Wisconsin's Government Role Should Be...

By Stephen Pigeon

As the former president of a collegiate political science club, I can say that nothing is more entertaining, or louder, than room full of political science majors debating the role of government.

Those of us who enjoyed these debates will be in nirvana watching the Wisconsin state legislature debate the next biennial budget in the coming, days, weeks, and possibly months.

The classical stereotypes will play themselves out, Democrats will seek to increase taxes on oil companies, hospitals, and smokers by $1.1 billion; Republicans will try to stop this. Republicans will then seek to expand the Milwaukee school choice program; Democrats will refuse to do so.

These topics, for us in our role of government debate enthusiasts, will barely raise our eyebrows. The topics that will give the vocal cords of Democrats and Republicans a workout will be the Democrats’ Wisconsin Covenant and universal healthcare (Healthy Wisconsin) proposals.

Both the Wisconsin Covenant and Healthy Wisconsin take responsibility away from individuals and place it firmly into the hands of Wisconsin state government.

The Wisconsin Covenant Program would guarantee higher education opportunities for students who maintain B averages, stay out of trouble, and take college prep courses.[1]

I will ignore the fact that Governor Doyle has started signing up students before the program was approved by the State Senate and Assembly and that Governor Doyle guarantees places in private colleges and universities[2]. Apparently the Governor Doyle and the Wisconsin System Board of Regents are taking control of Marquette University, St. Norbert College and all the other private institutions in the State. I am frightened to learn what any state sponsored “guaranteed jobs program” would look like.

Democrats believe that government should add to programs such as government grants and loans, and assistance for at risk students. These programs already exist for those who wish to pursue post secondary education.  The Covenant makes a college education something that students merely have to qualify for.

Imagine the pressure placed on teacher to ensure that students maintain, possibly falsely, B averages so that they qualify for the Covenant. To qualify, a student does not have to demonstrate a minimum level of competency on a college entry exam. Effectively the program would become another Wisconsin handout, something that an individual is entitled to, instead of earned.

The Democrats' Healthy Wisconsin plan is the driving force of their budget proposal that doubles Wisconsin’s tax burden. The new payroll tax would take away the choice of offering health insurance that employers currently have. The proposal would increase payroll taxes by 12%[3] and destroy Wisconsin’s business climate and the momentum that consumer-directed healthcare has made in Wisconsin. Healthcare consumers have made gains in Wisconsin in spite of the fact that Governor Doyle has repeatedly vetoed legislation that would allow health savings accounts to be deducted from State income taxes.

Working in the healthcare industry, I have learned how giving consumers’ greater control of their healthcare can improve health outcomes.  Consumer demand for cheaper care has lead to the development of retail health clinics, which have clearly posted prices, and an influx of internet sites that allow consumers to compare health insurance plans and local healthcare providers. The Democrat’s universal healthcare plan would end the consumer movement in Wisconsin and move healthcare decision making to Madison.

In the coming debate Republicans will be portrayed as villains who want to deny people education and healthcare, but this budget debate is not about education or healthcare. The debate is about what is the role of government, what services should be provided, and at what levels they should be provided.

Wisconsin Democrats want to double the size of government, Republicans want people to improve their lives through the decisions that they make. This is the true essence of the budget debate going on in Madison.

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