Why Clean Government is Primary

Submitted by goveisman on Wed, 2006-08-02 16:14.

The most vital change needed in our state is a clean government focused on the needs of the people of Wisconsin. Government exists to provide people with services they cannot provide for themselves. To me education and health care are primary public services. Everyone needs an education and everyone needs health care. In a democratic society governed by the people their government would meet these needs. Why then are we faced with unaffordable day care, college tuition, and health care? Obviously it is because we do not have a government of the people.

We often hear comments like, “we have the best government money can buy.” Sadly this is not a joke. By forcing candidates to seek obscene amounts of money to be able to afford campaign staff, advertising, pollsters, travel, offices, websites, and professional consultants, we know their sources of money are not going to be without pledged support to special interests. My opponents in the race for Governor of Wisconsin are reported to be spending $30 Million on this campaign. Who gives them this kind of money? Probably not you.

If elected I will represent you. I am not seeking, nor will I accept, corporate or political action committee (PAC) donations. My opponents are glad to know this, as I just shot my campaign in the head. Unless you help me with your own personal donation so that I can try to reach as many voters as I can to let them know they have a choice. Only a candidate who refuses special interest money will fulfill a promise to champion campaign finance reform. And only campaign finance reform that provides for public funding of campaigns will result in a government of the people. Then we can make the government work for the people. So what is the first step?

There is a clear choice in this race between major party candidates who are building huge “war chests” and a Green Party candidate who only accepts individual donations. As that candidate I feel I am the only one in this race who has the integrity to clean up the mess that has become our state government.

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I was curious if you have
Submitted by proletariat on Mon, 2006-08-14 18:32.

I was curious if you have given much thought to actual 'Green goverment' - goverment laws, policies etc.

For example, what specific measures would you take to get large donations out of the poliical process. The national Greens sort of leave it with if its not corporate, then its ok. Do Eisman reforms go deeper than that.

The whiny pro business Milfred surprisingly had an interesting piece comparing WI with MN. What are your thoughts on how they do it. I thought the idea of donating to the actual party rather than the election campaign fund was interesting. It gave the MN Greens 40,000 last year.

Nate

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Public Funding of Campaigns
Submitted by goveisman on Tue, 2006-08-15 12:11.

My Dear Proletariat (what fun to write that!),

The states that have passed public campaign funding are doing quite well with it. See http://www.wicleanelections.org/how-it-works.html

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Does that mean you endorse
Submitted by proletariat on Tue, 2006-08-15 18:11.

Does that mean you endorse Jack E. Lohman's plan?

The one thing about the MN plan I liked was the chance to donate to the party directly. The problem I have with Lohman's plan, unless done through referendum, is who defines the criteria, Last year, so called progressive Dems campaign finance plan would have made it much more difficult for third parties to participate. Look at the almost impossible amount of sigs the Penn. Greens had to collect even with Santurum money.

It seems to me more specifics that can get out about your stances on goverment ethics and clean goverment the better. I really think in the end that is what the race will come down to.

BTW, if your blog has an rss feed you should get it on leftyblogs. Rae is on it, and everytime she posts, Doyle and his goons have to read it.

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