If you oppose unnecessary spending on children’s health-care programs, Hollenbach and his political siblings probably consider you “anti-children” or “anti-family.” If you support offering parents a choice – any kind of choice – on where their children attend school, then they call you “anti-public education.”

Way to use Republican spin, Jim! Unnecessary spending on children’s health care? What? Yeah, the zillion children in this country don’t deserve care. That’s the ticket.

Providing taxpayer-funded vouchers for children to go to private religious institutions is hardly being anti-choice. It’s about avoiding the real problem and not making public education work. It’s about the separation of church and state. It’s not a black & white issue and painting it as such is closed-minded and uneducated.

And using Todd Hollenbach as a poster child for Democratic ideology was just hilarious.

By Jim Waters

A chasm exists between anti-government zealots and those who believe in limited government.

One believes in anarchy. The other holds to the principle offered in a statement attributed most often to Thomas Jefferson: “government governs best which governs least.”

Again, that’s “governs least,” not “governs not at all.”

Most big-spending politicians would rather chase skunks than endorse the slightest leaning toward limiting the scope of government. So they employ the “blurring-lines” tactic to make it impossible to distinguish between the very different positions of governing “least” and “not at all.”

Todd Hollenbach offered an example of that during this year’s primary race for state treasurer.

Hollenbach accused his opponent, Melinda Wheeler, who built her campaign around the idea of eliminating the state Treasurer’s Office, of trying to pull rabbits out of a hat while trailing in the primary race.

If you read this after the Nov. 6 election, either Hollenbach or Wheeler has been elected state treasurer. So this column does not serve as an endorsement of either candidate. It does represent a stand against Hollenbach’s mischaracterization of people who salivate with Pavlov dog-like enthusiasm when someone suggests shrinking government. It happens so rarely.

Reporters quoted Hollenbach accusing Wheeler of staking out a position “designed to appeal to the anti-government crowd” in order to win the Republican primary, a race in which she trailed when she pulled her get-rid-of-the-office rabbit out of a hat.

Hmmmm. So does that mean that since Wheeler won her primary that not all Kentuckians who favor less government rank as kooks on the level of separatists holed up somewhere in the wild planning attacks on government installations?

Does it mean that policymakers and voters in 14 other states that abolished the elected position of state treasurer – while still ensuring that the few important tasks of the office get done – don’t represent extremists?

No one I know would characterize Georgetown’s Sen. Damon Thayer as “anti-government.” Yet, Thayer, a senator for four years, recently filed a bill to get rid of the treasurer’s office and its $3.2-million budget.
Of course, characterizing as “anti” whatever those who stand up to Frankfort’s status quo and offer new ideas comes easy.

If you oppose unnecessary spending on children’s health-care programs, Hollenbach and his political siblings probably consider you “anti-children” or “anti-family.” If you support offering parents a choice – any kind of choice – on where their children attend school, then they call you “anti-public education.”

Narrow-minded politicians and bureaucrats continue to employ these tired tactics out of convenience. It’s more convenient to place vague labels on anyone with new ideas on how to make government leaner (which, if enacted, might force some of them to look for work) and more responsive. They cave when facing the tough work of prioritizing spending so that the greatest number of taxpayers get the most bang for their hard-earned buck.

Thayer wants to do this – at least on one issue. In his statement announcing his pre-filed bill to eliminate the state Treasurer’s Office, he said: “The money can be better spent on education, infrastructure or better services.”

Whether you agree with Thayer, my point is: It’s an attempt to establish some priorities.

Determining that money could be “better” spent on “better” services suggests that Thayer gave some thought to which projects deserve attention immediately, which can wait and which should get scratched from the list altogether.

That’s what most Kentucky families have to do when they put together their budget. Frankfort should try it, too. Doing so would result in leaner and “better” government.

Call me an “extremist” if you like, but that appeals to me.

Voters should not cast their ballot on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 for Democrat Todd Hollenbach for Treasurer. Not suggesting anyone should vote for Melinda Wheeler, the Administrative Office of the Courts hack who wants to abolish an entire constitutional office, but you absolutely should not vote for Hollenbach.

From day one I went to bat for Todd as he appeared to be an intelligent, progressive guy with a great heart. He served on the Kentucky Human Rights Commission. He pledged a financial literacy program the entire country could envy. He possessed an amazing comprehension of facts and an even better understanding of the office for which he is running.

Unfortunately, Todd has joined the ranks of bigoted haters and refuses to disavow. He has publicly, privately, loudly, quietly and every way in between praised his recent endorsement (PDF Link) by crazy Frank Simon and the Freedom’s Heritage Forum. And he has given those nutsos cash contributions.

Common sense would seem to dictate that Todd would denounce this horrible endorsement in the same manner in which Jonathan Miller has done. Would seem even more of a reasonable situation upon learning that Todd has many gay loved ones in his family. But that’s not the case. He’s ignorantly standing up in support of hate with the likes of Ernie Fletcher and Stan Lee. Todd may not personally be a bigot but his actions are impossible to ignore. To think I raised money for this guy!

I have absolutely grown to love and adore members of Todd’s extended family over the past two years. They’re wonderful people who contribute to society in ways you could never imagine without knowing them personally. So my decision to denounce Todd’s behavior should have no bearing on the way his family is viewed. It’s one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to do.

Just needs to be said that Todd Hollenbach does not deserve your vote. Not even if he decides to publicly denounce the Simon endorsement. It’s a shame and an absolute embarrassment that the Kentucky Democratic Party and organized labor across the Commonwealth are blindly supporting hatred by advocating the election of Todd.

Saddened,

Jacob Payne

Across the pond. Kentucky’s gubernatorial election makes international news. The groundswell of support for Steve Beshear is tied into a secondary theme of ousting Mitch McConnell in 2008. Looks like the world’s eyes are upon us. Note to the person providing facts for the story: quit pimping Ben Chandler as the savior. He’s not even popular in Lexington. You’re showing your disconnection. [Guardian]

Less gay hating. 9% of Kentuckians want to ban domestic partner benefits. Only 9%. But 34% say health insurance for children is their top priority. Ruh ro, Mitch. You may be on the wrong end of another issue. Oh, and the state legislature is crappy as always. [PolWatchers]

Fit for a queen? David Hawpe takes Mitch McConnell to task for losing touch with the common Kentuckian. From spring pea soup to expensive champagne, Mitch has become a high-rolling Washington socialite. A high-rolling socialite who is wholly out of touch, that is. [C-J]

Don’t buy the spin. The Herald-Leader– unlike some well-known Fletcher lackeys– has a legitimate poll indicating Democratic candidate for Treasurer Todd Hollenbach leading Republican opponent and courts hack Melinda Wheeler by 15%. The truth hurts some people and they’ll still try to lie it away. An aside: Hollenbach was endorsed by Frank Simon and refuses to denounce said endorsement. We hope Todd realizes the blogosphere will not be forgetting this if he wants an easy first term or, heck, a second run at the office. [H-L]

The Courier-Journal’s endorsement of Trey Grayson for Secretary of State makes more sense than the Post’s. While the paper endorses Grayson they chide him for avoiding voter receipts/paper trails.

The good stuff is inside the endorsements for Auditor and Treasurer.

The C-J picks Crit Luallen over Linda Greenwell, calling her “a loser last time out in this race” who “was totally outclassed by Ms. Luallen in their recent debate.”

And Todd Hollenbach gets the nod for Treasurer over Melinda Wheeler. Wheeler is referred to as a “retired bureaucrat” who wants it both ways. They rightfully bring up her shady involvement in the destruction of Jefferson County court records and say she’s had her chance.

Then how on earth did they obtain a private e-mail address set up by us solely to receive Fletcher e-mail updates? We didn’t agree to receive blog blasts from an unaffiliated entity.

And how did Melinda Wheeler obtain the address?

Just wondering.

Database sharing occurs all the time between a candidate and their state party. We get that. But a campaign providing their database to a blogger?

Representatives from these campaigns should feel free to contact us with an explanation.

Girls Left Out? Ellen Goodman says all political bloggers are pasty white guys. Ladies, show some initiative, would you! Don’t you realize you don’t exist if Ellen doesn’t know about you? It’s an Arianna-only world, apparently. As you can see, starting a blog is as easy as… [C-J by way of Boston Globe]

The War at Home – Mitch McConnell is getting some love from veterans – one group is airing ads supporting him for sending 3,680 soldiers, and counting, to their deaths in Iraq. Vets for Freedom? Is this another Swiftboat Vets for Truth? Kentucky’s Andrew Horne chimes in. [H-L]

Treasuring One Less Office – Melinda Wheeler makes her case for getting rid of the treasurer’s office, without mentioning her criticism of the current office holder. Will the News-Enterprise give her opponent, Todd Hollenbach, a chance to respond or is this a free campaign ad? [News-Enterprise]

David Adams (the guy with the best one-liners ever. seriously.) of Kentucky Progress condemns Kos’ take that he had something to do with Chandler’s victory and Harold Ford, Jr. alleges the site Markos Moulitsas operates is but a platform for anti-semitism. [KY Progress, dailyKos]

Bush’s Brain tucks tail and runs. He “just thinks it’s time”… since his rump is on the line. Now everything will be puppies and rainbows, right? RIGHT? [WSJ]