Lu you idiot! Because repub are taking away voters rights and redistricting maps to their favor. Educate yourself! maybe that's why you are a repub you don't bother to get facts. When corporation take away from you maybe you'll get the facts right. They're coming right behind Snot Walker

Nice liberal civility Paula.

Republicans are not taking away voter's rights.
Republicans are not redistricting maps any worse than the Democrats did last time.

Republicans are balancing budgets.
Republicans are keeping property taxes low.
Republicans are creating a business friendly environment to grow jobs.
Republicans are passing laws to keep it's law abiding citizens safer

What Barack Hussein Obama is doing getting involved in this election is beyond me. He has nothing to win and everything to lose.

Who has stolen your vote? You get to make that same vote again in the recall. Or are you worried the results will be different this time?

Actually 53% of Wisconsin 'residences' is inaccurate on two counts. It was 53% of the Wisconsin voters who voted in 2010 who put Scott Walker into office, and the turnout was estimated at 50% of eligible voters. And last I heard, houses (residences) don't vote.

"When corporation take away from you maybe you'll get the facts right."
Huh???
"Johnsons as far as the eye can see"

Walker is creating a business friendly climate in Wisconsin? Where? In your imagination?
http://cognidissidence.blogspot.com/2012/05/fitzwalkerstan-not-so-open-for-business.html

God Help Us from Scott Walker - GHUSW

And of course they are suppressing votes. They have said they would do it so many times. So who are you going to believe, them or your lying ears?

Making us safer? How? Conceal carry? So a bunch of people with low self-esteem like George Zimmermann can feel important by carrying a gun? Is that who we want to cater to? Most people do not feel safer because a bunch of yahoos have to carry around their toys.

"Making us safer? How? Conceal carry? So a bunch of people with low self-esteem like George Zimmermann can feel important by carrying a gun? Is that who we want to cater to? Most people do not feel safer because a bunch of yahoos have to carry around their toys."

That's all you got Keith?? Let's go local, to an Aldi store where 2 of Milwaukee's finest black thugs had a shootgun and 1 law abiding "yahoo" had a toy. That ended pretty well.
WLSW - Wisconsin Loves Scott Walker..................................................................
P.S. George Zimmermann is from Florida and just may be getting railroaded by biggots like you and our self-serving president.

Shame on you Lu. Governor Walker is working with the rich to take away your rights as a woman, worker, and yes your right to vote and you support this. Power is with the people and if the people choose to return Walker to the Governor's mansion then God help us all because WI will be in for a real tough time as the rich keep setting policy.

@Paula-Taking away voters rights? Seriously? WOW you really are clueless!! Unable to think for yourself. Just as Im sure you are against voter ID to protect the integrity of the vote.

Hey Mr Schmitz have you paid back the village yet?

@Keith-Because its your opinion and choice to carry does not give you the right to tell me I dont have that right!!

Hey Redcoat, check this out -- Walker's pick for Milwaukee County Director was into the state for $800,00 http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2010/oct/15/tom-barrett/tom-barrett-says-gubernatorial-rival-scott-walker-/

Why don't you chase after him little man?

I'd love to explain the situation to you over at Alterra some time. What's open on your schedule?

@Keith-Were talking about you buddy!!! You really should pay the village and the tax payers back all the money you swindled from them

Patriot, your unwarranted personal attacks on Keith Schmitz would seem to indicate that you can't best him in a straight-on debate...

@Bren-Please!! Mr Schmitz is the one who throws out the attacks and his common brown shirt rhetoric. So dont even go there.

Paula, you will reap what you sow. Redistricting began as a tool to insure minority candidates could be elected to congress. When the technique became accepted, both parties began to engage it on a regular basis.
p.s. name calling is particulary unbecoming when you level charges that you don't entirely understand.

"When corporation take away from you maybe you'll get the facts right."

You're correct. The Corporations that are guilty of taking away property rights and taxing people out of their homes are government Corporations - like RUSD, City of Racine, County of Racine, etc. No need to fear private Corporations - they can't force you to do anything - it's the government Corporations who enforce taxation with a SWAT Team that are abusive!

More false equivalency Bob? You'd have a point if you had a point. What do you call two unfunded wars? What do you call the unfunded Medicare Part D? What do you call our out of control prison system in Wisconsin, pushed in large part by our numbnutz governor?

Keith, what does any of that have to do with Obama & Co jumping into the fray here, full force?

I dunno. You brought it up Bob. Just being of help.

Keith, seriously, you're worthless before you slam down your first 4 cups of Alterra high-test, and not much better afterwards frankly, but try to read past the morning eye boogers and comment sensibly.

LOL. You don't even read your own stuff. Suck in your gut. Maybe it would be easier next time.

I don't think posting when you're drunk is the answer, Keith. Try something else.

"Spend, spend, spend...?" It does sound like the Bush administration's unfunded wars, corporate welfare package, and AIG handouts, doesn't it?

Radical right-wing projection. Radical right-wing Republicans have turned into the profligate spenders. Instead of spending money on service programs for the poor as they accuse Democrats of doing, they spend money on giveaways for the rich.

Let's return to balance in government, starting with recalling Scott Walker.

@Bren-Ya because Doylee was a balanced Gov!! Hahahaha Thats right spend spend spend, wars wars wars and only help suburbia middle class white kids. Oh ya and push all the elderly off the cliff, put women back where they belong.
Bren you make me laugh. Thanks for the good times.

Yeah Jacob. No right winger calls anybody names on this site. None.

...but generalizing's okay, right, Jacob? You'd better duck, standing around in that glass house of yours.

@Keith Best...If you are going to make such acquisitions you need to back them up with facts. If you can't do that, then if your an honest man you'll retract your statement.

Let's face it Lyle. There have been more leaks in this John Doe investigation than on the Titanic. That and it seems to be taking the DA forever to come up with anything. Either the DA's office is totally incompetent, or there is something happening behind the scene.

@The Anti-Alinsky...Unless Best has something to back up his claims he needs to cease such.

I'm sure that there is much going on behind the scenes, hence John Doe.

Lyle, that's the fun part about conspiracy theories, you only need a little bit of fact to come up with your conclusions. Just like you libs love to do with Governor Walker and the Koch Brothers

This John Dough investigation is starting to look a little like the Spanish Acquisition to me. I can't blame Keith for making such acquisitions himself. All you have to do is look around this place to see how Obama is everywhere. From the contest to win "dinner with Barack" (I'm afraid to click on the banner - does it mention anywhere who picks up the tab for that?), the "Send Michelle a Mother's Day Card" come-on (I'm afraid to click on the banner - do we have to send her flowers as well?) and the other various banners asking if we're in or down with Barack or if we've got his back or whatever it is - everywhere you look - Obama. Acquisitive minds want to know....who's got Chisholm's back?

Time to Acquisition a Yeast and desist order on the Jon Dough.

This thing must be working if political hack Best is in a lather. Usual projection from the right.

Some interesting reading material here,

http://mediatrackers.org/2012/05/14/exclusive-tom-barretts-wife-used-mps-email-to-lobby-enlist-campaign-help/

Paula, what voter suppression? Everyone non-felon citizen in Wisconsin 18 and over can still vote.

Maybe YOU are the one that needs to get their facts straight!

"Stupid is as stupid does." Are you trying to be compared to the film character who that quote is usually associated with?

Auntie-Alinsky, hope you are being duplicitous rather than stupid.

Explain what NADA is please?

Using your own words, Paula, "Educate Yourself!".

Thanks for advise, I did educate myself. NADA is a software company. National Data Archives which helps business to catalog information, according to website. I'm sure lots of companies use this software. How does that reflect on freedom of speech?

@Paula-Sorry your not an idiot your actually stupid. Do more reasearch on NADA

If the John Doe probe does release something about Moammar Walker potentially going to jail, it will NOT be retracted... personally, I abhor any type of leaks in these type of investigations, however, they always happen...

Moammar Walker will get to jail with or without any leaks; I just wish that all his blind corporate supporters could be brougt along with him...

Let the healing begin...

The John Doe investigation a mistake. Why then is Walker allowed to hire legal counsel. Whether you have a D, R, or an I after your name unless you are rich Walker has been awful for WI. The pity of this is that if Walker survive the recall he will make Wisconsin a right to work state, keep giving tax breaks to the rich, destroy the public institutions in the state and waltz into a job with one of his rich cronies that will make him a billionaire. The people who have been ravaged by his policies in the state will be so weak that it will be hard to pick up and repair the damage.

If one believes himself to be the target of a politically motivated witch hunt, it makes sense to take the precaution of hiring legal counsel. Any charges made against him have to be defended, whether they are 'real' or not. Considering that the Dems will stop at nothing to get Walker out of office, I imagine that they will come up with something to charge him with. Doesn't matter if the charges have any merit--as long as they are made at the 'right' time, they can damage his chances for 're-election'.

@Ray...
Stop confusing the Walkerbots with facts. Those facts make their heads hurt and interfere with their watching FAUX and listening to Rush "Drug Addled Gas Bag" Limbaugh at the same time.

They also have their well-worn copies of Ayn Rand's screeds handy if they need another diversion from the "real world".

The federal ones, that don't have collective bargaining "rights"?

@Chris it's pretty simple.... 4 more years of Obama would push even more people into public assistance and would more solidify their control over those voters.

Nick, are you in? Have you sent in your entry to win "dinner with Barack", yet? Did you do as instructed and sign the "Happy Mother's Day" card for Michelle?

What I am asking, Nick, is if you are actively participating in the re-election of your president in the highly ethical, above board, intelligent and Aristotelian fashion he implores you to via his banner ads?

Or to be even more direct, Nick. When are you going to stop poo-pooing the partisan political goober-isms you see on one side of the political fence, while completely neglecting to call them out when they appear like 5 alarm zits on the forehead of the other?

Bob, Nick gives us a reasoned, well-thought out post and this is all you've got? More false equivalency?

Obama has more class in his eye lash than Willard has in his entire over privileged body.

If you say so, Keith.

RINO

Nick, when the US was a developing country and "European jobs" were being moved to our shores, did we as a nation condemn that practice, or was it okay when it benefitted us, but not okay when it's to our detriment? Was it okay that we were advantaged post WWII when most of the rest of the industrialized world was in a shambles, as we charged ahead expanding our industrial base, and established the dollar as the world reserve currency, but now that the others have rejoined the competition it's not fair? Globalization and technology advances have sometimes helped and other times hurt the American worker. Americans who devalue and ignore the opportunity for education, and economically and emotionally torpedo themselves and their families through divorce, are also partially responsible for their own woes. Some factors the common man can control, others are just the time and place we find ourselves in. It'd be very convenient to blame businesses and people wealthier than us for all our problems, the "truth" is when things are going our way and others are suffering we don't complain much, but when times get tough we want an explanation that blames every one else except the guy in the mirror.

Thank you for adding civility to this "conversation"!

Pseudo intellectual Poulos here thinks if you drop a few words like 'plutocrats' and 'augustinian' you win the argument. I do tire of you failed business men, Nick, who try to reinvent themselves as some kind of academic.

Mr. Poulos, The Tea Party and Republicans have not destroyed the nation's ability to provide good jobs, nor have they caused jobs to go offshore. The mess of our nation is in the hand's of those that want more and more governmental regulations that choke business out of our country. More taxes, more programs, because you, and those like you don't think individuals are smart enough to take care of themselves, you think we need the government to tell us what to do. You can't blame the Tea Party of Republicans, if you do, you are sadly misinformed. Have you attended a Tea Party rally? It's not what most of the media tries to label them as. And by the way, if you want to have a serious argument, stop blaming and labeling. You put people into a box, make them defensive and then how can you have an intelligent debate?

The conclusion of my response...

Profit is not bad, would you prefer we go back to the Stone Age, is that better for you? Would you prefer we aren't the shining city on the hill for those in horrible, oppressive regimes to look to for a better way? And by the way, there are many scientists that have shown global warming is not man-made. You want to protect the planet, go make China control their emissions if you need to feel like you are "protecting the planet".

I think from your rant above, you think you are very well educated, but to me, you sound brainwashed and nasty. I wish more people like you, who claim to be so open minded, ethical, and moral, would apply your common sense to these issues.. Then, even if you disagreed, I would at least hear your side of it. Instead, I just think you aren't very smart.

@Stacey Knoebel…I agree that the Tea Party have not created the conditions to offshore jobs; however in their support of the Republican agenda they have contributed to conditions that make it much more difficult to create good paying jobs. The original Tea Party movement has been corrupted and co-opted by the likes of Dick Armey, Karl Rove and Richard Koch manipulating and transforming it from a grassroots populist movement into a political instrument of the extreme conservative right.
Due to the position and practices of “big business”, which are amoral and concerned with only the bottom line, it has required ever increasing government regulation and oversight to protect the citizenry from the consequences of their brand of Free Market Capitalism. Granted capitalism and free markets create great wealth and growth advantages, but, even as Adam Smith recognized in the “Wealth of Nations”, it can and does create great hardship and evil. Government can only be the arbitrator to mediate between the pursuit of wealth and the negative consequences that accompany it. Therefore; an economy that is bigger and more complex, then a greater need is created for more regulation and oversight to control the abuses to the citizenry.
(continued)

@Stacey Knoebel...(continued)The major antecedent to moving jobs offshore was not taxes or regulations, but the change to Supply Side Macro Economics. Macro economics in order to create growth required the following: Little or no regulation; high production of consumable goods and services, which equals over production at cheapest possible price, thus reducing pricing to the consumer; and, the removal of trade barriers, including import duties. Supply Side Macro Economics is also predicated on cheap transportation costs, which mean low fuel costs. Over the last thirty years Supply Side has grown the economy in detrimental ways and created worse conditions for all except the very wealthy.
I disagree with you wholly on your Reagan statement of the “Shining City on the Hill”. That was and continues to be a myth. It has been quite some time since we were admired by the rest of world’s population. They admire our standard of living, but reject our means of achieving and maintaining it. We’re simply the biggest bully with the biggest set of brass knuckles creating distrust with our global neighbors.
(continued)

@Stacey Knoebel...(continued)Your denial that humans are a major contributor to climate change is a clear mistake. Even if the globe is in a warming cycle, we as a global population are contributing significantly to the acceleration of that warming. To demand that China clean up its pollution is a bit disingenuous when we should be cleaning up our own backyard regardless what others are doing.
You are attacking and rejecting Nick Poulos with an ad hominem fallacy concerning his intelligence. Just for your information, Nick has admitted that he was raised as a Plutocrat, but has rejected it as a misguided path. He is well educated and has a number of accomplishments under his belt. I don’t think I would brush him off so easily just because you don’t care for his style.

@Nick
The Democrats wants you applaud government collection of revenue greater then any time in history. Revenues that are sinful in nature, revenues that represent families without work that supports: greed and affluence beyond what is moral and ethical. Put aside your socialism and reconnect to the rest of the nation and the rest of the planet.

As for Obama, he has turned nothing around. There are few jobs today then when he took office, he only charged everything he did to the US debt, has government agencies running wild in Vegas, selling guns to drug dealers and is paying the women on his staff less then the men.

If this is what you have concluded, you suffer greatest from what remains hidden. Your deeper questions are nothing more then the drivel that comes from the mouth of any MSNBC talking head. It is unfortunate that with your intelligence you have chosen to squander it on platitudes and ignorance.

Nick Poulos writes like an intelligent, educated person who thinks issues through carefully rather than parroting back a talking point. I'm not sure why this threatens some people.

@Randy
His attack on profits is a talking point. His description of Obama is a talking point. Just because he uses big words and academic platitudes does make his posts intelligent.

Nick writes like someone attempting to make sense of a clump of post-it-notes with daily affirmations scribbled on them. Anyone who would feel threatened by that (or presume others would feel threatened by that) has a screw loose. I'm alternatively amused by him and disgusted that my alma mater chooses to pay this guy to do whatever it is he does there. I only hope very little of it is inflicted upon those attending in hopes of attaining a beneficial education.

Randy gets all dreamy eyed with Nick Poulos uses words with more than three syllables.

Whereas Alfred merely looks confused by anything over one syllable.

@J.B. Schmidt...Wow! Your mind's creativity is working overtime. Taxes are the lowest they have been ever! I think you are confusing revenues with taxes. If we had the highest taxes ever, we wouldn't be so deeply in deficit spending. Collecting of revenues as "sinful"? Where are you coming from? Connecting with the rest of the nation and the planet? Again, where are you coming from? Ad hominem attacks on Nick, c'mon, your better than that.

@Lyle
No confusion. Are trying to tell me that the US revenues (not taxes) are not at the highest or close to the highest they have ever been?

Nick claims that profits when connected with greed and affluence are sinful; revenues when connected with greed affluence are therefore also sinful. Please don’t tell me you think that all revenues collected the government goes into purely altruistic purposes. The GSA is a prefect example of that. The government rarely spends money responsibly and that is the essence of affluence and greed. Hence, while creative, the connection I have made is completely valid.

As for Ad hominem attacks, I have only taken what he uses to attack the conservatives and applied it to his own post; then questioned if his own attacks are valid use of his intelligence. If questioning is the piety of thought, I should be thanked for attempting to ask deeper questions.

Sorry -- I guess the term was 'taken away'. And that was 53%of Wisconsin voters in that election, which had a 50% turnout, so it was only a little more than a quarter of registered Wisconsin voters who put Scott Walker into office in 2010. Some of them have changed their minds, and others are not so apathetic after more than a year of GOP control.

'Own your vote' means just that -- don't let the fact that they can outspend Barrett ten to one make you think your vote doesn't count. You call that 'redistribution'?

@lu... would it be possible for you to say what you have to say in a manner that can be understood? What is meant by "redistribution of fairness"?

What an idiot.

It is done by both sides, nothing new here, nothing to see here. No need to get out the drums.

@JC-Get over it. Your free to come work in the private sector rather than leech off the tax payer.

if you took your own advice, Mr. Poulos, that would be just great.

Right on, Nick!

@Nick Poulos...

Asling Alred to have an original idea would probaly cause his mind to explode. That would mess up his mother's basement when the brain tissue spattered all over the walls.

He also will not understand "ad hominem", so that will be lost also. Alred is a little piece of Rightwing Vermin that talks politics (as he knows it) when the night janitor crew takes a break from cleaning.

Friedman is a one trick pony, just like that Keynsian Clown Krugman....raise taxes, blah blah blah. Nick you must be very insecure to continue this idol worshiping of false academics.

Nick:

Please explain how the "Republicans and Tea Party" are responsible for businesses putting profits first and the offshoring of jobs. Did they put into place some sort of mandate that requires businesses to make a profit or a quota system for sending jobs overseas or something?

"Sometimes, reflecting upon what happened 250 or 50 years ago allows us the luxury to ignore what is in front of us and becomes an exercise in taking things out of context."

****************************

Nick, do you have any idea how precisely this statement applies to you? You of all people, who retreats to the writing of long and not so long dead philosophers and wishes for others to do the same for solutions to the problems of our times. While completely ignoring the context of things as they are today. Preferring to blame one side exclusively for the things you find wrong while completely devoid of a balanced world view. You're no different than anyone else here who lines up on one side or the other, whitewashing the one you're on and castigating the other.

You need to look in the mirror, Nick. The fact that you could even type that line w/o immediately recognizing the blatant irony in it demonstrates that fact, completely.

@Alfred...Hey Alfie, how many Pulitzer Prizes and Nobels do you have sitting on your bookshelf?

Krugmans scholarly economic works are not mired in his politics, like his daily commentary. It has been widely noted, by economists on the left and right, that his economic commentary suffers of his partisanship and ultra liberal politics

Keep giving well thought out answers like you are doing, and I just might offer you a job, Nick. I'm part of an investment group that owns a minority interest in the Brewers. Like baseball?

OMG... Alfred seems to be claiming to have read Tom Friedman's book? Again he doesn't understand all that Friedman has written over the past ten years or so.

Alfred, did somebody read it to you? Or did you listen to the FAUX review. You seem to reject any idea that is from the 20th century onward.

@JC-Because Obama has done such a great job with job creation?

@Alfie...LOL, I like your toenail example. More ad hominem and you didn't answer my question. This tells me you don't know what your speaking of. As far as Leeson's article, pretty poor scholarship. He makes many assertions and suppositions without definitions. I've seen 1st year grad students write better than he did. Much of what he claims can and should be challenged. I would have loved to be on his thesis defense committee. If this article is any example of his capabilities, he is really over credited. From a philosophical position, he's a simpleton. Try again. By the way I have read a number of his works and this is consistent with his slipshod empirical research.

Capitalism has fed and clothed and brought clean water to more human beings than any gubmint program Mr Poulos. Vomit up your faux intellectualism all day long, it doesnt amount to a hill of beans. You are a socialist and a marxist and should be sued for educational malpractice if you spewing this crap to college students.

I try to look for the eternal human and psychological truths and bring them to light.

***************

Based on your performance so far, I'd say you're the wrong man for the job.

You're fired.

@Alfie...Back up your statement with facts please. By the way, clean water has been almost a government (gubmit) exclusive project globally for more than a century and a half.

You spit out socialist and Marxist as if you are an expert. Little test; what is dialectic materialism? If you don't answer I will understand, but if you come back with an ad hominem I will take that as you don't know.

Lyle Rube, where does gubmint get its money? I feel like I am speaking to a 12 year old here. Capitalism allows governments to operate, without a tax base government have no money...get it? I am sure you have been on the gubment teat for so long you fail to realize how a dollar is created.

Glad to see you stand for that strand of marxism, Lyle. My clipped toenails have more IQ than you and the rest of the burned out, failed business hippy types.

http://www.peterleeson.com/Two_Cheers_for_Capitalism.pdf read this to see the beauty of capitalism, since you like to purport yourself as an intellectual.

Nick I agree with you about the failure to keep pace with globalization due to lack of investment. In "The World is Flat" Friedman also writes about how corporations have hollowed out customer services and put the burden on consumers to rectify concerns, becoming as he coined it, "unpaid employees."

This lack of investment is due in good part to the treasure trove of cheap labor that major corporations discovered and exploited in Third World countries.

Friedman is dead on about the notion of the customer as "unpaid employee." Recently I had what I believed to be a simple account issue. I was on the phone with the call center in the Philippines for more than an hour. I was disconnected several times and also transferred to incorrect departments. Finally I was transferred to the U.S., where my question was answered in under 5 seconds.

This is egregious customer service provided by a multinational company. This is the norm when it comes to offshore call centers in my experience. Yet there are folks who apologize for these types of companies and support measures that increase their capacity to exploit foreign workers and provide shoddy products and service.

Sorry, but you just seem all over the place in your arguments on here. You want whats right for humanity, except apparently its wrong to employ humanity that lives overseas? Friedman doesn't say that, rather he points out we need to re-engage our competitive spirits and advantages. I think you flatter our period of time if you think its so different from the past. The claim to be different is often used as an excuse to justify the unwarranted. We may wish to repeal that side of human nature that instinctfully tries to survive, compete for resources, and is incentivized for self, but until we can evolve beyond that, capitalism at least tries to harness what may be a flaw and turn it in favor of humanity. You may not agree in your pursuit of Plato's Republic and Sparta, but until human nature changes, as flawed as capitalism may be, it is outperforming the alternatives. Your understanding of the TP flies in the face of my research during the last federal election - there is no monolith boogey man, there is no hierarchial structure and membership. Its a bunch of local groups who hold in common adherence to personal responsibility and limited government, aside from that they often disagree with each other on quite a bit. They don't wield that much power and probably would favor "investment" if it were implemneted within a disciplined budget structure. I don't believe anyone wants to return to 1785, but it would be helpful if all of us studied the constitution more often.

Eric, not sure what's "all over the place" about the concept that Zbigniew Brzezinski calls "capitalism with a human face."

Bleeding out the American economy with offshoring is successful until the point Americans' purchasing power has tanked, and/or consumers have taken their money elsewhere because of terrible customer service. It all comes down to a lack of balance and reason due to greed. If people are making more, wherever they are in the world, they will spend more. Everyone benefits.

The Tea Party is an astroturf movement. It's membership is comprised of the far right fringe of the Republican Party, it's been documented. It is extremely well funded by the Koch brothers, Sheldon Adelson, etc., and whatever the low information TP'rs self-believe, the point of spending all of the money on buses, media time, etc., is a political strategy to increase profits for the wealthiest through political/legislative means.

I believe some of those folks would like to return to 1785, based on some of the things I hear and read. Back then, slavery was legal in some states/territories, women were chattel, Native Americans were "savages" who could be shot in "self-defense" without too many questions asked and white men had much more personal power to control the beings around them.

@Bren-Seriously? Obamas job czar is one of the biggest exporters of jobs!! Especially since the light bulb as we know is being slowly eliminated the new light bulbs are produced overseas by none other GE. Hmmmm Obamas jobs czar the CEO of GE

"Bleeding out the American economy with offshoring is successful until the point Americans' purchasing power has tanked, and/or consumers have taken their money elsewhere because of terrible customer service"

But meanwhile, those who engage in the practice have generated hefty profits for themselves and have moved on. They'll still be eating well, having a nice roof over their heads, and enjoying healthcare while the rest of the economy goes down the toilet. That's why they do it.

A tanked stock market and a desperate workforce that will work for low wages just to be employed is another benefit. Buy back in and start 'er all over again!

Shame Shame Shame!!!

Probably because a) It was three emails and b) she is already laid off and c) the issue is chickencrap.

But little Alfred has not better to do than to equate this error on Kris' part with the mountain of wrong doing over at the court house.

J.C. I agree with you. There will be no stopping Walker/ALEC's regressive policies in Wisconsin if he survives the recall.

Here's a link to U.S. New's view of the 10 worst presidents in history: http://www.usnews.com/news/slideshows/10-worst-presidents

Top 5, #1 being worst:
1. James Buchanan (1857-61) Weak, unwilling to challenge secessionists.
2. Warren G. Harding (1921-23) "I am not fit for this office and should never have been here." Corruption, including Teapot Dome scandal, "spectacular ineptitude."
3. Andrew Johnson (1865-69). Political incompetence, first impeachment.
4. Franklin Pierce (1853-57). Pro-expansion at the cost of increasing number of slave states.
5. Millard Fillmore (1850-53). Weak on slavery.

I guess the point here is that the presidents who show up on the 10 worst list were the ones who allowed themselves to be led by the nose by profiteers (Grant, Harding), those who abandoned their principles and/or espoused immoral ideals (Tyler, Pierce, Nixon), those who were disrespectful of others' viewpoints (Johnson, Hoover), and those who really failed to do their jobs at all (Buchanan, Harding, Fillmore).

In 2010, the Siena College Research Institute survey of presidential scholars ranked Barack Obama 15th best president and George W. Bush at 39th (based on multiple criteria). This survey's bottom five are (#1 being worst):

1. Andrew Johnson
2. James Buchanan
3. Warren G. Harding
4. Franklin Pierce
5. George W. Bush*
*Possibly too recent for rating

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2010/07/02/survey-ranks-obama-15th-best-president-bush-among-worst

Yeah, Dubya was great, Einstein.

Alfred, I believe the issue with Darlene Wink was that she disregarded rules specific to her position concerning work-time campaigning. Kris Barrett is not held to those criteria, I believe.

@Bren-Well once again you are misinformed!! It is clearly spelled out that educators are not to take part in political campaining using the districts network/computers. But, as I figured you would spin it.

Hey, a lot of this, at least my stuff, is just for fun. I wish everyone on here only the best. Be cool.

@Galvez-Let me guess you landed a public sector job? Ya there ya go buddy. Those jobs count right? Those jobs produce a tax base?

@Kyle-What rock are you living under? Obama has done a terrible job!! He has managed to divided this Country like never before, he has added more to our debt than all Presidents combined, we are paying nearly 4.00 a gal for fuel, food has all but almost doubled, and you call that a decent job!!!

The hell they have. Either you are making up crap or you know crap.

@Kyle-Give me a break man. This President is the most polarizing President in History. He has done nothing other than raise our debt by 5 trillion dollars. He is not a leader at all but rather and organizer!! The man has never been in charge of anything!!
As our leader he should be working to bring this nation together but rather he continues to seperate and isolate. Who are you kidding

@Nick-If i wanted to live in a socialist/communist style Nation I would leave this Country!!! This Country became what it is because of the very basic principles that were put in place by our founders!!!! Obama is trampling all over our Constitutional rights!! Just as his political movement saying he is for same sexy marriage!!! WRONG!!!! Brilliant strategy? What spending trillions? Selling us out and our kids and their kids? SMALLER GOVERNMENT BUDDY!!!!

@Nick-Read Obamas biography Dreams of My Father. Obama is most def polarizing and believes he is above us all. He is a radical with an agenda!! He surrounded himself with socialists, marxists, and radicals growing up. It is written in his book. He refers to whites in a well very racist way. He divides the races within his own biography. No Thank You....... Nick you are obviously too smart that you lack very simple reasoning skills and common sense

But, @Patriot: your photo is next to the dictionary entry for "bigot". (That's in the online edition of OED, which never prints photos). And, if you doubt that, go through your postings.
As to "ObamaCare" being bad for this nation: that's just plain hoo-hah! "foo-foo-dust," as one of my clients would have said. Where do you come up with such empty, preposterous allegations. This is simply one thread poured out of the Kool-Aid canister sucked up through the straw in your mouth and recycled back in blathering Kool-Aid talk. This has been the party line, spewed forth and made into the segmentation marketers', the "words that work" crew's, 3 year mantra intended to stop all progressive actions within and for our nation. Remember, please: your party is the party of no! No ideas; no strategy; no plan; tax cuts for the wealthy; further division of the nation in to an even smalled plutocratic oligarchy.

Nick-why do you find it necessary to attack me because I do not bow to your ideology? Your big words, your intellectual hog wash is just that!! HOG WASH

@Lyle-WOW!!! No my interests are not self serving nor selfish. But the idea of all the entitlements handed out by our Government has bred the society we have today. Yes there are those that are truely in need and I have no issues with helping them out. But as we are fully aware there are many who abuse the system to no end!! Governemnt is not the answer. The people can and will just as they did back in the day. Thus we have the Constitution and Bill of Rights. As our founding fathers said a tyranical government is dangerous. Well the bigger they get the more dangerous they become!!! Government cant run anything that was obvious with Cash for Clunkers!!!

@Patriot...How can you honestly say that your interests are not self serving or selfish. You have set up yourself as judge and jury as to who is deserving and not deserving of help. You have also set yourself up as determining what is good and what is evil. You make ad hominem attacks on those who don't share your views and you discount differing views as a result of some massive conspiracy to deny you the G-d given rights of the U.S. Constitution.

In your infinite wisdom you have determined that you are suffering because you have to pay taxes for things that you don't agree with nor directly benefit from. Guess what, we all are paying taxes for things we don't agree with, but we do it because we are citizens and have an investment in the stability, order and the maintenance of a just society. Your continuing diatribe strongly proclaims you are not interested in a just society. You just attacked J.C. when he brought up the issue of the president's race as an issue. It is an issue for a large minority of society, yet you want to deny it. Your views on the principles of our founding and the way we have and should be governed are based on a set of carefully crafted myths. You use your mythological principles as justification to exalt yourself and subjugate others. It is time for you to be honest and forthcoming and truly identify yourself as someone believing in your self defined superiority, hiding yourself wrapped in the flag of patriotism.

@Lyle-So because we pay taxes means that we should just lay down and accept any and all taxes that are dreamed up? I think that is what the American Revolution was all about!! The simple people of this Country standing up to tyranny!! Lyle look we obviously were born under different rocks. I will not now nor never conform to your ideology!!!
As for making attacks seriously? No your side has that well in hand!! I just respond to being attacked, called stupid, blind, ect ect
As for racisism, I am not saying it does not exist, but to constantly throw the race card around is BS!! Obama is a complete failure and has put my kids and their kids in debt for an eternity!! His policies have failed miserably!!
Carefully crafted myths? Lyle those very carefully crafted myths are what and how this Country was founded and Governed for many years!!! So how can you say they were myths? Amazing!!

@Patriot...First and foremost, the mythology under which this nation was founded was a set of philosophical principle that came directly from the Age of Enlightenment/Age of Reason. The modern philosophers got some things right and some things wrong. We have to learn what is real an what is myth. Accepting these mythological principles without question is a fool's errand.

We do have a means to challenge and question the taxes that we pay. Tax revenue is the fuel that runs society and maintains social order. The high taxes that we have paid nationally and locally have been the glue holding us all together. Something to consider, if we hadn't been one of the higher taxed states we would be in the same condition as Illinois and California. We have a rock solid, fully funded, state retirement fund. What has hurt us in Wisconsin is not the taxes but the economic forces that began in the early 1980s where we got caught in a move from "smoke stack" industries into the new global economy dominated by manufacturing of hi-tech and service.

As far as Obama burying us in debt, don't forget we just came to the edge of a complete economic collapse and because of Obama's actions we didn't go over the cliff. Now do we praise him for not allowing us to go over or condemn him for the means he found necessary to prevent the collapse? How do we judge George W. for all the money he spent on the unnecessary and unfunded war in Iraq?

@Lyle
"The high taxes that we have paid nationally and locally have been the glue holding us all together." What a load of socialist nonsense. Those states are in worse positions after they raised taxes and we are in a better position since we lowered taxes.

The removal of wealth from the economy by the government is the reason we seen the income gap growing. No matter how often you libs want to deny it, money has never trickled up; however, it is easy to point a path of wealth heading in the other direction.

Large centralized government has a singular interest, itself. If it truly cared about people, the trillions used in the war on poverty would result in less poor. The welfare/food stamp system would see less people using year to year if it were successful. That is not the case, because it means the large centralized government would have curtail its own spending. That would mean no pocket lining by politicians. Smaller government is always better for the people, because they have more freedom and less special interest greasing the hands of politicians.

@Lyle-Yes socialist veiw points for sure. Well I will not lower my self to become a socialist nor will I adopt their ideology!! A total load of crap!! More Government means I have less freedom as an individual. North Korea, China for example. Not for me buddy!!
Its is not my responsibility to fund those who choose to stand on the corner and protest against responsible Government for fear they may loose their handouts!!

@Lyle-Yes they were not to big to fail!! Obama did not save us? He merely extended the inevitable. His stimulus was nothing more than a bandaid to the real issues. Government spending on all the entitlement programs. His idea of jobs are Government jobs, more agencys to over see the people. To protect us because we not capable of protecting ourselves or making informed decisions because we lack the Phd's. Give me a break Lyle. You are a socialists and if that is what you choose than move to a Country that supports that ideology.

@Patriot -- There is a real reason why Social Security and Medicare are called entitlements. I paid into them my entire working life, and I'm just as entitled to the agreed upon benefits as I would be to the benefits of a whole-life variable policy or an annuity I'd purchased and paid for from a private company.

I'm not seeing all this 'socialism' that President Obama supposedly has foisted upon the country. Yes, there's a healthcare bill, because profiteering has put coverage out of the reach of many working Americans. And if it wasn't a better bill, blame your side for the obstructionism.

@Randy-The Obama Care Bill is a JOKE!!! I never said we did not need some form of health care reform but come on!! As for SS and Medicare. Absolutely like you I have paid into it all my life as well and like you I feel entitled to my money. But lets put an end to all the fraud and BS by adopting an immigration law and enforce the dang thing. There are way to many people using my benefits that have not paid a single dime into it.

Yes Obama believes in BIG GOVERNMENT. His attitude is Government knows best!! Thats socialism!!

@Lyle--The border states are hit hard financially when it comes to unpaid ER visits by border-hoppers. There's also the violent crime committed by people attempting to get into the US. I don't dismiss the concerns of border states quite so quickly.

But this was a problem long before the current administration.

continuing to @Patriot [great job, Lyle of fielding all this stuff: aren't you worn out?! it's time for a fish fry :-)~]
Apparently not only do you want to take the nation back to 1785 but you want to move away from the democratic republic that has worked (when allowed), for over 200 years, and move both the nation and this stumbling state closer to fascist decision-making. History does tend to move cyclicly , whether you read Vico or not.Now, again: as to Obama care. Most of the legislation has yet to go into effect. It is therefore simply impossible for it to be bad: duh! Now for the "naughty" word of the day: "socialism." Under an earlier political scenario across the world, "socialism" became demonized, given connotations not etymologically inherent in the word. And we know from St. John as well as from Heidegger, that "Language creates world." And, also, "Language is the house of Being." The nation is founded upon the freedom and love of Christ, allowing all to enter. Finally, as a young student reminded me yesterday, Christ was a "socialist." This nonsense that "socialism" in and of itself will bring the demise of capitalism is hog-wash: ethical capitalism can live within this ethical and moral framework. gotta run/ciao/ngp

@JC-Really? Thats your answer a college education? WOW!! Well for your info, yes I have a college education, well actually more of a technical college. So Im sorry that I am not very smart and I only have an assoc degree!! But I am happy and extremely greatful to have a 6 figure job!!! See sometimes its not always about how long ya spend in college and what degree ya get but just good ole fashion hard work and common sense!!!

@JC-Oh ya and by the way I dropped out of High School finished with a GED and still have a 6 figure job!! But as I stated prviously I am very greatful as well!! So enough with your educated, non thinking, progressive, liberal, Im smarter than you BS!!!
There is one thing that NO University can teach and that is COMMON SENSE!!! Which obviously you missed out on

@Patriot..Sorry, I am unimpressed by people who keep score with salary, toys, etc. What I am more impressed with is your rise from humble beginnings; getting a GED and the education necessary to earn a living. I have much more respect for you than someone like Mit Romney who was born into wealth and all the opportunities in the world. His net worth of $250 million is a drop in the bucket in comparison of your six figure income that you have actually had to work for. He represents the plutocracy while you represent the American Dream. Obama is much like you, he began humbly and rose to prominence through hard work. He chose a different path but also worthy of note. When it comes down to it, you are much more like Obama than you are Romney. Celebrate the process that brought you to your success and not the success.

@Lyle-Please do not compare me to Obama? Who are you trying to kid? That man Barry Soetoro had everything handed to him!! Everything!! He has not worked a day in his life!! He has not been in charge of nothing, controlled anything, been the CEO of absolutely nothing yet is the leader of our Country trying to tell the CEO's of this world how to be successful in running a business. WOW!!! At least Mitt Romney has been and is in the business world, knows how to balance a budget, make money ect!!

I appreciate to kind remarks regarding myself. Yes I have worked my little arse off to get where I am. Yet I am very humble and know that tomorrow it can all be gone so no I do not put much value on having a 6 figure income. But rather I am extremely greatful to be able to provide for my family in a way that many can not!!

@Patriot...It sounds as if you aren't very aware of Obama's journey. He hasn't had everything handed to him. He was blessed with a brilliant mind and was able to capitalize on that. That opened doors for him and allowed him to attend Columbia and Harvard.

I don't agree with you on his preparedness for the job as president. Now he has nearly four years of OJT and is much better prepared than Romney who has been coddled all through his life. How can someone who has never had to deal with living close to the line will ever understand how the majority of the rest of the population lives.

@Lyle
Where is your proof of a brilliant mind? Do you have school records? Can you please show me that he deserved to get into those colleges and that the law firm that then hired him did so because of merit, rather then his connections? He did nothing of value in the IL senate or US senate. What OJT are you talking about?

@Lyle-Exactly as J.B stated. If Obama is such a brilliant man than why are all his records sealed!! Why would he not want the public to know of his brilliance. For it may enlighten the youth of this Country to work hard and strive to do more. But rather the brillant man you speak of HIDES!! Hides his entire past!!! Why because he is a FAKE!!! He took advantage of oppurtunitys that were handed to him yes, why because he was not a citizen of this Country and like many Americans we feel it neccessary to lend a helping hand to those who are less fortunate. Again please explain why he had all of his College records sealed? We really know nothing about this man and the bible speaks of a man similar to him.
The man who comes dressed in sheeps clothing but underneath he is truely a wolf!! Again if Obama is the man you speak of then why must he hide!!!

@Lyle and exert from a breif description of what the Revolution was all about.
" Adopting the policy that the colonies should pay a larger proportion of the costs associated with keeping them in the Empire"
Gov walker was elected to put an end to those who feel its the tax payers duty to keep them in power!!

@J.B. Schmidt...It is a matter of public record that he was elected to head the Harvard Law Review and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard Law. Those honors are not just given away but are based on performance. Now to determine if he got into Columbia or Harvard based on Affirmative Action, I don't know. But even if he did it proves the program worked.

You may not agree with Obama's politics, which are pretty centrist, but it is undeniable that he has led us during one of the greatest crises that this nation has faced since the Great Depression. What other modern president has faced such challenges? You and other conservatives won't give him any credit at all, let alone credit where credit is due. In matter of fact the conservatives have been obstructionistic to the extent of putting the nation at risk.

@Patriot...It sounds as if you're buying into that birther nonsense. His long form birth certificate finally settled that issue.

If school transcripts are so critical, then why doesn't Scott Walker release his records from MU?

I really don't know what you mean about the "wolf in sheep's clothing", how is that relevant.

@Lyle-Make the necessary cuts!!! STOP SPENDING!!! Look I have had to adjust my lifestyle, make sacrafices and do whats necessary to pay my bills. If there is not enough money coming in something has to be cut. Obama has just grown Government and borrowed trillions? Give me a break!! He his so underqualified to lead this Country and its obvious!! He has surrounded himself by people who disregard the Constitution, who feel they are above the law, who take zero responsibility for anything including his cronie Holder!! That man should be held 100% accountable for what took place.
But again this is about Gov walker and his responsible approach to Government!!

@Lyle-No his birther issue has not been resolved. There is a current investigation into proving that document the WhiteHouse produced was a fradulent just as his Selective Service card was also a fake!! Sherriff Joe has put together his cold case posse crew who has discovered evidence that backs the claims of those documents being fakes. Thus the justice department is filing a suit against Sherriff Joe.
The bible speaks of the man dressed in sheeps clothing. To beware of such a man. Obama has the charm and charisma and is soooooooooooooo smooth.

@Lyle-And Scott Walkers citizenship is not in Question!!

@Lyle
I think that what you have presented for evidence is very circumstantial. You assume that those titles have never been awarded based on privilege. What I have learned is that titles and awards mean little, it is the performance that matters and Obama's college records have not been released.

As for his performance as president, it would be easy to point out that trillions in debt will prevent us from ever climbing out of the recession. I could also argue that stimulus was a complete failure and had he instead just given that money to the American public and businesses in the form of tax breaks we would be head and shoulders better today. What indicators are you using to show the economy is improving? Better yet. What indicators are you using to show the economy will ever be back to what it was, rather then stalled in this new era of 10% (real) unemployment?

I find it funny that you call the Republicans obstructionists when the Dems won't pass his budget. They had complete control of the congress for 2 years and still had to pass Obamacare in cover of night without the transparency he promised. I am sorry that you libs have glorified him to the point of messiah and not don't know how to back down. My guess is if Hilary had jumped in and challenged him, he would have lost an incumbent primary.

@Patriot....Taxation was only one of antecedents to the Revolutionary War. If you remember, it started as taxation without representation. That was a reaction to having taxes levied to pay for the French and Indian War. More importantly was that Britain held a trade monopoly and the Yankees were unable to freely pursue their mercantile interests. Many went ahead and for all practical purposes were actually smugglers. Remember, the war was based on the conflict over economics and whether American trade and economic interests were going to be controlled at home or abroad.

@Patriot...Sheriff Joe? LOL, you have to be kidding. You're really reaching now.

@Lyle-Yes he is type of individual that made this Country what it is. Its obvious you believe in the socialist movement and feel that is best for the good of mankind. Sheriff Joe is a model citizen and law enforcement officer. But of course because he is bucking the status quoe, that makes him laughable in your eyes

@Patriot...Sheriff Joe is just the latest incarnation of Bull Shannon. Another thing about Arizona; it has been run by conservatives forever and look at the state of their economic health. If everyone becomes like Bull Shannon (aka Sheriff Joe), then who will the rich hire to do their landscaping and maintenance.

@Lyle-Well I do believe much of their economic woes can be contributed to the failed Obama immigration policies!! How many illegals taking the jobs of our citizens then running across the border with their money. Give me a break Lyle. Thats the MAIN issue with Arizona is all the illegals in the State. Thus they try and pass legislation to get a handle of those entering the State illegally and what happens. The Obama justice dept steps in.

@Patriot...Arizona has had economic problems long before Obama came to office. Illegal immigration has been a factor there forever, just like So Cal. However, you can't blame the state's problems on illegals, the state has been mismanaged for a long time. They got hammered by the bursting housing bubble because they didn't control building and development, just like Las Vegas. You have to stop reading all the propaganda and start reading some unbiased economic journals.

@Lyle-Yes there is no doubt that all played into it. But immigration illegal immigration plays a huge part in it!! We have policies in place yet the Feds choose not to enforce them. So when the State decides to take action the Feds step in and challenge that decision in court. Lyle look its obvious your side depends heavily on the illegal vote. If they were to enfore their own laws they would loose millions of votes. Thats a fact

@Patriot....The state's have no constitutional rights concerning immigration. State actions are clearly beyond the scope of their authority. Another thing about illegals; when they work here, unless they are being paid under the table, they pay SSI and Medicare without any hope of ever using them. That's a bonus to the system and well documented.

As far as illegal voting, now you're just blowing smoke. Claims about widespread illegal voting have to be proved. Whatever illegal voting that goes on is not significant enough to influence elections.

@JC-You sure your here legally? Or do I need to call immigration?

Classy response,Patriot. Really classy.

Here's the thing about a real college, they teach a person to think analytically, not just to rationalize their personal prejudices and call it common sense.

@Randy-If it makes you feel good:)) Common sense out weighs all that other BS!! We have several highly college educated individuals where I work, and well with the type of work that I do most are unable to fight there way out of a wet paper bag.
They are unable to rationally sit down and troubleshoot a problem because they try and use their 10 years of college to disect the problem.
Analytical thinking is not always the best answer there Randy. I see it everyday in my field. Those that are extremely book smart, speak big words, push their chests out proclaiming to be soooooooo smart. At times telling others their not that smart. Yet when a problem occurs that requires some simple common sense, process of elimination type of t/s when viewing a wiring diagram or schematic CLUELESS!! Oh but wait they can tell you the meaning of every symbol on that diagram but cant tell you where to even start!!

@Patriot...C'mon, there isn't anything such as common sense. Every time someone uses the term it's an indication of a judgment of condemnation. What about the people who have the ten years of education, can tell you what every symbol means and are able to trouble shoot the problem to get the process fixed, are they lacking common sense? You are using poor examples to make your point. Your point is that you're better than they in spite of their years of education. Again, judging and condemning.

No Lyle not at all!! I work with those very individuals on a daily basis!! Not judging no one just stating facts. Not patting myself on the back at all. I am very humble actually. But yes in real life sometimes common sense is the best approach. Its common sense to know that if your spending more money that your bringing in BAD things are going to happen. I just wished I had the ability to print money legally when I run out. Justifying it by saying well I have to spend millions more in order to start making money. To me it seems well I need to cut my spending in order to well take my bank account out of the negative and back into the positive. To me thats common sense!! If ya aint go it dont spend it!! Oooooops theres the not so smart me coming out

" Its common sense to know that if your spending more money that your bringing in BAD things are going to happen."

Not always. People go into the red to start up businesses all the time. You guys call it'risk-taking' and admire it immensely. It also make sense to take out loans to take care of immediate problems. If your roof needed to be repaired, you'd take out a loan. You wouldn't drop your children from your health plan to generate the cash to pay for it. And you certainly wouldn't work less yourself (take in less tax revenue, in government terms) on the grounds that having more leisure time would mean less stress on you and more ability to solve the problem of the leaky roof.

@Patriot...Now it's big unions, before it was socialists and Marxists, and before that it was liberals. Sure sounds as if there is a big conspiracy out there to steal your money so they can smoke their big cigars and watch the money roll in. It would be helpful to the discussion if you would just chose one group that is trying to suppress your liberty and freedoms.

@Lyle- Why do you avoid the topic? The topic was why was your choice for Gov not in attendance at the Memorial for Law Enforcement members of Milwaukee. It seems all those who hold a valuable place were there with the exception of Mr Barrett. The Mayor, the very same man who employs these individuals. Hmmmmmmm

@Patriot....I have absolutely no idea why he wasn't there; should I?

@Nick-I will pray for you!! Sorry I am a self thinking individual, free to make my own conclusions using the obvious. Maybe you should take some time and read Obamas autobiography Deams of My Father.
See your big words, intellectual approach to impress does just the opposite. Being book smart means just that.
There is a reason the grass roots movement referred to as the Tea Party is alive and well. Once again Nick I am not impressed in the least!!

@Patriot...I don't understand why you would pray for Nick. He has given plenty of evidence over time that he is a Christian and religious. Nick clearly represents a different perspective and for some his words become something that mystify.

I can say that Nick is neither a socialist or Marxist and I would know since I am a socialist. His obviously has received an excellent education and his humanism is based on strong principles of virtue, justice, compassion and a willingness to help others even at his own expense. Believe me when I say he is not pushing his superiority.

So Lyle, I am a bit bewildered. In your recent blog, you say you are "slightly left of center" but here you say "I am a socialist". Are they one in the same?

Yes, Bewildered, they are. The center has been dragged so far to the right you don't know that anymore.

Lyle does come across as left of (some) center, but Scott Walker is too far left for me, so what would I know? In the end Lyle does seem like a good guy and his views have educated me. I may be needing an application to that socialist club soon.

Gee Lyle, your lips never moved when your dummy, Randy, so clearly articulated your position.

The question of 'center' is an interesting one. Does the 'political center point' move or should we look at it from a fixed point in time. If it's fixed is 1776 or 1789 the starting point. If we agree that it moves with time, from where should we measure;the last election or the year we became politically aware. It seems that most like the point of measure to be the last time the elected political majority agreed with 'their own' personal views.

@Bewildered -- That's just the sort of thing I've come to expect from your side. An ad hominem with little understanding of the issue.

@Bewildered...Being slightly left of center is subjective. However, all socialists are left of center and it's on a continuum, from a social democrat like me all the way to a committed Marxist and active communist. Most of Europe are social democrats. I do believe in the sovereign community which is equal to the sovereign individual. We must balance the basic needs of the many to the needs of each individual.

Our democracy allows us to change our Constitution. That's the fundamental difference between our form of government and a Socialist regime, even one that is benign.

For the low information American who has forgotten all that was learned in school and relies on the heavily-slanted propaganda of the radical right wing, long-standing amendments and laws may seem "imposed." But each amendment was ratified through a 2/3 majority Constitutional process. Each law enacted has followed appropriate procedures AT THE TIME.

The Constitution has evolved over time and continues to provide the fundamental basis for the greatest government system known in recorded history. It has been nobly protected and must continue to be guarded from seditious attacks by profiteers and religious extremists or it will deteriorate into something unrecognizable.

In the 12th Century, Bernard of Chartres was quoted as saying, "We [the Moderns] are like dwarves perched on the shoulders of giants [the Ancients], and thus we are able to see more and farther than the latter. And this is not at all because of the acuteness of our sight or the stature of our body, but because we are carried aloft and elevated by the magnitude of the giants." (John of Salisbury)

Bernard meant that we must honor and appreciate the process that has brought us to our current point, not to forget the past.

Through this lens, the democratic process is distinguished from Socialism.

john foat, "loosers," seriously? ; ) That hardly gives you credibility, does it. And what do you mean by "TM's" and "CC"? These must be acronyms from the fringe. Please spell them out if you actually know what they stand for, thanks.

john foat, depending on our respective situations, with the trend switching revenues from income tax to property tax to fund schools and local services, I may well be paying your taxes for you.

I am definitely not paid to write on here.

Bren, I think 'CC' means concealed carry. And it just occurred to me that 'TM's' means Trayvon Martins. Nice.

Thank you, Randy! ; )

And what john foat has forgotten is that under Reaganomics, taxes actually went up for the lower income brackets. He's also forgotten who ends up paying for Wall Street, who wouldn't have so much power to wreak havoc if not for their puppets in the Republican Party.

Patch, john foat suggests that anyone who disagrees with him are paid to write on these blogs--where's my check? ; )

Wall Street has some pretty serious democrat connections (puppets) too. Bren you are so blind to the ils of your side that it has gotten to the point of being stupid.

I think your check comes from the Center for Media and Democracy. True?

@Greg...It doesn't matter whether there is a D or R behind somebody's name. For the most part they are owned by the Plutocratic 1% anyway. When there is that much money and that much power at stake, corruption runs rampant. Follow the money!

Yes Lyle, and the longer I live, the less I can stand the rampant greed.