February
2006
Reynolds hires GOP flack to “WORK FROM HOME” (Code for CAMPAIGNING on STATE TIME)
Just when you think that the kooky State Senator Tom Reynolds was going to avoid being in the media just for a little while, now he’s hiring a GOP activist to do little more than suck off the taxpayers tit.
It’s unbelievable, but Reynolds hired Wisconsin Conservative Digest editor JJ Blonien to do work from home. It’s supposed to be a part time gig where Blonien will be doing “research” but it will be netting Blonien $19,000 plus insurance benefits plus retirement benefits.
What kind of research? Researching ethanol use in gas is one of the Senators pet projects. Apparently the Wisconsin Senator has a problem with corn. 
But you’ve got to wonder, did Reynolds ask Blonien the question he typically asks people he interviews for jobs — ‘are you a virgin’? Or how about a little follow up — ‘are you saved’? Or perhaps, ‘have you accepted Jesus into your heart’?
No, they’re not the type of questions that normal people ask; that is people who want to avoid lawsuits, but Reynolds realizes he wouldn’t be paying the bill if they State got sued — the taxpayers would.
The real concern here should be the obvious one — with no supervision and without Blonien working out of the capitol, how can anyone be assured that Reynolds isn’t doing exactly the same thing that multiple legislators have already been convicted of — using state dollars for campaigning.
This thing has the smell of corruption all over it. Just eight months before Reynolds will face the voters, he hires a GOP activist to work from home with no supervision. If this doesn’t call for an investigation, and if the Journal-Sentinel doesn’t lay some consistent focus on this issue (not just one buried story), it is difficult to even begin to imagine how our political system will ever be fixed.
But perhaps we’re making too much of all of this — perhaps Jesus personally told Tom Reynolds that it was ok.
Related Story: The Spice Boys: Do what I say, not what I do
Jim McGuigan
Jim McGuigan, Reynolds Watch
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I wondered the same thing when I saw the blip in the Journal article. Thank you for writing about this is your typical irascible way.
On a lighter note, Reynolds (R-West Allis, West Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, Elm Grove, Milwaukee and Brookfield) is having a listening session on February 8th at (I think) the West Allis Common Council Chambers.
Per the West Allis Star, Tom Reynolds (R-West Allis, West Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, Elm Grove, Milwaukee, Brookfield) is having ANOTHER “listening session” on March 13th…strange because he just held a listening session less than three weeks ago…this from a legislator who has been notoriously lax about responding to constituent concerns (other than concerns from his own “pet constituents”) and has a history of not responding to e-mails…the announcement in the Star concluded by stating that persons unable to attend can WRITE OR E-MAIL the Senator…Question is…Who is going to answer the e-mails, letters, etc?
I have written Senator Reynolds several times about legitimate problems with the DOT and the Dept. of Revenue and his staff was courteous and very helpful…..I think they are new but they cared about my problems, which is more than I can say about most politicians staff.
Hello West Milwaukee!!!
If Senator Reynolds is getting better at communicating, that’s great and I’m happy for his constituents (myself included)…but, by nature, I’m cynical…MAYBE IT’S ELECTION TIME!!! His past history of constituent contact, “meets and greets” and responsiveness has the reputation of being quite different…
However, the point of my comment is the fact that Senator Reynolds JUST HAD a listening session in February…now ANOTHER ONE less than a month following the last session…Is this a listening session or a campaign stop??? My take is that it’s a shrouded campaign stop…Especially so since he invites written and e-mail comments/questions…the announcement for the February listening session didn’t extend such an invitation…
Note that the original note written by Jim McGuigan referenced the hiring of Mr. Blonien as a paid staff member…I’m conspiratorial as well as cynical…Who will be drafting the written or e-mail responses from Senator Reynolds office and are they political or truly constituent service…
GO BADGERS BEAT BAMA!!!!!!
Im for sure going to be at his next listening stop. I cant believe this guy represents our district.