Wisconsin as Tax and Regulatory Hell

The head of RedPrairie Corp., based in Waukesha, is renewing his call for reforming Wisconsin and Milwaukee from the Tax and Regulatory Hell that currently exists.

John Jazwiec, top executive with Waukesha-based RedPrairie Corp., renewed his call Friday for major tax cuts and an end to "the welfare system" as part of an effort to attract creative people to the Milwaukee area and build a knowledge-based economy.

Jazwiec, who is considering moving RedPrairie's headquarters out of the area because of difficulties finding or attracting strong executive talent here, spoke at the Wisconsin Club to a breakfast meeting of the Independent Business Association of Wisconsin.

"You're supporting a city and a state that is going downhill, not uphill," Jazwiec said.

The chief problems, in his view: high taxes, a welfare mentality, a parochial attitude and a state government that focuses too much on Madison and not enough on Milwaukee.

He decried what he sees as a lack of vision among political leaders in developing ways to encourage growth of a creative class here.

No kidding.

I guarantee four more years of Diamond Jim won't make this place any friendlier to business — that means job creation. For those of you who graduated from Racine Unified, that means more chances to work.

Amazingly, Milwaukee officials think RedPrairie should relocate its HQ to Milwaukee. For what possible benefit?

To deal with the same myopic morons who drove BuySeasons to cancel its decision to move from New Berlin into Milwaukee? To deal with the rampant crime, mob beatings, gang rapes, drive-bys, murders and the gangsta thug culture?

If anything, these — plus the tax and litigation climate in Wisconsin — are reasons for business to impersonate King Arthur and the not-so-brave Knights of the Round Table in Monty Python & The Holy Grail .... "Run away! Run away! Run away! Run away! Run away! Run away! Run away!"