Earlier this week the Wisconsin state auditor released a report that was critical of the lack of accountability for expenditure of public funds on economic aid grants. In simple terms, Janice Mueller, the state auditor, questioned whether or not taxpayers money was being spent by elected politicians for valid and accountable reasons, as they allocated tax dollars for local commercial and government aid.
During the last four years over $3.5 billion of our Wisconsin paid taxes were given to businesses, local governments, organizations and individuals in the name of economic development and betterment. These expenditures include some worthy items, but I believe that that is a rarity. Corporate give-aways included $10 million to General Motors, $3.4 to Kohl's Department Stores, and $3.3 million to Harley Davidson. The elite Ephraim-Gibraltar Airport was given about $115,000 for an expansion and more is pending. John Gard is currently airing a TV election commercial that boasts about the $4 million he steered to Marinette, Wisconsin for a private ship builder. Every town, village, and city in Wisconsin asks for and gets grant money to essentially spend as they wish on the pretense that economic benefit is derived for the community at large. The state auditor claims that the proof of benefit is missing. There are no follow-up reports submitted to the eight different state agencies in Wisconsin that issue the so-called grants to validate the supposed economic benefits for which the grants were intended. These give-aways have occurred for many decades in every state, local community, and is championed by our federal government administrators and congress. The governors, state and federal legislators, and all government agencies are masters of the sleight-of-hand when it comes to doling out our money. Yet we seem to be unperturbed and keep voting the spendthrifts into office. Whether Democrat or Republican, the beat goes on--spend,spend, spend without accountability.
Once we allow the elected politicians into our pockets, watch out. We pay them to legally rob us blind. We applaud a politician for bringing the bacon home to our neighborhood, failing to realize that the merry-go-round never stops here. We help perpetuate the robbery by applauding the politicians who funnel the money to our community. The tax dollars blatantly spent for political payoffs (commonly called economic aid grants) probably totals more than $500 billion annually for all the states.This is above and beyond specific budgetary items. Real needs are often neglected as politicians attempt to solidify their re-election prospects by attempting to bribe selective voters and campaign donors with their pork payoffs.
The state auditor of Wisconsin deserves to be applauded for her frank statements that included : "Typically when the requests come in for funding from the Commerce Department, there are reporting requirements. But they report expected or projected increases in jobs or financial benefits. The actual reports are not reported." This amounts to a no-strings attached, give-away of our tax dollars.
When will the voters of our state and country demand honest government and real fiscal honesty? As long as we allow the politicians to do as they please once they are elected we might as well stop voting. Demand clear statements of purpose from all candidates for office and require them to specify their agendas. Do not vote for silent candidates who fail to state their platform and simply smile and hide. Demand open debates and forums, and don't vote for candidates who refuse to participate. Once a candidate is elected hold him or her to their election campaign promises and platforms.Check their records and past votes if they are incumbents. Just as our state auditor has done, demand accountability from all politicians before and after they are elected!
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Zeep
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