Author Archives: dave cieslewicz

Democratic strategists are beside themselves regarding the centrist group No Labels, which released its platform yesterday. They should stop whining and moderate their party’s positions to meet the challenge. If you haven’t followed this much, here’s a quick update. A couple of years ago centrists — tired of the extremism of both parties — hadContinue reading “Dems: Stop Whining About No Labels”

It was a classic limousine liberal moment. Actress and head of the actors union Fran Drescher appeared at a news conference last week to announce that her union had voted to join the writers in a strike. Her voice shook with indignation and she raised her fist. “The eyes of the world and particularly theContinue reading “Limousine Liberals and Solidarity”

Watching actors union leader Fran Drescher take on the capitalist running dogs and proclaim her solidarity with the union movement yesterday, I couldn’t help but think how her struggles are so much like the struggles of long ago. For example: “They had chains which they fastened about the leg of the nearest hog, and theContinue reading “It’s Just Like the Stockyards”

While I wait for the second half of the baseball season to get underway I thought I’d spend another day musing about the Brewers’ owners’ threat to leave Milwaukee unless the taxpayers pony up about $300 million to spiff up AmFam Field. If the Brewers are making a credible threat then they have to haveContinue reading “Is the Brewers’ Threat Real?”

It’s the All Star break. A week — well, really only four days — without baseball. Still, time to stretch and, for me, an opportunity to toss some fastballs up and in at the Brewers’ ownership group, just to keep them from crowding the plate. The Milwaukee Brewers play on real grass at American FamilyContinue reading “The Brewers’ Fake Grass Coalition”

One reason that the Supreme Court’s decision ending race-based preferences in university admissions probably will be less significant than it might seem is that, for the vast majority of college applicants, it simply won’t matter much. That’s because most colleges accept most of those who apply. It’s only a relative handful of schools that areContinue reading “Why the Affirmative Action Decision Might Not Matter”

I’ve found the Madison public schools’ new superintendent. Her name is Katharine Birbalsingh. The British educator, 49, has developed an international reputation for a no-nonsense approach. She was the subject of a lengthy interview in the Wall Street Journal over the weekend. Here are some inspiring excerpts. Ms. Birbalsingh herself is of mixed heritage, withContinue reading “Madison’s New Superintendent”

There’s an age-old debate within the Democratic Party. Literally. With regard to Pres. Joe Biden’s age I’d say my party falls into three camps. Those who worry that his age will doom his candidacy and so they want him replaced on the ticket, those who think his age hurts him but don’t see any alternative,Continue reading “Biden’s Age Matters”

Legislative Republicans have an idea that’s not half-bad. A proposal is floating around the Wisconsin Legislature to require the UW to grant automatic admission to any Wisconsin student who graduates in the top 5% of their high school class. They might not intend it this way, but it looks like that could be a significantContinue reading “Consider Automatic Admissions on Merit”

With his line item vetoes, Gov. Tony Evers may have just created a new supplemental budget process to take place this fall. Evers did a nice job of wielding his veto pen. It may be the most masterful and bold use of the veto since Tommy Thompson was lauded with a headline in the GreenContinue reading “What To Do With $3.3 Billion”