March 29, 2015 by Barbara With
On March 25, 2015, former editor of the Waukesha Freeman Pete Kennedy published an opinion piece in the paper urging Wisconsin conservatives to not only reject Scott Walker, but to hold him accountable for the damage he has done to the state.
Kennedy is not the only one urging Wisconsin Republicans to question Scott Walker. Recently extremists in the party, including Rep. Robin Vos (R-63) and Sen. Tom Tiffany (R-12), began questioning Walker’s latest budget, which drastically cuts money for public education, eliminates essential programs for the disabled and elderly that allow them to stay in their homes, increases bonding for transportation and roads, and slashes $300 million from the UW System.
Even Walker’s staunch defender Wisconsin Reporter is remaining silent about recent information that has emerged about Walker’s alleged $1.5 million pay-to-play scheme involving Menards’ president John Menard Jr.
Kennedy’s piece vividly describes how Walker has indeed betrayed even his loyal extremists. Kennedy appears to understand that Walker has been lying to them (and the rest of the state) all along. “Given recent events, I’m not convinced he ever really loved you,” he opines, “but if believing so makes you feel better, then by all means do so.”
Former Republican Senator Dale Schultz is another voice of reason urging his colleagues to reconsider their extreme actions. Known as a moderate while in office, he has spoken out against his former party, saying, “I moved to the left just by standing still” and supporting Democrat Pat Bomhack who ran for his seat.
Schultz was ostracized by Republicans in 2011 when he dared to vote against Act 10, the union-busting legislation that Walker claimed would save millions of dollars. When the 16 democratic senators left the State in February 2011 to avoid voting on the budget (fiscal issues require a quorum), Walker had the specific union-busting clause removed from the budget and passed Act 10 in the middle of the night. Later, appearing before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Walker testified under oath that Act 10 would have no fiscal effect.
Menominee Tribal members walk 150 miles to the Capitol to talk with Walker about the proposed casino. Photo: Diana Peterson
In Kennedy’s diatribe published in the Freeman, he takes conservatives to task, and does so with voracious sarcasm. Ripping Walker’s 2015 budget, he compares it to the economic plan of former candidate for governor democrat Mary Burke and admonishes the right for shredding Burke but not Walker.
Kennedy spends several paragraphs addressing Walker’s rejection of the Kenosha casino proposed by the Menominee tribe that would have led to billions of dollars in economic gains. Reminding party members of the fact that Wisconsin is 38th in the nation in new job creation, he adds that Walker was ironically in South Carolina campaigning on … his job creation.
Walker not only rejected the Kenosha Casino, he refused to even meet with members of the Menominee tribe who had walked 150 miles to Madison to talk with him about the project.
Email from Sen Steve Nass (R-11) after the Right To Work hearings.
On the subject of Right to Work, Kennedy notes Walker’s flip flop. However, he fails to mention that, once again, the overwhelming voice of the people rejected Right to Work, dubbing it “Right to Work for Less.” An email from Sen. Steve Nass (R-11) after the Right To Work hearings confirm that of those who registered, 25 were in favor and 1,751 were against. Despite this, the bill was passed the next day.
Schultz says Walker is “courting civic strife” with the Right to Work legislation. “This is going to hurt Wisconsin employers terribly in the long run, as the workforce gets more angry,” he told ThinkProgress.
He also calls out Walker’s lies concerning the proposed changes to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Walker’s budget calls for cuts in personnel in a science and research bureau, which Schultz calls “mind-boggling.”
Graphic: Michael Matheson
Kennedy concludes his op-ed with a scathing admonishment that Walker is “grinding his heels into the conservatives” and urges conservatives to “fight for this state and hold him accountable; as a conservative you’re in a unique position to do so.”
Schultz left office and has made several appearances and interviews calling out Republicans. In an interview with Bill Kaplan, Schultz summed it up by saying, “The hangover from Walker will be spectacular.”
As Walker mounts his campaign for presidency, it is likely that more and more Republicans will be following suit and hopefully working to undo the damage that already has been done by the Wisconsin GOP.
The rest of the state can only hope.
Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative 
Reblogged this on Superiorecotour’s Blog.
It’s about time the Republicans awoke and realize what Walker is doing to your beautiful state. He is such a hypocrite, and his greed has skewed his vision of what Wisconsin should be. It almost cried when I heard his recall failed …. and I don’t even live in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Republicans have been following so long how are they going to fix the damage? That’s not the question everyone should ask. It’s is when are they? You let the monster lose that we in the upper land above highway 8 have told you was there. We may live in the woods but we can see the pure evil of Scott Walker because he is just like Shawn Duffy. I have ]oliticiand I
We are hoping like we have never hoped before, that the rest of Wisconsin will realize that putting Scott Walker in power was not a good idea. And soon. Please.
I think the conservatives who need to take the lead on this are the ones who signed the recall petitions but did not vote in the recall election. Their unwillingness to take action, by voting, to put a halt to all the negative things that have come to pass since the recall elections puts the responsibility of making things right squarely on their shoulders.
Almost too little too late.
Only the threat of prosacusion & incarceration brings these super ego despots and their handlers to the realazition that their supporters, have stopped drinking the Kool-Aid.
I had to move to Indiana for a job, and you all know what is happening here with the laws being passed to allow discrimination. Walker has said repeatedly that he wants to copy Indiana Gov. Pence programs, well, let me tell you, no taxes means no services. We have 300 less police in the city of Indianapolis than Milwaukee, and house break-ins are rampant and unstopped (no patrols). Violent crime is on the rise. We have no consumer protection laws, no mass transportation. This is no ones idea of a civil society. Wisconsin better watch themselves, or they’ll be the next place people are pulling their businesses out of….
I have never heard of a Republican advocating consumer protection of any kind.
Right now many call Wisconsin the “Mississippi of the North.” I wonder what god forsaken country it will resemble by the time Walker’s term is over.
IF he were to make it to becoming a presidential candidate, for our whole country’s sake, I would be happy to help form a group to let the nation know what he has really done for the state of Wisconsin.
When Walker said “Divide and Concur” was nobody paying attention?
Walker frequently cites Reagan as a role model, yet he and/or GOP leadership and his most ardent followers even “divides and conquers” among Republicans. Reagan won by uniting social conservatives, fiscal conservatives and libertarians in the party. Walker’s folks will not be happy until fiscal conservatives and libertarians are purged. or leave the party in disgust
The Eagle Scout has literally ruined this state in 4 years!!!!! I can’t believe how out of touch certain people are!!!! Please take a hard look at Minnesota.It is absolutely amazing what can happen to a state when The DEM’S are in control!!!!! Remember one thing,Minnesota will welcome you with open arms and you can still be Packer,Badger and Brewer fans!!!!!!!!!!!
I am from Minneapolis originally and have been here for most of the winter helping my Mom. It is DAY AND NIGHT difference.
Better here, right?
not sure what you mean …
Ah well, yes there are many things in MN that are better than Wisconsion. But where I live, on Madeline Island, there are things that nowhere in the world can duplicate. And for activism, Wisconsin has it hands down over MN. Maybe because we need to?
From one Barbara to another…Thank you for writing this article. I have been saying this all along but my Republican friends have closed minds. Hopefully their minds will finally open after reading this. Scott Walker by definition is a sociopath, and people are finally realizing it. Now on to incarceration for Scott Walker who I am sure will finally be prosecuted.. The question now is… how to fix the horrible mess he created!
They are beginning to see the light NOW? The damage that has taken place in WI. under the hand of Scott Walker and his Republican friends is appalling. We are no longer a proud state, we are a state under attack by the very people $elected to stand by its citizens..ALL of them. We the people of WI. are considered terrorist in Scott Walkers world, he is destroying the families that are trying to make a decent wage to support their children. He is destroying our children’s and grand children’s future by gutting education. He is destroying our stunningly beautiful state by repealing environmental laws, ending stewardship programs, ridding the scientist, biologist that we rely on to keep our environmental resources sustainable.. He must believe he will ever age, because what he is done to the elderly is unthinkable, the programs to help families with disabled children/adults are being gutted, where are they to turn for help Scott? You said what you learned as an Eagle Scout now gives you the ability to take on the White House? Scott Walker you couldn’t sell me a car!
Or a girl scout cookie…
Walker is ambitious, ruthless and without a conscience, and that makes him very dangerous. He’s also slick, and has deceived many people. But he will abandon his legislative supporters without a backward glance, just as he is starting to take away the rights of many of the people who have voted for him. They’re fools if they think otherwise. Watch this, and then decide for yourselves if it fits him:
and we are worse off then when doyle was in or worse off if burke got in Please!
i just got back from colorado and have 3 decent job interviews lined up! as a dumb toolmaker
The worse off we are that has concerned me most has been environment. It’s a nightmare now compared to a State that honored Gaylord Nelson.
You’ve just proven the point, Mr. Mauthe. YOU have 3 decent job interviews in COLORADO because there are few if any new jobs in WISCONSIN! And you’re not a dumb toolmaker; you’re a smart future former Wisconsinite with hopefully a great job. Good luck to you.
REMEMBER THE LAST TIME REPUBLICANS VOTED IN LOCSTEP WITH THEIR LEADER OT WAS GEORGE BUCH AND HOW DID THAT WORK OUT FOR YA ALL?
I’m a mother, guardian of a disabled daughter. What Walker is going to do with his new proposals is put more people into nursing homes, as the disabled cannot take on everything on there own. My daughter has to have someone 24/7, as a lot of other disabled I know. Iris is the program she is on, this is the one he’s dumping by 2016. This is also my job, and I don’t know how I’m going to make my bills,most people get a raise, not a “huge”,downward cut! I’m 58,have my own health problems, it’s not like I’m going back in the work force, now! We have been taking care of our daughter for 39 yrs. We are really afraid what Walker is going to do!!!
Ann I am so terribly sorry to hear this. I am afraid for you as well. Of all the terribly things Walker has done to this state, this one for me is by far the worst. Not just that you will have no job, but that people like your daughter will likely end up in nursing homes. Families will be torn apart and yet he rages on, flying all over the world on our dime. It is despicable. I will keep you in my prayers.
Here’s one Republican who likes the new changes Scott Walker has implemented and will stand strong with him.
SO you like that his budget would eliminate home else care aides for elderly and disabled? That he wants to raise property taxes so businesses won’t have to pay yet less tax? That six of his county exec aides went to prison, one who happened to be his friend for child enticement? That he flip flips constantly and that your tax dollars are paying for his what some consider illegally campaigning while on state business? Or how about WEDC and millions of lost funds that are unaccountable? That he says he is ready to deal with ISIS because he deal with concerned Wisconsin Citizens? I am really wondering what in the world you could support him in that was truthful, not repetition from Fox News?
I think your addressing the wrong person, I have a disabled daughter, this affects our family, big time!! I don’t like the guy, at all!!!!
would suggest you do some reading on the truth about Walker. If the fact that his current budget would send thousands of disabled and elderly into nursing homes doesn’t make pause, maybe some other facts will:
His latest budget is even being questioned by the most extreme tea party Republicans in the legislature. Especially the part where he wants to put us more and more into debt by not paying on our loans.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/politics/2015/02/04/wisconsin-gov-scott-walkers-budget-questioned-by-republicans-too/22849349/
Wisconsin schools will suffer deficits under this new budget.
http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/story/news/local/2015/02/18/state-budget-plan-mean-deficits-local-schools/23644033/
How much money do taxpayer have to fork over to pay for what many consider to be his illegally campaigning during work hours and his “trade missions” to Israel?
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/taxpayers-will-pay-for-security-for-all-of-walkers-travels-b99455979z1-295024191.html
His dark money donations are calling national investigative journalists outside Wisconsin to delve into whether the $1.5 million that John Menard secretly funneled through Club for Growth violates campaign laws.
https://www.yahoo.com/politics/wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-photo-charlie-114429739886.html
How many times can he flip flop on Right to Work? Even his staunch support Wisconsin Reporter is silent.
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/run-2016/2015/03/14/gov-scott-walker-faces-flip-flop-storm-in-nh
Same with the Kenosha Casino. Flip flop flip flop flip flop NO. Just passed up BILLIONS of dollars in economic development.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/walker-should-stick-to-his-decision-on-kenosha-casino-b99442511z1-291428811.html
His budget would eliminate IRIS the program that keeps disabled and elderly in their homes. This would send thousands of currently independent people into nursing homes. Really? This is what you support?
http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/disability-advocates-question-changes-to-long-term-care-in-scott/article_005d6ee3-0a3a-5e3f-ba02-f5f2330836f9.html
And Speaking of which, maybe you did not know about the new law the prevents people who are victims of nursing home abuse from accessing the nursing home’s records?
http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/new-state-law-conceals-records-of-abuse-neglect-in-nursing/article_9a5fede0-7871-11e2-bd9f-001a4bcf887a.html
The first John Doe actually send six of his aides to jail. No lie. Including his close personal friend Tim Russell who was charged with child enticement.
http://host.madison.com/news/local/crime_and_courts/prosecutor-closes-john-doe-investigation-into-former-scott-walker-aides/article_5952999e-8283-11e2-b977-001a4bcf887a.html
If I were you I would take conservative Pete Kennedy’s advice and wake up and smell the coffee. Walker is a criminal and should be indicted and convicted of bilking this state out of millions. That is my hope. Maybe you can do some research, stop parroting right wing banter and get a mind of your own. Some of our very lives depend on it.
Sorry Barbara, but I agree, get him out of Wisconsin, he’s ruining the state!!!
Please specify WHY you like Walker.
If Walker does run for president, I hope he fails epically. He has done so much damage to the state of Wisconsin, and it’s absolutely horrific that he wants to go in the same direction as Mike Pence.
Almost too little too late.
Walker shouldn’t been put in that office first place because he was doing what the Koch brother want so they paid him off to doing this damage to this state by taking away every thing so the more money can be in Walker pocket and the Koch brothers.
If there were one reason for prinicipled conservatives to abandon Walker, perhaps it would be that his #2 aide in Milwaukee County used a secret email address on government property and time to campaign for him (Rindfeisch pleads guilty….do search.) Given that she communicated regularly with his campaign staff and his pick for Lt. Governor, it is not credible that he did not know of this arrangement. However, if he did not, that is a testament to his management style and abilities.