Richardson Deserves Credit for Big Ideas (NM: semi-barf alert)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | December 7, 2010 | Winthrop Quigley

[CedarDave]

Any casual observer can easily see how [NM] state government is structured to prevent things from happening. And that is why, as his eight years in office wind down, I find myself, grudgingly, tipping my hat ever so slightly in the direction of Gov. Bill Richardson. For better and for worse, and, I have little doubt, motivated largely by his desire to be president, Bill Richardson changed a state that is designed to change only rarely.

... Richardson pushed through tax law changes, got the state Constitution amended by popular vote to increase funding for schools, established a Department of Higher Education, and created incentives to encourage green energy, film and aerospace industries to locate in New Mexico.

I have a lot of problems with a lot of Richardson's policies and only contempt for the shame that financial scandals that occurred on his watch have brought to our state, but I have to admire a guy who does things that other people only talk about doing.

Bill Richardson tried to plow through all of those roadblocks. He had a vision, and he made it happen.

He is a bully. ... There were times the behavior of his inner circle resembled that of a frat house party. Some of his associates still may face criminal charges for their roles in state investment scandals. It's possible that he will be dragged into the same legal quagmire. Unworthy people and projects were rewarded in the Richardson years in some measure merely because of their relationship with the governor.

But he had vision, and he led. For several years, the Legislature and the voters followed because we have been a state without a lot of leaders and very few visionaries. Bill Richardson's was the only vision in town.

[CedarDave]

An interesting analysis. And the last paragraph sums it up -- without someone providing a vision based on free enterprise, a market based economy, and less government regulation, we ended up with someone who believes in the nanny state, unnecessary and stifling environmental regulation, and building monuments to himself that will last long after he is gone (i.e. Richardson's Railroad).

Another example of a governor with vision was Sarah Palin who in addition to cleaning up the corrupt state government believed that wise development of the state's natural resources could bring economic recovery to both Alaska and to the country as a whole. Her legacy will be the new natural gas pipeline to carry natural gas from Alaska's resource-rich North Slope to the rest of the country. Analysts say it could be the largest private capital project in U.S. history.

One vision will become a black hole in NM finances forever (90% of operational costs are paid by taxpayers) and the other will provide needed energy to customers throughout the country who will pay for it by their purchase of the commodity.

[CedarDave]

NM list PING!

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[sasquatch]

Good thing he fixed NKorea...
http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/rss/s_474921.html

[CedarDave]

Funny you should mention North Korea:

Gov. Richardson Returning to North Korea?

By Michael Coleman
Tuesday, 07 December 2010 11:48

Rumors are swirling that Gov. Bill Richardson is headed back to North Korea as part of a U.S. delegation next week. I first heard the speculation this morning, but have not been able to get confirmation from Richardson's office today. The Washington Post seems to think it's happening.

Read more: ABQNews: Gov. Richardson Returning to North Korea? http://www.abqjournal.com/abqnews/inside-the-beltway-mainmenu-40/25681-gov-richardson-returning-to-north-korea.html#ixzz17Ti09IaB

[dfwgator]

This time I hope they keep him.

[pallis]

We will be paying for Richardson’s visions for many years to come. I can hardly wait until Governor Martinez restores some sanity and fires some of Bill’s chefs.