Wednesday, November 16, 2005 |
AMERICA'S FIVE BEST GOVERNORS |
Until recently, Governors had the best jobs in America. In the 1990's they cut taxes and built schools with capital gains from the booming economy. When congress floundered, Governors led - from welfare reform to health care. They claimes credit for falling crime rates. And they set up rainy-day funds with leftowver tax revenue, if you can imagine such a thing. In 1997, Iowa's Governor said his biggest problem was finding skilled people to fill all the open jobs.
But in the century the Governor's mansion is a cold and lonely place. Reeling from the biggest fiscal crisis since the Great Depression, Governors, unlike Presidents, must show discipline. By law, they have to balance their budgets in all but one state (Vermont). And they face soaring Medicaid obligations. No Child Left Behind mandates and new homeland-security costs.
Today what makes Governors great is not the loft of their dreams but the depths of their pragmatism.
When it comes to raw talent, there's no Bill Clinton in this group. But these are the rainy days. And charisma does'nt keep you dry. A roof does.
Meet the hardest-working carpenters.
1. MARK WARNER / VIRGINIA A Cell-Phone Kings' Fine Recption.
2. JANET NAPOLITANO / ARIZONA A Mountaineer on the Political Rise
3. KENNY GUINN / NEVADA A Gambling Governor Makes a Smart Bet
4. MIKE HUCKABEE / ARKANSAS The Thin Man Expands Coverage for Kids
5. KATHLEEN SEBELIUS / KANSAS A Nickel-and-Dimer Solves Debt Bit by Bit
THE WORST GOVERNORS IN AMERICA
BOB TAFT / OHIO
KATHLEEN BABINEAUX BLANCO / LOUISIANA
MARK SANFORD / SOUTH CAROLINA
(Source: TIMEMAG/as reported by diff. reporters from diff newspapers carried by TIMEMAG November issue) |
posted by infraternam meam @ 10:30 PM |
|
|
|
About Me |
Name: infraternam meam
Home: Chicago, United States
About Me: I am now at the prime of my life
and have been married for the past 25 years.
Sickly at times, but wants to see the elixir vita,
so that I will be able to see my grandchildren from my two boys.
See my complete profile
|
Previous Post |
|
Archives |
|
Links |
|
Powered by |
|
|