Dear Editor,
The recent State Supreme Court decision to let Walker off the hook was not unexpected. The plaintiffs in the case, Citizens for a Strong America, Wisconsin Club for Growth and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, paid over $7 million to put their justices there in case just such a contingency arose. This is not an isolated case as we have seen. It was inevitable that the type of “reforms” Walker and his GOP cronies have put in place would end up in front of this court. Having judges who owe you a big financial debt obviously makes a favorable decision likely. The same three groups also poured millions into Walker’s elections and are supporting him financially for president. His chances would have been hampered if he was guilty, or under suspicion of corruption. Therefore, a favorable decision from the court would secure their investment.
The four conservative judges were required by federal law to recuse themselves from cases where thy have received large sums of money from either party in a lawsuit before the bench. This didn’t happen. They ignored precedent set by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2009 and forged ahead. This is very similar to the GOP tactics in Madison since 2011. Make sure you have the votes and ram through whatever you want while ignoring the rules or making up your own.
Walker’s “reforms” have done little, if anything, to help the state. Wisconsin lags behind every Midwest state and most of the rest of the nation in almost all economic standards. His “reforms” have, however, helped the bottom line of the corporations who paid to put him in office. Many of these same corporations fund the three groups that bought our Supreme Court. The “reforms” that have hurt Wisconsin while profitting greedy corporations, come from a playbook that has been used in every state that has a GOP super-majority. So, riddle me this: If, God forbid, Walker becomes president, who will be making the decisions? Will it be Walker, or the people that bought him?
Doug Curtis
Gleason
Dear Editor,
I have a question for some dog owners who live in apartment buildings. Why is it that when you take your pet out to do its job, why can’t you at least pick up after them? So that others that live in the same building do not have to watch where they are walking to avoid stepping in it? Also, telling their children that they need to be careful not to step in doodoo while they are out playing in the yard or just walking to their vehicle.
I personally do not have a problem with pet owners, just the fact that those that live in apartment buildings where the landlord allows pets. That you take on the responsibility of picking up after them.
Whatever happened to commonsense?
While I was growing up, my mom would say this to us when she scolded us for something that was or was not done. If this is meant for you, you know it.
Please do the right thing and take on that part of the responsibility of being a pet owner by picking up after your pet.
Thank you,
Jan Johnson
Merrill