A victim of whining

by | Nov 25, 2015 | 2016 Elections, Ethics, NCGov | 31 comments

Pat McCrory is continuing his fight with the media and portraying himself as a victim of coordinated attacks meant to take him down. He’s released a video implying a vast left-wing conspiracy that includes the mainstream media is out to get him. He’s right that there’s a group who wants to bring him down. It’s called the Democratic Party and they believe he’s been bad for the state.

However, blaming the media and nefarious organizations for his own self-inflicted wounds is silly. Pat McCrory came into office with as much goodwill as any governor. He had been endorsed by a majority of the state’s newspapers and won handily in 2012, despite Democrats winning across the country. He quickly squandered his credibility by appointing political cronies, making dubious claims, and folding to the most extreme elements of his party.

The Carolina Comeback he oversold has never materialized. Instead, our recovery has been uneven with the wealthy doing well while wages remain relatively stagnant and income is still below pre-recession levels.  We’ve paid a steep price for Republican policies that have left our education system suffering, our insurance rates too high and too many veterans and others denied health insurance because of our failure to expand Medicaid.

Nobody told McCrory to appoint Kieran Shanahan Secretary of Public Safety and then allowing him to continue to work at his law practice. McCrory’s the one who allowed unqualified campaign workers to be hired at inflated salaries. And he’s the one who defended expensive no-bid contracts for political supporters at the Department of Health and Human Services.

McCrory, not a nefarious group, told reporters that he regularly attended Moral Mondays when in fact he didn’t. Nobody forced McCrory to sign restrictive abortion bills even though he clearly promised not to do so during the campaign. It was McCrory’s pen that signed bills that cut funding to public schools, community colleges and universities. And finally, it was McCrory that called the meeting with donors who wanted a contract extension in exchange for the campaign contributions they made.

McCrory can complain about groups criticizing and wanting to defeat him, but he can’t blame them for the ammunition he gave them. He’s been a weak leader who got rolled by the legislature, catered to political cronies, and lied to the press and voters. His video is little more than political whining.

31 Comments

  1. Joy Hewett

    The ironic thing about calling the media liberal is that mainstream media is built on capitalism and thrives on the selling of ads, and can’t afford to alienate the business community or portray businesses in too negative a mode.

  2. Jeffrey Barker

    Classic GOP (Greedy Old Plutocrat) tactics: reduce educational spending, minimize the level of critical thinking, lie repeatedly for distraction, and rely on the resulting politically created ignorance to manipulate the voters. Machiavelli would be so proud.

  3. Walt de Vries, Ph.D.

    Paranoid Pat seems to have a lot in common with another Republican, Donald Trump.
    Walt de Vries

    • Norma

      Unfortunately, especially in his disregard for truth.

  4. gailya

    Talking about more damage Governor McCrory did, as one of the first bills he signed into law was a measure that “cut benefits for jobless workers by about one-third and reduce[d] how long they can collect any aid in a state with the fifth-highest unemployment rate in the country.”

    In addition, the law had North Carolina reject $700 million in federal extended benefits that were already coming to the state (cutting off benefits on Jun 30 vs. waiting for Dec 31, 2013).

    “About 170,000 long-term unemployed workers in North Carolina will lose out on extra federal funds under the new law, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.”

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/19/pat-mccrory-unemployment_n_2719342.html

    That was in 2013. Now, in 2015, McCrory is touting that the ‘unemployement debt’ is paid off, and that businesses no longer have to pay a little more to cover the debt.

    However, as Rob Schofield of NC Justice Center pointed out in the ABC article, “where taxes on businesses go back to where they were before the recession, unemployment benefits stay where they are now: drastically lower than where they were when the recession began.”

    “These are permanent cuts,” said Schofield. “Where we were once in the middle of the pack, about average in the country in what people got in benefits when they were unemployed. Now, as far as how many people get unemployment insurance and how long they get it for, we’ve gone to the bottom. Average North Carolinians who lose their job through no fault of their own are really going to struggle going forward.”

    http://abc11.com/politics/mccrory-ncs-unemployment-insurance-debt-paid-off/697875/

    • Ebrun

      So McCrory’s political opponents argue that NC should have continued to increase the huge debt owed to federal government so unemployed workers could continue to enjoy six more months of unemployment compensation. But they fail to point out that employment growth (new jobs) begin to increase in late 2013 and outpaced the national average through 2014 into 2015.

      Maybe the Governor was right that the unemployment debt was a tax on jobs. Once the debt was paid off, unemployment compensation taxes on businesses were lowered and job growth ensued.

      This controversy epitomizes the difference in the governing philosophies of liberals versus conservatives. Liberals support a very generous welfare state characterized by income transfer programs and high taxes designed to redistribute income. The conservative model is characterized by less government intervention, lower taxes and an economic system dependent on a dynamic, growth-oriented private sector.

      It’s an age old battle between opposing political philosophies that will no doubt be intensely fought out in next year’s elections.

      • Frank McGuirt

        Ebrun, a little explanation is necessary. The debt to the federal government was created in part because N.C. employers received a series of UI tax cuts in the 1990s when the state jobless rate was well below 5 percent, which economists consider full employment. You see, the public does not pay unemployment tax, businesses are responsible for that. That debt McCrory was so concerned about was owed not by the state nor we taxpayers but by businesses that employ people. And your comment about the unemployed “enjoying” unemployment benefits is absurd. The actual amount of the benefit is determined by a formula involving the recipient’s regular wage but the maximum benefit is $350.00 a week while a minimum wage worker would get about $290.00 per week. Try paying your bills, mortgage/rent, car payment and feeding a family with that

        • Ebrun

          Frank, I have no quarrel with your “explanation.” But it doesn’t refute my point that the unemployment tax on businesses is a tax on jobs. Seems to me there is a trade off at play here. Lower taxes on business promotes more hiring in the private sector. But the lower taxes mean lower unemployment benefits for laid off workers.

          As I suggested, it represents the basic conflict between “progressives” and conservatives. Tax business more and there is more available for the welfare state. But taxing the productive sector of the economy to support the non productive can, if not prudently applied, be detrimental in the long run to both the private sector and the welfare state.

      • Ebrun

        So I should swallow Mills’ criticism of the Governor whole hog, huh D.g.? Wasn’t Mills the blogger who said that ISIS was an “imaginary” threat just a few days before their attacks in Paris? His partisan track record is only credible withs the hard core left.

        It seems to me that liberal Democrats are doing a lot more whining than the Governor. This thread is an prime example of liberal complaining. And BTW, McCrory never signed a bill that cut K-12 public education. That’s lust another LIE that the left has tried to pin on the Governor. One would think Democrats would give up this hoax after It didn’t work when they tried it on Thom Tillis.

        • Ebrun

          Either you have a bad memory, or you deliberately like to distort my past posts in which I have clearly shown that no matter what measure you use, education fudging has increased every year since the GOP took over the NCGA in 2011. In fact, total state K-12 funding has increased almost 20 percent, and per pupil (ADM) has increased substantially. UNC system funding did decline slightly I believe in one budget, but higher education funding has been increased in the past two budgets that were passed by the NCGA and signed by the Governor.

        • Ebrun

          I am not sure which of those lies you refer to are 1, 2 3, or 4. But, as I have recently posted on several threads here, only four states had more total jobs increases than NC since August 2014. And personal income growth in NC was 10th fastest among the 50 states from the 2nd quarter 2014 to the second quarter 2015. NC was the only one of two states to rank in the top ten nationally in employment growth and personal income growth from 2014 to 2015. Looks like a “comeback” to me.

          Health insurance costs are too high for one reason—Obamacare. Hard to blame the Governor for that. That just leaves the abortion issue. No doubt the General Assembly would have overridden a gubernatorial veto. It was probably wise for Gov. McCrory to sign that bill.

        • Ebrun

          All just allegations by his political opponents. I am more interested in his policies, which seem to be working.

        • Ebrun

          I expect both campaigns will get down in the gutter, but I am not very interested in how each campaign will try to besmirch the opposition candidate. I’d rather discuss issues and policies. How about you, D.g.?

        • Troy

          Last I checked, you were guaranteed an education under our system of governance. You were not guaranteed or promised a choice in getting it.

          Fact is however, there has always been and existed a choice. If you chose not to send your child to public school, you footed the bill for their education at a private or parochial school. That should have never changed.

          This concept of siphoning money away from public school to fund choices is just another premise to tear down another insititution that Republicans think would be better served by other means/entities or abolished. After all, what do poor people need an education for, right?

          You can call it what you wish. Doesn’t change what it is.

          • Ebrun

            An educational choice was never guaranteed and still isn’t. Conservatives have had to fight the public education establishment and the teachers’ union to push for reforms such as merit pay, elimination of tenure and charter schools. If Democrats get back in control of state government, the few reforms that have been passed will be quickly swept away and monopolistic control of public education will again be vested in the education bureaucracy.

            And BTW, no money has been siphoned away from public schools to fund choice. Funding for K-12 public education has been increased substantially since 2011.

        • Troy

          Reforms perhaps Eb, certainly not positive or a foot forward by any stretch of the imagination.

          And of course, you completely ignored my obvious statement about there always being a choice. You don’t re-invent the wheel when another wheel exists; unless you’re a Republican bent on societal and procedural change.

          I’m well aware of your statements and supporting statistics to the contrary about funding. I’m likewise well aware of the results; something you’ve thus far remained silent on. Like I said, call it what you will, explain it as you will. The results however are are conclusive and can’t be ignored.

          • Ebrun

            Results? What results?

      • Ebrun

        Wow D.g., it takes some gall for a liberal Democrat lecture a NC Republican about corrupt politicians. Guess you forgot that the former Democrat Speaker of the NC House was found guilty of taking bribes and went to prison. Or the scandal ridden administrations of Bev Purdue and Mike Easily.

        There is no doubt that in the upcoming election each side will descend into the gutter with personal attacks. I would much prefer to discuss and debate issues that effect the future prosperity of the state. But if you want to continue to indulge in insults and personal attacks rather than debating issues, go right ahead. I won’t respond in kind other than to note your hypocrisy.

      • Ebrun

        D.g., your lectures are becoming much too wordy. You sound like a frustrated professor whose advice falls on deaf ears. Succinctness and brevity could improve your communication skills.

        The hypocrisy I referred to was your penchant for lecturing on alleged corruption by Republican government officials but ignoring proven corruption among Democrats. I realize this is an attempt by the left to gain partisan political advantage, but it nevertheless reveals a blatant double standard.

      • Ebrun

        Wow, you’re back to promoting the Big Brother state again, D.g. Paternalism is no doubt a favorite approach to governing for hard core liberals.

        It is instructive, though, to see how low income parents are clamoring for opportunity scholarships so their kids can escape failing public schools. But, of course, they really don’t know what’s best for their kids. Only Big Brother educrats and big government liberals do.

        So keep on lecturing us about those evil Republicans, corporations and churches who believe in educational choice. I suspect your rants will continue to fall mostly on deaf ears.

      • Ebrun

        D.g., you don’t have to convince me what a great job public education is doing for our youth. But you do need to convince those low income families receiving opportunity scholarships that their kids would be better off if they would just leave them in the public schools. And that’s a tall order for any paternalistic liberal.

      • Ebrun

        I know, D.g., you Democrats are just good ole down home boys “looking for leadership.”
        More realistically, elites looking for love from the common man. But that scam is no longer convincing to the “folks,” who often exhibit common sense at the polls by rejecting liberal elites and their authoritarian tendencies.

        No doubt most of your fellow travelers who comment here agree with your views of a paternalistic government staffed by a liberal bureaucrats. But few of the “folks” read your or my comments here. Fortunately, they make their own independent decisions.

      • Ebrun

        Gad you’re enjoying my descriptive phrases, D.g. They are just as relevant today as they were in past. You could learn a lot by taking history more seriously.

        And BTW, the term I used was “REJECTING” liberal elites, not “ejecting.” (No doubt your “reading skills” are excellent. It was probably just a sloppy job of proofing your posts.)

        And speaking of humor, those low income families whose kids have escaped public schools are no doubt smiling as they spend their opportunity scholarship funds on the school of their choice. I am still awaiting a cogent argument from the left to convince them to keep their kids in the public schools.

      • Ebrun

        D.g., I believe you’re confusing Charter schools with private schools. Charter schools are state schools and receive some direct state funding. Private schools are not state sponsored and do not receive direct state funding. The opportunity scholarship funds legally go to low income families who then choose which private school they want their kids to attend. State Charter schools and Opportunity Scholarships are entirely separate issues.

        You’re disdain for “private enterprise developing a better mousetrap” is the epitome of left wing bias against Capitalist endeavors, which are the primary contributor to American prosperity. The reason the private sector now courts so much favor from the public sector is the result of liberal policies that created big and powerful government that has a detrimental impact on the private economy. Massive government spending tempts private companies to seek government favoritism to survive and prosper.

      • Troy

        Eb, you’re always hip on facts. Well, let’s talk realities. They get a voucher for $4,200 a year or $2,100 a semester. Oh, how much is tuition to a private school and who picks up the rest of the bill? And since that’s just for tuition, that doesn’t include fees, books, and supplies…does it? Those low income families should be rejoicing in the streets.

        And to be clear who is eligible, it isn’t based just on income. Only 50% of that money is earmarked for families based on income.

        First priority is for eligible students who received Opportunity Scholarship funds during the 2014-15 school year. After Opportunity Scholarships have been awarded to prior recipients, the following priorities will apply:

        At least 50% of the remaining funds must go to students who live in a household with an income meeting an amount established by the Opportunity Scholarship Program.

        No more than 35% of the remaining funds can be awarded to students entering either kindergarten or first grade.

        Any remaining funds will then be awarded to other eligible students.

        Income Eligibility for Opportunity Scholarships
        Persons in Household Maximum Household Income
        for full Tuition up to $4,200 for 90% of the Tuition or $4,200*
        2 $29,471 $39,196
        3 $37,167 $49,431
        4 $44,863 $59,667
        5 $52,559 $69,903
        6 $60,255 $80,138
        7 $67,951 $90,374
        8 $75,647 $100,610

        • Ebrun

          I am not sure how low income families come up with the extra expenses, Troy, but they seem to want the Opportunity Scholarships funds. So what difference does it make who pays the balance. If you are suggesting they can’t afford to send their kids to private schools even with an opportunity scholarship, then why is there such demand for them?

          And all eligibility is based on income. Those “prior recipients” were eligible based on their income. The table you posted is confusing, but $29k to $39k for a family with two dependent children is not the typical family than can afford tuition at a private school. My only concern would be for families with incomes below the minimum threshold. Surely those families would be eligible, too.

  5. gailya

    Funny the PoliticsNC article doesn’t talk about McCrory’s choice of Art Pope as Budget Director and all of the damage that has caused.

    Some of the damage that McCrory let Pope do, from the Washington Post.
    “McCrory has also eliminated a public financing program for judicial races — opening those contests to greater influence by wealthy donors — and has sought to cut funding for the state’s university system. Both are pet causes of Pope’s.”

    It was in 2013, that ‘McCrory’s new budget’ (following Pope’s longstanding personal agenda) proposed reducing UNC’s net funding by $47 million, roughly 2 percent of its budget.

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-nc-conservative-donor-art-pope-sits-at-heart-of-government-he-helped-transform/2014/07/19/eece18ec-0d22-11e4-b8e5-d0de80767fc2_story.html

  6. Cosmic janitor

    McCrory only won ‘handily in 2012’ as a result of the dirty politics parlayed by the republican oil industry operatives, who blackmailed a terrified Purdue into quitting the governors race at the eleventh hour to ensure a McCrory victory and a lifting of the NC. moratorium against fracking – which was lifted almost as soon as McCrory’s victory was announced. He who controls the media carries the day and this is why we see the right-wing taking over this country with one improbable election victory after another. Purdue would have handily beaten McCrory, why the right didn’t just swap the vote total using their electronic voting machines is a mystery, perhaps they didn’t want to take any chances on a screw-up or perhaps they wanted to end Purdue’s political career for crossing them – no one knows cause no one has tried to expose the reasons why, and even if they did investigate this affair, it would be overlooked or quickly buried in today’s 24 /7 lock on information by the right- wing: Those who control the airwaves control news content and by logical extension, public opinion.

  7. Brad

    Well stated Mr. Mills. When he is defeated in 2016 for re-election(HOPEFULLY) will have no one to blame but himself. Could have been a credible moderate/conservative governor(see Jim Martin) but does not have the guts to stand up to right wing base or current GA.

    • Brad

      Not to mention the folks he clumsily offered political payback in the form of government positions, no bid contacts, etc.

      What a major disappointment. All this will take a lot of time to reverse for NC.

      Please, please, get out and vote!

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