Column: Making the logical, not emotional, case for my votes

By Dan Kontos

So, we have made it right up to the 2022 midterm elections on November 8, and now we have a few choices to make. For many, this merely signals the end of this season’s bevy of political ads, mailers, and news pieces. Who can’t appreciate that?

However, this is our government that we the people are responsible for creating. Voting is a solemn charge and duty. While no one forces you to vote, like in North Korea, failing to do so is an absolute abdication of your obligation in a constitutional republic to choose who will serve us in government. 

I am especially proud that one of my daughters will be turning 18, and thus will be voting for the first time. I have not told her how to vote, I would not insult her by doing that, but I am also not shy about telling her how I will vote, and why. Here’s what I have shared with her.

I’ve told you in the past about the dangers of political tribalism and voting solely for your “team.” Blind loyalty is not actual loyalty to our community, state, or nation. It is a relinquishment of our God-given critical thinking skills and a surrendering of our individual liberty.

I am not a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, or Green. I consider myself an Independent, because I am not uncritically tied to any party as so many are. I like to think of myself as, well, as thinking. Logic guides my choices in the voting booth, not emotion.

As part of my voting ritual, I visit My Vote Wisconsin, and enter my address to see what my ballot will look like. Starting at the top and working my way down, this is my abbreviated thought process for each office.

In the race for governor, the choice is pretty clear. Governor Tony Evers has a track record we can examine. A record of opposing the republican led legislature with more than 120 vetoes. He accomplished very little, and with the Senate and Assembly poised to only go more republican in 2023, It appears that the Governor’s refusal to work with the other side of the aisle will mean more inaction.

When given the chance, Evers unconstitutionally exercised “emergency powers” to lock down the state, impose draconian restrictions on its citizens, and abused the law and the constitutional separation of powers by declaring multiple, consecutive emergencies, failing to relinquish the power he had declared for himself. The affable teacher-turned-governor fancied himself to be an autocrat instead.

Looking at his running mate, Sara Rodriguez is a new state legislator known for sponsoring legislation to require cloth face coverings, employing the failed concept of ranked-choice voting in Wisconsin, implementing automatic voter registration, expanding abortion, and establishing a student loan forgiveness program. She is not ready to lead in my mind.

I’m willing to give Tim Michels a shot at working with lawmakers to improve our state. He is a proven and successful businessman. He is joined on the ticket by fellow military veteran Roger Roth. Roth formerly was a legislator and the president of the Wisconsin Senate and a home builder. He’s got a solid record that I can appreciate. 

How about the attorney general? Incumbent Josh Kaul has been a disaster. He has talked big, acted little, and seems to be confused about his own authority. He refuses to prosecute the laws he disagrees with, and refuses to hold lawbreakers accountable during the riots of 2020.

District Attorney Eric Toney has his own record. One of being a proven tough prosecutor who has earned the endorsement of over 100 sheriffs, police chiefs, and district attorneys, as well as many other organizations. I’ll take a shot with this new “top cop,” and leave the mealy-mouthed politician behind.

Secretary of state? Usually, I would just roll my eyes at this useless position. I never really minded that Doug La Follette kept winning reelection, except for the fact that he does virtually nothing while earning a tax-funded paycheck. Now, if Michels wins the governor’s chair, this position may see a revitalization of sorts as the failed Wisconsin Elections Commission may be thankfully dissolved, and their duties transferred to this office. That means that the election of Amy Loudenbeck, who is actually accomplished in her life, maybe an actual significant improvement over the do-nothing La Follette.

State treasurer is another antiquated position that I don’t care too much about. An office of one, with little to do. When I take a look at the candidates, I compare their answers to questions from different sources. A pretty neutral source is Ballotpedia. They let the candidates speak for themselves, and John Leiber more aligns with me than the Mayor of Fitchburg, Aaron Richardson. Look for yourselves.

How about for a U.S. Senator? For me, this is a no-brainer. Mandela Barnes has accomplished nothing as lieutenant governor, except racking up hundreds of thousands of dollars in security costs while calling for the defunding of the police. How about unpaid property taxes, lying about your college degree, not filing income taxes, being a parking ticket scofflaw, having state troopers drive you around because your car’s registration was suspended, being on BadgerCare while he bought condominiums in Milwaukee and Madison… Stop already!

Senator Ron Johnson has been one of the few people in D.C. who I have watched over the last several years that has the guts to stand up and ask the hard questions. An accomplished businessman in his own right, he has been maligned time and time again but keeps coming back. I can appreciate a fighter like that.

How about a representative in Congress? Back to Ballotpedia and the two campaign websites. Just as an example, Brad Pfaff touts on his website a tweet that says, “I was the first State Senator to call on Wisconsin’s Governor to call a special session to codify abortion rights.”  Goody for you. Derrick Van Orden’s theme is “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Go research for yourself, but I think you know which way I am going.

I live in the 71st State Assembly District. Representative Katrina Shanklin and Scott Soik are vying for this position. My choice to vote for Soik rests on one main pragmatic proposition. The State Assembly will remain in Republican hands, whose proposals last biennium have been much more in line with my views. I want to continue to support conservative bills for Gov. Michels to sign. It’s that simple.

How about that race for sheriff? Oh, please. Scott Noble’s only experience with law enforcement is getting himself arrested for disorderly conduct in 2021. Taking his candidacy announcement at face value, as well as the answers he provided to specific questions, he may be a great family man, a patriot at heart, and a successful businessman.  However, it’s clear that his hyperbolic claims of massive constitutional violations and corruption at the sheriff’s office are not rooted in reality. He has no clue what is real. This is a no-brainer and a no-vote for him.

As for the clerk of circuit courts, Lisa Roth is running unopposed. She does a good job and is a likable person. Maybe I can vote for a Democrat this year. Just maybe.

So, with that, let’s meet in the opinion section to talk about all of it, boldly, honestly, and with a healthy respect for each other. See you at the polls. Until then, God bless.