An observer of the Indiana House of Representatives might think that they were witnessing a poorly orchestrated magic show or a late night snake oil infomercial when it comes to the legislative prestidigitation of Democratic Speaker Pat Bauer. Bauer, the quintessential poster child for bad government has been guilty during this, and each previous legislative session of making ham-handed use of smoke and mirrors to cloud the fact that he has tried to block every significant piece of tax reduction and reform legislation that has been proposed. Laws to authorize charter schools, reform local government and place permanent caps on property taxation into our state constitution have been blocked by Speaker Bauer through legislative shenanigans and not by allowing the voices of the citizens of Indiana to be heard.
The real message sent out by Pat Bauer is crystal clear. He does not trust the citizens of Indiana to have a say in the direction of our state. By blocking floor votes on key pieces of legislation Bauer is saying that he does not even trust members of his own party to make an enlightened vote. Pat Bauer lives in the murky world of smoke filled back rooms filled with special interest groups casting the real votes of power with copious amounts of political cash. Speaker Bauer’s vote is the only vote that counts in the Indiana House of Representatives and it is a vote that is rented to special interests intent on blocking any substantive progress in our state. The legislative primordial slime oozes from under the door of Speaker Bauer and the people of our state are worse off for it.
In November, 2008, Governor Mitch Daniels was re-elected with impressive poll numbers that reflected the confidence that the vast majority of Indiana citizens had in his leadership regarding efforts to cap the runaway nature of taxes, implement critical reforms in how we educate our children and taking a serious look at how government functions at the local level. The voters clearly shouted that they did not want a return to the disastrous governmental finance mess of past Democratic administrations. Speaker Bauer has pronounced loud and clear that the people do not matter in his House. His speakership has been one that is rotund, fecund and moribund. Government of, by and for Pat Bauer! It must stop, if not now, then in 2010.
I had the great fortune of attending the Kokomo Tea Party held on April 15. I participated in the event because I felt it was both historical and an effective first step in the effort of the people to take back government. I did not see any wild-eyed right wing zealots wanting to trash our constitution and bring down government through unlawful means. I saw frustrated men, women and children who work hard for a living only to see government levy a greater burden on them through taxes and spending. The Tea Party was a clear shot over the bow by the people to their government. Reform your reckless pattern of tax and spend and let the taxpayer be truly represented in the halls of power.
Democratic Speaker Pat Bauer failed to hear a single word. He has not listened and he will not listen to the taxpayers of Indiana. He must be removed from power by the greatest force in the world, the power of the ballot box.
In 2010, the taxpayers of Howard County will have an opportunity to send a very loud and clear message to Speaker Bauer and his Democratic ilk. We can tell Pat Bauer that we did not anoint him King of Indiana and that message will be carried best by electing a progressive conservative State Representative from House District 30 who will not vote to continue Pat Bauer’s leadership. This will be the only message that Speaker Bauer will understand.
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