I know a handful of fiscally conservative tea party types who are supporting Alderman Eric Marcus for mayor. Though I like his tenacity on some issues and that he seems to be despised by many on the council, I have not yet sipped the Kool-Aid. I have a few concerns but my main one is that he seems to be courting both tea party folks AND the municipal unions. Events in Madison this week suggest a wee bit of philosophic difference between these constituencies.
At some point Marcus will have to favor one group and disappoint the other. Last night at the city council was a perfect example. Marcus voted with the majority in support of a new contract for parks and public works employees to the delight I am sure of his new friends, Penny and Scott Sharp, the latter being president of local 67.
I have given my share of grief to Alderman Greg Helding in recent years, and deservedly so, but I commend him on his dissenting vote and this comment found in the Journal Times: "I have a feeling when we go to the state they will tell us, 'Well, we tried to help you out but you guys passed the contract that you didn't have to.'" Aldermen Maack, Wisneski, and Weidner also voted no citing "looming state cuts, decreasing property values and the burden on taxpayers..."
Our Republican lawmakers are in Madison in a fight to the death with state employees unions and for taxpayers. I am as proud of them as a first lady of her country, so I am more than a little perplexed that small government types are rallying behind Alderman Marcus. If any can explain the attraction, have at it.
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11 comments:
The better of two bad choices.
That would explain a reluctant vote but not the enthusiasm that I have witnessed.
Marcus went to the Democratic party meeting on Monday and recalled his fond memories of working for the Obama campaign in Racine, except no one could remember him showing up ever even once. He said he took out a home equity to make a donation to Obama but no records show it under his name, his wife's name or his business names.
His courting of tea party and labor is not just inconsistent - something is wrong with him. Seriously.
Denis - I think many of the Marcus supporters are not actually very motivated by ideology. They are just angry, and the Tea Party and Marcus are just flavors of the moment.
I would rather vote for someone who is going to cut the fat at city hall at the top, keep taxes down, protect the rights of the city workers who actually do the work, and hold people accountable. The current mayor talks a good game, but it is usually out of both sides of his mouth.
It is a trust issue.
That is why as a conservative, I am voting for Marcus.
Cut the fat? How?? My offering one of the highest paying jobs at City Hall to his union buddy (and totally unqualified) Scott Sharp? Marcus says whatever to whomever. That's not someone anyone can trust.
"The current mayor talks a good game..."
No he doesn't....he even bungles that. Dickert is pretty incompentent all the way around for a local politician.
Anon 11:44AM- Looks like a Dickert crony posting to protect his paycheck. Is this the cousin?
Marcus is exempting 60-70% of the budget from cuts-police, fire, public works and community centers. There is not enough management in the budget to achieve significant savings, same for operating expenses. Fred doesnt get a new computer every year. Marcus doesnt understand budgeting. He thinks each department could save 14% by not filling vacancies or using temps. Thats fine if you have vacancies but not every department has vacancies. And will Scott Sharp let him replace a retired garbageman with either a temp or grad student. Marcus is not a fiscal conservative.
"Marcus is not a fiscal conservative."
But he plays one on TV!
Anytime you see the name of a "union leader" listed in the comment, dollars to donuts that the author is a Dickert employee.
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