From Charles Wellington
Monroe
To the editor:
It is difficult these days to describe the type of government that we have in this state. There are several possibilities that can be argued, each of which deserves a column by itself. The one described in the title and which should have all Wisconsin citizens concerned comes from the blatant dismantling of local power by recent legislation. The Republican-dominated government seems intent on strangling as much local power as it possibly can. In the end, we are left with a monarchy of sorts, perhaps disguised as something more benign.
Whether it's eroding a local government's ability to protect its citizens from unbridled mining enterprises or taking away its ability (or the Department of Natural Resource's for that matter) to protect our quality of life (including clean air and water), the Republicans show little regard for the rights and opinions of its citizens. This is ironic since decentralization of power has historically been a Republican hallmark. I'm sure that many former Republicans, like me, find this disturbing.
By way of an historical side trip, this topic was central to the founding of our nation. There was great concern regarding centralized power in the founding of our country. It was finally agreed that central power in the federal government would be limited only to certain constitutionally granted powers. All non-granted powers were reserved to the states.
This principle has worked well throughout our history, both nationally and in our state. The experiments in centralized power throughout history have never worked and usually ended in disaster. In politics, as in all things, nature included, the interrelationship of diverse ideas and power creates and produces the strongest and most enduring result. This leads to a word we should all become familiar with - polyarchy. This word refers to a society in which there are many independent sources of power.
Our state government is riding a wave that is the antithesis of a polyarchy, and the result will be devastating for this once progressive state. No recent Republican legislator since Dale Schultz has shown the courage to stand up to the Republican juggernaut. It will be up to the Wisconsin voters in November to decide whether the Walker legacy will continue. When we do, it would be well to remember that famous adage ". . . absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Monroe
To the editor:
It is difficult these days to describe the type of government that we have in this state. There are several possibilities that can be argued, each of which deserves a column by itself. The one described in the title and which should have all Wisconsin citizens concerned comes from the blatant dismantling of local power by recent legislation. The Republican-dominated government seems intent on strangling as much local power as it possibly can. In the end, we are left with a monarchy of sorts, perhaps disguised as something more benign.
Whether it's eroding a local government's ability to protect its citizens from unbridled mining enterprises or taking away its ability (or the Department of Natural Resource's for that matter) to protect our quality of life (including clean air and water), the Republicans show little regard for the rights and opinions of its citizens. This is ironic since decentralization of power has historically been a Republican hallmark. I'm sure that many former Republicans, like me, find this disturbing.
By way of an historical side trip, this topic was central to the founding of our nation. There was great concern regarding centralized power in the founding of our country. It was finally agreed that central power in the federal government would be limited only to certain constitutionally granted powers. All non-granted powers were reserved to the states.
This principle has worked well throughout our history, both nationally and in our state. The experiments in centralized power throughout history have never worked and usually ended in disaster. In politics, as in all things, nature included, the interrelationship of diverse ideas and power creates and produces the strongest and most enduring result. This leads to a word we should all become familiar with - polyarchy. This word refers to a society in which there are many independent sources of power.
Our state government is riding a wave that is the antithesis of a polyarchy, and the result will be devastating for this once progressive state. No recent Republican legislator since Dale Schultz has shown the courage to stand up to the Republican juggernaut. It will be up to the Wisconsin voters in November to decide whether the Walker legacy will continue. When we do, it would be well to remember that famous adage ". . . absolute power corrupts absolutely."
