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1/5/2011
Two Types of Wisconsin Pol: Green - and Gold
Early January following an election, especially one as momentous as that of last November, is a time when political types of both persuasions eagerly turn their attention to the practices and personalities that constitute the new government. This year, GOP gains right here in Wisconsin have garnered national attention. One reason for this attention may be the way our new slate of elected officials represents the mixed results of the last election. An election marked by an anti-incumbent mood that primarily affected Democrats, but affected some Republicans too. At the same time, some Republicans, even some that have been in government for quite a while, managed to capture the attention of the electorate and have become more popular than ever.
There are no brighter stars among the Wisconsin GOP right now than Representative Paul Ryan and Governor Scott Walker. Both men are in a position to affect great change in their respective roles, Walker from Madison in conjunction with a Republican legislature, and Ryan from the House Budget Committee. Our state and national press has been the scene of recent attacks on both of these men that border on unhinged, which I take as a sign that they represent our best chance in some time for real and fundamental change.
The one attack I haven't seen of late – and the one that for me, could dim their golden hue – is that both Ryan and Walker are essentially career politicians. While it's no hypocrisy that someone with a philosophy based on limited government and increased personal freedom would choose to serve in government, it is curious that such as person would choose to make government their life's work, as both Ryan and Walker have. I'm largely in agreement with the philosophy of both of them, so this is a criticism easy to overcome, but the electorate did choose to bring some new faces to Washington in November. This is where the "Green" half of this group comes in.
When the new Congress is sworn in Wisconsin will be represented by two men who, having made their careers in other areas, have turned to public office in a spirit of service, Reid Ribble and Ron Johnson. Both of them replace Democrats that simply came to be out of step with many of the voters they represented.
Obviously, being the new kid on the block can have its drawbacks, especially in a seniority driven institution like Congress. But the voters in November made clear that sending all of the same people back to Washington every two or four years simply wasn't working anymore. Ribble and Johnson represent the possibility of bringing a new way of thinking to Washington, one that originated far from the hothouse atmosphere that surrounds our national government.
In Walker, Ryan, Ribble and Johnson Wisconsin has produced elected officials who exemplify the message of last November's election. Now it is up to these men to make sure they remember it – and it's up to the rest of us to remind them if they forget.
Jeremy Shown blogs at Rhymes with Clown and frequently hits on politics and economics in Wisconsin and the U.S.
COMMENTS
Yea, BUT.
Their idea of "limited government" is cutting back on things their Fat Cat constituents don't need; like Social Security and Medicare. The top 3% (that mostly fund the elections) have twisted these conservative politician's values, and rather than adjusting the tax flow to accommodate a need for the elderly (which they also pay in to), these jokers have chosen to CUT!
However, you watch! Pork projects and special interest giveaways will remain. We will keep the geezers in the work force, and the boomers will want them to leave their jobs.
But that's fine and dandy. This is a class war and the people affected will have to adjust.
Jack Lohman (Wed Jan 05 08:04:51 2011)
It's called "Cutting Spending" Jack and we're all going to have to endure it. It's already happening with Obamacare (higher insurance costs and no raise in Social Security even though we seem to be infected with galloping inflation that no one in government will admit)so we may as well do it in a fashion that will be helpful to the country. I will guarantee you that if the Democrats had stayed in power this country would have tanked within 10 years.
If we can keep the pressure on Republicans and Democrats in Congress we have a chance. If people again become apathetic, we may end up the same way we are now. I sincerely hope that doesn't happen.
We get the legislators we deserve. I'm now speaking in generalities because there are always people who are interested in government and keep track of our legislators but there are far too many who say, "I'm not interested in that stuff." thereby throwing away one of our most treasured freedoms without a thought.
One thing that isn't a generality though is the fact that Democrats love to play class war because it's a good game to gain the votes of the permanently disgruntled, which disgruntlement, they promise, will be able to be relieved by them. They pit black against white, females against males, haves against have-nots. I find that shameful and it goes against the fabric of our country which promotes everyone's chance at the American Dream.
C.R. Stevenson (Wed Jan 05 09:14:15 2011)
C.R., "class war" occurs when one class has the wealth to buy off the politicians to adjust the rules of the war, and the other class is poor. That's what we must fix and only public funding of campaigns will level the playing field.
The "fabric of our country" did not originally include political corruption but that is exactly where we are today.
Jack Lohman (Wed Jan 05 09:28:59 2011)
I love it... "Schumer: Republicans should give up their government health care"
So let's see which springs first, Walker, Ryan, Ribble or Johnson?
Jack Lohman (Wed Jan 05 10:04:12 2011)
Why should Republicans - or anyone employed by the federal government - give up their employee health care benefit? That's ridiculous. Why don't you give up your health care coverage Jack? Jeremy Shown talked about this and I later reiterated Jeremy's message.
[W]hy ... wouldn't Johnson accept the insurance that is part of his Senate compensation? Yes, it a government plan, but in this case the relevant characteristic is that it is insurance tied to employment.
Again, the relevant issue – for now, Obamacare ties health insurance to employment. I would add that if our friends on the left really want to be constructive, they might consider lobbying to make the federal health plans (and similar premium participation rates and co-pays) available to Wisconsin’s public employees – saving Wisconsin taxpayers a whole heap of cash.
Jo (Wed Jan 05 10:37:54 2011)
>>> "Why don't you give up your health care coverage Jack?"
Because, Jo, I am a firm believer in Medicare, and have prepaid into it since its inception. All to have health care when I became a geezer.
To oppose Medicare, which is the most efficient way of providing health care in the US, is very short-sighted. It is 95% private and would extend care to 100% of our citizens and save $400 billion in the process.
Why should those politicians who are trying to kill Medicare give up their own taxpayer-funded care? It's a little thing called hypocrisy.
Jack Lohman (Wed Jan 05 11:28:24 2011)
And Jo, moving state employees to the federal rolls does NOT save taxpayer dollars. It only changes where we send the check.
Jack Lohman (Wed Jan 05 12:46:18 2011)
It's my understanding Jack, that federal employee options are more customer driven than our state program options and would save dollars via wiser utilization. You don't have to tell me that one tax pocket is the same as another. If anyone out there knows of any work done in comparing the two programs, let me know.
Jo (Wed Jan 05 14:29:54 2011)
I doubt that the state is better or worse than federal, Jo, but let's see.
And I'd be careful of what you ask for. More consumer driven? You mean where the consumers can more easily elect to stay away from the doctor (until their disease is harder and more espensive to treat, or becomes untreatable?) You mean HSA's? I'd check these studies before deciding in that direction, but that is clearly your call. YOU may be very knowledgeable on when to pursue a medical problem, but most people are not. People can die (and have died) as a result of delaying care.
Jack Lohman (Wed Jan 05 15:06:19 2011)
Say what you will Jack. Properly constructed consumer-driven health care plans do not result in delayed care. You want the government to do everything for you and for all of America. I don't. I have faith in America and Americans. We disagree. Leave it at that.
Jo (Wed Jan 07 15:12:46 2011)
Jo, I don't want the government to make medical decisions for me, and they DON'T under Medicare or any other government system. What you suggest is pure hype.
But the minute you add high co-pays and deductibles, especially in the $2000-$5000 range, you start compelling people in the low-mid wealth rage to make decisions on whether to see a doctor or buy their medicine. One study demonstrated that women who delayed and/or eliminated blood pressure medicine in favor of putting food on the table had more strokes (or died) as a result.
So Yes, we disagree. I'll leave it at that.
Jack Lohman (Wed Jan 05 15:29:21 2011)
****You mean where the consumers can more easily elect to stay away from the doctor (until their disease is harder and more espensive to treat, or becomes untreatable?) ****
Jack, I hope this is just a typo. Are you telling me the government should be able to make people go to a doctor for whatever disease or injury the government deems?
You know what? It scares me that too many people think like you. Throw your freedoms in a trashcan and don't count what you've lost just to have a world where no one has to struggle or make decisions.
I find that very sad.
You know, there was even a snake in Paradise. Be careful what you wish for.
C. R. Stevenson (Thu Jan 06 15:32:34 2011)
No, C.R., that was a sarcastic remark. I should have spelled it out as such. I am on Medicare and I truly believe that people who don't know it shouldn't judge it. I go to the same doctor I've gone to for 20 years; he just sends his bill in a different direction. The care I receive is determined by ME; not him and certainly not the government. But the neocons will have you believe differently.
Jack Lohman (Thu Jan 06 19:06:46 2011)
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