Gun Sales Skyrocket

Gun sales have skyrocketed lately. Especially since Tuesday, gun shops are showing brisk business.

"..gun enthusiasts nationwide are stocking up on firearms out of fears that the combination of an Obama administration and a Democrat-dominated Congress will result in tough new gun laws. " - CBS Report

Sales have been up 8-10% over the last few months, FBI reports that background checks have been running up 15%. With the fear of a Democratically controlled Government will result in tough new gun laws, if not the attempt to outright banning.

Village of Pewaukee wants to charge for Fire Calls

The Village of Pewaukee is considering charging close to $3700 per call for the fire department.

Call me crazy, but isn't that what our property taxes go for? They say that you will be allowed to appeal the fee in extreme circumstances, and that they want to be sure that it does not jeopardize safety.

Hello, lets see, I smell smoke, you better make damn sure you need them because I can't afford $3700 right now. How about when you have an injury or need the Ambulance? Don't they always send the Fire Department as well. I don't necessarily need the Fire Department, I need an Ambulance, are they still going to charge me? Can I tell them to only send the Ambulance, I don't need the Fire Department? What if my neighbor sees smoke and calls the Fire Department? Do they have to pay or do I?

This is just crazy. Our Leaders just can't balance a budget. They can't make the hard decisions like you and I have to do. We have to say NO to some things even though we really want them to stay within our means. Why can't Government do that?

Paid Sick Leave will be Challenged

WTMJ is reporting "Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce is planning a lawsuit over an ordinance that requires businesses to provide employees paid sick time."

Also see WISN

The MMAC has said the same thing that I have been saying all along. This will affect the competitiveness of the business within Milwaukee.

"The city attorney had raised questions to the Common Council about whether this is legal,""There is serious doubts that the city has this authority. We think it needs to be investigated before this is implemented."

Now this is an Organization looking out for the best interest of The City and it's businesses.

McCain Supporters, It will be OK

For many McCain supporters, Tuesday night was a hard one to swallow.

Lets all just sit back and take a deep breath. Lets look at the bad news and get it out of the way. Yes, we elected a President who is the most Liberal in the Senate, has a relationship with a former Terrorist, will raise taxes for a majority of us, will increase entitlement, and quite honestly scares a great deal of us.

Now, lets look at some of the good news. It was a historical night. The US has elected a black man to the highest office. (I am concerned that it has caused a greater racial divide here than we had prior to the election, but more on that in a different blog entry.) It is a cycle. It is almost impossible to keep the White House after 8 years. Now, everything that happens can no longer be blamed on the Republicans. Sure for a while everything will still be their fault, due to Bush's policies. But by the time we get to the midterm elections, you can expect another shift in the Washington Politics. It is unlikely that the Democrats will be able to hold both houses. America historically does not support one party rule. You can fell rest assured that by the midterm America will want to put in the Checks and Balances of 2 party rule.

I am curious to see how this all shakes out. The Republican party needs to start now planning for the elections in 2 years and 4 years. The Democrats did their homework, they have been running this election for years. Remember the Obama speech at the National Convention? The did a hell of a job. They outplayed the Republicans. Better organized.

Obama's Cabinet

For all of us who are wondering what the President Elect's Cabinet may look like, Newsweek gives us a peek at the possibilities.

I wasn't really impressed with my first look at the board, and hope that there are some surprises.

We will know fairly quickly, but the first pick as Chief of Staff appears that Obama is going pretty Partisan.

Media Helped Elect Obama

A Rasmussen Reports Poll reports that 51% of those surveyed felt that reporters tried to help Obama get elected. Meanwhile only 7% felt that the reporters tried to help McCain. Only 31% felt that the media reported in an unbiased nature.

What happen to the unbiased media of just reporting the facts on both sides? Is this the way we want our News? How are we to know the truth if things are not reported by the facts without favoring one side or another. Is this the wave of the futre?

Paid Sick Leave Law Passes

The law passed, easily. Now there may be more hurdles for this program as it moves forward. The Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce is considering filing suit against the city about it's legality.

The law requires, starting in Feb., to provide paid sick time to it's employees. Many small business owners are concerned about what this, combined with the 1% proposed sales tax increase, will do to their businesses. They are going to have to increase their prices or lessen their profits.

The plan sounds like a good idea. The problem is, the City and County are making it very difficult for businesses within the City and County. Why would I run a business where I am mandated to provide Sick Time, and the possibility of higher taxes. Why not move just a few miles across the county line? I don't think we have heard the end of this yet.

Free College Tuition for Racine Students?

If two Alderman get there way, that is exactly what will happen.

Racine District 12 Alderman Aron Wisneski believes that if you open up the opportunity for Racine Students to be guaranteed the ability to further their education it will encourage them to work harder.

The system is described as a model after one in Kalamazoo, MI. The plan would be that you have to graduate, and be a resident of Racine. Kalamazoo has seen a 15% increase in enrollment in the last first 3 years. They say it will be funded by private donations.

The biggest hitch in the plan, is that they say all you have to do is graduate, the GPA won't matter.

I think that this has some good ideas. I would really like to see the whole plan to understand it better. Look at the up side. If you can truly get the funding through private donations, the increase in enrollment as people move to the area to take advantage of the program will bring more dollars into the area. It will also add to jobs as the enrollment increases.

I will have to hold judgment until more information is know. WTMJ Story

Gay Marriage Ban Passes in California

Barack Obama's sweeping win in California may have had an unintended effect on Proposition 8, banning gay marriage.

Spending was in the Millions on both sides of the issue. It appears that the high turnout of the African American Population may have been what did in gay marriage for California.

"Exit polls for the Associated Press found that Proposition 8 received critical support from black voters who flocked to the polls to support Barack Obama for President. Blacks voted strongly in favor of the ban, while whites narrowly opposed it and Latinos and Asians were split." - AP STORY

There you go California, GET OUT THE VOTE!!!!

How did Obama Win?

After a historic night many people are waking up to ask how did he win. Lets see if we can take a closer look at the numbers and figure it out. Pretty easy actually.

Voting by sex, 47% of the electorate was Males and 53% Females. Obama got 49% of the Males and 56% of the Females. When you break it down further, Obama got 66% of the 18-29 age group, 52% of the 30-44, 49% of the 45-64, and 45% of the 65 and older.

The big keys was the 18-29 and the African American vote. Obama's Campaign did an outstanding job in the get out the vote. With ACORN providing additional support in this area. This section drove much higher numbers to the poles and when you are getting 66% of the young vote, and 95% of the African American vote.

If you break down the voting by county in the Battleground states, you can plainly see how Obama did it. He won big in Major Cities, those leads were impossible to lose in the outlying areas.

The election is over and we now move on. The hurdle Obama will have to jump is to help smooth out how he won. By winning with a majority of new voters, people who haven't voted before has left some people with a bad taste. The big key will be whether these same people will continue to vote in future elections, or was this a one time thing.

Big Night for Democrats

It was a big night for the Democrats. Obama won by large margins, they added to their Majorities in both the House and Senate.

Now what? What can we expect? Will it be a Left Wing agenda? More middle of the road?

I think that the Country will be watching with a great deal of angst. Obama won with 62,532,271 votes to McCains 55,454,540 or 52% to 46%. Each and every decision he makes will be analyzed to see if he is falling in line with Reid and Pelosi or working Bipartisan.

He owes a great debt to the Left Wing of his party. They in a large part got him to the White House. He also owes a great debt to the African American Community, without them he wouldn't have won. He received 95% of their votes.

He only need to look at history to guide him. Clinton had a majority and lost that quickly when it appeared he was pushing their agenda. Bush had a majority and lost it. It is very difficult to have a sing Party control system. A majority of Americans do not support that. Obama will have two (2) years to prove himself before the American People will once again decide. That is when the American People will let him know what they think. They can sweep out the Democratic House and Senate and stale mate him, much as they have Bush.

A key to watch over the next few weeks will be the Stock Market. If they think taxes are going to increase quickly the Stock will fall.

Another key is to watch is the House and Senate. If they feel like they have President Obama in their corner they will drive through bill after bill, ready for him to sign on day one. Watch to see what they entail.

Milwaukee Elections

The Milwaukee County advisory for a 1% Sales Tax Increase won - Yes 183,897 No 176,785
This is only an advisory and for this to become law, the County Board will have to send it to Madison for approval. This is a bit of a surprise, many thought this did not stand a chance, with the economy the way it is. I have said earlier that this is a bad move, this will drive customers to shop outside of Milwaukee County if this does become law. Thus also hurting businesses.

One of the reasons this might have passed, the wording on the ballot. If you did not read it carefully or know what this was about. It read more about providing property tax relief and then whent on to say about a 1% sales tax increase.

Milwaukee also passed, by a large margin, the paid sick leave law. This will be bad for businesses. This forces businesses to provide paid sick days. Many businesses have said that this will force them to eliminate paid holidays. The Margin was Yes 130,562 No 60,796.

Obama, Mr. President

After a long battle, the American People have voted and Sen. Barrack Obama has won.

It will take some time for all of the Votes to shake around to get the final tally, however the end is here of this long election.

It also appears that there will be significant gains in both the House and Senate for the Democratic Party.

We can now see how wrong I was with my projections of the election. I knew that Pennsylvania was a key state, and I sure did not foresee the Obama wins in Florida and Ohio.

Even though I like many other Americans did not support Obama, it is time to stand up as Americans and support our Country. We will hope and see what the new President Elect will bring to us. Will it be Hope for all or Hope for some? Will it be Change in the Right Direction or the Wrong Direction? Only time will tell.

Either way, it is proof that America can elect an African American to the Highest Office. We will analyze the election in great detail later, until then Congratulations to Obama.

Ballot Challenges Possible in Racine

Todays TMJ 4 is reporting that there may be a possible legal challenge of votes from Racine.

WTMJ

Bomb Threat forces Poll to Move

Todays TMJ 4 is reporting:
A bomb threat at Middleton High School is has forced election workers to relocate the polling place.

Police Report that high school officials received the threat shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday.

The polls have been moved to the Middleton Fire Department.

Two Students interfere with Voters

WTMJ is reporting that 2 South Division High School Students have been ticketed after yelling anti-McCain slogans at voters as they voted. WTMJ

Black Panthers Blocking Polls in Pennsylvania

Challenges in Milwaukee Voting

Investigators on the scene tell Scott Steele this could be the tip of the iceberg, and there could be many, many more ballots disputed, making it a very long and busy day Tuesday. - WTMJ 4

Questioning came from a Police Detective and is being investigated by the District Attorneys office.

The tip of the iceberg is correct, if it is happening in one area be aware throughout the system. Remember that the last big election there were 7,000 more votes cast than there were registered.

Brewers Tender offer to CC Sebathia

The Milwaukee Brewers have submitted an offer to CC Sebathia. Details aren't being released at this time, but sources have stated that the offer is believed to be either a 4 or 5 year deal worth 100 million.

Brewers

It is nice to see the Brewers seriously contending for proven talent.

Who will Win the Election?

Here we go, the polls open in just hours. Millions of votes have already been cast. The polls have Obama up anywhere from 5-11 points going into election day. So who will win?

I again will reiterate, I am not part of the political establishment. I have no expertise. I just read what I can find and make my decisions.

I believe that this will be an election for the history books. I think McCain will win the election. Thats right, McCain will win. I am going against the polls, against the media.

Here's why I call it this way. The latest Rasmussen polls: We will look at several question.
Colorado -
1. Who would you vote for: Obama 51 McCain 47
2. Favorable/Unfavorable : Obama 54/45 McCain 57/41
3. Comfortable w/Obama Presidency: 56%
4. Comfortable w/McCain Presidency: 68%
5. If you had to make the toughest Decision who would you get advice from: McCain 48% Obama 45%

Florida-
1. Who would you vote for: McCain 50 Obama 49
2. Favorable/Unfavorable : Obama 52/48 McCain 60/39
3. Comfortable w/Obama Presidency: 55%
4. Comfortable w/McCain Presidency: 67%
5. If you had to make the toughest Decision who would you get advice from: McCain 51% Obama 46%

Missouri-
1. Who would you vote for: Obama 49 McCain 49
2. Favorable/Unfavorable : Obama 54/45 McCain 56/43
3. Comfortable w/Obama Presidency: 58%
4. Comfortable w/McCain Presidency: 65%
5. If you had to make the toughest Decision who would you get advice from: McCain 48% Obama 45%

North Carolina-
1. Who would you vote for: Obama 49 McCain 50
2. Favorable/Unfavorable : Obama 53/46 McCain 55/43
3. Comfortable w/Obama Presidency: 55%
4. Comfortable w/McCain Presidency: 61%
5. If you had to make the toughest Decision who would you get advice from: McCain 49% Obama 47%

Ohio-
1. Who would you vote for: Obama 49 McCain 49
2. Favorable/Unfavorable : Obama 50/48 McCain 57/39
3. Comfortable w/Obama Presidency: 54%
4. Comfortable w/McCain Presidency: 67%
5. If you had to make the toughest Decision who would you get advice from: McCain 50% Obama 44%

Virginia-
1. Who would you vote for: Obama 51 McCain 47
2. Favorable/Unfavorable : Obama 55/43 McCain 57/43
3. Comfortable w/Obama Presidency: 58%
4. Comfortable w/McCain Presidency: 64%
5. If you had to make the toughest Decision who would you get advice from: McCain 49% Obama 47%

When you really evaluate the polls, how in the world do you get more % to say they will vote for Obama, yet more of them view McCain Favorable and less unfavorable, and more would be more comfortable with him as President, More would want advice from him on the toughest decisions. The Math doesn't add up.

I think that McCain will sweep Florida, North Carolina, Indiana, Virginia, Ohio, Georgia, North Dakota, Montana, Missouri, and Arizona. All toss up states according to RCP. I think that he will make a stong bid for Pennsylvania and if he can win there it's over. If not, I think he can still grab Colorado and Nevada to put him over the top. Minnesota and New Mexico are still out there as well. The bad news would be if he only grabbed Colorado. That would be a whole new mess for us. I won't get into that right now.

I think it will be quite a remarkable election, and I will quite honestly be very surprised if McCain doesn't win. If the polls were actually right and Obama's team believed them, they wouldn't be fighting as hard as they are, especially in light of the sad news concerning Obama's Grandmother. Our prayers go out to him and his family.

Look forward to seeing how this works out.

Palin Cleared in Troopergate

In the final hours before election day begins, Gov. Palin has been cleared in the Troopergate scandal in Alaska.

MSN Story

Will this news help the McCain/Palin Ticket in the final hours before most of us go to the polls to cast our vote.

Palin Not Ready to Lead?

ABC News reports in a story that a great Majority of the Country is headed for a recession. With all of the money the Congress has put into trying to stave off the doom and gloom it doesn't necessarily be working.

The just leaves one part of the country -- Alaska -- with a still-expanding economy. - ABC News Story

The Republican VP Candidate heads the only state that still has an expanding economy and at this point not at risk of recession, and they say she is not ready to lead.

I agree With Obama, Pull up your Pants

In an Interview with MTV Democratic Candidate Barack Obama stated, "..any public official, that is worrying about sagging pants probably needs to spend some time focusing on real problems out there. Having said that, brothers should pull up their pants."

Finally something that we agree upon. Nobody wants to see that including the Democratic Nominee and many others of us out there.

Maybe we can have the proper fitting pants credit.

Attacks on Michelle make Obama Mad

...set of media outlets that went after my wife for a while in a way that I thought was just completely out of bounds. And -- and I, you know, frankly I-- you know, I would have never considered or expected my allies to do something comparable to the spouse of an opponent. ... I just feel like family is -- are civilians. And they don't sign up for this stuff. - CBS NEWS

I agree that the family members should be off limits. Why attack the spouse or other family member. Don't make it personal, Their opinions or stances can be questioned but not a personal attack on someone.

Now where I will disagree with Mr. Obama, where was this opinion when his people, directly connected to his staff, was attacking the Palin family? The stories about the young children? This was from his own people, where was his outcry? The stories about Mrs. McCain? Where was his outcry. You can't have it both ways. I think that all sides should come out against it, and punish those close to them who engage in these types of attacks.

False Fliers, Calls, Dirty Tricks as Vote Nears

As we close in on Election 2008 the reports of Dirty moves is on the increase throughout the Country, most notably in the battleground states.

The Democrats blame the Republicans and the Republicans blame the Democrats. This is the standard of both parties. Neither side can say it is the other party.

Does any of this really work? Fliers that tell voters something about the other candidate that might not be completely true. Phone Calls that give misleading if not false information. I don't believe it really works unless the person that gets these are some of the uninformed anyway.

We have seen the video's of people voting for a Candidate, but doesn't even know what that Candidate stands for. Those people may be able to be swayed, they were swayed to vote without knowing anything, so yes those people may be swayed. Other than that, I don't think it does anything except make the people who are making the calls and sending out the fliers feel better.

McCain - Palin Power Campaign

Republican Candidates John McCain and Sarah Palin are on the move with less than 24 hours to go. They are hitting as many states and making as many stops as possible in the final hours of this long election season.

With newly found information about Obama's energy plan, they are hitting the Democratic Candidate hard. In a taped interview Obama can be heard saying that he would tax the Coal industry hard, it will bankrupt them. Energy costs will go through the roof.

The question is whether it will be enough to overcome the lead that Obama is showing in the polls. Margins vary from 2 points to 13 points in the final hours. The good news for McCain and Palin is that Pennsylvania and Ohio are both big coal states and must wins for both candidates.

Polls all over the place with 24 hours to go

With less than 24 hours before election day, the polls are all over the place. All Polls show an Obama lead, the question is by just how much. The range is from 2 points to 13 points.

As more and more details keep coming out about Obama's plans should he win the White House, will there be an upset? Much of the Media will tell you it is Obama's to lose.

An MSN report says that if Obama loses it will be devastating to the media.

Both sides are pushing to get out the vote.

Obama against Coal Industry

In January 2008 the San Francisco Chronicle did an interview with Obama. The audio tapes can be heard here Click.

“So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; it’s just that it will bankrupt them because they’re going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that’s being emitted.” Obama said, “That will also generate billions of dollars that we can invest in wind, solar, biodiesel and other alternative energy approaches. The only thing that I have said with respect to coal, I haven’t been some coal booster. What I have said is that for us to take coal off the table as a ideological matter... - Excerpt from taped interview.

This is not the same program that the Democratic Nominee has been selling across the country over the last few months. The people in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Missouri should stand up and take notice. He also said during the interview Obama also stated that under his plan to eliminate coal as an energy source would dramatically raise energy prices.

How come this is just coming out, 48 hours before the election. The more amazing part is that none of this is being covered by the main street media. ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, none of them.

ACORN in the News again

...ACORN had hired 59 inmates from a work-release program at a nearby prison and that some inmates who had been convicted of identity theft had been made supervisors. That led some local wags to joke that at least ACORN was hiring specialists to do their work. - Larry Lomax, the chief elections officer in Las Vegas

Story

This is one of those things that just really drives me nuts. Why are our Tax Dollars given to an organization that is partisan? This group isn't even trying to hide the fact that they completely support the Democratic party. So why does our Tax Dollars go toward a one sided group.

Now lets talk about all of the illegal stuff that has come out about the group. ACORN is under investigation in multiple states for illegal voter registration. They want to blame it on the people they are hiring. Welcome to the world of business, if the people you hire do something wrong, then you are responsible. It is time to put this organization out of business.

Democrats Control Election in Key States

With a Democrat now in charge of the offices, which oversee and administer their state’s elections, the party is better positioned than in the previous elections to advance traditional Democratic interests - Politico.com Story

Democrats have worked hard over the last few years to secure control over elections in key states. The Politico.com story demonstrates how loopholes in the electoral system are used to the advantage of each party.

The time is going to come for the dissolution of party rule. It is sad when a Party decides the direction of the country. The Party decides for the elected officials. We no longer live where there is Government for the People, by the People. We live in a world where money buys elections and Political Parties rule the landscape.

Titans remain Undefeated, Beat Packers

Packers didn't lose, beat by better team - Jay Sorgi 620 WTMJ

It was a good game. Taken into OT before the Tennessee Titans could put up the game winning FG. The Titans had a chance to win with a last second FG, but it banged off the Right upright and OT.

The Packers released KGB on Friday. The Titans continue on as the only Undefeated team in the NFL.

By the way, I am a TITAN FAN. So you will hear more about them as the season goes on. I kept it out until after this game, I know how you Packer fans get.

Wi State Senator Lena Taylor Arrested

State Senator Lena Taylor was Arrested and Released to appear before the District Attorney for Disorderly Conduct. She was talking to voters who where waiting to cast their votes.

Little further information is available at this time. She claims it was a misunderstanding. She reportedly was wearing a political shirt.