COMMENTARY: Urging all residents of the 22nd District to vote out Sen. Wirch.

I was personally disgusted by the tactics perpetuated by the Fleeing 14 of "taking their toys" and going home due to the fact that they did not like the policies put forth by the duly elected Governor of the State of Wisconsin. They abdicated their duties, and left the people of their districts unrepresented in Madison during one of the most important debates of their elected terms. Rather then stand and defend, Senator Wirch turned and burned - all the way to Illinois. He abdicated his position and fled.

Policies that Wirch has supported under past administrations include such great things as:

 - Voted to increase taxes by $1.9 billion, robbed segregated funds to support higher state spending and used federal stimulus money to make up for a shortfall in the state’s general fund.  Despite these unprecedented measures, Bob Wirch’s policies still left the state with a $3.6 billion deficit.

 - In 2003, Senator Wirch voted to uphold Governor Jim Doyle’s veto of a Taxpayer Bill of Rights that would have capped Wisconsin property taxes. Wisconsin property taxes rose by 5.9% and led to Wisconsin having the 11th highest property taxes in the country.

 - In 2007, Senator Wirch voted in favor of Governor Jim Doyle’s 2007-2009 budget that increased taxes by $376.8 million dollars and increased fees by $386.4 million.

 - In 2011, Senator Wirch voted against Assembly Bill 9, a measure that would protect taxpayers by requiring a supermajority to raise taxes.

In addition, Bob voted to support in-state tuition for Illegal Immigrants.

Since Wirch has been in office, more than 7,200 jobs have been lost in his district, and businesses like Chrysler and J.W. Peters, Inc have closed their doors in response to the anti-business spending and taxing policies put in place by past administrations all supported by Senator Wirch.

Jeff Steitz seems to me to be a quiet yet strong man who believes what Wirch did was wrong, and had the fortitude to step up and say "enough". He believes in accountability and integrity, which was missing in the character of the 14 who left.

Mr Steitz also supports:

• A simpler tax code
• Lower taxes
• Less burdensome government regulation.
• The 2nd Amendment and Wisconsin's concealed carry law
• Supports school choice
• Supports pay for performance in education

What it comes down to in my opinion is whether you support someone who refused to show up and do his job. A career politician who is out of touch and lock and step with failed policies from the past. Someone who ran out and gave up. Someone who refused to fight for what he believed in. Someone who puts the interest of a small minority in place of the majority while taking funding from outside activist groups to stay away. Someone who voted for policies that raised your taxes, closed your businesses and robbed Peter to pay Paul. Someone who believes that Wisconsin has a revenue problem instead of a spending problem. Someone who thinks the best way to fix issues like schools and bloated programs and rising costs is to throw more money around. Wirch no longer deserves the privilege to represent his district.

 If I could vote in this election, I would vote for the candidate committed to work for all the citizens of the districts, and will not cut and run when the going gets tough.

I support Johnathan Steitz for State Senate.