Yesterday, I posted a video of a confrontation between Rep. Paul Ryan and some activists at a Labor Day parade. (I’ve embedded the video again at the bottom of this post.) Today, I’ll offer tips for how Ryan, or any politician, can avoid embarrassing encounters with protesters at parades, grocery stores, etc. For those who…
Politics
Freedom of Speech, Politics
Left Dogs Paul Ryan at Labor Day Parade
by JOHN ADAMS •
Politics
So, who’s filed (so far) to run for president next year?
by JOHN ADAMS •
Politics, Wisconsin
UW-Whitewater’s Professor Emrey on post-recall Wisconsin politics
by JOHN ADAMS •
Government Spending, Planning, Politics
How Politicians, Bureaucrats Pretend They’re Offering Competitive Solutions
by JOHN ADAMS •
A cunning bureaucrat, or a Texas politician, may tell his constituents that he’ll propose charging user fees, rather than using general tax funds, for basic services. He’s sure to contend that this approach makes the services offered more competitive. That’s nonsense, of course. The same government monopoly would exist as before, with the same lack…
Politics
Wisconsin Reporter: Incredible, Ignorant Enthusiasm
by JOHN ADAMS •
I wrote yesterday about a new group of sham news sites, and mentioned the Wisconsin Reporter as among them. (If I had a dime for every time that website misspelled something, and later claimed the misspelling was just a typo, I’d have…lot and lots of dimes.) That’s not their big problem, of course: the big…
Politics
Fighting Over Switching
by JOHN ADAMS •
Not every voter got what he or she wanted last night. Many got far less than they hoped. But it’s not last night; it’s this morning. Here’s the sometimes-grating but inescapable truth: another day is another chance to fight on (or, alternatively, to bask in the afterglow of success). There’s great strength in carrying on,…
Freedom of Speech, Politics, Wisconsin
Swing Away
by JOHN ADAMS •
It’s a big day in Wisconsin, a day of uncertain outcome. Not our first big day, not our last, but important just the same. In six senatorial districts across the state, thousands of citizens will cast votes, and those votes will make a difference in our history. No one’s required to vote; we would not…
Politics
Fortis: The Most Political Redistricting Map in More Than 50 Years
by JOHN ADAMS •
Lou Fortis, Wisconsin publisher, comments on the GOP’s redistricting plan. For anyone still foolish enough to believe that the majority party represents ‘public service,’ ‘giving of oneself,’ or dedication to a ‘greater good,’ set aside those false notions now: The new Republican redistricting map will pack Democrats into a limited number of safe Democratic seats,…
Politics, Press
Recall Elections
by JOHN ADAMS •
The Journal Sentinel recently ran an editorial (“The perpetual campaign”) decrying Wisconsin’s current recall elections. They’re on the wrong side of the issue: these recall elections are a legitimate response to wide-reaching legislation proposed only after the election, restricting freedom of association, on which Gov. Walker did not run, and for which he might have…
Politics, Press
Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism posts state officials’ statements of economic interest online
by JOHN ADAMS •
Knowledge is power, or at least, a way to assure integrity among the powerful. The archive, searchable by party affiliation and district number, is accessible at this link. Available are statements from state legislators, as well as five constitutional officers: governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer and secretary of state. Via WisconsinWatch.org. Also linked at…
Politics
Viewer’s Digest: GOP Debate in Four Minutes
by JOHN ADAMS •
Liberty, Politics
Eight Steps for Responding to Political Wrongs
by JOHN ADAMS •
There are political decisions of all kinds, but few are truly wrong. Most are simply efficient or inefficient, practical or impractical. There are times, however, when a politician offers a proposal that works a great wrong, and stands against America’s fundamental principles. When a politician takes that course, what is to be done? First, speak…
City, Law, Laws/Regulations, Liberty, Police, Politics, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Assembly Bill 173
by JOHN ADAMS •
Yesterday, Rep. Don Pridemore’s Arizona-syle immigration legislation received a numerical designation: Assembly Bill 173. The full text of the bill is online at the Legislature’s website. The bill has the following initial sponsors: “Representatives Pridemore, Wynn, LeMahieu, Kleefisch, Steineke and Jacque; Cosponsored by Senator Lasee.” One could have expected Wynn to support this measure. His…