Now We Know - Income Disparity Makes People Unhappy

Ya think so?  From Science Daily summary (click the title) -

ScienceDaily (June 13, 2011) — Many economists and sociologists have warned of the social dangers of a wide gap between the richest and everyone else. Now, a new study, which will be published in an upcoming issue of Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, adds a psychological reason to narrow the disparity -- it makes people unhappy.

... Interestingly, the psychologists found, the inequality blues did not afflict Americans at the top.. For instance, for the richest 20 percent, income disparity or its absence did not affect their feelings about fairness and trust -- or their happiness -- one way or the other.

WI 1848 Forward: Now We Know - #IncomeDisparity #MakesPeopleUnhappy - #Inequality #47% vs #Elites  - WI 1848 Forward:

Strategy - Walker's Wars - a Michigan takeover gimmick?

4/26: It is nice to see the thread kept alive ... it has to be or we will be surprised again -

Emily's Post: Benton Harbor, Scott Walker's budget ... Emily Mills on Tuesday 04/26/2011 11:14 am
From source -

Walker has denied that such a bill might be in the works, and I even initially dismissed reportsrumor. Further troubling evidence that such a bill may, in fact, be in the pipeline has since come to light, though, and I can’t ignore it anymore.

Last week, someone at Foley & Lardner confirmed that the firm was working to draft similar legislation “in collaboration with the Greater Milwaukee Committee, the governor and his allies.”

Walker’s claim that “There's nobody on my staff, nobody in my administration, I'm certainly not working on anything remotely close to that,” may be technically true – maybe none of his people are actually penning the legislation – but it’s certainly disingenuous.

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4/19/2011
The following was posted in this blog, WI 1848 Forward, yesterday (4/18) under the general theme of Walker's Wars a report from the local democracy battlefront. I was a little skeptical given that it appeared in Forbe's and was suggesting that not only should the content and attributions (to sources – disclosed and undisclosed) but so should the motivations of the author be carefully evaluated.

Hmmm! Time to call the Ghostbusters I guess?

Forbes - Rick Unger - Gov. Scott Walker Reportedly Planning Financial Martial Law In Wisconsin -Trial Balloon or Real?

Since what I wish for rarely happens I decided to go to the “media” skirmish in Madison.com and see how it was going by searching “Garvey”. It produced four hits right on top (one irrelevant) - a good tag and the results as they appeared at roughly 9am are provided, links and all, below – the raw link will reproduce the search but “times will change” results -

http://host.madison.com/search/?l=25&sd=desc&s=start_time&f=html&t=article&app=editorial&q=garvey

Walker nixes rumor of effort to match Michigan law

Gov. Scott Walker on Monday shot down reports that he was working on legislation to take over struggling cities and schools.

            Apr 18, 2011 | 5:55 pm | (34) Comments

On Topic: Milwaukee group pushes for 'statewide financial stress test' for localities

Although Gov. Scott Walker has denied he has any plans to push a plan that would allow the state to take control of local governments that fail a "financial stress test," a coalition of Milwaukee businesses and organizations is floating a proposal for a "statewide fiscal stress test."

Apr 18, 2011 | 3:15 pm | (46) Comments 

Ed Garvey: Walker plots to OK financial martial law

"The best government is closest to the people" and other such axioms are headed for Gov. Scott Walker's trash can. Take the latest development discovered by friends and delivered to FightingBob.com anonymously.

Apr 18, 2011 | 7:00 am | (34) Comments

At this point the Unger article starts to become more comprehensible but you have to be a bit conspiratorial or as I prefer conjectural. Any political entity, if there is such a thing, is made up of many ideological parts – some want one thing, some want another, sometimes they can coexist, sometimes they can compromise – but they have an agenda! So what is going on in this case? There are so many ways to interpret this it is hard to begin – how about a list of conjectures?

• Walker has cold feet on further changes and groups were pushing so he leaked it so he can suppress the push knowing that Garvey, et al, will jump on it!
• Garvey is an incredible investigative journalist and realized that this story just had to get to the public – so it could be stopped!
• Unger is trying, along with his constituency, to precondition an idea and make it seem plausible, “stress tests”, so that it becomes acceptable to the public as an important way to solve problems (or deal with other political philosophies). If you salt Carthage it is pretty difficult to make things ever come back as they were (hence end collective bargaining)!
• Some of the Walker camp are trying to line up support and secure more influence within the camp and need to smoke out those that oppose them (within) so they can be marginalized (a euphemism)!

Take your pick, or make up a new one ... we are better off having some insight than none! Consider when politicians claim overwhelming majorities, which are better described as slim majorities, and were only elected because a complacent and perhaps beguiled population ignored the election – see an opportunity. Be aware if not afraid, very aware!


WI 1848 Forward: Strategy - #Walker 's Wars - a #Michigan takeover gimmick? #vouchers #Elites Kill local governance!

Hint - Walker - Casablanca - at 27 sec (pause) look in lower right hand corner as this plays!

4/22: Answer: Assuming you looked at the clip ... It's the chairs ... there were originally two styles on the MU Terrace ... this looks like the springy ones ... as they got old they used to poke you!  Guess that's why they don't provide them anymore - they were otherwise a lot more comfortable!


"Who are you and what were you before?"  ---- This line from the clip / movie was meant to make you reflect on how on earth (day) did we get Walker - he must have been "what"?

Too subtle?
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I noticed this several years ago ... did you catch it!  The moral of the story is to deal with Walker you have to think far ahead about what he is likely to do - crisis is his specialty - pay attention to details - everyone ... or you will find yourself ... literally out in the cold!  He has put a group in charge that has been planning for decades - ALEC, Heritage Foundation, Koch Brothers about how to do critical damage to government functioning as we know it - education, health care, environment, family farms are just not a priority!

Click on Title and watch the trailer!

If you spend any time at Union South or Football games or Memorial Union ... did you catch it!

New Union South - A few pictures 4/15 - Opening Day 

Don't miss the plane or do?!

Forbes - Rick Unger - Gov. Scott Walker Reportedly Planning Financial Martial Law In Wisconsin -Trial Balloon or Real?

Did you see any of these?

WI 1848 Forward: Hint - #Walker - #Casablanca - at 27 sec (pause) look in lower right hand corner as this plays! #ALEC #HeritageFoundation

Madison, WI 4/2/11 Sat - Capitol Sq. - Signs have Sprung to Bloom - Sidewalks are full

If you are keeping track ... the protesters are back and looking forward to the election April 5th.  MLK is to be honored Monday on the Square at 5pm.  State Street is full of button and T-Shirt vendors, food and popcorn.  Coffee shops and restaurants are at capacity and the sidewalks are full of people and kids intermingled with signs about FitzWalkerStan flowing both ways.  The Wisconsin Film Festival is in full swing - the independent are winning everywhere, from court to film to politics!  The ice is in retreat on Monona and Mendota.  It is hard to RECALL a more prescience Spring Day.

WI - 3/29am Rev - Legislative Council Update on FitzChaos - Budget Repair - DOJ chimes in

T 3/29: At least one Satellite TV truck is parked over by the Dane County Court House - waiting for the action this morning in Judge Sumi's Court --- competing with the JFC Hearings in the Capitol!
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Click the Title to see latest Legislative Council Memo 3/28 from scribd.com -

[AND Just out  FROM WIS DOJ - asking TRO and Dane County DA Ozanne's lawsuit be vacated]

From WisPolitics.com ... summary of DA Ozanne's filings today (Monday)
Ozanne asks judge to declare collective bargaining changes not law

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 This is the final paragraph - the Courts will decide -Legislative Council Memo -

In the context of current laws on publication that define roles for both the LRB and the Secretary of State, the LRB’s action, the temporary restraining order against the Secretary of State, the lack of satisfaction of other statutory requirements, and the legal questions that are currently being litigated regarding the ability of a court to entertain challenges to an act prior to that act taking effect, it may be reasonable to conclude that a court would not apply the principles of  Stitt to permit the disregard of publication statutes when satisfaction of the public’s constitutional interest in notice is also in question.  Ultimately, given the circumstances listed above, the resolution of the question regarding the effective date of 2011 Wisconsin Act 10 appears to reside with the courts.  

From this blog previously -

WI - Upd 3/28 ~2:30pm - Laws have to be published in Official State Newspaper - WSJ

WI - Upd 3/28 ~2:30pm - Laws have to be published in Official State Newspaper - WSJ

 3/28 ... it is now being reported the DOA will be going ahead on payroll changes as of April 21st, etc.

news3jessica Jessica Arp

Sec Huebsch: This is not desire of DOA Sec to go forward without clear direction, I believe I have clear direction as guided by the statutes.

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Wheeler Report ... Legislative Council Letter to Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca

Click on Title to see it  ... Bargaining, etc. - assume Fitzgerald is trying to rattle cages!!  What he is likely to get is another 100K on the Capitol Square!
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3/26 Update Integrated -  The above link to State Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca from Leg. Council is probably the answer - but it will drag out legally and the Walker Admin will act like it is the law - and what could they do!

Just a few easily thought of -

#  Stop withholding union dues from payroll

#  Start taking out more for healthcare

#  Start taking out more for retirement

#  Depending on schedule start changing/reducing payments to local governments / school districts

I trust that the Courts/Law provides remedies to those who are harmed - will Fitzgerald and others invoke their immunity again?!

Dane County DA: LRB's actions of no legal significance from WisPolitics.com - DA Ozanne - last night
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This links to earlier blog entries on the topic -

WI - Upd. - LRB vs State Secretary of State vs State Attorney General

WI - Out-of-State Protesters Outnumbered by Out-of-State Emails Maybe ;-} 3/21

 3/22 AP from WSJ --- A Time Line and Count!
 Emails to Walker initially favored union rights, review shows

The real point is as in Emily's (Mills) Post in the  Isthmus  ... Walker cleverly chose his words and his timing so as not to be incorrect but certainly manipulative!  Trick me once shame on you! Trick me twice shame on me!
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It appears from a quick read that a sample reveals a very difficult counting problem - sort of like looking at shads/chads(?) in Florida!  Be sure to watch this note ... it will evolve as more becomes clear and more reporting gets done!!

The reason people are probably interested goes to the "bully pulpit" effect - the same reason AP and Isthmus used the Open Records Law to get the records - as this unfolds it suggests that statements were being made by Governor Walker that he did not know were true or false - or AP and Isthmus would not have to go to court to get the records.  If the statements were known to be true the Walker Administration would be more than willing to hand them over!

Analysis shows emails to Walker favored budget repair bill from WSJ 3/21

Please ... what does this mean??  Eight to nine percent or 89%

• Eight-nine percent of the emails against Walker came from Wisconsinites.

As clarified in the Isthmus 3/20:

When the Center looked only at emails from Wisconsin, the margin was much slimmer, with 55% favoring his bill and 42% opposed. And 89% of the emails against Walker came from Wisconsinites.

Still a little confusing ... I guess a large number of people were against Walker but did not mention the Budget Repair Bill ... is that what it means?  3/22 comment:  How can you have the word Wisconsin in the above two sentences and not be puzzled?  If there are 100 emails (all from Wisconsin) then 55 favor the bill and 42 oppose.  I think it might be clear - if you just used the sample numbers and then expressed the percentages relative to each number!

See also http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=32827 3/22 by Emily Mills

Emails obtained from Gov. Scott Walker show public wrote him in support of budget repair bill by  Dean Robbins on Sunday 03/20/2011

http://wi1848forward.blogspot.com/2011/03/wi-out-of-state-protesters-outnumbered.html

BADGERCARE BASIC ENROLLMENT FROZEN 3/18/2011

Update: 3/19/2011 ... a little more information
State issues enrollment freeze, premium increase for BadgerCare Basic health coverage WSJ by Wahlberg

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So what do you really think it means?   Can you take it a face value?  If you can project the bad news why can't you raise premiums now?  Does the $1M cushion apply to the current (estimated/projected) deficit ... so the deficit is not as big as it seems?  Are more/other funds available from Federal Government?  We need a specific time line not a "we will get back to you" kind of message about premium increases!

Just what will be done to help denied enrollees find "alternative health plans."  Is anybody going to try and get some answers?

 

Update: wsj 3/19

WI - Dane County judge halts collective bargaining law 3/18/2011

Dane County judge halts collective bargaining law

Will it stand ? Journal Sentinel - All Politics Blog  

Assume some other aspects on hold as well!? 

 Update:

http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_6bd569a8-5188-11e0-bea6-001cc4c03286.html

http://budget.wispolitics.com/2011/03/sumi-says-legislature-could-pass-bill.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter 

#TeaParty Members have to be paid to rally??? (3/17/11)

Click on the Title or
FreedomWorks to target unions in Wisconsin
- quote from the above ... hence my rich uncle analogy (see at end  - if you were wondering)

The Tea Party-linked group announced the $5.6 million first phase of the campaign today, which is set to include TV and online ads in addition to organized protests to counter labor rallies. The campaign will begin in Ohio, while Wisconsin and Tennessee are mentioned as part of the next wave of states.

If you are from Wisconsin and you go to a rally, you double up with neighbors in a car or take a  bus, pay your own parking, buy your own lunch or pack it yourself and if you are lucky your parents did not come along with you so they can babysit, otherwise the kids come along too and you just might want the kids to come along!

That's the way it has been for a large majority of people at pro-Wisconsin anti- FitzWalkerStan protests in Madison, Wisconsin for the last month.

According to the Wispolitics.com budget blog the Tea Party members evidently sit back and watch TV ... my interpretation while their rich uncle orders the prime rib.   In other words you may have to pay them to get off the couch ... but they will probably get the PR message!

WI : Dane County Lawsuit - Open Meetings Violations 3/16/2011

Not a bad read ... I am using some aspects of the blogger I'm not sure about!

This is the Lawsuit against Fitzgerald , et. al. about the way they passed the Budget Repair Bill ... click the title and see what you get?!

I think it is working the way I intended now???! Click the back button on your browser to return from the document to the blog!

Other more recent issues ... will this become a recurring theme of FitzWalkerStan :
Building Commission Meeting Closed? Risser and Pocan Object!

N - Wisconsin 3/14 FitzWalkerStan - Contempt in Senate

 I believe State Representative Pocan deserves credit for the naming our faux state!


Senate Contempt  from WisPolitics.com ... will probably be overturned (in my opinion)

as from the link ...

Sen. Fitzgerald: Email re: Senate Democrat voting privileges in standing committees
3/14/2011

From: Sen.Fitzgerald
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2011 3:52 PM
To: *Legislative Senate Republicans
Subject: Senate Democrat voting privileges in standing committees

Dear Members,

With the return of the Senate Democrats this weekend, questions have arisen regarding Democrat members’ participation in Senate standing committee public hearings and executive sessions.

Please note that all 14 Democrat senators are still in contempt of the Senate. Therefore, when taking roll call votes on amendments and bills during executive sessions, Senate Democrats’ votes will not be reflected in the Records of Committee Proceedings or the Senate Journal. They are free to attend hearings, listen to testimony, debate legislation, introduce amendments, and cast votes to signal their support/opposition, but those votes will not count, and will not be recorded.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact my office.

Thank you,

Scott Fitzgerald
Senate Majority Leader
13th Senate District


#Union WI 1848 Forward:  #GOP #Wisconsin 3/14/11 #FitzWalkerStan - Contempt in Senate #1% #elites