If this isn't the best summary of the goals of modern conservatism, I don't know what is.

[kpete]

STAND AND DELIVER
Posted in Rants on February 21st, 2011 by Ed

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The lion's share of attention regarding Scott Walker's legislative proposal has been paid to the effort to revoke Wisconsin public employees' collective bargaining rights, but the 144-page bill (more reliable link here) is a far more exhaustive and inclusive list of the fundamentals of Republican politics in the 21st Century. Not many people have the time to plow through the whole bill but those who do will be rewarded with plenty of gems like this:

16.896 Sale or contractual operation of state−owned heating, cooling, and power plants. (1) Notwithstanding ss. 13.48 (14) (am) and 16.705 (1), the department may sell any state−owned heating, cooling, and power plant or may contract with a private entity for the operation of any such plant, with or without solicitation of bids, for any amount that the department determines to be in the best interest of the state. Notwithstanding ss. 196.49 and 196.80, no approval or certification of the public service commission is necessary for a public utility to purchase, or contract for the operation of, such a plant, and any such purchase is considered to be in the public interest and to comply with the criteria for certification of a project under s. 196.49 (3) (b).

If this isn't the best summary of the goals of modern conservatism, I don't know what is. It's like a highlight reel of all of the tomahawk dunks of neo-Gilded Age corporatism: privatization, no-bid contracts, deregulation, and naked cronyism. Extra bonus points for the explicit effort to legally redefine the term "public interest" as "whatever the energy industry lobbyists we appoint to these unelected bureaucratic positions say it is."

In case it isn't clear where the naked cronyism comes in, remember which large, politically active private interest loves buying up power plants and already has considerable interests in Wisconsin. Then consider their demonstrated eagerness to help Mr. Walker get elected and bus in carpetbaggers to have a sad little pro-Mubarak style "rally" in his honor. There are dots to be connected here, but doing so might not be in the public interest.

I think the "Budget Repair Bill" is Wisconsin's very own Vanguard moment.
http://www.ginandtacos.com/2011/02/21/stand-and-deliver/
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/02/21/947932/-Governor-Walker,-a-view-from-the-inside-UPDATE

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Scott Walker's Top Ten Lies


3) The question isn’t so much whether it’s a lie or not, but the size of the lie. Walker claimed if we didn’t pass his “repair” bill, either 1,500 or 6,000 workers would be laid off. Why its not 2,500 or 4,000, I don’t know but I do know it’s a lie. The total brought in by the changes to health care and pensions are $30 million. According to the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the average salary for a state employee is about $50,300 annually plus benefits. At that salary alone, the total would be $301,800,000 for 6,000 employees – a total cost way more than the policy changes about employees’ benefits would bring in.

http://markpocanwi.blogspot.com/2011/02/scott-walkers-top-ten-lies.html

If Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker isn’t trying to strip most collective bargaining rights from public employees, then why do workers keep pouring into Madison by the thousands to demonstrate against him?
http://politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2011/feb/18/scott-walker/wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-says-his-budget-repair-/

Fox News is reporting today that Walker has threatened to lay off not 1,500 or 6,000 public employees, but 10,000-12,000:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/02/20/12g-state-workers-fired-budget-deal-wisconsin-governor-warns/

[snagglepuss]

1. I was just going to post Cameron statement about his plans for the UK.

Is it just coincidence that these RW govts are walking lockstep on this issue?




Cameron's plan to end the 'state's monopoly' and let the people bid for public services


snip

Private firms and charities will win the right to take control of almost every branch of the public services under the biggest shake-up of government in 50 years.

snip

The Prime Minister said voluntary groups and businesses will be allowed to take charge of schools, hospitals and town hall services under plans to be published in a white paper this month.

The Government plans to pass legislation that will give private sector providers the right to bid to provide almost every service that is currently the preserve of the state.

Crucially, that will mean an end to political pitched battles every time ministers want to expand private provision in the public services, since that one piece of legislation will establish the right to provide all services – except those of the judiciary and the security services.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1359031/Cameron-plans-end-states-monopoly-let-people-bid-public-services.html#ixzz1EcxJp0OO