I’ll start down the ticket because I can with a quick revision/extension at 9:55 pm 11/3/2008 to add most no-challenger races –
Various advisory referenda in Wisconsin asking for government-provided health care, including Oak Creek – No. This is a back-door attempt to try to bully the Legislature into adopting universal health care in Wisconsin. The one plan that meets the suggestion of the standard referendum, Healthy (and Depopulated) Wisconsin, comes with a price tag that would double the tax burden in Wisconsin.
The Milwaukee County sales tax advisory referendum asking for a tripling of the county sales tax to 1.5% – No. Even the supporters admit that this is a $65 million-$80 million tax increase. That is assuming that, if that tripling is authorized by the state, half of the receipts would go to property tax “relief”. If not, and all indications including historical are that it won’t, it’s a $130 million-$160 million tax increase in a county where a $200 item would become cheaper to purchase outside the county.
The city of Milwaukee direct legislation asking for paid sick leave to be imposed on all businesses in the city – No. Another 9 days of vacation will drive what’s left of business out of Milwaukee. How bad is it? Even the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel came out against it.
Various school building and tax-increase referenda – No. At the risk of being called Dr. No, a time when the economy is at best tightening is not the time to be building new Taj Mahals for the teachers and administrators. Kids won’t know the difference between a 40-year-old building and a shiny new one, at least if the school districts wanted to do maintenance instead of create a “crisis”.
21st Assembly District – Mark Honadel The math is simple; Honadel wants a stable-to-lower tax burden. Brower wants an ever-higher tax and regulatory burden.
14th Assembly District – Leah Vukmir
57th Assembly District – Jo Egelhoff
97th Assembly District – Bill Kramer
Any other Assembly or state Senate race I missed – The Republican Folks, I’ll put this in simple terms. The Democrats, should they gain complete control of state government, will make this a regulatory and tax hell. From Healthy (and Depopulated) Wisconsin to Gorebal “Warming” to a complete lifting of whatever property tax limits are in place, they promise more-expensive government.
Any other race where only one party or the other is represented except the 5th Congressional (specifically the Waukesha County District Attorney race) – Dave Casper (write-in) Asian Badger pointed out in the comments I missed the idiot DA in Waukesha County. That’s probably because I don’t live there, but I’ll correct that oversight and give Dave a second chance for a victory party.
1st Congressional District – Paul Ryan Yes, Ryan is my Congressman. He is also a visionary who isn’t afraid to touch the third rail of entitlements.
8th Congressional District – John Gard Gard frankly got screwed two years ago. Those of you in northeast Wisconsin have seen subpar representation out of Kagen, and this is your best and probably last chance to oust him.
Any other Congressional race out there – The Republican (with the exceptions of Don Young and Ted Stevens, where I recommend a write-in) This will be much like my state Legislature endorsement. The current crop of Democrats are chomping at the bit to turn us into Cuba; don’t reward the leaders of the worst Congress ever with more seats.
President/Vice President – John McCain/Sarah Palin I know I’ll probably be fighting a McCain administration more than I’ll support it. The alternative, a socialization of this country, is too frightening.
I think if I lived in Alaska, I would check the box next to Ted Stevens’ name, and only because of timing.
Ideally, Stevens should have resigned. In his failure to do so, Republicans should not have voted for him in the primary. Failing that, the party should have pulled him off the ballot and put someone else on. But since none of these things happened, we’re faced with corrupt Republican vs. defeat in Iraq, etc. Democrat.
Send Stevens back to D.C. and let the Senate punish him and throw him out if he doesn’t resign first. Let the Governor pick a new senator. If you elect Mark Begich (the Democrat), you’re stuck with him for six years.
There is that to consider.
You forgot one. Dave Casper for Waukesha County D.A. Schmeil or however you spell it is a complete tool.
That works. Allow me to correct that oversight.