On Saturday, March 10, 2012, over 60,000 people came to the Wisconsin State Capitol from all over Wisconsin, to recognize the one year anniversary since the passing of Act 10 by the Wisconsin Legislature. Act 10, known as the “Budget Repair Bill” not only did nothing to fix the budget while taking away collective bargaining rights from public employees, it did so in an underhanded manner, passed in the middle of the night without any negotiations. It is the passing of Act 10 and the way it was done, that angered so many Wisconsinites, including those who previously supported Governor Walker and began the calls for his recall.
In today’s Janesville Gazette, Representative Joe Knilans is quoted as saying “We can all sit back and debate the method that was used, but in the end I think it was the right thing to do.” This shows clearly that Rep. Knilans understand neither his role is as a Legislator, nor what the democratic process is all about. Joe Knilans’ attempts to defend his vote by saying that the end justifies the means, is wrong. It is not only insulting to every public worker, it is abhorrent to democracy and shows his disrespect both for his position and for his constituents.
I am running to represent the 44th District in the State Assembly because we must reject this kind of insulting extremism. Before voting for the “Budget Repair Bill”, Joe Knilans did not listen to his constituents, or to Janesville City Council which voted to send Joe Knilans a letter, urging him to make changes to Act 10. Now it is up to us, the voters, to restore respect for our legislative process, for the people of our great state, for Wisconsin.
With your help, I will send Joe Knilans a message that process and democracy matter, that the dictatorial antics of our Legislature must come to an end. Attempting to destroy the middle class was not why Joe Knilans was sent to Madison. If elected, I will work hard to listen to everyone because what we need in Wisconsin is respect for those who create jobs and for those doing the the job.
Help me restore respect for Wisconsin by contributing to my campaign today!
Yuri Rashkin
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Email: YRashking@gmail.com