Neumann Benefited From Stimulus
Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Neumann is against the stimulus package and the bailout plan.
Except when his private companies are benefiting from them.
In one of his recent ads, the former congressman chides D.C. types for pushing through these proposals.
“You know some days it’s hard to tell Republican insiders from liberal Democrats,” Neumann says. “Bailouts, stimulus, huge spending.”
It’s standard election-year stuff from a veteran politician.
But this is what is out of the ordinary:
Neumann owns a stake in two companies that are benefiting big time from the very same stimulus plan that he criticizes.
We all have to play by the rules of the game even if we disagree with the rules. For example, I oppose the Earned Income Tax Credit, but if I qualified for it, I would most certainly take it. Why? Because those are the rules.
Neumann didn’t do anything wrong here and this story is a stretch.
Then I presume you have no problem with any legal procedural methods used to pass legislation, regardless of the size or importance of the legislation, since “those are the rules”.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 18, 2010 at 2250 hrs
The stimulus benefit was indirect—the homeowners got a tax credit, which encouraged them to buy a home, and they went to a homebuilder affiliated with Neumann. Every home builder had an indirect benefit from the stimulus. There’s nothing that Neumann could have refused.
It would be different if Neuman lobbied for the stimulus and the money went right into his company, WHICH IT DIDN’T.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 18, 2010 at 2354 hrs
....still waiting for the Barrett-bashing column….
(tick tock, tick tock)
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 19, 2010 at 0006 hrs
Reverend Hucklebee has not met a physician who supports this bill.
That means you’re going to lose 30 percent of all caregivers!
Umm….
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 19, 2010 at 0026 hrs
I don’t know Owen - Neumann has a certain passion for using government subsidy for green energy ideas and it was a significant - and worthless - part of the waste of money known as stimulus.
This is an issue where Neumann is pretty much out of line with the GOP.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 19, 2010 at 0224 hrs
If he is treating his employees fairly I see no problem with his positions.
I have a problem with companies that freeze employee wages, cut 401k matching and other benefits when they are having record sales because of the stimulus money.
Neuman is a good man and Walker would make a good Lt. Gov. for him.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 19, 2010 at 0624 hrs
It is possible to disagree with a position or policy of the United States government, and still obey the law or operate under that policy. Cutting off your nose to spite your face is hardly a useful tactic. We are being taxed and paying for these giveaways to be sure. If I could somehow opt out of the taxes and their fallout, then I’d be happy to forgo the benefits… unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. I’d make the point that by NOT taking the money, Neuman would be placing his business, and the jobs of his employees, in a position of disadvantage. That WOULD be wrong.
@George i have no problem with Congress operating under the rules imposed on it by the Constitution. It’s when they circumvent those rules and make up their own that we a problem. All Americans should be bothered by that.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 19, 2010 at 0744 hrs
I think this story was fair game for this reason. How many companies right now can afford or think it is good PR to take their employees on a Puerto Rican cruise? That was the zinger in the story.
Obviously his businesses are going damn well right now, probably due to stimulus money. I like Neumann but have decided on Walker. Seeing Walker continue to go at the County board with cost cutting measures for years now makes me think he’ll be able to do the same thing with a GOP legislature next year.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 19, 2010 at 0757 hrs
@George i have no problem with Congress operating under the rules imposed on it by the Constitution. It’s when they circumvent those rules and make up their own that we a problem. All Americans should be bothered by that.
You say that as if George has any cognitive understanding of Article 1 Section 8 of the constitution… He is just, as he so eloquently stated elsewhere on this board, a “rhetorical retard”.
Neumann shouldn’t pick up too much flak for this, but it is an interesting news story. Neumann is not the guy, I do not want him as governor, and I think his election would be the election of another typical “purple” Wisconsin RINO. We do not need someone who is going to support more “green” mandates, we need someone who can start slashing and burning the state budget before we find ourselves so far underwater that we cannot recover. That is not Mark Neumann. Period.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 19, 2010 at 0802 hrs
You do realize that Neumann is far more conservative than Walker. Just because he is making money off of “green” construction does not make him a RINO. That is called capitalism.
When are tax breaks considered bad?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 19, 2010 at 0904 hrs
Wow. “Principles” sure comes at a competitive price. That must be what you call “free market.” Or, no, we call it “capitalism.” I see.
Posted by Jack Lohman on March 19, 2010 at 1125 hrs
Neumann conservative? uuuhhh, no…..he’s pro ethanol.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 19, 2010 at 1133 hrs
You do realize that Neumann is far more conservative than Walker. Just because he is making money off of “green” construction does not make him a RINO. That is called capitalism.
When are tax breaks considered bad?
I didn’t say tax breaks were bad, nor did I say that making money off of “green” construction makes Neumann a RINO… His support of ethanol mandates and expensive alternative energy options make him a RINO. Walker has experience taking on legislative bodies and fighting for budget cuts, Neumann is the guy to run against Feingold, but he will not win the nomination for governor… Sorry.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 19, 2010 at 1335 hrs
I agree that it’s a pretty sketchy article. What does bother me, though, is when you see all these Republican congressmen saying the stimulus doesn’t create jobs and then going back home to give speeches about how the stimulus money is going to create jobs.
Posted by scott on March 19, 2010 at 1422 hrs
His support of ethanol mandates and expensive alternative energy options make him a RINO.
Absolutely true. While I would defend Neuman’s company for advertising that it’s customers can get a government kick-back if they buy a home or upgrade, that doesn’t change the fact that Neuman is pretty much out of line with conservative thought on many matters.
I also notice that the Journal touts the stimulus here… but it NEVER mentions that a single job was created. The company mentions increased sales (which will be temporary till the kick-back funds we borrowed from China run dry), but no one talks about adding a single new worker. Perhaps that was on another page of the paper…
Neuman is a good businessman, but I hope he sticks to what he knows and leaves sweeping up the mess left behind by the Doyle wrecking crew to the guy who plans on bringing lower taxes, more jobs, and budget balancing revenue increases to the party.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on March 19, 2010 at 1449 hrs
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