McGee causes more controversy
April 1 general election can bring hope for 6th District
By Geoff Loper
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But I guess that is just how politics works, you don’t need to understand anything. Just disagree with a topic, sway voters to your side, and anything can become the truth.
From the dawn of politics, corruption has always been its sidekick. But not has it ever been so easily seen, and so close to home with Milwaukee’s 6th District Ald. Mike McGee Jr.
For those of you not paying attention, Ald. McGee won the primary election a few weeks ago by carrying over 30 percent of the vote...from his jail cell. This tells the rest of Milwaukee something: Either the news media and law enforcement statistics have painted a horribly wrong picture for the neighborhoods in the 6th District, or the voters in the area really see nothing wrong with having a criminal in office.
Now yes, I know, he has not been convicted yet, but I feel that most people would agree with that label for him. But let’s take a closer look at that, shall we?
McGee is currently awaiting trial for a number of federal charges brought against him for political corruption and election tampering. He is also awaiting trial on the state level for bribery, conspiracy of assault and election tampering.
He is currently being held without bail, and has been in jail since last Memorial Day. And why is there no bail, you ask? A federal judge ordered that no bail be given based on evidence of witness tampering during his state case. Now if I lived in the 6th District, I think that would be more than I need to choose a new alderman. But his list of woes continues.
There are also currently two restraining orders in place against Mike McGee Jr. for a Mr. Leon Todd.
Now this name probably does not sound familiar to any readers of the Post, so I’ll give you a little history here. Leon Todd was a member of the MPS School Board in the mid-1970s that strived to make the MPS system much better than it was. It was a very progressive time for the school district; real changes were being made that can still be seen today.
He was instrumental in helping to create Milwaukee’s magnet school program. He was taking strides to help improve the schools particularly for the African-American community in Milwaukee.
This is where Todd/McGee feud starts. In 1990, Todd’s house was attacked by a firebomb while his wife and children were inside. While not officially involved, McGee’s father Mike McGee Sr., approved of the attacks due to Todd’s “politics.” In December of 2006, McGee Jr. said that Todd should be hanged for “betraying” the black community.
Now here is where I have to detach a bit. I am not black, but I cannot understand how trying to improve a school system for ANYONE could be considered a bad thing. But, I guess that is just how politics works: You don’t need to understand something, just disagree with it, sway voters to your side, and anything can become the truth.
That seems to be working for McGee. And even though he survived a recall election last year, I think that the damage to what is left of his reputation has been done.
But you would never guess that from some of his constituents. Some of his supporters are seeing him as a martyr, being framed by “The Man.” Some of the people who voted for him even think that he is “a nice person.”
I can’t say whether or not he is – I’ve never met the guy – but I can make a guess about the kind of person he is. Some people will shout, “Racial Profiling!” or “Media Bias!” But until we can see anything other than what he has done wrong, Mike McGee Jr. has done nothing but paint a picture of himself as a criminal who has no place in any position of government, especially one that pays so well for doing so little.
I strongly urge the student voters of the 6th District to look at the other candidate vying for election on April 1, Milele Coggs. Only your votes can truly bring the changes needed to your community, changes that cannot be made from a man behind bars.
> Comments
Johanan Raatz on Mar 03, 2008 at 10:28 AM:
I think it would be terribly funny if he won the election from jail. :)
I almost hope he does just for the ridiculous outcome that would be, not because I like him or anything.
Daniel on Mar 03, 2008 at 08:31 PM:
Shame on the Post for publishing a racist political ad.
This writer has clearly not stepped a foot into the sixth district, has not done a bit of research, makes a racist comment, then pitches for Coggs.
What a sick sorry story.
Daniel V. Bahr on Mar 04, 2008 at 12:12 AM:
Well,
McGee should have his day in court that is part of the democratic process. However, I would suggest he find a new line of work?? The citizens deserve better.
Daniel V. Bahr
Johanan Raatz on Mar 04, 2008 at 07:35 AM:
"Shame on the Post for publishing a racist political ad."
"makes a racist comment,"
Typical critical theory crap find racism where it does not exist. I read the article and it was completely tangential to race. It was about McGee being a crook and manipulating people not about race.
Actually I find it funny when this happens because cultural marxists make themselves look like assinine idiots whenever they do this.
Johanan Raatz on Mar 04, 2008 at 07:35 AM:
"Shame on the Post for publishing a racist political ad."
"makes a racist comment,"
Typical critical theory crap find racism where it does not exist. I read the article and it was completely tangential to race. It was about McGee being a crook and manipulating people not about race.
Actually I find it funny when this happens because cultural marxists make themselves look like assinine idiots whenever they do this.
Geoff Loper on Mar 04, 2008 at 03:20 PM:
To Daniel,
Yes, I have never stepped foot in the 6th district, but have many friends who live in that area of town, who live there today, and have told me their stories of how their neighborhood is.
Please show me where my research is lacking, becuase all of the information that I wrote is available from reputable sources, including the State of Wisconsin.
And where is the racist comment?
Then finally, the only reason I pitch for Coggs is that the 6th distric needs a change, and she is the only one currently in a postion to do so.
Geoff Loper on Mar 04, 2008 at 03:22 PM:
For Jonanan,
Thanks for showing other readers that this article was not focusing on race. There is a political issue here that is being heavily clouded by the "race card". Thanks for being one of the readers who can see that!
Johanan Raatz on Mar 04, 2008 at 06:23 PM:
"Thanks for showing other readers that this article was not focusing on race. There is a political issue here that is being heavily clouded by the "race card". Thanks for being one of the readers who can see that!"
Sure no problem. Political correctness is based in something called critical theory or sometimes cultural Marxism which likes to find racism sexism and homophobia behind every corner whether or not it really is there.
Someone has to call it out when it shows up. So that's why I'm the self-appointed anti-PC police.
Student on Mar 04, 2008 at 10:11 PM:
"I am not black, but I cannot understand how trying to improve a school system for ANYONE could be considered a bad thing."
What is that about?
The fact that you never stepped foot in the sixth district and rely on your friends information proves your opinion doesn't matter. McGee didn't make the sixth district the poorest district of Milwaukee. He is favored by the people of his district.
The Shepherd did a great article on McGee. Your biased piece doesn't deserve time.
http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/article-681-will-michael-mcgee-be-re-elected.html
Johanan Raatz on Mar 05, 2008 at 09:52 AM:
"The Shepherd did a great article on McGee.Your biased piece doesn't deserve time."
As if the Shepherd Express isn't a biased rag to begin with.
Geoff Loper on Mar 05, 2008 at 02:33 PM:
I need to revise my previous statements... I have been in the 6th district many times. I just didn't realize it. My step-father lived there for his entire life (on Richards St. 2 blocks north of Locust). So does that make me an expert? I never said I was in the first place.
I realize that McGee didn't make the neighborhood the way it is, I never said that he did. I just know that if this troubled area is ever to have a good chance to get out from under the thumb of McGee and his corruptness, there needs to be a change.
For Student, First I applaud you for showing just how much you stand by your beliefs by making youyrself anynomous... Second, read the article. Leon Todd was about making MPS a better school district and McGee calls him out saying that his [Todd's] policies were "betraying the black community." This article was not an attack on the black community, it was to show how corrupt the system is because a man in jail is able to win an election.
maybe you need to read it again.