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Saturday, December 20, 2014

Is Walker 's WI Property Tax Reduction another "Hidden Agenda?"

Governor Walker has recently touted how he plans on lowering property taxes.

How can he do this? And as usual the the devil may be in the details!

  • By "general revenue" increases, either from sales tax, income tax or special use taxes.  The largesse could be redistributed to cities, counties as property tax relief.
  • If "general revenue" does not increase then the relief has to come from cutting programs and using "revenue sharing statutes."  There are other tricks with changing "incident" dates.
In the first case property taxes are actually being lowered.  In the latter case you are actually "robbing Peter to pay Paul."  

The "revenue sharing" mechanics are most likely changed with each budget and the details also lost on most of us to understand "the policy" implications.  You can be certain however that both political parties try to favor their "constituencies" otherwise know as "lobbyists"

In the last go round there was a lot of local government and school district grumbling as the "revenue sharing" and other enactments restricted how and what local governments could actually do with property tax levies.

That brings us to the general point that we need to understand who really benefits from tax increases or tax cuts, whether they are property tax or general revenue.  There is almost always a "hidden agenda" and an attempt to present actions in a positive light and not disclose other implications.

  • Who really gets the most from "property tax relief" - families or businesses?  Renters or large real estate holders?
  • Does limiting local control over property taxes enhance the "communities" well being or does it materially diminish the differently expressed preferences of one community over another.
  • Does limiting or restricting "school boards" from either access to more monies or interfering with what they can spend the monies on help some other "policy objective" - make "charter schools" appear more attractive.
It's complicated but still very important to try and understand the details.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I added this blog reference after reading Jake's comment -

JAKE'S ECONOMIC TA FUNHOUSE


Scott Walker touts property tax relief throughout Wisconsin

Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/writers/jessie-opoien/scott-walker-touts-property-tax-relief-throughout-wisconsin/article_62d05743-78e3-5aef-8255-ee90195c6706.html#ixzz3Mj7Fm42F


... and more unrealistic games by the GOP on the National level



In practice, these models are political statements. They show the biggest economic effects by assuming that tax cuts are financed by unspecified future spending cuts. The smaller size of government, not the tax cuts by themselves, largely drives the models’ results.


Jake's Economic TA Funhouse: Walker's Wisconsin borrows just like they do in DC


While he adds $2 Billion (on purpose to create a crisis at UW) to the deficit and $1 Billion more in bonds.


#1% benefit: Is #Walker 's WI #Property #Tax Reduction another "Hidden Agenda?  Property Tax >  Are #wealthy people overburdened by #propertytax ? -WI 1848 Forward

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Gov. "Hidden Agenda" Walker ... you won't be able to keep your Health Plan or Doctor

May 03, 2016 ... Group Health marches toward "Wisconsin being self-insured" !


The insuring "parties" will still be the same -- same Doctors, same Hospitals, etc.  Will Wisconsin save money?  Doubt it.  More likely to translate into "coverage dematerialization" and higher costs for everyone.  Governor Walker has found a new way to "create death panels" by his usual "stealth techniques".  "Savings" will be hidden in higher co-pays and deductibles, or denials of life saving treatments/medicines.  Those in rural Wisconsin, insured presently or not, will find there costs rising.



Points from MSJ article - 11/19/2014

Study to look at self-insured model for Wisconsin employee health benefits


Do we already know the conclusion?  Private Profits, Greater Personal Costs, Bigger Future Deficits !
A Georgia consultant will carry out a study on how to save taxpayers money on health coverage for nearly 100,000 state employees, including a proposal to move away from private health plans.
He tried it last year too ...
That single change would involve shifting from Wisconsin health maintenance organizations to a self-insured model in which the state works with a large private administrator, likely a large out-of-state company. Last year, GOP Gov. Scott Walker said he was considering a self-insured coverage program for state employees but made no decisions. 
...Tom Korpady, who for almost three decades ran the state's insurance system using competing private companies ....
Korpady, who retired several years ago, said the state dropped a self-insured model after experiencing a 22% increase in costs in 1981 and a 30% increase in 1982. 
If Walker goes private you can be sure that you won't be able to keep the doctor or the coverage you have now!
The state's current approach gives employees a choice between different private HMOs aligned with local providers. That forces them to compete on price and quality, particularly in the Madison area. 
Points from the Cap Times - 11/21/2014 
Unions skeptical of discussed changes to Wisconsin employee health insurance

You want an example of political agenda coordination ?

... Gov. Scott Walker's administration has contracted with the Segal Co. to study potential cost-cutting changes to the state's health insurance plans, including moving to a self-insured coverage program, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Wednesday.
That news came the same day the conservative MacIver Institute and National Center for Policy Analysis presented a report calling for changes to the state's health care benefit program for public retirees, based on the strengths of the state's pension fund. ...

How good is the current approach ?
..."According to PEW, Wisconsin is the only state in the nation with a fully funded pension system and the only state rated a solid performer in both pension and OPEB liabilities that include retiree health insurance," Patrick said.

...
According to ... Deloitte studies, completed in 2012 and 2013, moving to self-insurance could save Wisconsin $20 million — but could cost $100 million more. 
The Walker Plan

Step #1 - Privatize HealthCare #2 Eliminate Heath Coverage as too expensive # 3 Everyone loses


There is a problem with "UnDivided Attention"!


#1% WI 1848 Forward: Gov. "Hidden Agenda" #Walker ...you won't be able to keep your #Health Plan or #Doctor #MJS

WI 1848 Forward: "Hidden Agenda" Walker - May 03, 2016 - Group Health marches toward "Wisconsin being self-insured"!

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

GOP - Grand Oil Party - So much for climate

From The Nation via TomDispatch.com and by Michael T. Klare 11/1/8/2014

The Grand Oil Party Takes Washington by Storm

Monday, October 20, 2014

Bold Agenda Pac - Very slick GOP front group advertising


Bold Agenda Pac

Very slick ... very subtle ... evaluate carefully!  Snake Oil.

Even though this organization, to the best of my knowledge, is a creature of the 2014 election cycle I'm leaving it up as an example of the problems of "issue money" in politics.

Citizens United Supreme [Court] Mistake


The #1% WI 1848 Forward: - Very slick front group advertising. Pay attention #DEMs

The #1% #CitzensUnited WI 1848 Forward: - Very slick front group advertising. Attention!

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Last Week Tonight - Ayn Rand

Last Week Tonight - Ayn Rand --- click title - it is hilarious

This is an earlier YouTube story : GOP and Ayn Rand and pols like Paul Ryan, Ron Johnson

#HBO Last Week Tonight - Ayn #Rand & derivative WI #GOP pols Paul #Ryan - #Janesville - Ron #Johnson - WI 1848 Forward:

Friday, September 19, 2014

TED - GAPMINDER NEWS - Hans Rosling - Cure Ignorance

One of my favorite sayings - "Ignorance can be cured stupidity cannot."

What could be the earliest “stupid” quote of all comes to us  from ancient Greece: “Ignorance can be cured, but stupidity is forever.” Aristophanes

9/19/2014






#TED 4,222,462 views - the best stats you've ever seen - Hans #Rosling


WI 1848 Forward: #TED - #GAPMINDER NEWS - Hans #Rosling - Cure #Ignorance 

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Paul "Ayn Rand" Ryan

2017  ... he has more challengers !


ELECTION 2014

Paul Ryan has a nominal challenger in GOP primary - JSOnline 8/6/2014


U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Janesville, seeking a ninth term, has an opponent with the same last name as his in the Republican primary for the 1st Congressional District seat Tuesday.
But the more contested race is on the Democratic side where Rob Zerban, who lost to Ryan two years ago, is being challenged by Amardeep Kaleka. Kaleka's father, Sikh Temple President Satwant Singh Kaleka, was gunned down by a white supremacist at an Oak Creek Sikh temple two years ago. His father's death motivated Kaleka to run for Congress. 
Zerban, a former Kenosha County supervisor, said that while it's always tough running against an established incumbent like Ryan, "sometimes you have to run more than once."
"Paul's really not in touch with people in the 1st Congressional District," Zerban said.
Zerban, who serves on the board of the Wisconsin Business Alliance, said jobs and providing a living wage to families were priorities for him. The GOP Congress, as Zerban put it, has thwarted job growth and hurt middle-class families. 
While Zerban says he has his sights on Ryan, he said he was not overlooking Kaleka.




Video - What does #PaulRyan think about #AynRand?



WI should repudiate 1% candidates like Paul "Ayn #Rand " == #Ryan as #radical  - WI 1848 Forward - Run Against #Janesville -- Bryce ... good luck

Run Against #Janesville WI 1848 Forward:WI should repudiate #1% candidates like Paul #radical #Ryan == Ayn #Rand

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Koch bought & paid for: Rep. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) as Senator, Rep. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Iowa state Sen. Joni Ernst (R)


Post election November 2014 ... we need to be reminded the money is "among us" and these individuals are "Doing Politics Under The Influence" - #DPUI

GOP candidates credit Koch brothers for their success 
Rep. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Rep. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Iowa state Sen. Joni Ernst (R) attended a lavish June conference sponsored by the Koch brothers. Cotton and Ernst both credited the brothers' political activities for enabling their campaigns, The Huffington Post reported early Wednesday, citing audio from the event.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/216067-gop-candidates-credit-kochs-for-their-success#ixzz3Bya7tfbs 
Update: March #2015 - Senator (Koch) #Cotton now writing letters with 46 others to #IRAN - ulterior motives - Koch #coal vs IRAN's #oil or just messing it up


WI 1848 Forward: #Koch bought & paid for:  #Cotton (R-Ark.) now Senator, Rep. #Gardner (R-Colo.) and Iowa state Sen. #Ernst (R) 

WI 1848 Forward: #Koch bought & paid for: #Cotton (R-Ark.) - writing ltrs to IRAN -special interests behind him? 

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Wisconsin ranked 37th in job creation last year (2014) : #Walker says what? 1.2% WI growth vs 2.1% US

2/9/2015

What with Walker proposed cutting $300 million from UW System we can expect not only a brain drain but even more unemployed, especially in the hinterland/rural Wisconsin and even less high tech firms taking us seriously.



6/20/2014 Capital Times, WI from U.S. Labor Statistics
Wisconsin ranked 37th in job creation last year

Wisconsin ranked 37th in private-sector job growth last year, federal employment numbers released Thursday show.
Wisconsin added about 28,141 private-sector jobs during 2013, a 1.2 percent increase. The state’s growth rate lagged behind the national growth rate, 2.1 percent in that period, according to the latest data. The state also lagged most of its Midwestern neighbors.
The new statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, known as the Quarterly Census on Employment and Wages (QCEW), have been called the “gold standard” on job creation numbers. 

Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/wisconsin-ranked-th-in-job-creation-last-year/article_a3ed9bd2-f3f8-5f02-8be2-179f9ff6acfd.html#ixzz3BgpmRuNl

New census data shows state's 2012 start-up rate third lowest in U.S.: Rick Romell of the Journal Sentinel writes: "Newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau provides yet another indication of Wisconsin's glacial business-start-up rate. The latest evidence comes from an extensive database called the Business Dynamics Statistics. It is based largely on administrative records, not surveys, and it offers insight into the life cycle of businesses. In 2012, the Business Dynamics Statistics data shows, Wisconsin entrepreneurs created 5,757 businesses with employees. That amounted to 5.8% of the state's universe of employer firms — third lowest among the 50 states. Rapidly growing Nevada and Florida topped 10%, while Utah, Texas and North Dakota had start-up rates of more than 9%. The median rate for all 50 states was a bit above 7%." Read more.
Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/morning-briefing-new-census-data-shows-state-s-start-up/article_2221500e-45f1-11e4-8d02-7b6e688644a2.html#ixzz3EYp0yUpX 

Wisconsin ranked 37th in job creation last year: via @madisondotcom MT #Walker says what? 1.2% WI growth vs 2.1% US

Friday, August 22, 2014

Nick Hanauer: Beware, fellow plutocrats, the pitchforks are coming - TED 8/2014



What kind of cake ... Angel's Food or Devil's Food? 
Nick Hanauer is a rich guy, an unrepentant capitalist — and he has something to say to his fellow plutocrats: Wake up! Growing inequality is about to push our societies into conditions resembling pre-revolutionary France. Hear his argument about why a dramatic increase in minimum wage could grow the middle class, deliver economic prosperity ... and prevent a revolution.



... and then there is Wisconsin --

Wisconsin rejects 'living wage' complaints filed by workers

Among the complainants was Rita Seward of Milwaukee, who earns $10 an hour as a certified nursing assistant. A mother of three, Seward said her monthly bills include $575 in rent, $135 for heat and electricity, $350 for food, $120 for student loans, $80 for transportation and $60 for phone service.

A report that analyzed every minimum-wage hike since 1938 should put a bunch of nonsense ideas to rest 

In a first-of-its-kind report, researchers at the National Employment Law Project pore over employment data from every federal increase since the minimum wage was first established, making "simple before-and-after comparisons of job-growth trends 12 months after each minimum-wage increase."

#1% #Elites WI 1848 Forward: Nick #Hanauer: Beware, fellow #plutocrats, the pitchforks are coming - #TED 8/2014 #99%

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Walker 's WEDC saves 600 jobs in Maine w/Wis $ Hooray!


WEDC | NEARLY YEARLONG DISPUTE OVER RECORDS CONTINUES Behind-the-scenes battle over WEDC records spills into public view

.... Last May, a Wisconsin State Journal investigation revealed that WEDC made a $500,000 loan to Milwaukee-based Building Committee Inc. in 2011 after Gov. Scott Walker’s top Cabinet secretary pressed for millions of dollars to go to the struggling construction company.
The company’s deeply indebted owner, who has yet to repay the loan, included false information on his application. WEDC was unable to produce for the newspaper the standard staff underwriting document that lays out an award’s strengths and weaknesses. ...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Although this "title" is somewhat satiric the article it is based on is not funny!

I guess Walker knows which "Presidential Primary" he must win!

WEDC-backed Kestrel Aircraft now rehiring staff in Maine

Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/writers/mike_ivey/wedc-backed-kestrel-aircraft-now-rehiring-staff-in-maine/article_e9c264bc-19ba-11e4-bb8c-001a4bcf887a.html#ixzz39GR1dYt3


Kestrel had promised to build an airplane manufacturing plant in Maine before it announced in January 2012 a move to Superior based on financial incentives from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. 
When the announcement was made about Kestrel moving to Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker said the company would eventually employ 600 people, but so far the company has just a few dozen workers here.
WEDC has provided $4 million in loans to the firm, with the city of Superior contributing another $2.4 million in loans. In addition, Kestrel is certified to receive up to $18 million in enterprise zone tax credits from WEDC, and $30 million in federal New Market Tax Credits from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).


Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/writers/mike_ivey/wedc-backed-kestrel-aircraft-now-rehiring-staff-in-maine/article_e9c264bc-19ba-11e4-bb8c-001a4bcf887a.html#ixzz39GRN5yoe

Klapmeier had initially told officials in Maine that it was going to build a manufacturing plant in Brunswick by 2010 but later complained the state had not delivered on promised financial assistance.
Klapmeier has since made similar comments about Wisconsin, saying the state did not help the company secure New Market Tax Credits, a federal program that provides low-cost financing to areas in need of redevelopment. Northern Wisconsin has some of the highest unemployment in the state.
Kestrel has not moved forward on its plans to build two construction plants in Superior, and has fallen behind on loan payments to WEDC, the quasi-private entity formed by Walker to help jump-start the state economy via tax breaks and other business subsidies.
WEDC and Kestrel have since worked out a deal where Kestrel won't pay anything until November, when it will begin interest-only payments for a year. After that, it will make equal interest and principal payments for 59 months, ending in October 2020, according to a Friday report from WisPolitics.com.


Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/writers/mike_ivey/wedc-backed-kestrel-aircraft-now-rehiring-staff-in-maine/article_e9c264bc-19ba-11e4-bb8c-001a4bcf887a.html#ixzz39GRguIzq 

Jobs in Maine not -> WI 1848 Forward: #Walker 's #WEDC saves 600 #jobs in #Maine w/Wis $ Hooray!

Jobs in Maine not -> WI 1848 Forward: [The joke's on us!] #Walker 's #WEDC saves 600 #jobs in #Maine w/Wis $ Hooray!

Monday, July 14, 2014

Marx, Groucho : Are you a corrupt politician? WI Governor Walker

The more things change !


GOP - You get what you pay for ! Unfortunately !


Walker 's WEDC saves 600 jobs in Maine w/Wis $ Hooray!


On Politics: Ashley Furniture owners gave $20,000 to Scott Walker shortly after WEDC vote

Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/on-politics/on-politics-ashley-furniture-owners-gave-to-scott-walker-shortly/article_c4d2afe2-dbad-5923-b53d-3b7dfe1634bc.html#ixzz3BPHgoPKu



#Walker #1% #elites WI 1848 Forward: #Marx , Groucho : Are you a corrupt #politician ? #47% #99% #wiVote #VoterID

#1% #elites Takes Money WI1848Forward: #Marx , Groucho : Are you a corrupt #politician ? #47% #99% #wiVote #VoterID

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Pew Research Ctr: Generations and the Next America : Paul Taylor - There are Solutions




It is imperative that we all start paying for the future rather than destroy it - from demographics to climate change to health care!


Paul Taylor - Next Generation of KQED

The answer is that we need as much immigration as can come!  It will keep the pyramid right-side up!

March 7, 2014



1% vs 99% WI 1848 Forward: #Pew Research Ctr: #Generations and the Next America : Paul #Taylor - There are Solutions

#Immigration WI 1848 Forward: #Pew Res. Ctr: #Generations and the Next America : Paul #Taylor - There are Solutions

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Step #1 - Privatize HealthCare #2 Eliminate Heath Coverage as too expensive # 3 Everyone loses

May 03, 2016 ... Group Health marches toward "Wisconsin being self-insured" !

The insuring "parties" will still be the same -- same Doctors, same Hospitals, etc.  Will Wisconsin save money?  Doubt it.  More likely to translate into "coverage dematerialization" and higher costs for everyone.  Governor Walker has found a new way to "create death panels" by his usual "stealth techniques.  "Savings" will be hidden in higher co-pays and deductibles, or denials of life saving treatments/medicines.  Those in rural Wisconsin, insured presently or not, will find there costs rising.

11/18/2015 - How to mess up Healthcare even more !

State could save $42 million a year through self-insurance, consultant says

"It gives you more control over plan design," Segal consultant Richard Ward told the insurance board. "I don't think it would impact access. I think it could be done to minimize disruption."
The insurance board, a governor-controlled group that oversees the $1.5 billion health benefit program for public workers, discussed the report Tuesday but isn't scheduled to take action until February.

Segal gets paid no matter how it turns out - right?

Here is a link to the report - Health Care Benefits Consultant Second Report

Another story - 3/26/2015 - State workers should pay more for health care, consultant says

Segal proposed introducing deductibles of $250 a year for single coverage and $500 for family coverage for the vast majority of workers in HMOs. Out-of-pocket maximums would increase from $500 to $1,000 for single coverage and from $1,000 to $2,000 for families.

Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/health_med_fit/state-workers-should-pay-more-for-health-care-consultant-says/article_0b74b6e9-6f81-58ad-b43c-04cde7e19d11.html#ixzz3algyaykl
Of course this will impact everyone and raise the costs such that people on the low-end will be forced to "opt-out"

Here is a link to Segal's early 2015 report -  Health Care Benefits Consultant First Report – Observations and 2016 Recommendations

Ostensibly the purpose is to "improve health outcomes and increase efficient delivery".  In reality this proposal simply "shifts costs dramatically to individuals and families".

Of course it will never be measured or proven.


Another story 2/19/2015 - State employees would get incentive to forgo state health insurance
But such an incentive could cost more than it saves, it said.
About 3,300 employees who currently opt out — and receive no inducements — would qualify for $2,000-a-year payments. Deloitte said the financial impact of the incentive program would range from costing $4 million more a year to saving the state $18 million a year.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wisconsin State Journal 5/28/14

Wisconsin looking again at self-insuring state workers


Self-insurance could save the state $20 million, partly by avoiding fees from the Affordable Care Act, but could cost $100 million more, according to reports in 2012 and 2013 by the consulting firm Deloitte

9/23/2014 - It's Your Benefit, published by Employee Trust Funds (ETF)

As said above this is not just a national issue.  Governor Walker and the GOP led Legislature mandated ETF to develop a HDHP ( High Deductible Health Plan) for State Employees.  The rationale of such plans is always presented as "giving people more choice and saving money."

In fact what it does is take the market place for health insurance in a direction that ultimately only those with the most money can afford health insurance.  It fundamentally ignores what "insurance" is suppose to do - share the risk and maintain the health of people.



It shifts the cost of insurance to the unlucky from the lucky or wealthy, high income individual.



WI 1848 Forward: Step #1 - Privatize #HealthCare #2 Eliminate Coverage as too expensive # 3 Everyone loses #1% wins

WI 1848 Forward: Shift regressive costs > #ETF #retirees & families:Step #1 -Private HlthCare #2 Eliminate Heathcare http://wi1848forward.blogspot.com/2014/05/step-1-privatize-healthcare-2-eliminate.html?spref=tw

WI 1848 Forward: Step 1) - Privatize #HealthCare 2) EliminateCoverage 3) Everyone loses #Walker Creates #DeathPanels

Ex_Gov #Walker #Ryan #Trump Plan WI 1848 Forward: How to make HealthCare unaffordable and unavailable -> Everyone loses

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Dog Whistle Politics: Ian Haney-López - TED PBS Moyers

If you can find the audio of the CommonWealth of California and listen -

Commonwealth Club Ian Haney-Lopez: Race and Politics in AmericaThe program's guest is Ian Haney-Lopez, UC Berkeley professor of law and author of "Dog Whistle Politics." Haney-Lopez explains how a silent "dog whistle" language in politics sends one message to the electorate while sending a coded message to a targeted political base. He analyzes how that coded language has contributed to increasing inequality in America since the 1960s. For example, when campaigning for president in 1980, Ronald Reagan never mentioned race when he told stories of Cadillac-driving "welfare queens" and "strapping young bucks" buying T-bone steaks with food stamps. But Haney-Lopez contends that Reagan's "dog whistle" message was about racial minorities -- inaudible on one level, but clearly heard on another. In doing so, he says Reagan tapped into a long political tradition used strategically by both liberal and conservative politicians, and this language has remained relevant in the age of the Tea Party and President Obama.

Link to PODCAST: Commonwealth Club







#Trump Specialty - #Inequality disguised as Fairness - #Racism #Bigotry Plausible Deniability - WI 1848 Forward: Dog Whistle #Politics: Ian #Haney-López - #TED #PBS #Moyers

#Trump #Inequality disguised as Fairness - #Racism #Bigotry Plausible Deniability - WI 1848 Forward: Dog Whistle #Politics: #Haney-López - #TED #PBS #Moyers

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Moyers - Is Net Neutrality Dead? 5/2014 New Threat ! PBS

12/14/17 Trump swamp buddies vote to kill net neutrality


11/21/17
Verizon-lawyer-turned-FCC-chairman Ajit Pai just released the final text of his plan to kill net neutrality, and it’s just as terrible as we thought it would be. [1]

[1] Washington Post: 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/11/21/the-fcc-has-unveiled-its-plan-to-rollback-its-net-neutrality-rules/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of Trump's 100-day wonders ... ends internet privacy, all to make a buck -- ironic he thinks Trump Towers was wiretapped -- bogus! 3/30/17

FCC Chief Begins Rollback Of Net Neutrality Regulations April 26, 2017 - NPR

How To Comment on FCC rule proposals!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Walker does what ?  Almost to the bottom? August 2016.

Democurmudgeon blogger John Peterson gives a big "thank you" to Gov. Scott Walker for making Wisconsin No. 49 in the country in internet speed. He mocks Wisconsin media for reporting that Walker says the system is improving and moving forward. Yes, moving forward to second to last in the country, the blogger chides.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Always -- this is one of those struggles/issues that will not ever go away.  In a market economy we have to be ever vigilant for those that seek personal/corporate advantage that want to create a market society.


June 2015

Bad news: The House Appropriations Committee just voted for 3 provisions that gut Net Neutrality less than a week after the rules finally went into effect.All of the provisions are poison for Net Neutrality, but the worst would stop the FCC from implementing the rules until after the courts resolve all 10 lawsuits that have been filed against the rules — even though the courts just denied that very same request. That could mean no Net Neutrality for years.

October 2014



Update 9/6/2014

OnTheMedia: 

THE INTERNET SLOWDOWN

Update 6/2/2014:

May 2, 2014 the link:
BILL MOYERS: Welcome. If I told you that sovereign powers were about to put a toll booth on the street that leads from your house to the nearest Interstate, allowing your richest neighbors to buy their way to the open road while you were sent to the slow lane, you would no doubt be outraged. Well, prepare to scream bloody murder, because something like that could be happening to the Internet.
Yes, the Internet -- your Internet. Our Internet. The electronic public square that ostensibly allows everyone an equal chance to be heard. This democratic highway to cyberspace has thrived on the idea of "Net neutrality” -- that the Internet should be available to all without preferential treatment. Without preferential treatment. But Net neutrality is now at risk. And from its supposed guardian, the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC chairman Tom Wheeler is circulating potential new rules that reportedly would allow Internet service providers to charge higher fees for faster access, so the big companies like Verizon and Comcast could hustle more money from those who can afford to buy a place in the fast lane. Everyone else -- nonprofit groups, startups, the smaller, independent content creators, and everyday users – move to the rear. The Net, neutral no more.



The risk is summed up more generally and philosophically ...

Market Economy versus Market Society: Inequality and Civic Decisions - TED - Michael Sandel




Cable companies are trying to create an unequal playing field for internet speeds, but they're doing it so boringly that most news outlets aren't covering it. 
John Oliver explains the controversy and lets viewers know how they can voice their displeasure to the FCC.

(  www.fcc.gov/comments , for any interested parties)

We don't need more oligopolies and more inequality!  If things are slow invest in the infrastructure --- not unlike the InterState HighWay system.

Just another front in the Privatization War -

#TED : Clay #Shirky: Why #SOPA is a bad idea - #PIPA #WWW freedom #cispa



Net Neutrality is Under Attack
Don't let Congress break the Internet by dismantling Net Neutrality — share this video to raise the alarm.Take action here: https://www.battleforthenet.com/?call_tool=1
Posted by Fight For The Future on Tuesday, November 24, 2015
1/24/2017 email extract from team@fightforthefuture.org

Tiffiniy Cheng, Fight for the Future
[1] The Wall Street Journalhttp://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/02/13/what-the-fcc-might-think-on-the-comcast-twc-deal/ 
[2] USA Todayhttp://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/01/23/new-fcc-chairman-ajit-pai-no-net-neutrality-fan/96967372/
[3] ars Technica: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/01/fcc-to-be-led-by-ajit-pai-staunch-opponent-of-consumer-protection-rules/ 
....  more info  ...  the Federal Communications CommissionAjit Pai 

#47% People vs #FCC #1% WI 1848 Forward: #Moyers - Is #NetNeutrality Dead? 5/2014 New Threat ! #PBS 1st Amendment -- John Oliver (HBO) - Let #FCC know what you think!  RIP 02/22/2018 #Resist 

#FCC #AjitPai WI 1848 Forward: John Oliver (HBO) - Is #NetNeutrality Dead? 6/1/2014 New Threat...What about #Trump? RIP 02/22/2018 #Resist 

WI 1848 Forward: John Oliver (HBO) - Is #NetNeutrality Dead? 6/1/2014 New Threat...What about #Trump? #Resist 

WI 1848 Forward: #Moyers - Is #NetNeutrality Dead? >> 8/2016 New Threat... #Walker has slowed us to 49th in U.S.  RIP 02/22/2018 #Resist 

#Trump administration announces Ajit #Pai as pick for FCC chairman--ex #Verizon Lobbyist <- out of the #TrumpSwamp #Resist 

WI 1848 Forward: #Moyers - Is #NetNeutrality Dead? https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/how-comment How To Comment on FCC rule proposals!  RIP 02/22/2018 

#Trump swamp buddies ( #FCC ) vote to kill #netneutrality 12/14/17 RIP 02/22/2018 #Resist