My Take on the TPA
Regarding the TPA, I'm not going to rehash things I've read elsewhere. I don't know yet if I agree that an 1/8 of a loaf is better than no bread at all, but I do know a few things.
1) Had this been the legislative priority from day one, the results would have been far different.
Had the various committees hammered out the issue last spring instead of this, I believe a stronger version would have passed both houses and would be going before voters.
As it turned out, those whose existence depends on unrestrained access to public tax dollars were allowed to organize and defeat efforts to advance serious, comprehensive revenue and spending restraint.
2) While I personally believe it is a sad day for the those Republicans in the legislature who are committed to restraining the growth of government, consider the alternative. The Democrats are on record opposing every single effort to control the revenue stream to state and local government. I'd rather be a disappointed fiscal conservative than a policy-bankrupt legislative Democrat.
3) Finally, when conservatives lose legislative battles, I am reminded of the importance of primaries.
Vigorous primary battles within the GOP are not only good for my business, they generally result in more favorable policy outcomes as well.
15 Comments:
Nobody wants to quit their job to run against some Assemblyman.
How do people like Walker find the time/energy/money to run when they're in their 20's.
Actually, Brian, it wouldn't be going before the voters this fall. As you should know as a political consultant, in Wisconsin the same resolution must pass both houses 2 consecutive sessions. This would have been session one.
Good candidates should be supported and encouraged to run even if they are young, reducing the barriers and should use consultants like Fraley to help them suceed.
Just exactly who has won an election with Fraley's help. Frankly, the judgment the guy shows in this blog raises questions about how effective he can possibly be in helping people win.
So far, he's done Van Hollen no favors.
Brian, are you going to put the last comment on your letterhead? :)
Don't these people understand a consultant has never lost a race? Either the consultant won, or he was stuck with a real loser who didn't follow the consultant's advice.
As for primaries, I agree with you. Everytime I run into someone who wants everyone to play nice-nice in a primary I always tell them to get another hobby. I'll never forget when a certain state senator, when asked about her primary opponent, said "Nuke him." It made my day. As rotten an apple she turned out to be, I truly believe her primary opponent would have been worse.
"How do people like Walker find the time" to run for the legislature?
What else does a college drop-out do?
Gee...what else does someone who doesn't finish college do? A majority of citizens of Wisconsin do not get a college degree.
Your cheap shot says more about your arrogance than Scott Walker's character.
You are right about primaries, why are you silent on this mess in the 8th? The state GOP does not have the right to endorse a candidate for congress. Read the constituion, I helped write most of them.
What if this precedent allows the same three to put the party behind a presidential candidate?
This threesome has an unbrokjen record of losses yet the party establishment stays with them. Would th Packers keep a coach that was 0-12? Would they hire someone like RJ who has never won a race?
Power is not as important as principles.
Very well said, Mr. Wigderson! Also, cheap shots and character attacks on Walker only serve to demonstrate ignorance and lack of a clue. Appears someone needs a new hobby.
Yes, most people in Wisconsin do not have college degrees, but when was the last time one of them was elected Governor? You would likely have to go back to the early days of statehood.
I agree with the person who posted the comment. In addition, there is nothing particularly impressive in Walker's record so far.
nothing impressive?
Walker leading the largest county in Wisconsin to the brink of bankurptcy is impressive. It is also impressive that Walker can con so many talking heads into supporting him. Most con men do not need a college degree to move ahead.
This post has been removed by the author.
The weeping and gnashing of teeth is most unpleasant to observe.
Come on people, the Bride of TABOR is, quite simply, a bad idea for a lot of thinking people, be they liberal or centrist or conservative.
We need dedicated public servants, and an involved citizenry, to participate in the most important civic exercise a state can embark on...a constitutional convention. A C.C. would give this good state what it really needs…an opportunity to deal with all of the issues important to it in a comprehensive manner.
If any of those currently holding office, or desiring to do so, have a problem with that idea then perhaps we should have a problem with them.
Let’s let the people decide indeed!
As for this Walker fellow…way over his well coifed head I’m afraid.
He's someone who Peter Principled himself into a job he wishes he didn't have right now.
Walker was lucky enough to win a couple elections. What else could he do?
Never in a million years could you pay me enough to sit in the Assembly or State Senate. I'm sorry to say that the quality of people who actually serve there has gone down. That's because it's hard to justify making $45,000 a year and put up with the B.S. from constituents and lobbyists who m ake hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. NO THANK YOU!
Post a Comment
<< Home