A few years ago Green Bay Press Gazette columnist Lou O'Malley argued that the only solution to Wisconsin's pervasive legislative corruption was to vote out of office every single incumbent. He had in mind all 33 members of the state senate and all 99 members of the assembly. Even though most of the incumbents are not directly implicated in corruption, and even though most of them are very nice people, only a complete house cleaning would get the legislature back on track.I bring this up because today's announcement by Representative Vruwink and Senator Lassa concerning their intent to hold a hearing on the dastardly yo-yo waterball toy is a classic example of what's wrong with the legislature.
Without question the yo-yo waterball is a dangerous toy that should be banned. Illinois has already banned the toy while federal legislation remains stalled in committee. So I am not making light of the danger posed by the toy or suggesting that Wisconsin shouldn't act while the feds do nothing.
What I'm troubled by is that all it took for the dynamic duo of Vruwink and Lassa to act was "a complaint from a constituent." Indeed, all members of the legislature are willing to act on "a complaint from a constituent" when the issue is risk free and makes the representative(s) look like the saviors of children and everything else decent and good in our land.Why is it that "a complaint from a constituent" is not enough to hold hearings on lobbyist control of the legislature? Why is it that "a complaint from a constituent" is not enough to hold hearings on how the closed partisan caucuses are an abuse of the open meetings law? Why is it that a "complaint from a constituent" is not enough to hold hearings on the excessive sacrifice being asked of the National Guard and Reserves?
You get the idea.
I understand that politicians will frequently exploit "slam dunk" issues like banning a dangerous toy in an effort to look responsive and heroic. But wouldn't it be nice if every now and then the politicians announced an intention to hold hearings on something that might actually rock the boat of the power brokers running the show in Madison? Wisconsin's legislature used to have a few risk-taking boat rockers.
Now we've got yo-yos.
2 comments:
Amy is my 1st-cousin's daughter and perhaps the youngest legislator in Wisconsin. I will point to one issue she has dealt with: She is a Roman Catholic who has not been swayed by the fringe group of Bishops (10 of some 260) who expect her to vote the church line on abortion. Go Amy!
I totally agree with your column today Tony.
Yo-Yo's be damned, I'm more interested in the "throw the bums out" arguement, which from my tabulation is more like "Throw the bums back in office" (title TM, I'll blog it soon).
Of the 17 state senate seats up this year, 7 are still uncontested. And best I can tell, at least 50 of the 99 Assembly races are still uncontested. (based on state board of elections data)
Don't expect any changes in direction next year.
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