Clouds Gathering Over East Washington Avenue.

There are storm clouds gathering over East Washington Avenue in Madison. That would be over 501 E. Washington, the home of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC).

There is an undercurrent to this spring's Supreme Court race that was not present in last year's judicial election or any judicial election for that matter. Ever.

There is an anger and a determination to do something about WMC. Last winter, a commentator added the identities of all the WMC board members to one of my posts.  This week Jim Bouman blogged Use economic clout to hammer the arrogant Directors of WMC:

...a list of the directors of WMC... I found the President of TDS Telecommunications listed there--David Wittwer... Hey, I send Wittwer $70 a month.

I wrote him a letter. I told him that I had nothing but appreciation for the superb service received...Then, I told Wittwer I was dumping his company ASAP...

Many of us have been hammering away at WMC for over a year. We have made it clear that the board members are responsible for the actions of the organization, and that includes the purchasing and the content of political ads that are run against fine people like Louis Butler.

Wisconsinites don't like what is happening. Jim Pugh, WMC mouthpiece, can whine all he wants about the right of WMC to express itself, but that does not inoculate the member companies against a storm that is brewing. WMC members can have free speech and they have to take responsibility for it.

Over the past week it is clear that significant numbers of Wisconsinites will remember the nature of this judicial race and who is responsible.  In fact, many hold WMC responsible for TV ads run by other right wing fanatics. WMC can protest all it wishes, but they are identified as poisoning the well and encouraging this behavior in others.

I do not know who will win the Supreme Court race. I do know that WMC must change or become as irrelevant as the knee-jerk lefties who assume that anything that is good for the Wisconsin business climate is bad for the rest of the state.

Comments

[Tim M.]

I hope you will keep riding this horse, Paul. What's happening is disgusting. It seems every day there's another revelation about the crap they're shoveling at Justice Butler. Keep being a trouble-maker!

[nonheroicvet]

I have every right to support those businesses that support my interests just as I have the right to avoid those that work against my interests. I have some concern about Public Utility members of WMC using their state sponsored monoplies to work against my interest. We should be assured by the PSC that no ratepayer funds are being used for WMC activities and all activities are being funded by shareholders.

[Paul]

Nonheroicvet: Interesting thing I learned is that most of the utilitites make it a point NOT to fund the WMC Issues Committee. In addition they are among the dissenters on a lot of venal WMC policies. Among the dissenters are Alliant (who is on the board) and among the critics are ATC, WE, and MG&E (not on the board).

At this point I would rather see these companies in WMC and not out.

The utiltites understand that infrastructure development and workforce development take public dollars and they value that more than rabid tax cutting.

[nonheroicvet]

Glad to know that.

[Peter]

Sounds to me like it's time for a real community organizing campaign directed at some of the corporate offenders at WMC.

[Bob Jones]

Paul,

My understanding is that We Energies quit WMC many years ago all together. But ATC is still a member and serves on the executive board, but does not fund issue ads.

[venn]

I just emailed Johnsonville to tell them that I would no longer purchase their products. It is very sad day in this house as I have always loved their meats. However, a line needs to be drawn! If you support WMC(or are on the board)and all of its positions than you cannot expect me to support you. Certainly they have a right to hold a position that they believe benefits them. However, all decisions we make in life comes with consequences!