Unfair & Unrealistic Criticism of RI GOP Lawmakers: Guest Mindsetter™ Deckman
Saturday, July 01, 2017
The House Republican caucus recently came under attack for not being more vocal about promoting their pro-taxpayer. pro-small business agenda during the recent budget debate. While I understand the frustration coming from the “audience,” many of who are supporters, I feel compelled to address what I consider to be unfair and even unrealistic criticism.
I recently got to see the House Republican caucus at work from the inside.
View on the Ground
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTI was given an opportunity to work in the House Minority office for two months until the budget was passed. My role was to work with the caucus to help develop, research and articulate policies and budget articles.
Over the past 30 years I have played many roles in the political space. I felt I had seen most of what was to see in politics. I was wrong. The view I got from beingon the “inside” of the budget process was both educational and unsettling.
The following are the top half-dozen observatoins that stand out the most as I look back over the experience.
1.The minority caucus is outnumbered 64 to 11 but they never back down. Day after day they and their team painstakingly researched innovative and realistic ideas that would lower taxes, grow the economy and ferret out corruption. Day after day they would go to their committees and the House floor to fight for those ideas. And day after day I would watch them as they came back without their ideas being seriously considered either because they came from a Republican or were challenging a powerful special interest that controlled the Speaker.
2. I was surprised by how hardcore partisan the Democrat leadership is in that building. The level of political disrespect and condescension displayed by them and their followers against intelligent and thoughtful ideas that come from people who happen to be Republicans was shocking. True leaders listen to everyone who offers sound solutions to solve a crises regardless of their political prejudices.
3. I also witnessed their idea to relieve local communities and taxpayers from having to pay union wages for all school construction projects soundly defeated. The proposal could save $200 million, accelerate much needed school repairs, and increase construction jobs. Perhaps no vote more clearly demonstrated who controls the state more than this one. Watching 60+ Democrats choose unions over their children was stunning.
4. The Republican proposal to redirect monies from the Commerce Corporation to provide immediate tax relief for small businesses to spur our local economy and kick start job growth was also soundly defeated. Their thinking was that since 99.5% of Rhode Island businesses are small businesses who employ over 275,000 Rhode Islanders, the best use of millions of dollars of economic development monies is to feed these businesses instead of gambling millions trying to lure mega-corporations who have no loyalty to us and who only promise jobs.
5. Next came their attempt to reform the disability pension system. The Democrat caucus swiftly killed that idea as well even though they all know these pension programs are immensely flawed; are far too lenient and are dragging down the entire pension system.
6. They then proposed an Office of Inspector General to identify, root out and prosecute government waste, fraud and corruption. Everyone admits this office is absolutely necessary and would be highly effective. In fact many Democrats spoke in favor of the idea. They then voted in lock step with leadership to kill it.
In the Arena
I could go on an on but the bottom line is this: The state is currently in the exact same financial death spiral, for the exact same reasons, that killed Detroit and is currently crushing Illinois. Regardless what they say in public the Governor, the Speaker and the Senate President all know this inconvenient truth. Yet the small contingency of Republicans are the only ones crafting sweeping solutions, holding press conferences, and are forcing debate and votes on these important issues.
So, when I see the criticism leveled at the Republican House Caucus for not doing enough to turn the state around its like I am listening to spectators of the battle of Thermopylae criticizing the 300 Spartans for not doing more to defeat 150,000 Persian warriors.
To those critics I can only suggest they read Theodore Roosevelt’s Man in the Arena speech.
But don’t take my word on anything I just said. Watch the clips below and see for yourself. And remember this: none of these amendments passed.
Choosing children needs over union desires.
A solid economic development strategy and jobs strategy.
In support of an anti-corruption Inspector General
Supporting the Rhode Island economy
Jeffrey Deckman is a leadership consultant focused upon helping Rhode Island businesses to grow. He can be reached at [email protected]
Related Slideshow: RI Democrats React to Trump’s Budget - 2017
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