Curmudgeon's Corner

The New Jersey of the Midwest?

Posted by Al Campbell on Feb. 18, 2010

Economy, Political, Quality of Life, Taxes, Wisconsin

The new governor of New Jersey has done exactly what he said he would do when he campaigned for that office.  He came out a day or two ago with the announcement that he had, by executive order, shut down the spending of some $2.2 Billion over the remaining four and one-half months of the current fiscal year in order to deliver a balanced budget at year's end.

He said that the spending binge engaged in by his predecessors and the sitting legislature had to stop.  He cited state employee and teacher retirement programs that were upside down.  He cited some of the highest tax rates in the United States.  He indicated that he knew this would enrage the entrenched legislative leaders, but he stood up and called it the way he saw it.

He said that he was doing exactly what he said he would do while he campaigned for the office, and he said that he was doing what the people said they wanted him to do.

This was refreshing and, at the same time, frightening. 

Refreshing because it isn’t often that we see a politician actually do what he or she claimed they would do once in office.  All too often, they tell us that they had “inherited” a situation that was far worse than they expected; they tell us they just had no choice but to increase this program and tax the public to be able to afford to unravel the mess.

Frightening because it could well be what we in Wisconsin will face from our next governor.  We have spent our way to near-bankruptcy.  We have public employee and teacher pension and retirement health care systems that are simply upside-down.  We have virtually exacted all the tribute that is possible from the citizens who pay the costs for all these promises made over time.  How many more times can we raise the tax on cigarettes?

Our next governor could be a one-term governor if he faces up to the myriad financial issues that will confront him.  He will be faced with similar problems as Governor Christie faces in New Jersey.  If he is Governor Walker, he will probably see that there is but one approach and that is too finally recognize the financial realities and make the necessary cuts.  If he is Governor Barrett, he will probably agree with those who say that re-jiggering the tax system will solve the crises he faces.

We will have a difficult choice when we step into that voting booth.  Will we finally recognize that it is time for the bad tasting, but necessary, medicine that will make us well, or will we take another flyer with fixes that never seem to quite work out the way we were told they most assuredly would work?