@HRG -

In the entire country, Wisconsin ranks as one of the most heavily taxed at both the state and local level (10th in income and 8th in property). Between federal, state, and local level taxation, a middle-class Wisconsin family making between $85k-$165k per year that owns a home with an average assessed value of $230k currently pays near 50% of their gross yearly revenues in taxes.

And Doyle never really balanced the budget - he used accounting gimmicks, illegally raided segregated funds, accepted large amounts of borrowed money in federal stimulus funding and aid, put off paying down liabilities that the state had accrued with neighboring states via reciprocity agreements, etc.

"I would rather pay taxes and have a healthy, educated community than no taxes living in some third world-like hell hole."

I don't think that anyone would disagree with you here, however, if paying near 50% in taxes already for mediocre results at best isn't enough revenue, then one has to start wondering if the government is spending the money as efficiently and effectively as is should be, right?

The mark of the so-called 'political messiah' here is not that they “balanced the budget without raising taxes,” as the popular talking point states, but rather that they put their foot down in continuing to throw more money at our fiscal and social problems and instead started instituting real reforms to increase efficiency and effectiveness - to maximize taxpayer value for $ spent.

Taxes have become destructive. Government spending has increased to the point where many businesses arn't profitable - think margins and volumes.

Where is the fruit of public education? Billions have disappeared into a black hole and we now have in Racine County area, #1 in unemployment, high crime, ghetto slums, high infant mortality, high rates of incarceration and people who value $$ over their children.

Balanced budget? Via debt and it's attendant usury payments. It's not healthy for a Community to spend large amounts of $$ on debt service - in Racine 20 cents of every dollar collected goes to debt service - this is sustainable - not.

Get around a little more - and visit The Slums of Racine - http://www.flickr.com/photos/unisexcar/

"And with conceal carry, it seems so unnecessary, like we want to promote more violence."

It seems unnecessary to people that don't understand. Concealed carry doesn't promote violence, it promotes safety. All the statistics show just this. Violence is committed by violent people, regardless of whether or not they are 'allowed' to have guns.

www.equip2conceal.com

HRG- Balancing the budget is the law. How you balance it, is a philosophical difference of opinion. Unfortunately for those of like mids to your opinion, we held an election, your side lost, and the majority of Wisconsinites saw it differently.

Now, you may not agree with the election results, nor like them. Your side is trying to recall the Governor and decent people like Van Wanggaard. It's unfortunate you are jumping through extraordinary hoops to inflict, or at least try to inflict, the will of the minority.

You may be in a position to pay higher taxes, but their are many, many more that aren't. There are many people that feel the government has become too large and to intrusive, and more yet that feel it's too expensive. Those are the people that elected our officials last November. That is just the way it is.

At the end of the day, I guess maybe, should enough signatures be gathered, the recall election will determine the direction of the state and whose will be imposed. But remember, Act 10 will not change with a successful recall election for your side, nor will conceal carry, school choice and a host of other initiatives you personally don't like. That is just the fact, and why the recall, to many, is a colossal waste of time.

But also Heather, realize that this is just the start of what could be a very ugly era in state politics. What happens when you get your guy in, and we don't agree with raising taxes? I hope it doesn't come to that.

@Morninmist Same -

Many other media outlets, including the Milwaukee J/S, Channels 4, 6, 12, and 58 news, etc, have covered the Lena Taylor voter fraud story. So why do you assume that he only obtained this information from listening to Charlie Sykes?

Please, you have already been exposed as a partisan hack - give it up already!

"Finally today, some facts have been reported to the public, rather than wild conjecture and assumption."

OK, so what are these 'facts,' and why didn't she mention them in the quoted release if they're so indicative of vindicating her of any wrongdoing?

@HRG –

Don’t believe everything you read without independently verifying for yourself.

Here is Collins sentence from CCAP -

“Sentencing proceeded. Statements by the State, defense and defendant. Court found the state has satisfied victims' rights law. . Court sentenced defendant to serve 10 MONTHS in the House of Correction CONSECUTIVE to any sentence with credit for 98 days served; Huber privileges for work, job search through WCS, mental health and AODA treatment. Court recommends against electronic monitoring. . Court ordered defendant to pay ALL COSTS and SURCHARGES by 08-1-2011 or, as a penalty if not paid, serve 15 DAYS in the House of Correction consecutive to any sentence; Huber privileges; electronic monitoring. . Court advised defendant his voting rights are suspended, and he may not vote in any election until his civil rights are restored. Court ordered defendant to provide a DNA sample/surcharge waived. Court advised defendant that as a convicted felon he may not possess firearms. Notice of Right to Seek Postconviction Relief filed.”

According to CCAP, he never paid the costs and surcharges, missing the 08/1/2011 deadline given to him by the Court, thus resulting in the following entry:

08-15-2011
Commitment issued
Sankovitz-29, Richard J.
Event Party Amount
Collins, Russell $ 268.00

Additional Text:
Fine & cost commitment issued. Copy mailed to deft this date./jg

According to the original sentence, if he didn’t pay the amount owed by the 8/1/2011 deadline, he was supposed to go back into jail for an additional 15 days.

So, when the April elections occurred, he didn’t fulfill all of his sentence yet because he didn’t pay the fine, thus still making him a felon and unable to legally vote in the election.

http://wcca.wicourts.gov/courtRecordEvents.xsl;jsessionid=8EA237B95EA59238D9D4B574276C56C3.render6?caseNo=2010CF003713&countyNo=40&cacheId=8161B388BF4E67FE12C00A8109187083&recordCount=1&offset=0&linkOnlyToForm=false&sortDirection=ASC

Plus, one must also wonder WHY Collins used Taylor's address to vote when his official address on file with the Court is "1820 West Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233." One of your legal obligations is to immediately inform the Court of any change of address. So, if Collins’ address was Taylor's mother’s shelter back in April upon his release, when he still owed money to the Court, then why didn't he inform the Court of this change of address as he is legally obligated to do so before his sentence had been fully completed and discharged?

In fact, CCAP shows that the sentence was not fully discharged until:

09-20-2011
Warrant/Capias/Commitment canceled
Event Party
Collins, Russell

Additional Text:
Commitment satisfied per Sheriff Dept. #158655230; monies due and owing.

Definitely looks and smells like another crime to me.

But I'm just an independent thinker that likes to verify everything myself before judging the validity of an assertion, no matter what side the assertion is coming from.

Clearly, the Milwaukee County DA, a registered Democrat who financially supported both Taylor and the recent Pasch campaigns, is LYING in an attempt to defend Taylor.

Partisan politics at its worst here. I thought you hated this kind of crony bought and paid for government, right?

Message to Lena- The only people that have been defamed, is the rest of us who trust in a legal election. You have been caught red(or should I say blue)-handed. They have physical evidence, eyewitnesses and admissions from those that voted illegally with not only your consent, but encouragement. You are someone that should be recalled. Voter fraud is illegal, voting for a bill, is not.

@HRG -

The only personal info I posted regarding Collins is the address he has on file with the Court because his legal residency is paramount to the claims made by Taylor in the quote you posted. If you didn’t want the situation scrutinized and analyzed using readily available factual information, then you shouldn’t have supported and posted Taylor’s b.s. press release without looking into it further yourself.

I did not make his address or felony conviction a story - Taylor and others in the media did when this story broke. I'm merely debunking Taylor's b.s. claims about facts being released to the media, when in fact the Milwaukee Co DA is clearly LYING here!!!

Doesn't it upset you that your own government is playing partisan politics and LYING about something that can be independently verified, as I just did, just to support a partisan ally that they made political campaign contributions to?

Also, from your personal blog page, I notice that you have no problems looking up campaign contributions of certain people using on line resources. So when exactly does one cross the line in regards to privacy concerns?

Collins was not falsely convicted – far from it. He even jumped bail prior to his plea deal being entered. This was a bad dude. Maybe he changed his ways today – I don’t know. But he’s far from innocent.

And weren’t you just criticizing Herman Cain for private matters that he allegedly did that were only made public because of our culture’s fascination with such (whether such fascination is justified or not)?

You know that I wouldn’t bring it up if it wasn’t made an issue by others first.

Interesting Heather...You find it "despicable" to use CCAP?!?! But have no problem quoting a radical lefty blog that published unsubstantiated claims.

Got it...

"Heather's Rules"

1. People who are charged with something show up on CCAP -- Heather says you can not use.

2. People who are not charge but falsely accused and then show up on some blog -- Heather says that is okay

Glad we got that cleared up!

There are 29 others that have been found to have used Ms. Taylor's address, so citing one convicted felon isn't even the issue.

Sorry that I mis-categorized you as supporting Taylor’s claims. I retract that statement and stand corrected.

“I just think politicians should rise above the fodder of pundits and refrain from perpetuating unproven stories.”

I agree, but with Taylor, it was more than just pundit fodder, as an examination of the CCAP record proves. Not to mention, I seem to recall you haven bought into a few of the Koch Bros conspiracy theories, despite there being no direct link without one having to ‘connect the dots’ or make ‘reasonable inferences’ to get to the conclusions that certain pundits would want you to believe.

And didn’t you comment on supporting the stories of pro-Walker supporters who were allegedly collecting signatures with the intent to destroy or not turn in those signatures, despite there being no independently verifiable proof that any of these people even circulated a petition or collected a single signature other than their word? Remember, Denise was denied seeing the petitions from her source and only had the source’s word to verify his claims.

"Campaign contributions are a WAYYYY different story and I think you know that. That is not something that can cause defamation and/or have life altering consequences."

Different, maybe. Life altering consequences – some people apparently do feel that way about it. What about all of the people and businesses that were threatened with protests, union boycotts, and worse, or the move your money campaigns, etc. earlier this year because of their campaign contributions in support of certain candidates? And with the way some protestors are going after Walker's children, I can only suspect that next will be the children of campaign contributors.

With that kind of stuff going on today, it kinda blurs the line on privacy rights regarding even campaign contributions, doesn't it?

"I also said what Cain and others do with their personal lives are likely none of my business."

You did, but then you also went on to make a case wherein what they do in their personal lives could effect their ability to rationally represent and/or govern the people in our government. And I wholly agree and support your conclusions on that front! Not to mention, it was rather humorous as well, as Heather A pointed out over on that board :-)

I did my job. I gave Senator Wanggaard the list of issues from the Chair-Elect of the Democratic Party of Racine County and allowed him to answer. Fair and balanced.

I notice you didn't ask me to find evidence that a photo ID disenfranchises voters as is claimed so I'm sleeping okay on this one.

@Heather Asiyanbi -

I wouldn't worry about wisconsin factcheck too much, as this person is obviously a partisan hack who has little interest in fact-checking even their own line of bunk, let alone being qualified in anyway to criticize other’s work.

You did your job properly here and reported Wanggaard's assertions, whether they are actually true or false. Hoffa stands by the journalistic integrity of this story!

@wisconsin factcheck -

What is your deal exactly? You want some sort of proof, well, here it is:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/three-under-investigation-for-possible-voter-fraud-o632mh7-133914803.html

The three under investigation are supposedly public sector union organizers that were bussed in from other states during the Capitol protests and state senatorial recalls. Three got caught, so how many more were smarter and actually got away with this kind of illegal activity? This is the kind of crap that Wanggaard wants to do away with via the Voter ID legislation. Pretty simple to understand, but obviously, not for you!

Not to mention the various reports about a plan discussed at numerous county level Democratic Party meetings wherein registered party members had agreed to put up out-of-state public sector union sympathizers from Ohio in their homes in order to provide them with the requisite residency period so that those people would then be qualified to vote in a recall election if one is triggered.

If you can find out crap about the left-wing claims of voter suppression online, then why is it so difficult for you to discover the right-wing claims about bussed in voter fraud?

Clearly, you are a partisan HACK, and your unsupported claims of unethical journalistic practices are not warranted here! Go back to the Daily Kos where they appreciate your kind.

You're right @wisconsin factcheck - that sucks about that woman in Wausau. I hope there's something that can be done to amend the law for these types of cases because that is the right thing to do and should be done ASAP since elections are 4 short months away.

Having said that, I am not posting any type of correction because Wanggaard stated his belief and I reported it as such. That is not inaccurate despite how much you disagree with what he said.

Reporting what he said is not an inaccurate report, is what I meant. Sorry to not be clear.

And if those three people voted illegally, they should get the book thrown at them. Of course, it would be a pretty small bus that was full with three people.

You and I may differ on the role of the press in a free society, but I will tell you this. This should absolutely be your next story. What Van Wanggaard alleges would be a wide-spread conspiracy involving multiple felonies.

("Wanggaard said voter fraud is an issue when buses full of people come from out of state to vote and then can't remember their 'name' when they get to the polls")

If you can prove or verify half of what Wanggaard alleges you would be in the running for a Pulitzer Prize. If for no other reason, this should convince you to ask Sen. Wanggaard some follow-up questions!

@wisconsin factcheck - I think you raise a valid point about a follow up regarding some of these issues as stated by both sides. I will be sure to start going down those roads in the next few weeks.

As for the role of the press in a free society, we aren't in disagreement, but delving further into the issue as part of this story went beyond the scope of the article.

I look forward to your continuing research. And I apologze if my tone was out-of-line initially. I let my frustration with Senator Wanggaard get the better of me.

@wisconsin factcheck -

There are only a hand full of convictions for littering, just as there are only a handful of convictions for voter fraud. So, using your logic, I guess that means that littering doesn't really occur, and only rarely when it does, correct?

But if that's the case, then why is there always (on a daily basis) new garbage in the ditch fronting my property, which fronts a public roadway? I guess it can't be from littering, because it only rarely ever happens according to your logic, correct? I guess the constant garbage in my ditch just magically materializes there every day, or maybe it's aliens - I honestly don't know! You tell me.

Wake up you partisan hack - I gave you an example where three who were 'bussed in' were actually caught. That means that there were probably many others who also illegally voted, but did so in a smart enough way so as not to get caught. Only a fool who believes that the litter in my ditch must come from outer-space aliens would believe otherwise.

There are also stories of many local Democratic Party meetings wherein registered members are encouraged to provide temporary residency to transient out-of-state people for the sole purpose of meeting residency requirements so that those people can then vote in the recall election if one is triggered.

http://www.facebook.com/notes/vicki-mckenna/organized-election-fraud-recall-walker-organizers-coming-in-from-ohio-to-take-ad/10150393452513150

Just as factually substantiated as the claims of alleged recall sabotage by the pro-Walker crowd, right?

Not to mention the recent cross-state voter fraud discovered by the GAB, as pointed out by patchreader 123:
http://gab.wi.gov/node/1310

How much more evidence/proof do you require to substantiate that Wanggaard's concerns are at least justified and legitimate?

And why aren't you complaining about the coverage of the alleged pro-Walker sabotage of the recall effort without any independently verifiable factual proof being available to justify the reporting of those stories? Your HYPOCRISY astounds me and is clearly indicative of an uber-liberal partisan hack.

You have been exposed! Go back to the Daily Kos where you'll actually be appreciated and leave the real discussion for the adults on the board!

@"James R Hoffa"

How many times has J.B. Van Hollen led year-long investigations into allegations of littering?

Or do you just think J.B. Van Hollen with all the subpoena power in the world is so bad at his job, he missed all those times "buses full of people" from out of state got to the polls and "forgot their 'names'" when they tried to vote?

I have no problem with people investigating voter fraud. In fact, I encourage it. I have a problem with Van Wanggaard making up stories to scare people in order to get them to support his agenda. If Wanggaard had said, they are currently investigating three people in Milwaukee for allegations of voter fraud, we would not be having this discussion. Instead he made up a story.

If he or anyone had any evidence about "buses full of people" "forgetting their 'names'" at the polls, it would be one of the biggest stories of conspiracy, fraud, and felonies in the country. Of course, there is no such story, because there are no such "buses full of people."

@wisconsin factcheck -

Your logic is erroneous at best, as the only thing that will satisfy your inquiry is "if he or anyone had any evidence about "buses full of people."" And yet, I and others have provided you with countless examples of voter fraud that show proof positive that voter fraud occurs on probably a more regular basis than anyone actually realizes, despite there being few prosecutions for it. Just as in the littering example I've provided, the constant supply of garbage finding its way into my ditch proves that littering occurs on quite a regular basis, despite there being few prosecutions for it.

The term 'busses full of people' is a figure of speech, signifying a large amount of people. And I provided you with a link to a story exposing a Democratic Party plan to bus people in from out-of-state to vote in the recall election, should one be triggered.

If you honestly have a problem with Wanggaard's assertions here, then I guess you must really have a field day with Obama’s and Elizabeth Warren's assertions to the public/media! Obama said that his stimulus would provide millions of "shovel ready" jobs. Does anyone have any actual evidence that the stimulus actually caused millions of laborers to use shovels anywhere? Where’s the pictures of the millions of guys digging with shovels, as I can’t find them anywhere online? Where's your rant about that one? And that’s just one example of many!

Come on, let’s get real here, you partisan hack!

@wisconsin factcheck -

"I have a problem with Van Wanggaard making up stories to scare people in order to get them to support his agenda."

So, where's your rant about the Paul Ryan pushing grandma off a cliff ads/assertions, the decisive rhetoric used by the left claiming that Republicans want dirty air, dirty water, etc., and all of the other unfounded b.s. that the left comes up with to get people to support their agenda, as I curiously can't find any of them here on Patch?

And what about all of the whoppers that were in Obama's jobs speech? He wants to see more products with the ‘made in the U.S.A.’ label on them, yet months earlier he himself ordered his motorcade busses from a Canadian firm as opposed to giving the multi-million dollar contract and jobs to an American firm such as Thomas Built or Bluebird. I must have missed your rant about how every major media outlet televised his speech, despite his LIES!

If you don't want to be labeled as a partisan hack, then please provide the board with links to comments that you've made calling out the left for their crapola lies and inferences, as I can't find any via your Patch profile.

Just admit that you are a partisan hack!

@wisconsin factcheck -

Again, where's all your criticisms of Obama, Warren, or even Wisconsin Dem's own Graeme Zielinski? Remember how he claimed on the night of the Republican senatorial recalls that he had evidence of how Kathy Nicholaus and Waukesha Co was tampering with the election results? Remember all the media outlets that covered that story? Where was the proof/evidence that Zielinski had to back up those claims? Why didn't the media investigate and confirm those claims before running with that story? Now, remember how the whole thing was nothing but b.s. and the Dems retracted that statement and scrubbed their website of the press release?

Where's your rant about that one? Can you please provide us with links to your criticisms of the left-wing crap? Or show us the facts that apparently only you have to back up all of that b.s.? Cause otherwise, I'm smelling a super major HYPOCRITE here!!!

And for the record, "forgetting their 'names' at the polls," would, in the context used, be a figure of speech representing committing voter fraud by trick (giving false information to poll workers) just as the three in Milwaukee did that are being investigated and the people from Minnesota did that were discovered to be double voting by the GAB. Did I really have to explain that one to you?

I guess those public schools really failed you big time, eh?

Again, you have been exposed as nothing but a super major hypocritical partisan hack!