WMC Criticsm
Tom Dixon: Attacks on Butler merit standing up to bullies. "The pervasive, distorting, and misleading ads by the right-wing corporate groups and Wisconsin Manufactueres & Commerce dominated the airways, making on the most respected of recent Supreme Court justices appear as a slick, ideological bag man. They were lies, and they were distortions." [Capital Times, 4/09/2008]
Jim Powell: Even Bush better than WMC on mental health. I hope more citizens of Wisconsin begin to realize how much of a stranglehold Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce has on representative democracy, not only on this issue, but on so many other pieces of legislation that would benefit the common citizen. [Jim Powell, The Capital Times, 2008.03.14]
Dave Zweifel: Shining the spotlight on WMC. "But who is behind the massive WMC war chest? No one knows for sure and it isn't telling. The result is that some of the state's biggest business and corporate names can conveniently hide their names -- everyone from big banks to big law firms, even some hospitals. Wisconsin banking juggernaut M&I, as one example, can hide behind the anonymity so as not to offend customers who might rebel at their money being used for such questionable purposes." [Capital Times, 2/25/08]
Wisconsin Department of Revenue Secretary Roger Ervin: WMC should fire its senior staff. "The staff should be doing what's good for business, not what's good for themselves or one political party...WMC is an organization that should be there to be the voice of business and to do what's best for the business community -- not what's best for politics." [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, All Politics Watch Blog, 5/1/07]
Paul Soglin: WMC Shifts Costs from Corporations to General Public. "When it was in the best interest of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) to shift costs from their members to the general public, the Madison based lobbying cabal was never shy. [Waxing America, 3/11/08]
Jack Lohman: WMC Wrong on Health Care and Attorneys. "Somehow it doesn’t surprise me that Wisconsin Manufacturers Commerce opposes the recent state Supreme Court decision that declared the limits on malpractice awards unconstitutional and that lead paint trials can move forward. WMC was extremely quick to take the side of its business, health care and insurance members, but to the detriment of the public." [Physicians for a National Health Program, 9/1/05]
Ed Garvey: Curtail WMC’s Influence Before It Owns Court. "Wisconsin is about to join Mississippi and Alabama because Jim Haney says that he will pour $3 million to $6 million into the spring Supreme Court election. His goal? Defeat Justice Louis Butler..." [Capital Times, 1/29/08]
Christine Bremer Muggli: Seats on Supreme Court for sale to high bidders, special interests. "Big businesses, led by WMC, are trying to eliminate 'unfriendly' justices on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and replace them with more 'sympathetic' ones. Last year, the group is reported to have spent more than $3 million to elect a candidate of their liking. This year they will likely spend even more in an effort to unseat Justice Louis Butler." [Wausau Daily Herald, 1/22/08]
Wisconsin Democracy Campaign's Mike McCabe: Special interest electioneering more hidden than disclosed. "WMC is a major player in campaigns and is pumping hundreds of thousands of dollars into races to influence the outcome of elections, but only told the people of Wisconsin about $450. That shows an utter disregard for voters' fundamental right to know who is trying to buy elections." [Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, 4/5/04]
Randy Smith: Boon or Bane? Critics Wonder Whether Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce does More Harm than Good? "Randy Smith, president of City Brewing Co, in La Crosse, has just begun his first term on the WMC board and is quickly getting an education in the nature of campaigning. 'I'm not a real political guy so I guess I'm a little troubled by what is going on,' said Smith, who has been instrumental in helping turn the former Heileman Brewing Co. back into one of the largest employers in La Crosse. Smith said taxes and regulation are a concern for all business owners but are certainly not the only issue. 'Sure, taxes are important but they don't make or break us,' he said." [Capital Times, 4/16/07]
Common Cause of Wisconsin's Jay Heck: Legislators hear justice plea for campaign finance changes. "Justices probably find themselves being increasingly unable to render impartial decisions if some of the people who come before them are people that contributed either huge amounts of money to their campaigns, or in the case of [Wisconsin Manufacturers in Commerce], spent $2 million in outside spending to elect Ziegler.” [Badger Herald, 12/12/07]
Editorial: Senate should back campaign reform. "Its (WMC) huge war chest enables it to drown out the message of those without deep pockets. That subverts the democratic process." [Capital Times, 2/18/08]
Marsha Lindsay: Boon or Bane? Critics Wonder Whether Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce does More Harm than Good? "Madison marketing executive Marsha Lindsay recently stepped down from the WMC board after more than 10 years of service but she said it had nothing to do with the group's direction. 'The Supreme Court race was certainly a doozy but my term expired in January and it seemed a natural evolution to leave,' she said. Lindsay did express hope that the amount of money spent in the Supreme Court race would spark some reform. [Capital Times, 4/16/07]
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