Author Archives: dave cieslewicz

I agree with everything in the Economic Justice Bill of Rights being touted right now by the Legislature’s most liberal Democrats. And I think it’s a terrible idea. This is a political document and, as such, it reveals just how out of touch liberal Democrats are. It’s a political document because, with Democrats in deepContinue reading “Economic Justice Bill of Rights Misses the Mark”

Since we reduced YSDA from a daily blog to three days a week we find ourselves leaving stuff on the cutting room floor. And, of course, without our wisdom and guidance, you’re left wondering what to think about important issues. Well, let’s solve that problem by doing some quick hits. First, there’s the heartbreak ofContinue reading “Wednesday Catchup”

I’m spending the week in California, where the weather is wonderful, and the politics are like the weather in Wisconsin. The latest bright idea to come out of the Golden State is reparations for slavery, or for something. We’ll get to the ‘or for something’ problem in a minute, but specifically, what’s going on isContinue reading “Reparations Are a Terrible Idea”

Since we released our e-book, Light Blue: How center-left moderates can build an enduring Democratic majority, earlier this month sales have been, uh, modest. Then we remembered that one of the very best marketing strategies for books is to get them banned. And there’s plenty of stuff in Light Blue that should get the bannersContinue reading ““Light Blue” Banned!”

If I was still a practicing Catholic I would vote for David Blaska and then rush to the confessional to confess a venial sin and get my comeuppance of three Our Fathers and three Hail Marys. And it’s a Hail Mary that I will toss up when I cast my write-in vote for Blaska forContinue reading “God Help Me, Blaska for School Board”

It was subtle, but it said it all. Last week in a column he cleverly titles “Open Jim”, new Wisconsin State Journal sports page editor Jim Polzin answers a reader’s question, which goes like this: “What does the Wisconsin men’s basketball team need in the transfer portal?” The “transfer portal” is a phrase that hasContinue reading “The Portal Changes All”

To my knowledge nobody is out there working on a new volume of Profiles in Courage replete with fresh new examples. But last week did bring us a couple candidates, and so let’s acknowledge them here. Governors Spencer Cox of Utah and Eric Holcomb of Indiana each vetoed bills that would ban transgender athletes fromContinue reading “Transgender Athletes & Profiles in Courage”

I have been strongly critical of the current Madison School Board and the direction it has taken us in the last few years. There has been a breakdown in basic safety and order. Staff and teachers feel like this Board doesn’t have their backs. The Board seems focussed on kids who are disruptive and under-achievingContinue reading “Simkin For Our Schools”

Think of it this way. You’re the Packers. You’ve had a dismal first half of the season. (I don’t know. Maybe Aaron Rodgers left the team for an eight week Panchakarma cleanse.) You went 0-8, but now Rodgers is cleansed and you’ve gone 5-2 with a couple games remaining. You’re not going to make theContinue reading “Dems Win on Redistricting (In a way)”

In the category of ‘oh, why open up this can of worms?‘ comes a story from yesterday’s Wisconsin State Journal about Dane County Supervisor Heidi Wegleitner’s attempt to end the practice of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before board meetings. Her proposal would also eliminate any reference to an opening prayer. Let’s start with theContinue reading “Pledge of Resistance”