May Day is an intriguing holiday with pre-Christian roots and some twisted branches.
There was a time when people would look forward to May Day as the official beginning of the warm season. From ancient times, May Day festivals could be found across most European societies. It was an opportunity for families and friends to come together after the long winter and enjoy the now fully emerging season.
In the late 1800s, it began to take on some darker tones. Continue reading
By Joseph Diedrich
Special Guest Perspective for the MacIver Institute
Milwaukee’s economy just became a bit freer.
For two decades, the taxi industry in Milwaukee had been controlled by a government licensing system that restricted entry and was a de facto cartel.
Then, last Tuesday, Judge Jane Carroll of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court struck down the city’s taxi licensing law.
In 1992, the number of cabbie licenses available was capped by the city. These licenses, which at one time cost less than $100, have since sold for as much as $150,000. That’s simple supply and demand.
Last Saturday The University of Chicago hosted the American Polish Advisory Council and their first Midwest edition of the Polish Americans in Politics Series, a nationwide series to encourage civic engagement in 
communities with significant Polish-American populations. Panels of distinguished speakers on topics included: -Winning in the Heartland: Campaign experiences of candidates from across the Midwest and Immigration Reform and the Visa Waiver Program. As a Polish-American, I was honored to be chosen as a panelist on the former: Campaign experiences of candidates from across the Midwest. It was my understanding that the purpose of the workshop was to encourage fellow Polish-Americans to become politically active and ultimately help field Polish-American candidates for public office at every level. On a panel weighted with Illinois Democrats, sadly this was not to be the case.
This past weekend I was shopping for a new truck. I really enjoyed the opportunity to compare the ride, seating position and visibility in the new Ford and Ram trucks.
The problem began when I stopped at Countryside GM in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, to test a GMC pickup. Clearly and legally posted on the door was a sign stating that I was not welcome.
I paused and looked at a new car immediately out front while I waited 30 seconds for a salesman to approach me. He was very friendly and asked how he could be of assistance to me. I explained that I was interested in driving a GMC pickup, since one of my friends highly recommends them over the offerings of the other major manufacturers, but I stopped at the front door.
That is where I paused to explain that unfortunately I would not be able to do business with him or his dealership. The sign posted at the door made it clear that Continue reading
Sheriff David Clarke speaks on gun control
We can have the strictest laws on the book like Chicago, but if we don’t enforce them, like Chicago laws are just paper. When will we as a society learn criminals don’t follow the law. Gun free zones for example are an invitation to crime, not a deterrent.
Daniel Billings, 41, shot and killed his ex-girlfriend Annemarie Bautch, 39, on Monday and then turned the gun on himself. Billings had a long criminal history and should have been in prison, Clarke said in a news release late Thursday.
MacIver News Service | April 12, 2013
[Milwaukee, Wisc...] Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is concerned the County Board of Supervisors is violating Act 10 and open meetings law by meeting with a decertified public sector union behind closed doors to negotiate a new labor contract, he told the MacIver News Service.
“For the life of me, I don’t see the urgency in negotiating a new contract with a decertified union,” he said. “But the county board doesn’t tell me those things.”
Tom Anthony is running for Milwaukee county supervisor in the 17th district. He is a solid 
tea party candidate who is genuinely feels that political service should be limited and not a career. Tom is interested in looking at things differently, to see problems as challenges. He feels that “ Looking at things from a different “mindset” allows us to address them with a different attitude and perspective.”.
I had an opportunity to ask Tom a couple of questions as well. Tammy: When did you decide you were going to run for Joe’s vacated seat? Tom: I have known Representative Joe Sanfelippo since he was elected as a County Supervisor.
We had many discussions regarding County Government and reform when he was at the County Board. When Joe announced he was going to run for State Assembly, as I was working on his campaign he and others asked me if Continue reading
MacIver News Service | March 26, 2013
Former Milwaukee County Executive F. Thomas Ament made news on a daily basis back in 2002 because of a pension scandal that rocked the county. This scandal led to the dismissal of multiple county employees and eventually the resignation of Ament.
The scandal was first brought to light in an article from Bruce Murphy for MilwaukeeWorld.com. Murphy, now the editor at UrbanMilwaukee.com, wrote a story detailing the benefits that county employees would receive from two distinct votes from the Milwaukee County Board. The board overwhelmingly voted to pass Ament’s plans, which included a lump sum in excess of $2 million and a lifetime pension for Ament himself.
If you heard something rustling around during the night, don’t be alarmed. It was just the Senate passing what they consider a budget. While we slumbered, they passed something that was supposed to resemble a budget. It does very little to balance the budget.
Instead of making sweeping cuts Continue reading
Meet Katie Johnson. She is a member of the College Republicans, secretary of Wisconsin College Republicans, and public relations/new media director of the UW-Lacrosse College Republicans. I had the opportunity to interview her on Monday, before she left for CPAC.
Tammy (T):Tell me about what the College Republicans are about, what do you guys do? What are the goals of the College Republicans?
Katie (K): Basically, WICR serves to promote the Republican party– we want to work to get Republicans elected in our state, identify and recruit young Republicans in college and get them actively involved in the political process, and develop leadership skills in young conservatives so that they can grow to be this next generation’s leaders.
A big part of that is campaigning– we’ve been campaigning endlessly for Governor Walker, Mitt Romney, and all of the statewide and local candidates within the past year, and we’re currently working campaigning for Justice Pat Roggensack. We also host leadership conferences to train College Republicans and also for socializing and networking with other like-minded students throughout the state– it’s nice to know Continue reading