As a fundamental democrat, I am troubled that Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Joe Wineke has registered as a lobbyist for corporate giant AT & T. and only he can answer why he chose to do this. Apparently he doesn't care about his own reputation and risks nullifying all the good hard work he has done for state democrats. But by continuing in this position he now risks hurting the party. Although he became a AT & T lobbyist late in the game, I would certainly like to see him withdraw from either the party chairmanship or the lobbyist position as soon as possible.
One of the things political bloggers expect that you won’t find in mainstream news and editorials is consistency. I have voiced my displeasure for our own State Rep. Mike Sheridan’s corporate ties with GM. Good government and corporation just don’t mix and although newspapers pick and choose their political endorsements based on party politics, other times endorsements and support are based strictly on their own bottom line. I believe people like Sheridan and Wineke have done well in their respective governmental capacities, but would do even better for our state and the democratic party without those corporate ties.
I am also beginning to wonder where fellow democrat’s heads are who voice their support for these corporate hybrids. What are they thinking?
Regarding their respective issues, I am rigidly pro-organized labor of which Sheridan represents but against the Video Competition Act lobbied by Wineke. But that really doesn’t matter when it comes to good government, as far as I’m concerned, they both should sh_t or get off the pot OR switch to the party where corporatism is not only welcome, it is the main qualifier for entry.
If the Video Competition Act prevails - Republicans win, and if Wineke remains a corporate lobbyist while chairing the Wisconsin Democratic Party - Republicans win.
2 comments:
Louis, you are right but miss (or don't state) the point. Under our electoral system private money is the only way you can run a campaign, thus corporatism is virtually mandated. And both parties are guilty. Only full public funding of campaigns will fix the problem, and only then will we see reduced spending and legitimate tax cuts.
I tend to micro-focus on the subject at hand and did not place this under the umbrella it deserved. The private money flowing into campaigns is at the core of our corruptible form of "bought" representation in Congress. All other issues about good government pale to this. I agree with you completely.
Post a Comment