Comments on: Learning from the West Bend School Referendum Defeat http://watchdogmilwaukee.com/jim/2007/learning-from-the-west-bend-school-referendum-defeat/ Which side of the leash do you want to be on? Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:54:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Jim McGuigan http://watchdogmilwaukee.com/jim/2007/learning-from-the-west-bend-school-referendum-defeat/#comment-8609 Jim McGuigan Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:14:44 +0000 http://watchdogmilwaukee.com/blog/jim/2007/learning-from-the-west-bend-school-referendum-defeat/#comment-8609 Brian, Thanks for the comments. When I sit down with many people who identify themselves as Republicans and finding out what they're really all about, I often find that they don't identify with the big spending socially conservative views of the Republican party but, because of our mass media, they've been conditioned to think that the GOP is the home of fiscal restraint. Having served in government and having gotten that out of my system, I have seen the realities of fiscal policy and the bottom line is that fewer tax dollars come out of your pocket when democrats hold the oval office. As for political ideologies, if you divide it into four quadrants for socially liberal vs socially conservative as well as authoritarian vs liberatarian, I tend to be less for big government (liberatarian) and more socially liberal. Todays Republicans tend to be authoritarian social conservatives which puts me at their polar opposite. It would be interesting to see where most of the readers of this blog are. Katie -- you're free to do as you choose. I'll point out that the Senior Meal Program wouldn't have happened had I not taken the lead at the county. And what are you talking about with just 55 members? Back before it became the haven for right wing ideologues, the Brown Deer seniors had over 150 members. What would you attribute their dwindling numbers to? Note: For those who are unaware, the President of the Brown Deer Seniors and his right hand henchman are founding members of the GOP shill group, Citizens for Responsible Government. Brian,
Thanks for the comments. When I sit down with many people who identify themselves as Republicans and finding out what they’re really all about, I often find that they don’t identify with the big spending socially conservative views of the Republican party but, because of our mass media, they’ve been conditioned to think that the GOP is the home of fiscal restraint. Having served in government and having gotten that out of my system, I have seen the realities of fiscal policy and the bottom line is that fewer tax dollars come out of your pocket when democrats hold the oval office.

As for political ideologies, if you divide it into four quadrants for socially liberal vs socially conservative as well as authoritarian vs liberatarian, I tend to be less for big government (liberatarian) and more socially liberal. Todays Republicans tend to be authoritarian social conservatives which puts me at their polar opposite. It would be interesting to see where most of the readers of this blog are.

Katie — you’re free to do as you choose. I’ll point out that the Senior Meal Program wouldn’t have happened had I not taken the lead at the county. And what are you talking about with just 55 members? Back before it became the haven for right wing ideologues, the Brown Deer seniors had over 150 members. What would you attribute their dwindling numbers to?

Note: For those who are unaware, the President of the Brown Deer Seniors and his right hand henchman are founding members of the GOP shill group, Citizens for Responsible Government.

]]> By: katie http://watchdogmilwaukee.com/jim/2007/learning-from-the-west-bend-school-referendum-defeat/#comment-8607 katie Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:32:09 +0000 http://watchdogmilwaukee.com/blog/jim/2007/learning-from-the-west-bend-school-referendum-defeat/#comment-8607 I will share your rant with the 55 members of brown deer seniors this week. I will share your rant with the 55 members of brown deer seniors this week.

]]> By: Brian http://watchdogmilwaukee.com/jim/2007/learning-from-the-west-bend-school-referendum-defeat/#comment-8603 Brian Thu, 08 Nov 2007 07:38:09 +0000 http://watchdogmilwaukee.com/blog/jim/2007/learning-from-the-west-bend-school-referendum-defeat/#comment-8603 Hi Jim, While I consider myself to the right of you I do agree we have a responsibility to fund our schools. BTW I am single and have no children. However, why must we always wait until the schools are in such bad shape. Why can't we pass smaller incremental refs to keep up? I work in manufacturing and preventative maintenance works wonders. Many of my customers also work in buildings that do not have the conveniences we might look for but make do and even prosper. They spend for what they need, not for what they want. Also one question regarding neo-cons and benefits. What benefits are they looking for and then not wanting to fund others say in education? While I don't aligh myself on the far right I would like to know only because I am all about details. I am like the countless numbers of middle class who dutifully pay their taxes and don't take any 'benefits' that I am aware of. I understand taxes are a necesary evil of an advanced society. I just don't understand why we always allow our elected officials to go for broke. Anyway enough ranting, have a nice day. I am a great fan of reading you blog Hi Jim,

While I consider myself to the right of you I do agree we have a responsibility to fund our schools. BTW I am single and have no children. However, why must we always wait until the schools are in such bad shape. Why can’t we pass smaller incremental refs to keep up? I work in manufacturing and preventative maintenance works wonders. Many of my customers also work in buildings that do not have the conveniences we might look for but make do and even prosper. They spend for what they need, not for what they want.
Also one question regarding neo-cons and benefits. What benefits are they looking for and then not wanting to fund others say in education? While I don’t aligh myself on the far right I would like to know only because I am all about details. I am like the countless numbers of middle class who dutifully pay their taxes and don’t take any ‘benefits’ that I am aware of. I understand taxes are a necesary evil of an advanced society. I just don’t understand why we always allow our elected officials to go for broke. Anyway enough ranting, have a nice day.

I am a great fan of reading you blog

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