Feingold Gets Earful in Washington County
Good for the folks who were able to attend.
Russ Feingold was giving an answer Monday morning to a question from Jen Schmanski when a crowd of almost 300 people at the Schauer Center in H a r t fo rd re a c t e d derisively.
S ch m a n - ski asked about the 9-11 terrorists and their trial in New York City.
Feingold said he believed they deserved the right to a trial where they committed the crimes.
“They’re not Americans,” came the shout from the crowd.
“It’s hard to talk if I am getting yelled at,” the third-term Democratic United States senator from Middleton said.
“Get used to it,” was the reply from somewhere in the crowd.
[...]
Joe Oleska was concerned about the provisions in the Senate health care bill that call for fines for people who choose not to purchase health insurance.
“The theory is if everybody has insurance, it will cost less,” Feingold said.
That answer drew laughter from the crowd and a shout of “bad theory.”
When politicians are behaving badly, they should feel like they are in hostile territory.
According to Deekaman, it was similar elsewhere.
In other news, Deekawife 3.0 went to Senator Feingold’s (I’m not) Listening Session at MATC today. The crowd was overwhelmingly against his stands on Obamacare and Cap & Tax.
He didn’t care.
He didn’t care.
How would you have expected him to react to a bunch of unpatriotic loonies, who don’t understand the economy?
Seriously though, I think there is a chance that things could go badly for Feingold in 2010. Especially if the Republicans can scrounge up a notable candidate.Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 0832 hrs
I think it takes balls to go into obviously hostile places and hold his sessions. I wish he would listen better, though. But I also wish people were a bit more respectful in disagreeing with him.
And good for the 300 people (!) who showed up on short notice on a weekday morning!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 0840 hrs
Especially if the Republicans can scrounge up a notable candidate.
THIS is the race where Mark Neumann belongs, not confounding a slam-dunk race for Scott Walker. I really believe Neumann could beat the uber-lib Feingold with an organized campaign, which he doesn’t have at the present time in the Gov. race.
Note to Mark: If you want campaign funds galore, quit the race for Governor and take on Feingold! THAT one you could win.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 0842 hrs
At this point, I don’t think I could vote for Mark Neumann. Who else do you have?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 0919 hrs
At this point, I don’t think I could vote for Mark Neumann. Who else do you have?
Ummmm…, Tommy “I still have one race left in me” Thompson??
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 0922 hrs
So, you think cat-calling from the back of the room is proper behavior and a helpful way of participating in government?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1049 hrs
Professor:
What does it matter, he’s not listening. None of them are. He’s supposed to work for his constituents, not the other way around.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1050 hrs
So, you think cat-calling from the back of the room is proper behavior and a helpful way of participating in government?
Yes, I do. Expressing outrage at open meetings is an American tradition. So long as Feingold wasn’t threatened or accosted, this was a healthy meeting. Shouting and booing are normal ways of expressing dissatisfaction, and open listening sessions are perfectly appropriate forums for such communication. Quietly telling the Senator that you don’t care for his voting record will get you nothing but dismissed. Being emotional and reacting to what he says are much more effective ways of getting him to understand how truly pissed off the American public is about what is going on.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1103 hrs
At this point, I don’t think I could vote for Mark Neumann. Who else do you have?
Would you vote for Feingold over Neumann?
I would gladly send Mark Neumann to Washington in place of Feingold.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1105 hrs
Same old crap. Here it is, 2010 and the Republicans are first looking for a candidate to run against Rusty. Thompson would be great, unless we could find someone older. We could check out Cedar Campus. I have had the distinct displeasuire of visiting with Rusty on a couple of occasions. He touts himself as a constitutional expert. Same level or higher than the folks in the black robes. Sitting and listening, ( why talk when when you are tuned out from the get go ? ) he reminds me of a spoiled child that needs to be in therapy or heavily medicated.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1126 hrs
Tommy the sot is a tax and spend “moderate” who should just fade away. Feingold will retain his seat, and we will continue to be dictated to, and our lives mandated because the people of S E Wisconsin are too stupid to see his voice does not speak on their behalf. Apathy and closet Socialism are alive and well represented in the form of Feingold..
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1127 hrs
Neumann vs Feingold, been there, done that. Be as much wasted time and energy as another Gard vs Kagen. I don’t care much for Tommy and think he’d be a lousy senator, but at least he’d stand a chance.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1131 hrs
What does it matter, he’s not listening. None of them are. He’s supposed to work for his constituents, not the other way around.
This assertion is true if and only if those who attend and speak out at these meetings are accurately representing his entire constituency. Can you state this for a fact? If not, then your position is based on a false premise, and therefore invalid.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1132 hrs
This assertion is true if and only if those who attend and speak out at these meetings are accurately representing his entire constituency. Can you state this for a fact? If not, then your position is based on a false premise, and therefore invalid.
As a Senator his constituency is the entire state of Wisconsin. I cannot assert as fact that the entire state disapproves of the healthcare bill, but I don’t think it is a wholly unreasonable assumption to say that the majority do.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1142 hrs
Furthermore, professor, it is extremely common for politicians to say that their constituents support something after an open meeting, such as when the county board members were inundated by union workers after Scott Walker proposed eliminating some parks jobs…
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1145 hrs
Gee, “Professor”, maybe the unruly crowd was UW system employees on the standard family health insurance plan who are smart enough to know that at today’s current rate, in 2014 the exise tax (or “Cadillac” plan surcharge) will cost either them or the UW system an additional $325/month per employee.
I cite the following (I am providing all of these details for all the non-UW followers of this site - I assume Professor already knows this):
Obama/Democrap Healthcare “Cadillac” tax:
35% exise tax on the cost of family coverage that exceeds $21,000.
UW Standard family coverage ($2681/month x 12 = $32,172)
$32,172 - $21,000 = $11,172.
$11,172 x 35% = $3,910
$3,910/12 = $325/month
Source of insurance rates: http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/sgh-2010-non-rep-reg-health-rates-uw1332.pdf
Now, perhaps the UW system has some political cover and will be able to pass those costs on to the taxpayers, but anyone at a local level of government (i.e., county or city or school) ought to be afraid, very afraid, that their health plans will be considered “Cadillac” plans, because I can say with all certainty that the local taxpayers will not be in any mood to absorb that kind of tax. Unless they plan on some kind of civil war between public employes and the non-public employes.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1158 hrs
Of course he didn’t care ... he doesn’t have a real opponent. Why should he?? Not sure that he would, even if he did, but that would be a different discussion, if it were actually the case ...
The fact that the Republicans have failed to this point to produce a credible opponent to Feingold, in this toxic climate for incumbent Democrats, is unfathomable to me. They may never get a better shot at ousting him than they’ll have this year
The State Republican Party continues to prove itself feeble. I actually think this is more embarassing than the Democrats mad scramble to get a candidate for Governor. At least you could understand the reluctance of Dems to run in the current climate.
We’re gonna get stuck with this schmuck as Senator again for another 6 years.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1241 hrs
back to that “if everybody has health insurance it will be cost less” crap. So hows that working out on auto insurance since the state law changed????
AND if mass purchasing worked to bring costs down wouldn’t Medicare and Badgercare be reducing the cost of health care in Wisconsin? Shouldn’t we be seeing costs decline as those roles expand?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1252 hrs
Can you state this for a fact?
Yes. It is a fact that a majority of Americans don’t want to socialize health care.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1300 hrs
Neumann vs Feingold, been there, done that. Be as much wasted time and energy as another Gard vs Kagen. I don’t care much for Tommy and think he’d be a lousy senator, but at least he’d stand a chance.
Environment is not the same. My intention is to get involved with whoever becomes the Republican frontrunner. I don’t care how inept, still better than pompous Middleton Russ spitting at conservatism…
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1307 hrs
He is a pompous a$$ for sure.
But it sure is fun to get in his face.
The listening session in our area last fall was very well attended even with just a few days “heads up”. By far the majority did not want Obamacare, amazing for a Democrat stronghold in western Wisconsin. Did Feingold listen - no! So- what he needs to hear from us.
Everyone should take the time and attend a Feingold listening session you will learn a lot about the “political class”.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1349 hrs
Professor:
Gee, I dunno, I suspect that his constituents were actually people at the meeting. Of course, being obviously liberal, you can’t understand that. But that’s ok.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1409 hrs
I agree - where is the candidate to run against Feingold? Neumann is not a viable candidate and I don’t think Tommy really wants to run - he’s making too much money.
Ryan would be my choice, but he would lose his seat in the house.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1608 hrs
Unless Neumann changes his ethanol stance, he is landfill…even against Feingold.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1700 hrs
We need Glenn Grothman to run against Russ.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 1824 hrs
Professor:
If the Senator had been respectful of the views of my wife and others who believe as we do, we would be much more likely to not “cat call”. But he is, as are you a dismissive elitist.
Every day I add someone to my list of people who are welcome to….
Posted by Steve on January 05, 2010 at 1920 hrs
Glenn Grothman
Joe Liebham
Terri McCormick (if she weren’t already running against Kagen)Terry Wall is running, but we aren’t hearing much from him yet.
http://www.wallforussenate.com/
Posted by hsgbdmama on January 05, 2010 at 1944 hrs
Haha. Glenn Grothman. What’s he going to run on? How he effed up TABOR? A plan to federalize the snowplows in DC? Another worthless abortion bill that goes nowhere? Grothman is the GOP version of Marlin Schneider - a tired career politician who long ago forgot how to get anything accomplished. Just another guy who collects a per diem, cashes a paycheck, and has zero influence.
And speaking of Terri McCormick, has she released any more bat!@#$ crazy videos lately? Is she claiming to have won more awards that she never received?
At least a guy like Paul Ryan gets listened to, but I suspect if the Senate interests him, he’ll wait for Nobody’s Senator to retire. Of course, depending on how the November election turns out, redistricting may leave him with little choice but to run for Senate.
Posted by Recess Supervisor on January 05, 2010 at 1958 hrs
The fact that Grothman attracts so much ire from the left almost makes him more desirable.
There is that website by that obsessed Cowpie High philosophy teacher. This philosophy teacher, his obsession, and his inability to see opposing views….somewhere in there is a good joke…
Posted by Smeety on January 05, 2010 at 2016 hrs
RS, nothing bad to say about Liebham? Then he must be the guy.
Posted by hsgbdmama on January 05, 2010 at 2035 hrs
You can meet U.S. Senate Terrance Wall on Friday, Jan. 15 at Washington County GOP Pints & Politics at Scenic View CC in Slinger, 6:30 - 8:30.
Posted by jgeld on January 05, 2010 at 2229 hrs
Haha. I like Joe Leibham, which who knows, might be enough to disqualify him as a candidate in the eyes of some people around here. The GOP would be wise to recruit more guys like him to run for public office.
Posted by Recess Supervisor on January 05, 2010 at 2243 hrs
I do not alway agree with Feingold, after he can be a difficult but I must say that neither Neumann nor Grothman would be able to go toe to toe with Feingold in any discussion. I am sure they are nice people but having heard both speak about issues on the radio I must conclude that neither really has the stuff needed for Washington. After all was not Neumann a rather lackluster member of congress in the 1980’s ?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 2302 hrs
Go see Terrance Wall and ask him about his pumpkin farm.
In 2008 In 2008 Wall owed $34,000 in property taxes on the $2 million properties. He had the property reclassified as agriculture. Reclassifying the 2+ acres of prime commercial development, located behind the Marriott Hotel and adjacent to the West Beltline near Middleton, reduced the value to just $600.
MADISON (WKOW)—Plop down a pumpkin patch on prime, commercial real estate, as Madison developer Terrence Wall did, and you save thousands in property taxes.
And Wall’s not the only one capitalizing on state tax law in these recessionary times.
Temporary farms are titling the tax rolls. Take the city of Middleton. Wall’s use of Wisconsin tax law has reduced what the city gets from him in property taxes, from thousands, to virtual pumpkin seeds.
Middleton city assessor Paul Musser told 27 News Wall’s two acres of urban land near his high rise office building on Greenway Boulevard just off the Beltline were formerly assessed for tax purposes at approximately $2 million.
http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11430119
Take a look at his pumpkin farm.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/onewisconsinnow/sets/72157622614522546/
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 06, 2010 at 0720 hrs
How dare anyone not pay more than they should in taxes!
Don’t they understand that we need every dollar to keep our nice, juicy, fat, efficient goverment working for us!Folks, our goverment needs your money! Pony up! (now where’s my kids piggy bank)........
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 06, 2010 at 1220 hrs
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