Do Nothing Dems?

Lee Rayburn | 4/13/2006 10:47 am | ...

If you have a Bring the Troops Home Now yard sign, local peace groups would like to recycle them to use in other upcoming referenda this November.  Milwaukee and other Wisconsin communities are following the lead of the 32 communities that voiced their opinion on the war April 4th.  With limited funding for this grassroots movement, recycling signs will help spread the message and maximize individual donations.  Local peace activists will be happy to pick-up your sign for recycling.  Just call 250-9240 with your address and a volunteer will stop by in a day or two.

On the opening day of wild turkey hunting season in Wisconsin, Madison's Assemblyman Mark Pocan has honored the so-called Taxpayer Protection Amendment (or the Bride of TABOR or TABOR II Electric Boogaloo) with the Golden Turkey Award.  The Assembly Ways and Means committee approved the TP Amendment yesterday, 24 hours after a major substitution amendment to the proposal.  Republican Representative Steve Nass voted with the five Democrats in the committee opposing the amendment arguing that the proposal has "gaping holes".  In the tradition of the Golden Fleece award started by former Senator Bill Proxmire, Pocan awards the Golden Turkey to the worst bill, dumbest proposal, or largest government waste.  Congratulations to the Bride of TABOR.

On the heels of the announcement from the Energy Department that gas prices will increase by an estimated 25 cents a gallon this summer, two state Democrats are, once again, asking Republicans to hold a public hearing on Senate Bill 376.  SB376 would mandate that oil companies return their excess profits to us.  State Senate Minority Leader Judy Robson and Senator Russ Decker call the issue "urgent", comparing the world record profits of oil companies and the $38 million annual income for the CEO of Exxon Mobil to the struggle of Wisconsin families to manage their household budgets.  Gas prices in our state went up 30 cents in one month.

Meanwhile, Madison Democratic Assemblyman Spencer Black has not given up on much needed campaign finance reform.  Black has requested that Governor Doyle call a special session of the legislature.  Last time the Governor called a special session to force the legislature to act on heating assistance, the Republican leadership ignored Doyle's constitutionally enforced request.  "We have seen felony convictions of legislative leaders stemming from campaign fundraising and we have witnessed a dramatic increase in the level of campaign spending," Black wrote to the Governor.  "We need to reclaim Wisconsin's proud legacy of clean government and kick the big money influence out of election campaigns and out of decisions made at the Capital? Without additional pressure, the legislature will adjourn without action on campaign finance reform."

So don't tell me that Democrats aren't doing anything.  State republicans have forced the state legislature to deal with only the most pressing issues- God, Guns, and Gays- again and again like Groundhog Day.  Oh yeah, let's not forget the Bride of TABOR too.

On Friday's Pro-Show, we'll speak with the author of the Center for Media and Democracy's study on fake news reports, Diane Farsetta.

blog entry tag reference

go to ... | Digg this story | add to del.icio.us | print | email