Thursday, December 8, 2011

Scott Walker Fundraising Letter

Following is the text of a fundraising letter being sent out by Friends of Scott Walker on the Governor's behalf.  It is scary to see just how he feels about us...the name of the recipient has been removed for obvious reasons.  The emphasis is original from the letter.

Dear Mr. #####,

     The Wisconsin Democrat Party is following through on their months-long threat; they're launching a recall election against me.

     Our rivals are probably bringing in out-of-state hired guns, ciculating thousands of petitions, gathering the 540,000 signatures they need, and forging an alliance of Big Government Liberals, Big Government Union Bosses, powerful Far-Left Special Interests and Super PAC's, and National Democrats from the White House on down.

     In the face of a challenge of this magnitude, I need you.

     Knowing that I can't fight this battle alone, I'm reaching our to Wisconsin's tried-and-true conservative leaders and friends and asking your to write a "Friends of Scott Walker" check today.

     Mr. #####, our opponents will raise tens of millions from deep-pocketed Super PAC's and Big Labor Bosses, but we'll raise money with the grassroots contributions of strong Wisconsin supporters like you.

     Your generous check for $25, $35, $50, or $100 will give us a big boost and a huge lift as we tackle this enormous challenge together.

     Our rivals crave power and they're happy to dismiss everything we've accomplished together since I took office in January.

     We've turned a $3.6 billion Jim Doyle-defecit into a $300 million surplus.  Wisconsin is debt-free for the first time in a decade.  New businesses are coming to Wisconsin and so are good jobs.

     From education to local government reform, we've made one breakthrough after another and Wisconsin is poised for even better days ahead.

     Mr. #####, don't let the Liberals succeed in ousting me and returning our state to the bad old days of blank-check government and no-limit credit cards; a state where businesses will shrivel up and die...taxes will go back up...jobs will disappear...and all out progress will be undone.

     We simply can't afford to let that happen.

     So as Wisconsin Democrat Chairman Mike Tate shouts that "It would be irresponsible of the party not to jump on that opportunity" to recall me, you and I know the truth is different.

     They are desperately seeking power so they can return to the happy days when their liberal base was treated to one Big Government treat after another.

     Wisconsin can't afford to go where they will take us.

     This is a critical point in Wisconsin history, perhaps a turning point.  From first-hand experience, I know how our political rivals operate and how far they'll go to recall me.

     I can only imagine how much help they'll get from the Obama White House, the National Democrat Machine, the deep-pocketed Liberal Super PACs and the revenge-seeking Big Labor Bosses.

     So in my hour of need I turn to you.

     Knowing that you share my love for Wisconsin, my dedication to fiscal conservative pinciples, and my determination to meet this looming challenge head-on...

     Do me the honor of contributing to our "Friends of Scott Walker" campaign with your special gift of $25, $35, $50, $100, $250 or more.

     Through your generous spirit and sense of fair play, I'll rise to meet this recall challenge with yard signs and bumper stickers, targeted letters and self-mailers, radio spots and TV commercials, neighborhood canvasses and get-out-the-vote calls.

     I'm proud of Wisconsin and pleased with the progress we've made in our first year in office.  But I'm not satisfied.  There's more to do, more reforms ahead, and I'll do all in my power to keep making you proud of the progress we've made.

     Right here and right now, I need your help.

     I must raise $600,000 in the next thirty days; that's the seed-money or start-up capital we'll need to fight off the first wave of attack ads.

     Your kind help will mean the world to me and your "Friends of Scott Walker" check for $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1000, $2500 or more will give me the opportunity to keep working for the Wisconsin I love.

                                                                            On Wisconsin,


                                                                            Scott Walker

P.S. At this moment, our opponents probably are recruiting out-of-state hired guns, circulating petitions, gathering signatures, raising money, and planning attack ads.  Over $40 million was spent on recalls this summer - they could spend that much on a recall against us.  I'm asking for your help so I can keep being your Governor.

Gag me with a freaking spoon.  It is scary to see how askew his view of reality truly is.  It is also nice to see that Friends of Scott Walker was able to provide a job to the guy who used to write all those e-mail scam letters about the rich prince in Nigeria needing your help to get his fortune out of the country...

Monday, December 5, 2011

Following is an announcement received from Sen. Jim Holperin's office regarding a public hearing on the future of BadgerCare in Wisconsin:

Rhinelander BadgerCare Hearing Set for December 8

For More Information:  (715) 891-1412


            A public hearing focused on a state agency’s plan to make $554 million in cuts to the state’s health care programs for eligible seniors, children, families and the disabled will be held at Nicolet College in Rhinelander on Thursday, December 8.

            State Senator Jim Holperin (D-Eagle River) said the hearing is one in a series being held around the state to solicit comments, answer questions and accept advice regarding the future of Wisconsin’s BadgerCare health insurance program.

            “Health care for the elderly, disabled and children is the state’s 2nd largest program (behind school aid) and there’s no question additional efficiencies must be identified for the program to remain viable,” Holperin said.  “But is the Department of Health Services making the right choices?  Are the cuts they’ve proposed to the federal government the right ones?  This is a topic we need to hear more about.”

            The Rhinelander BadgerCare hearing will be held in the LRC Theater on the Nicolet College campus starting at 4:30p.m. on Thursday, December 8.  The hearing will last 2 hours, or until everyone who wishes to speak has done so.

            Specifics on the Department of Health Services proposal to cut $554 million from the Medicaid/BadgerCare programs can be found at www.savebadgercare.org.  Click on About BadgerCare.

# # #

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Recall Group Has Over 300,000 Signatures

     United Wisconsin, the group that is organizing the effort to recall Governor Walker, Lt. Governor Kleefish, and four senators, has announced that it has collected over 300,000 signatures in the first 12 days of its 60-day period in which to gather them. This puts them at approximately 50% of the number that they wanted to collect.  Executive Director Megan Mahaffey stated that even though they might have the required number of signatures earlier than required, they still plan to turn them in to the Government Accountability Board on January 17th, the last day before the deadline.  If you are interested in signing the recall petitions contact your friendly local union representative and they can direct you to whomever is circulating the petition.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving

Looks delicious, doesn't it?
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you from all of us in AFSCME Local 474.  We wish you safe travels and a joyous holiday.  Even though Governor Walker and his lackeys have seen fit to take aim at us, and the Vilas County Board of Supervisors has gone right along with them, we all still have a lot to be thankful for.  So let's put aside any differences and/or animosity and have a wonderful and safe holiday.  We'll see you all on Monday!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Reminder: Recall Petitions Available

     The drive to collect the over 540,000 signatures required to force a recall election of Governor Walker and Lieutenant Governor Kleefish is under way.  If you wish to sign the petition, please see your Union representative and they will either have a petition or will be able to direct you to someone else who is.  They will also have information as to how you can become a circulator yourself.  Please also encourage your friends, family, or anyone else to sign.  Signers need only to have lived in Wisconsin for at least 28 days, and to be eligible to vote.  THEY DO NOT NEED TO BE CURRENTLY REGISTERED TO SIGN THE PETITION, as Wisconsin allows voter registration on the day of the election.  Please remember as we go through the next sixty days that just as you have the right to sign the petition, others have the right not to, so be persuasive and polite but not pushy.  Thank you for you support.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Look Into the Future with Local 474

     There will be an important meeting of AFSCME Local 474 on Monday, November 28, 2011 at 4:15 pm at the Eagle River Inn, at which the Executive Council and representatives of AFSCME Council 40 will be on hand to tell you all about how the Union will look after Jan 1, what it can do for you, and Union plans for the future.  There will also be a question and answer session to answer all your important questions.  There will be free food and a cash bar available, so please don't miss this opportunity to get all the information you need about the future.  If you are unavailable to attend, please contact your Local 474 representative to get all the information.  Thanks, and we will see you on Nov 28!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Happy Hunting

All of us in AFSCME Local 474 are wishing everyone a safe, enjoyable, and successful hunting season!  We hope you all get the chance to bag the big one!