As the fight to preserve the rights of workers plays out in Wisconsin, it is important to keep a couple of FACTS in mind. The first is that before Wisconsin's budget went bust, the GOP controlled senate and house passed, and Governor Walker signed, $117 million in corporate tax breaks into law. The deficit in Wisconsin is $137 million, and amount only $20 million more than the tax breaks. A piece of "old" news but a very important piece to keep at the forefront when Mr. Walker talks about the dire straights that make his draconian proposals and actions warranted.
The second fact comes from a look at the results of the 2010 general election that put these folks into office. Governor Walker is fond of saying that he is not going to let a "few thousand" (there were at least 70,000 at last Saturday's rally) to drown out the voice of 6,000,000 ( actually 5,654,774 according to the census bureau) in Wisconsin who spoke in the last election. Before getting to the actual numbers, note how he under represents the number of those opposing his actions, and over states the population in Wisconsin.
The overstatement of the population is particularly relevant because the total votes garnered by Mr. Walker in 2010, according to the official elections website of Wisconsin (http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/results/2010/fall-general), was 1,128,941. While this was 52.25% of the 2,160,832 votes cast in the contest for governor, it represents only 32.32% of the 3,493,306 total registered voters in Wisconsin. To carry the analysis further the votes he got represents exactly 19.964% of the total population of Wisconsin. This meager representation of the "electorate" must be the reason he inflated the population by 345,226 people or a number equal to 30.57% of the total vote he received.
Now elections do matter, he did win, but claiming a resounding mandate based on getting the vote of less than a third of registered voters and a bit less than 20% of the entire population is the kind of hubris and slight of hand that these new Republicans are fond of using to sell their patent medicine policies. To be fair the turnout of 61%+ was a record for mid-term elections in Wisconsin, but I can't help but wonder what the outcome would have been had just another 10% showed up at the polls last November.
How many of those were disillusioned President Obama supporters who really did expect miracles? How many were young people who defied the conventional wisdom that said they were strong enough to help candidate Obama get the nomination but would not turn out to vote in '08, and then stayed true to conventional wisdom and sat out the mid-term elections? Well as the saying goes, the chickens are coming home to roost, and as any farmer knows, chicken manure is a great fertilizer for any crop, even one that grows like crazy but does not produce any fruit.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Snookered AGAIN !
The GOP rode a mantra of jobs, jobs, jobs to a majority in the U.S. House, majorities in many state houses and state legislatures, but as we have seen with the reins of power in their hands they have been singing a much different tune. Their first actions have been to re-ignite culture wars with all out assaults on the rights of women, rights of workers, and in the case of the Congress, taking more days off than working.
In Congress, and in my state ofMinnesota
Although a large majority of economists, left, right and center agree that curing deficits requires a combination spending reductions and tax increases, the GOP refusal to even consider tax increases has reached near zealous proportions. Mr. Boehner says, "read my lips, there will be cuts" with not one hint of embarrassment for being a major player in exacting tax cuts for the well-to-do that added billions to the current deficit, will continue to increase the national debt and are equal to what most of us make in a lifetime. So much for bringing rational consideration to the fore and as Michele Bachmann likes to say, saving our way of life. Little did we know that it is about saving the way of life for those of privilege, while the rest of us snarl at one another over the crumbs.
The lesson of this is that the promises from the GOP to stand for the people really meant only some people and for sure not "those people". I am one of "those people", a woman into my 6th decade and what I see is that those who gave their votes to the GOP were snookered into believing that because the Republican and Tea Party candidates, talked plain and simple, and were not elites, that they really would stand with the people and everyday joes. I say we were snookered because no matter what they say, there is nothing about working for the common person in their agenda, and everything about more for the real elites-the 1% who hold most of the wealth.
The only way they are standing with the everyday joes is to stoke the fires of anger, blame and fear while they are emptying our bank accounts and our children’s piggy banks to put even more money and privilege into the hands of the few. Amazing that there is so much ire directed at public employees who show up everyday to keep the wheels of our society moving, and such support for the GOP majority in the Congress who have scheduled floor sessions for less than 20% of the days of the current Congress.
Elections do matter and it is unfortunate that a majority of us stayed home for the last one and gave these scoundrels the reins of government. As the saying goes, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. I hope we have finally learned the lesson that going after children, elderly and disadvantage only makes all of us more impoverished in wages, work and spirit.
In Congress, and in my state of
Although a large majority of economists, left, right and center agree that curing deficits requires a combination spending reductions and tax increases, the GOP refusal to even consider tax increases has reached near zealous proportions. Mr. Boehner says, "read my lips, there will be cuts" with not one hint of embarrassment for being a major player in exacting tax cuts for the well-to-do that added billions to the current deficit, will continue to increase the national debt and are equal to what most of us make in a lifetime. So much for bringing rational consideration to the fore and as Michele Bachmann likes to say, saving our way of life. Little did we know that it is about saving the way of life for those of privilege, while the rest of us snarl at one another over the crumbs.
The lesson of this is that the promises from the GOP to stand for the people really meant only some people and for sure not "those people". I am one of "those people", a woman into my 6th decade and what I see is that those who gave their votes to the GOP were snookered into believing that because the Republican and Tea Party candidates, talked plain and simple, and were not elites, that they really would stand with the people and everyday joes. I say we were snookered because no matter what they say, there is nothing about working for the common person in their agenda, and everything about more for the real elites-the 1% who hold most of the wealth.
The only way they are standing with the everyday joes is to stoke the fires of anger, blame and fear while they are emptying our bank accounts and our children’s piggy banks to put even more money and privilege into the hands of the few. Amazing that there is so much ire directed at public employees who show up everyday to keep the wheels of our society moving, and such support for the GOP majority in the Congress who have scheduled floor sessions for less than 20% of the days of the current Congress.
Elections do matter and it is unfortunate that a majority of us stayed home for the last one and gave these scoundrels the reins of government. As the saying goes, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. I hope we have finally learned the lesson that going after children, elderly and disadvantage only makes all of us more impoverished in wages, work and spirit.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
BACK TO THE PAST
There was a chant that arose out of the nascent anti-sexual assault movement in the1970's-"Women Unite Take Back the Night." We put it on t-shirts, signs, organized take back the night marches, and chanted the chant through the streets, and into the civic centers of cities across the country. While it focused on making the street safe for women after dark, it was the cry that heralded women claiming a basic human right; the right to freedom from sexual violence. It was the cry that said, we would no longer accept blame for the criminal behavior of sexual abusers. With all that is coming out these days from the GOP (local, state and nation), their cheerleaders in the reactionary right, and for sure from ill-informed, ignorant, and downright detestable bloggers, I offer a friendly amendment to the chant-"WOMEN UNITE, STAND FOR YOUR RIGHTS."
Little did we know in the 1970's that breaking through the myths, and raising consciousness about rape, incest and child sexual abuse would lead to the open discussion of these crimes and routine reporting about sexual assault on national media outlets, it was our aim, our hope and our dream, but believe me we never thought we would get here. We didn't think we would get here, because the kind of victim blaming that has come from some in response to the news story about the assault, in Egypt, on CBS reporter Lara Logan, was commonplace back then, even in courtrooms from the mouths of defense attorney's.
But again we had hope because women came together, young and old, rich and poor, black and white, and, wait for it-Republican and Democrat to educate, illuminate and legislate. Of course back then we were not many years down the road from woman not being able to get credit without a male co-signer, or not being able to freely choose a career outside homemaker, nurse or teacher, or from being able to plan a pregnancy and prevent unplanned pregnancy, or from...you get the picture. We were however committed to, in the word of the song, not letting anyone turn us around. We kept on walking, we kept on talking and we did start a brand new day.
Well with the legislative initiatives from GOP majorities in Congress, and many state houses, with the attempt to re-define rape as means of legitimizing forced pregnancies, with the likes of Michele Bachmann ridiculing a tax break for working moms who are breast-feeding an infant, and with the sickening victim blaming of Lara Logan, it seems from my old eyes that not only are women getting turned around, we are getting turned out, put down and threatened with once again being considered chattel. Time to call a halt-WOMEN UNITE, STAND FOR YOUR RIGHTS.
Like the saying from that old series of horror flicks-they're back. The scary part of this movie however is that they have names like, Michele Bachmann, Ann Coulter, Debbie Schlussel and Sarah Palin and although they look like real women, I think they must be female impersonators. WOMEN UNITE, STAND FOR YOUR RIGHTS. I can see the streets and corridors of power filling now, and I can hear the crescendo of voices chanting, WOMEN UNITE STAND FOR YOUR RIGHTS, WOMEN UNITE, STAND FOR YOUR RIGHTS. Can you hear it? Can you see it?
Little did we know in the 1970's that breaking through the myths, and raising consciousness about rape, incest and child sexual abuse would lead to the open discussion of these crimes and routine reporting about sexual assault on national media outlets, it was our aim, our hope and our dream, but believe me we never thought we would get here. We didn't think we would get here, because the kind of victim blaming that has come from some in response to the news story about the assault, in Egypt, on CBS reporter Lara Logan, was commonplace back then, even in courtrooms from the mouths of defense attorney's.
But again we had hope because women came together, young and old, rich and poor, black and white, and, wait for it-Republican and Democrat to educate, illuminate and legislate. Of course back then we were not many years down the road from woman not being able to get credit without a male co-signer, or not being able to freely choose a career outside homemaker, nurse or teacher, or from being able to plan a pregnancy and prevent unplanned pregnancy, or from...you get the picture. We were however committed to, in the word of the song, not letting anyone turn us around. We kept on walking, we kept on talking and we did start a brand new day.
Well with the legislative initiatives from GOP majorities in Congress, and many state houses, with the attempt to re-define rape as means of legitimizing forced pregnancies, with the likes of Michele Bachmann ridiculing a tax break for working moms who are breast-feeding an infant, and with the sickening victim blaming of Lara Logan, it seems from my old eyes that not only are women getting turned around, we are getting turned out, put down and threatened with once again being considered chattel. Time to call a halt-WOMEN UNITE, STAND FOR YOUR RIGHTS.
Like the saying from that old series of horror flicks-they're back. The scary part of this movie however is that they have names like, Michele Bachmann, Ann Coulter, Debbie Schlussel and Sarah Palin and although they look like real women, I think they must be female impersonators. WOMEN UNITE, STAND FOR YOUR RIGHTS. I can see the streets and corridors of power filling now, and I can hear the crescendo of voices chanting, WOMEN UNITE STAND FOR YOUR RIGHTS, WOMEN UNITE, STAND FOR YOUR RIGHTS. Can you hear it? Can you see it?
Friday, February 4, 2011
Egypt on My Mind
The demonstrations, protests and signs of revolution in Egypt have drawn my attention all week. What courage, resolve and dignity the Egyptians seeking democracy have shown. I am always struck by how hard those who do not have voting rights and those whose votes have been subverted or ignored, fight for that right. Hundreds of thousands moving to the square, thousands braving harm and facing death, or thousands walking miles, and standing in lines for days to take the simple act of casting their votes for those they want to lead them and represent them in the government. It is inspiring and it is clear the people of Egypt will not be swayed.
What a contrast to us here in the United States where all we need do is show up at the poll, safely, peacefully with no threat and with the assurance that our votes will be counted to choose our leaders. No fight, no sacrifice, and no risk of harm. Yet on average, across the nation, less than 35% of us voted in the last election. We may be a beacon of light for those seeking freedom, but we are not a model of active citizens doing our part to make democracy work. We stand with the people of Egypt seeking freedom and fair elections for a government of their choosing, we demand our government act (and they have admirably no matter the criticism of the pundits), and we say it is a testament to the power of democracy. I hope we take that in a bit, and get more of us out there exercising our voting rights when the next election rolls around.
For Egyptians the path to democracy has been longer than most, 4,000 years by some counts, from the pharaohs to present. When the elation of the belief that freedom and democracy are at hand is evident in the faces of those in the square, my heart is lifted. When the the pictures are of the violence, my heart sinks, but always I hold a picture of peacefulness in the square in my mind and my prayers. I am old enough to remember Nasser and Sadat and know the repression is long and deep, I trust that these noble people, with thousands of years of history as a civilization, will make this transition without descending into utter chaos, and without radical Islamists co-opting this march to freedom.
What a contrast to us here in the United States where all we need do is show up at the poll, safely, peacefully with no threat and with the assurance that our votes will be counted to choose our leaders. No fight, no sacrifice, and no risk of harm. Yet on average, across the nation, less than 35% of us voted in the last election. We may be a beacon of light for those seeking freedom, but we are not a model of active citizens doing our part to make democracy work. We stand with the people of Egypt seeking freedom and fair elections for a government of their choosing, we demand our government act (and they have admirably no matter the criticism of the pundits), and we say it is a testament to the power of democracy. I hope we take that in a bit, and get more of us out there exercising our voting rights when the next election rolls around.
For Egyptians the path to democracy has been longer than most, 4,000 years by some counts, from the pharaohs to present. When the elation of the belief that freedom and democracy are at hand is evident in the faces of those in the square, my heart is lifted. When the the pictures are of the violence, my heart sinks, but always I hold a picture of peacefulness in the square in my mind and my prayers. I am old enough to remember Nasser and Sadat and know the repression is long and deep, I trust that these noble people, with thousands of years of history as a civilization, will make this transition without descending into utter chaos, and without radical Islamists co-opting this march to freedom.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Letter to the Editor
I sent this letter to the Star Tribune regarding action by the GOP controlled Minnesota House of Representatives. Feel free to use any and all of the language in writing own LTE.
To The Editor:
To The Editor:
The front page story, GOP Seeks Gun Law Repeal (1/27/2010) was such a surprise given Speaker Zellers and Leader Koch's promise, promise, promise to focus on jobs, jobs, jobs. The old bait and switch is standard "political" fare, but the state of our budget and the economy beg a focus on governing.
The only way this is about governing, and not politics, is if the GOP meant jobs for arms/gun dealers, casket makers, morticians, and police-oh I forgot they are cutting funds municipalities use for police and fire. The only business that gets better with this kind of legislation is the violence business.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
This and That
The Word Investment
All the hoopla today around the use of the word investment by the President in the SOTU is so interesting. I get it that using this word in relation to taxation and government spending has become suspect. However, it might just be helpful to refresh our collective knowledge about the definition of the word invest. According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the word, invest means: “1-To commit (money or capital) in order to gain profit or interest...; 2-To spend or utilize (time, money or effort) for future advantage or benefit, often used with in”. Underling added for emphasis.
President Obama's call to shift oil subsidies to funding invention, development and production of the machinery, technology and substances of alternative and renewable energy sources is indeed investment. Make no mistake; the successful development of coal, natural gas and oil industries owes no small measure to the "investment" made by previous Presidents and previous Congresses dating back to their beginnings in this country. Go ahead, look it all up, but don't let the voices trying to cast the President's use of the word investment as a thin ruse to simply increase government spending win the day.
We have what we have today because our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents invested mightily in the development of all manner and sort of infrastructure and industry. From the continental railway to the national highway system, from TVA to REA, from oil and gas pipelines to the production of steel, and many more, the way was made most possible by the commitment of tax revenue, spent for future gain and profit.
I remember watching the landing on the moon in 1969 with my Swedish grandmother who was in her late 80's-old enough to remember Lindbergh's first flight. I asked her if she found it amazing that we had sent men to the moon. After a few moments she said, "No, what is amazing is that we can see it on the television." Well we did it and could see it because the government raised and spent a goodly amount of tax revenue to make it happen. I think we can agree that the benefits of the future we live in now, were worth all that expenditure then. So I stand with the President and all in Congress who understand that spending now for the future is exactly what we need to do today-come on people now join in and let’s get ahead of China in development of solar technology. The sun shines as bright here as there.
All the hoopla today around the use of the word investment by the President in the SOTU is so interesting. I get it that using this word in relation to taxation and government spending has become suspect. However, it might just be helpful to refresh our collective knowledge about the definition of the word invest. According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the word, invest means: “1-To commit (money or capital) in order to gain profit or interest...; 2-To spend or utilize (time, money or effort) for future advantage or benefit, often used with in”. Underling added for emphasis.
President Obama's call to shift oil subsidies to funding invention, development and production of the machinery, technology and substances of alternative and renewable energy sources is indeed investment. Make no mistake; the successful development of coal, natural gas and oil industries owes no small measure to the "investment" made by previous Presidents and previous Congresses dating back to their beginnings in this country. Go ahead, look it all up, but don't let the voices trying to cast the President's use of the word investment as a thin ruse to simply increase government spending win the day.
We have what we have today because our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents invested mightily in the development of all manner and sort of infrastructure and industry. From the continental railway to the national highway system, from TVA to REA, from oil and gas pipelines to the production of steel, and many more, the way was made most possible by the commitment of tax revenue, spent for future gain and profit.
I remember watching the landing on the moon in 1969 with my Swedish grandmother who was in her late 80's-old enough to remember Lindbergh's first flight. I asked her if she found it amazing that we had sent men to the moon. After a few moments she said, "No, what is amazing is that we can see it on the television." Well we did it and could see it because the government raised and spent a goodly amount of tax revenue to make it happen. I think we can agree that the benefits of the future we live in now, were worth all that expenditure then. So I stand with the President and all in Congress who understand that spending now for the future is exactly what we need to do today-come on people now join in and let’s get ahead of China in development of solar technology. The sun shines as bright here as there.
Monday, January 24, 2011
What "The People" Voted For in 2010
Statements about the meaning, signals and import of the 2010 elections are everywhere in the press, media, blogosphere, and in public statements by elected officials. No matter the source, there are always a few, and often many, sentences that contain the phrase, "The People". There are a variety of claims about the meaning of the elections, but none irks me more than the claim by any elected official that their position is, based on the last election; 1- The will of "The People,” 2-The voice of “The People,” 3-What “The People” said, 4-What “The People” voted for, and of course by “The People” they mean a majority, if not all “The People.
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, who represents the 6th Congressional District of Minnesota, shows particular hubris in her claims to speak for “The People”. The number of votes Ms. Bachmann stands on to claim to speak for a majority is 159,476 votes- a majority only of those who voted in that election. 159,476 votes is only 36.15% of registered voters, and only 25.9% of the population of the district the Congresswoman is, by oath, bound to represent.
Before anyone goes off saying this is just one district in one state,Minnesota Alaska , Maine , Oregon , South Dakota , and Washington
As so aptly put byMinnesota
If you are in the majority, meaning you did not vote, please don’t do that again. I promise when a majority of the voters vote in every election, we will have better government and elected officials who can, based on real majorities claim to speak for, “The People”.
Data Sources: George Mason University, United States Election Project: US Census; MN Secretary of State, Election Results; State of Virginia Elections Board (68.85% of registered voters, or 303,691 of 441,122 registered voters turned out to vote in the 6th district of Minnesota)
Obviously it is the, “The People” part that irritates me the most. It irks me because only 40.8% of the eligible voting population nationwide voted and this is not a majority. The only thing about “The People” that any elected official should claim is that "The People", as in a majority, said nothing. To claim to speak for a majority of “We The People” is hubris. The majority of voters, literally the majority, did not vote in 2010.
Before anyone goes off saying this is just one district in one state,
As so aptly put by
If you are in the majority, meaning you did not vote, please don’t do that again. I promise when a majority of the voters vote in every election, we will have better government and elected officials who can, based on real majorities claim to speak for, “The People”.
Data Sources: George Mason University, United States Election Project: US Census; MN Secretary of State, Election Results; State of Virginia Elections Board (68.85% of registered voters, or 303,691 of 441,122 registered voters turned out to vote in the 6th district of Minnesota)
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