Author Archives: dave cieslewicz

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”

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?”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”