a very worthy replacement.

Hutton is in fact endorsed by Representative Kooyenga, as well as former State Senator Ted Kanavas. Hutton ran a vigorous primary campaign by visiting  over 7,000 homes in District 13, "...talking to people and really listening to what are their top-of-mind issues". By restructuring his responsibilities at his business Rock Transfer & Storage, Inc., Hutton is ready to make representing us in Madison his priority.
Rob Hutton Website: Conservative Republican for Wisconsin State Assembly 13th District
Facebook: Rob Hutton
Past Post: Rob Hutton for Wisconsin Assembly District 13
GOP Assembly Candidates from District 13, 14, 15 Share Belief Wisconsin is Headed Right Direction 

ASSEMBLY - DISTRICT 14:  Dale Kooyenga (Republican Incumbent)
Dale Kooyenga, served in Iraq, now is a Captain in US Army Reserve. He brings his CPA skills and small business experience to Madison. Kooyenga was my former representative prior to redistricting. He now represents northern Brookfield, Wauwatosa, and a small portion of Milwaukee. "On a daily basis I am working for fiscal accountability, freedom and liberty (e.g. free market principles) and for an overall strong Wisconsin."

In spring, Kooyenga was appointed as Vice-Chair to a Legislative Council Study Special Symposium Series to Study State Income Tax Reform Did you know Wisconsin was rated 43rd least favorable tax states for business, and that some Wisconsinites pay no income tax but still receive a tax refund? We need reform!
Past Post: Sept. 7, 2010 "I have decided on Dale Kooyenga. His platform and endorsements resonate with me..."

Representative Dale Kooyenga Home Page
GOP Assembly Candidates from District 13, 14, 15 Share Belief Wisconsin is Headed Right Direction 
Dale Kooyenga For State Assembly  Conservative Republican

ASSEMBLY - DISTRICT 15:    Joe Sanfelippo  (Republican)
Joe Sanfelippo, a voice of sanity on the Milwaukee County Board,  states he is running for Wisconsin Assembly District 15  "To protect the future for our kids by building on the progress we have made so far."  This is an open seat. He is endorsed by  State Reps Kuglitsch, Craig, Knodl, Voss, Honadel, and Kooyenga.

Joe Sanfelippo State Assembly 
Assembly District 15 map 
GOP Assembly Candidates from District 13, 14, 15 Share Belief Wisconsin is Headed Right Direction 


ASSEMBLY - DISTRICT 24:   Daniel Knodl (Republican)
Dan Knodl, incumbent, currently serves as Assistant Majority Leader for the Republicans

Knodl for Assembly  "Dan Knodl is somebody who understands that Madison had a spending problem."
Dan Knodl Assembly District website
Assembly District 24 map includes areas in Germantown, Menomonee Falls, River Hills, Glendale, Brown Deer

Don't forget, Assembly District 98 and 99 residents also must vote for Farrow and Kapenga respectively  for Wisconsin Assembly

ASSEMBLY - DISTRICT 98:    Paul Farrow (Republican)

ASSEMBLY - DISTRICT 99:   Chris Kapenga (Republican)


That's it. The polls will be busy tomorrow;  don't wait until the last minute, especially if you need to register.

*Nickname courtesy of Mark Levin


2012 Blog Posts:

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• 1st Debate: Romney? Presidential, capable, Obama? ..clearly a drag.
• Max Lucado's 40 Days of Prayer For USA starts today...
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• Great 1st week for Romney/Ryan ticket
• Rob Hutton for Wisconsin Assembly District 13, ...

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, WisPolitics Quorum Call, Wisconsin Reporter, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation, The Way <><

Tommy Thompson, Wisconsin & all of U.S. need you to stop Obamacare

It may sound dramatic, but it is true: America must have a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate, if we have any hope of repealing ObamaCare, reducing the size of government, and just plain getting anything done in Washington D.C. Though I supported another candidate in the primary, I wholeheartedly support Wisconsin's Tommy Thompson for U.S. Senate now. Most importantly, Thompson is a social conservative: pro-life, pro traditional marriage, and pro family. He has a record of being able to get things done, even with a Democrat controlled legislature.

In addition, Thompson pledged to be the "51st vote" to repeal "ObamaCare," something the majority of Americans consider to be a #1 priority. From his website: "The law isn’t even close to being fully implemented, but its flaws are already so clearly obvious and the threat to our economy so real that we must start completely over."

The economic threat Thompson referred to is the $716 billion Obama removed from Medicare to pay for ObamaCare, the $800+ billion in new ObamaCare taxes that will kick in on Jan. 1 2013, our rising insurance premiums to cover all the people included in ObamaCare, and my personal favorite, the IRS' latest intrusion coming into your life (and wallet) by adding a new tax form. It will require you to report what qualifying insurance plan you have, or pay the penalty tax--2.5% of adjusted gross income--for not being insured. (That is the fine; it doesn't purchase insurance!)

And Gov. Tommy Thompson's opponent? That would be Madison's extreme liberal, Democrat Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, a self-identified lesbian, favoring gay marriage and abortion on demand up until birth. She ranks so far to the left, Thompson quips, "Nancy Pelosi has to turn left to talk to her," and that isn't just campaign speak. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported, Baldwin's voting record places her among top liberals: Baldwin scored 19th most liberal; Pelosi was the 43rd most liberal.

The Journal also stated, "Baldwin voted in favor of... No Child Left Behind; the $787 billion stimulus bill (now estimated to cost $831 billion); and was a backer of the Affordable Care Act [ObamaCare]" She was so liberal, though she voted for ObamaCare, she didn't think it went far enough--Baldwin really wanted "a single-payer system" a government takeover of our healthcare system that would pay for all healthcare costs.

During her 14 years in Congress, she voted against the Bush tax cuts, which means, she was in favor of raising taxes on the middle class, which is most of us. Baldwin also voted against "tougher sanctions against Iran four times" before she became a U.S. Senate candidate. Now that she is running for Senate, she voted 2 times in favor. Uh-huh.

"What about the claim that Baldwin has accomplished little as a legislator?" Well, the Journal mentioned she renamed a post office, expanded screenings for breast and cervical cancer and also helped visually impaired veterans get disability benefits in 2007. Last year, she introduced the Safe Cosmetics Act, a law that if enacted would put small personal care/cosmetic companies and beauty salons out of business. 

And it is on her lack of accomplishment that her own district's paper, Madison's Wisconsin State Journal endorsed Tommy Thompson! Amazing. They wrote:"Tommy Thompson has a long record of getting things done, often through compromise.His likeable but very liberal opponent, Tammy Baldwin, does not. ...Thompson still shows promise as a leader who will demand action [such as fixing "America's fiscal mess" and "jobs"] in Washington, rather than sticking to partisan games."

The LaCrosse Tribune, a pretty liberal area of the state, also endorses Tommy: Our view: Thompson best choice for Senate  It's clear, they admire Baldwin's passion but support Thompson because "[he] runs on a rich record of accomplishment in leading our state during a period when the governor and Legislature were on different sides of the political fence for 12½ of those 14 years. ...We think that ability is needed in Washington, too."

The Beloit Daily News echos the same sentiments in Thompson for US Senate: "Thompson has a proven track record as a deal-maker and problem-solver. Considering the magnitude of the issues facing the nation, and the get-nothing-done partisanship which has hogtied Congress, we believe Washington could use someone who knows how to get to the handshake." And there are others.

And so it seems, in light of the dire straits we find our nation in, even liberals see the need for common sense measures. We really must start addressing and solving some of our country's problems. Tommy Thompson is the man to do just that. 

Sadly, Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has stated he will not work with President Romney, should he win, and so, the gridlock in Washington will continue unless Republicans gain a majority in the Senate.

This is why Sen.Jim DeMint recently wrote: Why is electing conservatives to the U.S. Senate so important? "Without a conservative Senate, we won't repeal Obamacare... won't balance the budget.... won't secure our borders... we won't stop the bailouts... we won't enact the pro-growth policies needed to get America back to work."

I would add we won't be able to appoint Supreme Court Justices who favor judicial restraint or achieve energy independence by drilling here.

So you see, much is at stake here. We cannot do anything about the out of state senate races except donate to their cause, but in state, we can vote for Tommy Thompson for US Senate and the Mitt Romney / Paul Ryan ticket, 2 races even Madison's Wisconsin State Journal supports: Wisconsin State Journal Flips for Romney 


Side note: Don't forget your Republican Congressmen. If you live in Paul Ryan's Congressional District 1, you vote for him there as well. In Tammy Baldwin's District 2, vote for Chad Lee, a Republican businessman.

More Reading & Link List: 
Tommyforwisconsin
New ObamaCare Tax Form Mandates Americans Report Personal Health ID Info to IRS.
Five More ObamaCare Taxes Hitting in 60 Days  
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Baldwin's voting record places her among top liberals
Tammy Baldwin Sets Benchmark for Far-Left Ideologues

Madison's Wisconsin State Journal: Tommy best to tackle Washington  gridlock 
La Cross Tribune: Our view: Thompson best choice for Senate  
Beloit Daily News: EDITORIAL: Thompson for US Senate
Reid: We Won't Work With Romney
Do you want to repeal Obamacare?
Madison's Wisconsin State Journal: Wisconsin State Journal Flips for Romney "'This is not an easy endorsement to make,' the paper’s editorial board wrote. 'We endorsed Obama for change last time around. Now we’re endorsing change again: Mitt Romney.'"
21 Newspapers Switch to Romney

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, WisPolitics Quorum Call, Wisconsin Reporter, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation, The Way <><

Aug. 14, 2012 Primary picks--it's still Eric Hovde, Rob Hutton, plus others

Listed below are my picks for the major races on today's Partisan Primary Ballot for the southern half of Brookfield. You can find your sample ballot, voting place, and status by filling out your information here, then click on your name, and then click on the View sample ballot link toward the bottom of the next page.

Since this is a partisan primary, a party preference must be declared. Crossover voting will not be allowed.

First race on the ballot and on everyone's mind is the US Senate race, so I will start there.

US SENATOR - REPUBLICAN - Eric Hovde

A month ago, I was pretty sure I was voting for Eric Hovde for U.S. Senate. Now it is the big day, and Eric Hovde still has my vote. If you still are undecided, the following is for your consideration. Not only is he the most likable of the 4 men running, I believe he is the best equipped to do the job in the US Senate and deal with the difficulties our nation faces. His strong business bent will compliment the Romney / Ryan ticket well.

A few days ago, I heard the first airing of Wisconsin State Senators Leah Vukmir and Glenn Grothman's radio ad endorsing Eric Hovde for U.S. Senate. I knew Vukmir was backing Hovde for months; Glenn Grothman's support was news to me.  Since I consider Leah Vukmir and Glenn Grothman 2 of Wisconsin's leading conservative Senators in Madison, I value their opinions.  Here is their radio ad:

 

Grothman also stated: "'I have gotten to know Eric Hovde quite a bit during the past eight months... His knowledge of the issues is amazing. His interest in small community banks gives him a special understanding of some of the bailouts of reckless and well-connected institutions. It also gives him knowledge of our monetary system that is probably unmatched in Congress. Simply put, we need Eric Hovde,' "

Vukmir and Hovde also made this ad. Listen  as did State Senator Frank Lasee.

We need people who are well versed in banking and business practices in Washington. For example, Hovde has been criticized for not signing Grover Norquist's anti-tax "'Taxpayer Protection Pledge' which commits candidates to opposing any legislation that would result in any type of tax increase." The other 3 candidates have signed it. But when Hovde explained his reasons for not doing so, I realized just how complex this issue is and how right he was to reject it.

Here is Hovde's explanation to Green Bay conservative talk show host Jerry Bader: 
"...Norquist’s pledge simply protects the status quo, in which politically connected corporations carve out giant loopholes in the tax code. When anybody attempts to close those loopholes, Norquist brands them as 'tax hikers.' ”

“Behind the story with Grover Norquist is he’s funded by giant corporations that have created loopholes in our tax system,' said Hovde. 'We need to lower the rates, but we also have to get rid of the corporate welfare. How is a small business going to compete if they’re trying to compete against General Electric, that in some years, pays nothing because they can buy off Washington politicians?' "

The thing that really made me shake my head in disgust was when Hovde cited this example: "...last year... Senate Republicans pushed to eliminate $6 billion in ethanol tax credits. ...but Norquist insisted that eliminating any type of tax credit amounted to a tax increase and thus opposed the measure."


WISN's Jay Weber interviewed Eric Hovde on his radio show last week. The interview was about 15 minutes long. Listen  I think it will help voters gain a better sense of who Eric Hovde is, what he stands for, and how he is best suited for the job.

So by this time tomorrow, we should know who our candidate is for the November election against liberal Tammy Baldwin. The good news is that any one of the 4 Republicans running  will be vastly better than Baldwin and than our current Senator Herb Kohl. But I hope Wisconsin doesn't just settle for the better when they could have the best.

Website: Eric Hovde U.S. Senate  Issues page
Past Post: For me, it's Hovde, Fitzgerald, Neumann, Thompson, in that order

CONGRESSIONAL - DISTRICT 5 - REPUBLICAN - F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. 
Jim Sensenbrenner is running unopposed, but he still gets my support!

ASSEMBLY - DISTRICT 13 - REPUBLICAN -  Rob Hutton
This is an open seat due to redistricting. The district now includes southern Brookfield, Elm Grove, Wauwatosa, West Allis and Milwaukee. In Brookfield, it combined the southern half of the former 98th and former 14th Districts..

As I wrote before, I was not too pleased when I was redistricted out of the 14th Assembly District, because that meant I lost my Rep. Dale Kooyenga. But Conservative Rob Hutton seems to be a very worthy replacement. He is in fact endorsed by Representative Kooyenga, as well as former State Senator Ted Kanavas. And like Dale Kooyenga, Hutton is getting to know the residents in this newly drawn district by going door to door. Hutton has visited  over 7,000 homes, because he believes that "The times we live in are difficult and people are weary of negative television and radio ads [and repetitive Robo-calls].  Physically talking to people and really listening to what are their top-of-mind issues brings our whole system into perspective."

For constituents who live outside of Brookfield and don't know much about Hutton's more prominent opponent, Tom Schellinger, let me just say he is Brookfield's perennial candidate, often running for multiple races--sometimes 3 at a time! In 2005, his antics captured the attention of Journal Sentinel columnist Laurel Walker. She poked fun at his efforts in a piece titled, If at first you don't succeed, run again. She referred to Schellinger as "Waukesha County's own Harold Stassen."

Things haven't changed over the years. This year he ran unopposed for Waukesha County Supervisor and Brookfield Alderman. Though there was little chance he would regain his twice lost Alderman seat, I believed if he won, the dual role would be a conflict of interest. So I wrote: Conflict of interest? Schellinger for County Supervisor & Brookfield

I believe being my County Supervisor AND Wisconsin Assembly Representative would also create a conflict of interest. Plus, what kind of person would run unopposed for County Supervisor, knowing he would win that race, and run for Alderman in that same spring election, while planning all along to also run for the Wisconsin Assembly?

Then there is the issue of his campaign style: Schellinger sinks to new low with misleading campaign literature (Includes many links to past posts)

But conflict of interest and misleading campaign literature aside, just what kind of Assembly Representative would Schellinger make? Perhaps his failed 2010 bid for Mayor of Brookfield might give you some insights. (He again was running for multiple races that year.) The Candidate Forum consisted of the 4 men in the race and questions were put to each one. I remember it became almost laughable when Schellinger answered many times that his idea, his solution to whatever the question was to study the issue.

For example, when the question was whether a high speed rail stop in Brookfield would have a positive or negative impact on our city, he answered, "'I think this is going to be a very interesting debate for the community.' He says he'd like to appoint a task force with voices from across the community to look at the positives and negatives.'" He couldn't give his opinion. Knowing what our Republican legislators went through in Madison this past term, the death threats, the occupation, the tension, I cannot imagine Schellinger being a good fit for the task.


Rob Hutton Website: Conservative Republican for Wisconsin State Assembly 13th District
Facebook: Rob Hutton
Past Post: Rob Hutton for Wisconsin Assembly District 13, Vote Aug. 14, 2012
 
ASSEMBLY - DISTRICT 14 - REPUBLICAN - Dale Kooyenga
Dale Kooyenga was my former representative in Madison prior to the recent redistricting. He represents northern Brookfield and Wauwautosa
Past Post: Sept. 7, 2010 "I have decided on Dale Kooyenga. Rarely have I ever seen a candidate campaign as energetically and effectively as Kooyenga has, which hopefully will translate into how hard he will work for us in Madison! It isn't just his energy though, it is his platform and endorsements that resonate with me..."
Representative Dale Kooyenga Home Page

ASSEMBLY - DISTRICT 22 - REPUBLICAN - Don Pridemore
Don Pridmore is a solid conservative: pro-life, pro-family, fiscally responsible and stood with Gov. Walker during the Act 10 ordeal. He represents the Menomonee Falls/Lisbon/Richfield area. Pridemore is endorsed by the Menomonee Falls Taxpayer Association  MFTax.org
Don Pridemore for Assembly

WAUKESHA COUNTY CLERK - REPUBLICAN - Gina Kozlik
Gina Kozlik is endorsed by the Menomonee Falls Taxpayer Association  MFTax.org
GINA KOZLIK The Right Choice

REGISTER OF DEEDS - REPUBLICAN - Michael Starich
Michael Starich is endorsed by the Menomonee Falls Taxpayer Association  MFTax.org

There are a number of other races on the ballot unopposed. With little exception, I usually leave them blank unless I know who they are and support their candidacy.

I am curious what voter turnout will be compared to our spring primary.  Polls close at 8pm., we will know soon after that.

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, RandyMelchert, Betterbrookfield, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, WisPolitics Quorum Call, Wisconsin Reporter, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation

For me, it's Hovde, Fitzgerald, Neumann, Thompson, in that order

Way back in October of 2011, Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald announced he was running for U.S. Senate. At that time, he was my likely pick over Tommy Thompson or Mark Neumann. I didn't want Thompson when he was toying with running in 2010. (Thank Goodness we had Ron Johnson step into that race.) I'm still not liking Thompson in this 2012 race, for the same reasons: he's not all that conservative, he was a big spender, and he is too old. Thankfully, Eric Hovde, the newest candidate to enter the 2012 race to fill Herb Kohl's vacant seat, is pulling ahead.

I have liked Eric Hovde ever since I heard him interviewed on Mark Belling's radio show some months ago. Hovde talked about how he was conservative, even in his college years. He mentioned how he was required to give 2 speeches for one of his classes and he chose to do both, extolling Reagan's policies. And that was in Madison! (Hovde's father worked for the Regan administration.)

I thought, there aren't many college students who are conservative (people tend to grow more conservative with time), much less at the University of Wisconsin - Madison! That indicated to me he was able to stand up for his convictions, which is an important quality in a U.S. Senator. His ads are hitting a lot of the issues important to me.

Needless to say, any one of the 4 in the running would be a vast improvement over what we had in Kohl and certainly over Tammy Baldwin.

So I am still deciding, but I think Eric Hovde will get my vote. Seems other people are thinking that too since he is giving Thompson a run for his money now.

Wisconsin's Primary is August 14th. The winner will go on to face Democrat Tammy Baldwin in November.

Website: Eric Hovde U.S. Senate

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, RandyMelchert, Betterbrookfield, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, WisPolitics Quorum Call, Wisconsin Reporter, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation

Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald says he's running for U.S. Senate

I heard this morning that Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald is going to run for United States Senate. H/T Jay Weber

If you are following this race, Fitzgerald's announcement makes it 3 for the Republican side of the ticket. (Former Gov. Tommy Thompson and former Congressman Mark Neumann are the other 2.) The winner of the Republican primary would face Democrat Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin in November of 2012.

At this point, I think Fitzgerald would be my choice. I have also heard there are 2 other very wealthy individuals teetering on the edge of announcing, so I guess we have to stay tuned!

Fitzgerald for US Senate

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, RandyMelchert, Betterbrookfield, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation

Tommy Thompson for US Senate? Thanks, but NO thanks

Well, it seems our former Republican Governor Tommy Thompson is making moves on running for Herb Kohl's vacant U.S. Senate seat in 2012*. All I can say is, Thanks, Tommy, but no thank you.

My mind has not changed on Thompson since January and April of 2010, when I wrote, "Former Gov. Tommy Thompson has been rumored to be our winning candidate for months, however, I don't consider him my ideal or even acceptable candidate. Could we have counted on Tommy, the creator of Wisconsin's BadgerCare health insurance plan, to vote against its BIG Federal brother, ObamaCare? Could we count on him to vote to REPEAL and REPLACE ObamaCare?

"Thompson could win we are told, he polls at 45% to Feingold's 33% but he is NOT the conservative candidate I would embrace. "

Then I noticed in the JSOnline article that he chose Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen as his campaign co-chair. Now that choice will really impress Wisconsin conservatives. (Read that with a sarcastic tone.)

So who would I like to see run?

Former State Senator Ted Kanavas is looking good to me. He has been subbing on WISN radio for Mark Belling and Jay Weber, which can only help him broaden his name recognition in Wisconsin. It also shores up his conservative stance on the issues, not to mention gives him great opportunities for improving his extemporaneous speaking skills.

State Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald also looks good to me.

Some say Mark Neumann, but pro-green side aside, after his campaign against Scott Walker, I would rather he not run.

Just being a Republican is not enough. Wisconsin Republicans, as well as many in the nation, have moved more to the right since the Gov. Tommy Thompson days.

It would be great to send a real Conservative to Washington, one who would truly complement U.S. Senator Ron Johnson.


Past Posts: Ted Kanavas not seeking reelection for STATE Senate Jan. 25, 2010
Run, Johnson, Neumann, Grothman, Kanavas, Leibham, RUN! Spare us from Leinenkugel April 9, 2010

*H/T Jay Weber show this morning

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, RandyMelchert, Betterbrookfield, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation