Finding North Without a Compass
GOVERNING MEQUON - FACTS & OPINION!
PREAMBLE: Now that the most competitive Mequon mayoral election in 21 years is over, it is useful to review Mequon’s form of city government. This Blog is in two parts. Part I is based on my research of applicable statutes as to how Mequon's municipal government operates. It is factual to the best of my ability. Part II represents my opinion as to how the governing process can be improved based on my eleven (11) years holding elective offices -- three (3) years as a Mequon alderperson and eight (8) years as a Ozaukee County supervisor with terms as President of the Mequon Common Council and Vice Chair of the Ozaukee County Board.
CLIFF NOTES or ADOPTING FREE MARKET CAPITALISM TO RESTORE AMERICA
Now that we have fallen only part way down the fiscal cliff, it may be time to examine whether we are going to hit bottom or climb back up to the top. As pretty much known by most sensible Americans, when you get in a deficit position when outgo exceeds income, whether in a family, in a business or in government, there are only two options. They are to simultaneously increase income (or revenue) and to decrease spending (or expenses). That seems simple enough in concept and generally most families, businesses and local governments have this understanding. The only institution that has missed the concept completely is the federal government. Granted there are times when national emergencies such as wars, conflagrations, natural disasters, etc. make it impossible to follow the axioms for fiscal responsibility.
ELECTION YEAR MANIA
If you haven’t noticed, every four years our country loses any connection with reality and all our sources of communication are filled with outright falsehoods, extreme exaggerations or downright stupidity over election issues. Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat makes no difference – the mania virus is all consuming. Unfortunately here in Wisconsin we have suffered longer than the rest of the country what with the Madison protests and the recall election, but that hasn’t necessarily put a damper on local current irrational ravings.
FREE HEALTH CARE???
I was struck by an opinion piece in the 7/22/12, Sunday Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Want free heath care? Show up at 5:00a.m." It was authored by James E. Causey, a Journal Sentinel editorial writer, columnist and blogger. Mr. Causey’s purpose was apparently to criticize all Republicans who advocate the repeal of ObamaCare with its replacement by the implementation of sensible solutions to control costs, improve quality and increase coverage. He does this by citing a few cases of individuals who had to appear at one of Milwaukee’s 38 health clinics that treat patients free of charge. Normally, this particular clinic, staffed by medical students, will see the first thirty patients, but because some of the medical students were on summer vacation, only fifteen could be accommodated that particular day.
