Primates Receive Stimulus Funds

[Oshkosh, WI] In 2009, Russ Feingold voted for a stimulus bill he said would create jobs and pontificated that the funds should be spent wisely. But since that time Wisconsin has lost more than 78,000 jobs, Feingold is defending his vote, and a new report details 100 egregious examples of unwise stimulus spending.

Have you ever wondered why monkeys respond negatively to inequity and unfairness?  Researchers at Georgia State University have received nearly $700,000 in stimulus funds just to answer that question.  The money will be put towards studying seven different species of primates in order to clarify “how decision-making is affected by unequal outcomes.”

Researchers in Georgia may now have a chance to study social patterns of primates, but people in Wisconsin continue to face a poor economy and continued job loss.

“Maybe Senator Feingold thinks we should be spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to study the social patterns of monkeys and chimpanzees, but the people of Wisconsin are far more concerned about the economy and job creation,” said Juston Johnson, Campaign Manager for Ron Johnson for Senate.   “While Senator Feingold is wasting Wisconsin tax dollars and spending us into debt, Wisconsin voters are looking for a candidate to offer real solutions for our economy.”

The Johnson Campaign will be highlighting wasteful stimulus spending projects Russ Feingold believes are getting the job done for Wisconsin families until Election Day.

Stimulus Facts:

Feingold Said “Stimulus” Must Be Spent Wisely. “Now that the economic recovery package has been signed into law, our focus must be on the challenges ahead, including getting our fiscal house in order and making sure that there is strong oversight of these taxpayer dollars. These funds must be spent wisely if they are to truly work for Wisconsin’s families.”  (Editorial, “Russ Feingold: Stimulus Package Makes Sense,” La Crosse Tribune, 2/25/2009.)

Three days prior to the signing of the stimulus, Senator Feingold issued a press release saying the stimulus would create 2.4 million jobs in the first year, and about nine million jobs in the first three years. (Senator Russ Feingold, ”Statement of U.S. Russ Feingold On The Economic Recovery Package,” Feingold Press Office, February 10, 2009.)

Feingold Provided the 60th Vote for the Stimulus Package. (H.R. 1, 2009 Roll Call #64: Adopted 60-38, 2/13/09, Feingold Voted Yea)

The National Economy has lost over 2.5 Million jobs since the stimulus was signed. (Source, Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov,, Accessed August 6, 2010)

Since the Stimulus was signed, the State of Wisconsin has lost more than 78,000 jobs. (Source, Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, Accessed August 20, 2010)

Feingold Defends Stimulus Vote. “I don’t apologize for those votes. Those were the right votes.” (“Feingold defends voting record, Hudson Star Observer, 7/28/2010)

New Report Details Misdirected Stimulus Spending. “Stimulus money is going toward iPods for high school students in Utah, cell phones for smokers trying to quit in Washington, D.C., and advertising devoted to the promotion of … the stimulus. The findings are part of a 74-page report put out by a pair of Republican senators who contend the $862 billion program is fraught with needless spending.” (“New GOP Report Details Misdirected Stimulus Spending, Associated Press, 8/3/2010)

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Where Are Feingold’s Lobbyist Pals?

[Oshkosh, WI] Senator Russ Feingold released a new ad today titled “Look Out for Us,” using largely the same cast as his previous as “On Our Side.”  A closer look at the ad however shows that a controversial figure in his previous ad was not included this time around – registered AFL-CIO lobbyist Joanne Ricca.

When previously asked about having a lobbyist appear in his ad to declare that Senator Feingold was on their side of the issues, Feingold defended such actions as “perfectly appropriate.”  After acknowledging that he was in fact standing on the side of special interests and lobbyists, it appears Senator Feingold has had a change of heart about flaunting that fact to the people of Wisconsin.

“Two weeks ago, Senator Feingold was proud to finally admit to the people of Wisconsin that he was on the side of special interest groups and union lobbyists,” Sara Sendek, spokeswoman for Ron Johnson for Senate said.  “After promising voters that he would reform the culture of lobbying in Washington, instead Senator Feingold embraced lobbyists and declared himself to be on their side.  Maybe this new and stunning admission did not go over with voters as he’d hoped, and Feingold will once again revert to his old tricks and false promises.”

Ricca, a long-time lobbyist, currently serves as the legislative representative and research director for the AFL-CIO in Milwaukee.

Throughout his Senate Career, Russ Feingold has Received $1,025,500 in Union PAC Contributions. (Center for Responsive Politics, www.opensecrets.org, Accessed August 21, 2010)

In Early 1993, Feingold Declared He And His Senate Staff Would Play By “Wisconsin Rules” And Not Accept Gifts From Lobbyists Or Anyone Seeking Influence. “Last week Feingold issued an edict, to apply to himself and his entire staff, that where ethics are concerned, they would play by ‘Wisconsin rules.’ That meant they could not accept gifts of any sort from lobbyists or anyone else seeking influence. Not even a cup of coffee.” (Dan Allegretti, “Feingold Opts for Wisconsin Ethics,” Capital Times [Madison, WI.], 1/21/93)

Feingold: “There’s Something Insidious And Dangerous About People In Government Accepting Things Of Value From People They’re Trying To Regulate.” (Dan Allegretti, “Feingold Opts for Wisconsin Ethics,” Capital Times [Madison, WI.], 1/21/93)

Feingold Said The System In Washington Was “Tainted” And Brought Lobbyists And Legislators Closer Together Than They Were In Wisconsin. Feingold: “It’s not an attempt to be holier than thou. I think the system is tainted here. It brings lobbyists and legislators closer together than they are back home.” (Dan Allegretti, “Feingold Opts for Wisconsin Ethics,” Capital Times [Madison, WI.], 1/21/93)

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