Chris Abele: politically queer

Over at the Wisconsin Gazette, Louis Weisberg has a profile of Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele that’s definitely worth a read.

Here’s a snippet:

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele – millionaire, philanthropist and proud LGBT ally – is that oddest of ducks on Wisconsin’s current political scene. He’s a progressive Democrat who’s willing to deal with Republican leaders on behalf of his constituents. In fact, he actually talks to Gov. Scott Walker.

“In my current job as county executive, it’s kind of my job to have as good a relationship as I can with whoever’s in the majority, so I can get things done for the county,” he says.

Once upon a time, in an America that seems far away, Abele’s bipartisan, pragmatic approach to governance was expected and even praised. But in the most harshly divided state in a nation that’s more partisan than perhaps at any time since the Civil War, “the most corrosive thing … is the punishment that comes with deviating from the orthodoxy,” Abele says.

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4 thoughts on “Chris Abele: politically queer

  1. IMHO, the only issue the oligarchs care about/fear is collective bargaining. Short of a violent revolution, which I would never endorse, sanction, or support, collective bargaining is the only leverage the 99% have.

    Based on the information I have, Mr. Abele is happy to pose as a “liberal” on almost everything except collective bargaining.

    From masaccio at FDL:

    “…And that’s exactly how things are working out. On matters of direct interest to the oligarchy, they win. You can have your silly laws about marriage or abortion as long as they get their way on money. It’s a lousy bargain, and it doesn’t have to be that way.”

    http://my.firedoglake.com/masaccio/2013/03/29/oligarchy-exists-inside-our-democracy/

    The fact that Mr. Abele does not vigorously support the legalization of marijuana is solid evidence imho of just how strong he thinks his position is. If the oligarchs felt any threat, that would be an obvious issue on which to give. From Jay Gould: “I can hire one half of the working class to kill the other half. ”

    http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2012/04/27/the-smoke-and-mirrors-of-the-legalization-debate/

  2. Too bad he can’t get along with the Milwaukee County Board who should be his natural allies instead of his biggest opponents…and despite his assertion that he reaches out to the majority in power to get things done for the county…his actions suggest he reaches out to power when it can get things done for Chris Abele!

  3. Am I the only person who is offended that you can be called “progressive” just because you are an ally of the LGBT community? Progressive means a lot more than being socially liberal on a few issues. I have seen no argument for the role of government from Abele’s office, indeed, he has worked to privatize government functions. I have seen no real improved investment into the public transit, poor communities, parks or cooperation with his workers. Instead I have seen facility closures and layoffs proposed. He may not be a Tea Party fanatic but he certainly does not in any way shape or form resemble anything I consider “progressive”.

    1. Thank You Paul u r right I can tell u that I have never seen him at any democratic events or helping any and all democrats running 4 office and all he does is fight the board instead of saying I want 2 work with u by the way the board is a bunch of democrats if he is a democrat they wouldn’t be fighting each other. So 2 me he is a rich republician nothing more.

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