Why this JRE guy endorses JLT

Many of Indiana’s John Edwards supporters are supporters of Jim Schellinger. I thought I would be as well, but as I’ve studied his candidacy and that of Jill Long Thompson’s, I begin to wonder why that is the case.

Any gripes I have with Mr. Schellinger are pretty minor. Should he win the primary, I’ll have no trouble supporting him. But for an Edwards Democrat, Jill Long Thompson is a lot better fit for what we need in Indiana.

An Edwards Democrat believes in challenging the system, believes in telling the truth- even when it’s hard, believes in challenging citizens into doing their part - and in return – giving them more information; therefore, more influence.

One of the first things I heard that Jill Long Thompson wanted to do was something I had no idea we needed to do. It turns out Indiana is one of a very few states which does not provide for legislative confirmation of any Governor appointee. As it stands, the heads of the departments which run the State’s business are completely subject to the whims of the Governor. “Advise and Consent” doesn’t apply here.

Jill Long Thompson has pledged to volunteer confirmation authority to the General Assembly for her appointees, and would work towards making that process the law in Indiana. Who knew we didn’t do that already?

She has also pledged that her first action as Governor would be to restore collective bargaining rights for state employees. The first action by Mitch Daniels was to confiscate those rights.

Jill Long Thompson unabashedly stands for a woman’s right to make the decisions about abortion and for civil unions. Mr. Schellinger makes fairly pro-life noises, and doesn’t care to be too specific about it – at least in terms of the policy implications.

This matters because – should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade – this issue will succumb to the vagaries of the many state governments. Governor Long Thompson can be counted upon to support the law we now know – with a veto, if necessary. Governor Schellinger – who knows?

Jill Long Thompson researched ways of creating employment and discovered a program which had worked well in other states. Her version creates three tiers where the most significant benefits will be realized by companies who create employment in our most challenged areas. But she proposes some benefit for any company creating new employment opportunities anywhere in Indiana. Naturally, there are requirements that these jobs offer a living wage, responsible benefits and the like. Details of her proposals can be found at http://hoosiersforjill.com/

Though Jim Schellinger protests that he is not a politician – he doth protest too much. In the recent Ft. Wayne debate, he told us he was the sixth child of eight, he worked his way through college in a machine shop and – by the way – he isn’t a politician. I know this because I heard this at least three times, and the question posed to him didn’t seem to matter.

In one instance, after waiting her turn, Ms Long Thompson (clearly puzzled) asked “Wasn’t the question about privatizing State functions?”

It was, of course.

Jill Long Thompson won the US House seat formerly held by Dan Quayle in 1988. She was re-elected (twice) until she was gerrymandered into a new district. She then served as Under Secretary of Agriculture for rural development – managing 7000 employees and a $10 billion budget – holding that post until 2001.

She has the vision, experience and tenacity to get done what needs to be done for us.

I ask you to support her on May 6, 2008.


Don Wheeler
Progressives, South Bend