Letter: Critical of Republicans

Dear Editor

Last week brought more disturbing political news and it has nothing to do with recalls. Fortunately (unfortunately really) nearly everything Scott Walker touches ends up in litigation – redistricting maps, voter id, John Doe investigation, etc. If it were not for federal court proceedings over the redistricting maps we may never have found out about the true nature of our Republican controlled legislature and its unwavering support of everything Walker.

The creation of redistricting maps is always a contentious issue yet Walker and his rubber stamp legislature have lowered the ethics bar yet again. Our legislators, Sen. Harsdorf and Rep. Knudson have stooped to meet this challenge signing confidentiality agreements concerning redistricting maps.

Last year every republican legislator (with the exception of the notorious Fitzgerald brothers) signed confidentiality agreements with Michael Best & Friedrich (MB&F), the Madison law office that was paid $400,000 to draw the maps. So unusual this was that Senate President Mike Ellis (R-Neenah) said “he had never before been asked to sign a confidentiality agreement during his four decades in office.” Talking points were issued, “Public comments on this map may be different than what you hear in this room. Ignore the public comments.” (http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/lawmakers-were-made-to-pledge-secrecy-over-redistricting-9643ep0-138826854.html).

I have sent two e-mails to Harsdorf and Knudson (once including a copy of their signed agreement) pleading with them for an explanation. I have not received a reply. Were they coerced, threatened or bullied into signing? Their conduct raises serious ethical and legal issues. It begs the question: What else are they hiding?

Is this what we pay our legislators for: secrets and lies? Need we remind Harsdorf and Knudson who it is they work for? Certainly not MB&F.

Wisconsin may be open for business but this is not the kind of business that is best for Wisconsin.

Tags: opinion, letters, politics