WisDems: Ron Johnson whines that Wisconsinites know he’s an out of touch, self-serving multi-millionaire

MADISON, Wis. – Ron Johnson took to right-wing radio to complain that Wisconsinites have taken notice of him using his power in DC to enrich himself and his wealthiest donors, all while voting against lowering health care costs, threatening to cut Social Security and Medicare funding, and refusing to fight for good paying jobs in his hometown.

“From voting against lower health care costs to threatening to cut Social Security, Wisconsin’s middle class families know that Ron Johnson’s not working for them. Johnson whining about being called out for his failed record rings hollow to the Wisconsinites who’ve been hurt by his out of touch policies,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Senate Communications Advisor Philip Shulman.

Additional Background on Johnson’s self serving record: 

On Ron Johnson Enriching Himself

• Ron Johnson changed the 2017 tax bill in a way that benefitted himself and his biggest donors. 

  • “Johnson acknowledged the Oshkosh-based plastics business he owned, Pacur LLC, benefited from the small-business tax provision, as did some of his prominent donors…’Now, did my business benefit? Sure. Did some of my donor businesses? Sure…’ Johnson said.”

On Ron Johnson Threatening to Cut Social Security and Medicare Funding

• In August, Johnson advocated that Social Security and Medicare should be subject to cuts and that the former should have been put into the stock market.

• Johnson has called Social Security a “Ponzi Scheme,” even going so far as to support raising the retirement age, and backed legislation that would cut funding for programs like Social Security.

On Ron Johnson Voting Against Lowering Health Care Costs

• Ron Johnson has relentlessly opposed efforts to lower health care costs and rip away critical protections from Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions, going as far as to say that if he is re-elected, “we’re going to repeal and replace Obamacare…we need to have the plan ahead of time so that once we get in office, we can implement it immediately.”

• Johnson has  called health care a “privilege” reserved for those who could “afford” it and was the deciding vote to pass a repeal that would have taken away coverage from 212,000 Wisconsinites.

On Ron Johnson Refusing to Fight for Good Paying Jobs in His Hometown

• Ron Johnson said he wouldn’t try to persuade a Wisconsin manufacturer to place more than 1,000 new jobs in his hometown.

  • Johnson doubled down, arguing “It’s not like we don’t have enough jobs here in Wisconsin,” and that he “wouldn’t insert myself to demand that anything be manufactured here using federal funds in Wisconsin.”