Vote Doyle For Governor

Often when playing Scrabble I need to remind myself I must select from the seven letters in my tray to form a word.  Though I may wish for a “U” to match with my ‘Q’ I must somehow adjust with what I have, make a play, and move on.  It is the same with elections.  In the fall there is really only one choice for Wisconsin Governor, and as much as I would like to have had a different choice, I must work with the “q”, cast my ballot, and move on.

I have never been a strong supporter of Jim Doyle for Governor. In 2002 I strongly supported Kathleen Falk in the Primary, and then only gave tepid support to Doyle during his term in the Statehouse.   I wish I had been more able to support Doyle, but some of his most visible actions kept me from giving enthusiastic backing.  I have often been at odds with Governor Doyle, from his careless removal of many state workers under the politically contrived budget cuts, to his cozy relationships with business interests that were not aligned with our states environmental well being.

I wish that Doyle had been far more proactive with reforming our political and election process, and worked more aggressively for SB1.  I wish his Administration had not been cozy with special interests, thereby not allowing the GOP to have any reason to run their attack ads this fall.

Elections, as in a Scrabble game, requires that you make a move with what you have, and move on.  Therefore, I will vote for Jim Doyle in November, as I feel there is no other alternative.  Let me explain.

For the past four years the Wisconsin State Legislature has been controlled and manipulated by very conservative (and in some cases religious right-wing) Republicans.  They have pushed their social agenda and philosophical form of government upon the state, and have faced only one roadblock that safeguarded us all along the way.  That safeguard was Governor Doyle.  Time and again the very fabric of the state would have been altered and harmed by the likes of State Representative Mark Gundrum, if not for the actions of Governor Doyle.

When the Republican majority wanted to play ‘God, Gays, Guns, and Gynecologists’ Doyle applied the brakes.  By doing so he spared our state national embarrassment.  (Just look at South Dakota to see what can happen without a leader at the helm when the conservatives start to run the show.)

If not for the Governor, the state would be awash with every nincompoop who wanted to run around with a concealed weapon.  The NRA, and their legislative allies, was shut down by a Doyle veto.  This fall the NRA is hoping that they can undo the will of sensible people and elect Mark Green, which would result in finally passing their gun bill.  Look down your street and consider how many of them you would like to have a concealed gun.  When you see someone on the road filled with rage driving a car, consider him or her with a loaded gun.  Only a vote for Doyle will prevent that gun legislation from passing.

It is because of Doyle that women are not subjected to blatantly false and misleading information concerning a fetus at the time an abortion is being contemplated.  Republicans, not for the first time, have misused science, and only a vote for Doyle will insure that there is a roadblock for those men who still wish to control a woman’s most personal decision.

At a time when equal rights are under attack by many conservatives no reasonably educated gay man or lesbian woman can cast any vote other than one for Governor Doyle.  Conservatives have no limit to legislative hostility against the gay community, and therefore that community needs a powerful ally.  A vote for Jim Doyle will allow for his powerful voice to be heard on behalf of gay Wisconsin.

Without Jim Doyle one can only wonder how many state tax dollars would have been sucked into the school voucher program in Milwaukee.  How many religious schools should the state fund? Do you want the likes of Mark Gundrum making these choices or Governor Doyle, who has proved already to be tough on the issue?

There is no doubt, given Mark Green’s track record in the State Assembly (I worked for one legislative committee on which he served as a member) along with his Congressional record, that he is a religious conservative who will work to force his views on the state.  He is not the type of Republican in the mold of former Governor Lee Dreyfus but better imitates the styling of former State Senator Bob Welch.

I know that many rank and file Republicans and conservatives will gladly cast a ballot, and walk off the cliff for Mark Green.  Therefore, it is vital that the more seasoned and educated citizens who understand the right-wing tilt that has occurred in our state, demonstrate political maturity by casting a ballot in the only responsible way possible.

Vote For Governor Doyle.