Today I am asking for 5 minutes of your time. Today is a day to call our legislators and let them know how we feel.
First I am recommending calling Democratic Congressman Ron Kind. H/t to Sly and his interview with the great Lori Wallach, where she told us it looks like Ron Kind is planning on voting for the Korean “free trade” agreement. Rumor has it that Mr. Kind is thinking of running for Senator Herb Kohl’s seat.
Contact Ron Kind
La Crosse Office
205 Fifth Avenue S., Suite 400
La Crosse, WI 54601
608.782.2558
My phone call will go something like this. Hello I would like to register my support AGAINST the Korean free trade agreement, and I would take it a step further and say we need to fix the ones we have before we enter into any more. Wisconsin has been devastated enough by the “free trade” agreements that are currently in place. If Congressman Kind does vote for this agreement, I will make sure to do everything I can, as a fellow democrat, to make sure that he is never elected to statewide office. The Wisconsin worker has suffered enough! Thank you.
2. Next call to action, In lieu of Kathy Hochul\'s victory, which was a direct blow to Paul Ryan (R-Wall st.) budget. The republicans lost a dark dark dark red district for the first time since King Arthur set Merlin up with a safe district to retire in. This is the first voter test case of Paul Ryan’s popularity. Since Ryan failed so miserably, I think we need to do what Dick Armey said, and draft Paul Ryan for President. Let’s let him overlook Rob Zerban, and spend some of his koch funded millions on a futile White House run. With enough calls from everyone, to feed Ryan’s enormous ego, might be enough to push him to jump in the race.
CONSTITUENT HOTLINE: 1-888-909-RYAN (7926)
Washington, DC office
1233 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3031
Fax: (202) 225-3393Janesville office
20 South Main Street, Suite 10
Janesville, WI 53545
Toll-Free: 1-888-909-RYAN (7926)
Phone: (608) 752-4050
Fax: (608) 752-4711Kenosha office
5455 Sheridan Road, Suite 125
Kenosha, WI 53140
Phone: (262) 654-1901
Fax: (262) 654-2156Racine office
216 6th Street
Racine, WI 53403
Phone: (262) 637-0510
Fax: (262) 637-5689
Ron Kind has a history of heinous votes. To the point where the local Dem were really up in arms. Now that’s seems un-surprising and obvious, but the Democrats around here are really compliant (barring a few individuals who will get more “gritty” one-to-one) As a rule they’re all soaked thru and thru with waaay too much Lake Woebegone type fear of speaking up. Much less fear about behind-your-back stuff but whatever.
Anyways. Kind has a proven track record of making these votes and JUST not giving a shit about dissent. Really no reaction. And the party head at the time of the former dissent clamped down hard (yes, really full-out bitchin’) on those local Dems who wanted to challenge Ron’s behavior, and as people who donated to him repeatedly and voted, manned phone-banks etc. were “not allowed” to hold Ron accountable in a closed meeting. They were told in no uncertain terms to support no matter what. Do Not Make Ron Uncomfortable.
I expect strong “management” of the party now as well. Maybe stronger. Especially since the new co-chairs now have a pack of dogs in every hunt, each of them. Don’t expect anything new to rise up outta this area for sometime. clamp clamp clamp.
Also I’m skeptical that Kind will actually run, but…of course I don’t exactly have his ear so…. But I’ve heard “other stuff” that makes me think it might be bloviation.
It would be great for “outsiders” to call Kind on his behavior. Lovely. But he has gotten away with this crap before, many times. Very Teflon-y. And as I said, I attribute a lot of that to the behavior of the local Dems. Who I think would rather personally sit on your head to muffle your voice than to allow anything interrupt their personal agendas.
Kinda bad timing for small-fry idiocy in the party when it needs a strong, INCLUSIVE, energized and innovative front to challenge the Walker waves, but there you have it.
I coudln’t agree more, Annie K. I’ve had my share of trouble up here when Obey was in office. Challenging him on anything was tantamount to heresy. In all fairness, though, his fan club did stop just short of throwing me into a lake to see if I’d sink.
Me thinks Sly’s trying to grease the wheels for Tammy if there’s a Baldwin v. Kind Senate primary.
Jeff too.
Guilty as charged….While I am not jumping in supporting Tammy yet(lets see how it shakes out and who all runs), I will support Tammy Over Ron Kind every day of the week and twice on Sunday!