Being Honest


Every elected official wants to save money. At least that is what they say. In Wisconsin, the legislators have had an opportunity to prove if they mean it or not. Its Governor has introduced legislation that requires a put up or shut up vote.
In the Badger State, 14 state senators did not want to put up or shut up. Rather than fulfill their responsibilities and debate then vote on a proposal by Governor Walker, they skedaddled to other states. Some were reported partying in Chicago. What was the proposal these party-going senators feared so much? It was a budget repair bill – a debt refinancing that would save Wisconsin taxpayers $165 million in fiscal year 2011. They were torn between voting in a way that reinforced their rhetoric or voting for some core supporters. On the last day of February, Governor Walker warned these AWOL senators that if they refused to return to Madison, establish a quorum and cast their votes the bill would die. And, the next day –March 1- an option to refinance a portion of the state’s debt would expire. An opportunity to save the taxpayers’ money would be forever lost. They returned, some under arrest, to cast their votes.
I am not interested in writing about the legislation or the politics involved. But it does concern me that a group of state senators would flee the state to avoid debating and voting on a bill. Isn’t this one of their functions, perhaps even the primary one?
At this point, I have to tip my hat to Governor Scott Walker. The son of a pastor (he can’t be all bad), the man evidently is a rare commodity: an honest politician. He ran on a platform of fiscal austerity, advertising that this budget cutting measure is exactly what he would propose. His opposition campaigned against it. Now he has followed through, expressing the wishes of the voters. An interesting article in the February 26, 2011 edition of The Wall St. Journal was written by John Fund. Titled “Wisconsin’s Newest Progressive”, it is a very revealing narrative of state of present affairs in Wisconsin.
Mr. Fund quotes Governor Walker as saying, “I won (the election) because people will ultimately respond to the truth.” This has been the pattern of his campaigns in Democratic Milwaukee County, where Walker has won three county-wide elections. He goes among the people, conducting what he calls “reality tours” and laying the cards on the table. People may not like what they hear or his proposals, but they find the candor and honesty refreshing. They understand that the solutions may not be painless because he tells them otherwise. But they vote for him anyway. After all, it makes little difference whether Republican or Democrat, an honest person in an elective office is valued by everyone. Maybe Scott Walker has learned from history. It is no accident that “Honest Abe” Lincoln is considered our greatest President.
This article is not an attempt to promote Scott Walker; but it is an attempt to promote honesty in government, business and our personal lives. This kind of transparency is what is meant in the words of 1 John 1:6-7, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” While these verses have primary application to our communion with God, the term “walking in the light” refers to transparency and honesty – before God and others.
“Walk in the light” states the Bible. “Tell the truth” says Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. There is no substitute for …

Being honest.