A Non-Scandal in Wisconsin
An ultra liberal special interest group called One Wisconsin Now has accused Republican Wisconsin Attorney General JB Van Hollen’s office of a “gross abuse of power” and putting “politics above the law.” Exactly what offense did Van Hollen’s office commit? Basically being against President Obama’s government take-over of the health care system and seeking information about joining other AGs in a Constitutional challenge to this monstrosity.
If that sounds like a big nothing-burger to you, you’re not alone. The most interesting thing here is not the non-scandal, but the extent to which a tangled web of special interest groups is spending millions of dollars to try to turn policy disagreements into criminal acts – or at least create an appearance of impropriety that can be used in the next campaign.
One Wisconsin Now is the political arm of the Institute for One Wisconsin. The Institute is bankrolled in part by – drum roll please – hedge fund billionaire George Soros’ Open Society Institute. What does One Wisconsin do with the $$? Well, some of it gets funneled to another political operation called the Greater Wisconsin Political Fund. Other members of the club include politically-motivated unions like the SEIU and AFSCME.
One Wisconsin Now also tries to drag down the American Justice Partnership, which I run, for contributing to the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) – a group dedicated to supporting conservative, rule-of-law AGs such as JB Van Hollen.
Groups like One Wisconsin Now know how deeply unpopular Obamacare is with the people of Wisconsin. They understand the bill was steamrollered through Congress despite questions over the constitutionality of several provisions. Now they’re trying to browbeat and intimidate AGs like JB Van Hollen for daring to challenge their dream of socialized medicine.
The Importance of the Attorney General
As expected eleven state Attorneys General are bringing suit challenging the constitutionality of the health care reform bill just signed into law by President Obama. The suit focuses on the law’s mandate that individuals purchase health insurance. The Christian Science Monitor reports:
The threatened action suggests the controversial measure is about to move from the legislative realm into what could become a protracted and messy fight in the courts. The attorneys general say they will sue once President Obama signs the bill into law. They are pledging to take their battle all the way to the US Supreme Court.
Newly elected Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli lays out the crux of the argument from the article penned by Warren Richey:
“Just being alive is not interstate commerce. If it were, there would be no limit to the US Constitution’s commerce clause and to Congress’s authority to regulate everything we do.”
For years we’ve promoted the importance of the office of AG and this development cements our belief. No matter how this turns out it’s great to see these 11 Attorneys General standing up against big government mandates.
Milk-a-holics United
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on March 11th, 2010
When we heard this one we had to check the calendar to make sure it wasn’t an April Fools prank . . . fasten your seat belts. From the New York Post:
Lindsay Lohan is suing the financial company E-Trade, insisting that a boyfriend-stealing, “milkaholic” baby in its latest commercial — who happens to be named Lindsay — was modeled after her. And she wants $100 million for her pain and suffering, The Post has learned.
Your Prescription for Cheerios is Ready
AJP President Dan Pero has a featured op/ed in this morning’s Washington Times.
This must read exposes the absurd over-reach of the current FDA. This type of government over-regulation is strangling free enterprise and the job creating businesses that employ our friends and neighbors. Dan does a better job telling the story than we do but here’s a picture that appears with the op/ed that while maybe not worth a thousand words made us chuckle over our morning bowl of Cheerios.
Nice work Dan!

Have Suit Will Travel - Lose Coat Will Sue
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on March 10th, 2010
What do you do if you’re a Texas personal injury lawyer who forgets his $800 leather jacket at an airport when boarding a flight?
Since you can afford an $800 jacket and you’re a personal injury lawyer you could probably afford to buy a new one.
Or since you make your living bringing personal injury lawsuits you could threaten . . . to sue the city where the airport is located, the concession where you think you left it and the airline!
That’s what William Ogletree, a Houston trial lawyer chose. The Ogletree case is just one more example of lack of personal responsibility that runs rampant these days. For more of the gory details read this article from the Southeast Texas Record.
Nuisance Lawsuits Cost 500 Jobs
Just when we get a glimmer of hope on the unemployment front, Washington Times reports that nuisance lawsuits are going to cost 500 West Virginian’s their jobs!
A Pittsburgh-based coal company, CONSOL Energy, will lay off nearly 500 of its West Virginia workers next year and its CEO blames environmentalists dead-set against mountaintop mining who have waged “nuisance” lawsuits for the job loss.
One again a broken legal system collides with a struggling economy to cause even more pain among hard working families. Read the full story here.