Author Archives: dave cieslewicz

I’m pro-union. But in an abstract kind of way. As a matter of public policy, I think unions have done a lot of good historically and, for the most part, they continue to improve the lives of working people, even for those who are not union members. And how’s that for a chilly statement ofContinue reading “Unions and Me”

This week’s quote is a picture that says a million words: A) An official Army photographer at Arlington National Cemetery. B) A Fox News photographer. C) Melania Trump. D) A Trump campaign photographer. 2. What happened shortly after this picture was taken? A) Trump’s campaign aides apologized to a cemetery staff member when she remindedContinue reading “The Q&Q For 8/31/24”

Here’s a quote from a New York Times story from this week: “So it is especially notable that Democrats, four years after hemorrhaging Latino support, have not been offering a slew of overt appeals. Rather than ads filled with promises about immigration reform and Spanish phrases, Democrats have been focusing on economic messages, talking aboutContinue reading “Breaking Identity Fever”

Wisconsin prisons are a mess. A dangerous and too often lethal mess for both inmates and staff. And yet, where’s the action from state lawmakers and the Governor? This morning it was reported that yet another inmate has died in the prison system. This time it was a 19-year old man apparently murdered by hisContinue reading “Where’s the Urgency on Prisons?”

Tim Walz was a good choice for Kamala Harris’ running mate. He could be better. Somebody said that Walz looks like a guy who just climbed out of a deer stand. Having witnessed many guys soon after they’ve departed their deer stands, I’d say that’s about right. Walz is a hunter, a former teacher andContinue reading “Beneath the Camo”

In the greatest movie ever made, “The Godfather, Part 1,” the Five Families refers to the five major crime families in New York in the mid twentieth century. Similarly, it seems to me that, in very rough terms, we can break down the current American electorate into five groups. Here’s the way I’d line themContinue reading “The Five Families”

The more I think about Kamala Harris’ acceptance speech last week the more I come to believe that what she didn’t say is every bit as significant as what she did say. Notably absent from her speech was any reference to climate change and to diversity, equity and inclusion, two important causes on the left.Continue reading “What She Didn’t Say”

Both parties had successful conventions. Only 80 miles apart on the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee and Chicago, both even enjoyed the cool breezes and clear, blue skies of a Great Lakes summer. The Republicans looked united, confident and less angry than they’ve been. The Democrats also were united, but energetic and excited asContinue reading “How the Dems Did”

Tim Walz’s speech last night was fine. But as I watched I noticed that the crowd inside the United Center was reacting much more strongly to what the Coach had to say than I was sitting at home. For me there was something missing. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it until I readContinue reading “Tim Walz’s Incomplete Pass”

The emerging theme of the Harris campaign is that We’re Not Going Back. But last night the Democrats did go back and in a spectacularly successful way. Michelle and Barack Obama reignited the hope and sense of optimism about America that fueled their historic 2008 campaign. Since 2016 Democrats (and everybody else) had abandoned thatContinue reading “We Can Go Back After All”