Sunday, June 17, 2007

Tune In At 10

Be sure to tune into TMJ4 this morning at 10 to watch Sunday Insight with Charlie Sykes.  I’m on with Mikel Holt, Jeff Flemming, James T. Harris, and, of course, Charlie Sykes.  I kind of go off on Jeff a bit in the third segment.  Sorry about that, Jeff.

UPDATE: We actually saw Jeff Flemming jogging when were were driving to church this morning.

(12) Comments
Posted by Owen at 0851 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin + The Blog

  1. Saw the third segment.  You may have been a little passionate, but you were right.  If only other people regarded tax increases the way you do, Owen, we’d be in a much friendlier state…

    I’m sick of working so hard only to see so much of what I earn (or what my husband earns) go to taxes…that constantly seem to never be enough.

    Oh, I also sent my two state reps letters regarding the tax increases - both sent long-winded replies that never answered my question and seemed to blame the problem on business tax loopholes (because that’s what Wisconsin needs to do - tax business more and make it even unfriendlier for companies).

    I keep meaning to scan them and post them on my blog, but I can’t get around to it…

    Posted by Amy P. on June 17, 2007 at 1524 hrs


  2. This airtime is going to your head.  there are 132 legislators, and you got 11 to pay any attention to your tax pledge crusade.  Before your head gets too big, remember that 94 percent of lawmakers are ignoring you.  And about half of the eleven who signed the pledge will end up reneging when they vote to raise fees/taxes under a redefined name.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 17, 2007 at 1814 hrs


  3. Mike, I respectfully disagree.

    Owen’s effort may be small, to you, but imagine if ALL of us put the same pressure on our elected representatives (I repeat, OUR elected representatives) to hold the line on taxes.  We’d make an impact, because - despite their ocassional smugness - these reps know we put them there and we can take them away, too.

    As Owen said this morning, it’s ridiculous to expect/demand/believe that taxes MUST go up every year.  And it should be unacceptable to anyone who pays taxes in the state of Wisconsin.

    As I believe, there are sections on tax-related forms that allow you to allocate an extra amount from your paycheck to cover taxes.  If you don’t think we’re paying enough then, by all means, send in more.

    But the notion that more of my hard-earned money NEEDS to be given over to the government every year is unacceptable.  I applaud Owen’s effort, and hope others do the same (I have written my representatives, per my above comment).

    Posted by Amy P. on June 17, 2007 at 1823 hrs


  4. Mike,

    Just a point of clarification… I only asked Assembly Republicans to sign it.  There are 52 of them.  10 signed it.  1 Democrat signed it without being asked. 

    But to your point, trust me, I have no allusions that I’m anything other than just some poor slob from West Bend.  But I’m still going to do everything in my power to make Wisconsin a better place for my kids.

    Posted by Owen on June 17, 2007 at 1836 hrs


  5. Hey, maybe I was too hard on you Owen.  You have rocked the “plan” Huebsch and the gang had to “go along to get along” with the Dems and Doyle.  I credit you for this sudden and lurching swift to a hard line no tax over my dead body attitude now.  But you have left them off the hook because they will hold the line on taxes—-not by curbing spending—-but by raiding tobacco and other segregated funds.  What then have you accomplished?  Spending will go up, and we’ll be in a deeper hole in two years because of the tempation to take the easy way out and raid funds to fradulently meet the demands of your no tax pledge.  That’s why you need to focus on spending, where the liberal ways of the Republican leadership will be exposed.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 17, 2007 at 1906 hrs


  6. Just curious Owen.  Why not invite the Dems to sign the pledge.  You may have had better luck, ha.  Were you afraid you’d get more signatures from the Dems than the Republicans.  I’d be curious to see how many more Dems might sign if offered the chance.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 17, 2007 at 1950 hrs


  7. Actually, it has more to do with accountability.  Many of the Republicans in the Assembly were gung ho to sign tax pledges during the election cycle.  I wanted to see if they were willing to do the same thing in the heat of the budget battle 18 months before they have to stand for reelection.  The Democrats, by and large, didn’t make any promises to restrain the size and scope of government.  Plus, the Assembly leadership (hint: they are all Republicans) are the only ones who have the power and slightest inclination to oppose tax hikes.  It’s a matter of concentration of force.

    Posted by Owen on June 17, 2007 at 1959 hrs


  8. Mike, you operate under the assumption that spending should, must, has to, or will go up.  Not true.

    Let’s say for a second, that my family is the government, and our employers the taxpayers.  We cannot go to our bosses every year and say, “We need more money because we plan on spending more this year.”  We’d either be laughed at, or fired.

    The government has an obligation to CONTROL spending.  This means making tough decisions and perhaps cutting some unnecessary spending (there’s a lot of it), or programs that aren’t getting the most bang for their buck.  It’s not easy, but other states do it with less taxes, so why can’t Wisconsin?

    Posted by Amy P. on June 18, 2007 at 0601 hrs


  9. mike/jon/tom/pete/TJ,

    Please explain why your comments all show up as the exact same IP address.

    Just a reminder, sockpuppetry  is a violation of our ToS, and will get you a quick trip outta here.

    Posted by Jed on June 18, 2007 at 0629 hrs


  10. Owen:

    When might the podcast be available? I was out of town Sunday. Fleming’s cooments are always good for quick (yet sad) laugh.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 18, 2007 at 1131 hrs


  11. They usually post it sometime today.

    Posted by Owen on June 18, 2007 at 1402 hrs


  12. Well, you scooped everyone on that Jeff Fleming (one m in Fleming) jogging story.  Way to go.

    Let’s see if it makes the JS “best of the bloggers” on Sunday.

    Posted by xoff on June 19, 2007 at 1137 hrs


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