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We the People

The economic and ecological crises we face both stem from a deeper democracy crisis. That is the central issue of our time. The domination of our government by a few major corporations and their lobbyists -- together with the denial of the natural rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness of millions of Americans -- are the greatest obstacles to progressive reform.

As a legislator, Manski will advance:
  • Election reforms such as instant runoff voting, proportional representation, fusion voting, public financing of elections, and hand-counted paper ballots.
  • Voter protection legislation to ensure that all voters, regardless of race, age, or other characteristics, can vote free of intimidation.
  • A renewal of Rep. Midge Miller's advocacy for the Wisconsin Equal Rights Amendment, protecting the rights of all, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, or gender, including the right to marry.
  • Workplace, education, health care and other anti-discrimination legislation to ensure that all Wisconsinites are on the same playing field, regardless of immigration status.
  • Restoration of Wisconsin’s original constitutional guarantee (1848-1908) of voting rights to all residents seeking U.S. citizenship status.
  • Legislation placing Wisconsin at the front of the national movement to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling that corporations are persons entitled to constitutional rights.

MANSKI: Democracy requires separation of party, state

Ben Manski
The Capital Times
December 8, 2010
Note: A shorter version of this article appeared in print in The Capital Times.

Can we achieve social change at the ballot box?

On Election Day, one month ago, 17,754 residents of Wisconsin’s 77th Assembly District cast votes for their preferred candidate to represent them in the state legislature. Of these, significantly the largest portion, 7,749, voted for me and for the policies I advocated. It was a historic win for the Wisconsin Green Party. But despite that result, I will not be taking office in January, and the progressive tax and political reform agenda I campaigned on will not be represented in the State Capitol.

RELEASE: Manski goes on TV with "Fresh Air" anti-corruption campaign

Manski for Wisconsin
VoteManski.com
October 4, 2010

MADISON – Manski for Wisconsin's campaign entered a new phase tonight with the release of its first television ads, running nightly on Madison's most trusted news and commentary programming by Chris Matthews, Rachel Maddow, Keith Olbermann, Jon Stewart, and yes, Steven Colbert; the spots will also run during the CNN morning news. The campaign, entitled, "Fresh Air," contrasts candidate Manski's integrity as a lifelong reformer with the role his opponent, Brett Hulsey, played as a corporate lobbyist for the Cassville coal plant.

STATEMENT: Environmentalists for Manski

Manski for Wisconsin
VoteManski.com
October 4, 2010

As environmental professionals, activists and authors, we know how important it is to have strong allies in our state legislature. Wisconsin – and particularly Assembly District 77 -- has provided environmental leadership in the past, and we can in the future, if we make the right choices in November's election. We can think of no stronger leader on environmental issues for the Wisconsin Assembly than Ben Manski.

SANDERS & MANSKI: Wisconsin must protect voting rights in this election

Henry Sanders, Jr & Ben Manski
The Capital Times
September 12, 2010

In committing election crimes, who is the perpetrator, and who is the victim?

In a little-noticed announcement a few weeks ago, Republican Attorney General JB Van Hollen began a new campaign to crack down on so-called “voter fraud,” saying that, “elections are undermined when people engage in unlawful voting or otherwise commit fraud on the elections process.”

Responses to Voces de la Frontera questionnaire

Ben Manski
Manski for Wisconsin
August 23, 2010

As Madison's newest legislator, I will work with you to achieve a Wisconsin in which all residents are treated equally, regardless of U.S. citizenship or immigration status. Wisconsin should have one standard, and one standard only, for determining qualifications for education, welfare, voting, driving, and other rights and privileges. An Illinoisan or New Yorker who moved to Wisconsin one year ago should have no more, and no fewer, rights or privileges under state law than someone who moved here from Mexico at the same time.

CAPTIMES: Seize opening for marriage equality

The Capital Times
Editorial
August 11, 2010

This is the time to state, bluntly, that discrimination is wrong and that it is at odds with the Constitution and with our best understanding of the phrase “equal protection under the law.”

That’s what Wisconsin’s Henry Sanders, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, is saying as he uses his campaign website to promote a marriage-equality petition drive.

That’s what Wisconsin’s Ben Manski, a 77th Assembly District candidate, was saying when he immediately responded to the California decision . . .

CAPTIMES PRAISES MANSKI: ‘No rational basis for enforcing marriage inequality’

Editorial
The Capital Times
August 7, 2010

The U.S. District Court’s decision to toss out California’s discriminatory Proposition 8 has definitely made the whole issue of marriage equality a part of the 2010 political debate.

But for the most part Wisconsin pols were slow to react.

The striking exception was 77th District Assembly candidate Ben Manski, a lawyer with extensive experience working on constitutional issues.

He was out with a statement within hours of the decision.

RELEASE: California decision a victory for American democracy

Manski for Wisconsin
VoteManski.com
August 5, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2010
CONTACT: Steve or Sarah (608) 616-0377

Progressive attorney and Wisconsin Assembly candidate celebrates CA decision as turning point; vows to fight for marriage equality and Wisconsin Equal Rights Amendment.

MADISON – As news of U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn R. Walker’s ruling striking down California’s marriage ban ricocheted across the country, Ben Manski announced his support of the decision, and recommitted himself to the movement against anti-LBGTQ discrimination in Wisconsin.