THE PRESIDENT VISITS WISCONSIN

A presidential visit, buy any president, is always a big deal. We, as good citizens and good Christians, must respect the office, even if the person holding it is not what we would like. That being said, I wish he would pay for these campaign trips himself!

He started his campaign tour in Menomonee Falls where a closed speech was delivered at a company that supplies what he terms as "green jobs". They're "green" because they build batteries. The reports from this event mentioned that the company, ZBB, received a stimulus loan of $14million to expand and "maybe" create 80 new jobs. As I watched, I commented that if this company can't sell its batteries for wind turbines in the next year, what with the lack of an energy policy or a budget, the company would be out of business in a year. Wow, was I right on.

On "Newsbusters.org", they highlighted a Wall Street Journal report on ZBB. It turns out that this company, this perfect evidence of the green economy working, is hemorrhaging money. They've lost $20million in the last four years. Their last CEO had to resign for improper tax filing (surprise!). The WSJ also reported that, because the plant uses only 10% of its production capacity, it cannot actually qualify for the $14million reportedly being loaned. In 2006 when they went public, a share sold for $6. Today it closed at $0.70. That's why it's a good investment for the government stimulus money, right?

The Wisconsin trip was also marred by a private pilot who had the audacity to fly within 30 miles of downtown Milwaukee and, accordingly, was forced down by two F-16's here in Watertown. I could hear the planes from my underground lair. What a surprise for him. Imagine not knowing the every move of a president. This isn't the President's fault, but the enhancement to the story is impossible to ignore.

From the private speech to the failing business he went on to a $250-per-plate fund raising luncheon for the Democrat candidate for governor, who just happens to be a former Democrat Congressman and current Democrat Mayor of Milwaukee. (I used "Democrat" so often because the media doesn't.) After this, his limousine entourage left out the back door to avoid the unwashed. Four hours later it was off to more comfortable environs, for him - L.A. I say, keep campaigning, Mr. President, because for every politician you've backed, all have lost an election. and, as long as you're not in Washington, you're not playing President, you're playing campaigner - a more comfortable role.