Thread: Sweet Vindication

Originally Posted by tsquare

In Wisconsin, many have been surprised...



And look at this... all in time for a recall election! And what are the people saying about that?



And as we all know, PPP is the left's favorite polling company.

In June the people of Wisconsin have a real choice:



So far it seems they are in favor of modernized efficient government.

Thoughts?

Review & Outlook: A Wisconsin Vindication - WSJ.com
Scott Walker leads Democratic rivals in new Wisconsin recall poll - The Washington Post

I'm more curious then anything. He was voted into office and we get to see a referendum on his actions by Wisconsin voters. He had a platform when he was elected ... will his platform stand in action?

Results are what matter, if Walkers policies are working, which it's clear they are, thus he has a record of success. Unlike Obama who has failed policies with no success.

People vote for success not failure.

He needs to makes sure that he's investing heavily in the PR game to make sure people know what he has accomplished. If all of his accomplishments are unknown and the message that everyone sees is only coming from the opposition, then he'll lose regardless of his success.

The problem Gov. Scott Walker faces is not showing policy success. It is facing union supporting groups that have little interest in much but their own success. We can only hope that the voters will see the difference.

It'll be interesting to see how hard reality hits some people in Wisconsin come June. (Hopefully it'll be on the democratic party affiliation side.)

When I lived in Madison, property taxes were insanely high (try $6k-8k for a modest 3 bedroom home). However, every 3 or 4 years they would drop by ~$700 or so, only to return to previous levels within another year or two.

I'd say Walker can try to cherry-pick the results he wants, but the effect is far from proven. Secondly, what about the $10million he cost Milwaukee county by saving them $100,000 by illegally laying off workers (when he was in charge there)? Is that smart budget cutting?

You know if it costs more money then you save it's not really a savings. It kind of reminds me of the imminent domain case Sarah Palin tried to pull off in Wasilla. Wasn't worth it.

I think it's a bit early to say if Scott Walker is a good governor. But he's definitely winning the political battle. And liberals are about to sink a lot of money into this recall, which is money that won't be reelecting the President or defending the Senate.

So the recall election is coming up next month and what is the other side saying?

So, let's see. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, the front-runner, has focused his campaigns on jobs, education, the environment and "making communities safer." One of Mr. Barrett's ads singles out "Walker's War on Women," with nary a mention of collective bargaining. Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk is heavily supported by union groups, but even her issues list makes only passing reference to collective bargaining.

WFT?

No wonder. Since Mr. Walker's reforms went into effect, the doom and gloom scenarios have failed to materialize. Property taxes in the state were down 0.4% in 2011, the first decline since 1998. According to Chief Executive magazine, Wisconsin moved up four more places this year to number 20 in an annual CEO survey of the best states to do business, after jumping 17 spots last year.

The Governor's office has estimated that altogether the reforms have saved Badger State taxpayers more than $1 billion, including $65 million in changes in health-care plans, and some $543 million in local savings documented by media reports. According to the Wisconsin-based MacIver Institute, Mayor Barrett's city of Milwaukee saved $19 million on health-care costs as a direct result of Mr. Walker's reforms. Awkward turtle.

Yeah awkward... but it gets 'worse'

Some of the good news has been in the schools, because districts have been able to avoid teacher layoffs and make ends meet because of flexibility created by the changes. In the Brown Deer school district, savings created by pension and health-care contributions from employees allowed the school to prevent layoffs and save some $800,000 for taxpayers.

In Fond du Lac, school board president Eric Everson says the district saved $4 million as a result of last year's reforms, including $2 million from the changes in employee contributions to their pensions.

Another 52 schools across the state saved an average of $220 per student thanks to the ability to introduce competitive bidding for health insurance, rather than automatically going through WEA Trust, the favored provider of the Wisconsin Education Association Council. If the savings are even half as large as the Governor's surveys indicate, they are still enormous.

But really, what was the REAL issue here?

Mr. Walker's reforms were a modest but necessary response to the state's fiscal problems, and the proof is in the emerging results. The union reaction was so ferocious because the reforms reduced Big Labor's clout over state and local taxpayers and thus its ability to milk taxpayers year after year without challenge.

Union power, not employee rights that's what. Speaking of employee rights, now that their dues aren't forcibly taken from them out of their pay checks, close to half of all teachers have elected to... not pay.

How... interesting.


Review & Outlook: Wisconsin Recall Amnesia - WSJ.com

Originally Posted by tsquare

So the recall election is coming up next month and what is the other side saying?

WFT?

Yeah awkward... but it gets 'worse'

But really, what was the REAL issue here?

Union power, not employee rights that's what. Speaking of employee rights, now that their dues aren't forcibly taken from them out of their pay checks, close to half of all teachers have elected to... not pay.

How... interesting.

Review & Outlook: Wisconsin Recall Amnesia - WSJ.com

The bold part (my emphasis) is pretty telling. I have to say, union workers should never have to pay "union dues" to their unions. To pay dues is to perpetrate the Ponzi Scheme and that's all these unions seem to be about nowadays anyway. I guess we'll see what they try and cook up next or if they try and forcibly collect. Either way, I find this all rather amusing to say the least.

The polling is showing Walker opening a lead

Walker 52%
Barrett 43%

This of likely voters...

While other polls also show Walker in the lead, no one is suggesting that this race is anywhere near over. Walker only leads among self-described Independent voters by 47.6%-44.6%, and the underlying numbers seem fluid. Still, some of Walker’s detractors have been vocal about the fact that Walker was duly elected in 2010 and in most states would not be able to be challenged with a recall without greater cause. And a whopping 95% of those called said they plan to vote in the June 5th election which will have the national spotlight on it.

For now, that light is shining a bit brighter on Scott Walker.

Recall Fever | weaskamerica.com

Originally Posted by tsquare

Another 52 schools across the state saved an average of $220 per student thanks to the ability to introduce competitive bidding for health insurance, rather than automatically going through WEA Trust, the favored provider of the Wisconsin Education Association Council. If the savings are even half as large as the Governor's surveys indicate, they are still enormous.

If those numbers are right, and if WEAs 990s (through 2010) are accurate, I'd expect to see WEA go out of business in a few months.

That accounts for about 30% of WEAs revenue.

There's no way they could take that kind of hit to their business and not close up shop.

Walker is going to win the recall, handily I believe (5 points or more). I also believe that Wisconin is in play for the Presidential race, with Obama polling well under 50% in the state and Romney trailing by one point.