Tom Palzewicz is the Democrat running for Congress in Wisconsin's 5th Congressional District. He is a small-business owner and Navy Veteran running against Scott Fitzgerald in this traditionally red district.

BROOKFIELD, WI - Greetings, my name is Tom Palzewicz. I am a small-business owner, Navy Veteran, and Democrat running for Congress in Wisconsin's 5th Congressional District. I'm running because our country lacks vision. We are at a crossroads for our Democracy, and the stakes are high for our country. When I got into this race, I looked forward to an honest exchange of ideas and solutions. Unfortunately, my opponent, Scott Fitzgerald, has been unwilling to engage in this fundamentally democratic exercise.

The central tenet of our Democracy is debate. We will never agree with anyone on everything, nor were we meant to. Still, the ability to find common ground is almost impossible without a free-flowing exchange of ideas. A series of debates provides voters a window into the policy solutions we offer as prospective representatives. I am ready, willing, and eager to engage in a robust, open, and respectful conversation with Senator Fitzgerald because it is what the voters deserve. After sending letters, making phone calls, and reaching out across various channels, Fitzgerald still declines the opportunity to make his case to the voters and defend his ideas. I know the voters of this district, not as Republicans or Democrats, but as my friends, family, and neighbors. I know that no matter what party you identify with, you welcome solutions, and you welcome debates.

Party loyalty has sadly been absolute at the federal level of our government. In the White House, Senate, and even here in Wisconsin the “with us or against us" mentality is pervasive. I know Wisconsinites are better than this. Instead of placing the country's needs first and having real conversations about our values and ideas, we are dividing almost everything by fealty to party and raw power acquisition. We have not had a reasonable discussion about how to solve our most pressing issues. We are amid a pandemic that claimed the lives of over 200,000 Americans, we see racial injustice violently unfold before our eyes, and we are witnessing an unrelenting climate crisis. No matter how great these challenges may seem, we can overcome them through the American spirit of dialogue, discussion, and yes, debate.

WISCONSIN -- Today, three women veterans from Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District will hold a press conference expressing their outrage following revelations of Derrick Van Orden’s troubling history of sexual harassment in the United States Navy. 

Last week, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel first reported that in his 2015 book, Derrick Van Orden bragged about sexually harassing two women naval officers by exposing them to a male Lieutenant’s genitals without their consent. 

WHAT: A video press call with three women veterans from Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District expressing their disgust in Derrick Van Orden’s history of sexual harassment in the Navy.

WHO: Three women veterans from Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District.

WHEN: TODAY, October 1st, 11:00 AM CT

What Robin Vos and Wisconsin Republicans don’t want you to see.

WISCONSIN -- On Monday, The Democratic Party of Wisconsin launched therealdavearmstrong.com, a website dedicated to unearthing 75th Assembly District GOP candidate Dave Armstrong’s dark history of racism, misogyny, and outrageous conspiracy theories.

Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Jake Andrejat released the following statement: 

“Wisconsinites’ values are better than the hatred and division espoused by Dave Armstrong. These radical and misplaced views have absolutely no place in the State Legislature, and we want to make it abundantly clear to voters what this candidate really stands for.”

Visit therealdavearmstrong.com to learn more about Armstrong’s egregious views and conspiracy theories.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/trump-guts-pusa-s5.pngTrump tries to strip away protections in the middle of a pandemic and holds events that violate public health guidelines.

OB/GYN and 88th Assembly District Candidate Dr. Kristen Lyerly and Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions interviewed by press ahead of presidential debate.

Donald Trump only cares about one person: himself, say DEMS.

WISCONSIN -- Ahead of Donald Trump's visit to La Crosse and Green Bay on Saturday, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Spokesperson Philip Shulman released the following statement:

“Whether it’s trying to rip health care away from millions of people with pre-existing conditions or paying only $750 in federal income taxes while passing a tax bill that will ultimately raise taxes on working Wisconsinites, Donald Trump only cares about one person: himself. Nothing he says on Saturday will change the fact that Wisconsinites see Donald Trump for the chaotic and ineffective president that he has proven to be time and time again. Trump lied to us about his trade wars -- which ultimately crushed our farmers and manufacturers, ignored COVID-19 and pushed disinformation while over 200,000 Americans died, and continues to try to tear down our health care system with no replacement plan. Wisconsinites will hold Trump accountable on November 3rd when we vote him out of office.”

WISCONSIN -- Sen. Ron Johnson was caught on video this week supporting shipping Wisconsin jobs overseas in a meeting with commercial real estate agents. For the last four years, Republicans have abandoned working families in Wisconsin in favor of the wealthy and well connected. Trump and Johnson then allowed workers to suffer in a pandemic that was made worse by their gross mismanagement.

It is more clear than ever that Sen. Johnson and Donald Trump do not care that Wisconsinites are suffering every day because of his failed leadership and disregard for working families. 

Read key points here:

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Sen. Ron Johnson backs outsourcing, says it's better to have products made 'dirt cheap' overseas

• U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson argued for shipping more manufacturing jobs overseas this week in a presentation to commercial real estate agents.
• "From my standpoint, when we don’t have enough workers in this country right now, that’s a real limitation to our economic growth," he said, according to a video of the event. "To me, it makes no sense for American workers to produce high-labor-content products. Let the billions of people around the world do that and provide us these goods — high quality, dirt cheap.
• "That to me is economically efficient. Unfortunately, we’re probably going to retrench from that, that type of policy, and I don’t see how it’s going to particularly work."
• U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, a Democrat from rural Dane County, called the comments "stunningly out of touch."
• "It was spoken like a true robber baron would speak," he said Thursday. "It's pretty amazing that the senator from a state that has been hit so hard by outsourcing, by jobs going to Mexico and overseas, would find the answer to providing families with family-supporting wages is to continue to outsource more things overseas."
• Johnson's latest comments are in line with others he's made over the years about manufacturing.
• In 2014, he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that outsourcing was "quite beneficial to America." He also said Republicans were wrong to raise outsourcing as an issue against Mary Burke, a former Trek Bicycle Corp. executive who was the Democratic candidate for governor that year.
• "I don't want to demonize or demagogue against" outsourcing at Trek, he said then.

"Countless thousands of people have died from overdoses every year, not just from opioids, but from alcohol and other drugs," says Palzewicz. We must redesign the healthcare system to meet these challenges.

Brookfield, WI – The Covid-19 pandemic has been the center of attention in recent months, but opioid addiction continues to be an enormous public health crisis. It continues to ravage communities coast-to-coast. This is why Tom Palzewicz, running for the Fifth Congressional District seat in Washington, stands with Joe Biden and fellow Democrats in forming a plan to help addicts and families find hope in overcoming opioid and other drug and alcohol addictions.

"Countless thousands of people have died from overdoses every year, not just from opioids, but from alcohol and other drugs," said Palzewicz. "So many suffer because they cannot afford the treatment programs they need to manage their addiction. The first step is to create a system whereby people can access high-quality healthcare at an affordable price. The Affordable Care Act (ACA, 'Obamacare') designates substance abuse disorder and mental health services as essential benefits that insurers must cover by extending Medicaid."

"But the Republicans and President Trump want to repeal the ACA, and that effectively would put over 20 million people out of coverage. That is why Joe Biden needs to win this election, because his plan will ensure coverage for those who might otherwise perish."

Palzewicz is a strong proponent for universal healthcare, but the first step in making that a reality is to protect the ACA and build from that foundation. The basis of the Biden plan is:

• Hold accountable big pharmaceutical companies, executives, and others responsible for their role in triggering the opioid crisis.
• Make effective prevention, treatment, and recovery services available to all, including a $125 billion federal investment.
• Stop overprescribing while improving access to effective and needed pain management.
• Reform the criminal justice system, so the crime of drug use is no longer punishable with incarceration.
• Stem the flow of illicit drugs, like fentanyl and heroin, into the United States – especially from China and Mexico.

"Rome wasn't built in a day, and we all need to talk this through, so this isn't a Republican or Democratic problem, it is OUR problem," said Palzewicz. "I promise to listen to all sides of this issue. I will discuss this with Republicans, Independents, and all who come to the table to learn and take action. Together we can overcome this public health crisis."

"It is important that we remove the stigma from addiction," said Palzewicz. "Nobody sets out to be an addict/alcoholic. Some may abuse drugs and never become addicted, while others have one experience and are immediately hooked. Addiction steals a person's identity, and takes away their ability to make good choices. It's a difficult disease to treat, which is why the current healthcare system needs to be changed. Saving the ACA is of vital importance."

Palzewicz appreciates treatment centers' efforts, such as Rogers Memorial Hospital in Oconomowoc, that have made a positive difference in the lives of so many. But that is just the beginning, as all addict/alcoholics need access to treatment, whether inpatient or outpatient. We must redesign the healthcare system to meet the challenges of the future.

Facebook allowed conspiracy and militia groups to espouse violent rhetoric and organize violence that ended in tragedy in Kenosha, says 5th CD candidate.

Brookfield, WI – The Tom Palzewicz campaign for the Fifth Congressional District seat in Washington will no longer include advertising on Facebook and Instagram. They have cut all ad support on those platforms.

"Our decision is about ethics," said Palzewicz. "Facebook has been inconsistent or too late in their efforts to control extreme content and other practices that harm our social wellbeing. They haven't taken appropriate action amidst the civil unrest in Kenosha following the shooting of Jacob Blake." Facebook failed to remove "call to arms" posts by militia groups leading to violence erupting and the killing of two protesters by Kyle Rittenhouse.

"In addition, Facebook has a long-standing history with privacy issues. Privacy breaches are unethical and unacceptable, especially when they impact our democracy. As was the case in 2016 with Cambridge Analytica when they purchased Facebook data on tens of millions of Americans without their knowledge to build a 'psychological warfare tool,' which was unleashed on U.S. voters to help elect Donald Trump as president."

Facebook allowed conspiracy and militia groups to espouse violent rhetoric and organize violence that ended in tragedy in Kenosha. The seeming lack of professional standards and ethics is a major red flag for Palzewicz, a U.S. Navy veteran. "An absolute essential in a democratic society is a free and open press," Palzewicz explained. "But with freedom comes responsibility and we have social media platforms who fail to have the proper degree of journalistic integrity. Our campaign is about integrity and being transparent. We, therefore, will not advertise with any Mark Zuckerberg run company. We are pulling our advertising."

Palzewicz has long advocated for publicly-funded elections to overturn Citizens United and get big special-interest dollars out of any campaign. It's all about having a level playing field. "So much of political advertising and social media coverage is fraught with misinformation and is meant to be divisive. I believe we must demand better. Character and integrity count."

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/trump-guts-pusa-s5.pngAs the US death toll from the coronavirus pandemic climbs past 200,000, Donald Trump continues to push tax breaks for billionaires while stripping Americans of their health care.