Public Testimony
Committee on Elections and Campaign Reform
My name is William R. Benedict. As a proud citizen of Wisconsin, it is again a privilege to have this opportunity to testify before the Assembly Elections and Campaign Reform Committee. Thank you!
I am a retired social worker who is now working full time as a citizen advocate for campaign finance reform and state funding of stem cell research. My special constituencies are myself, my family and the citizens of the State of Wisconsin. For more, Google my blog: Dane County Almanac and my thirty plus postings on campaign finance reform in Wisconsin.
I am here this morning because I sincerely believe that our body politic is sick at the core and it is urgently in need of comprehensive campaign finance reform. Our legislature has a systemic and insidious disease so strong that it infects our otherwise most dedicated public servants. Wisconsin voters know deep down in their soul that their vote no longer counts. They believe that you have sold them out to those who pay for your election term after term and now have put in jeopardy our sacred political freedom.
Again, it hurts me this morning to have to say that until you pass comprehensive campaign reform, I believe you will continue prostituting your office in order to have your election campaigns supported and paid for by special interests rather than by the common citizen and taxpayer.
Not until every qualified Wisconsin citizen can run for public office regardless of how much money they have will we have a state government by the people and for the people. I urge you and all of your Assembly and Senate colleagues to take the strong medicine needed to purify this political cesspool.
Start right now and begin this democratic crusade by passing AB 40 next week and then get to work and pass comprehensive campaign reform for all elected public offices.
Thanks again for this opportunity to speak.
Showing posts with label Campaign Finance Reform. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Campaign Finance Reform. Show all posts
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Bayh-Dole Act in need of reform
Our country’s financial crisis has caused us to pause and reexamine what is still working and what needs to be fixed in our economy. Regardless of our political persuasions, there are few citizens who still doubt that our financial system is broken and in serious need of repair.
For most Americans, it’s no longer a question of if change is needed but if we will have the good sense to act decisively now both in terms of meaningful regulation and strict and steady enforcement.
This painful reexamination has already begun and the most important thing we have learned is that many of the policy safeguards designed to prevent the economic collapse already existed but were flagrantly ignored by all three branches of our government.
I would like to share one example: In 1980 Congress passed the Bayh-Dole Act. Its purpose was to provide our free market system with greater intellectual property incentives to more effectively develop and commercialize scientific discoveries, particularly in the rapidly emerging biotechnology field.
Moving away from federal ownership of federally supported research, Bayh-Dole shifted the ownership of intellectual property, both the right to patent and license inventions, from the federal government to the scientist-inventor and to universities.
Soon after this bill’s passage, through executive branch action, patent and licensing rights were also extended to large mega corporations as well. Recognizing the potential monopolistic pitfalls and huge conflict of interest involved in this potential multi-billion dollar windfall to private enterprise, and the opportunities for abuse, the authors of Bayh-Dole included a fail-safe mechanism called “march-in” rights
This provision allowed the executive branch and its federal departments who fund private research to intervene and remove an exclusive license when the holder refused to bring the invention or product to market in a timely fashion or abused its commercialization through exorbitant pricing.
Bayh-Dole is a classic example of a federal act with tremendous potential for both good and bad that has been ignored for nearly 30 years, leaving it without proper congressional oversight, executive and judicial enforcement.
Congress has done absolutely nothing to significantly reform Bayh-Dole in a manner that would make the government’s march-in rights provision more clear and actionable. To date the executive branch has not once intervened, even in the face of ever higher drug prices by large pharma, to enforce reasonable price setting. Similarly the federal court system has blatantly ignored the clear legislative intent of this act to provide both consumer access to new innovations and fair pricing.
I believe the history of the Bayh-Dole Act is just one of many instances where well intended laws were passed but through time and neglect have been ignored and rarely if ever enforced. The result of such inaction has been a major contributor to our country’s present health care crisis. This is largely due to public servants who are forever pandering to special interests over our common welfare.
For most Americans, it’s no longer a question of if change is needed but if we will have the good sense to act decisively now both in terms of meaningful regulation and strict and steady enforcement.
This painful reexamination has already begun and the most important thing we have learned is that many of the policy safeguards designed to prevent the economic collapse already existed but were flagrantly ignored by all three branches of our government.
I would like to share one example: In 1980 Congress passed the Bayh-Dole Act. Its purpose was to provide our free market system with greater intellectual property incentives to more effectively develop and commercialize scientific discoveries, particularly in the rapidly emerging biotechnology field.
Moving away from federal ownership of federally supported research, Bayh-Dole shifted the ownership of intellectual property, both the right to patent and license inventions, from the federal government to the scientist-inventor and to universities.
Soon after this bill’s passage, through executive branch action, patent and licensing rights were also extended to large mega corporations as well. Recognizing the potential monopolistic pitfalls and huge conflict of interest involved in this potential multi-billion dollar windfall to private enterprise, and the opportunities for abuse, the authors of Bayh-Dole included a fail-safe mechanism called “march-in” rights
This provision allowed the executive branch and its federal departments who fund private research to intervene and remove an exclusive license when the holder refused to bring the invention or product to market in a timely fashion or abused its commercialization through exorbitant pricing.
Bayh-Dole is a classic example of a federal act with tremendous potential for both good and bad that has been ignored for nearly 30 years, leaving it without proper congressional oversight, executive and judicial enforcement.
Congress has done absolutely nothing to significantly reform Bayh-Dole in a manner that would make the government’s march-in rights provision more clear and actionable. To date the executive branch has not once intervened, even in the face of ever higher drug prices by large pharma, to enforce reasonable price setting. Similarly the federal court system has blatantly ignored the clear legislative intent of this act to provide both consumer access to new innovations and fair pricing.
I believe the history of the Bayh-Dole Act is just one of many instances where well intended laws were passed but through time and neglect have been ignored and rarely if ever enforced. The result of such inaction has been a major contributor to our country’s present health care crisis. This is largely due to public servants who are forever pandering to special interests over our common welfare.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Much individual wealth truly belongs to society
The Cap Times
Opinion & Commentary
Someday in the not-too-distant future, Wisconsin taxpayers will look back to February 2009 when Governor Jim Doyle proposed to raise the income tax rate on Wisconsin’s wealthiest households and Wisconsin corporations, and say, “This was truly a turning point when taxpayer fairness reform began in Wisconsin."
Once the economic realities are fully grasped by the public and they recognize that the top 1 percent of US households now receives more income than the bottom 120 million Americans combined - only then will we wonder just how stupid we could have been.
Wisconsin native and economist Gar Alperovitz in his latest book, “Unjust Deserts,” identifies four major American myths. First, that the wealthy few and elites are most responsible for wealth creation and jobs. Two, that in return these rare individuals and elites deserve most of the nation’s wealth. Third, that high taxation for the rich and elite will harm the economy for everyone. And fourth, that it is the poor, the old and the disabled who are the chief recipients of public “entitlements.”
Alperovitz informs us that since the beginning of the second half of the twentieth century it has become increasingly clear to economists that anything a person cannot produce alone is part of society’s cumulative knowledge and technological inheritance and belongs to all of us. Just one example, there would be no Bill Gates or Warren Buffett if the larger society hadn’t created and maintained through the years a constitutionally free and regulated market place. This too can certainly be seen as a public “entitlement.”
Alperovitz’s well documented economic analysis presents convincing historical evidence that throughout most of the 20th century when there was higher taxation of rich individuals and corporations and increased social spending America enjoyed its greatest wealth creation and productivity periods.
Should individuals who invent or manage wealth producing activities not be fairly rewarded? Absolutely! Should not greater attention, however, be given to proportionality and equality? In 1982 the average CEO of an American company received 42 times the compensation received by the average worker. Today that amount has more than tripled.
Madisonian William R. Benedict is a retired social worker now advocating for state funding of stem cell research. He blogs at danecountyalmanac.blogspot.com
Opinion & Commentary
Someday in the not-too-distant future, Wisconsin taxpayers will look back to February 2009 when Governor Jim Doyle proposed to raise the income tax rate on Wisconsin’s wealthiest households and Wisconsin corporations, and say, “This was truly a turning point when taxpayer fairness reform began in Wisconsin."
Once the economic realities are fully grasped by the public and they recognize that the top 1 percent of US households now receives more income than the bottom 120 million Americans combined - only then will we wonder just how stupid we could have been.
Wisconsin native and economist Gar Alperovitz in his latest book, “Unjust Deserts,” identifies four major American myths. First, that the wealthy few and elites are most responsible for wealth creation and jobs. Two, that in return these rare individuals and elites deserve most of the nation’s wealth. Third, that high taxation for the rich and elite will harm the economy for everyone. And fourth, that it is the poor, the old and the disabled who are the chief recipients of public “entitlements.”
Alperovitz informs us that since the beginning of the second half of the twentieth century it has become increasingly clear to economists that anything a person cannot produce alone is part of society’s cumulative knowledge and technological inheritance and belongs to all of us. Just one example, there would be no Bill Gates or Warren Buffett if the larger society hadn’t created and maintained through the years a constitutionally free and regulated market place. This too can certainly be seen as a public “entitlement.”
Alperovitz’s well documented economic analysis presents convincing historical evidence that throughout most of the 20th century when there was higher taxation of rich individuals and corporations and increased social spending America enjoyed its greatest wealth creation and productivity periods.
Should individuals who invent or manage wealth producing activities not be fairly rewarded? Absolutely! Should not greater attention, however, be given to proportionality and equality? In 1982 the average CEO of an American company received 42 times the compensation received by the average worker. Today that amount has more than tripled.
Madisonian William R. Benedict is a retired social worker now advocating for state funding of stem cell research. He blogs at danecountyalmanac.blogspot.com
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Progressive Dane worth fighting for
Wisconsin State Journal
Your Views
January 18, 2009
Progressive Dane worth fighting for
How deflating and tragic was Scott Milfred’s column in the Sunday State Journal about about the Progressive Dane Party. At the very least it was insensitive and out of spirit with the upcoming Martin Luther King Day celebration and President Barack Obama’s inauguration.
Almost all Americans are rejoicing over the promises of greater social and economic equality, freedom and a “new deal” for the working man and woman. Special interests and deregulators are on the run; the political power of individual citizens at the grass root level seems to have triumphed.
Now when a “community organizer” can be elected President of the United States, where there’s some real hope for democratic government with a small “d,” Milfred ironically asks the readers to use the occasion of Obama’s inauguration as evidence or an excuse for supporting the demise of the Progressive Dane Party in Dane County. Never!
Dane County needs more not fewer, representatives like Brenda Konkel. And yes, when our president violates our Constitution, we want our council members and all citizens to speak out.
See www.prodane.org for the King, Obama and Progressive Dane social justice agenda, or my blog at – dancecountyalmanac.blogspot.com
Bill Benedict, Madison
Your Views
January 18, 2009
Progressive Dane worth fighting for
How deflating and tragic was Scott Milfred’s column in the Sunday State Journal about about the Progressive Dane Party. At the very least it was insensitive and out of spirit with the upcoming Martin Luther King Day celebration and President Barack Obama’s inauguration.
Almost all Americans are rejoicing over the promises of greater social and economic equality, freedom and a “new deal” for the working man and woman. Special interests and deregulators are on the run; the political power of individual citizens at the grass root level seems to have triumphed.
Now when a “community organizer” can be elected President of the United States, where there’s some real hope for democratic government with a small “d,” Milfred ironically asks the readers to use the occasion of Obama’s inauguration as evidence or an excuse for supporting the demise of the Progressive Dane Party in Dane County. Never!
Dane County needs more not fewer, representatives like Brenda Konkel. And yes, when our president violates our Constitution, we want our council members and all citizens to speak out.
See www.prodane.org for the King, Obama and Progressive Dane social justice agenda, or my blog at – dancecountyalmanac.blogspot.com
Bill Benedict, Madison
Friday, October 17, 2008
Wisconsin campaign questionnaire results
Three watchdog organizations – the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, the League of Women Voters and Common Cause – have again come together this pre-election season to survey all our legislative candidates about where they stand with respect to Wisconsin clean government reform.
It seems to me that after this state’s caucus scandals and more recently the buying off of our State Supreme Court candidates via sham issue ads any respectable candidate running for public office in Wisconsin would want to put their best foot forward and if not actually support clean government, then at the very least, complete and return a non-partisan survey form.
But not in Wisconsin! Would you believe that nearly two-thirds of our state legislative candidates declined even to take a public stand on clean government reform issues. In fact to date only seven of the 25 senate candidates (28%) have even returned the questionnaire. Of the 243 candidates for state assembly, only 95 or 39% replied to the survey.
Do Wisconsin voters need any stronger evidence about what to expect when our new legislature reconvenes this January? As a former program evaluator, I am struck by the 33 percent return rate and how closely this figure compares with Wisconsin’s voter satisfaction index. Based on the above survey return rate is it any surprise that nearly 8 out of 10 Wisconsin citizens indicate that they are dissatisfied with their legislators and do not believe that they any longer represent their best interests.
Having worked with state legislators on campaign finance reform in recent years my best guess is that at least 75 percent of our legislators’ first allegiance is with the special interests that fund their election campaigns. I think this helps explain the low return rate and is a strong harbinger of what the citizens of Wisconsin can expect again during the next legislative session --- more deadlock and little if any clean government reform.
If you wish to find out how much your legislative candidate is invested in clean government reform in Wisconsin check the League of Women Voters’ web site.
It seems to me that after this state’s caucus scandals and more recently the buying off of our State Supreme Court candidates via sham issue ads any respectable candidate running for public office in Wisconsin would want to put their best foot forward and if not actually support clean government, then at the very least, complete and return a non-partisan survey form.
But not in Wisconsin! Would you believe that nearly two-thirds of our state legislative candidates declined even to take a public stand on clean government reform issues. In fact to date only seven of the 25 senate candidates (28%) have even returned the questionnaire. Of the 243 candidates for state assembly, only 95 or 39% replied to the survey.
Do Wisconsin voters need any stronger evidence about what to expect when our new legislature reconvenes this January? As a former program evaluator, I am struck by the 33 percent return rate and how closely this figure compares with Wisconsin’s voter satisfaction index. Based on the above survey return rate is it any surprise that nearly 8 out of 10 Wisconsin citizens indicate that they are dissatisfied with their legislators and do not believe that they any longer represent their best interests.
Having worked with state legislators on campaign finance reform in recent years my best guess is that at least 75 percent of our legislators’ first allegiance is with the special interests that fund their election campaigns. I think this helps explain the low return rate and is a strong harbinger of what the citizens of Wisconsin can expect again during the next legislative session --- more deadlock and little if any clean government reform.
If you wish to find out how much your legislative candidate is invested in clean government reform in Wisconsin check the League of Women Voters’ web site.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
GAB acts to ban sham issue ads
I was privileged to attend the recent Government Accountability Board (GAB) meeting and was so proud and pleased to see that all six of these non-partisan board members seemed to me determined to put an end to sham issue ads.
In a nut shell this process refers to the misuse of so called “issue ads” by the super-rich and powerful to anonymously attack and defeat a political candidate through a barrage of insanely costly negative TV ads especially in the last few days before Election Day.
The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign estimates that nearly eight million dollars was spend on such spurious ads during the last two Supreme Court elections. It is clear to this citizen that the Board has both the authority and the means to bring an end these corrupt practices. After all, this watchdog group has the statutory authority to fight corruption and/or the appearance of corruption, and to ensure the integrity of our election process.
How many of us really believe that our constitutional fathers ever intended for us to equate our so-called “free speech” rights with exorbitant corporate spending rights while the people’s right to peacefully assemble and speak out at political events erodes more and more each day. We can be sure that the Wisconsin Lobbyist Association and mistaken free speech advocates will continue to fight for the right to spend, spend, and spend and thus squander away and make more impotent each day the legitimate and true voice of the people.
Let all Americans who love our sacred liberties, follow the lead of these six courageous clean government watchdog officials and more recently John Wiley and the Epic Corporation, and stand up with them to the corporate lobbyists and the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. Call the Board’s office at 608-266-8005 and commend them for their industry and fine work since beginning in January 08 and assure them that they have your support.
Respectfully, William R. Benedict
In a nut shell this process refers to the misuse of so called “issue ads” by the super-rich and powerful to anonymously attack and defeat a political candidate through a barrage of insanely costly negative TV ads especially in the last few days before Election Day.
The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign estimates that nearly eight million dollars was spend on such spurious ads during the last two Supreme Court elections. It is clear to this citizen that the Board has both the authority and the means to bring an end these corrupt practices. After all, this watchdog group has the statutory authority to fight corruption and/or the appearance of corruption, and to ensure the integrity of our election process.
How many of us really believe that our constitutional fathers ever intended for us to equate our so-called “free speech” rights with exorbitant corporate spending rights while the people’s right to peacefully assemble and speak out at political events erodes more and more each day. We can be sure that the Wisconsin Lobbyist Association and mistaken free speech advocates will continue to fight for the right to spend, spend, and spend and thus squander away and make more impotent each day the legitimate and true voice of the people.
Let all Americans who love our sacred liberties, follow the lead of these six courageous clean government watchdog officials and more recently John Wiley and the Epic Corporation, and stand up with them to the corporate lobbyists and the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. Call the Board’s office at 608-266-8005 and commend them for their industry and fine work since beginning in January 08 and assure them that they have your support.
Respectfully, William R. Benedict
Friday, May 23, 2008
Check legislators’ record before voting
Capital Times - Readers View
Thanks to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign all you need to do now is click on www.wisdc.org/pr042908.php and see objectively how your state senator and Assembly representatives voted on six major clean government bills during this past year.
I worked as a program evaluator for over thirty years. How refreshing it was to see that our state legislators are finally going to have to stand on their voting record instead of how much money they have to spend on their campaign.
The representatives, based on their votes, were divided into one of four categories based not on their promises, good looks or how big their smile is but strictly on their voting record for clean government.
Before voting this fall, you only need to know one thing about your legislator. What clean government category did he or she earn? The four include democracy defender, public ally, bystander and public enemy?
Wisconsin voters will know their votes really did count this time to help clean up the sordid mess in their state capital. You can take control of your government if you act now.
Thanks to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign all you need to do now is click on www.wisdc.org/pr042908.php and see objectively how your state senator and Assembly representatives voted on six major clean government bills during this past year.
I worked as a program evaluator for over thirty years. How refreshing it was to see that our state legislators are finally going to have to stand on their voting record instead of how much money they have to spend on their campaign.
The representatives, based on their votes, were divided into one of four categories based not on their promises, good looks or how big their smile is but strictly on their voting record for clean government.
Before voting this fall, you only need to know one thing about your legislator. What clean government category did he or she earn? The four include democracy defender, public ally, bystander and public enemy?
Wisconsin voters will know their votes really did count this time to help clean up the sordid mess in their state capital. You can take control of your government if you act now.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Comprehensive Campaign Finance Reform Legislation
Public Hearing
Testimony
My name is William R. Benedict. As a proud citizen of Wisconsin, it is a privilege to have this opportunity to testify before the Senate Committee on Campaign Finance Reform and Rural Issues and Information Technology.
I am a retired social worker who is now working full time as a citizen advocate for campaign finance reform and state funding of stem cell research. My special constituency is myself, my family and the citizens of the State of Wisconsin.
I am here this morning because I sincerely believe that our body politic is sick at the core and it is urgently in need of comprehensive campaign finance reform. Our legislature has a systemic and insidious disease so strong that it infects our most dedicated public servants. Wisconsin voters know deep down in their soul that their vote no longer counts. They believe that you have sold them out to those who pay for your elections term after term and now have put in jeopardy their sacred political freedom.
It hurts me this morning to have to say that I believe you have prostituted your office in order to have your election campaigns paid for by the rich and the powerful.
Not until every Wisconsin citizen can run for public office regardless of how much money they have will we have a state government by the people and for the people. I urge you and all of your Senate and Assembly colleagues to take the strong medicine needed to cure this terrible sickness. Please pass Senate bills 12, 25, 171 and 463.
Make Wisconsin pure and clean again!
Thanks again for this opportunity to speak.
Testimony
My name is William R. Benedict. As a proud citizen of Wisconsin, it is a privilege to have this opportunity to testify before the Senate Committee on Campaign Finance Reform and Rural Issues and Information Technology.
I am a retired social worker who is now working full time as a citizen advocate for campaign finance reform and state funding of stem cell research. My special constituency is myself, my family and the citizens of the State of Wisconsin.
I am here this morning because I sincerely believe that our body politic is sick at the core and it is urgently in need of comprehensive campaign finance reform. Our legislature has a systemic and insidious disease so strong that it infects our most dedicated public servants. Wisconsin voters know deep down in their soul that their vote no longer counts. They believe that you have sold them out to those who pay for your elections term after term and now have put in jeopardy their sacred political freedom.
It hurts me this morning to have to say that I believe you have prostituted your office in order to have your election campaigns paid for by the rich and the powerful.
Not until every Wisconsin citizen can run for public office regardless of how much money they have will we have a state government by the people and for the people. I urge you and all of your Senate and Assembly colleagues to take the strong medicine needed to cure this terrible sickness. Please pass Senate bills 12, 25, 171 and 463.
Make Wisconsin pure and clean again!
Thanks again for this opportunity to speak.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Solution to Capital problems is campaign finance reform
Letter to the Editor, Capital Times Forum page/Voice of the People
I must say that I was dismayed after reading the political discussion in The Wisconsin Way’s position paper, “Wisconsin at the Crossroads.” I found this discussion lacking in candor if not disingenuous. I believe that many citizens will read this segment and feel disheartened by such a simplistic analysis of the central political problem facing Wisconsin. Are we really expected to believe that the single greatest problem at our state Capital should be understood and has to do simply with partisan gridlock and ideological inflexibility?
It’s not that “our elected officials are trapped in a political process that thrives on issue polarization.” Rather it’s you and I, the voters and taxpayers of this state, who are trapped by allowing the rich and powerful to own our lawmakers. Our legislators are doing just fine, thank you, by repeatedly staying in office owing to big fat contributions year after year.
Any fair and honest discussion of the present context and process of policy making at our Capital it seems to me must, at its center, be focused on the corrupt pay-to-play culture that exists there. What good would be accomplished if the people of Wisconsin, through a state-wide conversation and consensus, for example, should come to the conclusion that indeed corporations in Wisconsin should be taxed more and also by the community in which they are located?
This enraged citizen taxpayer believes that any solution that ignores the need for comprehensive campaign finance reform in Wisconsin will be a paper tiger and go the same way as most other such initiatives have gone. It will be little more than shifting the sand piles around because reform, without the people owning and controlling their government, is futile.
Respectfully,
William R. Benedict
I must say that I was dismayed after reading the political discussion in The Wisconsin Way’s position paper, “Wisconsin at the Crossroads.” I found this discussion lacking in candor if not disingenuous. I believe that many citizens will read this segment and feel disheartened by such a simplistic analysis of the central political problem facing Wisconsin. Are we really expected to believe that the single greatest problem at our state Capital should be understood and has to do simply with partisan gridlock and ideological inflexibility?
It’s not that “our elected officials are trapped in a political process that thrives on issue polarization.” Rather it’s you and I, the voters and taxpayers of this state, who are trapped by allowing the rich and powerful to own our lawmakers. Our legislators are doing just fine, thank you, by repeatedly staying in office owing to big fat contributions year after year.
Any fair and honest discussion of the present context and process of policy making at our Capital it seems to me must, at its center, be focused on the corrupt pay-to-play culture that exists there. What good would be accomplished if the people of Wisconsin, through a state-wide conversation and consensus, for example, should come to the conclusion that indeed corporations in Wisconsin should be taxed more and also by the community in which they are located?
This enraged citizen taxpayer believes that any solution that ignores the need for comprehensive campaign finance reform in Wisconsin will be a paper tiger and go the same way as most other such initiatives have gone. It will be little more than shifting the sand piles around because reform, without the people owning and controlling their government, is futile.
Respectfully,
William R. Benedict
Monday, November 12, 2007
Unity of Madison Theatre
To: webmaster@madstage.com
Eric - Deenah Givens, Social Justice Justice Minister and myself (William R. Benedict), a member of Unity of Madison's Social Justice Advisory Council, met with Sarah Blake this morning regarding our plans to develop a small theatre group that would produce plays that would promote campaign finance reform and/or clean government.
We haven't officially named our group yet but for now we will simply call it "Unity of Madison Theatre." Our plans now call for calling for scripts relating to campaign finance reform.
Just want to let you know that Sarah discussed and highly recommended your site as an excellent resource for people like us who wish to start a new theatre. As we go along in the process we plan to use MadStage to help us recruit play participants, advertise and generally in whatever way that we can.
In my blog, I will include periodic postings on our theatre's progress, show dates, etc. I will also include MadStage's URL in my list of links so that when we join and advertise through MadStage it will be easy for my readers to contact us. I also hope that we can join and support this website.
Best regards, Bill Benedict
Eric - Deenah Givens, Social Justice Justice Minister and myself (William R. Benedict), a member of Unity of Madison's Social Justice Advisory Council, met with Sarah Blake this morning regarding our plans to develop a small theatre group that would produce plays that would promote campaign finance reform and/or clean government.
We haven't officially named our group yet but for now we will simply call it "Unity of Madison Theatre." Our plans now call for calling for scripts relating to campaign finance reform.
Just want to let you know that Sarah discussed and highly recommended your site as an excellent resource for people like us who wish to start a new theatre. As we go along in the process we plan to use MadStage to help us recruit play participants, advertise and generally in whatever way that we can.
In my blog, I will include periodic postings on our theatre's progress, show dates, etc. I will also include MadStage's URL in my list of links so that when we join and advertise through MadStage it will be easy for my readers to contact us. I also hope that we can join and support this website.
Best regards, Bill Benedict
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Restore religion to public square
Letter to the Editor
Wisconsin State Journal
As a citizen who is deeply concerned about ever growing voter apathy I found Bishop Morlino’s defense of his actions both refreshing and encouraging. With vacuous and expensive sham attack ads replacing a once vibrant political debate, it’s way past time when both right, left and mainstream religion once again join fully and vigorously in the public discourse.
In a society with ever growing political correctness both Bishop Morlino and Pope Benedict have been courageous in clearly stating doctrinal positions, for example, “there is one God…Christ Jesus” – and letting the chips fall where they may.
I become uneasy when I read that America’s religious fervor is becoming increasingly non-doctrinal and private. In such a climate differing ideas ---the heart of a vibrant democracy --- are lost from public debate.
According to religious sociologist Alan Wolfe, what increasingly matters to most Christians are not “ideas” but feelings and “having a personal relationship with Jesus.” If Pope Benedict and Bishop Morlino succeed in bringing their flocks back into the public square greater voter turnout and a richer democracy will follow.
Respectfully,
William R. Benedict
Madison, WI
Wisconsin State Journal
As a citizen who is deeply concerned about ever growing voter apathy I found Bishop Morlino’s defense of his actions both refreshing and encouraging. With vacuous and expensive sham attack ads replacing a once vibrant political debate, it’s way past time when both right, left and mainstream religion once again join fully and vigorously in the public discourse.
In a society with ever growing political correctness both Bishop Morlino and Pope Benedict have been courageous in clearly stating doctrinal positions, for example, “there is one God…Christ Jesus” – and letting the chips fall where they may.
I become uneasy when I read that America’s religious fervor is becoming increasingly non-doctrinal and private. In such a climate differing ideas ---the heart of a vibrant democracy --- are lost from public debate.
According to religious sociologist Alan Wolfe, what increasingly matters to most Christians are not “ideas” but feelings and “having a personal relationship with Jesus.” If Pope Benedict and Bishop Morlino succeed in bringing their flocks back into the public square greater voter turnout and a richer democracy will follow.
Respectfully,
William R. Benedict
Madison, WI
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Government Accountability Board Meeting Public Testimony
Question at Hand: The Qualifications of the new GAB’s Legal Counsel
My name is William R. Benedict and I would like to thank the members of the Government Accountability Board for allowing me to speak about the qualifications of the Board’s new legal council. As a father and grandfather who is committed to preserving our increasingly threatened democracy for future generations I consider this opportunity indeed a privilege and honor.
In addition to the formal qualifications which are already now in place for the legal council and which I clearly support, this morning I want to strongly support the need for a legal counsel devoted to clarity and pro-activeness as well as the need for a fresh face. I believe these qualities are necessary if Wisconsin is to reclaim its reputation for clean, open and accountable government.
Clarity, because enforcement is much more difficult when the general public remains uninformed, confused, fettered and disengaged from the enforcement process due to not having more complete, user friendly and readily accessible information on campaign contributions.
In a recent 2007 publication by the Brennan Center for Justice, entitled “Campaign Finance in Wisconsin” the authors report appalling Wisconsin performance results in an independent nationwide study. The investigators found the Wisconsin Election Board’s disclosure database was incomplete due to both electronic and more archaic manual reporting practices. Such incongruent and confounding information acted to make the data largely inaccessible and unusable to the public and therefore unacceptable receiving a grade of F for failing. Similarly, even when this information was presented in summary reports, the technical usability of the Board’s website was seriously lacking and received a D. Wisconsin received an overall grade of C- and was ranked twenty second for its disclosure system. This failure should no longer be tolerated.
In a very real sense the Board’s disclosure database is its number one weapon in defense of democracy in Wisconsin. The need for this information to be in user friendly form, readily accessible and transparent, complete and accurate is perhaps the Board’s number one priority. Without it, both the Board’s internal effectiveness, especially with respect to its prosecutorial function, and the public’s right to know, and its ability to engage corruption in whatever form, will remain seriously compromised.
Pro-activeness, because our previous two boards and their leadership, I believe, were too passive and indecisive, particularly in the enforcement of the Board’s laws, rules, orders and formal opinions. It should no longer be acceptable for the new Board or its legal council to continue sitting passively by, waiting for a concerned citizen or group to first gather all the evidence and file a formal complaint.
Rather the legal counsel should take the initiative and proceed when he or she believes that it is likely that a violation has occurred. Perhaps no more important corrective action could be taken to restore the public’s confidence in this new Board.
A fresh face - Most importantly, if the new GAB truly wishes to bring an end to business as usual at our capitol, the new legal council will not be encumbered with any baggage, including loyalties to previously failed practices or systems.
He or she will be a fresh face and bring along fresh ideas for insuring the integrity of Wisconsin politics. It’s clear that the old Boards and their leadership have failed and lost the confidence of the Wisconsin citizen. If the word “accountability” in the Board’s new name is to have any real credibility, it seems to me, the last thing the Board should do is retain the old leadership. When this personnel decision is viewed in the context of our recent corruption scandal along with the subsequent public disfavor and mistrust, there is no valid alternative.
Thanks again so much for allowing me to speak this morning. By your decision to hold this open public meeting you have clearly demonstrated and signaled to me and to all Wisconsin citizens that your trademark will truly be one of transparency, openness and equity. Thank you.
My name is William R. Benedict and I would like to thank the members of the Government Accountability Board for allowing me to speak about the qualifications of the Board’s new legal council. As a father and grandfather who is committed to preserving our increasingly threatened democracy for future generations I consider this opportunity indeed a privilege and honor.
In addition to the formal qualifications which are already now in place for the legal council and which I clearly support, this morning I want to strongly support the need for a legal counsel devoted to clarity and pro-activeness as well as the need for a fresh face. I believe these qualities are necessary if Wisconsin is to reclaim its reputation for clean, open and accountable government.
Clarity, because enforcement is much more difficult when the general public remains uninformed, confused, fettered and disengaged from the enforcement process due to not having more complete, user friendly and readily accessible information on campaign contributions.
In a recent 2007 publication by the Brennan Center for Justice, entitled “Campaign Finance in Wisconsin” the authors report appalling Wisconsin performance results in an independent nationwide study. The investigators found the Wisconsin Election Board’s disclosure database was incomplete due to both electronic and more archaic manual reporting practices. Such incongruent and confounding information acted to make the data largely inaccessible and unusable to the public and therefore unacceptable receiving a grade of F for failing. Similarly, even when this information was presented in summary reports, the technical usability of the Board’s website was seriously lacking and received a D. Wisconsin received an overall grade of C- and was ranked twenty second for its disclosure system. This failure should no longer be tolerated.
In a very real sense the Board’s disclosure database is its number one weapon in defense of democracy in Wisconsin. The need for this information to be in user friendly form, readily accessible and transparent, complete and accurate is perhaps the Board’s number one priority. Without it, both the Board’s internal effectiveness, especially with respect to its prosecutorial function, and the public’s right to know, and its ability to engage corruption in whatever form, will remain seriously compromised.
Pro-activeness, because our previous two boards and their leadership, I believe, were too passive and indecisive, particularly in the enforcement of the Board’s laws, rules, orders and formal opinions. It should no longer be acceptable for the new Board or its legal council to continue sitting passively by, waiting for a concerned citizen or group to first gather all the evidence and file a formal complaint.
Rather the legal counsel should take the initiative and proceed when he or she believes that it is likely that a violation has occurred. Perhaps no more important corrective action could be taken to restore the public’s confidence in this new Board.
A fresh face - Most importantly, if the new GAB truly wishes to bring an end to business as usual at our capitol, the new legal council will not be encumbered with any baggage, including loyalties to previously failed practices or systems.
He or she will be a fresh face and bring along fresh ideas for insuring the integrity of Wisconsin politics. It’s clear that the old Boards and their leadership have failed and lost the confidence of the Wisconsin citizen. If the word “accountability” in the Board’s new name is to have any real credibility, it seems to me, the last thing the Board should do is retain the old leadership. When this personnel decision is viewed in the context of our recent corruption scandal along with the subsequent public disfavor and mistrust, there is no valid alternative.
Thanks again so much for allowing me to speak this morning. By your decision to hold this open public meeting you have clearly demonstrated and signaled to me and to all Wisconsin citizens that your trademark will truly be one of transparency, openness and equity. Thank you.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Let’s Not Be Bamboozled
In order to help ensure more time for each presenter to share their proposal on the 25th, I ask that you take some time to consider the issues I raise here now : Thanks so much for the time that you have already given me. I know you are all very busy. Bill
Sue presented us/me with a beautifully wrapped Easter proposal, and there is little question that it’s a very worthy human, deeply felt issue that we at Unity cannot ignore, nor should we. But that being said, let us not be bamboozled/tricked or thrown off track by such political tactics ---not Sue’s, but the special interests!
In researching my own project proposal I have been alerted that such issues as banning gay marriages and civil unions and promoting concealed weapons legislation are largely diversionary tactics or snares set by large special interest groups to trap us into talking about and working for these hot button issues rather than keeping a steady and persistent focus on real, honest people issues such as clean water, health care, adequate and equitable school funding and campaign finance reform.
Special interests and corporations who have bought and now own our legislators totally, use such legislation as a ruse to distract and deter us from the people’s interests. I was informed that the proof in the putting is the fact these big interests deliberately bring such issues forward not at off year or local elections but at the state wide and congressional elections that are guaranteed to bring out the extreme right who will vote to keep their paid for and bought candidates in office and that will serve the exclusive interests of the special interests, including corporations. I learned that seven or eight states have already used ban gay unions and marriage bans in order to control and maintain the electoral status quo in their respective Houses, and with respect to and significant health care and environmental initiatives as well.
By maintaining such control of your legislators they can continue to pass preemptive legislation that serves their own special interests but, in fact, is best decided at the local level, i.e. no smoking, the removal of old billboard signage, land use, etc. Such big interest here in Wisconsin spent 6.5 to 1.15 million dollars or 13 times more than that spend by everyone else (that includes you and me) to prevent local decision-making. This is big interest’s means or tactics for preventing any fundamental changes from appearing on the legislative agenda.
For these reasons, then, I strongly urge the Advisory Council to assign the proposed “Fair Wisconsin” or the “Love Thy Neighbor” project to the Human Rights sub-committee, in order that more structural and substantive up-stream work can begin now.
With respect the gay union ban, whether it is obtaining petition signatures, canvassing the neighborhood or whatever, these Unity activities need not deter us, nor should they. I would like to remind the group that Dr. Lichterman has already warn us that such seductive and alluring causes will constantly be brought before us. But because our cause is so great to our children and our grand children’s freedom and democracy, let us hold fast.
I believe that here in Wisconsin we are now a critical period where the balance can be tipped either in the direction of campaign reform or continuing down the slippery slope that we are now on. If what has already happened, and is now happening, at our Capitol is not enough to rouse out of complacency, how much more alienation and loss of our freedom can we take?
If there was ever in our Nation’s history a time when we need to stand up and speak up, it is now. A recent Wisconsin poll shows that only 7% of the citizens of Wisconsin believe that their legislators represent their (the people’s) best interests. We need to regain our trust and faith in our public institutions and in our representatives. Your legislator and mine are arrogant and emotionally and economically removed from the people ---you and me. And worse, they believe that they can do no wrong and are untouchable. Let us begin!
Sue presented us/me with a beautifully wrapped Easter proposal, and there is little question that it’s a very worthy human, deeply felt issue that we at Unity cannot ignore, nor should we. But that being said, let us not be bamboozled/tricked or thrown off track by such political tactics ---not Sue’s, but the special interests!
In researching my own project proposal I have been alerted that such issues as banning gay marriages and civil unions and promoting concealed weapons legislation are largely diversionary tactics or snares set by large special interest groups to trap us into talking about and working for these hot button issues rather than keeping a steady and persistent focus on real, honest people issues such as clean water, health care, adequate and equitable school funding and campaign finance reform.
Special interests and corporations who have bought and now own our legislators totally, use such legislation as a ruse to distract and deter us from the people’s interests. I was informed that the proof in the putting is the fact these big interests deliberately bring such issues forward not at off year or local elections but at the state wide and congressional elections that are guaranteed to bring out the extreme right who will vote to keep their paid for and bought candidates in office and that will serve the exclusive interests of the special interests, including corporations. I learned that seven or eight states have already used ban gay unions and marriage bans in order to control and maintain the electoral status quo in their respective Houses, and with respect to and significant health care and environmental initiatives as well.
By maintaining such control of your legislators they can continue to pass preemptive legislation that serves their own special interests but, in fact, is best decided at the local level, i.e. no smoking, the removal of old billboard signage, land use, etc. Such big interest here in Wisconsin spent 6.5 to 1.15 million dollars or 13 times more than that spend by everyone else (that includes you and me) to prevent local decision-making. This is big interest’s means or tactics for preventing any fundamental changes from appearing on the legislative agenda.
For these reasons, then, I strongly urge the Advisory Council to assign the proposed “Fair Wisconsin” or the “Love Thy Neighbor” project to the Human Rights sub-committee, in order that more structural and substantive up-stream work can begin now.
With respect the gay union ban, whether it is obtaining petition signatures, canvassing the neighborhood or whatever, these Unity activities need not deter us, nor should they. I would like to remind the group that Dr. Lichterman has already warn us that such seductive and alluring causes will constantly be brought before us. But because our cause is so great to our children and our grand children’s freedom and democracy, let us hold fast.
I believe that here in Wisconsin we are now a critical period where the balance can be tipped either in the direction of campaign reform or continuing down the slippery slope that we are now on. If what has already happened, and is now happening, at our Capitol is not enough to rouse out of complacency, how much more alienation and loss of our freedom can we take?
If there was ever in our Nation’s history a time when we need to stand up and speak up, it is now. A recent Wisconsin poll shows that only 7% of the citizens of Wisconsin believe that their legislators represent their (the people’s) best interests. We need to regain our trust and faith in our public institutions and in our representatives. Your legislator and mine are arrogant and emotionally and economically removed from the people ---you and me. And worse, they believe that they can do no wrong and are untouchable. Let us begin!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
I Had a Dream Last Night
- I dreamed of a day when the average citizen will be able to have equal time with her legislator, and corporate executives and lobbyists will have to wait their turn.
- I dreamed that it’s now common practice for all state and national political campaigns to be fully funded out of our state and federal budget.
- I dreamed that someday soon, talk of the “public interest” will no longer be empty rhetoric or a joke at our State Capitol.
- I dreamed of the day when candidates will spend all their time debating the issues in stead of raising corporate and special interest dollars in order to hold on to their seat.
- I dreamed of a day when my grand children will grow up and be able to run for public office without placing their family’s lively hood in jeopardy.
- I dreamed of a day when the people of Wisconsin will take back their democratic institutions from corporate and special interests.
- I dreamed of a day when once again a public safety net will be placed snugly around each of our children regardless of their parents’ economic status.
- I dreamed that America will begin to value people for more than what they can earn or achieve but also for who they are.
- I dreamed that America will begin to develop universal values that transcend our own personal, state and national interests and begin to consider the interests of all of life.
- I dreamed that it’s now common practice for all state and national political campaigns to be fully funded out of our state and federal budget.
- I dreamed that someday soon, talk of the “public interest” will no longer be empty rhetoric or a joke at our State Capitol.
- I dreamed of the day when candidates will spend all their time debating the issues in stead of raising corporate and special interest dollars in order to hold on to their seat.
- I dreamed of a day when my grand children will grow up and be able to run for public office without placing their family’s lively hood in jeopardy.
- I dreamed of a day when the people of Wisconsin will take back their democratic institutions from corporate and special interests.
- I dreamed of a day when once again a public safety net will be placed snugly around each of our children regardless of their parents’ economic status.
- I dreamed that America will begin to value people for more than what they can earn or achieve but also for who they are.
- I dreamed that America will begin to develop universal values that transcend our own personal, state and national interests and begin to consider the interests of all of life.
An Invitation to Partner
Dear Friends,
About two years ago I retired and at about the same time I joined the Unity Church of Madison. Soon afterwards I joined Unity’s Social Justice Ministry Advisory Council. Unity established a Social Justice Ministry program about six months ago and I have been on the Council for about four months. For me this opportunity to serve has been a real privilege and I am looking forward to continuing to serve in this way.
During this same time period however while reading my newspaper I become increasingly aware of the corruption at our State Capitol and of the extent that our state legislators are now only serving those special interest groups that financially support their re-election. I learned that as an individual citizen, your interests and mine, is really of little concern to those who represent us anymore. They have only two primary concerns: serving those special interests with the most money, and getting re-elected.
While daily reading of the corruption at our Capitol I also learned of a non-partisan group called the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign (WDC). The WDC is a citizen advocacy group that has been working for campaign finance reform since 1995. To learn more about WDC or to join, visit their website or at wisdc@wisdc.org or call 608-255-4260.
Now that I am retired I have decided that I want to work and do whatever I can to help take back our Legislature (our democracy) for our grandchildren. I am wonder if you feel about this issue as I do? If so, I would like to work with you and for you on this concern. I know that you are probably not retired, and maybe not as able at this time to give as much time to this issue as me. Nevertheless you may feel that you have some time and want to do something to help. If you would like, I would like it if you could see me as working for you, at least part time, on your behalf. In exchange I would like your ideas and your participation at whatever level will work for you.
This letter is an invitation to you from me to partner with me on this important issue. If you are interested in staying in contact with me on this issue or would be interested in having me contact you in the future for your help with one or more very specific assignments, (e.g., signing a petition or a letter, making a call, etc.) then please contact me at 608-249-5672 or e-mail me at bergentown@sbc.global.net.
Sincerely yours,
Bill Benedict
About two years ago I retired and at about the same time I joined the Unity Church of Madison. Soon afterwards I joined Unity’s Social Justice Ministry Advisory Council. Unity established a Social Justice Ministry program about six months ago and I have been on the Council for about four months. For me this opportunity to serve has been a real privilege and I am looking forward to continuing to serve in this way.
During this same time period however while reading my newspaper I become increasingly aware of the corruption at our State Capitol and of the extent that our state legislators are now only serving those special interest groups that financially support their re-election. I learned that as an individual citizen, your interests and mine, is really of little concern to those who represent us anymore. They have only two primary concerns: serving those special interests with the most money, and getting re-elected.
While daily reading of the corruption at our Capitol I also learned of a non-partisan group called the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign (WDC). The WDC is a citizen advocacy group that has been working for campaign finance reform since 1995. To learn more about WDC or to join, visit their website or at wisdc@wisdc.org or call 608-255-4260.
Now that I am retired I have decided that I want to work and do whatever I can to help take back our Legislature (our democracy) for our grandchildren. I am wonder if you feel about this issue as I do? If so, I would like to work with you and for you on this concern. I know that you are probably not retired, and maybe not as able at this time to give as much time to this issue as me. Nevertheless you may feel that you have some time and want to do something to help. If you would like, I would like it if you could see me as working for you, at least part time, on your behalf. In exchange I would like your ideas and your participation at whatever level will work for you.
This letter is an invitation to you from me to partner with me on this important issue. If you are interested in staying in contact with me on this issue or would be interested in having me contact you in the future for your help with one or more very specific assignments, (e.g., signing a petition or a letter, making a call, etc.) then please contact me at 608-249-5672 or e-mail me at bergentown@sbc.global.net.
Sincerely yours,
Bill Benedict
Friday, September 21, 2007
Let’s Act Now for Lyndee
If profit, financial gain, is the true bottom line or key result area (KRA) for every successful business or corporation, would it not be correct to assume that most commercial newspapers, including this newspaper, will ultimately write the story, print the add, or ask the question to serve that end? Isn’t it the truth that the newspaper’s number one customers are really their shareholders? Of course this is true of our radio and television companies as well.
This fact makes even more courageous what the Wisconsin State Journal did back in 2001. The Journal was the first to publish the Caucus allegations which ultimately sparked criminal charges against several lawmakers in our State legislature.
I believe that most Wisconsin citizens believe that the profit motive should stop at the entrance to our State Capital. The bottom line or KRA for our legislators should be solidly, and always, based only on the public good - what is in the best interests of the people of Wisconsin? Certainly the Journal’s editors know this. If you too really believe that this is the way it should be, then please call your state legislators today and tell them that you want them to pass public campaign financing now.
We need to do this before the series of caucus prosecutions end, and before things at our Capital return to what was before. I propose that we put a face on this fight for public campaign finance reform. Who better that our courageous whistleblower, Lyndee (Wall) Woodliff. Let the banners read, “Let’s do it for Lyndee.” Let's do what Lyndee Woodliff did. She cared enough for the people’s democracy that she gave up a secure job so that you and I could be represented fairly and justly. (See the Journal’s Monday story, “Whither the whistleblower?”) Call your legislators now, and tell them, that you too, like Lyndee Wall, have had enough!
This fact makes even more courageous what the Wisconsin State Journal did back in 2001. The Journal was the first to publish the Caucus allegations which ultimately sparked criminal charges against several lawmakers in our State legislature.
I believe that most Wisconsin citizens believe that the profit motive should stop at the entrance to our State Capital. The bottom line or KRA for our legislators should be solidly, and always, based only on the public good - what is in the best interests of the people of Wisconsin? Certainly the Journal’s editors know this. If you too really believe that this is the way it should be, then please call your state legislators today and tell them that you want them to pass public campaign financing now.
We need to do this before the series of caucus prosecutions end, and before things at our Capital return to what was before. I propose that we put a face on this fight for public campaign finance reform. Who better that our courageous whistleblower, Lyndee (Wall) Woodliff. Let the banners read, “Let’s do it for Lyndee.” Let's do what Lyndee Woodliff did. She cared enough for the people’s democracy that she gave up a secure job so that you and I could be represented fairly and justly. (See the Journal’s Monday story, “Whither the whistleblower?”) Call your legislators now, and tell them, that you too, like Lyndee Wall, have had enough!
Subtle Lobbyist
Letter to the Editor:
Journalist, Phil Brinkman, used the words “subtle game” and “sophisticated” to described the Wisconsin lobbying process in his special Sunday feature: (see: “Political donations aren’t keys to the kingdom”).
What is so subtle or sophisticated about the lobbyist, who Brinkman describes, as the key middle person and link between the donating company and the top administrative official or legislator receiving it? Especially, when we read that in many instances the lobbyist is a former administrative official, legislator, campaign staffer, or company employee.
Is it subtle or sophisticated when we learn that there is no law in Wisconsin requiring lobbyists to report political consulting work on behalf of companies that do business with the state?
What is subtle or sophisticated about a campaign fund raising event that largely includes only trade associations, lobbyists, and potential key $1,000 dollar donors? Were there any ordinary taxpaying citizens there?
What is subtle or sophisticated about the same corporation, receiving 47 state contracts, and the same company officials, within only a few days after attending a gubernatorial campaign fund raising event, contributing several thousands of dollars? Especially, when these same contributing company officials resided in three non-Wisconsin states? When just weeks before, these same 47 contracts are consolidated under a no-bid arrangement into one larger single state contract.
What is subtle or sophisticated about when such “paying to play” companies are confronted and called on for comments regarding their “donations” they simply report that they are “not available.”
Rather than subtle and sophisticated, this writer and tax payer, can and will clearly call, this process what it really is. Mr. Brinkman has brilliantly described a lobbying process that is flagrantly and totally dishonest and corrupt to the core. If this article doesn’t result in state laws to put caps on political campaigns or the passing of a comprehensive public finance campaign law like in Arizona, I don’t know what will!
Journalist, Phil Brinkman, used the words “subtle game” and “sophisticated” to described the Wisconsin lobbying process in his special Sunday feature: (see: “Political donations aren’t keys to the kingdom”).
What is so subtle or sophisticated about the lobbyist, who Brinkman describes, as the key middle person and link between the donating company and the top administrative official or legislator receiving it? Especially, when we read that in many instances the lobbyist is a former administrative official, legislator, campaign staffer, or company employee.
Is it subtle or sophisticated when we learn that there is no law in Wisconsin requiring lobbyists to report political consulting work on behalf of companies that do business with the state?
What is subtle or sophisticated about a campaign fund raising event that largely includes only trade associations, lobbyists, and potential key $1,000 dollar donors? Were there any ordinary taxpaying citizens there?
What is subtle or sophisticated about the same corporation, receiving 47 state contracts, and the same company officials, within only a few days after attending a gubernatorial campaign fund raising event, contributing several thousands of dollars? Especially, when these same contributing company officials resided in three non-Wisconsin states? When just weeks before, these same 47 contracts are consolidated under a no-bid arrangement into one larger single state contract.
What is subtle or sophisticated about when such “paying to play” companies are confronted and called on for comments regarding their “donations” they simply report that they are “not available.”
Rather than subtle and sophisticated, this writer and tax payer, can and will clearly call, this process what it really is. Mr. Brinkman has brilliantly described a lobbying process that is flagrantly and totally dishonest and corrupt to the core. If this article doesn’t result in state laws to put caps on political campaigns or the passing of a comprehensive public finance campaign law like in Arizona, I don’t know what will!
School Consolidation
The rancorous debate over the recent school consolidation issue is over. The larger fight for adequate school funding is just beginning. This mild insurrection is a perfect example of displaced energy and frustration. After decades now of agonizing struggles, much freely given self and community sacrifice to build and maintain a quality education program for all Madison children, Madison taxpayers’ patience and funding alternatives are running thin.
Middle class Near East Side residents were pitted against middle class West Side residents; social liberals against more conservative liberals; old school board members against newer board members; and special education against special arts programming. This in-fighting unfortunately involved group name calling such as the “complainers” versus the “truly committed” and the “spineless.”
For several weeks, vigorous advocacy and dissent ---the core ingredients for a vibrant democracy --- reigned over Madison. This grass roots democracy included numerous letters and articles written; new funding and program proposals; innovative plans were drawn up to fill up empty spaces; protesters including young people, protested and filled the meeting halls, and many win-win solutions were advanced.
Paradoxically, while all this infighting was playing out at the municipal level, our State pork barrel dependent politicians and rich special interest groups were conspiring at our capitol. . They continue to work hand-in-hand to thwart and hamstring local grass roots efforts to bring about needed local public school, health care, and tax reform for all Wisconsinites.
Until the day comes again when our state representatives begin to represent all the people’s interest in place of the special interests and big business; when campaign finance reform allows you and me to run for public office; until then, we can expect more spending caps, decreasing local municipal and school autonomy, and higher taxes.
What can we do? Join the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign (wisdc@wisdc.org) today. Tell your legislator to fight for the removal of local spending caps; ask him or her to speak to your group and ask your lawmaker to talk to you about his or here ten largest contributors and what he had to do to earn their support.
Tell them that unless they vote for campaign reform and cuts their dependence upon the rich and the powerful you plan to work for their defeat come the next election. Urge your local work or professional group, your church’s social justice council; your neighborhood council and local city and county representatives to help work for state campaign finance reform. Finally, ask your local school board representatives to ban together with other city and county school boards to work for campaign finance reform.
Respectfully submitted,
William R. Benedict
Middle class Near East Side residents were pitted against middle class West Side residents; social liberals against more conservative liberals; old school board members against newer board members; and special education against special arts programming. This in-fighting unfortunately involved group name calling such as the “complainers” versus the “truly committed” and the “spineless.”
For several weeks, vigorous advocacy and dissent ---the core ingredients for a vibrant democracy --- reigned over Madison. This grass roots democracy included numerous letters and articles written; new funding and program proposals; innovative plans were drawn up to fill up empty spaces; protesters including young people, protested and filled the meeting halls, and many win-win solutions were advanced.
Paradoxically, while all this infighting was playing out at the municipal level, our State pork barrel dependent politicians and rich special interest groups were conspiring at our capitol. . They continue to work hand-in-hand to thwart and hamstring local grass roots efforts to bring about needed local public school, health care, and tax reform for all Wisconsinites.
Until the day comes again when our state representatives begin to represent all the people’s interest in place of the special interests and big business; when campaign finance reform allows you and me to run for public office; until then, we can expect more spending caps, decreasing local municipal and school autonomy, and higher taxes.
What can we do? Join the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign (wisdc@wisdc.org) today. Tell your legislator to fight for the removal of local spending caps; ask him or her to speak to your group and ask your lawmaker to talk to you about his or here ten largest contributors and what he had to do to earn their support.
Tell them that unless they vote for campaign reform and cuts their dependence upon the rich and the powerful you plan to work for their defeat come the next election. Urge your local work or professional group, your church’s social justice council; your neighborhood council and local city and county representatives to help work for state campaign finance reform. Finally, ask your local school board representatives to ban together with other city and county school boards to work for campaign finance reform.
Respectfully submitted,
William R. Benedict
America’s Top Five Corporations
According to our U.S. Supreme Court the corporation politically speaking is to be treated the same as a US citizen or person. And, that money spent on political campaigns is a form of freedom of speech. I know, deep down, and so do you, that both of these decisions are neither right nor just in a true democracy. But both decisions are the law of the land and until changed, we must continue to live with this reality. Together however they have resulted in a situation which allows giant corporations to buy what they want from the peoples’ legislatures.
National and state efforts to equalize the playing field between the corporation and the individual citizen are obviously, not working. Nevertheless given this reality how can we begin to humanize and gain some measure of control of this artificial human? When are we, the American people, going to wake and begin to tame this grasping and non-feeling “paper” tiger? When are we going to rise up and together say, “We are just not going to take this anymore?” In spite of Senators McCain and Feingold, God bless them, for the foreseeable future corporations will continue, big time, to buy and control the media and our representatives. Until public finance campaign reform efforts eventually succeed, what action can we take to mollify this monster? I propose that we become much smarter and vigilant.
Given the existing playing field, I propose that we begin to more accurately judge the giant corporation based on its actual monetary deeds and not its corpulent public relations or advertising budget that continues to dumb us down and make us feel alienated and powerless as citizens. First lets get a law passed that makes every giant U.S. corporation which is owned and operated by US citizens begin to pay its fair share regardless of where it is incorporated. And while we are waiting to make this the law of the land, and to help the corporation to begin to earn our respect and trust once again, lets begin to track its “community giving” with some hard quantifiable numbers. Let a corporation’s “social capital” be judged against the following two ratios. The amount contributed to the community divided by its net profit. The amount invested in the community divided by the amount awarded its top management or CEOs.
What ever ratios are selected, like the NY stock exchange, lets choose the most accountable indexes (percent of giving based on total worth) we can find and have the top five hundred corporations routinely report their “community goodwill or performance” results. Let us, we the people, through our representative, based upon the five highest rankings, yearly pass a congressional resolution honoring the top five as the American peoples “Top Five Corporations.” If you are reading this and believe you have a better idea, then, for heaven sake let’s hear it. I am morally outraged with the status quo. If you feel like I do, please let the editor of this newspaper hear from you.
National and state efforts to equalize the playing field between the corporation and the individual citizen are obviously, not working. Nevertheless given this reality how can we begin to humanize and gain some measure of control of this artificial human? When are we, the American people, going to wake and begin to tame this grasping and non-feeling “paper” tiger? When are we going to rise up and together say, “We are just not going to take this anymore?” In spite of Senators McCain and Feingold, God bless them, for the foreseeable future corporations will continue, big time, to buy and control the media and our representatives. Until public finance campaign reform efforts eventually succeed, what action can we take to mollify this monster? I propose that we become much smarter and vigilant.
Given the existing playing field, I propose that we begin to more accurately judge the giant corporation based on its actual monetary deeds and not its corpulent public relations or advertising budget that continues to dumb us down and make us feel alienated and powerless as citizens. First lets get a law passed that makes every giant U.S. corporation which is owned and operated by US citizens begin to pay its fair share regardless of where it is incorporated. And while we are waiting to make this the law of the land, and to help the corporation to begin to earn our respect and trust once again, lets begin to track its “community giving” with some hard quantifiable numbers. Let a corporation’s “social capital” be judged against the following two ratios. The amount contributed to the community divided by its net profit. The amount invested in the community divided by the amount awarded its top management or CEOs.
What ever ratios are selected, like the NY stock exchange, lets choose the most accountable indexes (percent of giving based on total worth) we can find and have the top five hundred corporations routinely report their “community goodwill or performance” results. Let us, we the people, through our representative, based upon the five highest rankings, yearly pass a congressional resolution honoring the top five as the American peoples “Top Five Corporations.” If you are reading this and believe you have a better idea, then, for heaven sake let’s hear it. I am morally outraged with the status quo. If you feel like I do, please let the editor of this newspaper hear from you.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Let's Not Be Bamboozled
In order to help ensure more time for each presenter to share their proposal on the 25th, I ask that you take some time to consider the issues I raise here now : Thanks so much for the time that you have already given me. I know you are all very busy. Bill
Sue presented us/me with a beautifully wrapped Easter proposal, and there is little question that it’s a very worthy human, deeply felt issue that we at Unity cannot ignore, nor should we. But that being said, let us not be bamboozled/tricked or thrown off track by such political tactics ---not Sue’s, but the special interests!
In researching my own project proposal I have been alerted that such issues as banning gay marriages and civil unions and promoting concealed weapons legislation are largely diversionary tactics or snares set by large special interest groups to trap us into talking about and working for these hot button issues rather than keeping a steady and persistent focus on real, honest people issues such as clean water, health care, adequate and equitable school funding and campaign finance reform.
Special interests and corporations who have bought and now own our legislators totally, use such legislation as a ruse to distract and deter us from the people’s interests. I was informed that the proof in the putting is the fact these big interests deliberately bring such issues forward not at off year or local elections but at the state wide and congressional elections that are guaranteed to bring out the extreme right who will vote to keep their paid for and bought candidates in office and that will serve the exclusive interests of the special interests, including corporations. I learned that seven or eight states have already used ban gay unions and marriage bans in order to control and maintain the electoral status quo in their respective Houses, and with respect to and significant health care and environmental initiatives as well.
By maintaining such control of your legislators they can continue to pass preemptive legislation that serves their own special interests but, in fact, is best decided at the local level, i.e. no smoking, the removal of old billboard signage, land use, etc. Such big interest here in Wisconsin spent 6.5 to 1.15 million dollars or 13 times more than that spend by everyone else (that includes you and me) to prevent local decision-making. This is big interest’s means or tactics for preventing any fundamental changes from appearing on the legislative agenda.
For these reasons, then, I strongly urge the Advisory Council to assign the proposed “Fair Wisconsin” or the “Love Thy Neighbor” project to the Human Rights sub-committee, in order that more structural and substantive up-stream work can begin now.
With respect the gay union ban, whether it is obtaining petition signatures, canvassing the neighborhood or whatever, these Unity activities need not deter us, nor should they. I would like to remind the group that Dr. Lichterman has already warn us that such seductive and alluring causes will constantly be brought before us. But because our cause is so great to our children and our grand children’s freedom and democracy, let us hold fast.
I believe that here in Wisconsin we are now a critical period where the balance can be tipped either in the direction of campaign reform or continuing down the slippery slope that we are now on. If what has already happened, and is now happening, at our Capitol is not enough to rouse out of complacency, how much more alienation and loss of our freedom can we take?
If there was ever in our Nation’s history a time when we need to stand up and speak up, it is now. A recent Wisconsin poll shows that only 7% of the citizens of Wisconsin believe that their legislators represent their (the people’s) best interests. We need to regain our trust and faith in our public institutions and in our representatives. Your legislator and mine are arrogant and emotionally and economically removed from the people ---you and me. And worse, they believe that they can do no wrong and are untouchable. Let us begin!
Sue presented us/me with a beautifully wrapped Easter proposal, and there is little question that it’s a very worthy human, deeply felt issue that we at Unity cannot ignore, nor should we. But that being said, let us not be bamboozled/tricked or thrown off track by such political tactics ---not Sue’s, but the special interests!
In researching my own project proposal I have been alerted that such issues as banning gay marriages and civil unions and promoting concealed weapons legislation are largely diversionary tactics or snares set by large special interest groups to trap us into talking about and working for these hot button issues rather than keeping a steady and persistent focus on real, honest people issues such as clean water, health care, adequate and equitable school funding and campaign finance reform.
Special interests and corporations who have bought and now own our legislators totally, use such legislation as a ruse to distract and deter us from the people’s interests. I was informed that the proof in the putting is the fact these big interests deliberately bring such issues forward not at off year or local elections but at the state wide and congressional elections that are guaranteed to bring out the extreme right who will vote to keep their paid for and bought candidates in office and that will serve the exclusive interests of the special interests, including corporations. I learned that seven or eight states have already used ban gay unions and marriage bans in order to control and maintain the electoral status quo in their respective Houses, and with respect to and significant health care and environmental initiatives as well.
By maintaining such control of your legislators they can continue to pass preemptive legislation that serves their own special interests but, in fact, is best decided at the local level, i.e. no smoking, the removal of old billboard signage, land use, etc. Such big interest here in Wisconsin spent 6.5 to 1.15 million dollars or 13 times more than that spend by everyone else (that includes you and me) to prevent local decision-making. This is big interest’s means or tactics for preventing any fundamental changes from appearing on the legislative agenda.
For these reasons, then, I strongly urge the Advisory Council to assign the proposed “Fair Wisconsin” or the “Love Thy Neighbor” project to the Human Rights sub-committee, in order that more structural and substantive up-stream work can begin now.
With respect the gay union ban, whether it is obtaining petition signatures, canvassing the neighborhood or whatever, these Unity activities need not deter us, nor should they. I would like to remind the group that Dr. Lichterman has already warn us that such seductive and alluring causes will constantly be brought before us. But because our cause is so great to our children and our grand children’s freedom and democracy, let us hold fast.
I believe that here in Wisconsin we are now a critical period where the balance can be tipped either in the direction of campaign reform or continuing down the slippery slope that we are now on. If what has already happened, and is now happening, at our Capitol is not enough to rouse out of complacency, how much more alienation and loss of our freedom can we take?
If there was ever in our Nation’s history a time when we need to stand up and speak up, it is now. A recent Wisconsin poll shows that only 7% of the citizens of Wisconsin believe that their legislators represent their (the people’s) best interests. We need to regain our trust and faith in our public institutions and in our representatives. Your legislator and mine are arrogant and emotionally and economically removed from the people ---you and me. And worse, they believe that they can do no wrong and are untouchable. Let us begin!
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