Beware the Plutocrat

Spring elections, for the most part, are low-keyed events and they should be. These races are largely local and should come down to shoe leather campaigning and not floods of expensive direct mail. But now, thanks to Citizens United, money is flowing into several of these races in Milwaukee form a single source and a bad precedent is being set. We firmly believe that these municipal and county races should be very much about issues around filling potholes, keeping up the quality of our schools and maintaining fair and efficient courts. This is why we are taking a stand against County Executive Chris Abele’s massive infusion of cash into selected races.

First, we do not want to impune any legitimate candidates who may have inadvertently gotten caught up in this. To the best of our knowledge, however, none of them has spoken out against Leadership Mke, Abele's PAC that is spending more than $500,0000 in their support. Here is what we do know:

Chris Abele asked someone to run against Theo Lipscomb. He told the woman that she would not have to worry about finances. She shared these details the day after she received the call. She turned him down.
Another person shared that she has received two calls where the caller claimed to be conducting a survey funded by and on behalf of the County Board of Supervisors. "When I told him that I intend to vote for Lipscomb he launched into a long list of Lipscomb's faults. According to this guy, Lipscomb is self-serving, costing us money, cutting care and services, etc. His opponent, of course, he described as stellar."

If these kinds of tactics scare you as much as they scare us, join us tomorrow, March 28, 2018, to let Leadership Mke and Chris Abele know that we stand against his attempt to buy himself a County Board that will be his rubber stamp. In a Democracy, dissent is vital. We have seen all too graphically what happens when one party buys itself both the Executive and Legislative Branches of Government. Don't let Milwaukee County go the way of Madison and Washington. Let's show them what Democracy Looks Likes.

EVENTS

Tues March 27, 2018

SWAN: Restoring Our Rivers, 10 am - 2:30 pm
Sprecher's Restaurant & Pub, 5689 N Bayshore Dr, Milwaukee,

Register for Event First Stop – Estabrook Dam removal site on the Milwaukee River.
We will discuss the work and advocacy leading up to the removal of the dam, as well as future plans for restoration to improve water quality and wildlife habitat in the former impoundment. Second Stop – Concrete removal and stream restoration along Underwood Creek in Wauwatosa, part of the Menomonee River Watershed. Third Stop – The site of a future drop structure and concrete removal project along the Jackson Park section of the Kinnickinnic River. Riverkeeper Cheryl Nenn will be our tour guide as we tour these spots and learn about the details and importance of river restoration. Join us to learn how removing concrete improve our waterways, how are fish and other wildlife benefitted by restoration, what are future plans and goals for additional restoration initiatives, and much more!

Gerrymandering Film, 6 pm
Bay View Public Library, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee
Gerrymandering, directed by Jeff Reichert, is about redistricting battles: how the lines that determine who represents us in our state legislatures and Congress are drawn; who draws them; what interests are at stake; and the implications for the average American voter. Free event sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County. The film is also online:
https://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/gerrymandering

Wed March 28, 2018

Cesar E. Chavez Event, 11 am - 1 pm
WCTC Gymnasium (in S-Building), 800 Main St., Pewaukee
Keynote Speaker: Armando Ibarra, Ph.D. will pay tribute to Cesar Chavez and his 36-day hunger strike to draw attention to the horrid effects of pesticide use by the agriculture industry on farm workers. Lunch provided at 11 am. The program begins at 11:30 am. Free event open to the public. RSVP required. Go to tinyurl.com/wctwchavez18

State Supreme Court Calls for Rebecca Dallet, 9 am - 1 pm
Grassroots North Shore, 5600 W Brown Deer Rd, Brown Deer
Help ensure a Supreme Court that works for the people of Wisconsin. details

Refuel the Resistance, 5 pm - 8 pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Weekly gathering at Bounce Milwaukee's mezzanine bar for networking, inspiration or just to vent. Bring along any evidence of your civic, resistance from the last week to get a beverage (up to $7) on the house, and compare notes with other individuals and groups working to make things better. More information.

Matt Flynn - Meet and Greet, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
2770 N Summit Ave, Milwaukee
Hosted by: Joe Pabst, Karen Gotzler, Carmen Murguia, Jim Sant, and Elle Dougnelson
At the home of Joe Pabst
All contributions welcome: ForwardWithFlynn.com
Joe Pabst is generously matching all contributions up to $5,000

Drinking Liberally Glendale, 7 pm
Bar Louie, 5750 N. Bayshore Dr., Glendale
Drinking Liberally Glendale meets on the last Wednesday of the month. Come drink a beverage or two of your choice and talk about Liberal stuff. More information; http://livingliberally.org/drinking/chapters/wi/glendale

Fri March 30, 2018

Supreme Court Debate, 7 pm - 8 pm
Wisconsin Public Television and Radio
Supreme Court candidates Rebecca Dallet and Michael Screnock will participate in a debate moderated by WPT’s Frederica Freyberg and WPR’s Shawn Johnson. The event will also be live streamed at wpt.org and wpr.org.

Sat March 31, 2018

Steve Shea Canvass, 9:30 am
Cudahy Library, 3500 Library Dr., Cudahy
Canvass to help elect Steve Shea, candidate for Milwaukee County Supervisor in District 8, the South Shore area.

State Supreme Court Calls for Rebecca Dallet, 1 pm - 4 pm
Grassroots North Shore, 5600 W Brown Deer Rd, Brown Deer
Help ensure a Supreme Court that works for the people of Wisconsin. More information

Stand for Peace, 12 pm - 1 pm
Kinnickinnic Avenue & E. Russell Avenue, Milwaukee
Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by the United Nations Association of Milwaukee, Peace/Conflict Committee.

Mon April 2, 2018

Drinking Liberally Waukesha, 6:30 pm - 9 pm
Clarke Irish Pub, 314 W. Main St., Waukesha
For more information: http://livingliberally.org/drinking/chapters/WI/waukesha.

Tues April 3, 2018

Spring General Election, 7 am - 8 pm
Unsure of your polling location go to MyVote
Election for these nonpartisan offices: Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge County Supervisor County Circuit Judges Municipal Officials (in some localities)

Nobel Peace Prize nominee John Dear discuss his new book, 7 pm - 9 pm
First Unitarian Society, 1342 N Astor St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Hear Nobel Peace Prize nominee John Dear discuss his new book, They Will Inherit the Earth: Peace and Nonviolence in a Time of Climate Change. In his evening talk and book-signing, Dear will invite us to rise to the occasion, deepen our nonviolence, take new steps into active solidarity with Mother Earth and suffering humanity, and do what we can to welcome a new culture of peace and nonviolence. Register by March 22 at bit.ly/2Ec9KB5.

Wed April 4, 2018

Grass Roots South Shore Meeting, 6 pm - 8 pm
Cudahy Library, 3500 Library Dr., Cudahy
Grass Roots South Shore meets on the first Wednesday of each month. For more information call Jim Balk, 414-218-5944.

Thurs April 5, 2018

Mayor Barrett Spring Symposium, 7:30 am - 9 am
Italian Conference Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee
A conversation with leaders and innovators in Milwaukee's startup community.To Sponsor and RSVP: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mayorsclub-spring email Patrick at p atrick.gradus@gstrategiesllc.comor call Patrick Gradus at (414) 271-8050

Chris Rockwood Kickoff Fundraiser, 5:30 pm - 7 pm
Big Head Brewing Co., 6204 W. State St., Wauwatosa
Please join Milwaukee-area elected officials who have endorsed Chris Rockwood's campaign to turn the 14th Assembly District blue. Wisconsin voters are hungry for change, and he's eager to kick off the fall 2018 election season.Host - $500; Patron - $250; Sponsor - $100;Friend - $50; Supporter - $25; Sustainer - $10 per month.
Contributions of any amount are welcome. Contribute online: secure.actblue.com/donate/rockwood2018fallkickoff or at the event. RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/1689415917840079/ or email [email protected]. Website: chrisrockwood.org

Women's Resistance Book Event, 7 pm
Boswell Book Co., 2559 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee
We Rise to Resist: Voices from a New Era in Women's Political Action is a
collection of essays and interviews that presents 36 voices in this emerging movement discussing a range of topics - activism, healthcare, education, LGBTQIA issues, the environment, and other concerns that affect the political and cultural environment now and in the future. Presenters will include co-editor Paula vW. Dáil and Milwaukee-area contributors Janine Geske and Sandra Callaghan.

Sat April 7, 2018

Women and the Labor Movement, 8:30 am - 3 pm
Laborers Local 113 Hall, 6310 W. Appleton Ave., Milwaukee
The Wisconsin Labor History Society's 37th annual conference will focus on women in the labor movement, overcoming workplace inequalities, and achieving gender equity. The keynote speaker will be Annelise Orleck, professor of history at Dartmouth College. Registration is $35 ($10 for students and unemployed), which includes lunch and materials. More information and online ticket purchase: www.wislabor2018.eventbright.com

WISDOM/ROC -Race to Justice Training, 9 am - 1 pm
WISDOM/EXPO/MICAH office, 2821 N. 4th St, Milwaukee

The ROC Wisconsin Campaign for serious criminal justice reform in Wisconsin will be holding a series of 4-hour training sessions around the state. All are welcome, whether you have been working at reform for 10 years, or just want to get started now. We will be getting up to speed about many issues that pertain to Wisconsin's prison system, including Alternatives to Incarceration, Revocations and the need to close MSDF, Solitary Confinement, Parole, and Compassionate Release. We will also practice telling our own stories and telling the story of ROC (Restoring Our Communities) Wisconsin. Finally, we will be making outreach plans to recruit others and to demand that those who want to run for Governor, or State Assembly, or State Senate this fall understand these issues and commit to real reform.

Founders Day Gala, 5 pm
Milwaukee Hyatt Regency, 333 W. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin's Founders Day Gala will feature keynote speaker Senator Amy Klobuchar and special guest Senator Maggie Hassan. Doors open at 5 pm, VIP Reception begins at 5:15 pm, Dinner begins at 6 pm. To sponsor or buy tickets please visit wisdems.org/founders18.

Mon April 9, 2018

Grass Roots South Shore Meeting, 6 pm - 8 pm
Cudahy Library, 3500 Library Dr., Cudahy
Grass Roots South Shore holds its monthly meeting on the second Monday of each month. For more information call Jim Balk, 414-218-5944.

Tues April 10, 2014

Conversations on Race, 6:30 pm - 9 pm
Brown Deer United Methodist, 5736 W. Brown Deer Rd.
Conversations on Race is for people who are ready to discuss how we are approaching racial issues both personally and systemically. It is a time to learn about the fears, angers, prejudices, systemic privileges and spiritual power that we each hold, discussing White Supremacy and its impact every day in American culture and life. The leaders are Lisa Jones and Joe Masterson. This event is open to the public and is handicap accessible.

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