@Bren -

How does some goofy campaign gimmick pertain to your support of Barrett?

BTW - Barrett is definitely not balanced, not even close! He has the City of Milwaukee so leveraged, that it's public debt rating was recently downgraded yet again. But he just had to issue those bonds so he could get his trolley that he just had to have right now, didn't he? And you call this balanced?

Meanwhile, no new original public debt offerings by the state under Walker.

So, honestly, who's really more balanced here?

Definitely Barrett is more balanced, Mr. Hoffa. County Executive Scott Walker could have applied for federal funding to help Milwaukee, for which Barrett as Mayor was ineligible to do. Walker also left Milwaukee County with a $50+ million deficit. Milwaukee, as the largest city in the county, naturally bears the brunt of deficit reduction strategies.

Technically there is no "new" public debt under Walker's "surplus" strategy (a.k.a. debt restructuring), but practically, realistically, taking on "new" interest charges is still money out of the cash register, a six of one/half dozen of another situation. And we the taxpayer are paying for it.

I agree the gimmick is goofy. I believe it's intended to intimidate. That doesn't work on me, just makes me raise an eyebrow (which is admittedly crass). Vote for Balanced Barrett on Tuesday!

@Bren -

I'll ask again - are you then advocating for even deeper budget cuts and more layoffs of state public employees just so we can pay off the previously acquired debt now as opposed to restructuring it? Because raising taxes isn't an option. You also ignore that Walker had to pay back Doyle's illegal segregated fund raids and pay off Doyle's open tab with the state of Minnesota, which he did. That means in the next biennium, we'll actually have some money to start paying down that debt instead of restructuring it, right? Also, Walker has a plan to tackle the long term interest costs by paying down the debt more aggressively and early once the economy starts to pick up.

I'll also ask again - what is Barrett's plan for tackling the debt? How would he be handling the situation differently than Walker? Two debates, and he couldn't tell us anything specific?!?! WHY?

There's a difference between Milwaukee County and the City Bren. But, if you really want to look at Barrett's position prior to becoming Mayor, then you could say that he contributed to adding to the $16T current national debt.

So let's look at Barrett's record - $16T in national debt, and our first downgrade in history. City of Milwaukee so leveraged in debt that it was recently downgraded yet again. Hmmm… are you picking up on a pattern yet?

To say that Barrett is balanced is to obviously ignore his record. Walker's performance as Gov thus far is consistent with the spirit of financial balance.

@JRH...Why can't we raise tax revenue?

@Lyle -

Walker campaigned against it, remember? And his name isn't Diamond Jim. Not to mention that we're taxed enough already in this state. As far as combined taxation goes, Wisconsin ranks as the 7th most heavily taxed state in the nation. Would you prefer us to be number 1? There is much that can be gained first and foremost by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse and in demanding efficiency in government provided services. Have you ever been to the Milwaukee County Court House complex? That place is the antithesis of efficiency!

Now, tax restructuring, I'd be all for - closing loopholes, making sure that both the very rich and very poor are paying, etc. But to just arbitrarily increase taxes on either everyone or a certain segment of our population is just out of the question. It's fundamentally unjust.

Lyle - you are very free to pay more taxes. No one is stopping you.

I Ima Idiot, great idea, if it wasn't so immature.

@Bewildered...I asked a simple question. In the first place, your list isn't sufficient. As a matter of fact, we should have increased taxes already. But, given that we can expect increases in cost of services, then taxes will be eventually need to be generated or do propose to keep cutting government until it no longer exists or has to be replaced with privatized services? It's your call.

My list isnt sufficient? Ya gota be kidding. Dow is at lowest point this year, unemployment up. And you appear not to be phased Your answer is always "tax and spend". That's playing well in DC, aint it? And if privatization provides same services at a cheaper cost, what's wrong with that? Recycling across the state is a prime example ( including throughout the North Shore). Other than making public union workers face reality in the private sector like the rest of us poor ( and I do mean poor) working slobs. Spend your own money, not mine. Social democrat? Ya sure

@Bewildered....Insufficient revenues on both a state and federal levels over the past decade has led to the worse recession since the Great Depression. Of course that is all in hind sight.

You have absolutely no idea what privatization and right to work means. You are complaining about meager paychecks, well you had better get used to it if Walker has his way. We might as well sign up for the new feudalism.

Most experts, so we can leave you out of that bewitched, acknowledge the economy is slowing a bit but not in "big trouble." If you are worried, look at what austerity economics is doing to Europe, or Wisconsin if you want to look closer to home.

Most of the problems we have now are because the GOP and the baggers in particular do not want to see the country under Obama succeed, so they have shot down every program that would work to stimulate the economy.

Gotta love you guys. You're like the arsonists who attack the fire department for putting out the fire you set.

Don't worry. We will remind voters about this -- a lot.

@Bewildered...Time and time again, you and others view things only in the short run. You and others appear to only have the ability to question my intellectual abilities, which have been challenged and proved sufficient over time. Those who only view in the short range are always surprised by the uncertainty of the future. If you have the opportunity, celebrate your victory, but it will be the last celebration as things get more dire and that paycheck is stretched beyond capacity.

Let's see, of course, in your world, my paycheck will "be stretched beyond capacity". That's because your only plan , in your own words my friend, is to "raises taxes".

And how have you "proved your intellectual abilities to be sufficient"? What a strange and egotistical thing to say. As one of my kids says, " if you have to tell people you're cool, you're not". Lyle , you ain't cool

Still waiting for your response to why privatization, that saves money while providing same services, is wrong?

@Bewildered...Sorry, but in my world taxes are a part of life. Whether you pay for services privately or publicly you will still pay. By privatizing you have even less control than you have through public services. Privatization also opens up for the whole system to bid rigging and corruption. To begin with it may appear to cost less, but you only need to look to the states in the south and you'll find that you get less and less and get what you pay for. What you and others don't realize is that, at present, our state employees are of extremely good quality and if you privatize the services, then you will only get the lower quality of employee. You will be stubbling over dollars to pick up pennies. That is not a good return on investment.

@Lyle -

Again, I must ask - have you ever been to the Milwaukee County Courthouse complex? That place is the antithesis of efficiency!

@JRH...Of course I've been to the Milwaukee County Courthouse; along with long hours spent at the VA, the Halls of Congress, the State Capitol, etc. If your point is that public bureaucracy is inefficient, they are no more inefficient than private bureaucracies that I have a lifetime of experience with. So what is exactly your point?

Lyle, sorry, no longer take your blanket statements as factual (actualy,never did.). Pls provid proof of your statement privatization doesn't work in the south.
Btw, you do love your public unions, don't you, no mater that we pay a high upcharge for union benifits ? And are your really claiming productivity is better with public employees vs. private ones? Again, horsefeathers! Proof pls, or are those of us you believe are inferior intellectually to you bothering you by asking for documentation

@Lyle -

Are you honestly telling me that the MCCHC couldn't be run more efficiently than it is right now? The last time I was at the Register of Deeds Office, I had to wait over an hour for the union mandated 'courier' to transport my printed papers up the stairs to the cashier, as opposed to walking them to the cashier myself. Then, I had to wait another 35 minutes for the cashier to actually take my money and check me out. That is utterly ridiculous no matter how you look at it if you're being honest about the situation!

@Bewildered...Don't even have to go south to see the evidence of the problem with privatizing. Milwaukee County foster care is a prime example. Most of the problems that show up in the press is because of ill trained private service providers. As strange as it sounds, it doesn't save the state any money in the process. Start doing a little research into the foster care system and you'll see what I am talking about. Another example; look how well private prisons have worked out. The south are full of them. Another example is the private security contractors such as Xe, formally known as Blackwater. Another clear example is the defense contractors such as KBR. Last I heard it was $8 billion in overcharges. If you want to check closer to home, check out school bus contractors and food service providers to the public schools. Take the time and begin doing some non-partisan research. Across the U.S. this is a problem and it doesn't matter if the public employees are unionized or not.

@JRH...No, that's what I am not claiming; any bureaucracy can be run more efficiently, whether public or private. The nature of all bureaucracies is following procedures, which tend to be not very efficient.

For inefficient, I refer you to Tier 1 customer service at AT&T. When one is part of a duopoly customer service is no longer required. Last time I checked, this is a corporation, not a gubmint agency.

@Bren -

No question - many corporations have terrible customer relations. But the great thing about your situation is that thanks to deregulation and competition, if you don't approve of AT&T's customer service, you can fire them and go to a different telephone services provider! Unfortunately, we're stuck with the MCCHC whether we like it or not!

Lyle, once again lotsa blanket statements and opinions with no facts to back them up. Typical Mr Ruble. And we are supposed to accept your word all that you pontificate is God's truth .. I think not.

@Bewildered...I'll do a little homework for you. In 1996, the state took over child welfare from Milwaukee County that had created a mess and was facing a huge lawsuit. The Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare, a state agency, was created in response to the problems experienced by the County. Denise Revels Robinson was hired as the first director and tzar of the Child Welfare system, including Child Protective Services, Foster Care and Adoptions. Her solution was the creation of a core agency of state certified social workers running CPS. The other two mission functions were contracted out to private service providers. Over the course of history of the agency, they have fired private service providers at least 8 times. A series of 3 child deaths in 2008/09 of children in state custody within the foster care system led to Robinson's forced resignation. This is a reoccurring problem that the state can't get a handle on, but will not put foster care under direct service provision.

The reason for not making all social workers in the system state certified social workers is that a certified social worker is more expensive than hiring brand new, inexperienced, social work graduates straight out of college. Don't get me wrong, the agencies that are contracted are all non-profits with excellent reputations. However, money is in short supply and the contracts fall short in meeting the needs. We will not solve the problem until we demand certified social worker providers.

If

Conspiracy theory driven fear mongering.

Nick's been reading a bit too much Tom Clancy!

Nick - Um, so all the ultra left wing progressives do not have money? No greedy people on the left? Wall street? Hollywood? $40K fundraisers? Talk about missing a few dots. Oh, it is soooo morally reprehensible!

@bewildered...It's Ayn Rand.

@Bren...I agree with your sentiment; but remember, David turned out to be a murderer, adulterer and a tyrannical king. He is a good illustration of power corrupts, and absolute power, corrupts absolutely. A better example would be Gandhi.

David was deeply flawed, it is true. Ghandi was a man who was far more sophisticated than David, and from a time of greater sophistication, but certainly not enlightenment. He is the better example, I agree.

The Old Testament inspires me because it tells the story of the evolution of people. Although most of its principals were flawed and made many mistakes, there were also many moments of greatness.

@Bren...Biblical narratives are used as teaching tools. The search for understanding is part of the teaching process. Back to your original statement; I have taken away an object lesson. David clearly represents the human will to overcome forces that seem impossibly difficult. With the power grab made by the Walker Administration and Republicans, the Democrats and the left have been dealt blows that will require a redefinition of goals and actions. One of the left's greatest problems is that we are a true "umbrella movement" taking on the issues of social injustice. We on the left clearly pursue the moral high ground. Whereas the right pursues "pocketbook morality". It's like we are playing the same game, but we play by one set of rules and they play by another set that includes lying and misrepresentation in their pursuit of power and tyranny. Walker is clearly a dictator and is gaining more power with the passage of time. He reminds me of Hughy Long of Louisiana infamy.

Huey, Lyle. Huey.

Sing along with me...

"Every man a king, every man a king...."

Scott Walker is no Huey Long, Lyle. You wish he was Huey Long. Huey Long was in favor of everything you support, Lyle.

The comparisons are getting more preposterous and, frankly, more desperate as each day goes by here. it's too late, Lyle. The election falls on Tuesday. Unless Chisholm drops a bombshell, there's nothing that's going to grossly effect its outcome at this point. I doubt there are enough undecideds left amongst those who'll actually be going to the polls to make a difference one way or the other. You're left to attempt to convert the unconvertible. Whatever the outcome, it's a done deal already.

Boy, Bob,you summed it up perfectlly!

Can I get an Amen, brother !!

@Bob McBride...Thanks for the correction. The populist Huey "King Fish" Long was infamous for his political machine control, his dictatorial tactics and his absolute corruption. Although Walker is anything but a populist, he is none the less a part of a deeply disturbing political machine funded by the extreme right. In my opinion, the Republicans and Walker are headed down the same road as the King Fish. Once they have complete power there will be no opposition to keep them honest.

That's why we have regular scheduled (not recall) elections. Are you really saying when (not if) Walker wins Tuesday, he is going to suspend elections? That way out there, even for you, Lyle

Perhaps if you guys could ever figure out how to pick electable canidates and not ones that never had a chance of winning, ie: Klopy, Pasch and Barrett, the left wouldn't be in such turmoil.

Lyle, you have definitely "jumped the shark" ! ( nice Fonzie reference, huh? )

Lyle - "We on the left clearly pursue the moral high ground." Sure, as long as the end justifies the means.

@Ima Hippee...It's conservatives who are known for the ends justify the means. Always have been and always will be.

Lyle redux..."we play by one set of rules and they play by another set that includes lying and misrepresentation in their pursuit of power and tyranny."

Um, sure sounds like Obama to me.

Two factors will skew the 2014 election -- Citizens United, which allows the Right to outspend the Left, especially if you take union money out of the equation as Scott Fitzgerald so eloquently admitted a year ago, and the Voter ID laws designed to discourage turnout among more traditionally left-leaning demographics.

You can pretty much bet that if the big corporate money is backing a candidate, they're not in it for us.

Same old arguments that hold no water, Randy. There's nothing in Citizen's United or the Voter ID laws that target one party or the other. And we can see evidence right here how successful attempts to take union money out of the equation have been.

I guess that means you'll have to find someone else other than Obama or Romney to vote for in the presidential election, Randy. By your standard, neither of them are in it for us.

So, you're angry because conservatives have finally started to match your ground game efforts, using the same tactics that your side has been utilizing ever since you guys started this so-called civil war.

Any comment about how the DOJ is sending in poll watchers to make sure Milwaukee and Madison don't try and cheat/steal this election? 7 teams in Milwaukee, 2 teams in Madison, and 1 team in the other liberal hotbeds throughout the state. The only conservative hotbed that was assigned a team was Waukesha. Sure doesn't speak very well as to the reputation of the integrity of the vote in the liberal hotbeds throughout the state, does it? Be honest!!!

I'm sorry that you guys aren't getting the support from the Democratic billionaires, Hollywood millionaires, Soros, and DNC that you were counting on, but just because you guys picked a crap candidate to run against Walker that no one wants to waste their money on doesn't make it his fault, does it?

Honestly, blaming Walker for the Dems picking Barrett - just when does it end with you guys? You liberals really aren't responsible for anything that you do, are you?

Final PPP (Daily Kos) poll shows:

Walker - 50%
Barrett - 47%

Remember folks, while this might appear on the surface to be an adult baby having a meltdown, it's not. It's satire.

Ya know Jason, based on your track record,, no one believes a word you say ( or blog)

Pantywaist Patzfahl, why didn't you confront these folks instead of hiding behind your wife's skirt?

Are you Pauly D or, what they call in your neck of the woods, a Snooki?

GTL, Guido.

Wow, you mean the Eric Holder Justice Department will be investigating Walker? The same Eric Holder Justice department that is responsible for the death of a US Border Patrol agent through it's gun-running program? The same Eric Holder Justice department that declined to prosecute the New Black Panthers for voter intimidation during the 2008 election? THAT Justice Dept? Yea, I take the charges against Scott Walker quite seriously, lmao. I LOVE how this man has gotten under the skin of you liberals. Keep it up Mr. Walker!! By the way, I haven't heard a peep out of Obama in support of Barrett. The silence is deafening. Perhaps maybe because Obama has enough to worry about just to win WI for himself in November.

"...may the best side win!" What a dumb comment.

Which is the best side? Dumb versus dumber? Corrupt versus more corrupt? More versus a lesser version of socialism? Wake up. You have no clue.

@$$ -

If you hate this topic so much, why do you even bother commenting?

Instead of just ripping on others for actually believing in something and having the courage to voice their support, stand, and actually vote for something, why don't you try actually advocating for something yourself?

Ooops - I forgot, because then you would actually have to think! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ask you to do that. I mean, what was I thinking??? There's that word again - thinking.

If you believe in the crap that you've been spewing around here, then why aren't you pushing for Trivedi in this election?

I think that Saul had you pegged pretty well from the get go my friend!

I appreciate that comment...thank you. Do I smell a return to civility?
- No, my wife just burnt some toast...

Jason:

Once again, I believe that you are a bit off with your version of things. I believe that the correct Yoda quote is "Do. Or do not. There is no try" rather than "There is no try - only do and do not.".