Headline says it all:"State Dems' plan: Health coverage for all residents"

Yet another reason it matters that Democrats win:

Working from several competing proposals, majority Democrats in the state Senate are close to unveiling a plan that would guarantee health care coverage for all Wisconsin residents.
"The goal is really simple: get everyone covered with the same benefits we legislators have," said Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, who is leading the effort to develop a compromise plan. Erpenbach said he wants to have the plan ready for consideration "sometime within the next month."
Erpenbach, the chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, said the Democratic plan will provide universal coverage through private insurers while holding costs down and maintaining quality.
"A lot of states are going to look at this and say, Wow,'" he said.

Memorial Day Image - Funeral of Peace Activist Doug Boone

Above was the scene of Oshkosh Peace Activist Doug Boone's funeral.

It was done with full military honors.

Bush's Afghan Failure - Children Starve While Contractors Get Fat

Read it all here:

The international community is in danger of repeating in Afghanistan the mistakes made in Iraq. Millions of Afghans have seen little material improvement in their lives since 2001, and most still live in desperate poverty.
...
Average life expectancy in Daikundi is 42 and one in five children dies before the age of five. Afghan children chew on mud they scratch from the walls of their homes to stave off hunger.
...
Close to half of US development assistance goes to the five biggest US contractors in the country. Too much money is lost to high salaries and living costs, non-Afghan resources and corporate profits. The overall cost of one expatriate consultant is about half a million dollars a year.

DPW Nails Roessler

Roessler Backs Big Oil Over Working Families in State Budget

‘Oshkosh-Area’ Senator Again Sides with Special Interests Over Consumers

MADISON – Despite new record high gas prices, State Senator Carol Roessler said this week she doesn't think the big oil companies should have to give back a portion of their profits to Wisconsin motorists. Roessler told the Fond du Lac Reporter this week that she won't support a proposal to force big oil companies to share some of their multi-billion dollar profits with Wisconsin motorists.

"At a time when working families are paying as much as $100 for a tank of gas, Senator Roessler is digging in her heels and protecting the eye-popping profits of big oil instead of defending the pocketbooks of hard-working families,” said Joe Wineke, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

Governor Doyle's budget proposes a modest assessment on Big Oil companies that amounts to only a sliver of what they make in Wisconsin. The measure is designed to curb the widespread price-gouging state consumers are seeing at the pump.

“This should be the last Memorial Day weekend where Big Oil is allowed to get away without paying its fair share in Wisconsin,” Wineke said. “If Carol Roessler and her Republican colleagues continue to side with the record high profits of Big Oil over Wisconsin consumers, it will be to their political peril.”

Gas is now selling for as much as $3.50 a gallon in the state – much higher than a year ago – despite the fact that crude oil prices are significantly lower than they were last May.

"Big Oil’s billionaire executives offer a new excuse every day as to why these gas prices are so high,” Wineke observed. “The reality is they're just inflating their already outrageous profit reports while politicians like Carol Roessler happily look the other way.”

Wineke noted that Roessler’s support of Big Oil may be tied to the relatively short drive she makes between the State Capitol and her home in Waunakee, while any other constituent would see much higher fuel bill for the 90-mile drive from Madison to the 18th Senate District.

“The ‘World’s Only Waunakee’ may be a short commute to the capitol, but I’d bet a few more trips up to Fond du Lac and Oshkosh and she'd better appreciate what working folks are paying at the pump right now,” Wineke concluded.

Quote of the Day - Healthcare

Nicholas Kristof in the NYTimes:

Doctors fighting universal coverage have been saving lives in their day jobs while costing lives with their lobbying.

more:

... a child in Costa Rica born today is expected to live longer than an American child born today.

The U.S. now spends far more on medical care (more than $7,000 per person) than other nations, yet our infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate and longevity are among the worst in the industrialized world. If we had as good a child mortality rate as France, Germany and Italy, we would save 12,000 children a year.

It is disgraceful that an American mother has almost three times the risk of losing a child as a mother in the Czech Republic.

Remembrances for Local Activist Doug Boone

I am sad to report that Doug Boone, local activist for Progressive Politics, the Peace Movement and the Democratic Party has passed away.

I am putting up this post at the request of his partner, Jane Spietz in case anyone that is unable to make the service would like to post some words.

Here is his obit:

Douglas R. Boone

Douglas R. Boone, 54, of Oshkosh died Thursday, May 17, 2007 at Mercy Medical Center.

He was born November 7, 1952 in Waupaca, a son of Douglas J. Boone and Beverly Mjelde Boone.

Doug was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam conflict as an Intelligence Officer. He was a past Commander and Life Member of our local Disabled American Veterans Post 17 and received awards for recruiting many new members.

Survivors include his mother Beverly Freiberg of Oshkosh; father Doug J. Boone of Oshkosh; brothers and sisters Cheri (Rick) Waters of Omro, Michael (Karin) Boone of Oshkosh, Susan (Steve) Brook of Royal Palm Beach, FL, Stacy (Steve) Schmid of Oshkosh, Tyler Tarr of Manhattan Beach, CA, and Thomas (Katie) Tarr of Edina, MN; special friend Jane Spietz of Oshkosh; nieces and nephews Wendy Peterson, Michael Waters, Kristy Waters, Melanie Boone, Maggie Boone, Jessica Voils, Nicholas Voils, John Prahl, Sommer Roux, James Schmid, and Christopher Tarr. Doug was preceded in death by his grandparents and step-father Wayne Tarr.

Doug was a tireless peace activist who single handedly collected thousands of signatures against the Iraq War. In addition to working to end the Iraq War, Doug was a champion of workers' rights, the environment, voting rights, and many other important causes. He was member of the Winnebago County Democratic Party. He was very involved in local, state and national politics and actively campaigned for countless political candidates. It will be difficult to imagine the Fox Valley activist community without Doug's presence.

Doug was the President of Georgia Gardens Condominium Association and was instrumental in beautifying the grounds and making many positive changes on behalf of the residents.

Doug also was a regular contributor to the Scene magazine and wrote numerous articles about musical events. Music was another great passion of his.

A special thank you to Dr. Peter Hannon and all of his staff at MMC Intensive Care Unit, especially nurses Stephanie, Margaret, Kelly, Karen H., Sue, Courtney, Elaine, Polly, Norm, Karen Z. and Hospital Chaplain Phil DeWitt. Special recognition to Dawn Auclair of MMC and the UW Madison Organ Procurement Team.

Funeral services for Doug will be held Tuesday May 22, 2007 at 11:00 AM at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home-West, Rev. Rich Engle officiating. Family and friends may call at the Lake Pointe Dr. funeral home on Monday from 5-8 PM and again Tuesday from 10 AM until the service. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of following organizations: Christine Ann Center, Oshkosh Area Humane Society, Friends of the Oshkosh Public Library, Disabled American Veterans, or the Oshkosh Community Foundation.

"On Eagles Wings" And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine – like the sun, and hold you in the palm of His hand.

Doug, you will be forever missed by your family and friends, and we will see you again in Heaven.

Tax-Raising, Wisconsin Bashing, WMC tool named to the Wis GOP Exec Committee

According to this press release, Todd Lohenry has been appointed to help lead the Wis GOP.

I thought the name seemed familiar, so I checked the achives:

Lohenry of LoPresti Aviation blames Wisconsin's tax environment for jobs being lost (jobs that never existed - Xoff has the fishy story here):

Manitowoc County lost 300 high-paying manufacturing jobs when LoPresti Aviation, an airplane manufacturer, announced Wisconsin is out of the running for a new plant. The reason: high taxes and less-than-friendly business environment.

“There is a snowball’s chance in a Wisconsin summer of
it landing here,” LoPresti business development manager Todd Lohenry said.

Well, we can thank Lohenry for the rise in taxes - look here:

A grassroots campaign by the Yes Committee over the past three onths played a role in the YES vote for the Algoma referendum at the ballot boxes, according to Chair of the group Todd Lohenry. The referendum asked voters for permission to exceed the state-spending limit by $355,000 for the next five years. That will mean a bump in taxes for everyone living in the school district.

I'm ok with school referendums and educating our kids, but come on Todd,
you can't have it both ways...

So, someone who helps move potential WI jobs elsewhere by complaining about taxes, while he himself is raising taxes is leading the Republicans.

It seems 2008 gets easier all the time.

Tommy the T, National Punchline...

From today's MSNBC First Read:

..but tonight's Republican debate presents some intriguing storylines. Has Giuliani fixed his abortion problem, or will a new round of questions (on Roe, when life begins, and his past opposition to partial-birth abortion bans) surface? What happens if Romney turns in a second-straight solid performance? (His campaign has a couple of organizational tools to capitalize.) Will McCain engage his rivals more than he did two weeks ago? Will Brownback and Huckabee be more aggressive on social issues? And will Tommy Thompson have plenty of time to go to the bathroom before the debate?

Another Sign the Democratic Party is Ahead

Wispolitics reported on the WI GOP Convention this weekend. They report that the entire convention had 387 pre-registered and "an estimated 500 people at the convention."

That's at the entire convention, the most important organizing event of the year for them...

Last night, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin had our annual Founder's Day event. Al Franken was the featured speaker.

It was not an organizing convention, it was just 2 hours of speaches, snacks and conversation.

Almost 600 attended.

Bring on 2008!

The 28%'ers

Those are the people who still support President Bush

Some interesting points from Newsweek's poll:

According to the new NEWSWEEK Poll, the public’s approval of Bush has sunk to 28 percent, an all-time low for this president in our poll, and a point lower than Gallup recorded for his father at Bush Sr.’s nadir.
...
A majority of Americans believe Bush is not politically courageous: 55 percent vs. 40 percent. And nearly two out of three Americans (62 percent) believe his recent actions in Iraq show he is “stubborn and unwilling to admit his mistakes,” compared to 30 percent who say Bush’s actions demonstrate that he is “willing to take political risks to do what’s right.”

Winnebago County Sheriff's Office Giving Gun Locks

From the OshNW:

Community News: Sheriff's Office again giving out gun locks

Contributed by Deputy Steve Herman, Winnebago County Sheriff's Office

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office is proud to announce its partnership again this year with Project ChildSafe. Project ChildSafe is the nations largest and most comprehensive firearm safety education program. Project ChildSafe, formerly know as Project HomeSafe, is dedicated to educating firearms owners on proper handling and storage techniques with firearms. The program is designed to make homes with firearms safer and prevent needless accidents. Project ChildSafe is funded by a $50 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Justice and managed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Project ChildSafe is touring the nation and will distribute twenty million cable-style gunlocks throughout the country with firearm safety education materials with Wisconsin receiving more than 465,000 free gunlocks. The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office has received a supply of these gunlocks.

These gunlocks will be available as supplies last to the public Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office at 4311 Jackson St. Oshkosh. A limit of two gun locks per family.

Chairman Albrecht Gets It Right...

I posted this on my Winnebago County Board Blog:

In today's OshNW:

County Board Chairman David Albrecht said some supervisors complained to him about the plan because it could limit the board's ability to use reserves to fill budget shortfalls.

"A lot of supervisors are saying we're putting money away so they can't keep doing business as usual," Albrecht said.

That is the problem with this issue. People are fighting to keep it 'business as usual'.

That is not right, it is a formula for future budget problems.

A cannot say it more plain than this:

If a supervisor votes against designating the sick leave fund, they are voting to lie to the voters, the financiers and themselves.

These Supervisors want to be able to say at budget time, we have $XX million in reserve, we can afford to take from that rather than take responsibility for the budget. The problem is that the number they quote will be wrong.

As Exec Harris said in yesterdays meeting, you can't spend the same dollar twice. The sick leave benefit dollars are already committed. If we leave them in the general fund, Supervisors will want to spend them.

Spending more than you have leads to bankruptcy. Bankruptcy on the County Government level leads to losses of services to people who need them most.

I will continue to fight for Winnebago County to report it's finances correctly. I will not allow Supervisors to lie to the public.

Or to themselves.

Human Rights Watch: Wal-Mart Violates Worker's Rights

Wal-Mart’s exploitation of weak U.S. labor laws interferes with workers’ rights to organize and violates the human rights of its employees, according to a report by Human Rights Watch, an independent nongovernment organization.

In a 210-page report released Monday, Human Rights Watch said Wal-Mart uses an arsenal of sophisticated tactics — some of which it says are illegal— aimed at thwarting union organization and creating a climate of fear for its 1.3 million U.S. workers.

The rest is here.

Republicans and Voter ID in Cartoon

It's here.

Calling Out Ziggy!

Matt Kadow has Ziggy's number here:

I’m sure this tight budget situation has nothing (read: everything) to do with the 3% tax levy cap that was imposed on local governments by the State Legislature - which Mr. Ziegelbauer supported in the Assembly.

A Man of the People, A Private Party...

Cheryl Hentz has this story on her Eye on Oshkosh blog. She questions the legality of the 'private party' that Mayoral Candidate Paul Esslinger threw on election night. According to the discussion, the party was invitation only.

The because of the private party designation, Esslinger and the establishment allowed smoking in an area of the facility that would be non-smoking.

There is a debate on the blog about the legality of the smoking. I think this misses the point...

What candidate has a private party - invitation only - for election watching?

In the discussion, Kent Monte - Esslinger supporter, mouthpiece and private party co-host - describes the situation like this:

Invitation only meant just that, INVITATION ONLY. In order to assure that the party would remain that, we issued colored chips to anyone who wanted a drink from the bar. No chip, No drink.
...
This was a private party in a private area of an establishment. It was only attended by people that were personally invited. Nobody was allowed to get drinks without talking to one of the four of us so we were quite sure that it remained “private”. Even the photographer was the daughter of an invited guest.

That leaves no wiggle room. Mr. Esslinger threw an election night party that he made sure could not be attended by anyone except those he deemed worthy.

IRONY ALERT: In his statement to the Northwestern before the election, Mr. Esslinger had this to say:

In his second bid for Oshkosh mayor, Esslinger is not wavering from the themes that got him elected to the Oshkosh Common Council... giving voice to a segment of the population that he worries is too often shut out of the local political process.
...
"When I talk to people one of the first things they say to me is, 'Thank you.' Thank you for listening to the general public"
...
"I'm not on the city council to make friends, I'm not on the council to represent special interest groups. I'm on the council to represent all of Oshkosh..."

Just as long as they don't try to come to his party.

I have been in politics for a while, and I have never before heard of an election party with 'bars on the doors' to keep the masses out. I know for a fact that was not the case with Tower's party, or most of the Council candidates.

But, this really isn't a case of barring the door at the election night party. This is a pattern.

This is a candidate that wants to run on openness in government, yet signed a confidentiality agreement with the 5 River developer so he cannot tell his constituents about the personal discussion he had with them.

This is a person who says he fights for the taxpayer, yet had the city subsidize the road in front of his house.

This is a politician who supported and voted for the garbage fee in budget deliberations, yet campaigns against it at election time.

This is a council member who rails against the pay and job done by the City Manager, yet skips evaluation meetings to play cribbage and votes against bringing discussion of goals back on the table.

In the Northwestern interview Esslinger also stated:

"I think in the seven years that I've been on there, people are very attuned to what I'm all about," Esslinger said.

I'm sure they do, and that's why he came up short on April 3rd.

6th District Dems Go to Princeton!

Here's the press release:

Princeton to Host 2007 6th Congressional District Democratic Convention

OSHKOSH – The 6th Congressional District Democrats will hold their annual convention Saturday, April 21 at VFW Hall in Princeton, WI. Delegates will meet to elect officers, plan for the 2008 election cycle and pass platform and resolutions to be sent to the Wisconsin Democratic Party State Convention in Milwaukee, June 29 and 30. Invited speakers include Governor Jim Doyle, Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton, Congressman Steve Kagen, and Democratic Party Chair Joe Wineke.

“We are thrilled to bring the 6th CD Democrats to Princeton this year,” said 6th CD Democratic Party Chair Gordon Hintz. “We believe it is important to present an alternative to our current Congressional representation that has brought us massive budget deficits and a war with no direction and even less accountability. People throughout the country trusted and supported Democratic Congressional Candidates in 2006, and we believe 2008 will be no different.”

Governor Doyle received more than 46 percent of the vote in the traditionally Republican 6th Congressional District in 2006, with the Green Party candidate capturing another 1.8%.

“We look forward to building the Democratic Party in the 6th District by challenging seats at all levels including the Assembly and Senate. We believe that people throughout Wisconsin support our issues -- from affordable health care to a responsible and accountable foreign policy and I look forward to the turnout this Saturday in Princeton.”

As an fyi... Doyle won the City of Princeton with 50.89%, Green got 46.53%

Doonesbury on Republican Family Values:

Tommy the T to Host Radiao Show with Don Imus?

Tommy Thompson has this to say to his potential Jewish voters:

Former Wisconsin governor and Republican presidential hopeful Tommy Thompson told Jewish activists Monday that making money is "part of the Jewish tradition," and something that he applauded.

Speaking to an audience at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Washington D.C., Thompson said that, "I'm in the private sector and for the first time in my life I'm earning money. You know that's sort of part of the Jewish tradition and I do not find anything wrong with that." Thompson later apologized for the comments that had caused a stir in the audience, saying that he had meant it as a compliment, and had only wanted to highlight the "accomplishments" of the Jewish religion.

Tommy then apologized with:

"What I was referring to, ladies and gentlemen, is the accomplishments of the Jewish religion. You've been outstanding business people and I compliment you for that."

Here is a some good advice for Tommy in the future...

Many proud Wisconsinites may wish to apologize for the stupidity of our former Gov, however as I have pointed out before, he is no longer one of us. Virginia or Washington or wherever is welcome to have him.

Good Coverage of Republican Efforts to Supress Votes in 2004

Brew City Brawler covers it here in relation to the Biscupic case.

I had the Dem voter protection lawyer for our area working out of my place that day. I heard him talking about the "HAVA Volunteers" in Milwaukee and Racine.

--Paying individuals $160 to wear orange "HAVA Volunteer" T- shirts and patrol polling places. In large part these individuals (who were not volunteers) knew nothing about the Help America Vote Act, and several wrongly suggested that HAVA required an alreadyregistered voter to produce identification in order to
vote.
--Impersonating authorities at the polling places. The Reports reflect instances of orange-shirted observers stating that they were authorities, and instances of persons claiming to be "election officials" and giving out incorrect information about the registration process.
-- Walking up and down voting lines with printed lists in hand and suggesting that persons "not on the list" were not allowed to vote.
--Using attorneys to lodge challenges to voters pursuant to S 6.925, Wis. Stats. In many cases Republican attorneys would lodge a challenge, disrupt the voting process, and then abandon the challenge, after forcing a voter to answer questions under oath, by refusing to execute sworn statements supporting the claimed challenges.
-- Challenging the authority of election inspectors during every step of the election day process, including: (a) challenging the use of special deputy registrars for same day registration (despite an October 27, 2004 City of Milwaukee Elections Commission resolution authorizing the process); (b) challenging inspectors' attempts to continue to process votes during machine breakdowns; (e) asking an inspector to sign a form stating that a machine was not inspected; and (d) challenging the use of volunteers to help process same day registration cards.
-- Using law enforcement agents to harass Election Protection volunteers attempting to assist voters standing in line. For example, at about 5:30 p.m. at Holton School, four men, one with visible handcuffs, walked through the polling place and told Election Protection volunteers not to assist voters attempting to locate the correct polling place. Threatening to "call the authorities" if election inspectors did not act as instructed by Republican attorneys.
--Challenging any absentee ballot that did not have a Wisconsin- return address in the certificate, despite the fact that an out- of--state return address is legal and
appropriate for out-of- state absentee voters.
-- Challenging valid student registration with photo IDs matched to student directories, and thereafter challenging any student who corroborated another student's residence.

Rudy Giuliani for President

The Daily Show played this today:

Pocan/Risser Introduce Clean Elections Bill

It's all here:

Here are the first few paragraphs that cover most of it:

Madison – State Representative Mark Pocan (D-Madison) and State Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison) introduced the most comprehensive campaign finance reform measure to date at a press conference this afternoon. The Clean Elections Fund would provide full public funding of state elections, patterned after laws in Maine and Arizona. Twenty-one organizations have already endorsed the legislation (attached).

“This is the most sweeping campaign finance reform Wisconsin has ever seen and I am grateful that so many grassroots groups have stepped forward to help clean up our government,” said Pocan. “Campaigns should be about the candidates and the voters, not the special interest groups buying elections with their expensive negative attack ads.”

The record amounts of money spent by independent groups in last Tuesday’s Supreme Court election came under fire from clean government groups and editorial boards across the state. The bill creates a Clean Elections Fund that provides 100 percent public financing for state political campaigns for the State Assembly, Senate, and other state elections including the governor’s office and the State Supreme Court. To run “clean,” a candidate must get a certain number of small $5.00 donations from district residents to qualify for funding. Once approved, they receive a spending limit and funds for their campaign.

As a disincentive for excessive campaign spending, if someone who runs “clean” has an opponent who is not running “clean” and who spends more, the “clean” candidate receives dollar for dollar up to 2.5 times the original grant. The incentive to keep spending down also applies to “independent” expenditures and “issue” ads on behalf of candidates similar to those seen during the recent Supreme Court race.

Today in History - Another Reason Republicans are Uncool

From the NYTimes:

1983 - Interior Secretary James Watt banned the Beach Boys from the 4th of July celebration on the Washington Mall, saying rock 'n' roll bands attract the "wrong element."

And happy birthdays to:

70 - Merle Haggard - Country musician
70 - Billy Dee Williams - Actor
42 - Frank Black - Rock musician (The Pixies)
32 - Zach Braff - Actor-writer ("Scrubs")

All of whom are cooler than any Reagan Cabinet member.

Hey Tony, Where's the Apology?

Many in the WI Dem Blogosophere are calling for apologies from the Righties for their statements against Gov. Doyle in regards to the Georgia Thompson affair.

I would like to add one from the left. My city councilor Tony Palmeri (that's gonna get hard to get used to) who wrote:

Ms. Thompson is of course innocent until proven guilty. But does anyone, with the exception of Doyle flacks and Democratic party hacks, honestly think a DOA bureaucrat would do these things without being ordered to do so by the DOA Secretary or Doyle himself?

Come on, Tony... Admit you were wrong...

Here's a headline we can expect to see in Oshkosh over and over again...

...unfortunately:

Schneider, Becker Unhappy With ... (fill in the blank)

Headline should read "Cheney Continues Lying To America"

Granted, the sub-headline kinda does say that...

Cheney reasserts al-Qaida-Saddam connection

Vice president’s words come as latest Pentagon report again dismisses link

WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney repeated his assertions of al-Qaida links to Saddam Hussein’s Iraq on Thursday as the Defense Department released a report citing more evidence that the prewar government did not cooperate with the terrorist group.

OshNW Letter Writer Gets It Wrong - Walter Reed Scandal Caused by Private Sector Healthcare, not Public

In today's OshNW, a letter writer blamed 'National Healthcare' for the scandalous treatment of our troops at Walter Reed.

These past few weeks there have been disclosures of substandard medical care of our military personnel at the Walter Reed Medical Center. Be honest. Are we really surprised by this information? This medical facility is run by our government. Turn anything over to the "leadership" in Washington and this is what you get!

I wish this letter writer would have done more research in the matter. If he had, he would have learned that it was by turning the operations of the Walter Reed facility to private interests that caused the decrease in quality of the care.

An Army contract to privatize maintenance at Walter Reed Medical Center was delayed more than three years amid bureaucratic bickering and legal squabbles that led to staff shortages and a hospital in disarray just as the number of severely wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan was rising rapidly.

Documents from the investigative and auditing arm of Congress map a trail of bid, rebid, protests and appeals between 2003, when Walter Reed was first selected for outsourcing, and 2006, when a five-year, $120 million contract was finally awarded.

The disputes involved hospital management, the Pentagon, Congress and IAP Worldwide Services Inc., a company with powerful political connections and the only private bidder to handle maintenance, security, public works and management of military personnel.

While medical care was not directly affected, needed repairs went undone as the non-medical staff shrank from almost 300 to less than 50 in the last year and hospital officials were unable to find enough skilled replacements.

Smoking Bans Protect Workers...

... no matter what the workplace is.

From the OshNW:

According to the health departments, Researchers with the U.W. Tobacco Surveillance and Evaluation Program "sampled 840 bartenders working in Madison and Appleton and found that, not only had their exposure to second hand smoke dramatically decreased" in the months following both cities' workplace smoking bans, but also that "the change in working conditions resulted in measurable and statistically significant improvement for eight upper respiratory symptoms, including cough, wheezing and sore throat."

I have always argued that smoking bans are for the workers. It is the same as an employer being required to have accessible doors.

Right now, someone with a breathing disorder can not work in a bar or restaurant. It is the same as if an office did not install a ramp.

You can not use the argument that "they can work somewhere else." It is wrong.

Also, if an employer allowed hazardous chemicals to leak in the water and air of an office or manufacturing complex, they would be rightly fined and hopefully criminally prosecuted.

Why is that OK in a bar or restaurant?

As America moves more and more towards a service economy, we need to place the same standards on all workplaces.

Doonesbury on Troop Support

Amen! Wineke on WMC:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jason A. Stephany, Political Director

April 4, 2007

608) 260-2408
StephanyJ@dnc.org

WMC: Partisan Hacks, Job Killers

Unofficial Independent Expenditure arm of the Republican Party gathers in Madison today

MADISON – As Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) kicks off their annual “business day” in Madison, Democratic Party Chairman Joe Wineke questioned what, exactly, the Republican front-group has accomplished for Wisconsin businesses.

“What has WMC done to grow the economy or create jobs in Wisconsin?” Wineke asked. “The answer is simple: nothing. WMC is too busy dragging our political process into the gutter and spending millions of dollars in negative campaign advertisements to worry about a positive business climate in our state.”

According to studies by several non-partisan watch-dog groups, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce spent more than $4.5 million dollars in negative advertising in 2006 – targeting Democratic candidates for Attorney General, Governor, and the State Legislature. WMC continued its spending spree into 2007, buying the Supreme Court race with over $1.5 million worth of misleading attack ads against candidate Linda Clifford. Their spending on actual pro-business efforts pales by comparison.

“WMC’s spin-team will tell you that they’re not interested in campaigns, but the numbers don’t lie,” Wineke observed. “Nasty, negative campaigns are just about the only thing they’re interested in. If I was a WMC member, I’d start to wonder where my dues are going.”

By contrast, the Doyle Administration has worked with members of both parties, Chambers of Commerce, and business owners around the state to invest in our economy and bring thousands of family-family supporting jobs back to our communities.

“Given the choice between a bunch of Republican hacks who have done nothing to grow the economy and an Administration with a proven track record of job growth, I know which one I’d put my money on,” Wineke concluded.

Authorized and Paid For By the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Joe Wineke, Chair