On his Facebook Page, Gov. Scooter Walker gives a link to a new page, supported by taxpayers dollars. Some people claim that this is merely a campaign page that he will be using if and when the efforts to recall him come to fruition.
To me, it really is just another fluff page to tout what Walker sees as his accomplishments. I also think he deluding himself and is just making stuff up as he goes along, pulling things out of thin air. For example his site claims that the state has added 40,000 new jobs in his first six months in office. Like so much else that comes out of this guy's mouth, it simply isn't true.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses two different surveys to determine unemployment rates and jobs growth. For September, after four months of steady increase, the rate for Wisconsin fell from 7.9 to 7.8. In actual jobs numbers, the two surveys sometimes differ greatly. The Current Employment Survey (CES) is what the governor’s office has been using consistently in it’s claims of job creation. The Current Population Survey (CPS) is also used by the BLS to determine the unemployment rate.
What I find interesting is that looking at actual numbers from both surveys will reveal a very different story than the supposed 40000 jobs the governor claims have been created. In fact, neither survey comes anywhere close to this claim.
In January 2011, the CES reported Jobs totaling 2,744,000. In June, the jobs totaled 2,775,100. How does the governor come up being almost 25% off in his numbers? Maybe he was using the CPS figures? In January the CPS reported a number of 2,819,301. In June that number rose to 2,831,826, even less close to the 40000 he claims as jobs creation.
Since June, both the CES and the CPS report an overall decline in jobs in the state with 2,755,800 and 2,819,319 respectively. I find it interesting that according to the CPS, the net gain of jobs in Wisconsin is a grand total of 18.
Reforms working my ass, governor. More like trying to put lipstick on a pig. Try telling the truth for a change.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Saturday, October 01, 2011
Boston Loses, Worst Collapse in Baseball History?
Most sports pundits picked the Boston Red Sox to win it all this year. They made some trades and spent a lot of money on free agency. They had a lot of good players including an MVP and a Cy Young winner. Still that pool of talent failed to even make the playoffs.
I am a Cub fan. I know disappointment. The 1969 debacle, the failure to win a single game in San Diego after going up 2 games in 1984, being five outs away from the Series, not winning a single playoff game after having the best record in the N, going 0-6 in their last two playoff appearance.
But the Red Sox collapse was worse than all of that. The only thing that rivals it is the Phillies losing a 6.5 game lead with just 12 to go in 1960.
Toure from MSNBC took great pleasure from the Boston failure.
Note: I orginally linked Toure from the MSNBC site. Neither he nor Dylan Ratigan appear on MSNBC anymore. I don't know why.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Revision of open letter
I emailed the last post to my local paper, the Racine Journal Times. The editor emailed me back and said they do not publish third party letters. So I revised it as follows:
On the tenth anniversary of 9/11, the NY Mets wanted to wear baseball caps honoring the firefighters and police who lost their lives on that day. It was a home game for the Mets and a one-time request.
The actions of Bud Selig as baseball commissioner in handling the situation was at best disappointing and at worst disturbing. According to a player rep, Selig or his office went so far as to threaten fines if the Mets did not comply. Instead the Mets were told to wear the official MLB cap that included the team logo and an American flag. Maybe it is only a coincidence that MLB was also selling the caps for $39.95.
As a baseball fan, I simply do not understand the reasoning behind this ruling.
What is most disturbing, however, is Selig’s reaction to the news of this getting out. He reportedly called the Mets and expressed that he was upset that they leaked the story to the media.
Selig was more upset that the public found out about his actions rather than simply doing the right thing in the first place. I don’t believe that he would be so callous as not to honor the memory of those brave first responders, but it seems clear that he is more concerned about his own image that with baseball’s image.
On the tenth anniversary of 9/11, the NY Mets wanted to wear baseball caps honoring the firefighters and police who lost their lives on that day. It was a home game for the Mets and a one-time request.
The actions of Bud Selig as baseball commissioner in handling the situation was at best disappointing and at worst disturbing. According to a player rep, Selig or his office went so far as to threaten fines if the Mets did not comply. Instead the Mets were told to wear the official MLB cap that included the team logo and an American flag. Maybe it is only a coincidence that MLB was also selling the caps for $39.95.
As a baseball fan, I simply do not understand the reasoning behind this ruling.
What is most disturbing, however, is Selig’s reaction to the news of this getting out. He reportedly called the Mets and expressed that he was upset that they leaked the story to the media.
Selig was more upset that the public found out about his actions rather than simply doing the right thing in the first place. I don’t believe that he would be so callous as not to honor the memory of those brave first responders, but it seems clear that he is more concerned about his own image that with baseball’s image.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Open Letter to Bud Selig
Open letter to Bud Selig, Commissioner of Baseball
Dear Mr. Selig,
I have never been more disappointed in your actions as commissioner than with the way you handled the situation with the new York Mets wanting to wear baseball caps to honor those brave first responders who died on 9/11.
This was a one day request to do pay this tribute on the 10th anniversary of that attack. You, however, denied the request, and indeed threatened the team with fines if the players went ahead with their plan. Instead, you made them wear official caps which included the team logo and an American flag, which MLP happened to be selling at $39.95.
As a fan, I honestly do not understand your reasoning at all. What is also disappointing were newscasts that you were upset with this being reported in the first place. Clearly, you were more upset that people found out about your actions when you could have simply done the right thing to begin with. It seems to me that you are more concerned with your image rather than baseball's.
Dear Mr. Selig,
I have never been more disappointed in your actions as commissioner than with the way you handled the situation with the new York Mets wanting to wear baseball caps to honor those brave first responders who died on 9/11.
This was a one day request to do pay this tribute on the 10th anniversary of that attack. You, however, denied the request, and indeed threatened the team with fines if the players went ahead with their plan. Instead, you made them wear official caps which included the team logo and an American flag, which MLP happened to be selling at $39.95.
As a fan, I honestly do not understand your reasoning at all. What is also disappointing were newscasts that you were upset with this being reported in the first place. Clearly, you were more upset that people found out about your actions when you could have simply done the right thing to begin with. It seems to me that you are more concerned with your image rather than baseball's.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Why Neocons should be afraid
Matthew gives us the story of doing to the least of our brothers. Sadly, too many of the neocons running the country and their followers forget the message. I am by no means the perfect Christian or human. I do, however, know that too many people only want to see the President fail and won't do anything to fix the economy until they see him out of office.
Revison of last post
That more accurately reflects how I feel about how the GOP and the tea baggers are doing everything in their power to destroy the current president. They really don't give a damn about how bad the economy gets. They are f$%#ing traitors.
From Twitter
Something is really wrong with this food on a stick and the Iowa State Fair. It's not the picture itself, but rather that someone actually allowed it to be taken in the first place:
Maybe this is why she one the Iowa Straw Poll?
***
Back in 1980 or so, the person at the top salary in a company earned about 42 times what the median average was for the employees. Today that same person at the top earned over 300 times more than the average of the employees. That's what happens when morally bankrupt policies are present in the private work place and worse when governmental leaders fail to see this as just wrong.
Yet, the GOP and their neocon leaders continue to say that we can't raise taxes on the "job creators." These job creators are creating jobs all right - for China and every where else they are outsourcing.
What's particularly frustrating is that many of these supposed leaders claim to be Christians, but totally ignore the part of the message of Jesus about what we "do to the least of these."
Maybe this is why she one the Iowa Straw Poll?
Back in 1980 or so, the person at the top salary in a company earned about 42 times what the median average was for the employees. Today that same person at the top earned over 300 times more than the average of the employees. That's what happens when morally bankrupt policies are present in the private work place and worse when governmental leaders fail to see this as just wrong.
Yet, the GOP and their neocon leaders continue to say that we can't raise taxes on the "job creators." These job creators are creating jobs all right - for China and every where else they are outsourcing.
What's particularly frustrating is that many of these supposed leaders claim to be Christians, but totally ignore the part of the message of Jesus about what we "do to the least of these."
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Another letter
Senator Johnson responded to my email with a generic form letter that merely restated the GOP talking points, blah, blah, blah.
So I sent him another:
Mr. Johnson,
I have written you before about the budget, and your staff merely responded with a form letter that you send everyone regarding the budget.
You and your party seem intractable in your demands that any debt or deficit reduction be accomplished solely through cuts in spending. I find this approach reprehensible and at least in the case of the GOP Congressional members, duplicitous.
Earlier this year, Speaker Beohner released a report on his own website. In it numerous economists concluded that the most successful recovery programs were a consolidation of spending cuts and revenue increase. The average ratio that best accomplishes that is 85% cuts and 15% revenue increase.
Please don't send me the usual GOP talking points. Just answer this. What is wrong with that ratio? What is wrong with going along with what your own party has posted as a legitimate solution? The CBO has pointed out that simply letting the 2001 tax cuts expire will reduce the problem by over 4 trillion dollars. Those tax cuts have contributed to the problem greatly. That cannot be denied.
Those cuts have not created jobs as the GOP is so fond of claiming. Those cuts have caused jobs to be shipped overseas. Those tax cuts have caused the overall wealth of the top 10 percent of income earners to increase while 90 percent of wage earners saw their overall wealth decline.
Fifty percent of the country earns less than 30000 dollars a year. That is simply unjustifiable, yet I sincerely blame you and your party for the dire straits in which a large number of Americans find themselves.
So exactly why don't you agree with your own economists?
Some solutions are indeed possible:
Let the Bush era tax cuts expire. Eliminate the FICA contribution cap of 106000. Eliminate business tax loopholes.
Do you have the guts and courage to do this?
Again, don't send me a form letter. Respond to this one.
Sincerely,
Tim Mocarski
Racine, WI
So I sent him another:
Mr. Johnson,
I have written you before about the budget, and your staff merely responded with a form letter that you send everyone regarding the budget.
You and your party seem intractable in your demands that any debt or deficit reduction be accomplished solely through cuts in spending. I find this approach reprehensible and at least in the case of the GOP Congressional members, duplicitous.
Earlier this year, Speaker Beohner released a report on his own website. In it numerous economists concluded that the most successful recovery programs were a consolidation of spending cuts and revenue increase. The average ratio that best accomplishes that is 85% cuts and 15% revenue increase.
Please don't send me the usual GOP talking points. Just answer this. What is wrong with that ratio? What is wrong with going along with what your own party has posted as a legitimate solution? The CBO has pointed out that simply letting the 2001 tax cuts expire will reduce the problem by over 4 trillion dollars. Those tax cuts have contributed to the problem greatly. That cannot be denied.
Those cuts have not created jobs as the GOP is so fond of claiming. Those cuts have caused jobs to be shipped overseas. Those tax cuts have caused the overall wealth of the top 10 percent of income earners to increase while 90 percent of wage earners saw their overall wealth decline.
Fifty percent of the country earns less than 30000 dollars a year. That is simply unjustifiable, yet I sincerely blame you and your party for the dire straits in which a large number of Americans find themselves.
So exactly why don't you agree with your own economists?
Some solutions are indeed possible:
Let the Bush era tax cuts expire. Eliminate the FICA contribution cap of 106000. Eliminate business tax loopholes.
Do you have the guts and courage to do this?
Again, don't send me a form letter. Respond to this one.
Sincerely,
Tim Mocarski
Racine, WI
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Open letter to my Senator
Senator Johnson,
Yesterday, NFL players and owners agreed to a ten year contract. Over and over during the broadcasts of the agreement one word was constantly repeated. That word was compromise. More and more it is apparent to me that your party, the GOP, has been unwilling to do that in regard to numerous bills and proposals from Democrats. Never has that been more apparent than in the recent budget discussions and the debt limit.
As a voter and taxpayer, I implore you as my Senator to bear in mind that you work for the American people, and the vast majority in every poll agree that the way to balance our budget is through a combination of cuts in spending and an increase in revenue. Through Speaker Boehner's own public release earlier this year, an overwhelming number of economists agree that the most feasible ratio to do this would be an 85 percent decrease in spending and a 15 percent increase in revenues.
During the Biden budget talks, the Democrats suggested an 83/17 percent ratio. It seems to me that it should be easy to split the difference between what your party released as an appropriate ratio and what the Democrats offered. So exactly what is the problem?
In short, Senator Johnson, compromise.
Some things that can and should be done:
--Close corporate tax loop holes.
--Eliminate the 106,000 cap on FICA contributions. This would fund the programs and sustain them almost indefinitely.
--Let the Bush tax cuts expire. According to the CBO, those tax cuts are a main cause of the current deficit problems.
One constantly heard mantra is that government has to live within its means just as the average American family does. When the American family is in trouble, they do indeed decide on what is essential and what isn't. They also, if necessary, take a second or third job. In short, they find a combination of cuts and revenue increases to make ends me. You and your fellow Senators and Congressmen need to do the same. Compromise is what made our country work to begin with. It still can.
Sincerely,
Tim Mocarski
Racine, WI
Yesterday, NFL players and owners agreed to a ten year contract. Over and over during the broadcasts of the agreement one word was constantly repeated. That word was compromise. More and more it is apparent to me that your party, the GOP, has been unwilling to do that in regard to numerous bills and proposals from Democrats. Never has that been more apparent than in the recent budget discussions and the debt limit.
As a voter and taxpayer, I implore you as my Senator to bear in mind that you work for the American people, and the vast majority in every poll agree that the way to balance our budget is through a combination of cuts in spending and an increase in revenue. Through Speaker Boehner's own public release earlier this year, an overwhelming number of economists agree that the most feasible ratio to do this would be an 85 percent decrease in spending and a 15 percent increase in revenues.
During the Biden budget talks, the Democrats suggested an 83/17 percent ratio. It seems to me that it should be easy to split the difference between what your party released as an appropriate ratio and what the Democrats offered. So exactly what is the problem?
In short, Senator Johnson, compromise.
Some things that can and should be done:
--Close corporate tax loop holes.
--Eliminate the 106,000 cap on FICA contributions. This would fund the programs and sustain them almost indefinitely.
--Let the Bush tax cuts expire. According to the CBO, those tax cuts are a main cause of the current deficit problems.
One constantly heard mantra is that government has to live within its means just as the average American family does. When the American family is in trouble, they do indeed decide on what is essential and what isn't. They also, if necessary, take a second or third job. In short, they find a combination of cuts and revenue increases to make ends me. You and your fellow Senators and Congressmen need to do the same. Compromise is what made our country work to begin with. It still can.
Sincerely,
Tim Mocarski
Racine, WI
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