How to change Washington

It’s no secret that Washington DC is corrupt and dysfunctional.  8th Congressional candidate Marc Savard had a recent posting on this very issue.  He also shares some of what he will be doing over the coming months to distinquish himself in a crowded field, while working to become the candidate residents of the 8th district can trust to represent them Washington.

Voters will have to work diligently to sort through who will earn and deserve their support over the coming months.

In my travels on the campaign trail over the last year talking and listening to residents of the District, one of several common questions arise, and that is how can we possibly change such a dysfunctional and corrupt system in Washington?My answer is that you change it one person at a time.

You don’t support candidates who just  tell you what you want to hear, and who make promises that you know they can’t and won’t keep. You look for a candidate who is living the life that you live with all of the struggles and cares that the vast majority of us deal with every day.You also watch how the candidates conduct their campaigns. What kind of folks do they have on their staff? Who are their volunteers? And most importantly of all, how do they raise and spend the funds needed to operate their campaign. Because how they do all of these things will be a good indicator of the values and judgments they will take to Washington on your behalf. You deserve a candidate who will not only work for you and our country’s well-being, but will also honorably represent you with his behavior when you are not able to follow his every move.

A key indicator of that, from Marc Savard’s perspective is how they raise campaign money.

I believe that how a candidate raises and spends money is one of the key indicators of how he will operate in Washington. Where is he getting his money from. Who is he beholden to for tens of thousands of dollars of contributions. You know as well as I that when Political Action Committees (PACs), or what is generally described as special interest lobbying, gives tons of money to a candidate  ,they expect something in return. It is fundamental to our human nature that when someone does you a favor or gives you something, you are predisposed to return the favor or  give them something in return. You know in your gut for that to be true.

So if “special interest” money is a key to the corruptness of the political system, one way to change that is to not accept such donations.

The only way to break that corrupt Washington cycle between politicians and lobbyists is for a candidate for Congress to not seek out, and not accept, such donations, so that he can go to Washington clean and clear of the attachments such contributions create.

That is something 8th Congressional District candidate Marc Savard is apparently prepared to do.

I will be making just such an announcement in a detailed and formal way before the end of the year. I will also give you the information and tools readily available to you so, as Ronald Reagan aptly put it when dealing with the Soviet Union, you can “trust but verify” my pledge.

So watch my team run in the coming months and see that I will be the candidate who will earn your trust to be your Representative in Washington DC. (Source: Saturday morning on the farm – Savard for Congress)

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Congratulations on a fine season

I know this is late but congrats to the West DePere Phantoms on a fine football season.  The D3 championship game didn’t end with a victory, but the Phantoms were one of fourteen teams to make it to Madison for their final game of the 2009 season.  Final record of 12-2 and going further than any team in school history is something to build on.

Image via Wisconsin High School Helmets (www.mghelmets.com)

West De Pere will have to replace several players that helped make this run to state possible, but there is no reason why it can’t start to make Madison a realistic destination now and into the future.

Phantoms coach Bill Turnquist said afterward he will return for a 36th season next year. He would miss his players too much, and besides, why leave now with the program enjoying its most successful season ever?

“I hope we can continue (our) success that way,” Turnquist said. “If you look at our schedule in the tournament, we still have those teams. You need some breaks along the way.”

These moments, even while coming in a loss, should be viewed as positive building blocks at West De Pere.

The Phantoms now know what it takes to be a winning program.

A program can’t start to win until they learn how. West De Pere has learned how at this point.

“(Defensive coordinator) Jack Batten and I were just talking outside my office about that,” West De Pere principal Russ Gerke said a few days before the title game. “Just talking about how winning does breed more winning.

“It’s easier when you make that first step, it’s easier now to say to kids, ‘Hey, we are working out today from 3 to 4.’ That becomes more important. That open gym from 6 to whatever becomes more important. Kids know that there is some more ownership that needs to be taken.”

A great experience for the Phantoms to make it to state.

No team ever is happy ending its season with a loss. But when Turnquist hoisted up the second-place silver ball on Friday, there was nothing but a smile on his face. There were several more from some of his players. (Source: Despite loss, Phantoms can build on successful season – GBPG)

And perhaps next year the Phantoms can do what Reedsburg did this year after losing in the championship game the year before – return to win it all.

Wednesday Hero 11/25/09

Rear Adm. Ned Deets

Rear Adm. Ned Deets speaks with Frank Chebatar, president of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, at the conclusion of the base consolidation ceremony. The two bases consolidated to form Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Fort Story.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Pinnacle moment for West DePere football program

Today the West DePere football team will be playing for a state championship. As Scott Venci pointed out in yesterday’s paper, it’s a proud moment for anyone who’s been associated with West DePere football over the years.

Image via Wisconsin High School Helmets (www.mghelmets.com)

(Note: Today’s game is being televised by FSN Wisconsin – channels 40 & 309 for Time Warner customers.)

Update: The game can also be heard on the radio at 1070 AM or 100.5 FM or via the Internet – The Big 1070 or ESPNMadison.

But this isn’t just a pinnacle moment for the players and students at West De Pere High School.

It’s just as important for the ones that came before them, for everybody who has put on a uniform in the past 35 seasons under longtime coach Bill Turnquist.

It’s for all the people who have taught, worked or had kids who have attended the school.

Just consider it community pride at its finest.

It’s a unique situation when it comes to West DePere.

Current and former players are bonded because they all have played for Turnquist. Many of the assistant coaches have come and gone, but the man in charge has remained the same.

“I think what’s unique about the situation is that you have the same coach, as opposed to being a school that has had two or three coaches along the way,” said West De Pere principal Russ Gerke, who played for the Phantoms in the early 1980s. “What ties us all together, whether it’s my class or (Rick) Turriff’s class in the 1970s or (Ken) Wypyszynski in the early ’70s, we all have the same coach. It’s our brothers and cousins that have all played. We have the same connection.”

When you glance at a West De Pere roster every year, the last names tend to stay the same.

The football program has a rich, strong history.

Since the Bay Conference was formed in 1970, the Phantoms have won or shared 13 league championships.

They won three straight from 1981 to 1983, won two in a row in 1987 and 1988 and this season became the first Bay team to win a share of at least four straight.

An amazing stat those 13 conference titles when you consider that until the most recent conference realignment the Phantoms were one of the smallest schools in the conference.

Yet, despite being in four semifinal playoff games in the Turnquist era, this is the first time West De Pere has played for a state championship.

So, why was this team able to get past the semifinal hurdle when all the other great teams from the past failed?

The most agreed-upon theory is the program has more talent spread around, allowing players to concentrate on one side of the ball rather than having to play offense and defense and becoming tired by the end of games.

“They have always had a really good core group of guys,” Jason Berken said. “They (now) have a lot of guys playing one way. When it comes to later in the season or later in games, especially against bigger schools that have the ability to go one way. … I could tell early that they had a good team. It’s pretty obvious the program is headed in the right direction and will be for a long time.” (Source: Coach Bill Turnquist is tie that binds West DePere football community – GBPG)

Today the football program could attain the one thing that’s been elusive over the years – a state title. Good luck and bring it home!