Mellencamp not enamored with Walker's use of 'Small Town'; Grothman featured on 'The Colbert Report'

Most people know the music of John Mellencamp as wholesome, catchy pieces of Americana. But just because some of his songs have a patriotic feel and nostalgic air, it doesn't mean the Indiana native is R.O.C.K. in the GOP.

Gov. Scott Walker learned that the hard way this week after Mellencamp confronted the governor over his use of the song, "Small Town." Through his publicist, Mellencamp (formerly known as John Cougar Mellencamp, formerly formerly known as Johnny Cougar) told the governor he is very much pro-union. Mellencamp's publicist, Bob Merlis, told The Associated Press that Mellencamp "appeared at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. His wife at the time was a delegate at large. He's very pro collective bargaining and the fight for a living wage."

Fortunately for Walker, all is not lost. Who needs "Rain on the Scarecrow" when you have "Stand with Gov. Walker." That song, written by Glen Shulfer early this year, sings Walker's praises set to a cheery, Lee Greenwood-esque tune.

"We will stand with Gov. Walker. Because he does what he says; not just a big fancy talker," he croons. "We will stand with Gov. Walker. We got to keep moving ahead, all the way, with Gov. Walker."

Somehow we'd be surprised if the song becomes as iconic as "Jack and Diane," but we're guessing Walker would be welcome to use it or another Shulfer tune, "Union Man," at his next campaign stop.

A real lady hero

State Sen. Glenn Grothman experienced yet another 15 minutes of infamy this week after the West Bend firebrand made an interesting defense of the governor's decision to repeal Wisconsin's equal pay enforcement law.

The repealed law had allowed employees to collect $50,000 to $300,000 in punitive and compensatory damages if a court found they had been discriminated against. Critics argue the change discourages victims of wage discrimination to sue for lost earnings and back wages.

Grothman was quoted by the Daily Beast website saying the wage gap between genders is the result of women focusing on raising children, not discrimination. He also said that men care more about raising money.

"Take a hypothetical husband and wife who are both lawyers," the GOP senator said. "But the husband is working 50 or 60 hours a week, going all out, making 200 grand a year. The woman takes time off, raises kids, is not go, go, go. Now they're 50 years old. The husband is making 200 grand a year, the woman is making 40 grand a year. It wasn't discrimination. There was a different sense of urgency in each person."

The interview earned Grothman a spot on "The Colbert Report," a satirical news program on Comedy Central. Host Stephen Colbert sarcastically named Grothman (which he pronounced like it rhymed with "Mothman") as one of his "Lady Heroes."

Grothman told OTC he didn't know who Colbert was, but heard he was on the show. He reiterated that his bill was a common-sense measure to help boost business, and repeated that men often remain breadwinners while women tend to be the ones raising children.

"It's not because of any sex discrimination," Grothman said. "It's because of choices they've made."

(c)2012 The Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wis.)

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