Oh Gov. Walker.......

Is there a deficit, or isn't there a deficit?

I know there are different ways accounting works. There's a cash basis, but you said that you would use GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) on the campaign trail. Maybe this is splitting hairs, but why boast that you've done what you said you'd do in balancing the budget. Then again, Gov. Doyle balanced the budget on a cash accounting. This leads me to conclude that you are basically the same kind of Governor with a different initial in front of your name. And that makes me think nothing really will change with you in Madison except your constituency will get the benefit of your patronage, as opposed to others getting benefit were the Governor to have a D in front of his name.

I am of the opinion that most people vote their "brand," and that means that election are less about issues, and more about marketing. That's pretty sad. Calling you a liar would be cynical, and I won't because I don't think that you are. What I will say is that you are really just more of the same with an R in front of your name.

I know this. Now teachers can't bargain for working conditions - like class size, and other things that affect education beyond what they are paid. That's kind of important. When people want to improve crime, they ask the thoughts of police. Now we don't want the same input from teachers? Really?

How will the budget be balanced next fiscal year without federal stimulus dollars?

So Gov. Walker, you're really not much more than another Scott McCallum who "balanced" the budget by cashing out the tobacco settlement in 2000. Another one time lump sum, as if there will be a pile from which to draw. You brag of making the hard choices, but you haven't really. You've done the politically expedient, while looking tough since you've earned a sizable constituency that will write letters, and call in to radio exalting your toughness.

You're really just another politician who spends more time fund raising as opposed to governing. What tough choices await you next budget when there will not be a pile of money to use? What services will be cut? What donors will be the benefactors of your patronage?