Levels of Government

     I recently agreed to run for the office of Barron County Supervisor where I live in Wisconsin, and was elected to that position.  I attended an introductory meeting and my first monthly board meeting last week.  I think it will be an interesting experience and I hope to serve the people well. 

     In Wisconsin there are several levels of government.  There are townships, villages, cities, and county governments.  Most of these elected officials are non-partisan and run as independents except for the larger cities, which can be very partisan.  The state is the next level of government and finally the federal government. 

     There is very little campaigning or fund raising for the lower levels of government.  Compensation for local level politicians is minimal.  Many of these elected representatives serve primarily as a public service and it is not a full-time job.  This is the way our founding fathers envisioned elected officials.  I am a big supporter of local government where the people have a strong voice. 

     At the county level there are several elected positions that are full-time paid positions.  These individuals may run as Democrats, Republicans or Independents, but I think or hope they are elected more for their job qualifications than for their political party affiliation.  There will always be some voters that vote a straight party ticket, which I personally disagree with.   I try to vote for the most qualified person for the job.

     At the state level party politics become more of a factor.  The Assembly, Senate and Governor are usually heated races.  There are compromises, earmarks, and back room deals at the state level, but I not as many as at the federal level.  Also bills that are shorter, simpler, and sometimes even read by the legislators.  I believe in short, simple, direct, and understandable legislation. 

     It is much harder for Big Money to buy and control politics in fifty states than in one federal government.  I am a big supporter of states’ rights as outlined by the Constitution and our founding fathers.  State governments will make mistakes, but these mistakes can be corrected without affecting the entire country, unlike bad legislation or administration at the federal level.

     Our federal government is out of control in my opinion.  It continues to grow, spend money, and accumulate debt.  A simple bill is expanded and compromised with special exceptions and considerations until no one knows what it says even if they did read it, which seems to seldom happen.  The only people benefiting from this behemoth federal government are the career politicians and the very rich who are politically connected. 

     A small number of political elite has taken control of our country.  The independent working class and the entrepreneur have lost control.  The opportunities we enjoyed in this great country may not exist for future generations. 

     When are we going to take our country back?  Will it be in time?