I AM THE FORCE

Spaceport Sheboygan! Hooray for us. Now we know what all those drunk legislators have been talking about at Sheboygan Brat Days all these years. Joe Leibham's plan to create an Aerospace Authority for the city of Sheboygan would be hilarious if it wasn't so depressing. Failed ex-politician Margaret Farrow is also flacking for this one. Let me guess, someone is paying her for her support. How this ineffectual woman has parlayed her unproductive political career into moneymaking is a column in itself. Back to SpaceCadet Leibham for a moment. He claims that there would be no government money involved or taxpayer funds at risk. If you believe that, you probably believe that the Dreyfus sales tax increase will be rolled back any day now. Initially, bonding is authorized, then later efforts will propose matching funds or "seed-money" and be labeled as economic development. Keep in mind that SpaceCadet Leibham claims that we need to create this authority merely to attract federal funds. Who does he think is the funding source behind those federal dollars? Perhaps Leibham believes aliens will do the funding.

THIS BOONDOGGLE IS A PERFECT REPRESENTATION OF HOW REPUBLICANS FAIL WHEN PUT IN CHARGE OF GOVERNMENT! They run for office as fiscal conservatives and protectors of the taxpayers. Then they get in office and meet every day with people who want the government to do more for them, their industry, or their community. The pressures are there, whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, to give the demanders what they want. After all, Leibham needs Sheboygan to love him if he is to be re-elected and adored. So, Sheboygan boosters keep knocking on his door and asking for things. Perhaps he even resisted the silly idea for a while. But in the end, he's putting aside principles and moving the state into an entirely new orbit of expenditures.

When people are in government too long, they eventually become governors with a small g. They observe this giant pot of money being spent on a wide range of things that people want and they start to become involved. Whether social services spending or economic development spending or tourism spending, they become more and more adept at handing out the goodies. After all, do we the voters reward politicians for saying no? Not typically. So, Republicans start riding the horse of governance and begin enjoying the ride. Look at all this money and authority we have. Isn't it great fun to spend other people's money and then be thanked for your generosity and leadership? It's not big government, it's "investment." What a joke, and what a bunch of whorish duds we've elected to public office in Wisconsin.

Spaceport Sheboygan indeed. What will they think of next?