June 8, 2012

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Scott Walker — Wisconsin's true progressive"

Melanie Sturm:
"....Though these reforms were modest, the unions and their allies reacted ferociously, like a mama bear defending her cub. They captured national attention with protests, runaway state senators, legal challenges and state senator recall elections. Despite their efforts, they couldn't overcome the will of the people — to keep the reforms.

That's because Walker's reforms are succeeding: The budget has a $150 million surplus, property taxes are lower, the unemployment rate is 6.8 percent (the lowest since 2008 and well below the national average), the private sector created 26,000 jobs in 2011, and savings realized by school districts have preserved jobs and educational programming. Most encouraging, according to a Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce survey in May, 73 percent of employers predicted moderate to good business growth and more than half plan to expand operations within two years — the highest rate in a decade.

No wonder one-third of union members voted for Walker, according to exit polls. Seeing union policies drain government finances, endanger vital government services and undermine their own jobs and benefits, why would union members want to pay their dues? Now that they have the option not to, tens of thousands have opted out. Perhaps this is the best outcome of all, for civil society is healthier when government employees believe they're on the same side as taxpayers.

As C.S. Lewis said, “We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”

Though it's too late for Edwards, other self-proclaimed “progressives” must Think Again — good policy makes great politics..."  (Read more?  Click title)

1 comment:

sumfu said...

The failed recall effort of Scott Walker is one of the proudest moments for conservative values this country has ever seen and I think it's going to be the benchmark of what we will see this fall. People have spent the past 12 years watching the demonization tactics of certain media and certain philosophy on both sides of the aisle trend toward what is really worse than character assassination. They see and know the tricks now of zealot career politicians with their own agendas and all the dirty little secret tools those types of men and women use through print and digital media. Folks see right through it, they don't want it, they want what they can trust and what works for real life. Over 40% union voted to retain Walker. that's a moment in conservative history that we can all be proud of. Now, will anyone go back and apologize for the demonization of Scott Walker? More important are we as a collective whole going to finally put a stop to high-tech lynchings?