November 6 isn't just about Obama By Dominique Paul Noth, Editor, Labor Press preened to excess, threatened independent thinkers hen Mitch McConnell declared his party's in their ranks, embraced crazies like Florida's Allen primary goal was to make Obama a one- West and wielded that outside money like a club, Wterm president, that was only the surface turning off much of the nation while freezing the of the threats, and something of a preening posture. House into inaction - but they underestimated the He was in the minority in the Senate and could only consequences. control financial legislation requiring 60 votes to That's now come home full force with an move forward. unprecedented rebellion. Before the election, their So he had to lean hard on the Republican major- own presidential candidate felt compelled to push ity in the House that took over in the excess fear of them into the ditch, now that he has their money Obama combined with Democratic laziness at the firmly in his pocket and they have no place else to ballot box in 2010. He counted on the House intran- go. Mitt Romney has spent the last few weeks quali- sigents under Paul Ryan to create obstructionist poli- fying when not abandoning the most conservative cies to gridlock the government, encouraging a stances and Tea Party promises that won the nomi- nation, saying stuff that would have cost him the pri- series of repulsive measures he knew would never Milwaukee voters crush in on President Obama during a 2012 visit be approved by the president or the Democratic maries. He declares his empathy with all and close- Senate. It was a guarantee of paralysis. ness to such Obama principles as helping the middle Polls are open Tuesday, November 6, from 7 a.m. What the Republicans never anticipated was class, supporting government-aided health care and to 8 p.m. Make sure to work through the entire bal- how such maneuvers would up-end their own base. "protecting" the middle class. lot since there are contests and questions aside Moderates were squeezed out and are angry at the The nation may not be ready for a president from state legislative, US Congress and US presi- loss of some of their most respected leaders, from who will change stripes at will and say anything to dent races. Check myvote.wi.gov by address to Olympia Snowe to Richard Lugar. The extreme right Ballot continued Page 4 preview a sample ballot.

Vol. 72, No. 10 Thursday, October 25, 2012 Transcending while informing our politics ‘As Goes Janesville’ succeeds and other screenings around the country, now that a strong one- as insightful documentary art hour version of the 88 minute By Dominique Paul Noth In the immediate wake of film started showing on public Editor, Labor Press the fury, Walker denied that was TV "Independent Lens" Oct. 8, t sounded so old-fashioned what he meant. Even some pri- now that it is winning festival and boring. That's why estab- vate sector unions who rely on awards around the country, a lishment media didn't bother public works largesse said they huge public apology is due I still "took his word" that he Lichtenstein. to accept the invitation last April 21 to the labor heritage confer- would not introduce "right to is film is firmly and ence. It only learned afterward work." But that chat with excellently rooted in the how it missed a news pearl Hendricks was vividly clear and Hmainstream of reliable, inside that neglected oyster. the damage to Walker's candor revealing documentary film- Those there started the buzz -- was unrecoverable. It would take making. It actually surpasses the snippet of Brad Lichtenstein's more than $30 million in out of those roots. in-progress documentary "As state advertising money just to It is humanistic and person- Goes Janesville" - and within a survive a recall effort a few al. It will make your eyes well week the slow media exploded months later. up over its honesty. You'll wish with a "gotcha video" that domi- nadvertently, the fury of the to leap through the screen to nated front pages, newscasts and publicity did temporary dam- strangle the unthinking business the Internet for months. age to film-maker execs whose schemes for recov- I ery ignore the real human pain- It showed Gov. Scott Lichtenstein. He stuck firmly by Walker, before even introducing his pledge to all sides to keep or leap through the screen to hug Act 10 eviscerating bargaining footage under wraps for a year. the factory workers striving tire- rights for public workers, reveal- But such amazing footage! It lessly to explore their options ing his "divide and conquer" revealed the real motors operat- and retrain if necessary despite Director Brad Lichtenstein is winning awards and accolades for strategy to his biggest political ing right-wing mentality, so con- political extremism and corpo- honestly exploring the great divide that was Wisconsin political donor, billionaire Diane servative bloggers inevitably rate blindness heaping uninvited beliefs and social attitudes and how all that engulfed Janesville. Hendricks, as merely the opening condemned Lichtenstein as some disaster upon them. explain what really occurred and (It would take President Obama legislative salvo to destroy all sort of left-wing stooge fabricat- Yet amazingly they were not what it all meant no matter who to force all sides at GM to grow unions, public and private, with ing rather than reporting. And blaming anyone, though those is in office. up and give, but that was 18 "right to work" (for less and at even folks in the middle ques- who see "As Goes Janesville" "As Goes Janesville" pivots months away and too late for the the will of the corporate mas- tioned his motives. surely will. us between the extreme reactions new GM to revive Janesville.) ters). She was delighted while Now that the full documen- Somehow the film reveals to the economic downturn. In Fear and panic dominated the media and the public were tary was made available and and rises above the partisan fury. executive suites there is never just that wealthy side while understandably dismayed at proved a hit at the Milwaukee It is a time capsule of what hap- any pause to blame the bloated, among working people there hearing his casual assurance. Film Festival and in New York pened in Wisconsin and self-indulgent self-deceiving GM may have been disgust and even Janesville in a bitter two years - executives (so like the business brief despair but better, basic and hence perfectly timed to this types offering Janesville "solu- more intelligent analysis of how political season in terms of look- tions"). Both sets ignored facts, steady persistence on known ing under the rhetoric. But my spoke with pride but no humani- family values was now neces- suspicion is that five years from ty about the workers and took sary. now, when Obama-Romney advantage of Bush policies to So on the one side are politi- debates are long forgotten, the close the GM plant in 2008 and cians and business leaders talk- film will remain to expose and then chart a future without GM. Janesville continued Page 8 Page 2 — AFL-CIO MILwAukee LAbOr Press, Thursday, October 25, 2012 www.milwaukeelabor.org You NEED to vote, but you also need to KNOW isconsin is a little bet- bill with address. Electronic bank A felony conviction does - ter off than the rest of statements that list your correct UNTIL you have completed Wthe states where photo address were recently allowed. your sentence, are totally off voting ID laws have been You can still register to paper, probation, etc., at which blocked by the courts in a series vote on Election Day with the point you can vote. of overwhelming victories for right documents and in the city Polls are open Tuesday, civil rights groups, the US of Milwaukee at City Hall. If November 6, from 7 a.m. to 8 department of justice and frank- you live outside the city, check p.m. ly for the US Constitution. with your local municipality for Make sure to work But the preponderance of registration sites - and do it through the entire ballot since wrong instructions along with a quickly. there are contests and questions refusal of the losers to give up City residents can vote by aside from state legislative, US are still confusing voters. absentee ballot until Nov. 2 in Congress and US president. So now, while the state if Voters at rallies make vivid their views on the GOP platform. Zeidler Municipal Building adja- That's one reason it's smart cent to City Hall, to check myvote.wi.gov by free of photo ID for this election, But the GOP majority's new ment's My Vote Wisconsin heck city.milwaukee.gov/ address to preview a sample bal- that doesn't mean this state is rules do affect early voting and (myvote.wi.gov, election or (414) 286- lot. free of voter confusion and mis- registration deadlines. 866-VOTEWIS). 3491 for more details and Voting is your right, but an information, particularly when The main thing is restrictive There are instructions if you C note that election helpers are still informed voter has become a the leading law enforcement offi- elements of the 28 day residency have moved or need to update needed. rare citizen indeed. The more cer acts more like a Republican requirement, making Oct. 10 the information. Absentee ballots must be you know, the more you can pro- than a humanist in office. cutoff proof of residency for the The site by address also postmarked by Election Day. tect yourself -- not from in-per- Attorney General J.D. Van Nov. 6 election. If you moved reveals your voting place. But Another vital source of help son fraud, which is virtually non- Hollen keeps pressing the courts after that, if you are a student there may be holes in the data, so is Wisconsin Election Protection, existent, but from knowledge- to support what several judges who moves often, if you are a check with your local municipal- both on Facebook and at (866) able-sounding people who make have ruled unconstitutional, and couch potato who hasn't thought ity as well and gather the appro- OUR-VOTE. it a practice to deflect and two federal courts are still exam- much about telling the govern- priate documents. You are eligible to vote if deceive. So look sharp. Vote ining. If he won't face facts, no ment where you live, if you've If you've moved after Oct. you are 18 years old and a your choice. But vote. wonder some voters are still con- been foreclosed from having a 10 you are required to register. Wisconsin resident for 28 days. -- D.P.N. fused. residence, now you have to Registration requires a Wisconsin A misdemeanor conviction So let's be clear. scramble. driver's license number or state does not remove your right to The courts have success- You can check under "reg- ID number or last four digits of vote. fully blocked the attempt to ular voter" whether you are reg- Social Security number plus show a photo ID to vote for this istered to vote at the govern- proof of residency, such as utility November 6.

Virtually nonstop door to door walks and phone banks have been organized by unions and federations. On a recent October weekend, dozens came in to the Milwaukee labor council to pick up packets and participate.

Published Monthly by the Milwaukee Area Labor Council AFL-CIO www.milwaukeelabor.org

secretary-Treasurer ...... sheila D. Cochran President ...... willie D. ellis Vice-President ...... Annie wacker Administrative Assistant...... robin Lundgren editor, Communications Director ...... Dominique Paul Noth editorial Assistant, Advertising & Circulation. . Lynnda Guyton EXECUTIVE BOARD - Richard Abelson, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 48, Lyle Balistreri, Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council; Ike Edwards, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1473; Nacarci Feaster, Laborers Local 113; Dan Large, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 494 (Washington County); Larry L. Nunley, IAMAW Lodge 1916; Candice Owley, Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, Local 5001; Dan Panowitz, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 33; Scott Parr, International Association of Machinists Lodge 2110; Anthony Rainey, United Auto Workers Local 469 (CBTU representative); Scott J. Redman, Plumbers and Gas Fitters Local 75; Joy Roberts, Communications Workers of America Local 4603; Kenneth Roberts III, Graphics Communications Council/International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 577M; Christine Vidmar of Workers United Local 122; Andy Voelzke, United Steel Workers (USW) Local 2-209; DiAnn Wagner, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2150 (APRI Representative); Patrick R. Weyer, Brewery Workers 9, United Auto Workers; Ross M. Winklbauer Sr., United Steel Workers (USW) Local 2-232.

AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press Editorial and Business Office 633 s. Hawley road, Milwaukee, wI 53214 Telephone (414) 771-7070 FAX (414) 771-0509 e-mail: [email protected] THE MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS (USPS 350-360) is published once a month by the Milwaukee Area Labor Council AFL-CIO, 633 S. Hawley Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53214, and is also available by subscription for $12 a year. Periodical postage paid at Milwaukee, WI. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the AFL-CIO MILWAUKEE LABOR PRESS, 633 S. Hawley Rd., Suite 110, Milwaukee, WI 53214. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement which is deemed objectionable. Publication of advertisements is not to be construed as a personal endorsement nor are all ads necessarily from unionized companies or services of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council or any of its affiliates. COPY DEADLINE: Usually by noon 3rd Monday of each month except December (2nd Monday). www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO MILwAukee LAbOr Press, Thursday, October 25, 2012 — Page 3 THEY HAVEN'T WON UNTIL YOU VOTE n a number of races where Democrats faced Democrats or candi- dates ran unopposed, you could well assume they won in the IAugust 14 primary. But they really haven't unless you vote for them Nov. 6. There are independents and even write-in efforts in some of these races, so always work your way down the full ballot. Among the races you might assume over but still need to vote for in the Milwaukee area depending on your district (naming those with union endorsements and remember, the applicable races will be listed on your ballot): State Senate District 6 --- Nikiya Harris (newcomer) State Senate District 4 - Lena Taylor (incumbent, unopposed) Assembly District 7 - Daniel Riemer (newcomer) Assembly District 8 - JoCasta Zamarippa (incumbent) Assembly District 9 - Josh Zepnick (incumbent) Assembly District 10 - Sandy Pasch (new district for known representative) Assembly District 11 - Mandela Barnes (newcomer) At a rally Oct. 6 encouraging union members to fight for progress, USW invited a number of Assembly District 12 - Fred Kessler (incumbent) Assembly incumbents and would-be newcomers to share their vision and, it turns out, friendship. Assembly District 16 - Leon Young (incumbent) From left at the event: JoCasta Zamarippa, Mandela Barnes, John Pokrandt, Christine Sinicki, Assembly District 17 - La Tonya Johnson (newcomer) Chris Rockwood, Daniel Riemer, William Kurtz, Sandy Pasch and Evan Goyke. Assembly District 18 - Evan Goyke (newcomer) Assembly District 19 - Jon Richards (incumbent) Assembly District 20 - Christine Sinicki (incumbent) THEY NEED YOUR VOTE TO CHANGE THINGS number of noted progressives or respected moderates in the greater Milwaukee area have been endorsed in an effort to Achange Madison and replace incumbents or their chosen suc- cessors who have become notorious for blocking advancement. You are urged to vote for: Checking his phone for the bar- Senate District 20 - Tanya Lohr (over. incumbent Glen rage of messages he’s been Grothman) getting since announcing A remarkable aspect of this election is neighbors strongly rais- Senate District 26 - Jim Ward (over incumbent Mary Lazich) efforts to defeat state Sen. ing money and volunteers to run for office. Whitefish Bay mom Assembly District 13 - John Pokrandt (open) Mary Lazich, schoolteacher Jim and social activist Cris Rogers (left) is taking on Jim Ott, while Assembly District 14 - Chris Rockwood (over. incumbent Dale Ward attended the labor coun- teacher Tanya Lohr has surprised Republicans with her convinc- Kooyenga) cil’s October delegate meeting. ing challenge to Sen. Grothman, profiled last month. Assembly District 21 -William Kurtz (over incumbent Mark Honadel) Assembly District 23 - Cris Rogers (over incumbent Jim Ott) Assembly District 24 - Shan Haqqi (over incumbent Dan Knodl) Assembly District 82 - Kathleen Wied-Vincent (over incumbent Jeff Stone) Assembly District 83 - James Brownlow (over incumbent Dave Craig) Kurtz uses humor in District 21 race

WILLIAM KURTZ MAY BE NEW TO THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL but as a former suburban reporter and local writer, as well as a longtime insider on state politics, he knows the power of wit and logic to influence citizens’ opinions. So it was no surprise he regaled a USW rally October 6 while encouraging participation in his District 21 race against an established GOP incumbent. "VOTERS WHO’VE INFREQUENTLY MET my opponent come away with three opinions --- he's a pleasant enough guy, he’s certainly much better known than I am and he’s pretty dumb," said Kurtz. "He's got six brothers running against me - the Koch brothers, the Fitzgerald brothers and all those brothers from another mother.” As recent events have demonstrated, Oak Creek clearly needs a more innovative and forward-looking representative than the Scott Walker yes-man Mark Honadel has been. Kurtz wants the job. Page 4 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, October 25, 2012 www.milwaukeelabor.org Gaining support to cut deeply into Paul Ryan’s poll lead and Ballot compete with TV ads as the race tightens, Rob Zerban (below) From Page 1 demands Ryan stop ducking debating him. Zerban stumps cor- win, Romney knew it was not ner to corner in Congressional District 1 exposing Ryan’s ready for a right-wing extremist record of indifference to his neediest constituents. Who is for either, judging by polling num- the people has become a central theme of the race. bers. And give the GOP political credit -- they chose the one guy who will say anything to sell. If that's the American central value, they've found their debate guy. He confirmed it after defending for three weeks the expose of his 47% remarks. After first saying only his remarks were "off the cuff" or "not elegantly stated," though correct, he went on FOX News the day after the first debate to say he was flat wrong in charac- terizing 47% of America as Senate candidate Baldwin loves correcting the record in TV and "entitled" dependents on gov- radio interviews as third party ads for Tommy Thompson attack ernment largesse, slaves to wel- her House tenure as the cause of a do-nothing Congress. She fare thinking and not worthy of entered the House the same year Paul Ryan did and he had more his attention. While apologies Republican White House years and GOP control than she. So who are always welcome, the timing helped cause the recession and since has blocked progress on in this case was so calculated as jobs and health care? Baldwin can point to billls she pushed that to be ridiculous. cies forward on jobs, energy and urning the Wisconsin US Ryan blocked and Bush policies that made Thompson rich. More amazing has been the fair taxation rather than playing House to more team play- behind their tax-dodging candi- Shore's Cris Rogers (AD-23). silence on the right as Romney self-serving power games and ers committed to their date to destroy newcomer From Burlington to Brookfield to moves away from them, but it's opposing everything. T communities and not to partisan Democrat Susan Sommer. Green Bay and Dodge County, understandable. They so hate Suddenly the US Congress extremism will be the next step: Expect Milwaukee Democrats to there are other contests for the Obama that even Romney's bla- and the state houses are essen- Re-electing Gwen Moore, quite burn the phone lines working for Wisconsin Assembly where the tant opportunism was acceptable tially in play for a stirred elector- likely, and the more testy task King and Sommer. GOP misjudged. - they can work on him later. ate and the Tea Party looks self- though looking stronger daily of ut while the GOP has he maneuvers within the ll that reinforces what ish and stupid and will be forced replacing Paul Ryan with Rob been so pre-occupied in GOP, and Romney's des- the Nov. 6 election is to rely on big money defense to Zerban (District 1), Reid Ribble those two contests, perate last-minute switch really about. It is not A fight back the tide of public out- with Jamie Wall (District 7), they'veB neglected what is hap- toT the center -- abandoning what merely, though certainly primari- rage and disgust even among tra- and Sean Duffy with long popu- pening in senate districts they won him the nomination in the ly, about re-electing Obama. The ditional Republicans. lar Pat Kreitlow (District 8). have long felt comfortably red, first place -- underscores two most powerful man in the nation As things now stand, it is To reclaim the state Senate, such as District 20. There in things for the public. is limited standing along. He has looking better for Obama to win the GOP and its outside groups terms of personality and "get One, the GOP's idea of already shown centrist tenden- and for the Democrats to keep have invested heavily in two things done" believability, America is to win by any means, cies and unlike Romney is and even improve their edge in races ignoring most other con- Tanya Lohr is making surpris- and they would govern the same reflecting principles of compro- the Senate. Wisconsin is part of tests. They hope the combination ing inroads over the much detest- way - which is not the historical mise and conference he will not that movement as Tammy of their own pointed redistricting ed Glen Grothman, who took so image of the party. Two, the abandon. But he is open to being Baldwin holds a polling lead and huge outside funding will much of the extremist brunt for Republicans remaining will be pushed by his belief in unions over the GOP's reluctant and defeat their prime target, a strong Scott Walker during the Madison fewer and must negotiate to and civil rights -- if the right clearly tired primary survivor, and personable campaigner Sen. wars. But Grothman's manner retain any semblance of compe- people are elected to encourage Tommy Thompson, who like Jessica King in the Oshkosh has clearly turned off many who tence. him and lend him voting Romney is now expected to pre- area District 18. They also want even went along with Walker and The nation's voters on Nov. strength. tend to moderation as he hoards to switch to the Republican camp now are campaigning for Lohr. 6 have a unique opportunity to It reinforces the need to give all the money the conservatives the District 12 seat of retired (The Milwaukee Area Labor either maintain a blockade him a team of elected officials can't take back. Jim Holperin, putting hard cash Council represents most of that against progress or end the grid- more committed to moving poli- District 20 territory since it lock and move forward. And the encompasses Ozaukee and election will demonstrate the real Washington counties and has power of paying constant atten- both union members and sympa- tion. If a new majority fever fails thizers working for Lohr, who to move the country forward, this has also been appointed a leader election will demonstrate how of the Washington County voters have the clout to watch, Democratic Party.) react and step in again. Personality extremes are also playing a role in District 28 (portions of Waukesha and Milwaukee counties), where schoolteacher Jim Ward is a distinct underdog but incumbent Mary Lazich has created a lot of distaste with her tendency toward arrogance. In addition, throughout the state as well as in the Milwaukee area, there are contests likely to weaken the Tea Party hold on the Assembly even if the GOP squeaks out a smaller majority. Citizens have stepped forward to challenge the Walker crippling of Big outside money has been local communities, local class- invested by the GOP to defeat rooms and public workers and popular incumbent Jessica urge a more sensible way for- King, who won in an Oshkosh ward. In the Milwaukee area, recall because she represented voters are seeing surprising a more cooperative approach in inroads in such contests as Madison. Her victory is a key to Democrats John Pokrandt keeping the state Senate in (Assembly District 14), Chris Democratic hands. Rockwood (AD-13) and North www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, October 25, 2012 — Page 5 Why reform-minded voters must flip US House ow bad has been the weddings and military chaplains Labor Press is only provid- GOP control of the at such ceremonies on base. ing the tip of a nasty iceberg, House? Does anyone, Another rider would prevent which included committee hear- H medical, pension and death bene- ings where only men were even responsible Republicans, ever want to go back? The elec- fits to the spouses of gay sol- allowed to testify about women's tion is also about that, so let's diers. reproductive rights and a raft of take a nightmare stroll down In more than 300 votes seek- amendments blocking Obama's recent memory lane, touching on ing to limit the reach of the directives on immigration merely some of the bills that Environmental Protection reform. passed with overwhelming GOP Agency, the GOP House sought Republicans in the House support and Democratic com- to ban EPA limits on climate- have voted more than 30 times to plaints. Most were either rejected warming pollution, to reverse repeal Obamacare - even though Green Bay area District 7 has in the Senate or never moved new fuel standards that would such efforts if allowed through spun back and forth between there because they would be slash foreign oil dependence and the Senate and the White House the parties, settling in 2010 for rejected, but all succeeded in Incumbent Gwen Moore of even end Bush era standards on would deplete the Medicare trust Tea Party favorite Reid Ribble. rigor mortis for government Congressional District 4 is wasteful light bulbs. fund eight years early, kick 6.6 Now Jamie Wall (above) is deter- progress and contributed the regarded as one of the out- f there was a signature initia- million young adults off their mined to swing the district back precedent-setting loss of respect spoken progressive voices tive from the GOP House last parents' health insurance, cost to progressive common sense. for today's Congress. though now in the minority in year, led by Ryan and Cantor seniors $700 more on average I ly 323,000 jobs, but the economy One of the silliest moments the House. Her explanations who both may not survive re- for prescription drugs, and make came from tying hatred of immi- of the weaknesses of the election, it was the debt-ceiling keeps trudging upward. it legal once again for insurance grants together with hatred of Ryan budget and the obstruc- standoff. But the impact given As Rolling Stones noted in companies to charge women abortions. That was the GOP tionism of her GOP colleagues their obstinacy was a jobs-killer, its analysis of the GOP House, more than men and to rescind House rider bill banning the gov- are wickedly insightful and applying the brakes to the eco- "When they weren't trying to policies when people get sick. ernment from providing abor- have made her a major voice nomic recovery. Even though the force women to birth babies for Retiring conservative tions to immigrants in detention, at campaign events. economy survived to the tune of rapists, the GOP House was vot- Democrat Ben Nelson, chair of a solution for a non-existent money for such an idea. creating some 5.2 million private ing to make it easier for would- the Senate Appropriations problem since there was never For more than a year, they sector jobs, during the uncertain- be criminals to carry concealed Committee (his Nebraska seat any sort of federal policy or also refused to put President ty created by the congressional firearms. In the first major gun may be a pickup for the Obama's jobs bill up for a vote, impasse, job creation was cut in legislation passed after their col- Republicans despite the populari- even though projections show it half of what it could have been, league Gabrielle Giffords was ty of Bob Kerrey), commented, would create nearly two million according to the Economic shot in the head, the House sided "If the House wants the Capitol jobs without adding a penny to Policy Institute. The immediate with her attempted murderer, Dome to fall in, I hope it falls on the deficit. They resisted because spending cuts required by the passing an NRA-backed measure their side." But there is another the $447 billion would be fully debt-ceiling compromise are that would have undercut state way. Throw the bums out and funded by a surtax on million- likely to shrink the economy by limits on concealed-carry per- keep the dome from collapsing. aires. $43 billion in 2012, killing near- mits." -- Dominique Paul Noth nable to block the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't UTell," Republicans in the Orthopedic Institute House passed riders to Defense appropriations to undermine the of Wisconsin rights of gays in the armed forc- Thomas J. Perlewitz, MD They tried to redistrict away his es. An amendment introduced by core past supporters, but Pat Rep. Todd Akin - Ryan's co- Orthopedic Surgeon Kreitlow still intends to make a sponsor on "forcible rape" and Spine Specialist strong showing against Sean the candidate for Missouri senate Fellowship Trained Duffy in District 8. the Republicans first sought to remove - would prohibit gay 2901 Kinnickinnic River Parkway Suite 102 Milwaukee, WI 53215 414-384-6700 2323 N. Mayfair Road Suite 310 Milwaukee, WI 53226 414-771-5080

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Medical Education Fellowship – Orthopedic Medical College of Wisconsin Spine Surgery Milwaukee, WI Harvard Medical School Boston, MA Residency Board Certified Medical College of Wisconsin American Board of Milwaukee, WI Orthopedic Surgery For more information or scheduling, please call 414-384-6700. w w w. T h e O r t h o I n s t i t u t e . c o m Page 6 — AFL-CIO MILwAukee LAbOr Press, Thursday, October 25, 2012 www.milwaukeelabor.org Tommy and Tammy: Find the real deficit hawk Facts of policies Guest Column a single bracket. it will have run $161 billion less will startle voters Even with deductions and in deficits than the House bud- And while both are reliable exemptions eliminated, a 15% get. By Jack Norman rate means lower taxes only for he Progressive budget Special to Labor Press supporters of their party and its presidential candidate, each has the top tenth of taxpayers, those spends $786 billion more ho's the “conserva- proposed budget refinements that with pre-tax incomes above than current policy over tive'” candidate in T make the contrast between them $400,000. the next two years on job cre- Wisconsin's Senate W even starker than that between aldwin earns her anti-def- ation and infrastructure. It would race? The answer may surprise Mitt Romney and Barack icit credentials through save $1.9 trillion over the next you. Obama. her support for the bud- decade by bringing troops home That's because both Tommy B Here's why: get alternative offered by the sooner and trimming the Defense Thompson and Tammy Baldwin Thompson would cut gov- Congressional Progressive Department. It also restores the have plans that go farther than ernment spending more severely Caucus. She's among a handful estate tax; taxes income from Paul Ryan's House budget, the than the House budget because of vice-chairs of the 76-person investments at the same rate as touchstone document for conser- The author, a noted business of his goal "to limit federal group. income from wages; and adds vatives. reporter and economic spending to roughly 18% of The Progressive budget new top brackets ranging from If it's small government you researcher, now directs Tax Gross Domestic Product [GDP]." mirrors much of Obama's, but 45% (income above $1 million) most want, Thompson has a plan Fairness WI, a joint project of That's a huge cut from the differs in some important ways. to 49% (income above $1 bil- to cut federal spending even Wisconsin Council on Children current 24% of GDP. It's much It spends more in the next few lion). more than Ryan's House budget. and Families and Citizen deeper than the House budget, years (for example, investments There's a sharp contrast If shrinking the federal debt Action of Wisconsin. which doesn't get below 20% to cut unemployment) but less between Romney and Obama, is your top concern, Baldwin has until 2016. beyond the House budget. over the long term because of but an even sharper one between a plan with lower deficits and To hit Thompson's goal in Thompson also goes cutbacks in defense. Thompson and Baldwin. greater debt-reduction than the 2016, for example, would mean beyond the House budget on It outdoes all other propos- Whoever is president will pro- House budget. cutting $319 billion more on top taxes, by proposing an option to als including Thompson's in its pose a budget, but the makeup of The differences between of the $407 billion already cut in let taxpayers pay at "a flat 15% deficit reduction goals. Its com- the Senate will have a lot to do Thompson and Baldwin are the House budget, compared rate." The House plan moves bination of lower defense spend- with what actually becomes law. especially important because with current law. That's the toward a flat tax by merging the ing and higher taxes on wealthy The stakes are especially high in their race may determine which equivalent of more than half the six current tax brackets into two. individuals and corporations the race for Wisconsin's open party controls the Senate. defense budget in additional cuts But Thompson goes further -- to means that over the next decade, Senate seat. Training unions to organize etting members to "talk union" - more specifical- Gly how internal organiz- ing strategies can effectively realize goals and sideline apathy - will bring the University of Wisconsin's prestigious labor experts of the School for Workers to Brewery Workers Hall in West Allis for four Tuesday classes starting in November The classes cost $45 and run Nack discusses worker classes 5:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 13, 20, 27 at October delegate meeting. and Dec. 4 at 9618 W. Greenfield number of members eager to Ave., but first require a sufficient learn the detailed methods devel- oped by experts, as Associate Prof. David Nack informed the October delegate meeting of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council. He also revealed the exten- sion's willingness to work with individual unions on developing plans and being available for advice and education. For regis- tration choices: School for Workers, 610 Langdon St., Rm. 422, Madison, WI 53703, or [email protected] (608) 262-2112. Other Madison-based cours- es already on the School for Workers schedule that callers can inquire about: Time Study & Production Standards -- November 12-16. This 5-day course provides par- ticipants with a working knowl- edge of work measurement and production standards and how related problems can be success- fully addressed in the collective bargaining process. Direct expe- rience in performance rating, conducting stopwatch studies and calculating standards. Strategies for Personal Leadership Skills Series -- November 28-30. Savings for those who take all three one-day leadership courses. www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, October 25, 2012 — Page 7 Mixed moods of 2 Obama-Romney debates social policies, more open to By Dominique Paul Noth help the economy but totally immigration reform and frighten- Editor, Labor Press devoid of or wrong on facts. ingly similar on economics. was up in the air, literally, Sincere selling was all. This Romney revealed that finally at during the second Obama- debate exposed the difference 56, making a deal in a liberal Romney debate Tuesday, between shallow salesmanship I state, he finally realized there Oct. 16, flying back from a fami- and flexible leadership. were few women in ly wedding and stuck high above The second time, Obama Massachusetts government and Atlanta as the debate unfolded. was prepared for the Romney went on a "binders" search for The up in the air may have who would close any deal at any more, offering an amusing con- also been philosophical uncer- price, the Romney who would trast to Obama's long commit- tainty since to most Americans, ride roughshod over the modera- ment to women. And Romney not just left or right who think tor, the rules or the simple totally ducked the central ques- about the direction of America, answers to make his point. When tion of supporting equal pay for Obama is the clear preference on confronted by the used car sales- equal work for women. all the moral and character man, this time Obama kicked the This article goes into the grounds imaginable. Yet while tires. Hard. Labor Press before the final the malls may be thriving, the ne notable moment came debate and the final numbers resort towns full, the ballparks when Romney, thinking emerge, but if there is any justice packed, the economy is tough. he was closing in for O care. Romney had to be correct- dismissal of 47% of Americans in the world of television, The hardship may have even the kill on what happened to the Obama won the second debate in reached the mass that many his- ambassador in Libya and three ed by moderator Candy Crowley -- behind closed doors to big handsome fashion and Romney torians think forced the end of protectors, ignored the pointed that the president had called it an money donors, a time when most emerged more and more as the the Vietnam War - not that every warning from relatives not to use act of terror within hours at the seeing the video knew he was overly aggressive pitchman. But family was directly involved but those corpses to score political Rose Garden. expressing his real feelings. not winning the first debate may everyone knew someone who points. He misstepped badly any- But that was not the only When trying to outline his cost Obama full recovery with had been affected. way suggesting the president had stumble right into the president's differences from George Bush, the undecided. So it seems in the current waited for days to declare their headlights. Another came in Romney opened himself up to Obviously, the media has a economy, and the natural instinct deaths an act of terror because he opening the door for the presi- Obama's litany of reminders of continued ratings motivation to of an impatient, instant gratifica- was too busy campaigning to dent to bring up that Romney how Bush was less extreme on make the contest sound close tion society is blame the incum- whatever happens. Romney's bent. This whole campaign has Housing marches again in drama chance remains that he sounds so been a strange contest of saying he history of the turbulent has encouraged the community mance, two guests - Reuben positive about job creation and the government is not responsi- times in Milwaukee in to attend. Harpole, an African-American people constantly assume that ble for creating jobs, that's up to 1967 will unfold through Sponsored by Urban historian, and Margaret Rozga someone good at lining his own the private sector, yet trying to T the eyes of two families, one Anthropology, Inc., the play is Groppi, widow of James Groppi pockets surely must understand blame the president not the pri- Polish and one African-American based on oral histories of the old -- will lead a discussion about how to help them line theirs. vate sector for all the doldrums, - and unusually narrated by an Bronzeville and Polonia commu- the housing marches. Obama can only hope that at least if you're on Romney's 18th century figure, General nities as well as residents' memo- Tickets can be purchased for the American public is smarter side. Thaddeus Kosciuszko, whose ries of the civil rights movement $25 at brownpapertickets.com/ than that. And Romney can only It's a mood where the monument symbolizes the Polish in Milwaukee. "This is an event/271935 or at urban-anthro- pray they aren't. Energizer Bunny may not really presence on Milwaukee's south exciting piece of Kosciuszko pology.org. be moving forward, just clutter- side. Park and Milwaukee history ing around a lot, but seems more This unusual constellation brought to life at the beautiful attractive than the slow steady of dramatic figures could only Basilica," said Romo West. hoMe health CoMPanion progress of the turtle. Aesop may happen in the theater. "The It will also feature original remind us that the rabbit didn't March to Kosciuszko" as a play newsreels of the march to Child Care – Sitter win the race, but the public tends with newsreels will be performed Kosciuszko Park, and is likely to Saint Martin’s Family Services to root for the hare whatever the on Saturday, November 3, at 8 challenge many commonly held facts. p.m. at the Basilica of St. ideas about race, culture and Phone (414) 961-1614 Fax (414) 961-1616 s I said up in the air to a Josaphat at 2333 S. 6th St. (cor- neighborhood. For this reason, traveling companion, all ner of 6th and Lincoln) in audience discretion is advised Website: StMartinFamilyServices.com Athat may put the obvi- Milwaukee. since the play contains ethnic Email: [email protected] ously deeper Obama at a disad- Milwaukee County Board and racial epithets. Rev. George F. Pumphrey Jr. vantage even in a town hall for- Supervisor Peggy A. Romo West At the close of the perfor- mat that favors his more human- istic style. Beyond that, I noted, I remained somewhat dumfounded while flying through space that a supposedly mature nation could decide its own future on some- thing as transient as who does better in a 90 minute TV appear- ance. And I worried that the edge might belong in this environment to any hustler making a strong case for change. That was in fact the main point of an essay I wrote right after the October 3 debate, still online at milwauke- elabor.org/in_the_news/article. cfm?n_id=00299. only truly came to Earth when watching a replay of I that second debate with my feet firmly on the ground. The Obama the nation knew and that I prefer - bright, steady, articu- late, succinct - emerged from the disaster of the previous Obama described in my column. Comparing the two debates is informative. It was Obama's ability to learn and focus that left Romney stuck in reverse, still enthusiastic on how he would Page 8 — AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, October 25, 2012 www.milwaukeelabor.org Janesville From Page 1 ing up America entrepreneurship in the abstract and how great that families can live and grow together side by side in Janesville - yet treating as nigh invisible and worth little more than a shoulder shrug the 11,000 losing jobs who were supposed to rely on neighbors, suggesting that all those working stiffs should just tighten their belts, abandon their lifestyles and adjust. eanwhile the business committees were deluded- ly consumed by elaborate PowerPoint lures, "let's make a deal" giveaways and "buy a factory Angie, who left her family behind in Janesville to work M the GM assembly line in Indiana. for a song" tactics. As the film reveals, while the workers struggled to continue to work and maintain families, the that meant moving themselves hours away to share business community became married to billionaire figure- cramped apartments with other GM workers in Indiana - heads talking economic motivational gobbledygook, fancy just so their children and injured relatives could stay brochures and well-groomed spielmasters who seem bor- secure in their Janesville. Gayle, another UAW line worker forced to move to Fort rowed from MGM central casting in the 1940s. he human price is considerable. In one case a trage- Wayne, but on one return visit home she took her fami- A frightening moment comes when the Janesville city dy fills the absent working mother with guilt as she ly to Madison to support the public workers’ protest council is bamboozled into an unprecedented $9 million in rushes home -- and costs her a GM job in Fort against Walker’s emasculation of bargaining rights. tax incentives to lure a medical tracer isotope company T Wayne until her union steps in. Yet the unions are not 2010, the lone Democrat to win a state senate seat and one with an unproven product, debated business plan, guaran- unscathed - a GM UAW deal that allows $14 an hour of the 14 who fled to Illinois to force Wisconsin to rethink teeing no local workers a job, simply because the business workers also shuts down hope among weary displaced vet- Walker's attacks on workers. blitzkrieg prevailed over experienced public fiscal ana- erans longing for early retirement. Cullen has a reputation of working congenially with lysts. In another candid story, a mother goes back to tech all sides - Walker even singled him out - yet is clearly Needless to say, Shine Medical Services is still search- college after 13 years hauling tires (this after years of mili- feisty in his Democratic beliefs, even temporarily seeking ing for millions more if it ever gets off the ground in 2015- tary service). And while she aces the classes to become a to run against Walker in the recall. while another company, NorthStar Medical Technologies, lab technician she does so without health coverage or Yet as the film shows it is Cullen being jeered at by will open a nuclear isotope plant nearby in Beloit, where unemployment insurance - and then comes news of cancer. left-wingers for appealing for civility during a Walker tour- billionaire Hendricks insisted it set up to take advantage of I am being deliberately evasive about some names and ism speaking event. It is the same Cullen biting his lip and her property holdings. details because I don't want to ruin the experience of the holding his temper as the rich blather and crow about how It's one thing to take an intelligent gamble on the film. Lichtenstein couldn't know all that would unfold, but Walker's election would save Janesville. future. It's another to be suckered. And there were shell- by getting his cameras inside and letting the subjects flow A viewer realizes it must have been difficult for the game oversaturations all over Rock County as profit he creates a constant texture, context and contrast. The director to maintain the same lip-biting decorum in such a doomsday-sayers drew in well-meaning but feeble-minded political divisive universe, but he succeeded - the gift of a true doc- chamber of commerce thinkers. implications umentarian. Banker Mary Willmer is featured and may not like the emerge from In an interview, Lichtenstein conceded it was constant viewers' conclusions since she was so instrumental in the the fabric of struggle for his team to maintain composure as they stum- narrow approach to recovery, so willing to pose on bro- honest but bled across entrenched views, "but I knew if it came out as chures with Hendricks, founder of ABC Supply, and so anticipatory some sort of polemic it would fail. I wanted to sincerely quick to tell the media, sadly, how those $27 an hour GM and creative explore what happens to a community when it loses its jobs will never come back. Devoted to Walker she never documentary middle class and becomes so fearful and confused." gave much thought to what the wealthy should also give work. That's why he hopes the response to the film will up. If major assembly lines were indeed gone, the solution Let's not become a foundation of a business and labor discussion might require more than imposing radically less than Cindy struggled but aced her tech college overlook and movement to rescue communities in ways more intelli- decent income on those middle class families whose kids classes to improve her family finances. how open gent and deep-seated than what Janesville is still going regularly face hers on the sports field. were the fam- through. Somehow in these corporate discussions caught on ilies who invited Lichtenstein into their struggles. It may e is encouraging all labor groups and federations film it seemed that union wages and benefits were always also have been friendship with the Paul Ryan clan that to hold viewings and join the community effort. getting the blame. Instead, business leaders smilingly spec- explains how the director got such access to the normally His 371 Productions will launch bizVizz, a mobile ulate that it all could turn out great for Janesville to have secretive chats of the rich. H app and website, providing users with information about far fewer workers willing to submit to far less pay. ut Ryan doesn't make the final cut. That's in keep- whether a company has paid their taxes, how much they've For all that Rock County leadership talk about attract- ing with the director's desire not to be overtly polit- paid as a percentage of their income, and details about ing entrepreneurs and companies, the reboot was never ical and keep the story about Janesville people about selling a skilled, flexible and needy full workforce B their employment records. through his selective liquid editing. This is a film that not only must be seen, but should but vacant land and exploiting economic circumstances, Yet those extensive Ryan outtakes have been made emotionally trouble viewers in the fissures it uncovers in pushing more doctors and hospitals for a community with available online at asgoesjanesville.com/paul-ryan-out- our so-called exceptionalism. In one way it may be the less clients and less health insurance. takes/ -- and are quite revealing of his pre-Romney "gee necessary 2012 corrective to the 2010 election fever that he film -- just by chronicling in shorthand rapidity - whiz" manner and "I love Janesville in all its facets" pitch sent the nation over the cliff through that violent Tea Party nails an amazing vapidity. It forces the viewer to with those incomprehensible macroeconomic flourishes. Koch-funded reaction to economic downturns that, along work, to put two and two together, seeing logically That caffeine hyped young congressman comes T with lousy management, closed the GM plant. what the business leaders failed to grasp much less attempt across today as full-fledged hypocrite. The outtakes actual- Yet it is also could be a corrective beyond partisan to solve. Lichtenstein had unusual access to boardrooms, ly expose the con act that went over so big once upon a ideology if you examine the simple human lessons. rallies where business leaders fawned over Walker's "open time in Janesville but can't stand up to national scrutiny. Maybe those Janesville business leaders, married to for business" pledge and stacked slick sales flyers promot- (That's particularly true with the reality in Janesville today Walker “divide and conquer” myths, flunked basic princi- ing sizzle. of how little he did to keep the big GM plant vital despite ples by ignoring the silent screams of agony from their In contrast, and without Ayn Rand romanticism, the his clout because he was so busy selling those now nation- own neighbors. "As Goes Janesville" without dramatic lens creates heroes - realistic ones because they are simply ally detested ideas about Medicare and Social Security.) flourishes suggests there clearly is a more intelligent and common working folk worried about their families. He It is also ironic how Ryan keeps talking up all the empathetic way - and America had better listen. somehow gained intimate access to the union bread-win- businesses founded in Janesville in the last century, includ- ners, often female, all within 20 years of retirement, deter- ing those of his family, while the Walker minions on film mined to keep families together in Janesville. Sometimes describe those as death throes of the middle class, inevita- bly natural because Janesville's economy is so outdated for the 21st century. Lichtenstein in online comments is forced to expose Ryan's flat lie at the GOP national convention seeking to blame Obama for 2008 GM plant closing during the Bush era. The interviews expose the Ryan who once wore a "straight-shooter" mantle from Russ Feingold and actually reveled in the power to be a one man Obamacare from his House office. But again and again, if you match the out- takes with what is in the film, his outmoded economic concepts simply didn't match what his hometown needed. If there is political nobility within the film, it is rele- The infamous video moment when Walker reveals his gated to an unexpected source, a politician out of public Donning a hardhat to tour a hospital construction site, “divide and conquer” strategy on destroying union service since 1988 first seen delivering food for the poor. banker Mary Willmer emerges as a dupe of bad policy. power to billionaire supporter Diane Hendricks. Yet at 66 Tim Cullen was pulled back into the fray in www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO MILwAukee LAbOr Press, Thursday, October 25, 2012 — Page 9 Does that Romney prop clock scare voters? By Dominique Paul Noth average citizen - until they start Editor, Labor Press looking deeper. Comment s the GOP desire to win do recall a former vice presi- the White House spins dent named Dick Cheney other compounded lies from the into despair, the party noting that Reagan had GOP. Is the federal deficit higher A I each year than what he inherit- clings to its most prominent "proved the national debt doesn't symbol of Obama hatred, con- matter." Like most of Cheney's ed? Actually no, he's reduced it. stantly ticking away in the back- views, I hardly agree, the guy nd here's something else ground of its political rallies. was so wrong on so many fronts. the GOP won't tell you - It is that old devil deficit But I do agree the deficit clock Aand the Democrats aren't clock, a masterpiece of incom- is mainly an ooh-aah visual of eager to explain either, since prehensible digital dervishing inexplicable terror created by the economics tend to confuse the that tends to conflate in GOP modern GOP to blame President electorate as well as the pundits. complaints the National Debt Obama without pointing out how (If you doubt that, think of how and the separate federal deficit. much of its inexorable climb are easily Romney duped everyone If you looked at the full com- accumulations from appropria- in the Oct. 3 debate.) bined meter online, rather than tions and policies before he Even talking heads on TV the simplistic ticking bomb became president. news shows constantly confuse hanging behind Romney and That clock would have been the National Debt with that other Ryan at their speeches, you more frightening if the figure that is far more immediate would see many columns of Democrats had posted it for their in terms of economic recovery numbers some falling, many ris- rallies during the second Bush's and the need to increase revenue ing, some reflecting prescription eight years in office. Then it while controlling spending - the drug payouts Bush passed in a would have been a numbingly annual federal deficit. no-negotiate sweetheart deal rapid climb from safety under The federal budget deficit is engineered by Tommy Bill Clinton to mounting disaster the annual difference between Thompson ($21 billion), some under Bush policies and GOP what the government spends and Unmentioned by his opponents on the campaign trail, it is actually calculating how Americans still control of Congress -- still more what it collects in revenue. It Obama --- shown at a 2012 Milwaukee event -- who has introduced hold much of the National Debt than $10.6 trillion, over two was most injured in the final major debt reduction and further offered a plan the GOP rejected in the form of treasury bonds and thirds, the amount that even Paul Bush years and the first Obama to cut $4 trillion in debt hefty step by step over a decade. the like while foreign govern- Ryan in his stump speeches is year as the recession took hold. cy pledge to send more American ments rise in the counting house. forced to concede that Obama It's often similar, higher or lower, eight or 10 years under any soldiers into battle! If you read $15 trillion to $16 trillion inherited. than the previous fiscal year's administration and even better a the speech and look beyond his and counting up -- every penny So the president is only deficit. In contrast, the National series of cooperative administra- sincere body language, that is in interest, every compounded responsible for less than a third Debt, that $16 trillion plus clock tions. what he thinks we should be spiral of largely incoherent inter- of the number accumulated in 12 count, is the total amount of Presidents of either party doing. locking abacus beads. years, quite bit indeed. But look money the United States owes to can only bring down the The "moral obligation" Ryan This spinning wheel of mis- what he inherited and what he creditors, and this much larger National Debt piece by piece but refers to in his stump speeches to fortune should well frighten the had to solve. And look at the figure requires steady attack over that depends on a vastly improv- ing economy, not the unpaid bring down the National Debt wars, tax cuts and prescription may be another way to scare the drugs handed Obama, along with populace, but it holds truth -- it the indifferent regulation of run- is everyone's obligation, not just away financial companies that the president's. took advantage of laxness to fur- So where has the GOP been? ther damage the nation. But what And why aren't they helping presidents can do most quickly is Obama attack both the National not the National Debt, which is Debt and support his closing of why even Reagan shrugged it the budgeted fiscal deficit off, but attack that federal budget through job growth, energy deficit. dynamics, fair share taxation and he irony is that Obama other policies they have resisted. according to many econo- yan may not be the math Tmists is already on the whiz kid the GOP thinks, way - despite what he had to add Rsince his numbers never in to rescue the nation from its add up. But he should know past excesses, His policies have enough arithmetic - Bill Clinton's already chopped hard and his favorite word - that any president plan practically erases the needs partners in Congress to entire budget deficit by 2017, attack the deficit. Obama was according to the Congressional right to put the country first in Budget Office. terms of recovery, whether Ryan The 2017 budget deficit, agrees with the methods or not. which will reflect President But Romney and his misguided Ernestine O’Bee J.C. Frazier Obama's final spending requests guru of House GOP economics 1907-2007 Funeral Director (a similar dynamic to Bush's last have been more engaged with deficit of 2009), could end up beating the president than help- dropping close to zero, as a per- ing the country. “We are Setting New Standards for Funeral Services in our Community” centage of gross domestic prod- This is not an exaggeration. uct. Time and again the Republicans Let us remember in our prayers the families of: Conversely, the Tax Policy were invited in to contribute Center reported that the Romney ideas and join Obama's effort to Georgia Ingram - Milwaukee Public Schools tax plan would explode the defi- steadily push the nation's debt cit by nearly $3 trillion over ten down by $4 trillion over the next Cornelius Shedd - City of Milwaukee years. decade. Their refusal to blend And that's without consider- ideas and get the nation moving Mattie Lloyd - General Electric ing his plan to reverse Obama's requires this election to be about Minnie Love - Master Lock deficit cutting policies like the more than Obama, but about giv- Affordable Care Act. ing him better partners to work Allen Switzer - Milwaukee Public Schools And who knows what worse with. stuff could happen if Romney Now as Obama climbs in the Larry Palmer - A.O. Smith decides to get adventuresome polls, it looks like the voters will Alice Goins - A.O. Smith with Iran or drive us into another actually have that opportunity. recession. Imagine if he followed Up and down the ballot. up on his October 8 foreign poli- Page 10 — AFL-CIO MILwAukee LAbOr Press, Thursday, October 25, 2012 www.milwaukeelabor.org Official Notice State delegates stir nited Steelworkers Local U2-209 will hold a primary ground for candidates Calendar election Wednesday, Dec. 12 (if needed) and a general election on undreds of labor delegates met October 1 for the 27th biennial Visit www.milwaukeelabor.org for updated events Wednesday, January. 16, 2013, Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Convention at the Raddison Paper Wednesday, October 31 office terms ending May 2014. Valley. The theme was 'Workers Indivisible' and state AFL- The following offices and H Executive Council Meeting CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt may have set the tone for labor's entire positions are up for election: 2 p.m., 633 S. Hawley Rd. year when he frankly discussed the recent election losses and wins and President, Vice-President, Tuesday, November 6 Financial Secretary, Recording the underlying solidarity. Secretary, three (3) Trustees, "We laid the groundwork for a powerful movement to push back General Election Sergeant-At-Arms, Guide, and against extremist policies everywhere," he said on the eve of massive four (4) Bargaining Committee labor grassroots efforts for progressive candidates up and down the Wednesday, November 7 Representatives. ballot. Delegate Meeting Elections on both dates will "The fight we are in is not just about unions or who wins election 6:30 p.m., Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave. be held at the Harley-Davidson in November. This is a fight for the hearts and soul of America." Pilgrim Rd. plant cafeteria from That was in many ways the message from policy experts, labor Friday, December 14 5-8 a.m., 10:35-10:55 a.m. and leaders and candidates attending the convention. MALC Holiday Open House 2-5 p.m. Laid off members will Among the popular speakers were Laura Dress, of COWS, the Yatchak Hall, 633 S. Hawley Rd. be permitted in the cafeteria for Center on Wisconsin Strategy, the AFL-CIO special counsel and poli- the purpose of voting. Any ques- cy director Damon Silver, Assembly minority leader Peter Barca, state tions, please call (414) 531-4845. Sen. Jessica King who is in a tough fight for re-election in District 18, Andy Voelzke, and Jamie Wall, the Democratic candidate for the 8th Congressional Recording Secretary District taking on GOP incumbent Reid Ribble. US Rep. and US Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin also took to the podium to emphasize what the polls have underscored -- that Wisconsin isn't buying the false attacks on her support of affordable General Orthopedics/Joint Replacement health care, nor misunderstanding that her "liberal" record matches Joint Reconstruction/Arthroscopic Surgery many others in the House who have voted for legislation that moved Back and Neck Surgery the country forward on jobs while the GOP refused to vote that way. Foot, Ankle, Hand and Wrist Surgery The polls indicate how Wisconsin voters believe she will be a Hip Resurfacing and Fracture Repair voice for the people pushing better job policies and that her opponent Shoulder and Knee Surgery Sports Medicine/Work Related Injuries Over 30 years experience in his retirement from public service to land big money working for corporations has become the lobby voice of the powerful while simply No attorney fees unless Jeffrey Butler, MD Thomas Perlewitz, MD the case is successful lining his own coffers. Reports on industrial events and building trades activities were James Stone, MD Eric Pifel, MD Daniel Guehlstorf, MD Joshua Neubauer, MD Call now for your no provided by Michael Bolton, director of USW District 2; Russ Krings, obligation consultation Steven Trinkl, MD Christopher Evanich, MD directing business representative of IAMAW District 10; John Schmitt, William Pennington, MD Brian McCarty, MD president of Laborers District Council, and Steve Breitlow, business Jamie Edwards, MD Bindu Bamrah, MD manager of Plumbers Local 75. Amin Afsari, DO To schedule an appointment, call 414-384-6700

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www.TheOrthoInstitute.com www.milwaukeelabor.org AFL-CIO Milwaukee Labor Press, Thursday, October 25, 2012 — Page 11 GOP duplicity keeps politics a national joke By Dominique Paul Noth military veterans into construc- "out of mainstream" positions, Editor, Labor Press tion jobs. Think of all those won't let him escape the whole he clown car has pulled public first-responders at fires package. She launched ads into the campaign station. and medical emergencies. Or reminding voters not just of what TA shame really, given even Mitt Romney, when he ran Akin has said but what he how serious the issues are facing the 2002 Olympics, compelled to believes - that private businesses voters November 6. But the con- applaud the IBEW training and have a right to discriminate by niptions of a crazy election sea- efficiency of 20 union workers in gender or race in how they pay, son have now become dominated three weeks doing what hundreds Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill that ending Medicare is a "good by ridicule. It doesn't totally dis- of untrained workers would have two-facedness emerged in ideas" (he didn't even add the place the repetitiously tiresome needed months to accomplish. Wisconsin over GOP Assembly kneejerk "Medicare as we now advertising claims, the false It turns out that union train- candidate Roger Rivard's weird know it" line, just "end it"), that equivalencies that every side is ing and upgrading through expe- he would eliminate the minimum family vision that "some girls Elizabeth Warren running for the same or the hypocritical rience, while often demeaned by wage, and that government help rape easy.") Massachusetts Senate on reversals of previous policy. the GOP, sounds darn good, for student loans is "equivalent True political shrewdness undisputed brain power But all that pales in the pres- especially when NFL owners and put Democratic incumbent Sen. to supporting stage three cancer." ence of these endlessly laughable governors are so stubbornly self- The GOP money once dom elected women to high Claire McCaskill, a cooperative office, knowing that his most incidents that so spark the fire ish about investing in that effort moderate, in the canny tradition denied Akin for his outrageous from Jon Stewart and SNL. Who and only find balance when views has now quietly crept yahoo white supporters resent of Harry Truman. First she did Harvard and the mere concept of woulda thunk? Scott Walker forced by the workers to negoti- her best from the sidelines dur- back in because the party has loving unions. GOP stalwarts ate. (Details of the union refer- married itself to winning at all racial preference even when it ing the GOP primary to point out doesn't exist, he has taken to amorally climbing into the Todd ee's 8-year pact covering 121 that Akin was the truest - as in costs, not principle. Akin bed they once shunned, refs? It keeps the current defined hat also explains Brown's attacking Warren because she wackiest - right-winger so he "doesn't look Indian" to him. Scott Brown abandoning any benefit pension plan through the could be the extremist she would descent into racism in pretense of nice guy to encour- 2016 season or until the ref has Massachusetts, where he Obviously she is smart enough to face. Then she held back until it T become a professor without ever age war-whoops that Elizabeth 20 years of service. Outside was no longer legal for him to had been gunning his pickup Warren is an academic Cherokee. that, the 401(k) plan starts just truck to run away from Romney resorting to heritage - but with- withdraw and the GOP party that out any evidence, Brown keeps Walker pleading for union for new hires and in 2017 for all had disowned him was forced to and the GOP label, pretending he excellence leads the parade, the refs. So both sides got some- would not be a party hack. pushing his myth, calling her lamely support their label. "professor" to demean her. His because he was so upset that thing through negotiation.) McCaskill, from once Forget the R after his name on NFL owners took his ideology Hypocritical as Walker's ref the ballot, forget the Wall Street staff even put on war chants at behind against any Republican, rallies as if he had any sort of more seriously than the game he lament came across, it proved if is now 10 points ahead - and Journal description of him as loves. How dare those filthy rich your ox is being gored, your pas- "Wall Street's favorite senator" point. smartly not because she's just t's not only ugly and insult- bosses follow his union-busting sion on the hook, suddenly you'd beating Akin up on his crazy given where his campaign cash philosophy and cost his beloved rather call in a union guy. comes from. Elizabeth Warren's ing to Massachusetts voters. belief that women who are raped It became an appalling exer- a game just to save marginal he Akin episode was as secrete some magic anti-preg- the Obama stooge, he argues, I cise in buffoonery, but it sure lit costs and keep experienced ref- hypocritically funny - the nancy juice. though she convinced the presi- erees off the field! Well, sure, scramble back by GOP dent to support her consumer up the comedy networks. T he's picked up on some- Yet while the world was maybe he did the same thing, but bigwigs to support his race for protection ideas -- and besides, thing I noted in an August laughing at Brown's descent into that was only to government, the Missouri senate after roundly column --- that Akin he says, she's a white lady lying schools and working people - not rejecting him and professing out- S that she believed her mama Akin territory, the nation had to wasn't just spouting rape non- the Packers! rage at his "legitimate rape" about Cherokee blood. be sobered by the sad vision of sense, he was exposing an entire what all this has done to the once OK, so those inexperienced comments. It was classic confir- right-wing encyclopedia of bad But trying to buck the facts non-union replacement referees mation that political parties can in a strongly Democratic state, noble profession of public ser- science and weird policy. He and vice. It now features participants blew several obvious calls and be amoral rather than honestly Paul Ryan co-sponsored the orig- where he had previously won on didn't even know the rules. So compromising and tacking to the his retail politics nice guy image, representing the worst in crass- inal forcible rape legislation and ness and desperation - and politi- the players were upset by the center for the good of the people. both opposed the Lilly Ledbetter he has turned nastier for only loss of quality and the obvious The parade of elected lead- one reason - he's sinking in the cal insiders embracing their jour- Act for equal pay for equal work ney into the inferno. danger to their personal safety. ers embracing Akin after promis- among the genders. The GOP is polls. Knowing the state has sel- So the real refs weren't on strike ing not to was surely laughable pushing to keep climate change over pay but over losing their but actually predictable once the deniers like Akin in control of pensions, not buying into the Tea Party extreme backed his key committees. Romney-Ryan-Walker vision of refusal to get out, even though it McCaskill, knowing her retiring on 401(k)s. all flew in the face of fairness or Missourians and Akin's many ll this brought rare non- announced principles. (Similar partisan accord - agree- Aing with Obama that union refs should come back, which happened. Strange how regulatory proficiency looks HAWKS QUINDEL, S.C. good for pro football but not for Wall Street. Strange how no one likes refs, but you can get both ttorneys t Aw sides together to save the sport A A L but not better deficit control. The episode brought exam- Proudly Representing Labor Unions ples from all quarters of how unions help professionals and Members for Over 30 Years. improve in their job --- giving the Bronx cheer to the view of Labor and Employment Law only selfishly protecting their own, which was the Walker Workers Compensation excuse. Remember the "Miracle Wage and Overtime Claims on the Hudson" in the waning hours of the Bush era and how Family Law - Divorce, Custody, Support every multiple responder to the plane downing was a union Social Security Disability Law EmployEEs arE rEprEsEntEd By: trained worker, both public and private? Sully, the central heroic captain, was actually Chesley Workers United Sullenberger, a huge safety advo- 414-271-8650 cate through the Air Line Pilots LocaL 122 Association (ALPA). or Unions have led "Helmets to (414) 271-0290 Hardhats" helping hundreds of 800-236-3348 Page 12 — AFL-CIO MILwAukee LAbOr Press, Thursday, October 25, 2012 www.milwaukeelabor.org Why attack on BLS data was desperate BS By Dominique Paul Noth as bad as 8%, so all their contin- Editor, Labor Press Analysis ued attack really does is under- he media's natural role of 8%. Now, 7.8% isn't enough of a mine his likely tap-dance. (And corrective watchdog has drop as Obama quickly noted, the right-wing thought it was warped and sometimes but it exploded the chief talking Obama who had rhythm.) T Accusing Obama of "cook- flat evaporated. Normally, an and advertising point of the GOP. extremely partisan over-reaction It actually did more than that. ing the numbers" is actually a to good news for the other side is That 7.8% combined with more recent trend not a routine parti- identified as routine sour grapes. jobs than expected and revised san political device. Historically Sometimes for a funny writer it upward figures from past months that is not how opposite parties is held up for ridicule. reinforced how Obama in three react. But these days, the news years added 5.2 million jobs to When BLS numbers went up media considers whether the an economy losing 800,000 a in mid-term Reagan, the source is underwriting their busi- month before his efforts. Democrats didn't say stuff like ness and says, "Wait a minute! omney on hearing the this -- they questioned the inter- This nut job is one of our biggest news immediately fabri- pretation but not the numbers. advertisers so maybe we should cated a reason, that fewer When BLS climbed under report this as if there was some R Clinton, that GOP didn't question people were looking for work. Being chosen for a national ticket helped force Wisconsin Rep. sort of point - we don't want to Another lie because the numbers Paul Ryan to modify his most extreme attack on senior aid, but it the gatekeeper. offend someone paying the reveal an increase (!) in people has not slowed the cartoonists and pundits from exposing his view. rust me, when job num- bills!" bers were collapsing in the jobs market. Worse for of political influence. In this atmosphere -- when tion, even though its scrupulous under George Bush, if VP Republicans like Scott Walker, methodology has been defended Normally, the media should T the right-wing fumes and retired Cheney with Mitch McConnell's the growth would have been ignore such nonsense, but it so GE CEO Jack Welch accused by Republicans in the know, wife, Elaine Chao, serving as vastly greater were it not for the notably undercut the GOP harp- without evidence or facts that today's right-wing cried foul and Secretary of Labor could have GOP-led drop in public sector ing about Obama's steady Obama was engaged in "Chicago waved around -- of all things -- gotten inside the BLS as he got employment. approach to the economy that the style" politics -- the media listens other BLS data to make their inside the CIA to tweak the data Well, it wasn't spectacular corporate media masters who when it should sneer. case! on Iraq, he sure would have improvement but it was enough support Romney couldn't let their No case was clearer October Even the bureau is the first leaped there. But he couldn't to blow Romney supporters' mouthpieces ignore it - and even 5 when the federal Bureau of to concede that these are statis- and didn't. brains apart. The partisan seemed to encourage them going Labor Statistics(BLS) reported tics that further information The only thing that has extremists reared or tweeted their ballistic, particularly from Tea modest continued growth in job adjusts up and down under care- changed is the willingness of ugly heads. And weirdly, some Party sources and GOP hires numbers but a shocker few had ful calculation - and they are the today's political extremists to so-called news outlets treated it such as FOX and Rush expected -- a slight drop below first to do it. Noted economist embarrass themselves, counting all as news of deception by the Limbaugh. 8% in the unemployment statis- Jared Bernstein immediately on today's media to lend them White House. Perhaps they hadn't noticed tics. pointed out why Welch should be cover. Though the BLS numbers Romney's ability to pivot away Politically that robbed the ashamed of himself in his blog at have for decades been respected from the facts and how he has GOP of its major constant talk- jaredbernsteinblog.com detailing for the care, statistical integrity, probably invented some sincere ing point that Obama had failed how BLS uses and protects anal- secrecy of results and profession- sounding and nonstop bull-rush to bring unemployment under ysis, includes margins of errors alism of its civil service opera- and rushes to correct results free explanation of why 7.8% is just