This will be a "work in progress" report over the next few hours and days and I grab things together, but in light of the dishonest RGA ads that try to paint Tom Barrett as someone who drove Milwaukee into high taxes and high unemployment during his tenure as Mayor, I figured I'd take a look at the data and see if there was any validity to it. However, unlike the weaklings at the RGA, I will also compare Barrett's record with another Milwaukee-area politician that was in charge during Barrett's time in office - then-Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker. This will sort of be the companion piece to my report comparing Kathleen Falk's Dane County record with Walker's Milwaukee County record, which showed Walker raised spending more per person than Falk, with much worse results.
First of all, the property tax argument against Barrett goes away almost immediately once you compare the property tax increases from 2004 to 2011, which is when Barrett and Walker were both in office in Milwaukee.
increase in property taxes 2004-2011
Barrett- $47.7 million (+24.0%)
Walker- $50.1 million (+22.8%)
Property tax per capita
Barrett- $335.08 2004, $414.74 2011 (+23.77%)
Walker- $233.60 2004, $284.42 2011 (+21.76%)
Property tax rates
Barrett- $9.73 2004, $9.12 2011 (-6.27%)
Walker- $4.66 2004, $4.47 2011 (-4.08%)
You see that Walker raised property taxes by $2.4 million more in total dollars, and even in percentage it was only 1.2% less than the increase for Barrett. A negligible difference at best, and Barrett didn't have the luxury of having $5 million in extra sales tax money like Walker did, because the City of Milwaukee has no sales tax (it's all state and county).
In addition, if your property value stayed the same through the turbulent 2004-2011 time period, you had a bigger drop on your bill from the City of Milwaukee under Barrett than you did to the County under Walker. Even if you had a Milwaukee home grow from $150,000 to $200,000 in the same time period (as the city's 2011 Assessment reports shows on Page 22, both home values would be above the media anywhere except the swinging 3rd district on the East side), your property tax increase was basically the same county vs. city- 25% in the City vs. 21.8% in the County.
The RGA ad also tries to play the "Barrett's a big spender" card, and when you look at Operating expenditures, there is a difference, as Barrett increased spending more than Walker did. But when you consider how Walker defunded and screwed up areas like the Milwaukee County Transit System and the attempts to sell off courthouse security and parks maintenance Walker's cheap and borderline corrupt ways are not necessarily a good thing.
Increase in total Operations spending 2004-2011
Barrett $974.25 million 2004, $1.363 billion 2011 (+39.88%)
Walker $1.078 billion 2004, $1.262 billion 2011 (+17.11%)
So sure, Barrett did increase spending more than Walker, but given the larger needs in the City of Milwaukee for social services, especially police and fire protection, it's hardly surprising that the city would have more needs to spend. Not surprisingly, the Koch-supported RGA doesn't mention that obvious point.
Another obvious point the RGA leaves out of their ad relates to unemployment. The commercial mentions that unemployment went up under Barrett in Milwaukee, and anyone with a clue should respond "Well no shit unemployment went up between 2004 and 2010, because it went up everywhere." (you may recall the economy had a bit of a recession under Dubya in the late 2000s) This statement holds true for Barrett, Walker, Doyle, and Bush/Obama. In fact, using the RGA's own metric, the increase in unemployment for the City of Milwaukee had under Barrett was the lowest of the 4.
Unemployment rates December 2004 vs. December 2010
City of Milwaukee (Barrett)- 6.6% Dec. 2004, 9.7% Dec. 2010 (up 47.0%)
Milwaukee County (Walker)- 5.2% Dec. 2004, 8.1% Dec. 2010 (up 55.8%)
State of Wisconsin (Doyle)- 4.3% Dec. 2004, 7.7% Dec. 2010 (up 79.1%)
U.S. unemployment (Bush/Obama)- 5.1% Dec. 2004, 9.4% Dec. 2010 (up 84.3%)
So while the Republican Governor's Association can try to use Tom Barrett's record as a means to attack him as a possible opponent to Scott Walker, those attacks fall flat when compared to Walker much worse record as Milwaukee County Executive. The RGA knows that Walker screwed up Milwaukee almost as badly as he is screwing up Wisconsin, with a bad jobs record, destruction of services, and several instances of corrupt cronyism. But much the candidate that they support, they choose to serve up lies of omission and deflect any responsibility from Walker's failed policies in evaluating the performance of their guy.
Now it's up to the media to tell the truth on this. And more people like me apparently have to be the ones to make the drumbeats loud enough so that the media has to listen.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Reflections and recovery from Opening Day weekend
Me and my girlfriend joined others and headed over to Milwaukee to partake in Brewers' Opening Day festivites. Here's a brief rundown:
1. First of all, condolences to the family of Bob Uecker, whose son Steve died last night due to San Joaquin fever. I was shocked to hear Ueck doing the game today, but Fox broadcasters indicated he felt it was the best way for him to cope. When you've been listening to Brewer games for 30+ years as I have, Ueck feels like a minor part of your family, and maybe that's why the loss of his son has kind of grabbed me as sadder than I should feel about it. I wish Ueck and his family the best, and hope he hangs in there through this tough time.
2. I can't comprehend how teams like the Dodgers and Mets don't allow tailgating without booze and grilling. We had a blast in the North Lot, and the pre-grilling and marinating of the brats worked out quite well in getting things cooked and done fast. Also, kudos to Brewers management for opening up the lots just after 10am, which kept traffic from getting nightmarishly backed up. We rolled in just after 11 and had plenty of drinking and eating time before the 3pm first pitch.
3. Maybe it was the pregame brews getting my common sense down, but I picked up a souvenir pilsner glass with the "ball-in-glove" logo inside the ballpark. Not a bad bonus to take some of the anger out of paying $8 for Miller macro-brew when the glass is only $3 more.
4. Obviously the game sucked, as Gallardo had no command and got pounded. Blowing 2 "two on, none out" scenarios are also a surefire way to get your ass beat. Fortunately, it's only 1 of 162, and the Crew looked really good bouncing back today.
5. Capital Maibocks are tasty beers, but if you drink 'em too fast, you can end up regretting it. Sugary beers really make me pay as I'm trying to sleep that night, because I can feel my digestive tract working overtime to pump it out. Getting shots of Jaeger for you and your friends after the game at the lovably-scuzzy Scooter's probably also played into this.
6. My seats were up in the sky at the 400 level and away from the other 3 members of my group, so I used a lot of standing room and bar time for much of the game. As I was wandering back from the left field bar and going up a ramp, I noticed two people with a "Vos" sweatshirt on.
Me: "Hey, do you know a Robin Vos of the Legislature?"
Guy: "Yeah, he's a distant relative of ours."
Me: "Oh, Ok."
Guy: "Yeah, he's kind of a little prick."
Me: "Oh, well yeah, I live in Madison and I get that impression..."
7. Today went a lot better, and not just for the Crew's 7-0 walloping of the Cards. Me and my girlfriend got up and I was recovered enough to show her around the town (she's from Madison and didn't know as much about east side-Lakefront Milwaukee). She was blown away by the old homes, particularly by the lakeshore, and we took a stroll out by Bradford Beach with it being mid-50s without a cloud in the sky and the water almost Caribbean-level blue.
The Lakefront area was an impressive scene, and it's one that Milwaukee does not promote enough. Very few big cities have natural beauty like that which is so open to the public.
8. Also did two fine Milwaukee traditions today- ate at the famous Ma Fischer's on Farwell, which still stands up as the great diner that it is. Then we took off for the Sprecher Brewery tour. Good tour, fun place, and we even tested out their root beer and beer mustards with a pretzel. Great stuff! Couldn't choke down too many beers after Opening Day, but it was still neat to test out things I don't see in stores (like their Redhead or their Chameleon lines). Lots of kids on the tour due to all the soda, but it's interesting to see them have the root beer/sodas come out of similar areas to the beers.
So now I'm just trying to pick up the pieces and get back to normal on this Saturday night. Fortunately the MLB Extra Innings package comes in for free on the first week of the year, so I plan to take full advantage. Then it'll be Easter, and I'll have my head back together, but I sure didn't mind having it go fuzzy for a while in Milwaukee this weekend.
1. First of all, condolences to the family of Bob Uecker, whose son Steve died last night due to San Joaquin fever. I was shocked to hear Ueck doing the game today, but Fox broadcasters indicated he felt it was the best way for him to cope. When you've been listening to Brewer games for 30+ years as I have, Ueck feels like a minor part of your family, and maybe that's why the loss of his son has kind of grabbed me as sadder than I should feel about it. I wish Ueck and his family the best, and hope he hangs in there through this tough time.
2. I can't comprehend how teams like the Dodgers and Mets don't allow tailgating without booze and grilling. We had a blast in the North Lot, and the pre-grilling and marinating of the brats worked out quite well in getting things cooked and done fast. Also, kudos to Brewers management for opening up the lots just after 10am, which kept traffic from getting nightmarishly backed up. We rolled in just after 11 and had plenty of drinking and eating time before the 3pm first pitch.
3. Maybe it was the pregame brews getting my common sense down, but I picked up a souvenir pilsner glass with the "ball-in-glove" logo inside the ballpark. Not a bad bonus to take some of the anger out of paying $8 for Miller macro-brew when the glass is only $3 more.
4. Obviously the game sucked, as Gallardo had no command and got pounded. Blowing 2 "two on, none out" scenarios are also a surefire way to get your ass beat. Fortunately, it's only 1 of 162, and the Crew looked really good bouncing back today.
5. Capital Maibocks are tasty beers, but if you drink 'em too fast, you can end up regretting it. Sugary beers really make me pay as I'm trying to sleep that night, because I can feel my digestive tract working overtime to pump it out. Getting shots of Jaeger for you and your friends after the game at the lovably-scuzzy Scooter's probably also played into this.
6. My seats were up in the sky at the 400 level and away from the other 3 members of my group, so I used a lot of standing room and bar time for much of the game. As I was wandering back from the left field bar and going up a ramp, I noticed two people with a "Vos" sweatshirt on.
Me: "Hey, do you know a Robin Vos of the Legislature?"
Guy: "Yeah, he's a distant relative of ours."
Me: "Oh, Ok."
Guy: "Yeah, he's kind of a little prick."
Me: "Oh, well yeah, I live in Madison and I get that impression..."
7. Today went a lot better, and not just for the Crew's 7-0 walloping of the Cards. Me and my girlfriend got up and I was recovered enough to show her around the town (she's from Madison and didn't know as much about east side-Lakefront Milwaukee). She was blown away by the old homes, particularly by the lakeshore, and we took a stroll out by Bradford Beach with it being mid-50s without a cloud in the sky and the water almost Caribbean-level blue.
The Lakefront area was an impressive scene, and it's one that Milwaukee does not promote enough. Very few big cities have natural beauty like that which is so open to the public.
8. Also did two fine Milwaukee traditions today- ate at the famous Ma Fischer's on Farwell, which still stands up as the great diner that it is. Then we took off for the Sprecher Brewery tour. Good tour, fun place, and we even tested out their root beer and beer mustards with a pretzel. Great stuff! Couldn't choke down too many beers after Opening Day, but it was still neat to test out things I don't see in stores (like their Redhead or their Chameleon lines). Lots of kids on the tour due to all the soda, but it's interesting to see them have the root beer/sodas come out of similar areas to the beers.
So now I'm just trying to pick up the pieces and get back to normal on this Saturday night. Fortunately the MLB Extra Innings package comes in for free on the first week of the year, so I plan to take full advantage. Then it'll be Easter, and I'll have my head back together, but I sure didn't mind having it go fuzzy for a while in Milwaukee this weekend.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Apparently $26 million in free W-2 money > $800 million in free train money
Looks like Gov. Walker tried to sneak in a request for more W-2 funding, possibly as part of God's plans for his Administration (and don't get me started on that megalomaniac statement). Fortunately, all 4 Dem Senators on Joint Finance caught the request for nearly $34 million that has to be paid because the actual amount of W-2 cases is more than 20 percent above what the Walker Administration predicted. As the request explains:
The fortunate part for Wisconsin taxpayers is that most of this new $34 million will come from the Feds, not the state, as the state will use nearly $26 million in federal TANF money that was not originally budgeted out of fears that it would be cut. But the TANF emergency funding has been restored due to Congressional Democrats and President Obama keeping the funds in the budget through continuing resolutions. The rest will come from previous moves that sent a little over $8 million from Child Care Services and Wisconsin Works to the W-2 program.
In addition to W-2 cases being well above the levels of 2010 and early 2011 being yet another example of Walker and the WisGOPs failing when it comes to Wisconsin's economy, this request also continues his administration's awful habit of fishy budgeting. Sometimes the deceptions involve overestimating Medicaid enrollments so the Walker boys can throw people off of Badger Care and into private insurance, and this time it was underestimating how many Wisconsinites would end up on welfare so spending and taxes could be underestimated.
It also offers an interesting contrast with another bit of "free" federal money that the Walker Administration could have taken, but in that case chose not to. This is the $800 million + that Walker turned down to build the new passenger rail line between Milwaukee, Madison, and the Twin Cities, and it's a mistake that has continued to multiply in cost and stupidity, with a promised Wisconsin train maintenance facility later being turned down by Joint Finance, and trains sitting vacant in the Menominee Valley. The next shoe on that disaster dropped this week, as train-maker Talgo announced they would lay off 35 well-paid unionized employees at their Milwaukee facility as their services would not be needed as much without the maintenance facility or new rail line. Guess that means more people to be added to the W-2 list to get covered by the other "free federal money," eh?
So to review, when the Obama Administration gives no-match-required money to cover the Walker Administration's stupid policies that cause 20 percent more people to end up on welfare, that kind of handout is OK. But when the Obama Administration offers much more money to build new infrastructure and create hundreds if not thousands of new jobs, that's an economic burden we can't stand. Maybe that makes sense in Walker World, but it sure seems like an inconsistent cock-up to me.
The 2011-2013 biennial budget assumed an average monthly W-2 casg assistance casload [of] 12,775 based on average monthly caseload from January 2010 to March 2011. (editor's note: What happened in March 2011? Act 10 was passed.) However, the number of paid W-2 cases in the current fiscal year has remained well above that average. The actual paid caseload from July 2011 to February 2012 has averaged 15,575, or 2,800 above the biennial budget estiates. This has resulted in monthly beneffit expenditures exceeding the budget by $1.85 million per month.
While caseloads have declined slightly over the last several months, the rate of decline is not likely to get to the caseload levels projected in the biennial budget for several months. As a result, the Department estimates the need for a total of $34,035,300 to cover the W-2 benefit shortfall through the end of SFY13.
The fortunate part for Wisconsin taxpayers is that most of this new $34 million will come from the Feds, not the state, as the state will use nearly $26 million in federal TANF money that was not originally budgeted out of fears that it would be cut. But the TANF emergency funding has been restored due to Congressional Democrats and President Obama keeping the funds in the budget through continuing resolutions. The rest will come from previous moves that sent a little over $8 million from Child Care Services and Wisconsin Works to the W-2 program.
In addition to W-2 cases being well above the levels of 2010 and early 2011 being yet another example of Walker and the WisGOPs failing when it comes to Wisconsin's economy, this request also continues his administration's awful habit of fishy budgeting. Sometimes the deceptions involve overestimating Medicaid enrollments so the Walker boys can throw people off of Badger Care and into private insurance, and this time it was underestimating how many Wisconsinites would end up on welfare so spending and taxes could be underestimated.
It also offers an interesting contrast with another bit of "free" federal money that the Walker Administration could have taken, but in that case chose not to. This is the $800 million + that Walker turned down to build the new passenger rail line between Milwaukee, Madison, and the Twin Cities, and it's a mistake that has continued to multiply in cost and stupidity, with a promised Wisconsin train maintenance facility later being turned down by Joint Finance, and trains sitting vacant in the Menominee Valley. The next shoe on that disaster dropped this week, as train-maker Talgo announced they would lay off 35 well-paid unionized employees at their Milwaukee facility as their services would not be needed as much without the maintenance facility or new rail line. Guess that means more people to be added to the W-2 list to get covered by the other "free federal money," eh?
So to review, when the Obama Administration gives no-match-required money to cover the Walker Administration's stupid policies that cause 20 percent more people to end up on welfare, that kind of handout is OK. But when the Obama Administration offers much more money to build new infrastructure and create hundreds if not thousands of new jobs, that's an economic burden we can't stand. Maybe that makes sense in Walker World, but it sure seems like an inconsistent cock-up to me.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Wisconsin newspapers join in recall hypocrisy- WE HAVE HAD IT!
But Journal Communications aren't the only ones in this state to play "speech for me, not for thee." Uppity Wisconsin has an explosive article on the Wisconsin State Journal detailing how its owners have decided that only the station's owners are allowed to make political acts. The article points out that many members on the executive board of State Journal owner Lee Enterprises have given thousands of dollars to GOP candidates over the years, and actively worked to crush the union at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In addition, the State Journal went against nearly 70% of the 2010 voters in Dane County by endorsing Walker in the 2010 elections, an act that is certainly done to influence voting outcomes.
And then the Lee Enterprises puppet at the State Journal, editor John Smalley, has the nerve to go out and write a cop-out editorial saying their journalists should not sign recall petitions because "if journalists are not neutral, how can our audience expect us to present fair and unbiased stories about political matters?" Well Johnny, if your bosses aren't neutral and give to Republican candidates and order you to support Republican candidates in editorials, how can we expect you to allow your journalists to call it fair, espeically when inconvenient things come to light that make the corporate board's politicians look bad. You know, kind of like last month, when the State Journal had two of its NEWS reporters give the non-neutral OPINION that a video showing Scott Walker to be a liar on collective bargaining in the 2010 camapign was "underwhelming".
Let's also give "Mr. Short-Term Memory" prizes to the Green Bay Press-Gazette and Wausau Daily Herald, who first used the pathetic tactic of copying the same editorial that several of its Gannett brethren did, condemning staff for committing the political act of signing recall petition (gee, you wonder if they were told to run that?). And then they turned around this week with the Wisconsin primary and local elections approaching, and demanded that citizens get out and vote. Even better is the language they used in these editorials as to why people should get out and vote.
The GB Press-Gazette calls voting "a great equalizer in this country, the chance for us to decide who we want to conduct the business of public affairs," and that "we owe it to our neighbors" to show up to vote. But God forbid that workers at the Green Bay Press-Gazette take action to BE the great equalizer, decide that our politicians are acting indecently in conducting the business of public affairs, and sign a recall petition to avoid further injury to ourselves and our neighbors. THAT is just simply a step too far, and they should lay back and take it, accepting the breaking of the law and the breaking of the social contract that has helped make Wisconsin the great state that it is.
The Wausau Daily Herald tried a cute "reverse psychology" type of editorial, and included the following paragraph.
Of course it doesn't, but in right-wing Wisconsin media consistency and decency and demanding standards of politicians is not something that their workers should take action on. That's a duty that only right-wing editors, talk show hosts and CEOs can do - the rest of the plebes should apparently sit quietly and know their place.
The hell with that. When it comes to the hypocrisy and one-sidedness of the Wisconsin corporate newspapers and their partners in talk radio, I quote what I watched this man say on the Capitol steps 13 months ago (and what you can see around 1:00).
WE HAVE HAD IT!
And then the Lee Enterprises puppet at the State Journal, editor John Smalley, has the nerve to go out and write a cop-out editorial saying their journalists should not sign recall petitions because "if journalists are not neutral, how can our audience expect us to present fair and unbiased stories about political matters?" Well Johnny, if your bosses aren't neutral and give to Republican candidates and order you to support Republican candidates in editorials, how can we expect you to allow your journalists to call it fair, espeically when inconvenient things come to light that make the corporate board's politicians look bad. You know, kind of like last month, when the State Journal had two of its NEWS reporters give the non-neutral OPINION that a video showing Scott Walker to be a liar on collective bargaining in the 2010 camapign was "underwhelming".
Let's also give "Mr. Short-Term Memory" prizes to the Green Bay Press-Gazette and Wausau Daily Herald, who first used the pathetic tactic of copying the same editorial that several of its Gannett brethren did, condemning staff for committing the political act of signing recall petition (gee, you wonder if they were told to run that?). And then they turned around this week with the Wisconsin primary and local elections approaching, and demanded that citizens get out and vote. Even better is the language they used in these editorials as to why people should get out and vote.
The GB Press-Gazette calls voting "a great equalizer in this country, the chance for us to decide who we want to conduct the business of public affairs," and that "we owe it to our neighbors" to show up to vote. But God forbid that workers at the Green Bay Press-Gazette take action to BE the great equalizer, decide that our politicians are acting indecently in conducting the business of public affairs, and sign a recall petition to avoid further injury to ourselves and our neighbors. THAT is just simply a step too far, and they should lay back and take it, accepting the breaking of the law and the breaking of the social contract that has helped make Wisconsin the great state that it is.
The Wausau Daily Herald tried a cute "reverse psychology" type of editorial, and included the following paragraph.
You don't have an interest in government transparency or responsiveness. It's really best if our public agencies make their decisions behind closed doors, where we can't see them. After all, they know best! For that matter, there's no difference, really, between a government that really pays attention to its constituents and works to accomplish goals and one that glides along, satisfied with the status quo. The best way to guard against transparency and responsiveness in government, of course, is just to stay home today.Oh, but when our government violates these goals of transparency and responsiveness, and acts in the interest of corporations and think tanks instead of the public that pays its salary, Wausau Daily Herald workers don't have the same right as other citizens to sign a recall petition and hold those politicians accountable, RIIIIGHT? Does that make any fucking sense at all?
Of course it doesn't, but in right-wing Wisconsin media consistency and decency and demanding standards of politicians is not something that their workers should take action on. That's a duty that only right-wing editors, talk show hosts and CEOs can do - the rest of the plebes should apparently sit quietly and know their place.
The hell with that. When it comes to the hypocrisy and one-sidedness of the Wisconsin corporate newspapers and their partners in talk radio, I quote what I watched this man say on the Capitol steps 13 months ago (and what you can see around 1:00).
WE HAVE HAD IT!
More disgusting TMJ antics and recall hypocrisy
It's not often when you have the hypocrisy of Wisconsin's pro-Walker corporate media laid bare for all to see, but the right-wing megaphone known as WTMJ radio made it perfectly clear today.
TMJ and the corporate head at Journal Communications are apparently pulling the fake outrage routine that some of their employees might be compromising the station's integrity by signing Walker recall petitions. Yes, because the station that has Charlie Sykes, Jeff Wagner, and John Mercure as hosts (and paid presenters at GOP campaign events) doesn't have a whiff of bias to their station's content. And despite Gene Mueller's pathetic wimp-out to Graeme Zielinski that "what happens on this station after 8:30 is none of [the news department's] concern", it's pretty obvious that the Bradley Foundation and MMAC call the shots at that station, especially when you realize Mueller's former co-host and station NEWS DIRECTOR (i.e, the guy who decides what gets covered in the newsroom) left his TMJ job to work for GOP Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald. That news director in question (John Jagler) will be running for State Assembly this fall in a newly-gerrymandered district. Oh, but signing recall petitions is where TMJ has an issue with maintaining integrity. Go fuck yourselves.
And this excellent article from Renee Crawford illustrates that TMJ isn't even consistent on their own staff signing recalls. In fact, Sykes didn't just support the recall of Tom Ament to get Scott Walker into power in Milwaukee County, he helped make it happen.
But when reality sets in a decade later, and its TMJ talkers and Journal Communications that support the guys are the ones who are corrupt and disguisting and have ignited outrage, then TMJ employees aren't allowed to speak their minds because it hurts the image of "balance" at the station. Who the hell are they kidding? It might be time for me to make a quick detour on my way into Miller Park for Opening Day Friday, and let the guys at the TMJ Road Show know that we have more than enough of their hypcoritical bullshit, and that it's time that they pay for what they are putting their employees and this state through.
TMJ and the corporate head at Journal Communications are apparently pulling the fake outrage routine that some of their employees might be compromising the station's integrity by signing Walker recall petitions. Yes, because the station that has Charlie Sykes, Jeff Wagner, and John Mercure as hosts (and paid presenters at GOP campaign events) doesn't have a whiff of bias to their station's content. And despite Gene Mueller's pathetic wimp-out to Graeme Zielinski that "what happens on this station after 8:30 is none of [the news department's] concern", it's pretty obvious that the Bradley Foundation and MMAC call the shots at that station, especially when you realize Mueller's former co-host and station NEWS DIRECTOR (i.e, the guy who decides what gets covered in the newsroom) left his TMJ job to work for GOP Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald. That news director in question (John Jagler) will be running for State Assembly this fall in a newly-gerrymandered district. Oh, but signing recall petitions is where TMJ has an issue with maintaining integrity. Go fuck yourselves.
And this excellent article from Renee Crawford illustrates that TMJ isn't even consistent on their own staff signing recalls. In fact, Sykes didn't just support the recall of Tom Ament to get Scott Walker into power in Milwaukee County, he helped make it happen.
This all goes back to 2001-2002 when Charlie Sykes picked up a story about the County Executive Tom Ament signing onto a pension deal no one understood. Sykes ranted daily for months on his talk radio show about Ament's "irresponsibility". Then one day, he starts talking about this "new group" of "every day citizens" who have come together to use the recall system in Wisconsin to recall Tom Ament and several other County Executives. They called themselves Citizens for Responsible Government and they had an open mic for months on Charlie Sykes show pimping the recall effort until they did indeed recall Milwaukee's County Executive and several of it's County Board members. Charlie Sykes LED this effort with his radio show, his television show and he even HEADLINED Recall Tom Ament rallies with his participation very much "allowed by management of WTMJ" (see that article I just posted from January 23, 2002). Its not a far reach to think that the heavily funded by the Bradley Foundation (who by the way employs Charlie Sykes' wife as their Director of Communication)
WTMJ never once balked then. They never once questioned whether this might make their "news station", look politically motivated. A "non-profit", "non-partisan" organization was born. They have had full and free access to Charlie Sykes' radio show ever since.
The Recall of Tom Ament was immediately followed by a heavy campaign for Scott Walker for Milwaukee County Executive that was HEAVILY hyped in the Charlie Sykes machine.
By 2005, Chris Kliesmet, ED of CRG Network was stating things like "Charlie Sykes is Gold". Charlie Sykes also is kind enough to repost CRG's press releases directly on his blog.
Now known as CRG Network, they claim to be non-partisan watchdogs of government. As far as I can tell though, they have overwhelmingly supported and recalled Democrats including twice trying to recall Governor Jim Doyle again efforts heavily promoted on Charlie Sykes radio show. (note: CRG are also the ass-clowns currently trying to organize a recall of Senators Jauch and Schultz over the mining bill)
But when reality sets in a decade later, and its TMJ talkers and Journal Communications that support the guys are the ones who are corrupt and disguisting and have ignited outrage, then TMJ employees aren't allowed to speak their minds because it hurts the image of "balance" at the station. Who the hell are they kidding? It might be time for me to make a quick detour on my way into Miller Park for Opening Day Friday, and let the guys at the TMJ Road Show know that we have more than enough of their hypcoritical bullshit, and that it's time that they pay for what they are putting their employees and this state through.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Elections depend on who shows up
With it being Election Day tomorrow, I wanted to remind you of how turnout is a big deal in elections, especially when you see that the GAB predicts only a 35 percent turnout in tomorrow's primary and local elections. That's only about 1.5 million votes in all, and even quite a bit less than 2010's low 49.7%, and of course it's even bigger in your local races with a smaller voting population. And if you don't turn out, the other guys might. Look no further than 2008's and 2010's elections.
It's not coincidental that a part of Barabk Obama's big 14-point win in 2008 was because his campaign worked hard to get voters out in his bases of Milwaukee and Madison. And that shows when you see the big chunk of Wisconsin votes that come from those areas.
% of overall state vote, President 2008
Dane County 9.48%
City of Milwaukee 9.22%
Waukesha County 7.81%
Rest of Milw. Co. 6.71%
Brown County 4.18%
Racine County 3.37%
Outagamie Co. 3.07%
Winnebago Co. 2.94%
Rock County 2.65%
Kenosha County 2.64%
Now contrast that with Scott Walker's win in 2010. As is tyical, all places had fewer voters in the off-year election (49.7% turnout vs. 69.2% turnout in 2008), bit some dropped off more than others, and it meant that the percentages changed from '08. In fact, Waukesha County ended up outvoting the City of Milwaukee.
% of overall state vote, Governor 2010
Dane County 10.19%
Waukesha County 8.71%
City of Milwaukee 8.69%
Rest of Milwaukee Co. 7.09%
Brown County 4.09%
Racine County 3.37%
Outagamie Co. 3.02%
Winnebago Co. 2.83%
Washington Co. 2.73%
Rock County 2.42%
Also see how Washington County sneaks onto that list? Pretty significant, since Washington County went 75-24 for Walker in 2010, the highest percentage for any county Walker got in Wisconsin. In fact, Walker's best counties were prominent among those who added the most voters, while the areas that had the biggest dropoffs from 2008-2010 all went strongly Democratic in 2008.
Biggest increase in vote share 2008-2010
Waukesha County +0.90%
Dane County +0.71%
Washington Co. +0.45%
Rest of Milwaukee Co. +0.38% (Walker won 53-47)
Biggest decrease in vote share 2008-2010
City of Milwaukee -0.53%
Kenosha County- -0.37%
Rock County - -0.23%
Winnebago Co. -0.11% (went from 55% Obama to 54% Walker)
You can see where elections might swing based on who shows up. Walker's fans in the 262 always seem to show up, and when they aren't responded to in kind by the rest of Wisconsin, they end up taking over state government. And you see the disastrous results from the last 15 months.
So get yourself out there AND VOTE TOMORROW. Then follow suit on May 8 and especially June 5, and let's get our state back from the screeching minority that used a dip in ethusiasm in 2010 to slide their way into office.
It's not coincidental that a part of Barabk Obama's big 14-point win in 2008 was because his campaign worked hard to get voters out in his bases of Milwaukee and Madison. And that shows when you see the big chunk of Wisconsin votes that come from those areas.
% of overall state vote, President 2008
Dane County 9.48%
City of Milwaukee 9.22%
Waukesha County 7.81%
Rest of Milw. Co. 6.71%
Brown County 4.18%
Racine County 3.37%
Outagamie Co. 3.07%
Winnebago Co. 2.94%
Rock County 2.65%
Kenosha County 2.64%
Now contrast that with Scott Walker's win in 2010. As is tyical, all places had fewer voters in the off-year election (49.7% turnout vs. 69.2% turnout in 2008), bit some dropped off more than others, and it meant that the percentages changed from '08. In fact, Waukesha County ended up outvoting the City of Milwaukee.
% of overall state vote, Governor 2010
Dane County 10.19%
Waukesha County 8.71%
City of Milwaukee 8.69%
Rest of Milwaukee Co. 7.09%
Brown County 4.09%
Racine County 3.37%
Outagamie Co. 3.02%
Winnebago Co. 2.83%
Washington Co. 2.73%
Rock County 2.42%
Also see how Washington County sneaks onto that list? Pretty significant, since Washington County went 75-24 for Walker in 2010, the highest percentage for any county Walker got in Wisconsin. In fact, Walker's best counties were prominent among those who added the most voters, while the areas that had the biggest dropoffs from 2008-2010 all went strongly Democratic in 2008.
Biggest increase in vote share 2008-2010
Waukesha County +0.90%
Dane County +0.71%
Washington Co. +0.45%
Rest of Milwaukee Co. +0.38% (Walker won 53-47)
Biggest decrease in vote share 2008-2010
City of Milwaukee -0.53%
Kenosha County- -0.37%
Rock County - -0.23%
Winnebago Co. -0.11% (went from 55% Obama to 54% Walker)
You can see where elections might swing based on who shows up. Walker's fans in the 262 always seem to show up, and when they aren't responded to in kind by the rest of Wisconsin, they end up taking over state government. And you see the disastrous results from the last 15 months.
So get yourself out there AND VOTE TOMORROW. Then follow suit on May 8 and especially June 5, and let's get our state back from the screeching minority that used a dip in ethusiasm in 2010 to slide their way into office.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Unemployment- it's also about how many look for work
Hidden inside of last week's state personal income report which showed that Wisconsin was dead last in income growth for the 4th Quarter of 2011 was the per-capita income stats on Page 4. As part of the per-capita stats, it shows the estimated change in population for all the states in 2011 vs. the 2010 Census. Not surprisingly, all Midwestern states didn't grow as fast as the 0.73% the country grew by last year, though Minnesota came closest.
Growth in population, 2011
Minn +0.64%
Ind. +0.40%
Iowa +0.39%
Wis. +0.35%
Ill. +0.21%
Ohio +0.06%
Mich -0.00% (down 1,000 out of 9.9 million)
Wisconsin's population growth is of the slow-but-steady nature that we've had for the better part of the last 2-3 decades. But what's interesting about the change in population is that it hasn't translated into an increased workforce for the state, unlike our neighbors. In fact, we have fewer people in the work force (defined as working or unemployed and looking for work) than we had when Scott Walker took office in January 2011, and we'll use Friday's state unemployment report as a proxy for 2011's population.
Change in work force, Jan 2011-Feb 2012
Ill. +0.53%
Ind. +0.14%
Minn +0.14%
Iowa -0.25%
Wis. -0.34%
Ohio -0.51%
Mich -0.68%
Interesting difference, eh? Especially when you see that "hopeless" Illinois actually had more people added to their work force than their population, while all other states went the other way, with work force growth slower than the population or actually dropping in 4 states, including Wisconsin.
This reduced amount of the population being in the work force isn't necessarily new in Wisconsin, as the DWD and other state departments have discussed concerns about a reduced labor participation rate, and it's worth mentioning that Wisconsin's labor force only grew 2.2% from 2000 to 2010 while our population grew by 6.0%. But it does make it disingenuous when the Walker Administration tries to take credit for a "low 6.9% unemployment rate" when the dropping amount of people in the work force is a big part of this.
To illustrate, let me give you what the unemployment rates would be if the amount of "employed" Wisconsinites was the same in the Unemployment Rate survey, but the work force increased like some of our neighbors, or even our own population.
Current unemployment rate under Wisconsin labor force scenarios
Current Feb 2012 Wis. UE rate: 6.9%
With same labor force as 2011: 7.2%
With LF growth of Indiana, Minn: 7.3%
With LF growth = Wis pop growth: 7.5%
With LF growth of Illinois: 7.7%
You can see where a few extra people looking for work might make a big difference in this stat. In fact, if Walker's policies had encouraged the same amount of people to enter the work force as Illinois (instead of driving them into early retirement) unemployment would not have dropped at all in Wisconsin under Scotty.
You can see where this is now going to crunch Walker in the next few months. If you believe Walker's rhetoric, and that things are "turning around", then you'd expect a lot of people to jump back into the work force and keep the numbers about the same, if not higher. And if there is no turnaround (and there really isn't, in my opinion), then the participation rates and job growth will stay low, and people are going to have ask why.
Just keep these numbers in mind as we look at Walker's record in the next few months, because in addition to the "worst in the nation" record for job growth, Walker has also caused many others to not even consider looking for work in Wisconsin, which also has set back the state in the 15 months of his reign of error. It's another barrier that we'll have to overcome when we end this disaster and get this state back on track this summer.
Growth in population, 2011
Minn +0.64%
Ind. +0.40%
Iowa +0.39%
Wis. +0.35%
Ill. +0.21%
Ohio +0.06%
Mich -0.00% (down 1,000 out of 9.9 million)
Wisconsin's population growth is of the slow-but-steady nature that we've had for the better part of the last 2-3 decades. But what's interesting about the change in population is that it hasn't translated into an increased workforce for the state, unlike our neighbors. In fact, we have fewer people in the work force (defined as working or unemployed and looking for work) than we had when Scott Walker took office in January 2011, and we'll use Friday's state unemployment report as a proxy for 2011's population.
Change in work force, Jan 2011-Feb 2012
Ill. +0.53%
Ind. +0.14%
Minn +0.14%
Iowa -0.25%
Wis. -0.34%
Ohio -0.51%
Mich -0.68%
Interesting difference, eh? Especially when you see that "hopeless" Illinois actually had more people added to their work force than their population, while all other states went the other way, with work force growth slower than the population or actually dropping in 4 states, including Wisconsin.
This reduced amount of the population being in the work force isn't necessarily new in Wisconsin, as the DWD and other state departments have discussed concerns about a reduced labor participation rate, and it's worth mentioning that Wisconsin's labor force only grew 2.2% from 2000 to 2010 while our population grew by 6.0%. But it does make it disingenuous when the Walker Administration tries to take credit for a "low 6.9% unemployment rate" when the dropping amount of people in the work force is a big part of this.
To illustrate, let me give you what the unemployment rates would be if the amount of "employed" Wisconsinites was the same in the Unemployment Rate survey, but the work force increased like some of our neighbors, or even our own population.
Current unemployment rate under Wisconsin labor force scenarios
Current Feb 2012 Wis. UE rate: 6.9%
With same labor force as 2011: 7.2%
With LF growth of Indiana, Minn: 7.3%
With LF growth = Wis pop growth: 7.5%
With LF growth of Illinois: 7.7%
You can see where a few extra people looking for work might make a big difference in this stat. In fact, if Walker's policies had encouraged the same amount of people to enter the work force as Illinois (instead of driving them into early retirement) unemployment would not have dropped at all in Wisconsin under Scotty.
You can see where this is now going to crunch Walker in the next few months. If you believe Walker's rhetoric, and that things are "turning around", then you'd expect a lot of people to jump back into the work force and keep the numbers about the same, if not higher. And if there is no turnaround (and there really isn't, in my opinion), then the participation rates and job growth will stay low, and people are going to have ask why.
Just keep these numbers in mind as we look at Walker's record in the next few months, because in addition to the "worst in the nation" record for job growth, Walker has also caused many others to not even consider looking for work in Wisconsin, which also has set back the state in the 15 months of his reign of error. It's another barrier that we'll have to overcome when we end this disaster and get this state back on track this summer.
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