Showing posts with label Robin Vos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robin Vos. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

GET ME REWRITE: Rep. Tim Ramthun expects to be paid for his work as Trump conspiracy theory sycophant



Headline:  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,  4/11/2022
Rep. Tim Ramthun, a Republican from Campbellsport, claimed two payments of $76.50 on separate days in February, money available to lawmakers to help subsidize their travel and meals while working in the state Capitol. On both days, Ramthun missed floor votes. 
On Feb. 15, Ramthun was absent during a floor session while he participated in a rally held steps away from the Assembly chamber in the Capitol rotunda that was aimed at promoting the impossible idea of decertifying the 2020 election, a key focus of his campaign for governor. 
The following week, Ramthun left a floor session hours before it concluded to fly to Florida to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference as he sought support for his campaign for governor. He missed votes on bills that changed rules for elections and voting.  [emphasis added]


2/8/2022 update, "Donald Trump wants Timothy Ramthun to be the face of the Wisconsin GOP", starts here.


Channel 3000, 2/7/2020
While Rep. Ramthun brings none of the name-recognition or organizational backing that Kleefisch or even Nicholson have, his presence in the GOP primary could further throw Republican efforts to take back the governor’s mansion into chaos. Ramthun told Rolling Stone that he would consider a run for governor, and an advertisement circulating online for Kewaskum High School promises he has a “special announcement” to come this weekend. 
“We are seeing, in a sense, a battle for the future of the Republican party,” political science professor Ken Mayer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison said. “It puts us in dangerous territory, because it has the effect of advancing and promoting someone who is campaigning on and doing things that either have no basis in law or is spinning out claims about the election that are absolutely ludicrous.”

And in his retirement announcement, Wisconsin Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke offered this warning about Governor Tony Evers and thet Democrats.
“As I refocus my efforts on returning to the private sector in the weeks and months ahead, I remain committed to doing everything in my power to advance conservative policies and serve as a check against the governor and his administration to prevent extreme ideologies from being enacted,” Steineke said. [emphasis added]

1/30/2022 update, "Dear Racine Journal Times editorial board, Voters in the 59th Assembly District did themselves a disservice by voting this idiot into office in the first place.  Best, Retiring Guy',starts here.

As Assembly Speaker, Vos has the duty of keeping his GOP troops in line and we have no doubt he was piqued by finding himself in the crosshairs of a conspiracy theory. But by stripping Ramthun of his single staffer, Vos is doing a disservice to the voters and residents of the 59th Assembly District, stretching across parts of Washington, Fond du Lac, western Sheboygan and southern Calumet counties, who shouldn’t be denied reasonable communication with their duly-elected representative.


1/27/2022 update, "GET ME REWRITE:   It's time for "fringe voice" Timothy Ramthun to resign from the Wisconsin State Assembly", starts here.

Timothy Ramthun, a Republican from Campbellsport, introduced a resolution during a floor session Tuesday to take the impossible step of retracting the state's 10 electoral votes cast for President Joe Biden in 2021. 
Assembly leaders referred the resolution to a committee used to schedule floor votes for bills, a required action for such proposals under Assembly rules, and the committee chairman quickly said Ramthun's resolution won't be taken up. 
"Rep Ramthun just attempted to pass an Assembly resolution to recall WI’s presidential electors. Not only is it illegal, it’s just plain unconstitutional," Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, who leads the committee, said in a tweet. "As chair of the Rules Committee, there is ZERO chance I will advance this illegal resolution. #EndofStory"
Steineke would certainly classify his colleague Timothy Ramthun as a "fringe voice".


1/20/2022 update, "It's lights out for Timothy Ramthun, one of the dimmest bulbs in the Wisconsin legislature", starts here.

The Republican leader of the state Assembly on Thursday placed sanctions on one of his members who has for more than a year falsely claimed former President Trump won the 2020 election in Wisconsin and has proposed legislation to pull back Wisconsin's electoral votes, which is impossible. 
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos stripped Rep. Timothy Ramthun of Campbellsport of his only staffer after Ramthun falsely accused Vos of signing a deal with attorneys for former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to authorize ballot drop boxes, according to Vos's office.

1/17/2022 update, "Tim Ramthun, one of the dimmest bulbs in the Wisconsin legislature, requests a light", starts here.

1/14/2022 media release found at The Wheeler Report



11/20/2021 update, "Meet Timothy Ramthun, Wisconsin GOP Assembly rep spitting up QAnon conspiracy theory pablum", starts here

Ramthun is one of many Republican critics of last year’s vote in Wisconsin, but he is the first to formally call to overturn the results. By comparison, the leaders of the four investigations into the 2020 vote have all said they don’t want to change the outcome. 
“It is this time in history where we can correct the course of our state and our nation, to hold those who would manipulate our sacred right to vote accountable,” Ranthum said. “It falls upon us to take a stand and set an example for the remaining states to follow. Accountability demands that if you do not follow the law, and seek to fraudulently affect election results, you will not succeed.” 
Former President Trump on Thursday endorsed Ramthun’s resolution, and asked if any other Wisconsin Republicans would join him.

Ramthun represents one of the most conservative and Trumpiest Assembly districts in Wsiconsin.

8/4/2021 update starts here

Rep. Timothy Ramthun of Campbellsport made the comment in a recent online video that also questioned a state Supreme Court election that was decided by more than 10 points. 
Ramthun titled his video "The Calm Before the Storm" — a phrase frequently used by QAnon, a baseless conspiracy theory that contends the government is controlled by a cabal of Satanist pedophiles. 
QAnon believers have repeatedly falsely claimed that former President Donald Trump will be reinstated in the White House even though dozens of courts have upheld President Joe Biden’s victory, including in Wisconsin.


Original 6/20/2020 post,  "Timothy Ramthun:  'I was only following orders'", starts here


Reported in Wisconsin lawmaker voted for an amendment and a month later asked a GOP leader what it contained.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6/9/2020)

Related post:
GOP primary UPDATE. Wisconsin 2018 elections: Who's running in the 59th Assembly District?  (8/16/2018)

Ramthun ran unopposed in the November 2018 general election.



Friday, November 27, 2020

Coronavirus gibberish (History, geography, and demographics expert Marvin Rodriguez edition)




The editorial board of the Kansas City Star weighs in on the 'Chinese" comment.  
Before we go any further, the scientific term for this kind of xenophobic falsehood is bunkum.
Actually, Asian-Americans in general comprise 4.9% of Riley County's population, compared to 3.2% in Kansas and 5.9% in the U.S.



The editorial board of the Kansas City Star had this to say about 'pre-WWII' analogy:  
This affront to Jews and outrage to all people who can see the difference between genocide and a minor inconvenience intended to save lives rather than extinguish them is, as we have unfortunately had reason to say before, both wrong and witless.


8/29/2020 update starts here

Photo credit:  CDC

Reported in C.D.C.’s ‘Clarification’ on Coronavirus Testing Offers More Confusion.  (Tne New York Times, 8/27/2020)


7/31/2020 update starts here

Back for a third trip to the microphone


Quoted in Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers issues statewide mask mandate effective Saturday,.  (The Cap Times, 7/30/2020)


 7/14/2020 update starts here

Photo credit:  Leadership Institute

Quoted in Some Republicans Say Florida Convention Is ‘a Risk You Have to Take’.  (The New York Times, 7/13/2020)


5/13/2020 update starts here


Quoted in Wisconsin Assembly Speaker defends Republican strategy to oppose Safer at Home.  (The Center Square, 5/12/2020)


4/25/2020 Mike Gallagher edition starts here


Quoted in Wisconsin lawmakers approve coronavirus stimulus bill aimed at helping small business, health community.  (Spectrum News 1, 4/24/2020)


4/25 Robin Vos edition starts here


Quoted in GOP leaders seeking to overturn Tony Evers' coronavirus orders aren't saying what alternatives they want.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4/23/2020)


4/20/2020 Brett Giroir edition starts here

Photo creditWikipedia

Reported in Brett Giroir, Trump’s testing czar, was forced out of a job developing vaccine projects. Now he’s on the hot seat.  (Washington Post, 4/20/2020)

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

GET ME REWRITE: Robin Vos takes a page out of the Trump carnival barker playbook

 

No, Wisconsin was not at the head of the class.  Not even close.

PolitiFact, 11/25/2020




11/18/2020 update, "GET ME REWRITE:  Robin Vos still fiddles while Wisconsin burns with the virus", starts here


Original and corrected Milwaukee Journal Sentinel headline (11/17/2020)

Related reading: 
Editorial:is being swamped by the coronavirus pandemic.  Republican leaders do nothing.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/17/2020)
During a press conference, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, didn’t offer a single new bill or any concrete proposal that would actually help, even as the state health department reported 7,090 new cases and 92 deaths, the most deaths so far on a single day.


Original 10/7/2020 update, "GET ME REWRITE:  Even with 12 staffers, Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos can't get a handle on the COVID crisis", starts here.


Reported in GOP lawmakers stand still as virus rages in Wisconsin.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/6/2020)

Did you know that the Assembly Speaker requires a staff of 12 aides to do nothing?

Apparently, killing the mask mandate is the only itme on their virus agenda.


Related reading:

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

GET ME REWRITE: The Milwaukee Bucks understand where the problem lies


With Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald 

Men.  Inaction.



Apparently, Robin Vos didn't feel it was necessary to make a direct statement.
He [Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke] said a new task force created by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, to examine public safety and police policies and standards will instead review the legislation over the coming months and potentially develop other ideas to address police accountability.

Fitzgerald also shows no interest in taking any immediate action.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said last week the chamber over the coming months plans to examine the police accountability legislation put forward by Evers, as well as a package of bills by Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, to increase transparency and community involvement in law enforcement. Fitzgerald, however, provided no details on when, if ever, the Senate would meet to pass legislation.

As for Wanggaard.....




...he prefers racist memes to actual work.

Better to put pressure on these guys rather than harm local business owners' livelihoods.

Friday, June 12, 2020

GET ME REWRITE: Robin Vos blows on his racist dog whistle, ears perk up "west of the I" in Racine County



Quoted in In secret recording, Vos says immigrant 'culture' was to blame for COVID-19 outbreak in Racine County.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6/11/2020)

The art of Wisconsin gerrymander

Vos wants nothing to do with the City of Racine, where the population is 22.8% African-American and 23.1% Hispanic or Latino.  Vos's district is 84% white.



About that 'immigrant culture'...

But aside from being the muckraking novel that led to the creation of the FDA or a socialist call to arms that went largely unheard, The Jungle is a story of how U.S. society exploits immigrants. This reading is often overlooked, yet it is worth remembering that sympathy for and solidarity with immigrants is at the heart of this seminal work of literature — especially amid the xenophobic atmosphere of the United States today, where the president has shut down the government over a border wall with Mexico, detention facilities hold untold numbers of immigrants, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stalk communities across the country. It’s been more than a century since the publication of The Jungle, yet the predation described by Sinclair still persists.

Friday, May 29, 2020

2020 Wisconsin elections: Who's running in the 63rd Assembly District


Meet His Vosness, whose political specialty is slash-and-burn.



Joel Jacobsen to again challenge Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.  (Madison.com, 5/16/2020)


A rematch

Sources include  Wisconsin Elections Commission

Related reading:
Some Wisconsin lawmakers double as landlords — and have passed laws that undermine renters' rights.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1/14/2019)
Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is landlord of 23 properties in a college town — and reviews are mixed.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1/14/2019)

It's been a solidly red district.  Let's hope that enough voters are sick and tired of a regal approach to ruling the Assembly.

Source:  Ballotpedia

The Squiggly, Jutting Art 
of the Wisconsin Gerrymander
Source:  Ballotpedia

2020 Wisconsin election posts:
14th Senate District.  (2/24/2020)
16th Senate District.  (1/28/2020)
26th Senate District.  (4/4/2020)
30th Senate District.  (1/18/2020)

1st Assembly District.  (5/8/2020)
29th Assembly District.  (2/21/2020)
35th Assembly District.  (5/25/2020)
44th Assembly District.  (2/21/2020)
48th Assembly District.  (3/12/2020)
63rd Assembly District.  (5/29/2020)
67th Assembly District.  (5/4/2020)
69th Assembly District.  (1/16/2020)
76th Assembly District.  (5/13/2020)
82nd Assembly District.  (5/13/2020)
96th Assembly District.  (5/3/2020)

Friday, May 15, 2020

GET ME REWRITE: Robin Vos leaves the crowd in stitches with this big, bold display of GOP hypocrisy



Quoted in Top GOP Lawmakers now want to leave virus plan in the hands of local officials.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/14/2020)

What His Vosness holds so dear.


Watch what he does, not what he says.

2020
GET ME REWRITE: GOP lawmakers dust off long-ignored cartoon conservative principle.  (5/15/2020)

2019
Wisconsin Republicans once again decide it's time to trash their sacred principle.  (8/25/2019)
Wisconsin GOP legislators thwarted in effort to shit on their #1 principle.  (7/3/2019)
Scott Walker's toxic legacy: "Power to the people" hypocrisy" (Taking away local control).  (1/12/2019)

2018
In 2014, deep-red Richfield voters chose Walker by an 80-20 margin and this is the thanks they get.  (8/14/2018ftop)
Clusterfuck Caucus UPDATE. The unintended consequences of intertwining GOP principles and hypocrisy.  (3/20/2018)
Wisconsin GOP continues to treat its cherished conservative principle like a pinata.  (2/23/2018)
Wisconsin GOP continues to tarnish its #1, most cherished governing principle.  (1/13/2018)

2017
UPDATE. By now, you know that the GOP's favorite pastime is overruling its pesky principles.  (11/28/2017)
UPDATE: Wondering why Duey Stroebel is a champion of property tax relief? Take a look at where he lives.  (4/15/2017)
Wisconsin GOP: What they say and what they do are 2 different things.  (2/9/2017)
Wisconsin legislature back in session and GOP hypocrisy is already in full flower.  (1/27/2017)

2016
UPDATE: Scott Walker and the abandoned GOP principle.  (12/21/2016)
Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau memo highlights GOP cartoon conservative principle.  (5/20/2016)
Suburban Milwaukee GOP state legislators freak out over locally issued ID card.  (3/23/2016)
Business as usual: Wisconsin GOP legislators vote for special interests, against local control and tenants' rights.  (3/9/2016)
The Wisconsin GOP Cartoon Conservative Principles Fest continues.  (2/10/2016)
Cartoon conservative principles in nonstop action: Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau memo lists more than 100 state provisions that restrict local control.  (2/10/2016)

2015
The Christmas edition: Rep. Kremer accuses fire officials of 'relieving themselves'.  (12/23/2015)
Cartoon conservative principles on full display this week at the Wisconsin State Capitol.  (12/18/2015)
Once again, Wisconsin Republicans assert their cartoon conservative principle (2015 Assembly Bill 568).  (12/16/2015)
Out of (local) control: When it comes to anything resembling a train, Republicans just can't help themselves.  (12/1/2015) 
Scott Walker pays lip service to local control as he continues to sign bills to limit it.  (10/26/2015)
UPDATE: Let's follow the Shea money from Wingra Stone to Scott Walker.  (10/20/2015)
UPDATE.  Sorry, Tim Geoghegan, a total of $11,750 in donations is not a "bunch of bull".  (10/20/2015) 
Once again, Wisconsin Republicans violate their most precious principle.  (7/4/2015)
Cartoon conservative principles.  (5/6/2015)
The Usual Hypocrisy: What Scott Walker sez on his campaign website and what he does in the Governor's office are two different things.  (5/2/2015)
The "hits" to local control just keep on coming.  (2/28/2015)

2014
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial board calls out Republican hypocrisy.  (2/17/2014)
And the hypocrisy just keeps on coming: Republicans can't even give lip service to their "Principles". (2/14/2014)
Yet another lesson in Republican hypocrisy.  (2/13/2014)

2013
Your Wisconsin Republican Assembly hard at work promoting Governor Walker's jobs agenda (and GOP principles).  (11/15/2013)

Friday, May 8, 2020

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Meet the autocrats of Wisconsin: Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos




Tony Evers and GOP clash over COVID-19 legislation that would empower budget committee to cut spending.  (Wisconsin State Journal, 4/8/2020)
LIKELY??!!  Gov. Tony Evers and the Republican-led Legislature are poised for another clash — this time over the GOP's COVID-19 response legislation, which calls for further weakening the governor's authority by giving the state's GOP-led budget committee the ability to cut spending on schools, health care and employee pay, among other things. 
Currently such cuts have to be agreed upon by the committee and Democratic governor. Evers said the provision makes the package unworkable and he would likely veto it.

For Autocrats, and Others, Coronavirus Is a Chance to Grab Even More Power.  (The New York Times, 3/30/2020)
Oh, rest assured, it will be abused in Wisconsin.  As the coronavirus pandemic brings the world to a juddering halt and anxious citizens demand action, leaders across the globe are invoking executive powers and seizing virtually dictatorial authority with scant resistance. 
Governments and rights groups agree that these extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. States need new powers to shut their borders, enforce quarantines and track infected people. Many of these actions are protected under international rules, constitutional lawyers say. 
But critics say some governments are using the public health crisis as cover to seize new powers that have little to do with the outbreak, with few safeguards to ensure that their new authority will not be abused.