Time to call your representatives!

If I may, I'd like to encourage you all to contact your Sate Senator, State Assemblyman, and Congressman today.

Let me tell you why. . .

In Wisconsin:

Currently sit at #6 in the nation for taxation. That means that only 5 other states have a higher tax burden than us. Scary, huh? Well our ever brainless Governor has decided that it would be wise to INCREASE the tax burden by 1.75 BILLION (yes BBBBBillion, with a "B") dollars. The democrat state senate will probably give him everything he wants, so our only hope, right now, is the republican controlled assembly. Currently the GOP has a three seat majority in the assembly. If history be our guide, we know that we have much to fear when our only hope of stopping bad policy lies at the feet of Republicans. They will only respond the right way if enough of us raise a stink about our idiot Governor's plans to tax every last one of us to death.

Also, keep in mind that the 1.75 Billion dollar increase does not yet include the 17% payroll tax that has been hinted at, and is rumored to be unveiled soon, to pay for Government Health Care. Trust me my friends, this policy will be a disaster. I can tell you that as a small business owner, I already pay WAY too many taxes. (We are the second most taxed group of Americans, by the way, a distant second behind the wealthy) A 17% tax would likely drive me, and other small business men out of business, and all for a worthless Government health care plan. It might be wise to mention this in your phone call.

OK, now for your US Congressman:

This week the US House passed a resolution that expressed disapproval of President Bush's troop surge plan for the war in Iraq.

OK, now before you get the wrong idea, please read some of my other blog entries. I am not for the war in Iraq, not for a second. It is a complete waste of time, and a complete misuse of military power.

Nonetheless, we are in the situation that we are in, and I think for our country to salvage any honor whatsoever, we must clean up the complete mess we've made. We can't pull out of the country leaving behind another Vietnam-like situation, that would just be a disaster. We must learn from our history that when we are involved in an undeclared, unjust, war, we have to make all efforts to leave the area with some sort of resolution. Otherwise, men like Pol Pot have their way, and our military is severely hampered (by lack of public trust) in the process. (See Carter, Jimmy & Hostage Crisis, Iran)

This is why I believe that despite my complete lack of confidence in him, Bush must be allowed to try and finish the mess he's made. But, even if I'm wrong about that, the US congress still has no business whatsoever in telling American Servicemen (and women, unfortunately) that they aren't really sure if they are willing to give them the supplies and reinforcements they need and deserve. If the House wants to rebuke Bush, they should impeach him, or censor him, or do what they actually have Constitutional authority to do, defund the entire war.

But no, these gutless resolutions and half hearted statements are just a political game to the Democrats to hand Hillary and Barrack the white house in '08. Our troops deserve better than to be political pawns in their game. What Congress has done here is down right stupid, and frankly appalling. They need to be rebuked. Please call them, and, if you aren't in support of the war, that's even better, tell them that.

I think we can all agree that our misused troops are under enough stress and trials already (such is life in war, especially in unjust, undeclared war). They don't need Congress to treat them the same way the idiotic left treated the Vietnam vets when they came home.

To find out who your Congressman, Senators and Assemblymen are, click here.

Think Ethanol is a good idea?

Go read this article.

Jim Doyle must go

Someone has got to say it, so it might as well be me. I am officially calling out both the Republicans in the State Assembly of Wisconsin and Citizens for Responsible government (the activist group, not just citizens in general).

For the Assembly, it is time to impeach Jim Doyle. Amongst the articles of impeachment we can include the blatant attacks using state organizations against Doyle opponent Mark Green. Attacks such as the coordinated assault on Green's campaign money. The articles can also include extremely shady dealings with State Contracts, one of which Doyle is still under Federal investigation for, and for which a member of his staff has gone to prison. Then there's the obvious political kick backs to his campaign supporters, namely the Indian Casino's.

However, there are two actions Jim Doyle came out with this week in his bi-annual budget that absolutely seal the deal for impeachment. They seal the deal because they are about as illegal as can be. Of course with Jim Doyle, these actions are taxes, specifically the new tax on Oil Companies, and a tax on Internet purchases. Although it is not illegal to tax a specific industry, like Oil, Doyle has proposed crossing two legal lines. 1) The oil companies are not based in Wisconsin, and this tax is on general profits, not simply sales in Wisconsin. This essentially amounts to taxation without representation, as well as taxation of one state on funds belonging to a private company in another state. 2) Doyle has demanded that the oil companies not pass along the tax to consumers, and has proposed a gestapo like tactic of forcing the oil companies to submit to inspections of their books in order to stop the tax from being passed along. This is a clear violation of the fourth amendment.

As for the tax on Internet purchases: It has been held to legal reasoning that sales between two parties in different states cannot be taxed except perhaps by the federal government, because there is no clear standard as to who is liable for paying the tax (the seller or the buyer). The federal courts have upheld in many cases that it is a violation of Federal law to tax interstate purchases.

But Jim Doyle doesn't care, and frankly, I don't think enough Republicans do either. Which is why Jim Doyle will not only not be impeached, but he is bound to get at least half of the new 1.75 billion (and growing) NEW (as opposed to TOTAL) tax burden he wants to put on Wisconsin. So tell me, why are their two parties again? Not a dimes worth of difference I tell you, not a dime!

So then there's the Citizens for Responsible Government. Now, I have to give these folks credit, they have successfully recalled a number of corrupt Wisconsin Politicians. Lately they've gone after city councilmen and mayors of small towns. There's bigger fish to fry, guys.

The great thing about recall efforts, as opposed to impeachment, is that you can recall anyone for anything, depending of course on getting enough people to sign the recall petition. We'll see what happens, but considering that Doyle has just sent the most over-bloated state budget in the history of the state, and it includes a huge new tax burden on an already over taxed state, I think the time has come to get rid of Jim Doyle.

Citizens for Responsible Government. . . if you're reading this, sign me up to circulate petitions.