http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/members_rss The following posts were created from our member blogs. Statements and opinions expressed in our member blogs represent their author's views only and do not represent the viewpoint of OWN. As a section 501(c)(4) tax exempt advocacy organization OWN regularly monitors legislative and regulatory activities in Wisconsin and takes positions on a variety of public policy matters. As part of these ongoing, direct and grassroots lobbying efforts, OWN provides information to the general public on issues and policies that may be associated with a public official or candidate. All of these activities - including providing the blog forum - are done in support of OWN's lobbying efforts and OWN does not consider any of its activities "political" as defined under the Internal Revenue Code. One more time on Summerfest and the Army. Having visited the Army exhibit, rather than relying on newspaper reports, I'm now for declaring victory. What the Army exhibit offers now is much different from the virtual killing it was promoting as a recruiting tool for young teens before Peace Action-Wisconsin intervened. Summerfest still needs some thank you calls at 414-273-2690. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/xoff/CHjH http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/xoff/CHjH/commentary#comments Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:36:40 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/xoff/CHjH Xoff Xoff 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjH/ Joe Leibham, State Senator from Sheyboygan just won’t stop trying to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin voters with his hair-brained voter ID scheme. Even as a new audit of the April 1 election found “nearly error-free voting,” Joe “Still Can’t Prove a Voter Fraud Case” Leibham keeps up the voter ID rhetoric. “I still think there are people getting around those processes,” Leibham childishly retorted when asked about the April election. I once again call on Sen. Leibham to produce one incidence of voter fraud that would have been prevented by his “voter ID” scheme. I don’t expect an answer. Then again, I don’t expect him to end his crusade to stop a problem that doesn’t exist either. I guess that’s the difference between the truth and a Leibham. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/theduke/CHjv http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/theduke/CHjv/commentary#comments Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:19:55 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/theduke/CHjv Robert http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/98373c53a0534c14fd_ppbmvypq9.jpg Robert 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjv/ The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported today that gay Wisconsin couples going to California to get married might be subject to prosecution when they get back home. The story points to an obscure Wisconsin law which prohibits Wisconsinites from going to another state to get married, if that marriage would otherwise be illegal back at home. Apparently the law was established to guard against under age couples from getting married in other states and coming back to Wisconsin. Some gay couples have called off their plans to get married in California, specifically citing the Wisconsin law. The statute calls for up to a $10,000 fine and nine months in jail. Legislators quoted in the story don’t think that the obscure law would apply to these gay couples, but it seems that the decision to prosecute would be up to each individual District Attorney. Even the legislator that sponsored the anti-gay marriage amendment suggests that the law would not apply to gay couples getting married in California. That wasn’t enough to stop anti-gay crusader Julaine Appling from calling for the prosecution of gay couples. As if cheerleading for anti-gay discrimination wasn’t enough, now she seems to be calling for the outright jailing of people that simply want to get married. If you needed any more proof at just how obsessed and extreme some people are on this subject you need not look any further than Appling. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjr http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjr/commentary#comments Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:34:27 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjr Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjr/ John McCain has been little more than a rubber stamp for the failing George W. Bush economy. Perhaps this is the reason that he has such a hard time bringing himself to admit that this economy has been very hard on the average American. June was the latest time where John McCain claimed that, “the fundamentals of the economy are very strong. Very strong.” Who exactly was he trying to convince with that statement, himself or the many working families that know different? In June this “very strong” economy lost another 62,000 jobs, making it the sixth straight month of negative job growth. The Bush economy has been a boon for the wealthiest in our nation. John McCain is one of the richest members of the U.S. Senate, but could he really be so out of touch with the average person? Since when is massive job loss a sign of a “strong economy?” It looks like John McCain was right, he really does need more education on the economy . http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjc http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjc/commentary#comments Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:37:00 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjc Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjc/ This morning John McCain tried to get a do-over regarding his admission that he doesn’t know much about economics. While appearing in an interview on ABC this morning, McCain interrupted the interviewer after she referred to his admission. McCain responded saying that he never said that he didn’t know much about economics and that actually, “I’m very strong on the economy. I understand it.” McCain may wish that he didn’t repeatedly talk about his lack of understanding on economics but he can’t change that fact now. Here is a reminder of some of his admissions: “The issue of economics is not something I’ve understood as well as I should,” McCain said. “I’ve got Greenspan’s book.” “I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated .” One of McCain’s top advisors admitted that McCain has said he knows little about the economy , noting that “he did say it one time, no question, maybe twice.” http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjW http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjW/commentary#comments Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:05:34 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjW Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjW/ Rabid radio talker Charlie Sykes devoted more than half of his morning show railing on Summerfest for asking the Army to shut down a virtual killing game , urging listeners to call those wimpy Summerfest folks and complain. Actually, Summerfest needs to be thanked and congratulated for doing the right thing. It is never easy to publicly take a stand and reverse an earlier decision -- not to mention facing down the military. Please take a minute to call Summerfest at 414-273--2680. They need some support. More here. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/xoff/CHjZ http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/xoff/CHjZ/commentary#comments Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:17:04 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/xoff/CHjZ Xoff Xoff 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjZ/ One small step for humankind: At the request of Summerfest officials, the U.S. Army on Tuesday removed a virtual urban warfare game that allowed fest-goers as young as 13 to hop into a Humvee simulator and fire machine guns at life-size people on a computer screen. Peace Action-Wisconsin launched a campaign Tuesday to shut down the "game," and Veterans for Peace, Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice also joined in asking their members to call Summerfest to complain. Summerfest officials reported "a handful" of complaints, but it took less than 12 hours to get action, suggesting there was more than a handful of callers, which forced Summerfest to take it seriously. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/xoff/CHjq http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/xoff/CHjq/commentary#comments Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:47:05 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/xoff/CHjq Xoff Xoff 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjq/ Another big election year means another year for Republicans to make false claims about voter fraud. It looks like they are already running the exact same drill that they have run stretching all the way back to the 1960’s. The Republican National Committee has added a page on its website entitled “You Can’t Make this Stuff Up.” Interesting title since most of the accusations of voter fraud on the page are either totally made up or at least severely short on the facts. A recent story on Alternet lists a few examples posted on the RNC site. In Louisiana the Republican Party questioned a registration drive because 30 percent of the applications were missing some information – an industry norm – and called for an investigation. The Alabama’s Republican Attorney General said that “fraud and systemic corruption” were rampant in a few Democratic-majority counties. He then made the outlandish claim that absentee ballots were being sold and “traded for gravel” but could not cite any charges filed. In Indiana a Republican Party official made the unfounded claim that large numbers of people were coming over from Illinois to vote in their presidential primary. The local county election director rejected his claims as being totally unfounded. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjX http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjX/commentary#comments Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:17:24 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjX Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjX/ Former Assembly Speaker John Gard has scheduled several town-hall meetings that he says will focus on gas prices. Unfortunately his positions on our addiction to oil is no different than the failed policies of the most unpopular president in history, George W. Bush. More specifically Gard is talking about giving Big Oil a free pass to dig up and take over wherever they think that they can find oil. Whether it is endangering pristine areas of wildlife or erecting Big Oil monuments right off our coasts, Gard’s folly is trying to drill our way out of this energy crisis. Even some of his fellow Republicans do not agree with this shortsighted gamble for what is sure to be a very limited gain. While Gard is busy promoting Big Oil’s self serving agenda, I wonder if he will take a moment to correct himself on a recent related claim. Talking Points memo reported  recently that Gard parroted a conservative talking point that had been completely debunked. The conservative claim that China and other nations were drilling off the coast of Florida was repeated in a Gard flyer even after Dick Cheney had to admit that it was not factual. When reporters for Talking Points Memo called the Gard operation to ask them about the misinformation, they were given several different false and conflicting answers. Perhaps it would be good for John Gard to take a moment during the town hall meetings to explain why he put out such inaccurate information for public consumption. Like his energy policy in general, the flyer demonstrates the length that he will go to in order to protect Big Oil and their narrow interests. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjt http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjt/commentary#comments Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:10:09 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjt Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 1 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjt/ Judicial Activism is both praised and criticized, as it often divides the court,, but it has without question produced valuable results over issues that were controversial at some time, such as Brown v. Board of Education , a critical case that brought an end to segregation during the 1950s. This judicial activism is defined as “an interpretation of the U.S. Constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence judicial decisions.” Van Hollen’s recent public announcements on particular issues in Wisconsin remind me eerily of this method, but without the formality of court. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/bennettgaumitz/CHjh http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/bennettgaumitz/CHjh/commentary#comments Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:48:28 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/bennettgaumitz/CHjh Bennett Bennett 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjh/ Recently presidential candidate John McCain took a trip to Iowa where he visited some of the areas most damaged by the June flooding. McCain and crew ignored a request, from Iowa's governor, to forego the visit although Iowa officials feared the campaign visit may distract security from the state's massive flood recovery efforts. During his visit McCain took the opportunity to tell residents of an effected town "I am confident that there will be immediate relief". Perhaps McCain's confidence comes from knowing that support is available through the recent Water Resources Development Act, a bill passed last year. The Water Resources Development Act was passed in the Senate on November 9, 2007 with a Senate vote of 81-12. President Bush did veto the bill, but lawmakers were able to count enough votes to over-ride the veto. Both Democrats and Republicans chose to support this bill which appropriated $23 billion to critical projects including repairs to flood damage and wetland area, as well as preventing flooding to communities around the country. Among the small number of lawmakers opposing the bill included Senator McCain: although he was not present for the vote, McCain vocally opposed it . Last year McCain said that he opposed the $23 billion Water Resources Development Act because it included projects he considered wasteful. The program funds the production of levees and flood prevention programs which at the time of the vote McCain considered "pork". Today, thousands of Americans are still piecing together the remains from the early June floods. Instead of offering kind words to those most affected by natural disasters, maybe next time McCain will support positive legislation before the storm hits. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/monicabennett/CHjR http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/monicabennett/CHjR/commentary#comments Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:24:12 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/monicabennett/CHjR Monica Monica 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjR/ John McCain’s record in the U.S. Senate has repeatedly demonstrated that he is totally out of touch with the average working person in this country. His recent and constantly shifting policy statements have totally reinforced this fact. Just the other day, while he was fundraising in California, a reporter asked him a very easy question that any regular person could have answered instantly. “ When was the last time you pumped your own gas and how much did it cost?” What was McCain’s answer? Well, it was a mixture of “I don’t know,” and “I don’t recall.” It is no surprise that John McCain is so far out of touch with the daily lives of average Americans. He is one of the richest members of Congress after all. He did marry into a very wealthy family and doesn’t really have to deal with any of the struggles that the rest of us face everyday. Being as rich as John McCain isn’t the problem by itself, but it is that combined with loser policy positions that don’t help real people that need it most. Fresh off a fundraising tour through oil country , John McCain has changed his mind on trying to drill our way out of our energy crisis. It seems that he is totally in touch with the needs of that powerful interest. The best that average people have been able to get from John McCain is the “gas tax holiday” which has been totally debunked by economists as a total gimmick . When it comes to the economy and the everyday challenges faced by average Americans, John McCain is showing himself to be out of touch and deficient of solutions. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjN http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjN/commentary#comments Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:15:48 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjN Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 1 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjN/ The following text (in two e-mails) below was received from timkisting@aol.com , commenting on a brief analysis ( SC Decision Striking Down Gun Control Is Fine with This Progressive ) on the Supreme Court decision, District of Columbia v. Heller (07-290) , that was picked up in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on Sunday. Well, let's hope this guy, timkisting@aol.com , doesn't own a gun. The ad hominem attempt (below among many) to insult by raising the possibility of my being a "fag" merits a reply: Being gay is okay. As is working for the people residing in "Milwaukee's ghetto population". http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/michaelleon/CHj5 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/michaelleon/CHj5/commentary#comments Mon, 30 Jun 2008 07:39:34 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/michaelleon/CHj5 User from Madison, WI User from Madison, WI 2 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHj5/ Last week it was reported that a Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) staffer condescendingly referred to the Epic Systems founder and well-respected progressive business leader as “that computer lady.” As a result the Institute for One Wisconsin launched an education effort this week questioning WMC’s attitude toward women and their history of opposing legislation that would have been helpful to both women and their families. The online campaign includes a WMC Watch News Alert available at WMCWatch.org and a letter to the editor writing tool. Individuals can write a letter to the editor of their local papers expressing their outrage at both the dismissive WMC comments and their legislative positions that have been bad for Wisconsin women. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjp http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjp/commentary#comments Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:41:38 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjp Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjp/ The last battle is about to fought in this young democratic nation. Former one term Republican state senator, Tom Reynolds, who has a radical reputation and is a card carrying member of the lunatic fringe, has not been sitting idly by watching his Party implode from the weight of its many contradictions. How loony is this guy: According to the Wisconsin State Journal, "He advocated raising the speed limit on Wisconsin's Interstates and even floated the idea of a privately owned Autobahn after he was ticketed for speeding. He once sent out a Christmas card with him and wife portraying Joseph and Mary." In what Reynolds calls, Clean Sweep Wisconsin, he's recruiting conservative candidates to challenge Milwaukee-area Democrats, as Democrats in their party's primary this fall, to blur the line between what is real and what is phony. "Clean Sweep Wisconsin" should be called "Clean Sweep Democracy," once other Republicans realize the benefit of infecting other state elections with this killer virus. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/johnpeterson/CHjJ http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/johnpeterson/CHjJ/commentary#comments Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:44:55 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/johnpeterson/CHjJ Democurmudgeon http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/6f6ad1f4d45040c85d_df9dmv9ji.jpg Democurmudgeon 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjJ/ Congressman F. Jim Sensenbrenner must have way too much time on his hands. He must be spending it reading all of the right wing blog hysteria over flood victims in Milwaukee actually getting aid. Earlier this week people in Milwaukee’s central city stood in line to get food vouchers. There was apparently some confusion and frustration at the site which led to some pushing and shoving prompting a police response. After the incident right wing bloggers went completely nuts. Suddenly they declared the incident a full blown “riot” even though it had very few of the traits that one would associate with an actual riot. Next they started overanalyzing pictures in the paper, doing fashion checks on those that stood in line. They began to show outrage because some of the people seeking aid actually had cell phones. Oh the horror! They even went to another sleazy low by commenting on the flood victim’s weight, and wondering why they would need food. It has really been a disgusting display feeding into all of the same racist stereotypes that apparently still plague our society. Now F. Jim Sensenbrenner has decided to jump in, trying to give some legitimacy to many of the fowl things being said on the right. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjS http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjS/commentary#comments Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:19:41 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjS Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjS/ Federal Election Day Voter Registration is a great way to increase voter turnout. Election Day Registration would ensure that no voters are disenfranchised by voter registration regulations. Currently, there is a bill in the US Senate, proposed by Senator Feingold, that would establish Federal Election Day Voter Registration and it needs your support. As Wisconsinites, we have the privilege to register to vote on Election Day; however, for many other citizens, this is not the case. In most states, you must register to vote 20-30 days before the election. This, according to research , is well before most average citizens even consider the election or who they will be voting for. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/jessical/CHjV http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/jessical/CHjV/commentary#comments Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:17:16 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/jessical/CHjV Jessica L http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/75e0927e50c1f01f78_yk3nmv4fj.jpg Jessica L 3 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjV/ Although the media is trying its best to paint him as something different , Congressman Paul Ryan continues to prove that he is from the same polluted conservative mold as the most unpopular president in history. While the rhetoric around Ryan may suggest otherwise, reality and his actual record have proven him to be nothing more than a rubber stamp of the worst kind. The latest example came only yesterday when he voted against a bill with massive bipartisan support. The bill postponed a planned cut in payments to physicians who treat Medicare patients. If the bill is not passed before July 1 doctors that treat Medicare patients will take a 10.6 percent hit. Such a dramatic pay cut could easily jeopardize access for both seniors and the disabled. Why would Paul Ryan vote for that? Ryan’s vote is even more peculiar when you consider that 129 of his fellow Republicans joined with the Democrats to support the bill. There are only two explanations for Ryan’s hard line against this measure. Either he is just that loyal to a grossly out of touch president that has promised to veto it or he has a deep desire to protect big insurance at all costs. The cut to doctors was replaced by a reduction in payments to private insurers that participate in the Medicare Advantage program. According to a congressional advisory commission , those companies get some 13 percent more than it costs Medicare to offer services itself. For a guy that prides himself on his imagined budgetary prowess, it seems an odd thing to defend. Someone should corner Ryan and ask him exactly why he would rather cut doctors and seniors rather than slow down the gravy train for big insurance. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjj http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjj/commentary#comments Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:22:06 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjj Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjj/ Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) have shown themselves to be little more than a partisan organization in recent years. Rather than simply representing business interests in the state, they have become hugely partisan and practically the funding arm for right wing candidates. Understandably, this increasingly partisan direction has concerned numerous businesses that did not sign up for such controversy. Partisanship has become one of the obvious faces of WMC, but in a recent story in the Isthmus, we may have seen a sign of something more troubling. The Isthmus profiled Epic Systems, a Madison based software company that has not only grown to be one of the most important companies in Dane County but a powerhouse in both the state and country. While describing the many ways that Epic Systems has been leading their entire industry, the story also takes a look at the leadership behind Epic Systems and their great successes. No look at the company would be complete without mentioning the founder and CEO, Judy Faulkner. The story goes on to give a professional and rather personal profile of the force behind this giant success story. As part of that discussion, the story points out that Judy Faulkner is very forward thinking and progressive when it comes to public policy and other important issues. This certainly does not fit with the increasingly right wing partisan WMC agenda. http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjG http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjG/commentary#comments Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:15:30 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/coryliebmann/CHjG Cory @ One Wisconsin Now http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/9ad40ac09a26a36f86_dlqmv2gn9.jpg Cory @ One Wisconsin Now 3 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjG/ The federal government will expand its sanction of Milwaukee schools this year, according to a report published in today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . 38 schools currently receiving federal government aid for low income students will be hit with cuts to that aid. The Department of Education calls these schools "identified for improvement" and refers to the slashing of budgets as the result of "escalating academic standards". Worded in this fashion, it is possible to think that the cuts are suitable measures to take in the face of poor performance. After all, the government set standards and the schools failed to comply, isn't some punishment in order? In a word, no. These schools faced an arbitrary increase in standards, a reduction in funding and a failing plan for urban centers across this country. The failing grade goes to the Bush Administration, so why are Wisconsin citizens coming home with the bad report card? http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/Adam/CHjM http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/Adam/CHjM/commentary#comments Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:24:23 EDT http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/post/Adam/CHjM Adam http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/profile_picture/bc8696e6f93c0c0b92_nt5mvyguq.jpg Adam 0 http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/community/comment_rss/CHjM/