It’s the economy, stupid Is this a loaded sentence or what?
House Democratic leaders are floating the idea of adding job-creating measures to a must-pass omnibus spending bill, and paying for t... [...]
Peter Suderman hits the nail on the head in describing the GOP Medicare paradox. Why is the GOP trying to preserve much of what is even acknowledged by the Dems as being excess Medicare spending?
Yes... [...]
Reason TV answers the right questions. 9 minutes of your time.
“Make no mistake about it. Health care reform is coming.” But what’s the best way to fix our health care system, which... [...]
There is hope – a moment in every parent’s life when a child sees one of those bright rays of light. It happened to me the other day. My almost-33 year-old wonderful daughter is finally out in the re... [...]
As Tony Palmeri says he and I are as different as night and day politically (well, something like that). Nevertheless, he’s once again bestowed one of his coveted (!) TONY Awards on FoxPolitics.... [...]
You’ve heard me rail over and over about the critical importance of lowering health care costs – and that lowering costs must come not through government mandates but rather through the po... [...]
A state microbe for gosh sakes? don't our legislators have better things to do?
Public gets chance to comment on official microbe MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The public is getting its chance to sound off on...' [...]
Looking for a government good news story to make your day? Governments collaborating, trying to do what’s right? First the bad news. Kids skip school. Still. And much more often than we’d ... [...]
Note the past tense. Was. Never really a top-tier player. Second-tier, maybe. He’s no-tier now. They’re already calling him the Republican Dukakis The story: Four police officers in Lakewo... [...]
It’s now a week since Climategate was exposed. Thanks to James Delingpole of Britain’s Daily Telegraph, we have proof the warmists are liars. (And, YES, they were hacked; East Anglia&rsquo... [...]
Calling all tea-partyers – and everybody else living in these environs! Local elections – county supervisors, city alderpersons, village trustees, town boards, school boards – are co... [...]
Calling all tea-partyers – and everybody else living in these environs! Local elections – county supervisors, city alderpersons, village trustees, town boards, school boards – are coming up in April. ... [...]
Time again to mail Christmas cards to our heroes in the military in this country and abroad. ItÂ’s the third year Pitney Bowes has joined forces with the American Red Cross. Last yearÂ’s goal of 1,000,0... [...]
So the President is going to Copenhagen, at which time he will “present a provisional target” for the U.S. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions “in the range” of 17% below 2005 l... [...]
Our nation's first national Day of Thanksgiving was offered up immediately after the Congress, capping years of struggle, proposed to the state legislatures a Bill of Rights on September 25, 1789. H... [...]
I’m not a foreign policy expert by any means, but like many of you, I’ve tried to keep up on the Afghanistan news and have been waiting the last 100 days or whatever it is for a declaratio... [...]
The New York Times reports it like itÂ’s new or something:Â
The United States government is financing its more than trillion-dollar-a-year borrowing with i.o.u.Â’s on terms that seem too good to be true... [...]
If you might have been looking for it, the week’s news included nudges toward solutions to begin to address 1) health care access and 2) health care costs. First, the annual Mercer National Surv... [...]
You’ve most likely heard news of University of California students rioting and damaging university buildings because of a proposed 32% tuition increase for UC students.
UC President Mark Yudof ... [...]
If you might have been looking for it, the weekÂ’s news included nudges toward solutions to begin to address 1) health care access and 2) health care costs. First, the annual Mercer National Survey of ... [...]
It seems every time a new Republican announces for the 8th Congressional District, the local media reminds the public that U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen (D-WI) has not officially declared a reelection bid.
S... [...]
This is a quiz. Look at the statement below. Tell me what’s wrong with it. It comes via PolitiFact, a service I appreciate and have often touted as helpful and informative. This time they made m... [...]
Ohio GOP requests state union records (H/t State Sunshine and Open Records)
Ohio's Republican Party recently requested the names, home addresses, phone numbers and e-mails of all licensed educators i... [...]
A 1,660 word newsletter. Wow. Representative Bernard Schaber includes lists and lists of stuff the Democrat-controlled legislature supposedly got done this year. Take it with a grain of salt. The clai... [...]
As a Republican. A Jeffersonian Constitutionalist Republican. Cool. Really cool.
February 27th was a cold day in Chicago. It was snowing, the wind was blowing and hot coffee wasn’t quite doing t... [...]
As League of Municipalities Executive Director Dan Thompson says, he's not making this up.
Starting in 2010, a city or village that wants to operate its police or fire departments more efficiently and... [...]
Perhaps I’m winsome for the good old days at the hockey rink; our son was a great skater – and we loved the families, the trips and of course, the games. Every so often Pete and his Dad tramped down t... [...]
Many of us still stand slack-jawed at the pure gumption of last week’s news that President Obama will announce, via next year’s State of the Union, that he wants to focus extensively on cu... [...]
Many of us still stand slack-jawed at the pure gumption of last weekÂ’s news that President Obama will announce, via next yearÂ’s State of the Union, that he wants to focus extensively on cutting the fe... [...]
Later. Or: soon. Very soon. Before we recess. And we’ll work weekends! Or maybe not this year, although we really, really want it this year. Or else, maybe when we can break filibuster. Or when ... [...]
Well, first I suppose we have to define “politician.” Variations abound, but my handy dandy well-worn Webster’s says: 1: a person experienced in the art or science of government: esp... [...]
Well, first I suppose we have to define “politician.” Variations abound, but my handy dandy well-worn Webster’s says: 1: a person experienced in the art or science of government: esp: one actively eng... [...]
Our country – and for that matter, the world – is not suffering for lack of great ideas on improving education. So I just don’t get it. How does any individual or group or community ... [...]
There can be no disagreement that Wisconsin’s economy is in serious trouble. At present, approximately 230,000 Wisconsin workers are looking for a job and unemployment throughout the state remai... [...]
I think calling it quits for the year without passing meaningful tax relief and other proposals to grow our economy is a mistake. That's why yesterday I joined an effort by Assembly Republicans to br... [...]
Senator Reid is pushing his health care bill to the floor next week. Of course, it’s a completely different animal from the just-passed 2,307-page House bill. It’s not the 527-page Senate ... [...]
Maybe the school board discussion wasn't as bad as I'm reading into it. First Sen. Robson brags about the tremendously diluted education "reform" bills getting pushed through the Senate. Then Rep. Ben... [...]
Maybe the school board discussion wasn't as bad as I'm reading into it. First Sen. Robson brags about the tremendously diluted education "reform" bills getting pushed through the Senate. Then Rep. Ben... [...]
Terrence Wall, potential Feingold opponent has been getting his share of garbage from the left of late. Mostly theyÂ’re calling him a tax cheat because heÂ’s converted languishing commercial land (langu... [...]
All things considered, this is one example of government spending I wouldn't mind seeing more of. A lot more. This is the Washington Post's Ezra Klein, writing about the Stupak amendment that helped ...' [...]
Daytime – Wednesday, November 11 WMC, in partnership with the Marshfield Clinic, Pfizer Inc., the Rauser Agency and WPS Health Insurance, is hosting a series of briefings on the current status a... [...]
The successful Stupak-Pitts amendment? Representative Steve Kagen voted for federally-funded abortions, voting against the amendment. Voting for Stupak-Pitts from the Wisconsin delegation were Represe... [...]
Scott Ott is a friend. Well, he doesn’t know he’s a friend, but I’ve been following him around just because I like his stuff. Satire. Tough stuff to do right. Ott started out on his ... [...]
On Wednesday, President Obama came to Madison to speak before a group of students, their parents and their teachers at James C. Wright Middle School about strengthening our nation’s education sy... [...]
Who’s right on health care, especially in light of the back and forth these last two days on the politics of the off-year election results? Who’s right on health care, especially in light ... [...]
(The title… a query from a friend…) So why won’t Doyle sign the pledge? The pledge – thought up by Wausau’s Everest High School kids asking elected officials to commit ... [...]
In the City of Appleton, a “capital improvement project” is an added asset costing $25,000 or more. Road paving and repaving, sidewalks, storm sewers, water mains, police department remode... [...]
6:00 tonight, November 4, 6th Floor, 100 North Appleton St. I’ve not gone through the budget with a fine tooth comb as I did the many years I served on the Council. Rather, I primarily looked at... [...]
A big reminder. Get your tickets to see Sarah Palin, speaking this Friday, November 6, Hall B of Wisconsin Exposition Center, State Fair Park, Milwaukee.
Featuring Charlie Sykes as Master of Ceremon... [...]
Fond du Lac, WI – Timothy J. Lakin, long time Fond du Lac resident, City Council President and businessman has announced his candidacy for the 52nd assembly seat as a Republican. The recent anno... [...]
What? Only in Dane County.
David de Felice (pronounced Day-full-LEE-chay), District 16, Madison, said he's frustrated with Baldwin and the Democratic majorities in Congress because they haven't advoca...' [...]
This is cool. Government cost cutter in big union city - straight-talking Detroit mayor – may win today.
Mr. Bing, who founded a group of auto-supply companies after playing for the Detroit Pis... [...]
[Madison, Wisc….] After Wisconsin Democrats mandated some of the highest auto insurance coverage in the nation, Senators Scott Fitzgerald and Mike Ellis along with Representatives Jeff Fitzger... [...]
Courtroom lawyers are famous for not asking a question when they don’t know the answer. Madison politicians are becoming famous for not asking a question when they don’t want to know the ... [...]
Wow. Dede Scozzafava withdraws from the race for the congressional seat in New York’s 23rd District. Even more surprising: Scozzafava yesterday endorsed the Democratic candidate, Bill Owens! The... [...]
Scorn for property taxes drives NJ governor's race.
It sounds like another New Jersey joke. Except it's not funny if you actually live here. For the privilege of living in perhaps the nation's most-m... [...]
Progressive commentator extraordinaire Bill Christofferson hits several nails on the head in his blog yesterday.
What radio talker Jerry Bader said on the air about Barbara Lawton is indefensible. [B... [...]
Every year at this time, the news media (rightly) goes crazy reporting school and municipal budgets and accordingly, information about tax levies and of course, how they will affect your checking acco... [...]
“The greatest threat to the U.S. economy is not creeping socialism. It’s creeping subsidism,” Michael Lind tells us. “The tax breaks that ate America.”
Does the annoying nanny-state left want to repl... [...]
Last Friday, before Lt. Gov. Lawton made her surprise exit, WisPolitics threw out a few names.
Kevin Conroy [Third Wave Technologies and Exact Sciences] … has been considering a run for governo... [...]
Legislation causing increases in automobile insurance rates by as much as 40 percent and more is outraging drivers all across Wisconsin and ought to be repealed. To that end, I am drafting legislation... [...]
So, giant financial institutions, are you glad you took the money now?
NEW YORK -- The Obama administration plans to order companies that have received exceptionally large amounts of bailout money fro... [...]
If you believe this is not the year to increase taxes at almost a double-digit rate, share that with the Appleton’s (AASD) school board Oct. 26. The agenda is here. “Community Input”... [...]
Senator Roland Burris (D-IL) answered caller questions on C-Span Wednesday morning. He lambasted insurers and said he would prefer a single payer system, but “the next best choice would be the p... [...]
Senator Roland Burris (D-IL) answered caller questions on C-Span Wednesday morning. He lambasted insurers and said he would prefer a single payer system, but “the next best choice would be the public ... [...]
Appleton’s School Board will be voting on the 2009-10 budget this Monday – October 26 at its 7:00 PM meeting. The meeting is to be held at Appleton East High School, most likely in the LMC... [...]
National and state math scores came out last week. They weren’t anything to write home about. Matter of fact, I’d call them frickin’ dismal. The Journal Sentinel headline writer had... [...]
You can't stop progress. That was the cliché, back when I was a pup. You can’t stop progress! New machines doing work men used to do? You can’t stop progress. New construction takin...' [...]
Insurance mandates add huge costs Health insurance mandates cost money. Big money. Contrast what Wisconsin is doing – adding mandates – with what Florida has made available – no man... [...]
MADISON— Over 5.7 million acres, or 16.5% of the state’s total land area, was publicly owned conservation and recreation land in 2006, according to the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX... [...]
Not too long ago, “Six Degrees of Separation” was a very popular trivial pursuit-type game. The object of the game was to establish a link between two seemingly disparate subjects through ... [...]
Well, strong language I suppose, to call somebody a hack, much less a political hack! My excuse is I’m quoting Charlie Sykes who on Tuesday was chatting with Jeff Wagner between their two shows.... [...]
I admire and yes, often laud Representative Paul Ryan. He’s brilliant and measured. He's strategic. And yes, political. And very, very worried about our nation’s future. Lloyd Grove’... [...]
What have I been saying? I stole the title from a Michael Barone piece yesterday. The article expresses my thoughts – and frustrations – exactly.
… legislators would like to provide... [...]
You tell me. Read this article about all the ways both Democrats and Republicans are trying to throw money at seniors.
An increase in benefit checks each January has been a yearly ritual since the mid... [...]
You tell me. Read this article about all the ways both Democrats and Republicans are trying to throw money at seniors.
An increase in benefit checks each January has been a yearly ritual since the mid... [...]
A couple of great articles today and yesterday, both written by Marquette University law school prof J. Gordon Hylton. Interesting, informative stuff. What birthers taught us about the constitution
... [...]
A couple of great articles today and yesterday, both written by Marquette University law school prof J. Gordon Hylton. Interesting, informative stuff. What birthers taught us about the constitution
... [...]
U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen said Wednesday he favors a tax on Wall Street transactions -- rather than on medical devices or other businesses -- to fund part of the massive health care reform bill. Wall Stre... [...]
U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen said Wednesday he favors a tax on Wall Street transactions -- rather than on medical devices or other businesses -- to fund part of the massive health care reform bill. Wall Stre... [...]
Wednesday’s Washington Examiner does a good piece on just how brutal – Senate faces tough task in melding two health bills And… Obama ready to ‘dig in’ on health care ... [...]
Wednesday’s Washington Examiner does a good piece on just how brutal – Senate faces tough task in melding two health bills And… Obama ready to ‘dig in’ on health care ... [...]
Ryan Gruber, in all his wisdom, goes after Rep. Tom Petri for a comment he made during a presentation Saturday, pairing up with Senator Glenn Grothman. Gruber quotes a WisPolitics report which represe... [...]
I remember a comedian, years ago, talking about his infant daughter. He understood now, he said, why God makes kids cute. So we won't kill them. Later, I added: God makes babies cute so we won't kill ... [...]
The liberals want “health care reform at any price.” Any price. I read a great deal from all sides of the political spectrum – and just don’t see critical analysis on the left.... [...]
Monday, October 12, the School Board is hosting a public hearing on their proposed budget at 6:15 p.m. at Wilson Middle School. Can you be there? It’s time taxpayers said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. The A... [...]
Monday, October 12, the School Board is hosting a public hearing on their proposed budget at 6:15 p.m. at Wilson Middle School. Can you be there? It’s time taxpayers said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. The A... [...]
The Committee on Elections and Campaign Reform will hold an informational hearing on the following item at the time specified below: Thursday, October 8, 2009, 10:00 AM 412 East State Capitol, Madiso... [...]
The Committee on Elections and Campaign Reform will hold an informational hearing on the following item at the time specified below: Thursday, October 8, 2009, 10:00 AM 412 East State Capitol, Madiso... [...]
I'm astounded. Sitting here in disbelief. Am I reading The Onion? No, and I'm trying to be respectful.
Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and give... [...]
At a time when taxpayers are struggling in this destabilizing recession and most are not seeing wage gains, the Appleton Area School District (AASD) has proposed a budget that increases the tax levy b... [...]
As the health care debate rages on in Washington, the American people have been treated to a front-row seat to a government unsure of which direction to go – despite the same party controlling b... [...]
Monday, October 12, the School Board is hosting a public hearing on their proposed budget at 6:15 p.m. at Wilson Middle School. Can you be there? ItÂ’s time taxpayers said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. The Appleto... [...]
The Committee on Elections and Campaign Reform will hold an informational hearing on the following item at the time specified below: Thursday, October 8, 2009, 10:00 AM 412 East State Capitol, Madiso... [...]
Do you budget? I’m kind of anal I guess, so yup, we budget. Pretty closely. No miscellaneous expenditures allowed! Ok, so whether or not you budget, how much do you spend every year for grocerie... [...]
How can the CBO even know if the Baucus bill won’t increase the deficit? – The bill isn’t even written yet!!
The bill would cost $829 billion over the next decade, but would more tha... [...]
Was it a slap in the face, or wasn't it? And will the U.S. ever host the Olympics again? The answer to #1: yes. The real question is: whose face? The answer to #2: well, of course we will. Someday. S...' [...]
Was it a slap in the face, or wasn't it? And will the U.S. ever host the Olympics again? The answer to #1: yes. The real question is: whose face? The answer to #2: well, of course we will. Someday. S...' [...]
The Red Mass. Celebrated traditionally the Sunday before the first Monday in October, the first day of the Supreme Court session. It was all new to me; do you know of it? I was in D.C. this weekend an... [...]
Follow the money. Always follow the money. A revealing article from the Heritage Foundation this week links to “a tremendous synopsis” of the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill. Heritage includes “one ... [...]
