State of the State

As much of a political geek as I am, I just couldn’t bring myself to watch the State of the State tonight. It strikes me as basically a political infomercial, not so much conveying information as conveying the illusion of information. Typically I like reading reports on what politicians have done as opposed to reports on what they have said. This corresponds to my preference for reading the legislation they write and the contracts they have signed rather than hearing their speeches about what they intend to do or think they have done.

But then, I’m a collection attorney. I tend to just assume folks aren’t telling me the whole truth.

Update Apparently I’m not alone on feeling like political speeches aren’t necessarily to be treated as Gospel. Though, this statement by David Warrick that I received from Douglass Davidoff on behalf of the AFSCME is directed to Governor Daniels more specifically:

“Which lie do I start with?

“The governor says caseloads are going down. Our members report case loads are going up in social services. There are higher caseloads in welfare, including food stamps, temporary assistance to needy families and Medicaid. Child protection caseloads are about even. The citizens of Indiana are not getting good service from the governor’s management of social services.

“The governor says state government is more open. But decisions are being made behind closed doors. The decision to extend the management company’s contract at the Fort Wayne Developmental Center is an example of closed-door government. The administration’s shocking decision to close the Silvercrest child services center in Southern Indiana – the only facility of its kind in the state – was made behind closed doors. The Legislature created a citizens panel for Silvercrest that was available for consultation. No one from the administration asked to be heard.

“As for the state of the economy, the governor says a turnaround is in progress, But more Hoosiers were on unemployment. at the end of 2005 than a year earlier.

“In the whole state, in every department, state employees report things are worse than they ever were – with the singular exception of child protection. Judge James Payne’s management of that department should be praised as the exception to an otherwise bleak picture for state workers. They are hamstrung in their ability to provide services Indiana citizens expect.

“It is a coincidence worth noting that the governor’s speech came on the one-year anniversary of his decision to terminate collective bargaining for state employees.”