You, the readers, get to decide in today's version of "Who's More Clueless?" Ready? Here we go.
In the blue corner is bricklayer extraordinaire Russ Decker, who announced that he and Jon Erpenbach are pushing ahead with the oft-maligned Healthy Wisconsin plan. As many of you know, Healthy Wisconsin took on a lot of water last year, with even many Democrats scoffing at its enormous price tag. Its brand is about as battered and beaten as TABOR was when Democrats were able to use that as a weapon against Republicans. And the Governor's Office is pulling back on some already agreed-to health care initiatives as he and his staff recognize there's not a lot of money for new goodies right now.
In the red corner is college dropout Scott Walker, who announced that Milwaukee taxpayers will get to shoulder the debt burden of any economic stimulus plan, but that he's not interested in seeing any of the benefits. Walker's got hundreds of millions of dollars of deferred maintenance piled up but he's only interested in using tax cuts to spur the economy. Nevermind that in bad times, recipients of tax cuts are just as likely to save that money as they are to spend it, thereby defeating the whole "stimulus" aspect of the cut in the first place. Walker continues to try and draw affection from the wingnut base, who will propel him exactly nowhere in a 2010 gubernatorial bid, since nobody outstate can stand the slick-haired, government-strangling shyster from Milwaukee County.
So readers, what say you? Who's more clueless?
In the blue corner is bricklayer extraordinaire Russ Decker, who announced that he and Jon Erpenbach are pushing ahead with the oft-maligned Healthy Wisconsin plan. As many of you know, Healthy Wisconsin took on a lot of water last year, with even many Democrats scoffing at its enormous price tag. Its brand is about as battered and beaten as TABOR was when Democrats were able to use that as a weapon against Republicans. And the Governor's Office is pulling back on some already agreed-to health care initiatives as he and his staff recognize there's not a lot of money for new goodies right now.
In the red corner is college dropout Scott Walker, who announced that Milwaukee taxpayers will get to shoulder the debt burden of any economic stimulus plan, but that he's not interested in seeing any of the benefits. Walker's got hundreds of millions of dollars of deferred maintenance piled up but he's only interested in using tax cuts to spur the economy. Nevermind that in bad times, recipients of tax cuts are just as likely to save that money as they are to spend it, thereby defeating the whole "stimulus" aspect of the cut in the first place. Walker continues to try and draw affection from the wingnut base, who will propel him exactly nowhere in a 2010 gubernatorial bid, since nobody outstate can stand the slick-haired, government-strangling shyster from Milwaukee County.
So readers, what say you? Who's more clueless?
16 comments:
I'd say they're pretty neck and neck.
The answer is easy. Decker and Erpenbach.
Here's why:
1) The "stimulus" plan is a flat-out hornswaggle. Since federal spending is calculated as part of GDP, the "stimulus" is cynically designed to work on paper only. increase federal spending at the proposed level and the make-work spending artificially raises GDP temporarily. Like a sugar rush to a tired person, the effect will be short lived and will not address the underlying problem. With this in mind, fiscal responsibility is a positive attribute to demonstrate for public officials looking to continue.
2) "Healthy WI" is an absolute dog. If you thought welfare benefits attracted hordes in the 80's, wait for "Healthy" WI. I invite you to take a look at the testimoony of Michael Tanner of Cato. http://www.cato.org/testimony/ct-mt-10022007.html
Respectfully,
Rosco Myrick
Oshkosh
RS-
Weren't you bashing Mark Sanford over on a Boots and Sabers thread for wondering aloud if he or any so-called real fiscal conservatives would refuse federal stimulus money for their states? Rightly or wrongly, Walker has generally positioned himself as a fiscal conservative - so wouldn't he at least be being consistent in refusing said monies?
I was, because Sanford's a talker. Everyone knew he'd fold, and sure enough, he did - conveniently timed to coincide with a dead news cycle between holidays.
Will I give Walker credit for being consistent? Sure. Do I think his consistency is born of stupidity and managerial incompetence? Yes, of course. But yes, two points for philosophical consistency. In this case, it's a philosophical consistency that will only hurt Milwaukee County.
Then again, we've seen time and time again that Walker would rather pose for holy pictures than actually address any of the issues facing his county. He just ignores them or waits for the County Board to intervene and override his decision.
I knew Erpenbach was clueless. Decker should know better.
Last time around, it seemed to me that Healthy WI was an attempt by the Senate Democrats to force the ASSGOP to the table and bargain some kind of health care reform bill. The Senate Dem caucus was drunk with power from being in the majority and only a few of them were Healthy WI koolaid drinkers - Erpenbach chief among them.
It obviously didn't work and they are lucky the Healthy WI millstone didn't drag more of them down last election cycle. That fact may even be debatable looking at how few seats they captured in a year with a Democratic Tsunami.
I can't believe they are going to try that again but maybe I shouldn't be surprised. Some people never learn. Or only do what they are told.
Decker's move is a "middle finger" at his detractors. Walker's is just plain dumb.
Decker. Especially when he's driving around town half-loaded with a GOP bimbo staffer heading in the general direction of various west side hotels.
Clearly, clueless.
If every state and local politician turned down the federal stimulous/bailout, wouldn't we be better off? Just think if they were forced to clean up their own messes rather than taking the easy way out? Gov. Doyle will take the fed money from Obama and will have learned nothing. Then we will be in the same spot next year because no one made any hard decisions and will come to rely on daddy feds to help us time and again.
RS:
Why is it necessary to refer to Scott Walker as a college dropout?
I'm a college graduate and don't care for Walker's politics, but why do you insist on making this point?
It seems childish.
Because for those of us who value educational accomplishment and attainment in a candidate, it's worth letting other people know of his academic credentials or lack thereof.
I don't think degrees necessarily make a good candidate. Look at all the eggheads with plenty of degrees on their wall who have zero common sense and come up with wacky government solutions that don't work. Bill Gates doesn't have a college degree either, among others.
Here are some other college, and even high school, dropouts:
Woody Allen
Hans Christian Anderson
John Jacob Astor
Henry Ford
Bill Gates
President Kennedy and Wilson both dropped out of college, but returned later to complete their degrees.
I love that of the seven people you mentioned, all but one of them was born before the television was a mainstream household item. That sort of blows a hole in your comparison, unless I'm supposed to think that a 19th Century industrialist or author would also be qualified to hold office today.
Woody Allen's done some great work, but entertaining people is hardly a complex matter that requires a lot of critical thought. And Bill Gates had marketable skills that weren't being taught in college (and in many instances, still aren't being taught effectively).
If you gave me a choice between a college graduate and a high school graduate for public office - and that was all I knew of the candidates - I would take the college graduate every time, gladly. And I will be right way more often than not.
Yea...because all the college graduates in local, state and federal office right now are doing such a bang up job right now.
Thanks college!
Please see the response above your post.
I did.
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