God Speed Van!
Not to be too critical, but it seems like every candidate for office, be they Republican or Democrat, says, "I'll stand up against the special interests."
A nice sentiment, but not practical. As soon as they get in office, they find out that not only can they not fufill that campaign promise, they need the special interest groups to get them through to the next election cycle.
I wish Van well, but I wish candidates would stop trying to be the next Bob LaFolette.
Well MPP those of us in Racine have seen that John Lehman is all about special interests, especially unions.
He passed along tax increase after tax increase and now property taxes will skyrocket thanks to he and all his pals on Joint Finance.
I'm not disagreeing with the sentiment, I just think that as much as Lehman is beholden to the union goons, the GOP candidate would need to become beholden to the builders, realtors, bankers and other like-minded interest groups.
I'm not necessarily opposed to special interest groups, as they do provide a service to the constituency they serve. And certainly, those interest groups are comprised of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of district residents.
All I’m saying is that while it may make for a good sound byte to say, "I'll stand up to the special interests", it's not based in reality, and you might find yourself "standing up" against the very people that put you into office.
Where do I sign up to help? I am pledged to get rid of any representative who voted in favor of the recently passed budget!!!
Lehman has to GO!!
A bit early for that GG, but I'll let Van know of your interest to volunteer
PP: I've always found that statement about standing up against special interests a bit uncomfortable, myself. Especially since every special interest group out there (and there is one for EVERY special interest you can think of) represents people who have banded together behind certain principles/ideas.
Teachers Union advocates for the best pay and benefits and working conditions for teacherss that they can get. They only support candidates who support this same ideal (at the expense of the kids, but to each his own....)
WMC (Manufacturers and Commerce) supports candidates who are in favor of easing burdensome and unnecessary regulation on job providers. They're made up of company owners and executives--what can help them be more profitable and to hire more employees to keep their companies growing is what they support.
Planned Parenthood's members = people who support abortions. This organization works to destroy people who stand in the way of this fundamental mission.
Candidates should instead say that they have an independent, constituent-focused mind and that they will vote based on the best interests of the citizens at home and our state at large.
kept hearing it would be either Vos or return of Stepp?
guess this assures Lehman's reelection.
Cathy: exactly my point. There are literally hundreds of special interest groups out there, everything from the evil overlords at WMC and union thugs and goons at WEAC, all the way down to the Wisconsin Pumpkin Growers Association....okay I made that last one up.
Thus, I agree with your comment about being an idependent and open-minded candidate who will try to do what is right by the constituents he/she represents. Because they could be a member of one of those hundreds of groups, and it's not so simple to say "I'll stand up to special interests".
And that includes pumpkin growers.
You can sleep a bit easier tonite, Paulw, since when I said I wasn't going to run again I actually meant it.
A new concept in politics as usual, I know....
Don't pick on the Pumpkin Growers, PP. They were my biggest and orangest supporters...
(a lame joke, I realize.)
And why on EARTH would Robin Vos run for Senate, when there are 3 times the contituents to work for and you get paid the same money? Not to mention, he's comfortable in his seat with a nearly 600% republican majority district.
I only hope the Dem's underestimate Van like they underestimated me. Van's a passionate and committed guy to Racine and the county. He'll work 100 times harder than John.
Pelican and Cathy - actually the quote from 4 years ago was..."if the special interest lobbyists get in the way of what's best for Racine..."
IMHO, huge difference from the vague misstatement you two seem to be discussing.
I take it to mean he will stand up against any special interest group whether it be the teacher's union, WMC, realtors, whatever side of the aisle they may be on, if what they're pushing isn't in our best interest. I agree completely with that statement and hope, with his senate campaign, Wanggaard will stick to his guns.
BTW, I have a copy of Wanggaard's speech from yesterday and attended the announcement and at no time did he make the blanket statement "I'll stand up against special interests."
Having known Van for quite some time, I believe he will stand up for what's in the best interest of his constituents, even if it means taking on a special interest group - any of them - one of the reason's I'll be supporting him and helping with his campaign in any way I can.
But what happens when a piece of legislation comes before him which may be bad for Racine, but good for Union Grove, Sturtevant, Caledonia and Rochester? How will he handle the special interest groups then?
Look, I'm not knocking the guy, my point was that I think making such promises and keeping such promises are two different things, and candidates for office should rethink their "I'll stand up against special interests" platform.
CU: PP and I were just kibbitzing back and forth on the whole Special Interest Groups hyperbole.
I agree that Van would stand up for what's right. He's my friend and I admire his perseverance and fortitude. He'll work circles around Lehmann.
Pelican (BTW what is Pelican Pants?)- again you're misquoting him based on the video, but whatever. And I find that particular scenario difficult to imagine, but should it happen, I would hope he'd more heavily weigh the interests of the citizens/taxpayers over the interests of any special groups - I think we'd agree on that?
I think a much more likely scenario, though, is a proposal that would benefit the city of Racine with funding from outlying communities receiving little or no benefit. And I'm not speaking for Van here, but based on some conversations we've had, I think Van might be a little more open to referenda, whether binding or not, on issues that are highly controversial/expensive, to ensure he's doing the work of the people. Maybe that's something he'll discuss as part of his campaign.
BTW, I have witnessed Wanggaard stand up to special interest groups at the county level on a proposal that would only benefit a very small group but would be funded by taxpayers throughout the county, so I'm confident he can handle it.
Cathy - thanks for the clarification and comment. Please understand when you "kibbitz" on a thread about a quote being attributed to a particular candidate, it is very easy to presume the ensuring comments refer to that candidate.
Cathy can't run for Seante she is still running for Mayor.
"And why on EARTH would Robin Vos run for Senate, when there are 3 times the contituents to work for and you get paid the same money?"
Yeah, God forbid the guy actually work a little harder! We can't have that from our elected officials!
Zach, your comment doesn't even make sense.
Would you take on 3 times the work at your job (I'm assuming you have one, of course), 3 times the critics and have to be fending off ankle biters for the same pay?
Doubtful. As an aside, Robin was and is one of the hardest working legislators I know. His contact with his constituents is outstanding. Even to those who disagree with him.
A new concept in politics as usual, I know....
___________________
Vince
#1 Satellite Television Service Provider
Commenting by HaloScan
