Representative Joe Schmoe Fights Back

Wisconsin State Representative Jennifer Schilling actually issued this release earlier today:

Rep. Tom Foolery, the 100th Legislator
By Rep. Jennifer Shilling

Many state government buffs may think they know that there are 99 members of the assembly. However, this legislative session a little known loophole in the state constitution seems to have allowed for the addition of one more seat, currently occupied by Representative Tom Foolery.

Thankfully, this 100th member isn’t always present in Madison. But we unfortunately saw a lot of Rep. Foolery during the final month of session.

When a plan to amend the state’s tax code into the constitution (TABOR) was drafted at midnight and voted on before sunup in order to create a campaign issue, Tom Foolery was there. When the ethics reform bill, SB 1, was shot down behind closed doors without debate by Assembly leadership in the hopes that no one would notice, Tom Foolery was there. And when three legislators went missing right before the vote on the death penalty, essentially rigging the outcome of the vote in the Assembly leadership’s favor, Rep. Foolery stayed for the vote.

Now there are some things this legislature has done that I am proud of. Increasing the minimum wage, expanding home heating assistance, creating a reasonable medical malpractice compromise, expanding Family Care, several economic development issues… these were all proposals everyone could support.

But it seems more and more that at both the state and national levels, Rep. Tom Foolery gets in the way. We all knowthat Rep. Foolery will never find a solution to the healthcare crisis, reduce fuel prices, or make Wisconsin affordable again to middle and working class families. We can do better.

Polls show that Wisconsin Citizens have the lowest approval rating of the legislature in decades. It’s time we legislators take heed. If the legislature can’t come together and remove Tom Foolery from the chambers, the public may just remove the legislature instead.

Jennifer Shilling is a Democrat from La Crosse Representing the 95th Assembly district.

I just received this response:

Schmoe to Foolery, Shiling: Bite Me

[R-Riverbottom] State Representative Joe Schmoe today lashed out at two state Representatives.

“First off, Tom Foolery can go to hell, there’s only room for one of us,” said Schmoe (R-Riverbottom). “Secondly, I can’t believe Rep. Shilling will accept a full day’s pay after wasting taxpayer’s resources on such tripe.”

Schmoe, who is the true State Representative from the 100th District, said it is one thing for a blogger to use a fake release as satire or for legislative staff to produce generic releases as a guide for other offices, but it is quite another for taxpayers to
subsidize the shenanigans of a state legislator.

“And to think I was peeved the legislature wasted time and money honoring that fossil, Fred Risser,” said Schmoe. “At least folks who saluted that geezer solely because he’s still there gave out some cake; those of us who read Shilling’s rant got
nothing.”

Schmoe said Shilling’s diatribe is typical of what we’ll see from Democrats this fall.

“No agenda, no solutions, just bitching and moaning,” said Schmoe, a supporter of the Taxpayers’ Protection Amendment and tax incentives for Health Savings Accounts. “While the legislative session may not have been our finest in my many years in Madison, at least Republicans are offering ideas. The Democrats? They got nothing!”

Schmoe and his wife, State Senator Jo-Schmoe, have served several terms in the state legislature. While the Democrat Party has been paralyzed by their allegiance to their allies in the Tribes, public employee unions and the trial bar, the Schmoes
have:

* Passed billions of dollars in tax cuts
* Reformed welfare in Wisconsin
* Revamped the juvenile justice system
* Restrained the out of control growth in teachers’ salaries
* Guaranteed the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and the Right to Hunt, Fish and Trap.
* Cracked down on sexual predators and repeat criminals

“As for this session, had Jim Doyle listened to the will of the people we could have: implemented a voter ID requirement; froze property taxes; allowed law abiding citizens to carry a weapon with which to defend themselves and much more,” said Schmoe. “Shilling and her imaginary friend Tom Foolery are damn embarrassments.”

Schmoe will run for reelection to the 100th District this fall and has two words for Foolery, should he wish to oppose him.

“Bring it!” said Schmoe.