Will Johnson, Walker Block $370 Million In Possible US Aid To State Schools?

Other pieces of President Obama's jobs bill beyond labor-intensive school upgrades and repairs would run the projected Wisconsin infusion of federal jobs funding to $1.5 billion - -  with an estimated 20,000 jobs saved or created statewide - - but all that salve for a wounded economy presumes Republican/Tea Party Sen. Ron Johnson won't filibuster it to death, and anti-federal Republican Gov. Scott Walker won't refuse or return it.

Would they really do that, you ask - - in this economy?

Aren't good schools crucial to job growth, too?

Well, don't forget that in addition to throwing away the jobs that came with $800 million in Amtrak construction and related contracting, Walker's pro-Realtors, anti-green jobs assault on wind power killed $600 million ticketed for three big new wind farms - - with some of the wind investment business moving to Illinois, as did some of the rejected rail funding.

A defeat for the state, and a self-defeating start for a pro-jobs administration, but a lesson for residents about Walker's priorities and intentions..

As for Johnson, he immediately blasted Obama's jobs plan as "insanity" and went off on a tangent about borrowing and debt and rejecting Obama's entire "agenda" - - even though the Obama plan is to be financed by closing tax loopholes and rolling back tax code preferences for the wealthy.

If he'd waited for the funding follow-up explanation that Obama had said would be soon forthcoming, our new freshman Senator have gotten his facts straight, but if you are an ideologue, and in a hurry to get your face on the news - - regardless if said face has egg on it- -  why wait for such pesky, facty details?

The bottom line:

Johnson and Walker will oppose just about anything that Obama proposes - - that's goal #1 - - to try and ensure his 2012 defeat and to de-legitimize the federal government.

So it's all political all the time with these people: their ideology, partisanship and proven disdain for federal funding for programs as varied as Amtrak and disease prevention suggests they will oppose, obstruct and reject this Obama initiative.

At any cost.