If it's late summer 2008, then Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels must be running for re-election.
crossposted from unbossed
Dueling Mitch Daniels Ads
Over at Indiana Barrister, Abdul Hakim-Shabazz is hosting two video versions of Mitch Daniels' impact on Indiana, with the clever slogan: I report, you decide. Foxy. but I wonder where he got that slogan.
Unbossed on Mitch Daniels
Over the years, Mitch Daniels has been discussed in several unbossed stories. So lets see what we can add to flesh out - or flush out - the man and the myth.
Back in 2005, in Labor Rights and Human Rights, Daniels got a brief mention for having axed jobs in the labor education program at Indiana University and thus launched David Williams on his career as video maker and activist. You can find the resources Williams has put together at his Union1 website, with links to many resources. A must-read website for organizers and activists.
Sadly, you won't find this accomplishment touted by the Daniels campaign. A real missed opportunity, in my opinion.
But here is more on Mitchell's as a very union and worker unfriendly governor.
Almost before he was sworn in, Governor Mitch Daniels joined several other Republican governors in removing public sector unions' right to organize. And recently, the Indiana Court of Appeals decided against protecting whistleblowers. And Indiana University's Labor Studies Program - has had its budget gutted, basically ending the program.
Lord knows you wouldn't want workers to learn about labor history, their rights, or ways to gain empowerment. You wouldn't want workers to protest illegal employer actions, even when it would make the public safer. And you certainly wouldn't want public sector workers gettin' uppity. That is just not the Indiana tradition.
link
In Missouri Supreme Court: Constitution protects right to collective bargaining Mitch Daniels' career as a union buster was contrasted with worker friendly events in Missouri. I doubt Daniel's ever said: Show Me! in response.
Mitchell claims he has been a major job creator. Well, let's not forget Daniel's program to use state money to train construction workers for non-union construction companies - but not for union construction companies. link
Since it's election time, let us think back on Indiana's use of a questionable company with a problematic history in connection with elections in Privatization, Identity Theft, and Crony Capitalism
Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has negotiated a contract with ACS to run Indiana's Food Stamp eligibility program. See here.
The South Bend Tribune reported in an August 21 article that a contract with ACS in North Carolina was cancelled after ACS failed to meet deadlines, causing increased costs to that state. An ACS contract also had complaints in Georgia.
It's surprising that Indiana would even considering hiring ACS, under the circumstances.
Well, maybe it's not so surprising.
The Secretary of FSSA is a man named Mitch Roob. Coincidentally, he used to be the Vice President of ACS. Roob was appointed by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. ACS has donated $12,500 to Daniels' election campaigns, according to the above August 21 article in the South Bend Tribune.
Taking Down Words is an excellent Indiana-based blog seems to be on top of things there. They regularly discuss the cronyism and "government for sale" that Indiana's governor seems to be pushing.
And this link: http://www.topix.net/... has a bunch of "goodies" about ACS. (Well, "baddies" would be more like it.)
And let's not forget Daniel's role as a highway privatizateer. We certainly haven't here.
As Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore. asked Indiana governor Mitch Daniels when Indiana decided to turn over a highway to a private company: "Are we outsourcing political will to a private entity?" link here and here
So, voters in Indiana, now you know Hoosier governor, you should show him the love he has earned. And if you are a union worker who votes for Daniels, that love relationship is highly dysfunctional.