@Craig- Not sure where you live and don't really care. I'm in Oak Creek, bought my house in '05 and my taxes have never varied more than $50 in the last six years, mostly under Doyle as governor. Not sure what they will be this year yet. However, since Scooter took over, my salary has gone down 5.8% and my insurance went from a $10 copay to a $2000 deductible. I'm a teacher with 38 years in the classroom and two master's degrees. I had a brain tumor this past summer so I spent the deductible quickly and face an annual MRI for the foreseeable future. Tell me again how Scooter is good for us? Oh, and don't forget the part about the latest unemployment figures show Wisconsin leading the way - in job loss.

@Ron Clone -- the property taxes on my house doubled in 2005. When I went to the town hall to ask if i could speak to the assessor I was told it was pointless -- that everyone's property taxes had doubled that year. Since then they have risen modestly, as you say.

Despite this, I still support Walker's recall, because he has chosen to favor those who still have an income over those of us whose income has been reduced. It's a matter of priorities -- how best to pay for the services we need, and that includes the schools.

Ron. Try having business overhead double under Doyle. Fees and licences doubled while he pissed away our nest egg and borrowed money to get time to leave the office of the governor in worse shape than ever in state history. Health problems suck- I agree with you on that. But my health issue came while I was a small business owner, high deductibles are typical today. I would be happy to pay for an MRI annually out of pocket. I have spent over $400,000 in the past two years on two neruosurgeries and am still awaiting lab work for a muscle/ nerve biopsy taken 5 weeks ago. I would be gratefull to have a $4000/ year deductible and only be required to pay 12.5% of the premiums.
Oh and Ron- taxes should have gone down. Do you really believe your house is worth what it was in '05?

Bren- He's helped everyone in the state. You just have way to much Koch on your mind to see past the scum hatred your union lackeys spin..

Ron Clone- Well, let's see. Government is only good when you get FREE pension, FREE healthcare. It is unfortunate your circumstance, however, the people that PAID for those benefits are broke. Lost their pensions, pay much more than you in heathcare, many lost their jobs, homes, cars, etc... And yes, that last part could be much, oh so much higher when the pink slips would have been handed out to he teachers. But yes, a master degree makes you far superior that the rest of the land, should pay for something they can't have. That is a pretty elitist attitude.

@Brian Dey....As the ex-supervisor of the teachers of RUSD, your attitude and demeanor towards Ron was uncalled for. It's a good thing you are no longer on that board.

Lyle- What did I say that was untrue? For your information, there was absolutely no reason why the REA had to switch to the policy they did. It would have been $2000 cheaper for them to have kept the same insurance. The problem is that the union leadership wanted sooo bad to sign a contract that they took the only deal they thought would keep the deductibles low. What they didn't realize was that the plan they were on had no deductibles so it was actually cheaper to stay with the plan they on. So it wasn't Walker that screwed them, it was Pete Knotek and the Unionistas that screwed Mr. Clone. It is the attitude that these teachers have that they are somehow above the economic times and deserve to be treated better that is elitist.

@Steve...Why would you hang a signed picture of Walker in your office; do you have a rodent problem?

Very nice Steve. I'd love to see that.

lol @ Lyle

http://s105.photobucket.com/albums/m238/StevieTdrill/?action=view&current=IMG_3249.jpg

What color crayon did he use to make his "X"?

Steve the handyman! ; )

Ugh those crappy Target shelves suck. GF gave them as a gift so hard to take them down now.............. They have been so customized to keep them in the air

Nice office and pic! I can see you not only talk the talk but also walk the walk.
As a small business owner I am sure you can appreciate what Walker has done for those of us who pay taxes in this state without creating that giant sucking sound from the states balance sheet (WEAC straws not included)

@Steve....Where are the candles and incense burner for your shrine?

Lyle, I see somethings don't change. That was a very immature, uneducated response. Well, when you recall Walker, pleas, oh please let me hand out the pink slips so the greedy old timers can have their hand-outs.

What "greedy old-timers" Brian? Do you mean the elderly people like me who after working for 50 years and paying into social security expect it to be paid back to us? Do you mean people like your parents and grandparents who rely on Medicare to help pay their ever-increasing medical bills for their age-related infirmities? Or are you one of those saints who's going to support your elderly family members, give them a home with you and pay all their medical expenses for them? No, I didn't think so... Why don't you check back in when you have something worthwhile to say.

@Brain Dey...What happened, did you get skunked deer hunting. Does Steve have a better shrine to Scooter than you?

Linda- Let me clarify when I say old timers I mean those with high seniority within the union. But as for your personal assessment, I will tell you that my family has recently endured financial hardship to care for my mother-in-law so don't try being all righteous when you have no clue, because yes I would, and yes I have.

Lyle- No, actually a good hunt! As for a shrine, none here, but I do have appreciation that a politician actually saw a problem and fixed it. That a politician didn't kick it down the road for someone else to fix. And for a politician that cared more about the entire state than the 30,000 affected, and did it in a way that was fair. And your Scooter nickname is a little infantile wouldn't you say?

Craig - It makes you proud that finally someone stands with the rest of us. My business has doubled if not tripped every year. I heavily invest back into it which creates more money moving around and more employment whether that be direct or subcontracted. Any bit that stays behind instead of going to a public union is helpful.

Lyle- Not into that hippie stuff, remember, evil capitalist conservative business owner who also has a background in mining. No drum circles here with intense :)

Sorry you have a crappy job Hudson. What is yours? Mine is public information. Is yours?

@Hudson Resident...As a conservative you believe in choice and personal responsibility. Therefore, one can only assume that your employment and life is based on the exercise of your free will and choice. If it is the case that you carry a $5K deductible and fund your retirement 100%, then you passed over other opportunities for the opportunities you are now pursuing, What you have is opportunity costs. Setting yourself up as an example of someone suffering is a bit dishonest and misrepresentative. Ron Clone decided a different path kowing full well his opportunity costs; lower pay, long hours during the school year, etc. You are discounting Ron's opportunity costs and the career path he has chosen to elevate your career path and opportunity costs. It is time for you to stop whining about how bad you have it and accept the fact you're living in the circumstances from your own choices.

You should love your career, you haven't contributed one dime to your guaranteed pension until this past year and you've only paid 6% of your healthcare costs as well. You're a WHINER, pure and simple. Now I must to to work as my customers require that I ship product to them on time. Not you though, you'll enjoy one of many days off with pay. So type away on the computer will you?

Hudson, has no one ever told you that you go to hell for lying? Every word in your comment is a lie. Every accusation and nasty name you write puts your mental age at about 12. Please, go somewhere and grow up.

Hudson, you do need to check your facts.

Ron Clone- Yes, you love your job as long as you can suck up to the trough. And yes you are whining. Oh, and Lyle, these whiners alos have a choice. Like I tell my employees, and like my employers told me, "If you don't like your job or pay or benefits, don't let the door hit you in the butt on your way out."

Sort of confusing: calling the guy a "government union thug" and presuming you are on a first-name basis.

Tends to reinforce a suspicion you have yet to put things together.

Hudson, if all you can offer is to call people names and make untrue accusations, I suggest you go visit your parents and ask them to try raising you again - perhaps they can get it right this time. The only people in this state "on the gravy train" are the corporations who paid for Walker and his publicly-acknowledged misleading campaign, his wealthy political backers/owners, and himself. He has become quite wealthy this past year from all the contributions/bribes he's stuck in his pockets, as well as the 10's of thousands each time he goes traveling around to other states (something he does numerous times a month) bragging about how he's screwing the poor, the sick, the elderly and children out of desperately needed services, including nursing home care, medical care and education. If you and your fellow right-wing terrorists think this is only about unions, you are sadly ill-informed. Try tearing yourself away from Fox News sometime and do some research for yourself. You are obviously and sadly lacking an adequate education.

You're a THUG, nothing more nothing less. You have a nice day too okay? Maybe you and Lyle can have coffee together and pontificate about your advanced degrees and intellectual prowess while the rest of us WORK for a living.

@Hudson Resident...You had better work for a living, everyone else does. I am finally retired after working for nearly five decades and a good share of those as a small business. Because you are a small business doesn't mean you're anything special, that's what you do. I would strongely suggest you get off your "high horse" and get back to work.

@Ron Clone...Don't mind Hudson Resident, he vents his spleen and then pulls back for awhile. He is purely anti-intellectual and resents anyone with an education. I would be more than happy to have coffee and pontificate on a free flow of information and solve the worlds problems. There are a number of us who do respect your career choice.

More name-calling from Hudson. Too bad he didn't have parents to teach him anything about respect. And obviously missed getting an education as well. I wonder how it feels to know you've lived your whole life not accomplishing anything more than calling strangers insulting names. I think I'm actually starting to feel sorry for him...

Hudson Resident,
What a word picture you paint. Ivory Tower intellectuals who are thugs, and the uneducated as the wise! I still think you need a trip to Chicago to "discuss' things with some REAL THUGS!

@Ron Clone, @ greg, I agree. I thought I was the only one who noticed. @ Mr. Clone: You have stated that society doesn't owe you anything but respect and a little more salary reflecting your talent, experience and education level as an educator. That does sound pretty pompass don't you think, since respect is earned and not owed.

@Pamela...I was taught that people automatically deserve respect and only lose it only after committing acts undeserving of respect.

What sounds pompous (please note the correct spelling), Pamela, is every word you posted. All teachers are deserving of respect, if for no other reason than having to walk into a classroom filled with YOUR disrespectful, ill-behaved and out of control children every day. And then they have to listen to being told that they do not deserve their pay, which by the way, has not increased for several years. But, I have to say, your comment was good for a hearty laugh.

Lyle: Life experiences have taught me respect is earned by one's actions. It is not something one is entitled to, nor can you expect to be given respect based on your age, intellect, or physical stature.
same goes for vocation, no one is entitled to retain a job because of affiliation with a union, gang, drug cartel, etc.

@Lyle,
You must mean common curtesy toward your fellow man. Respect, in it's truest form, is earned through honorable actions. I was taught to obey my elders, I was taught to obey authority. I was never taught to automatically respect someone.

@Linda Motely,
God love ya for being the spelling police, but who do you really think you are? Stop spewng your lies about my children!!!!. YOU do not know MY children!!!

@Pamela...The difference may be semantic or generational. Unlike what you have said you were taught; I was taught to respect others, treat them with courtesy, and withhold judgement until such time as judgement can be made objectively. I was also taught to respect the position such as teachers and others whose positions required respect.

As far as questioning authority, this is where we probably differ the most. In my culture it is appropriate to question, especially authority when authority appears to be overreaching or disseminating questionable information. Questioning does not mean disrespect but validates veracity or rejects it.

@Hudson Resident...Sorry that you couldn't come back with anything. I'll eagerly await your response after you have time to think about it.

Conservatives take everything to a personal level? We don't like what Obama has done to this country, but we don't crap at the White House, or harass his family, and we wait until the election to get rid of him. Sounds like you whining, sniveling democrats are the ones taking personal. And before you say it is personal, it's just as personal to us because we are the ones paying for it.

Why is it, Brian, that you republican/tea baggers seem to think you're the only ones who pay taxes? I'd really like that explained. I'm not a republican, but I pay taxes. Do you mean if I join the democratic party I don't have to pay taxes anymore? I have lots of friends who are democrats and I'm sure they'll be thrilled to find out they don't have to pay taxes anymore either.

Linda- Because 53% in this country pay no taxes at all, 17% of middle class families pay some tax but the upper 10% account for 80% of all taxes collected. And if you are a public employee, yes we pay your salaries (that means everyone else that is not a public worker), but you contribute nothing to ours, and we ask that you at least contribute to your benefits (albeit modest contributions), you are willing to lay-off your own, scream bloody murder, and tell us how it is your right to be above everyone else in the world that has seen these cuts to their own benefits (at much higher levels, mind you). The only answer to remaining status quo was to a. layoff thousands of workers statewide, or b. raise taxes. Walker found a medium between the two and it is 100% bullcrap that the unions would have taken concessions. They didn't and they have been asked for years, especially in RUSD. And regardless of what your union thug leaders tell you, collective bargaining is not a right, and you still have collective bargaining power greater than federal union workers.

Brian, everyone who lives in this country pays taxes. The only ones who don't pay income taxes are those so far below the poverty level they don't qualify, or those receiving money on which they have already paid taxes. I am not nor have I ever been a public employee (but they pay taxes, too); I am not now, nor have I ever been a union member (they pay taxes, too). And as far as Walker's threat to lay off thousands of workers, this state has lost 10,000 jobs since Walker took office. Some of those jobs disappeared as a direct result of his budget cuts causing many people to be laid off. And this is the guy who promised 250,000 new jobs. You also might want to give some thought to the fact that of those 47% you say pay no taxes, a goodly number of them are republicans, as well as democrats, independents, progressives and libertarians just to name a few. So why is it the democrats are being demonized when republicans are just as guilty of the "sins" you claim the democrats are guilty of? There are lots and lots of public workers who are republicans and belong to unions. So, are all those republican union members "union thugs", "whiners" and "snivelers" as well as your demonized democrats? Instead of name-calling, accusations and insults hurled at people who disagree with you, why is it you cannot accept that not everyone thinks the same as you? And when you start throwing out the insults, that's exactly what you will be getting back.

I should amend my second sentence - The only ones who don't pay income taxes are those so far below the poverty level they don't qualify, or those receiving money on which they have already paid taxes, AND THOSE RICH ENOUGH TO BE EXEMPT FROM HAVING TO PAY INCOME TAX.

@greg...I don't see what advanced degrees has anything to do with it. People who place themselves as judge and jury over others should expect to be challenged. Hudson Resident and Angry White Dude are well known for their styles, which detract from the argument. I don't see anything rude in what was said in response, when it is well thought out and factual.

@Stormy Weather -- I really don't see any swelled heads here or anyone looking down on someone who doesn't have a degree. I'm a college dropout myself and know very well that a degree has nothing to do with intelligence. Part of the reason that I'm Liberal is that I've done working class jobs and I've seen first-hand the ways workers can be short-changed and exploited. The rules are being changed so that hard-working people like your dad won't be able to get ahead as well as he did.

I firmly believe that Governor Walker's policies are going to hurt middle class families like yours and mine.

@Stormy Weather...just because someone has a degree/degrees isn't a reason to look down on those who don't. I haven't seen anyone pushing that as somehow as a minimum requirement to have a worthwhile opinion. Education levels don't make one a conservative or a progressive;life experience is the critical factor. I would much rather spend my time with honest and open people, regardless their political position, than an over educated pompous ass. The variable is not education but their pomposity.

Given that it isn't education but life experience, my view of the governor's direction and performance is what I don't agree with. Like so many others I see his actions as a way to gain and maintain political power. I would be less critical of him if he was really working for the working and middle classes, but he is working for the wealthy and powerful. What is good for them is not necessarily good for the working and middle class. I am sure your father would agree that you don't judge people by their education or wealth, but the quality of their character and the strength of their word.

Stormy, it's really sad that you feel so insecure and inferior-but not one person on this board has looked down upon anyone else based on education, salary or size of house-except you. My liberal friends all live in either apartments (as do I) or comparatively small homes in old neighborhoods. Of all my numerous friends, only 2 have college degrees. My friends who have multiple letters after their names are all conservatives. I graduated high school and only completed 2 years of college because I had to add 2 more jobs in order to support my children adequately. It's hard to go to school when you have 3 jobs and 2 teenagers to take care of. I have no complaints about my life. I have worked hard for the past 50 years to take care of myself and my family, and I'm damned proud of it. I'm also damned proud to be a liberal who has a social conscience and cares about the poor, disabled, elderly and children being denied adequate medical care and education so that Scott Walker can continue lining his campaign coffers with kickbacks he's getting for letting his rich friends and corporations get away with not paying their fair share of taxes, or in some cases no taxes at all. I've paid taxes for 50 years, including Social Security, and if the money/power-hungry dimwits who are running the political show think they're going to get away with depriving me of what I've paid into all these years they are going to find out what happens when you piss off Grandma. Walker's finding out now.

Here's a "middle class family" that doesn't understand how Scott Walker is sacrificing her standard of living to enrich the Koch brothers and the other wealthy people in our state and country.

Bob, a friend of my father worked at Ethan Allen until Governor Walker handed out the pink slips. The facility up north is much harder/more expensive for urban families to reach. Family are the primary influencers in children's lives. The 21,000+ public sector jobs that Scott Walker is cutting or turning into more expensive crony positions are going to have a profound impact on many more people than public union workers. The attack on public workers began on Feb. 11, 2011, and I look forward to the date when it starts being viewed as part of the much larger issue of Scott Walker's/Koch brothers' actions against this state and its citizens.

Bren, why did you post all that as a reply to my comment?

Because you focusing your attention and negative energy on unions and public workers as the Koch brothers and their pr experts intend you to do.

Concerning your points about education I disagree. There is an uncreative tier in this country that is entirely focused on degrees and qualifications. People who are talented but didn't have the same opportunities as they often don't get consideration. A relative who is a remarkably talented individual in his field with decades of life experience was recently offered a job at a mega-corp in Chicago--not the job he interviewed for and is perfectly capable of doing, but as an entry level worker at near-minimum wage--because he doesn't have a degree.

Bren, none of your points in your first reply or in your second have anything to do with my original comment. I'm going to cut you the benefit of the doubt and suggest you just didn't really bother reading my comment, either time around - you just had some stuff you felt you needed to say and felt replying to my comment was as good a place as any. The only other conclusion one one could come to, having read my comment and having read your replies, was that you didn't understand what you were reading. The latter conclusion, if true, would probably demonstrate to a much greater degree than anything I said, that the the mere existence of a college degree does not imply a suitability for a certain type of job or its associated level of renumeration.

Kuddos to Bob McBride. Well said :)

Stormy Weather- I can tell you as a former board member for RUSD that it usually takesat least a year to hash out a contract and I was there for two. Oh and, the REA President lies when he says that they would have taken concessions on health care and pensions. Yes, he signed a contract on my watch that had teachers pay a whopping $19 single and $29 family only after the majority of the board voted to give them 4.5% salary increases each year in two, two year contracts. I saw firsthand how the 5 board members endorsed by the REA/REAA and SEIU leaders voted, and it sure didn't represent the taxpayer. And yes, Pete Knotek will sell the young teachers down the river packing if it meant touching anything in his golden-lined pocket. That's solidarity for you!

Lyle- You don't have to have an attitude but you check for your self at uscollegerankings.org. Tuition, books, room for Wisconsin: $21,617, Minnesota: $23,878. And I'm sure with your vast knowledge of post secondary education, you know about the shared-compact regarding in-state tuition between Wisconsin and Minnesota. Faculty salaries at University of Wisconsin-Madison rank in the top 38% of the top 500 public univerity faculty salaries with an average salary of $91,037.00 not including the state pension plan and healthcare benefits and stipends that average $40,000+, according to State University.com. Also, since you defend public workers and how mistreated they have been by Walker, Wisconsin is one of 41 states where the average public employee mkaes more on average with salary and benefits than their private sector counterparts, roughly $2,500 more according to USA Today. So I wouldn't call it arrogance Lyle, just researching the facts. And yes, I am a post-secondary education drop-out and I am in good company; i.e. Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Albert Einstein, Michael Dell, Ted Turner, John Glenn, Theodore Roosevelt, to name a few.

@Stromy Weather...The true reason that the middle class can't afford college is that in this state and others funding has been cut to such an extent and the students are required to make it up with tuition increases. It isn't the high cost of salaries for faculty and staff but the rising costs of infrastructure and non educational fees. There is a big difference between the two major state universities and the other colleges and technical schools. The issues plagueing school districts like RUSD have nothing to do with post secondary education.

Lyle- The reason college in Wisconsin has seen increases has more to do with the salary and benefit packages negotiated under the Doyle Adminisistration, not to mention the partnership with Minnesota where in-state benefits transfered both ways. Unfortunately, a lot more of Wisconsin tax dollars went to Minnesota than came back to Wisconsin; another thing that Act 10 corrected and all of our loans, millions, are paid back, no longer collecting interest. So check again, because our benefits were amonst the highest in the nation.

@Brian Dey...I am pleased that you know so much about post secondary education and the reasons for the high costs. Your experience at RUSD has made you an expert on state colleges and universities. You need to compare our compensation packages with like institutions in the Midwest just like I have. I know that UW-Stevens Point is not as expensive or as academically challenging as the UW or UW-M, but your attendance there made you an expert on post secondary education? Your arogance is almost overwhelming.

Please don't put words in my mouth - I have never called you a "bully". Your obvious hatred for Ron Clone does border on bullying, but with the anonymity of a fake name and by hiding behind a computer, it's easy for you to think you are getting away with it. I don't think you are a bully though - I think you are a coward.

Oh please Thursty, good time or bad you're all in when it comes to school referendums. You libs can always justify more government spending.

Not true Thurston. There are over 200 administrators with salary and benfit packages starting at $100,000. Take 20% of them away and you can save at least $4,000,000. That is 4 million that can reduce the budget or go to the classrooms or infrastructure. In 2005, there were only 100 administrators, so cutting back to that level, you can save $10,000,000. The district sure isn't any better off with those 100 extra administrators than 2005. The 10 million means that you could almost pay in cash to add an elementary school every year! Further, construction costs are actually far lower now than in the past 3 decades, adjusted for inflation.

@Stormy Weather...What should the district do? By law the parents who have taken advantage of the opportunities elsewhere haven't done anything wrong. It was the Republican controlled legislature and the governor that allowed for vouchers. If you don't want this to continue then change the law.

Stormy,
So, are you mad at teachers for?, the management for their ill control of the school, the republicans for allowing students freedom of choice to leave your district, or something else? And, are you absolutely certain that "nothing was done"? I just ask because I wonder how open management has been with how they handled the problem.

Lyle- Vouchers are the best thing that has happened in RUSD. RUSD is failing and even with all the special aid they have received over the years, it is still failing and getting worse. They have totally misspent and misappropriated tax dollars that they have no public trust. Stormy- These kids are leaving for a reason. The school district isn't giving them a good education. While on the board, I've seen dollars wasted in scandal, unions and certain board members rob the taxpayer blind, a corrupt Supt., a corrupt financial team, and I fear the new CFO is no better. I'm so glad that the state saw fit to offer vouchers so parents could still live here but send their kids somewhere else. I've even been trying to get Caledonia out of RUSD.

@Brian Dey...There shouldn't be one single red cent of taxpayers money that goes to any private school. I don't care that it costs less, but you get what you pay for. It is a scam pure and simple to get tax payer money to fund, for the most part, non secular educations.

Lyle- So it is a scam to send inner city kids to Nicolet (originally part of the Chapter 220 voucher program)? Or somebody poor should be stuck in Rufus King and not be able to go to my private school alma mater, Greendale Martin Luther? The scam is public education and holding it as some sort of sacred cow (no offense). These private and charter schools, that are now held to the same scrutiny on assessment testing, outperform almost everysingle public counterpart academically (Racine, Milwaukee only apply). I think that it is arrogant of you to deny children of poverty the same chance to excel as those of wealth. As a matter of fact it is hypocritical if you believe that the rich should be taxed higher, Lyle. HEre is what should be a very Democrat-like issue. Oh yes, but it hurts the unions. I say that the scam is the unions!!!

@Brian Dey...You are patently wrong about voucher schools. In Milwaukee County they didn't perform any better than the public schools. If children of poverty wish to go to Milwaukee Luthern or any other private school, then the schools should provide them scolarships, but no tax payer money. If you're sending your kids to charter schools then it should be your responsibility to pay for it. You certainly can afford it. Did the taxpayers pay for you to go to parochial school?

Brian Dey - You are absolutely right about school vouchers! More doors open for families next year and we will watch as more parents exit a failing school district via vouchers. I also know a lot of parents who have utilized open enrollment and they are so glad that they did (even if it means putting a lot of miles on their car)...

Schulte School is a good example of a school that RUSD has ruined! It used to be known as a hidden gem that produced great students. I don't blame the teachers for this, because Schulte has/had some awesome teachers. I do blame the former "weak" principal who didn't have a clue on how to discipline children. Hey RUSD - How many involved Schulte parents have you lost in the last 5 years?

I have a feeling that RUSD is going to implode on itself within the next 10 years (maybe 5) and then what are the die hard union members going to do? I think they are going to regret following their Union like sheep as they head over the cliff...

What statute were they violating?

@Stormy Weather...What is the violation they committed?

@Keith Best...Where is the evidence that OWS and the Recall Movement are joined at the hip? I find it interesting that you would make this claim in lieu of the fact that the Tea Party and the Republican Party have become conjoined twins. I don't know who co-opted whom, whether it was the Tea Party corrupting the Republican Party or vice versa. Although I'm not a Democrat, their party has always had a much larger umbrella than the Republicans. The Party of Lincoln lost its soul during the Civil Rights Movement and has become the home of the power hungry, oligarchs, and Ayn Rand libertarians. Don't forget that the Republican's through their support of greed have led this nation into the two greatest economic disasters in the nation's history. I don't think we'll ever see the Democrats commit acts of tyranny like the Republicans, since the Democrats don't all think the same, act the same, or all of the same ethnicity. Most of all the Democrats are not all of one mind politically and ideologically.

Lyle- Again, get your facts straight because it was the party of Lincoln, the 1964 Republican controlled congress that introduced the civil rights act that eventually became law. As for OWS and the recall movement joined at the hip, one just has to look at the occupation of the North Avenue bridge to reach that conclusion. As for TEA Party and Republicans; from what I saw, and what seems evident in Congress, is it is an attempt to co-opt the Republican by conservatives frustrated with Republicans caving to Democrats on key conservative issues related specifically to tax and spend agendas. Hmmm... Remember why the colonies wanted independence? Seems that the Tea Party wants this country to return to those values, not like Occupy Whatever and you hear interviews of these wackos that believe the world owes them a high price job, with no demands that they actually contribute anything. If I were Obama, I would be running as far a way from that unless he wishes to suffer the same fate as Jimmy Carter. We are not Europe, nor should we be, but the mess we are in is because of some of the same socialistic ideas as Europe, and yet one whole party advocates for such failed policies. It's not about the Koch Bros., or other in that category. We are simply tired of all the spending, and tired of paying for it with our hard earned money and you should too.

@Brian Dey...The Republican Party you are referring to in 1964 was a party of moderation primarily focused on fiscal issues and rejected the social conservancy of the Dixiecrats. Many Republicaans were leading proponents of women's rights including abortion, birth control and womens's health. But, the issue is that the Republican Party has moved so far to the right that it is so beyond being slightly right of center to the libertarian extremes.

Your knowledge of American History leaves a great deal to be desired. You need to understand the true reasons for the American Revolution and it had very little to do with taxation and everything to do with representation in the English Parliment.

@Stormy Weather...I know exactly what open enrollment means as well as school vouchers. Before you get your undies all in a bunch, I am saying that 750 students does not indicate a general exodus. I am also not defending RUSD for their inaction. Now we have to ask, has the exodus of students been from only a few selected schools or is it generalized across the district? Since I am not a resident I am only asking what the RUSD has to do with Walker's recall?

It's all over Lyle. But remember, with those kids leaving, you don't need as many schools, or as many teacher and administrators, so you tell me why vouchers are a bad deal for RUSD. They are educationg less students but still receiving half the funding.

@Stormy Weather...I don't know what you think you have to educate liberals on. You're being pretty vague about it. As of now what you just posted is nothing more than an unsubstantiated claim.

@Stormy Weather -- Since you said you were here to 'educate liberals' you should tell me so that I could avoid making the same mistake. I would never want to violate a state statute.

Why this obvious bitterness toward 'liberals'? How exactly do you think we're out to harm you or your family?

Of course Stormy isn't going to give out any details. That's because there are none.

Ron, if you're talking about a way not to get an email each time someone posts, try unchecking the "Send me email updates for this article". There's also a notifications setting under your account that I think has something to do with it. I had the same problem initially here and I think it was something in the notification settings area that finally stopped it.

Another option to try (and this might be the one you're looking for specifically) under your account, under the "More Stuff", click on "Following" and then "Stop all email updates" on the page that lists the articles you're following.

I agree with AWD on this one Ron. You don't have to worry about retaliation, but the conservatives do. Remember, you're the thug, not us. Just take a look at the rallies in Madison. Every time the thugs get together do you see any anti-protestors with blowhorns and whistles surrounding them in an intimidating fashion? But let Walker supporters gather anywhere and the thugs will be there to threaten, intimidate and drown them out.

@Hudson Resident ...Your obsession with "union thugery", powerful protests, and retribution by liberals is not based on any reality. When the unions attempted to boycott businesses who supported Walker and the Rebulican legislatures, the public did not support it and immediately knew it was a failed tactic.

As a business man I can understand your reluctance to be identified with your extremest views since it might mean a boycott of your business by either current or future customers. I am less convinced that you are personally threatened, especially in light of the fact you live and work in Hudson, Wisconsin. Do you keep a constant watch for the "black helicopters"? My conclusion is that you probably suffer from a borderline "paranoid personality disorder".

@ Lyle: There's the Lyle I know. I was wondering when you were going to get around to it. Giving a psych evalutaion of someone, based on their comment. It's classic. :)

Pamela, please spare us your childish attempts at insult. Since you obviously have nothing of substance to say, why don't you go back to your coloring books. Perhaps Hudson will share his...

@Stormy Weather -- the problems you cite are not the purview of the teachers. The end to collective bargaining over work conditions will make it even more difficult for teachers to influence classroom discipline problems, and as you say, the vouchers will make the problem even worse. How is Scott Walker and the BRB going to help anyone fix the situation?

NCLB along with other legislation have most schools' hands tied on this. As for being in schools lately...Yes, everyday I go to work. Now, your accusations that teachers are not providing enough influence or a solution is once again looking to solve the problem by going to those effected by rules and expecting a different outcome, rather than those who make the rules. ACT 10 is a rule, taking away the power that you seem to think the teachers should have (as per Randy1949). And, in all honesty, the people that can effect change just as easily as any union would be the PARENT GROUP. That takes organization and leadership, something that most parents are unwilling to give as it is much easier to complain. Hold your local school leadership responsible for the quality of schools. If you dont like your board, get others to run. If you dont like the administration, as a newly elected school board member you can put the screws to them. Sounds like democracy at work.

@ Stormy Weather. Very well said :) Just out of curiosity. Why do you think the children today are so out of control in our schools? We definitely don't blame our teachers that's for sure. We can't blame the policy makers. I blame their parents. That is were we need to start to get a handle of this problem. Absent and irresponsible parenting should be a crime. It effects everyone and many situations and there's nothing anyone can do about it. Society had better a grip and Hollywierd needs to start deglamorizing rebels.

Ooops... I meant, Society had better *get a grip.

@Pamela...You disappeared for a while, good to see your back, Stormy Weather could use some help. BTW, the first recorded complaint about youth was from Socrites over two millennia ago.

Pamela - I completely agree with you! I think the teachers and the principals hands are tied when it comes to dealing with all of the behavior issues in our schools. Kids who want to learn have their education constantly disrupted by students who lack basic social skills and teachers spend way to much time trying to discipline these kids. This is a really sad state for RUSD and I don't think it is going to get better because the families who do care are leaving the district.

In my opinion, as long as we pay girls/women to have babies we will never fix the issue of bad parenting which leads to poor behavior in our schools. Someone who lives down the street from us has 3 children and these 3 teens all had babies before they turned 19. One of the girls was only 14 when she had her baby! This is a dysfunctional family who loves to party more then they want to parent and the taxpayers are footing the bill. Of course these types of families never support the teachers or their child's school, so we can hang another anchor around the school's neck. Now multiple this type of dysfunctional family times thousands, and it's no wonder that our schools are failing.

Do you think you could stretch your limited imagination just a bit so you can come up with another catch-phrase besides "union thug"? It's really getting tiresome.

I think you're the one living in fantasy land my friend. WEAC has done a tremendous job in influencing local school boards. From interviewing prospective board members to actually picking the candidates. This is the exact reason why collective bargaining had to be restricted. Why before you know it teachers are getting 110 paid sick days in a school year! Come to think of it, that was already happening in Manitowoc! Oh, that's right Lyle, I'm just dreaming, no school board would do such a thing.....

http://fonddulachub.fdlreporter.com/article/20111109/MAN0101/111090635/Teachers-ask-sick-leave-bank-reinstated

You must be drinking the same tea as Lyle.
1st) Obviously you are a government union thug if you can somehow justify this type of contract.
2nd) Private sector employees deal with policy issues all the time without union representation
3rd) Again I will state that WEAC has worked hard to control school boards across the state.
4th) I love it when a liberal advocates for local control of education. Can we agree to then eliminate not only the Wisconsin Dept of Education but also the Federal Dept of Education? Two things that the liberals absolutely LOVE because they generate policies which require MORE teachers and MORE money.
5th) Give me a flipping break.
6th) Nobody is changing their mind out here anyway so we're all just typing a way for nothing..... :)

Hudson,
1st) I think you have some challenges

2nd) You dont know how school employment works

3rd) Show me where WEAC has been puppeting a school board)

and 4th) Ron paul would love to see the Dept of Education shut down and the decision to go back to the states. As for local control, and your assumption that I was advocating for it...I said for you to get off your lazy butt, drop the patch, and spend some time on your school board to effect the change that you want to see.
5th) GIVE ME a flipping break

@Stormy Weather...Maybe the answer to RUSD and MPS is to break these huge districts into more managable units. I agree with Brian Dey in this approach where he is advocating that Calidonia should become its own district. Originally consolidation was done as money saving structures. However, as with any bureaucracy it grows and can soon become out of control. By breaking up these bureaucracies into smaller units, they will more closely reflect the community values of the local communities they serve. Once the transition occurs then attention can be given to the poorest performing districts and areas. These poor perfoming districts will probably be districts that are impacted the most by poverty, whcih can be specifically addressed without impacting what is now the whole district of RUSD.