I can't really call myself a Democrat. Although I was filled with hope when President Obama was elected the fact that we are still engaged in military adventurism, killing Muslims in multiple countries, with the premise that somehow this is making us safer here in America, and the fact that Mr. Obama is still calling nuclear power "safe and clean" in the wake of arguably the largest scale nuclear disaster in history, leaves me without an established political home.
And please don't get me started on the fact that he is still pushing free trade contacts, like the pending one with Korea, after we have shipped most of our family-supporting jobs that do not require a college education overseas. We now have a nation where the richest 400 families control wealth equal to that of half of the population of the United States—over 150 million people).
But here in Wisconsin the battle lines are clearly drawn. The Republicans are drunk with power and are looking to cash in. Although it has nothing to do with the budget crisis their agenda is destroying organized labor, which will undoubtedly put downward pressure on wages for everyone.
Because of this, I will be voting tomorrow, Tuesday, April 5 for JoAnne Kloppenburg for Supreme Court justice.
Incumbent Justice David Prosser seems personally mean-spirited (I listened to one of the debates—archived on Wisconsin Public Radio's website if you want to listen yourself) and appears willing to say and do anything to be reelected, regardless of its deviation from the truth (see article from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel below).
With the ironclad control the governor has of the executive and legislative branches of our government is more important than ever that the Supreme Court in Wisconsin act impartially.
Sadly, Justice Prosser, giddy about the Republican’s victory this past November expressed his willingness to work with the Republican leadership. Even if one party did not control the other branches of government we need Supreme Court justices to rise above partisan politics. He is clearly not the right person for the job.
This will be a low turnout election. This is a great opportunity for you to wield political power.
Not only do I hope that you will personally vote. I hope you will take a few minutes to do more!
Send this e-mail, or something similar you craft yourself (please feel free to plagiarize) to all of your friends and family in Wisconsin. Please stick your neck out here. These are people who trust and respect you.
Please ask them to vote for Kloppenburg and forward your e-mail to their contact list.
Generally, I'm not a big fan of recalls. But when my own State Senator, Dan Kapanke, who I previously had a very positive and cordial relationship with, has refused to return my phone calls, and has canceled his public appearances in the district, I am fully on board with his recall.
Let's make sure that our government reflects our values.
Respectfully yours,
Mark A. Kastel
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