Only disciples of Ayn Rand want to rampantly destroy our state, country and every edifice in the contemporary way of American life. It's possible Rashkin is a Rander, but I highly doubt it. TCB, you predict the union will refuse to negotiate. That's an easy one. But is there any reason why they should? Given the no compromise, no negotiation framework that Walker initiated? The economic reality is that a major portion of the American private sector continues to evacuate the country for Mega-Government places like China simply for their number one money maker, cheap labor. Those remaining in the American private sector are now turning their greedy little eyes to public sector property and services - they want it all to privatize simply because those entities are permanent fixtures. Our country is being hi-jacked right in front of our eyes and we're watcher Badger sports and Packer football.

PGJ,

Your statement "Many have left, not just because of the union law, but the incessant vilification of public employees by people who have no idea how hard they work and the sacrifices they make on a daily basis. I challenge you to spend a day in a classroom to see what they deal with and to see if you could handle the work. Heck , spend an hour...you would be enlightened."

Where in the survey is your statement sited? Or are you editorializing the fact that 3500 teachers retired, 703 layed off, and 1500 not renewed as well as 4031 were hired to replace these teachers state wide?

No where does this survey site the "union law" or incessant vilification of public employees....in fact the document states "Dierences between districts that had contracts compared to those without union
contracts were not statistically signicant." (page 3) http://www.dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/wasdasurve...

You may believe that the public incessantly vilifies public employees (I assume you mean teachers) but the fact is its not true. Public sector employees have for too long remained immune to the ebb and flow of economic cycles. The public can no longer afford bloated payrolls as well as the financing of lavish retirement and healthcare benefits-especially since 10-15% of private sector people are jobless. The system doesnt work. It will be modified-despite the kicking and screaming of a recalcitrant union-that looks out only for its rank and file and is held unaccountable for stagnant results.

Prediction time: The school board has asked that the Janesville teacher union consider changing its contract to close an 8-10 million gap in the upcoming fiscal year---I predict the union refuses to negotiate. THe net result-more teachers will be fired, schools may be forced closed, and services cut. This is the economic reality. The union can pretend that Uncle Sam will come to the rescue and bail them out-but the harsh reality is that the system is broken and needs an overhaul. It will get more ugly before it gets better.

Totellthetruth – If Yuri Rashkin is running based on the platform that he wants to rampantly destroy our state then you are probably right; he won’t win an election let alone a primary. I highly doubt that Rashkin is running on this platform (I cannot confirm this though).
.
Common sense, as well as the list provided, should tell you that country of origin has no relevance on whether or not someone is capable of running for office.

Here is the link. Close to 88% response rate of WI district administrators. You cannot get more accurate than that.

http://www.dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/wasdasurve...

Youkill,

Why? Because I want to see the what source PGJ is quoting. There are problems with surveys-was it 100% voluntary? How generally worded were the questions? what were the questions the surveyer asked?

When designing or planning a survey, the most important step is to clearly define the question to be answered by the survey results. A survey is most effective if its purpose can be clearly and succinctly stated. Was it in this case? Who knows-I guess we will have to take her/his work for it.

Simple as that. You may believe that tenured veteran teachers are leaving because of a so called inability to collectively bargain. I dont.

TCB, why should you want the link source of the survey described by PJ? You condemned it in advance for not being Janesville centric and obviously a survey of many flaws without ever reading it. What could possibly sway that warehouse of infinite wisdom that you so obviously possess?
*
Although their districts don't reach into Janesville, we need more democratic candidates to step up against Evan Wynn, Amy Loudenbeck and Steve Nass. Let's get after these fascists before they do more damage.

Orange,

I could not afford the pay cut. But thanks for your consideration!

TCB...since you know so much, why don't YOU run for the seat ? We could use another knucklehead in politcs !

Totellthetruth – There have been a few politicians that have been able to climb the “non-American born” ladder into their respective political offices:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_for...
.
Also allow me to think “inside the box”: Just because Joe Knilans was voted in doesn’t mean he is qualified. I think we can all agree that not every politician elected into office is qualified to be there, right?

Rep. Joe Knilans is okay.

PJG,

I went to http://wasda.org --is this the source for your post? I could not see the survery-do you have a link for it?

Thanks

PJGnyc,

Is the survey Janesville centric? No. Its a survey. Which likely has many flaws. Kolste made the claim that "many veteran teachers left education" due to the inability to bargain collectively. Really-what data is she sighting? Anecdotal conversations? This is akin to the "dog ate my homework"

Many would be more than 2-correct? Is this a problem-2 teachers-who might be at the peak of their pay matrix leaving education because of their inability to collectively bargain? No, this is not a problem in Janesville considering the number of full time positions that JSD needed to cut this year as well as the spector of future layoffs next year. I personally doubt this dubious claim-but it sounds like nice populist rhetoric when running for a publically paid position.

This tactic is a tried and true tactic-stick your finger in the wind-see which way the wind is currently blowing and hope to ride the wind to victory...it works-I dont blame Ms kolste for attempting it-but its about time that those who wish to represent the great unwashed be held accountable to what they say and what they claim....this is true for republicans and democrats alike.

Best of luck to Deb. She has been an outstanding asset to this community for years.
.
To conservatives bashing someone planning to run in the democratic primary: Why post on this article if you only plan to vote for a candidate that has an "R" next to their name? There has to be some other outlet where you guys can stroke each others' egos.

In a survey by the WI Assoc. of School District Administrators, they reported that school district employee retirements between the 2010-11 and 2011-12 school years were roughly 2.5 times greater than in prior years (Data from the WI Dept. of Employee Trust Funds (ETF))

Many have left, not just because of the union law, but the incessant vilification of public employees by people who have no idea how hard they work and the sacrifices they make on a daily basis. I challenge you to spend a day in a classroom to see what they deal with and to see if you could handle the work. Heck , spend an hour...you would be enlightened.

TCB. right on

TCB-- I think you hit it fairly on the head, especially the piece about her 9 years on the school board. Nice woman, but that won't cut it. She will likely vote with the tax and spend liberals, if elected.

What a shock! Another democratic running on platitudes!

Schools are important here and we have always provided terrific educational opportunities,’’ Kolste said in the news release. “I think state government should work to ensure that we continue to provide opportunity.’’ Lets deconstruct this:

1 "Schools are important here": Are schools not importants elsewhere? What does this mean and who can disagree with this platitude? Hello strawman!

2. "We have always provided terrific educational opportunities"--does this candidate mean-I support the status quo of flat line test scores while costs of educating continue to increase? If so-she is spot on. If not-who are the "we" she refers to?

3. "I think state government should work to ensure that we continue to provide opportunity" Translated: Who better to determine what is best for your child? A bureacrat working in Madison-financially backed and tied to teachers unions or parents? I guess this 9 year member of the local school board believes that her time was wasted-as "state govt" rather than local citizens should determine what is best for your child.

4. "She opposes the attacks on collective bargaining rights and noted that many veteran teachers have left education as a result."

Really, how many have left due to an inability to collectively bargain with the union? Is it more or less than the number of teachers fired for cause over the past 2 years? I would like to see a proof source for the "many veteran teachers" that have left or resigned for this specific reason...

5. "Eliminating the right of collective bargaining has not helped balance school budgets or created a single job". No it has not. Janesville school board has to close a $9.8 million $ deficit-this year and several million next year. I would fathom a guess that Ms Kolste 9 years on the board and her decisions contributed to this mess. Spending 10,000+ per pupil; per class is not enough according to Ms Kolste. Then again, if elected Ms Kolste would prefer the state to handle this....its a local problem-it should be dealt with locally.

6. tax increases are disguised as new fees. Yes,hello wheel tax. Cities, unlike the federal govt cannot print money to meet its obligations. Cities need to be creative to increase revenues-without negatively impacting economic activity. Ms Kolste, your solution is?

Hold your nose and get ready to vote Janesville!