Yellow Stripes & Dead Armadillos
The Ungracious Brandi Grayson
It’s a free country and I believe in maximum free speech. People should be able to say things that I find offensive and even fact-free, if they like. Yes, that includes former (and how wonderful is it to use that word in reference to this guy?) Pres. Donald Trump. But it also applies to theContinue reading “The Ungracious Brandi Grayson”
China Road
Pres. Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill is about more than good roads. It’s about demonstrating that democracy is stronger than authoritarianism. China is delivering prosperity, it’s getting stuff done, it’s starting to influence the world. The Chinese model is a combination of aggressive capitalism, centralized planning and authoritarian rule. What makes it work is that theContinue reading “China Road”
Drive the Camry Fast
As of today, the Democrats can count on 634 more days in power. In all likelihood they will lose their majority in at least one house of Congress, and probably both, on January 3, 2023. After that, nothing meaningful will pass for the next two years. Since WW II, the party in power has lost,Continue reading “Drive the Camry Fast”
The Right Tries to Cancel More Books
There is a lot of talk these days about cancel culture. That talk mostly comes from the right and it’s directed at “woke” leftists. But, at least when it comes to the time-honored tradition of banning books, the right still holds the cancel culture crown. Don’t get me wrong. I am very concerned about illiberalContinue reading “The Right Tries to Cancel More Books”
Support Your Local Alders
Yesterday’s decisive defeat of a full-time Madison City Council in an advisory referendum wasn’t surprising. Among many good arguments against it was the comparison to the state Legislature. Voters looked at their part-time citizen council and they looked down the street at the “full-time” Legislature and they decided, wisely, to keep what that have, insteadContinue reading “Support Your Local Alders”
Let’s Vote on Election Day
Sometimes I know that I’m screaming into a howling wind, but I do it anyway just because I think I’m right. It’s a character flaw. Take today’s blog. In honor of election day, I’ll try to make a case that we should go back to voting on one day and eliminate or scale back earlyContinue reading “Let’s Vote on Election Day”
Georgia On Our Minds
We need to lower the temperature on rhetoric about voting. One side falsely claims wide spread voter fraud while the other charges that some election law changes are, “the new Jim Crow.” Neither accusation holds up under scrutiny. To hear Democrats tell it, the bill recently enacted in Georgia to change some voting rules isContinue reading “Georgia On Our Minds”
Tuesday’s Choices
What can I say? I like voting on election day. It has been my ritual since I was 18 years old. I did the safe thing for the elections during 2020 and voted absentee. But now, all vaxed up, it seems responsible again to vote in person. (I think we should go back to mostContinue reading “Tuesday’s Choices”
We Need More ‘More’
Nice weekend weather, but if you’re looking for an evening movie, you might want to check out A Man For All Seasons, which is available on demand at Turner Classic Movies right now and probably for the next week or so. The movie won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1966. The film is aContinue reading “We Need More ‘More’”
Pay the Players
College sports as we know it are coming to an end. And that’s a very good thing. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that could rock the NCAA. But, even if the court rules in favor of the association — which appears unlikely — college sports will still look moreContinue reading “Pay the Players”
Reconsidering “Equity”
A few years ago I started reading and hearing the word “equity” where I would have expected the word “equality” to be used. I put it down to the too common desire some people have to use a more obscure word in place of a plain one in order to sound smarter than they reallyContinue reading “Reconsidering “Equity””
Bipartisanship Is a Two-Way Street
Congressional Republicans seem determined not to give Pres. Joe Biden support for his proposals. By Spencer Black On the dance floor, it takes two to tango. And in Washington, D.C., it takes two to be bipartisan. Despite President Biden’s invitation, congressional Republicans won’t dance. Unlike Republican politicians in D.C., Americans are joining together in aContinue reading “Bipartisanship Is a Two-Way Street”
Bernie Sanders: Incrementalist
What’s come over Bernie Sanders? He just wants to make progress. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) is pushing, not for Medicare for All, but for Medicare for More. He’s championing legislation, which could be introduced in April, to lower the eligibility age for Medicare from 65 to 60, to expand coverage to things like hearing aids,Continue reading “Bernie Sanders: Incrementalist”
The Shadow Issue
Who wins the race for State Superintendent of Public Instruction is important. But probably not because of what you think. On April 6th, Wisconsinites will choose a new Superintendent. To read the media accounts or listen to the candidates you would think that this is all about the highly charged issue of school choice. It’sContinue reading “The Shadow Issue”
More Guns = More Killing
Short and bitter for today. All we’ve got for you is a simple graph. This is a graph of gun deaths and gun ownership in five countries: Canada, Germany, Russia, Japan and the United States. Want to guess which is which? A – U.S. B – Canada C – Germany D – Russia E –Continue reading “More Guns = More Killing”
One For the Road
Wisconsin’s got a drinking and driving problem. The Legislature just made it worse. Earlier this month there was a late night crash at the intersection of two rural highways in Racine County. Three vehicles were involved. All three drivers were legally intoxicated. All three. A few weeks before that, a Green Bay driver was arrestedContinue reading “One For the Road”
The Battered Middle Majority
Who do the hard left and hard right activists in the two major parties ignore? Most of us. Think of politics as a tennis match. Those of us who are moderates are the net. The ball keeps getting slammed over our heads — and sometimes right into us — by partisans to our left andContinue reading “The Battered Middle Majority”
Moderates For City Council
We here at YSDA won’t be making candidate endorsements. But what we will do is provide our best sense of which candidates are more moderate when there’s a choice. So, for those of you who live in Madison and are voting in competitive city council races this April, here is our take on candidates inContinue reading “Moderates For City Council”
Gun Owners for Gun Control
I am an avid hunter who owns two guns. I’m also for the strongest gun control measures we can get. Gun control is one of those issues that should be easy to compromise on. That’s because there are so many options for things that we might do. But, as is the case on too manyContinue reading “Gun Owners for Gun Control”
This Land is Whose Land? (Part 2)
“Today’s version of private property is a moderate position,” asserts Prof. Harvey Jacobs. Americans are not free to do whatever they want with their land, but the question of exactly what they can do is never settled. Climate change may be the latest disruption that redefines our relationship to land. By Harvey M. Jacobs This isContinue reading “This Land is Whose Land? (Part 2)”
It’s OK to Reject Critical Race Theory
My fellow liberals: It’s okay to say you don’t accept critical race theory. It really is. I call myself a moderate these days, but truth be told, I still meet most of the liberal litmus tests. I’m pro-choice, pro-labor and pro-environment. I think climate change is an existential threat as are Donald Trump and RonContinue reading “It’s OK to Reject Critical Race Theory”
On the Hard Woods With Joe Grump
It’s March Madness. You know what’s really madness? Not paying the players. This is another in an occasional Sunday series with our sports columnist, Joe Grump. Joe scours the sports pages and then pummels you with his insights. It’s best just to nod in silent agreement. If you engage, it will only encourage him. ByContinue reading “On the Hard Woods With Joe Grump”
More Full-Time Pols? Really?
If you live in Madison, on your April ballot you’ll find a series of questions about the makeup of the city council. These are advisory questions only. Any changes would have to be approved by the council in separate action and some would require approval in another referendum, which would be binding. The questions springContinue reading “More Full-Time Pols? Really?”
Bigotry
Why is it okay to be openly hostile to old white guys? I’m on my neighborhood listserv here on the very liberal near west side of Madison. The vast majority of the traffic on the listerv is about somebody trying to get rid of something in their attic or looking for a recommendation on aContinue reading “Bigotry”
Apocalypse Never
The moderate mind set is averse to drama. Moderates just want to work the problem. One of the things that’s wrong about our public debates these days is the tendency for both sides to declare everything a matter of fundamental principles or basic rights. That makes it virtually impossible to find common ground because everyContinue reading “Apocalypse Never”
The Wrong Kind of Social Distancing
We’re separating ourselves, even more than previously thought, by our political beliefs. This only deepens our divides. My neighborhood on the near west side of Madison is replete with yard signs. In the fall we had just about every variation of a Joe Biden sign you could imagine and many remain, now in the snow,Continue reading “The Wrong Kind of Social Distancing”
Who Are You Callin’ a Girl?
In the debate over transgender biological boys participating as girls in sports, just leave in place the sensible WIAA policies. Legislation at the federal or state level just plays to the culture wars. This dustup illustrates what’s wrong with a zealous ideological approach to any issue. So here’s the question and it’s an interesting one:Continue reading “Who Are You Callin’ a Girl?”
The Tsunami Ebbs
For a decade or more Democrats have been counting on a demographic tsunami to sweep them to a long-term majority. It might just sweep them out to sea instead. To understand what’s going on we can consider just one word: Latinx. This word was invented in academia to be a gender neutral alternative to LatinoContinue reading “The Tsunami Ebbs”
Around the Horn With Joe Grump
Baseball’s owners and players are screwing up the game. Our baseball commentator, Joe Grump, tells it like it is. It’s time for baseball! Now and then during the season we’ll be checking in with our in-house baseball analyst Joe Grump. Like you, Joe reads the sports pages and forms his opinions faster than Tinker toContinue reading “Around the Horn With Joe Grump”
Cancel Culture Is Real
The first time I heard the phrase “cancel culture” it came from Barack Obama. In an interview in late 2019, Obama said, “This idea of purity and you’re never compromised and you’re always politically ‘woke’ and all that stuff. You should get over that quickly. “The world is messy; there are ambiguities,” he continued. “PeopleContinue reading “Cancel Culture Is Real”
The Upside of Plague
Too many people died, but when we step back and look at the broad sweep of history, there are reasons to be very hopeful. One of the most impactful books I’ve read in the last couple of years is “Enlightenment Now” by Harvard Professor Steven Pinker. In the book, Pinker makes a convincing case thatContinue reading “The Upside of Plague”
Stand and Deliver
While there are good arguments on both sides of the debate, I would abolish the filibuster. But that’s not going to happen, so it would be better to double down on it instead. Getting rid of the filibuster has become something of a cause among hard left Democrats, but they should be careful what theyContinue reading “Stand and Deliver”
It’s Kind of Time
Democratic Congressman Ron Kind of La Crosse has thought about running for statewide office over and over again. He never pulls the trigger. Maybe 2022 is his time. So, imagine that running for statewide office is a football. And those of us who have wanted Ron Kind to run for U.S. Senate or governor, we’reContinue reading “It’s Kind of Time”
The Bipartisan Power of the Outdoors
Just before the November election, Congress came together behind increased funding for a program that has helped protect natural places from Devil’s Lake to the Apostle Islands and thousands of areas like them around the country. Just in time, because the pandemic has spurred a renaissance in Americans’ love of the outdoors. By Spencer BlackContinue reading “The Bipartisan Power of the Outdoors”
Suess and Desist
Where is the line of defense against de facto censorship? To be honest, I had never even heard of, much less read, the six Dr. Seuss titles that Theodore Geisel’s estate recently decided to stop publishing. And, of course, just because a private entity makes a decision, which is perfectly within its rights, to stopContinue reading “Suess and Desist”
The Harper’s Letter
Just after the Fourth of July last year, a group of writers, journalists, artists and academics issued a letter in support of free speech and other classically liberal ideas. It was printed in Harper’s Magazine and soon became known simply as “The Harper’s Letter.” What’s striking about it is that it was necessary at all.Continue reading “The Harper’s Letter”
Picking Around the Edges of the Covid Bill
All the attention right now is on some relatively minor adjustments leveraged by a few moderate Democrats. The changes are actually pretty insignificant. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) is, as I have written many times since Democrats took back the Senate by the narrowest of margins, the second most powerful man in America right now.Continue reading “Picking Around the Edges of the Covid Bill”
This Land Is Whose Land?
What do you own if you own land? Conservatives might answer, “everything.” Liberals might be more inclined to say that you are stewarding a public resource. The answer to the question of just what it is that you own is constantly evolving. By Harvey M. Jacobs This is the third in an occasional series onContinue reading “This Land Is Whose Land?”
Bewley Says Voters Are Stupid, And That Was Really Dumb
Liberal Democrats have long had a problem with condescension. If you don’t agree with them, well, you’re just not understanding your own best interests. You really should just leave decisions about your life to those smart people in the Democratic Party. Comments made yesterday by state Sen. Janet Bewley and Congressman Mark Pocan underscore theContinue reading “Bewley Says Voters Are Stupid, And That Was Really Dumb”
Why Doesn’t GOP Want a Fair Fight?
Right now the Republican Party comes off like a bunch of arsonists demanding stronger fire codes. After spending months sewing doubt about what, by all accounts, was a free and fair election, the party is proposing “reforms” designed to fix the problems that exist only in the imaginations of unhinged conspiracy theorists. Don’t let theContinue reading “Why Doesn’t GOP Want a Fair Fight?”
A Better Conversation on Race
Egg shells are never a very solid foundation on which to have a discussion. Honesty is the quickest and surest way to a more fair society. But, in order to be honest, people have to feel able to speak freely. Just the opposite is going on right now. The pattern has become all too familiar.Continue reading “A Better Conversation on Race”
A Cautionary Tale
The loss of the passenger pigeon isn’t just history. Even seemingly robust natural resources can prove to be fragile. By Spencer Black A few months back, Pam and I were enjoying the splendor of a Wisconsin autumn on a hike on the bluffs high above the Mississippi River when we chanced upon a stark reminderContinue reading “A Cautionary Tale”
WI’s Wolf Hunt Travesty
I am a Wisconsin hunter and I am embarrassed and disgusted at what took place in my state last week with a rushed and ill-considered wolf hunt. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s outdoor writer, Paul Smith, has written an excellent account of the history that got us to this point. But “this point” is carnage thatContinue reading “WI’s Wolf Hunt Travesty”
Raise the Minimum Wage
I’m for a more stable society and increasing the minimum wage is key to that goal. Everyone should be able to get ahead in America by ‘working hard and playing by the rules.’ I’m a strong supporter of an increase in the minimum wage. I go into that with my eyes wide open. I understandContinue reading “Raise the Minimum Wage”
Hold the Culture Wars, Please
Two stories from this morning’s local paper illustrate the just plain silliness of the culture wars. First, a Republican state senator has introduced a bill that would require that the national anthem be played before any sporting event that takes place in a venue supported by tax dollars. Never mind that nobody is talking aboutContinue reading “Hold the Culture Wars, Please”
Bipartisan Push For Moderation
A bipartisan group of Wisconsin legislators has introduced a proposal to push both parties toward moderation. It’s a good start. It’s no accident that two of the ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Donald Trump were from Washington State. Washington is one of a few states that has reformed its primary system in aContinue reading “Bipartisan Push For Moderation”
Anybody But The Rich Kid
First Alex Lasry discovered that Milwaukee had restaurants. With that out of the way, now he wants to be your United States Senator. Is anybody else tired of billionaires trying to buy Senate seats or governor’s offices? How about the sons of billionaires? Alex Lasry, 33, is barely qualified to be elected to the StateContinue reading “Anybody But The Rich Kid”
Diversity of Experience
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-South Carolina) is fast becoming one of my favorite political leaders. Now, he’s advising Pres. Joe Biden to make a ground-breaking choice (in more ways than one) for the Supreme Court. It was Clyburn who saved the Biden campaign from oblivion in the South Carolina primary, propelling him to his party’s nomination.Continue reading “Diversity of Experience”
The Moderate Troubadour
Steve Martin has a tune entitled, “Atheists Don’t Have No Songs.” Neither do moderates. Why is that and can the problem be fixed? My favorite NPR show is Mountain Stage. The eclectic live music show has been on the air for 30 years. It originates in West Virginia with host Larry Grose. I like toContinue reading “The Moderate Troubadour”
Seattle, WI
Could the Madison City Council steal majorities from national Democrats? This may seem incomprehensible, but the council is about to move further to the left, and that bodes ill for the Democratic brand everywhere. The council has long been liberal, reflecting the progressive politics of a college town, but the current council is widely regardedContinue reading “Seattle, WI”
Bipartisan Conservation Succeeds
Over 600,000 acres in Wisconsin have been protected for hikers, bikers, hunters, birders, researchers and more. It happened because Democrats and Republicans worked together. This is another in an occasional series of guest blogs by a distinguished group of contributors. By Spencer Black It’s hard to find rays of sunshine amidst the dark clouds ofContinue reading “Bipartisan Conservation Succeeds”
Limbaugh’s Audience
When considering the impact of radio host Rush Limbaugh, who passed away yesterday, it’s important to check our hypocrisy. For many years Madison had a left-leaning shock jock. He was essentially a liberal Limbaugh. Among many other outrageous statements, he once suggested that a Madison alderwoman be raped in a stairwell. And, yet, when heContinue reading “Limbaugh’s Audience”
The Perplexing Tony Evers
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers introduced his second biennial budget yesterday. Is there any strategic thinking that goes on in his office? Evers’ budget was filled with Democratic wish list items, every one of which is surely to be dispatched swiftly by legislative Republicans without so much as a hearing. Legalizing marijuana, increasing the UW budgetContinue reading “The Perplexing Tony Evers”
The New Generation Gap
Boomers, who largely believe in liberal values like free speech, have raised kids who would trample those same values in their zealous pursuit of social justice. Where did we go wrong? It’s playing out in the pages and the news room of the New York Times. In the last few years, Baby Boomer editors andContinue reading “The New Generation Gap”
Is There Too Much Regulation?
By Harvey M. Jacobs This is the second in an occasional series on environmental issues from emeritus University of Wisconsin Prof. Harvey Jacobs. The first was titled Searching for a Responsible Localism, and posted on February 2nd. Conservatives complain that liberals never met an issue they didn’t want to regulate. This complaint applies to issuesContinue reading “Is There Too Much Regulation?”
Impeachment Was Worth It
Now that the impeachment trial of Donald Trump has reached its inevitable conclusion, it’s worth asking if it was all worth it. I’d say it was. First, the Democrats’ case is now an historical record. It was important to document just what happened on January 6th and Trump’s part in it. That was done andContinue reading “Impeachment Was Worth It”
Fair Maps Need Political Hardball
One of the most significant impediments to moderation is gerrymandering. The only sure way to beat that in Wisconsin is for the governor to veto the budget if he doesn’t get a fair redistricting process. The Census Bureau just announced that the data needed to redraw legislative maps won’t be available until September. That’s actuallyContinue reading “Fair Maps Need Political Hardball”
Save the Wolves (this month)
I am a hunter. But, I have to say that some of my brethren are fools. A case in point is the Wisconsin wolf hunt. The Gray Wolf has been on and off the endangered species list in recent years. When it’s off, Wisconsin law requires that the Department of Natural Resources conduct a wolfContinue reading “Save the Wolves (this month)”
Make It ‘Hank Aaron Field’
Let’s take a break from insurrection, plague and the polar vortex to think about spring and honor. Let’s name the diamond on which the Milwaukee Brewers play baseball “Hank Aaron Field.” People often forget that Aaron, who died on January 22nd, started and finished his major league career in Milwaukee. He played for the MilwaukeeContinue reading “Make It ‘Hank Aaron Field’”
Moderates Reduce Poverty
Tucked safely inside the COVID relief package currently before congress is a provision that would do more to reduce poverty than anything since Medicare. And it will happen because of bipartisanship led by moderates. While we’re focussed on Donald Trump’s impeachment trial (he’ll be acquitted) and who will get another $1,400 from the government (fewerContinue reading “Moderates Reduce Poverty”
The Opportunity For Biden, the Democrats and the Country
In a previous blog, I’ve advocated for compromise with Republicans and a smaller Covid relief package than President Biden’s $1.9 trillion proposal. In this guest blog Harry Peterson makes the case for going big. — Dave Cieslewicz By Harry Peterson FACTS Presidents get credit and blame for things over which they have only modest influence. Continue reading “The Opportunity For Biden, the Democrats and the Country”
The Boss is Centered
Bruce Springsteen’s Super Bowl commercial was exactly the message the country needed. The reaction from a polarized nation proves it. The Boss has steadfastly passed up offers (and, no doubt, bizzilions of bucks) to do commercials, so I doubt that he did a Jeep ad just because he really believes in off-road vehicles. (Though, apparently,Continue reading “The Boss is Centered”
Chuck Schumer’s Dilemma
Here’s the question posed in a headline from this morning’s New York Times: “Will Schumer Satisfy the Left?” I can answer that question. The answer is ‘no.’ From my long and painful experience with left-wing activists I can assure you that it is impossible to satisfy them. Political practicality is just not in their DNA.Continue reading “Chuck Schumer’s Dilemma”
Sweet Normalcy
Notice anything about the debate over the COVID relief package? It’s so normal. In fact, it’s almost boring and isn’t that wonderful? I hasten to clarify that I’m referring here to the national effort, not what’s going on in the Wisconsin Legislature. Here, the Republicans in the Assembly and Senate have started to snipe atContinue reading “Sweet Normalcy”
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