The American Spectator : Howard Dean and the $100,000 Wisconsin Slush Fund

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Howard Dean and the $100,000 Wisconsin Slush Fund

By Jeffrey Lord on 2.22.11 @ 6:09AM

Money to "back" AWOL Wisconsin state senators as teachers, doctors lie -- fraud committed?

You can call them "Dean Dollars."

Former Vermont Governor and Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, a one-time presidential candidate, is the founder of a group that by mid-day of President's Day had raised over $100,000 in a slush fund to "back" the on-the-lam Wisconsin Democratic State Senators.

The Dean Dollars are being specifically funneled to the Wisconsin State Senate Democratic Committee (SSDC) -- an apparent violation of Wisconsin election law that pointedly says, according to the Wisconsin Election Board's Legal Counsel in a 2005 decision, that the "SSDC may not accept a contribution of more than $6,000 from a single committee in a calendar year." (Note: the Election Board is now called the "Wisconsin Government Accountability Board.")

The money, requested in an e-mail obtained over the weekend by The American Spectator, is being solicited in $14 dollar contributions through the Dean-founded million-member "Democracy for America" grassroots organizing group chaired by Dean's brother Jim. There are no prohibitions on more generous donations of any amount. The funds are being collected through the left-wing "Act Blue" fundraising website, which identifies itself as "the online clearinghouse for Democratic action."

The $14 dollar solicitation is symbolic -- as in one dollar for every one of the fourteen Democrats in the Wisconsin State Senate. All of whom have now fled the state in a political battle royal over budget cuts and collective bargaining rights for public employees with the newly elected Republican Governor. On Monday, the Huffington Post quoted Senator Tim Carpenter, one of the fourteen, as saying of the decision to remain out of state: "We'll be here until Gov. Walker decides that he wants to talk."

Carpenter made no mention of who was paying his expenses.

The slush fund revelation comes on the heels of the discovery by both Fox News reporter Mike Tobin and the Wisconsin-based John K. MacIver Public Policy Institute of an organized effort by some Wisconsin doctors -- who were deliberately handing out "doctor's notes" to teachers feigning illness in order to protest the governor's legislative plans. Which would be fraud, if proven in court. The Fox report uncovered at least one doctor connection to the presumably taxpayer-funded University of Wisconsin Family Medical Program. The MacIver video, posted over the weekend by my American Spectator colleague Philip Klein, is a particularly stunning depiction of both teachers and doctors quite publicly engaged in what appears to be outright fraud, a question raised by one reporter to an angrily defensive doctor on the MacIver video.

The fraud suggested? Doctors -- some of whom may be paid by Wisconsin taxpayers -- are willingly lying about the health of protesting teachers (also paid by Wisconsin taxpayers) who in turn are lying about their health status in order to skip school so they can spend their time protesting.

As of Monday, following the Fox News and MacIver revelations, the teachers union leadership apparently had a change of mind, urging teachers to return to work. Whatever happens now, what has effectively been a teachers strike -- also illegal in Wisconsin -- shut down some Wisconsin schools, leaving school kids without teachers, hungry school kids without government-financed school lunches while stiffing taxpayers for the bill. Ironically, only a little over a month ago the Wisconsin Education Association Council -- the teachers union -- was trumpeting the importance of having children in school because of the critical nature of "child nutrition" and to fight "obesity." Apparently hungry kids and unhealthy fat kids are not as important as lying to get days off to protest on the taxpayers' dime.

Or is it the taxpayers' dime? Is some of this instead being paid for by Dean Dollars?

The Dean brothers goal was originally $75,000 but changed upward to $100,000 over the President's Day holiday weekend. By 12:23 pm on President's Day itself the group had met its revised goal, with over $100,027 having cascaded into the coffers of the Wisconsin State Senate Democratic Committee.

Says Jim Dean in his e-mail of why the Dean Dollars slush fund for state senators is needed:

If even one of these Democrats had remained in Wisconsin, the state police would have forcibly brought them to the state Capitol and the bill would have passed. So now they are holed up in another state playing a high stakes game of chicken over which side will cave first. That's why we absolutely must back these Senators up today.

The e-mail, re-written slightly after being sent to individual members of Democracy for America by name -- one of which was obtained by The American Spectator -- is now used as the solicitation language on the Act Blue site, found here.

The funds are being funneled from the Dean group to the Wisconsin State Senate Democratic Committee, specifically to be provided as "back up" for the 14 state senators described as "heroes" for fleeing the state.

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About the Author

Jeffrey Lord is a former Reagan White House political director and author. He writes from Pennsylvania at jlpa1@aol.com.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (100) | Leave a comment

Carol | 2.22.11 @ 6:31AM

They all should be fired. Despicable FLEEBAGGERS.

I haven't heard until I read this article that teachers' strikes are illegal in WI. Isn't that convenient? Doctors writing illegal doctors' excuses? Take away their licenses because those doctors surely back Obamacare which means they must belong to the AMA.

You know how to solve this issue created by Democrats (notice ALL ISSUES were and are created by Democrats these last 2 years)?

Have just one Republican senator switch to Democrat.

Problem solved.

You think there is a riot now - if that were to happen you ain't seen nothing yet.

Larry| 2.22.11 @ 7:48AM

Ooooo! I like that idea of a Republican changing party affiliation to Democrat (read: socialist). Excellent!! Please forward your suggestion to Governor (hopefully President very soon) Walker.

GavInTucson| 2.24.11 @ 3:12AM

I like this idea... the question is who will be brave enough to feign Judas in order to restore the democratic process? I'm not sure, but I'll bet that person will have future schools named after him/her.

Dan Hirsch| 2.22.11 @ 8:32AM

Carol;

I particularly like "Fleebagger".

However, they need 1 more senator to achieve a quorum of 20; transforming a Republican into any form of Democrat will be of no use whatsoever.

Nice try, though. Thanks...

A.M. Mallett| 2.22.11 @ 1:25PM

Yes, I didn't consider the 3/5 rule either .. drats

GavInTucson| 2.24.11 @ 3:22AM

Ooooooohhhhh... a quorum of 20? Sadly, I missed that (bummer).

On the lighter side, at least a Republican didn't have to needlessly soil himself by wearing the faux skin-suit of a Democrat (that's one canary saved from the proverbial coal mine).

(Trying to put the Silence of the Lambs cave scene images out of my mind).

A.M. Mallett| 2.22.11 @ 1:23PM

I have tried to suggest this idea of having a very safe Republican switch parties but I couldn't get anybody to listen LOL. I'll go even better. With a quorum present (1 Democrat), expel the whole bunch of the gang of 14 from the Wisconsin Senate.
There is a New American Revolution going on and again, the revolutionaries are not the people in the red shirts.

MikeD| 2.22.11 @ 3:46PM

I can just hear the screams and moans now. But, what will the dems be screaming and moaning ABOUT? The fact that they have been caught doing what democrats do is not news. What's happening now is that they are standing up in front of the whole Country telling us all how evil and corrupt they really are. Like anybody doubted it.

These people are the absolute bottom of the barrel, and, if the dems think thay got blasted LAST November, just wait until 2012!

These people are proving for us all to see that they really are exactly what we've been saying they are. I wonder what all the trolls and idiots who have been calling us names here on the forum are thinking today?

Oh, wait! We already know what they're thinking: the exact same thing they were thinking yesterday and the day before. Some people, notable democrats and their leadership; plus barry the muslim, and hairy screid, and crapsie smelosi and the other dem leadership, union leaders and assorted thugs will not change one thing. They'll still look the CNN and PMSNBC cameras in the eye (well, sort of...) and lie, and lie, and lie, and lie. They need to be crushed ruthlessly, quickly and without mercy or remorse. Any republican who even thinks about letting them off the hook should be thrown into the deepest circle of hell along with the others of their class, the hitlers, stalins, and gores. They're all cut from the same cloth. (or toilet paper?)

GavInTucson| 2.24.11 @ 3:05AM

Carol, after listening to the testimonials of these "doctors" on camera, I didn't get the impression that these were people with 8 years of higher education, plus and an additional 3 years of on-the-job training.

Rather, I came away with the impression that these people were average schlubs (sp) simply posing as doctors, put forth by national unions.

It's the only conclusion I could come up with, what with their inability to form coherent sentences in response to the questions asked of them.

wodiej| 2.22.11 @ 6:37AM

I look forward to an investigation and more light shining on the corruptness of Democrats to advance their dependent agenda in order to secure votes.

Moey| 2.22.11 @ 2:50PM

I agree I hope there is a big spotlight focused on this mess. Notice how the main stream media is not covering this story in depth. I work full time and i contribute to my 401k and we have a very modest match up to $10 I believe. Our pension is contributed to by the company only, we do not contribute. I have never worked anywhere where I had a company match of $57.00 for every $1.00 I put in. I like those odds, but I don't think I would want to have to join a union in order to get them. I feel sorry for the poor seniors in high school who had to miss those school days - very very very important for high school seniors. Sham on the teachers and double shame on the doctors writing these notes!

Albert Anthony Turner| 2.22.11 @ 6:56AM

A little off topic but .....Does Dean resemble Lee Harvey Oswald? Were they separated at birth? Just curious.

Michael Tomlinson| 2.22.11 @ 7:45AM

A spooky likeness.

blackwatch| 2.23.11 @ 12:53AM

it's got to be that $9 hair cut

Seapuss| 2.22.11 @ 9:41AM

That's funny. I too have always thought Howard Dean was a dead ringer for Lee Harvey Oswald!

GavInTucson| 2.24.11 @ 3:38AM

Well, there's a 9 year age difference between the two, so I'd rule out the separated-at-birth theory.

However, given the Soviet proclivity toward steroid research at that time, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a love-child scenario.

(Kidding, of course)

joedoc| 2.22.11 @ 7:03AM

Fire the teachers who skipped work, fire the doctors who wrote false sick notes, fire the Dem state senators who left the state like spoiled children. Maybe they will have to go to the private sector to seek employment. Maybe then they will realize the gravy train they have been riding on is not the real world. They all need a jolt of reality. The country is tired of all of this.
As for Barry, it's obvious community organizing doesn't leave the blood easily. The country is tired of him too.

Dan Hirsch| 2.22.11 @ 8:33AM

All fired for cause - they lose their previously free pensions -- SWEET!

PaulD| 2.22.11 @ 8:35AM

Waaaaaaaaay beyond "tired"!

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.22.11 @ 7:12AM

$100,000? Most expensive trash in the nation!

Deborah D| 2.22.11 @ 7:16AM

Man oh man -- you just can't make this stuff up! You think you've seen the depths to which Democrats will lower themselves, but you really can never see the end of their debasement. Why anyone who is an upright citizen would debase themselves by voting for this pack of liars, cheats and thieves is beyond me. Their voters are either ignorant of it, willfully ignorant of it, know and don't care or they're seeing themselves in the mirror. Whichever the case, they can all go to h@ll!

Mike D.| 2.22.11 @ 7:37AM

First off, we are not dealing with politicians in regards to the Democratic party. These people are revolutionaries where the term the ends justify the means is the MO. There is no morality with these people. Lies, cheat, stealing, and most of all, deception about who and what they are is the order of the day. There is no such thing as "unethical" in a revolution. Winning is all that counts and how you win is unimportant. The positive is that Americans are finally seeing these people as who and what they are, totalitarian Communists and Marxists. There won't be anymore dark shadows for these people to operate from as the light of truth is finally shining on them and their agenda and the farther they are backed into a corner the more vicious and desperate they will become.

RustyG| 2.22.11 @ 7:40AM

Great work Mr. Lord. This article needs to be seen by every taxpayer in Wisconsin.

drcool#1| 2.22.11 @ 7:43AM

Everyone who is concerned by this physician fraud should contact the state medical board of Wisconsin and file a formal complaint. This can be done easily online. The names of the doctors questionably involved can be found online. Next a formal complaint to the Board of trustees of U of W should be made. Next a formal complaint to the attorney General of Wisconsin citing possible fraud by these doctors abbeding theft of educational services. This matter is a serious deviation from standards of medical practice; No history obtained ,no physical exam ,no vital signs,no record keeping. As a physician I am disgusted by this, a sick note is a serious matter with many implications for our society. This is betrayal of the trust society has for physicians.

Mike D.| 2.22.11 @ 7:49AM

As far as Unions go? Once served somewhat of a purpose to redress an imbalance between workers and companies. Now, nothing more than legalized protection rackets run by power grubbing, money hungry thugs who finance the careers of the politicians that they own. Somebody tell me the difference between the mafia run protection schemes and these so called "unions". This unholy alliance must and will end if this country is ever to regain its financial health.

michigander_sandusky| 2.22.11 @ 10:30AM

Bravo! Well said!

Moey| 2.22.11 @ 2:51PM

Agree!

MikeD| 2.22.11 @ 3:57PM

Another clear example that anything democrats touch, or touches democrats, turns instantly filthy rotten. These are the lowest of the low, and they have the gall to be so 'holier than thou' ALL the time! These are the most disgusting, dispicable sub-human beings I have had the misfortune to encounter in many years, like since the Tet Offensive when the rats slithered out of the tunnels to kill and main, all without mercy or the tiniest shred of remorse.

And, yes, these thugs and liars and criminals are no better than that. When I see hairy screid standing in the senate with his oh so superior attitude I want to throw up! It is our sacred mission to make sure that EVERYBODY we know, and every republican, know and clearly understand that these people are responsible for the sad state of our nation. What we have become is no accident; we are rapidly sinking into the slime and filth of the pervereted and distorted disgusting vision of what these animals want our Country to become! Am I just a little upset? Absolutely! Let's all watch to see how this scum lie and twist everything to try to get out of this horrible, fetid swamp of their own creation. OK trolls, have at it!

Melvin| 2.22.11 @ 7:45AM

I'm so damn mad at this crap, I can hardly think straight. I have started this post numerous time but a wave a rage passes over me and I change what I want to post.
This Bull Squeeze behavior by the Wisconsin Democrats, Teachers, Unions, and the students is exactly why this Country is in the crappy shape that it is in.
There appears numerous laws broken by everyone stinking rat turd individual involved in this whole sordid mess, and no one is being investigated, no one is going to jail, and we're telling the Egyptians to get their act together.
It is oh so convenient that most of these errant Wisconsin politicians just happened to be holed up in Chicago. So I guess the Wisconsin way is now the Chicago way.
This has Obama's and Emanuel's greasy little fingerprints all over it. That big eared jug headed jackass in Washington D.C. is supporting an illegal action by the teachers and the unions.
Dammit Governor Walker I know you have a full plate but fire ever damn one of those teachers that are not on the job. Don't even give them a grace period to go back to work fire them now. Charge the Unions with an illegal strike, and charge the students that participated in the strike with truancy.
By God this mob rule behavior must not stand, in a Nation governed by the Rule of Law. !!!!!This is the United States of America, not some third world crap-hole of Dreams of my Father!!!!!

Deborah D| 2.22.11 @ 9:42AM

Boy, Melvin, I'm right there with you. If this is illegal -- enforce the law! Drag those people out of the capitol building in Madison. Sleeping bags? This isn't a Motel 6. When the building closes for the day, they should be out of there. What about the fire marshal? It looks to me that there are too many people in there to get out safely is there's a fire. What the heck?

SCM| 2.22.11 @ 12:42PM

The Capitol building was exempted from fire codes by the legislature some years ago. I don't know the rationale for this, but it sure is convenient for the bums camping out there.

missbosslady| 2.22.11 @ 8:03PM

Because; Fire Codes for thee, but not for me!

What else would expect?

michigander_sandusky| 2.22.11 @ 10:33AM

Couldn't agree more! However, the firing of the teachers cannot be done by Gov. Walker; that is the responsibility of the indvidual school boards. Hopefully they will have the courage and moral backbone to do so.

Stephanie| 2.22.11 @ 3:51PM

What do you expect from a slimy community organizer? Of course he's behind the protesting. It's what he does and does best.

martin j smith| 2.22.11 @ 7:49AM

Tie the DNC and Obama to this whole shebang, Then let the voters be aware and let the voters decide who they trust. The MSM will never touch that of course and that too should be an issue.

Michael Tomlinson| 2.22.11 @ 7:50AM

What is happening in WI reveals why it is time for civil service reform that bans local, state and federal employees or their unions from being involved in politics either as institutions (i.e., unions) or through coerced financial contrbutions to politicians. If it is good enough for the men and women dying to defend this country it is good enough for public sector unions.

Dan Hirsch| 2.22.11 @ 8:36AM

Even FDR would agree!

Kurt in S.L.C.| 2.22.11 @ 4:22PM

Best Idea I've seen yet is the" Franklin Delano Roosevelt Labor Act of 2013"when the Repubs will have control of Senate,House and WH.It will outlaw all federal employee unions.The rage of these leftist thugs will be a sight to behold. A lot of individual states can do the same thing right now

Kurt in S.L.C.| 2.22.11 @ 4:26PM

Sorry, meant I've seen mentioned. it's not mine but I really like it

Mistral| 2.22.11 @ 8:21AM

I'll wager this type of behaviour goes all the way to the very top - don't stop there Mr Lord: you've only just prized off the lid.

Louis Jenkins| 2.22.11 @ 8:26AM

Once upon a time a "hero" stood and faced his enemy. Now they flee to some far off luxurious place to live an idealic life and let the teachers flood the capital. Time to cowboy up wayward Democrats and face the music. And you treachers who bring school kids to demonstrate (a day out of school) with you? The teachers should be reprimmanded to the fullest extent of the regulations, and given some real time off without pay.

Dan Hirsch| 2.22.11 @ 8:37AM

Carol, posting up above, suggested the pejorative"Fleebagger". Try it, you'll like it. Also has the handy homonym, "Fleabagger."

Dan Hirsch| 2.22.11 @ 8:39AM

To any trolls struggling through the site trying to find hate speech;

"Homonym" is a word that sounds the same as another word, but has a different spelling and meaning. I was blessed with an non-public education....

Stephanie| 2.22.11 @ 3:53PM

Thank you Dan~for your explanation.

John Navratil| 2.22.11 @ 6:08PM

It's gay that you didn't get into homomorphs.

Damuser| 2.22.11 @ 8:28AM

This well documented expose isn't all that surprising -- especially considering the cretins it's focused on.

Having said that, my dear ol' born and raised - Illinois farming momma might have come up with this one for a column sub-header header:

Weasels In The Wood Pile While The Chipmunk Gathers Nuts.

Say goodnight, Katie. You too, Brian.

Calvin| 2.22.11 @ 8:34AM

Carol; I think the WI problem is that one more senator is needed to establish a quorem. They neeed one more person to vote, not necessarily a democrat.

Anthony| 2.22.11 @ 8:34AM

For an extra $1,000 Dr. Dean will personally sign a sick note to an AWOL teaches and hand out referrals to stress counselors for those poor, poor, Democrats hiding in Chicago.
Hey, when Michelle Antoinette returns from her posh ski trip in Vail, she and her daughters can hold a rib BBQ for the sick teachers out on strike.

Redstateboy| 2.22.11 @ 8:35AM

FINALLY!! I've been wondering... Am I the Only one who's wondering.. Where's their Money coming from? Who's Paying?!! Now we know. The Democrat Party - the Slave Party - is such a sleezy bunch - My God! Only a matter of time before a story'll pop up of School kids in Wis. coming in with fake Dr's. excuses with Teachers and Sch. Administrators with Egg all over their faces.

OLDRAY| 2.22.11 @ 8:40AM

Democrat legislators who run out of state to undermine the voters? Union thugs shipped in to harrass the elected representatives ? What scum. While our loyal military, reserves, national guards risk their lives, tear up their domestic and economic lives to serve their state and country, willingly (despite any personal political views), these creatures from what was once a responsible Democrat Party contaminate "politics".

Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 2.22.11 @ 8:45AM

Don't forget who President Obama really is, he "is" the SEIU, or at least that's what he said. Watch this video from 4 days before he was elected, just in case you forgot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQj-xBH30-I

The Unions are digging their own grave here, they're on the losing side of this issue, but in their greed, they cannot see the truth. This scam has been exposed, fat & bloated pensions, better than private sector pay, free healthcare, no chance of being fired "ever", above inflation rate raises, and they still want more. There is no more, the game is over, you lose!!

Don't back down Governor Walker!!

old progmr| 2.23.11 @ 2:44PM

Our current Central Government and the Public Employee Unions are one and the same. It ain't Soros guiding Obama it is Stern, Trumpka, et al. WE, the people, are becoming servants of a Union dominated Regime. The Public Unions and the Dems have perfected a seamless scheme based on essentially stealing from the private taxpayer to payoff the Union Thugs and fund the Dem party, what a deal! If WE don't break this scheme, WE are doomed as a free Republic, the Unions will destroy us.

JP| 2.22.11 @ 9:02AM

The crazy thing is if the Democrat legislators do not return to Madison, and this thing continues on indefinitely, the Govenor will simply have to fire some 6000 teachers. The sad reality is that Wisconsin is currently $150 million in arrears, and will be running a $3.5 billion defecit for FY2011. As they say, Money Talks. The govenor's compromise saves these jobs. The unions, of course, wish to keep thier power at the expense of thier members. It is that simple.

Come June, if an agreement is not reached, there will be 6000 less teachers in Wisconsin.

JmsA| 2.22.11 @ 9:31AM

Why is anyone surprised by any of these shenanigans? The democommies are not called the party of evil for nothing.

Leo W| 2.22.11 @ 9:31AM

Does this mean that Howard Dean will be following Tom DeLay to prison?

Seapuss| 2.22.11 @ 9:40AM

On the quorum issue, the rule is that 3/5ths of the Senators must be present to constitute a quorum for fiscal bills. A simply majority constitutes a quorum for all other bills.

The problem is not that party affiliation of the Senators still present. Rather, the collective bargaining provision is currently part of a budget bill that requires 3/5ths of the Senators (at least 20 of the 33 Senators) for a quorum. The solution is to carve out the collective bargaining provision, put it in a stand-alone, NON-fiscal bill, and put that up for a vote. The 19 Republican Senators are 2 more than the 17 necessary for a quorum to vote on such a stand-alone bill.

I say do exactly that. If a stand-alone bills doesn't get the AWOL Democrats back into Madison, then pass the stand-alone bill. If they do come back, then drag them in shackles back to the Senate floor to vote on the original budget bill containing the collective bargaining rights.

Problem solved, either way.

Anybody in Wisconsin should urge their Republican Senators to do just that.

**posttenebraslux**| 2.22.11 @ 9:42AM

Every conservative website ought to be talking about this ousting of an American Citizen by Obama's Hood!!!!! Read Obama is Fair Game:http://babalublog.com/2011/02/raymond-davis-obamas-fair-game/

loulou| 2.22.11 @ 9:47AM

This has gotten out of hand: Schools need to go back to being schools. Get rid of the restaurant and health clinic part. Let the parents pack a lunch for their children. Close the health clinics and if the parents want medical care for their child, they can take him to a doctor.

Let's simplify.

Al Adab| 2.22.11 @ 9:51AM

This is just the beginning as thiose who have for so long lived off the earnings of others (teachers work but are nonetheless public employees) realize the days of wine and roses are over. Public employees have no right ever to strike against the public interest as the air traffic controllers learned.

The teachers should be docked their pay for the time they were out; they should be faced with consequences of taking the students with them; the doctors (or whatever) need to face significant fines if not the loss of license for abetting this fraud.

As to the State Senators who, like spoiled children took their bats and balls and went away, the Senate can make its own rules and should set a deadline for their return or declare the seats vacant. The majority is a quorum and can act even without these shameless fourteen.

Time to get serious about this business and stop making excuses for those who think the world cannot function without them. No one is indespensible.

Laurey Boyd| 2.22.11 @ 10:39AM

Isn't this the state whose former Democrat senator sponsored the McCain/Feingold bill outlawing so many political contributions? The ironies never end.

uncle curmudgeon| 2.22.11 @ 10:46AM

Don't they have a recall rule in Wisconsin? How about if the Speaker gets a court order to compel these clowns to appear. No appearance = contempt of court = the issuance of a bench warrant. The Wisconsin Mounties haul the bums back, the Judge heaves them into the hooskow and then the Mounties haul them, now orange jump-suit clad, to the Statehouse for the vote. What fun!

Bob K.| 2.22.11 @ 10:51AM

Now this is what happens to Unions which are not bi-partisan! Here in PA (Jeff Lord's home state and mine.) the Teacher's Union contributes $2000.00 in the Primaries to every Legislator who supports its goals; Republican or Democrat! They have done so well that they have seen fit to not join with the AFL-CIO and can keep those dues monies! Indeed, there are several members of the Legislature who were former school teachers and who receive teacher's pensions while representing the voters!

It should be noted though that this may be coming to an end. In the last election more elective offices, state and municipal, switched from Democrat to Republican in Pennsylvania than in any state in the USA.

I would like to see an article by Mr. Lord on this.

Brian Mc| 2.22.11 @ 11:22AM

Give me all their tools and half their salary...keep the benefits, I'll make due, and I'll teach circles around those little libtards. Why? Because I won't be indoctrinating anyone, just teachinig the three R's...period!

Kris Lepine| 2.22.11 @ 11:22AM

I wonder how many citizens of Wi have lost their jobs or their homes or both? I would be interested in hearing their thoughts on what's happening in their state. I find it sickening especially when I find out the White House is in on it via their web site and the DNC.

cicero| 2.22.11 @ 12:08PM

As usual, the problem lies with the voters. The people who elect the school boards pay little attention to who is running. The teachers' unions run their own, and once they are elected, get to nogatiate with them for their contracts. The only things that get negotiated are the size of the raises, and the increases in the benefits.
This has been going on forever. This has to change. While on a local school board 20 years ago, I changed the rules. I put a price tag on every percentage increase the union wanted. i% would cost them an extra hour in the school day, etc. Naturally, they went on strike. I gave them one day to return to the classroon, and to emphasize my seriousness, placed a want add for replacement teachers in the paper. They caved, returned to work, and we had a contract with wages below the rate of inflation for the next three years.
The teachers flooded the field of candidates at the next election, and the teachers and administrator (who are usually ex-teachers, or married to teachers) went campaigning door to door to make sure I wasn't reeected. Worked like a charm, because the parents weren't paying even minimal attention.
The charm of democracy is that the voters always get what the deserve - they vote for it.l

Yosemeti Sam| 2.22.11 @ 12:13PM

" Howard Dean and the $100,000 Wisconsin Slush Fund ...."

A further sty example of the Democrat party national pastime - facilitating PIG OUTS!

dnha14| 2.22.11 @ 12:45PM

I think a quote by President Obama is appropriate here. I know it may not be exact, but it's close.

"Elections have consequences. We won."

As Colonel Landa said in Inglorious Basterds...
"What's that English saying about shoes and feet?"

Oldefarte| 2.22.11 @ 12:51PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQj-xBH30-I

Oldefarte| 2.22.11 @ 1:00PM

Excellent editorial as usual, Jeff [thank you]. To answer your obvious questions regarding who pays for all of this, of course it's the TAXPAYERS. Since it's probably not illegal for these MORONS to be wasting the taxpayers' hard earned [and forcibly paid tax dollars], I'd like to suggest that you and all other concerned writers/journalists to publish any/all recent pictures of these congressmen, and to put out an alert to the media to find them, and to stick a camera in their faces upon discovery of their whereabouts. Their constituents in Wisconsin should be made visually aware of this lavish lifestyle being led by these idiots AT THEIR/TAXPAYERS' EXPENSE! Also the doctors that fraudently are writing bogus medical excuses for these protesters to present [and be paid for] to their employers should likewise be exposed visually to their patients and their communities. Additionally everyone in Wisconsin should institute a letter of protest campaign to their state AMA about these corrupt doctors!!!!!!!!

Tom Osterman| 2.22.11 @ 1:11PM

Keep that phrase "high stakes game of chicken" in mind. It's shameful that, at a time of looming fiscal crisis, we have to deal with a party that engages in the shenanigans we're seeing in Wisconsin, but this is what it has come to. Or maybe the lesson here goes beyond fiscal policy: which direction the country takes will come down to which side has more will and more muscle.

Unlike most people who post here, a lot of Americans vote Democratic. Maybe not a majority (I hope), but a lot. And they have no intention of joining the Libertarian Party if the Democratic Party goes away.

Joe Oliva| 2.22.11 @ 1:17PM

I hope they continue to hide out. I can just imagine what the wives and husbands of these jerks are thinking, especially if the Governor holds up their pay in an escrow account. Things might start getting a little difficult for the spouse back home. Wouldn't that be just dandy.

Also, while they are away, the Governor and the the legislature can go about cleaning up the rest of the problems the state might have, keeping the funding bill on the back burner. There should be all kinds of opportunities to do stuff without the pesky Dems in the way. Maybe even the teachers will stay out, thereby relieving the kids of further indoctrination.

In fact, this whole episode can be a light in the dark as the GOP gets ready to shut down the entire federal government. This is going to be great! Good job Illinois, keep the yoyos there. Besides, Dean's buddies will be helping that state's economy. The longer they hide out, the more benefits will become apparent.

SugartownSuper| 2.22.11 @ 1:46PM

Let's see: $100,027 divided by 14 WI [pronounced 'wee' in this instance] Senators equals...$7,144.79. At $110 a night, they can hang out, calling in IL [pronounced 'ill' in this instance] for a couple months, provided they keep their hands out of the mini-bar and stayout of the spa...

Sha44ss| 2.22.11 @ 1:53PM

IS THERE NO WAY TO MAKE THESE PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE??? If it was the other way around the republicans would have been in JAIL already!

Melvin| 2.22.11 @ 2:00PM

Yes, there is a way to make these people accountable. Fire every single one of them. Disband the School boards, and outlaw public sector unions.
Then hire contract Chinese Tiger Teachers to run and educate our children. Because it is obvious that American teachers are not up to the task.

Stephanie| 2.22.11 @ 3:57PM

You know what i'm sick of? The liberals who support these so called "teachers" saying, "Well, they don't make much money. We wouldn't mind paying more in taxes for them because they're teachers, after all" They went into teaching knowing full well what it paid. If they wanted a larger salery, perhaps they should have gone to medical or law school. It isn't our responsibility to pay their damned retirement. No body pay pays into mine but me. Same goes for my health insurance. no, I don't feel sorry for them and if the rich liberals feel so sorry for them, let them pay for it.

Pat| 2.22.11 @ 4:22PM

None of the teachers you know would participate in a sick-out, right? How many times have you told your friends and relatives about individual teachers you admire, those demonstrably caring, buying thousands of dollars in classroom supplies from their personal funds, working countless hours of unpaid overtime type of teachers? It’s not those individual teachers who are wrong, it’s their unions who make all the trouble, right? Maybe you’re thoroughly justified in defending old Mrs. Warclub or young Miss Amy, teachers who love children and would do anything for them.

And just maybe we shouldn’t begrudge them a pension more generous than yours, frequent time off work or attractive salaries. Here in California we have the highest paid “underpaid teachers” in the country. School parking lots crammed with late model Mercedes, BMW’s and Acura’s – but those cars actually belong to the students we’re frequently told. In communities where an average home sells for half a million, the poor teachers barely make 35 thousand a year – or so their union tells us – particularly around election time.

Are teachers driving to school on 5 year old skateboards and living in split level tents – the media hints that is the case, the teachers’ advocates among the everyday voters trumpet the need for more – always more – in property taxes/school bonds and our resident teachers humbly reinforce these simple truths – both in and out of the classroom. And with so many teachers slated for eventual canonization here, I suppose it must be true.

SpiralArchitect| 2.22.11 @ 7:35PM

I am a gov employee that works 12 months a year - I receive less than $35k / yr. We are about to take a 5% paycut, that is because the state has overspent and now must make cuts, after no concern until the collections man came a knockin'.

I understand the cuts, it is OK, but the reason that we are in this situation is not at all acceptable.

Good teachers are not as pletniful as so many here make is sound. Nine months a year, I'll take it!

missbosslady| 2.22.11 @ 7:41PM

$100,000 for 14 Democratic senators? Yeah, that'll go far! Ha!

Notice they had to quickly revise the monetary goal upward from 75K to 100K. Too funny!

Doc Dean, do you know your people at all? 100K divided by 14 = 7140.00 each (approx.)

Hell, that gang of fourteen could blow that in a single day. The Dean brothers best keep passing the hat around. Also, fleeing Indiana Dems are gonna need some dough now, too.

Me likey this scenario! The Dems are going to financially punch themselves out just as the 2012 season is going to kick in.

Republicans could not ask for a better set up to 2012 than this.

Desperate folks, do desperate things - and we all get a front row seat.

Go, Dems, Go!

missbosslady| 2.22.11 @ 8:43PM

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Character: Fred Kinnan; The union boss of Amalgamated Labor of America, Kinnan is a corrupt power-seeker.

Fred Kinnan quote: "I'm a racketeer – but I know it and my boys know it, and they know that I'll pay off. Not out of the kindness of my heart, either, and not a cent more than I can get away with.... Sure it makes me sick sometimes, it makes me sick right now, but it's not me who's built this kind of world – you did – so I'm playing the game as you've set it up and I'm going to play it for as long as it lasts – which isn't going to be long for any of us."

artesian jacket| 2.22.11 @ 9:18PM

I am a public school teacher in Georgia. If we tried this nonsense, my local school board would fire my ass in a New York second. Just saying.

Nite| 2.22.11 @ 10:44PM

Democrats never saw a law they did not want to break or fraud they did not want to commit. They all seem to think that laws don't apply to them.

Brian| 2.22.11 @ 11:34PM

Why aren't Repubs taking advantage of the absence of Senate Dems? They can pass any non-budget law they wish no quorum needed. Oh yea, Repubs play softball and Dems play brass knuckles and switch blades.

blackwatch| 2.23.11 @ 12:55AM

fraud, bribery, deceit, fleeing the state..

What's next from the Dems? Taking Hostages??

Monaco1121| 2.23.11 @ 7:17PM

This whole WI mess has been going on for 2(?), 3(?) weeks now ......is anyone else beginning to become discouraged by threats with no real action happening? While I whole-heartedly support Gov. Walker, I wish someone would $hit or get off the pot and do something. Threats aren't cutting it anymore. Sure would like to see some action. Anyone have any suggestions how to spur them into doing something?, anything? besides their daily picture on the t.v., web, etc.??

Monaco1121| 2.23.11 @ 7:28PM

The Gov. is totally within the law of WI. to terminate collective bargaining WITHOUT any Dems being present for the vote. He just can't pass any bills that deal with state spending. So, why doesn't he do it? Put it up as a single bill and pass it. All I'm hearing is what they'll do sometime next week, next month, when the demos come back, or somewhere in the foggy future. There is a lot that could be done right now, or last week, for that matter. Why do Repubs continue to avoid a confrontation. I simply don't understand it.

Richard Baker| 2.23.11 @ 9:51PM

Wonder if Howard Dean, M.D. even remembers his Hippocratic Oath? I suppose he enjoyed the Physicians who showed up in Madison to give the deadbeats their "sick" notes. This bum is giving unscrupulous a bad name. Good thing he gave up his practice.

Flit Andersen| 2.24.11 @ 4:24PM

Well, hell, isn't thst how he got out of being drafted back in the 60's?

A doctors note for a bad back?

So he could spend his days skiing instead?

Anne| 2.24.11 @ 2:07AM

I live in Wisconsin, and yes, I'm sick of the whole mess. Our rep, Bob Jauch (pronounced by those of us in the know as 'joke') is one of the Dems who fled the state and is hiding in Rockford. He can't be recalled until he's been in office (from the latest election) for a year, so we have to put up with him until next Jan. I've tried to call his office but no one answers the phone! I sent him an email and said he was being paid by us and to get back to work, but he hasn't replied to that either. I have never voted for him because he's only concerned with his own hide.
My husband and I own a small business that is struggling to meet payroll and expenses. Our health insurance premiums went up 5 times as much as last year, our taxes have gone up, and we're trying to put some money up for retirement (although we both expect to work until we're 75). So why do teachers expect us to foot their bills when their income is 3x ours?

Flit Andersen| 2.24.11 @ 4:28PM

Why Anne it's quite simple: because they're better PEOPLE than you & your husband. You should be happy to support them. Or not. It don't matter to them. Just shut up and pay.

Marc Jeric| 2.24.11 @ 2:46AM

Now we can all see the criminal nature of our communist government under Abu Hussein al-Mombassa (or wherever else in Kenya that marxist Muslim was born). Fire those teachers, doctors, policemen, firefighters, street cleaners...
and let them earn a private job!

Marc Jeric| 2.24.11 @ 2:49AM

As for that crazed criminal Howard Dean - he is a multimillionaire owner of a chain of abortion mills, still feeding on government re-imbursements.

Flit Andersen| 2.24.11 @ 4:21PM

How does one of these congresscritters get replaced in the event one meets with, say, an unfortunate accident? Does the Gov. appoint one until a special election can be held?

Flit Andersen| 2.24.11 @ 4:22PM

One of the most reprehensible, corrupt a-holes on the political scene today. I truly despise this man.

Flit Andersen| 2.24.11 @ 4:38PM

Okay, here's what we do; from now on, ALL public employees get NO sick days. But, we add the pay for those 10 days into their annual salary.

They never call in, they get the cash equivalent of two weeks pay extra. They call in 10 times, they get the same pay they would have had under the old system.

Why do this? Because I'll bet it's a tougher "sell" for a member of the teachers union to ask members to call in with phony sick-outs if it's going to cost the teacher dough right out of their pockets.

And, in the normal course of events, I'll bet the incidence of teachers calling in sick drops precipitously.

Same would go for all public sector employees.

Spook| 2.25.11 @ 11:32PM

"fleeing state senators"?
They are not fleeing they are on strike as ordered by the union bosses.

Billy Lutz| 3.7.11 @ 10:46PM

I bet you don't post this Wisconsin ethics board: Dems can use campaign funds to pay for life on lam

One still-unanswered question in the Wisconsin budget standoff is who is paying the expenses -- hotel, transportation, etc. -- of the 14 Senate Democrats who fled the state rather than allow debate and a vote on Gov. Walker's budget proposal. "We have no idea how they're funding their out-of-state costs," a Republican Senate aide said a few days ago. "We would love to know."

Now, it turns out at least one of the fleeing Democrats asked the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, the state's key interpreter of campaign and ethics laws, for an opinion on whether Democrats can use campaign funds to pay their expenses in exile. The Board said yes.

"The Government Accountability Board staff has been asked whether campaign funds may properly be used by the 14 Democrat senators currently absenting themselves from the state to pay for hotels and other expenses incurred as a result of the decision to leave," wrote Board general counsel Kevin Kennedy in a February 22 letter to state senators. "In the opinion of the Board's staff, campaign funds may be used for this purpose."

Kennedy explained that Wisconsin law mostly restricts the use of campaign funds to purposes related to campaigns and elections. But he added that in the past the Board has used quite a bit of latitude when it comes to allowing political figures to spend campaign funds. In the case of the fleeing Democrats, Kennedy said the Board based its opinion, at least in part, on two news releases from Republican Gov. Scott Walker's office which "characterized the actions of the Democrat senators in Illinois as being related to campaign fundraising and that the state Senate Democratic Committee has raised close to $300,000 in the past two weeks."

In other words, the Board said that since Walker accused Democrats of using their self-imposed exile to raise campaign contributions, then that exile is in fact campaign-related and Democrats may use campaign funds to finance it. The Board also noted that several of the hiding Democrats now face recall petitions, which means that the contributions they can accept to finance their time on the lam are not subject to limits that apply to other types of contributions. Of course, the Democratic senators did not flee the state because they face recall petitions; they face recall petitions because they fled the state. Nevertheless, the Board says using campaign money to pay for hotels and other expenses in exile is permitted.

Finally, Kennedy wrote that the fleeing senators "may not accept personal gifts of money, or anything of substantial value, to facilitate their stay."

The Board, which is made up of six retired judges, is "charged with oversight of Wisconsin's campaign finance, elections, ethics, and lobbying laws," according to its website. "The mission of the Board is to ensure accountability in government by enforcing ethics and lobbying laws, and to enhance representative democracy by ensuring the integrity of the electoral process." A Board spokesman would not comment on the decision, saying the Board is not allowed to discuss the advice it gives to legislators.

In the days since Kennedy's opinion, the fleeing Democrats have raised substantially more than the $300,000 cited in the Board's letter. Even if one subtracts hotel and travel expenses from the total, it's likely the Democrats' campaign coffers will be greatly enriched by their decision to run away from the job.

R. Basse| 4.8.11 @ 3:36PM

Awesome! totally true story I love it and hopefully action is takin in leu of this situation they must be held accountable. Along with the circuit court judge in madison who put a very convienent hold on that piece of legislation just in time for the state supreme court justice election knowing that the now judge prosser will be replaced by an absent minded individual who is agaains all that gov. walker is doing.

R. Basse| 4.8.11 @ 3:51PM

Like everything else get rid of the old and bring in some new. collective bargaining yeh it states that staffing is done through senority so the good teachers with a little time in are gonna get pink slipped before the crappy performers with more time. as we see the US unfortunatelly still ranks at the near bottom of the world for being dumb. but who cares right as long as they get their taxpayers invested pensions and health care thats why they chose to teach not for the kids. every teacher talks about caring for kids yet when former mayor daley of chicago asked if teachers could volunteer 15 mins of there time to help a mentally challenged sudent out, the UNION REFUSED if not paid. so who's yanking who's chain. education means nothing unless your trying to get a decent job.

Reebok| 8.11.11 @ 2:58AM

is good

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