Tea Party Losing Support, Even in Districts They Won in 2010

Boo hoo, hoo, for the Tea Party.  Their support is way down, according to a new poll from Pew.  It is no wonder, considering their poor performance on jobs and reluctance to repeal tax cuts for the most wealthy members of our society.  I believe that everyday Americans are pushing back on the whole 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps' and 'government is bad' rhetoric.  It's about time!

Source:  http://www.people-press.org/2011/11/29/more-now-disagree-with-tea-party-%E2%80%93-even-in-tea-party-districts/

Are Republicans Out of Touch on Medical Marijuana?

I think something that Republicans don't get is that legalizing medical marijuana is actually supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans (77% according to a recent CBS Poll).  Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have already legalized it, and six or seven states have legislation pending right now.  Why are Republicans against legalizing medical marijuana?  I think it has to do with alcohol, tobacco, and pharmaceutical lobbies whose bread and butter is based on the status quo.  While the legal status of medical marijuana certainly won't determine too many elections, it may play a key factor in showing how out-of-touch Republicans are with the people they are supposed to be representing.

Madison Police Investigating Walker Recall Petition Incident with Edgewood College Student

Destroying or otherwise tampering with a gubernatorial petition in Wisconsin is a serious crime, a felony in fact. There have been several incidents so far - the latest one I know involves a Edgewood College student.  Ironically, if convicted, perpetrators of these types of crimes may lose their right to vote.

Source:  http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/city-hall/police-investigate-claim-that-edgewood-college-student-destroyed-scott-walker/article_7ae65858-1af5-11e1-89b5-001cc4c03286.html

Wisconsin Leads Nation In Job Losses Under Republican Leadership

It has only taken Republicans one year to plunge Wisconsin into an even worse economic state than before - incredibly, Gov. Scott Walker promised 250,000 new jobs in only one year's time (he was elected in November 2010 and took office in January 2011).  Republicans control both the upper and lower houses in the legislature as well.  What have they been doing all this time besides taking away bargaining rights and wreaking havoc with working families?

Source on job numbers:  http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/column/john_nichols/john-nichols-under-walker-wisconsin-is-no-job-loser/article_e8984ba1-f2c5-5f5a-bc96-943cf53e8fd8.html#ixzz1f6tJQqxp

Walker Recall Effort in Wisconsin Gains 300,000 Signatures in Only 12 Days

We're well on our way towards reaching the 540,208 needed by mid-January, and it's only been about 12 days in!  The Republican Party of Wisconsin, which has been suggesting that the recall effort is slowing has fired off a lame statement calling the process a 'baseless power-grab being pushed on Wisconsin families by liberal special interests.'

Links:  http://www.unitedwisconsin.com

Miley Cyrus Supports Occupy Movement with New Video

This news story is either weird or cool, depending on your opinion.  I personally feel it's a bit simplistic in terms of art and message, but oh well, maybe it'll help politicize some folks who aren't yet there.

Link:  http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2011/11/miley_cyrus_rock_mafia_liberty_walk_occupy_wall_street.php

New Poll Shows Walker Losing Major Support From Republicans

58% of poll respondents now support the recall of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, versus only 47% back in April - and an increase from 7% to 24% of Republicans supporting the recall.

Source:  http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/new-poll-shows-majority-support-walker-recall/article_3d9ba00e-0ff4-11e1-ab66-001cc4c03286.html

The Occupy Movement Needs Our Help

Every day Occupy protesters are making huge sacrifices to bring economic and social injustice to the attention of the public at large.  I believe that they are forming a critical mass that will not succeed without the rest of us helping out more.  Maybe sleeping out is not your thing, but you can help in other ways - share information, raise awareness, donate money, food, clothing, equipment, etc.  Visit www.occupytogether.org to get involved.

Wisconsin Applies for Federal Medicaid Waiver to Decrease Eligibility and Increase Copays

Wisconsin Department of Health administrators have chosen two incredibly poor ideas with regard to health care coverage for low-income people.  Their preferred route is to push off 64,748 people (29,120) from state medicaid rolls in order to meet the budget cuts asked for by the governor.  A second route, if the first is not accepted by the Federal government, is to simply drop Wisconsinites making more than 133% of the Federal Poverty Level.   For a family of four, that's $29,726/year.  The waiver program that Wisconsin is hoping to be approved for will simply drop some recipients while introducing copayments that will be 5% of income for others.

Source:  http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/capitol-report/capitol-report-state-s-medicaid-waiver-could-cause-to-lose/article_10257584-0c14-11e1-932a-001cc4c03286.html

Keystone XL Pipeline Dead, For Now

The Obama administration's decision to postpone any future of the Keystone
XL projext should be seen as a victory for environmentalists and others on
the left who worked hard to block its implementation. The pipeline may
come up again, however, after the 2012 presidential elections.

Source:
nytimes.com/2011/11/11/us/politics/administration-to-delay-pipeline-decision
-past-12-election.html

Wisconsin Republicans to push 64,000 off Medicaid Rolls

Link to article:  http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/health_med_fit/budget-panel-oks-cuts-expected-to-leave-medicaid/article_9e1732c4-0bce-11e1-8391-001cc4c002e0.html

More Arrests at Wisconsin Assembly as Wisconsin Acts to Slash Affirmative Action

The Wisconsin Assembly (our state's lower body of government) passed a series of bills - one attacking grants for minorities and another allowing landlords more ability to discriminate against minority tennants - meeting late into the night (past 4 a.m.).  Several more people were arrested for possessing cameras (they are not allowed anymore, along with signs).

Link:  http://badgerherald.com/news/2011/11/01/assembly_on_cameras_.php