Government for Sale

This post has been percolating for awhile and it's about something that really bothers me: the extent to which the public policy of our state is for sale. Four current instances come to mind: Today's Milwaukee JS brings the news that the Republicans' corporate masters at the WMC (WMC - Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce) have granted them permission to support Governor Doyle's proposed hospital tax. Business lobby backs proposed hospital tax. Some GOP leaders are putting up a show of resistance, much like the maiden in a Victorian hothouse romance novel, but give it a few days and see if this tax isn't part of the budget fix. BTW, the tax reportedly will enable nearly all Wisconsin hospitals to recover more in increased Medicaid payments than they will pay under the tax.

The Saturday paper also brings the news that the WMC's candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court (Wisconsin Court System) does not believe in our adversarial system. The bedrock of our legal system posits that the truth will more likely be revealed when each side of a dispute is zealously represented. This character apparently thinks only the state should have representation and persons accused of crimes should submit quietly - sounds vaguely Stalinist. The WMC is a major funder behind his outrageous Willie Horton TV ads that a) mischaracterize Justice Louis Butler's role in a criminal appeal and b) more importantly suggest that there is something dishonorable in being a criminal defense attorney. (MJS story: TV ad by Gableman comes out swinging) (To relive the Willie Horton nightmare click Willie Horton Ad ).

And the Tavern League's investments paid off when the legislature ended its regular session with leadership in both parties refusing to allow a vote on a statewide smoking ban in public indoor places. TCT story: Smoking ban fans promise to fight on

Last but not least, the WMC also blocked a vote on the proposal to allow the state Natural Resources Board to name the DNR Secretary (Natural Resources, Department of). The Wisconsin Builders Association gets the 'credit' for this one. The bill, AB 504, reportedly has the support of 75 members of the Assembly (out of 99) and passed in committee 13-1. A companion bill (SB 15) passed the entire Senate by 21-12. The GOP leader of the Assembly Mike Huebsch killed that one all by his little lonesome. MJS column: Tough nature of politics

At least our state politicians do not seem to be lining their own pockets the way our national 'leaders' do. News came this week that the former Singing Senator and US Attorney General (The Fed - The Singing Senators: Behind the "Music") has taken up the "consulting business". It appears his old agency, the US DOJ, steered a $27 to $52 million contract his way to oversee Zimmer Holdings Inc., a company accused of violating anti-kickback laws. (Oh, and BTW, the company had to approve the person named as monitor - the monitor who will decide whether they have behaved and thus get the criminal charges against it dropped.)

News reports focused on a side issue - whether there was a conflict of interest. Ashcroft Defends Contract for His Firm (WAPO requires free reg) Ashcroft Defends Contract Steered to His Firm (NYT requires free reg). To me the bigger issue is the way in which former public officials manipulate the system to receive lavish payments after they leave office. My goodness, $52 million is some serious snuffling at the public trough - makes us workaday bureaucrats look like a bunch of bozos.

One thing I have always appreciated about local politics is the lack of big money influence. In Monona you can run a full well-rounded campaign for $2000 or less and the maximum contribution from any one person is $250.