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Recommended Reading (05/19/12)

Posted by Kevin Fischer on May 19, 2012

Recommended Reading

Here are, in my view, interesting, noteworthy columns and articles from the past week that I highly recommend (You will note that on occasion, I do not endorse the opinions of the author and may point that out. Despite my disagreements, I still feel the piece is worth a read).

High noon in Wisconsin

“So there’s no doubt Wisconsin is divided. The question is why. By virtually every objective measure, Walker has been an extraordinarily successful governor.”


With money and momentum, Scott Walker gains ground

"As the Republicans folded together like Russian nesting dolls, the Democrats have been riven by conflicting interests. Labor unions pumped several million dollars into the losing campaign of Barrett’s primary opponent, and the national party has been tentative about going all in. Meanwhile, Walker’s allies built a state-of-the-art ground game to protect a politician so reviled by his opponents that they have taken to burning his campaign signs. 'They can protest,' Wisconsin GOP communications director Ben Sparks says of the Democrats. 'They’ve got us beat on that. But that’s about all they’ve got us beat on'.”


Dems in despair on Wisconsin

"On Monday, local party officials began complaining bitterly about the lack of resources national Democratic groups are committing to the recall effort in Wisconsin. 'We are frustrated by the lack of support from the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Governors Association,' a top Wisconsin Democratic Party official told The Washington Post’s Greg Sargent.

Back in January, the complaints were coming from the other end: National Democrats were irked that labor unions and others planned to spend tens of millions of dollars to recall Gov. Scott Walker — leaving less for President Obama’s re-election drive and congressional contests."


Sacrificial scams

"Whether it's in Wisconsin, Illinois, California or the nation's capital, today's public sector workers expect to do little or no work (I'm not counting partying in Las Vegas as ‘work’), and then be lavishly compensated. Often, the only heavy lifting they do all week is picking up their paychecks.

When government employees mobbed the state capitol in Wisconsin last year, the upside was: They got to bully people. The downside: Voters finally found out what these public servants were being paid."


What's at stake in the Wisconsin recall

"Recalling Gov. Walker and reinstating collective-bargaining rights would guarantee a tax hike to pay astronomical, pre-Walker-level health and retirement benefits to union members.  Local governments would have to continue fighting in front of arbitrators to exert any semblance of control over their workforce. And big labor would be able to exert more control over politicians and dictate reform on its terms—which is virtually no reform at all."


15 facts that  even Obama's biggest supporters should be able to admit are true

"Conservatives and liberals may disagree on reasons, motivations, and excuses for Barack Obama's performance, but the facts are still facts. There may be many reasons that a pro football coach goes 1-15, but everyone can agree that his record is still 1-15, right? Well, here are some basic facts about how the country is faring with Barack Obama in the White House. Take a look at the numbers, sans commentary, and make your own judgment about whether Barack Obama deserves another term in office."


Caught in the maze: Las Vegas businessman gets no help from pols

"’I don't think any of these politicians really cares,’ says Raj Patel. ‘They talk a good game about wanting to create jobs when they're in front of the cameras, but I haven't seen that sense of urgency from any of them. I have asked and asked for a personal meeting with the senators, but I'm just not big enough.’

It's an election year. They all say they're trying to help the private sector create jobs. But Raj Patel can't even get one of our politicians to pick up the phone.”


AND FINALLY,

By the numbers: Occupy vs. Tea Party