Say what you will, but the proof is in the pudding.

When I'm out on the campaign trail, I obviously encounter both democrats and republicans. When I talk to republicans, I always ask them why they are republicans. The answer most often is something along the lines of, "because I want to keep my money, taxes are too high, and the government spends too much." It sounds good and makes for a good campaign stump speech for a republican. Problem is, there ain't much truth to it. We all know of the astronomical spending by the Bush Administration and the republican controlled congress.

But what about Wisconsin? When the same republicans that complain of high taxes wax nostalgic about the days of Tommy Thompson, the great republican, and bash Jim Doyle, the "tax and spend flaming liberal democrat" I get a chuckle out of their response when I ask them to consider this.

When Tommy Thompson left office for Washington, he left Wisconsin in a financial mess. We're talking a $3.2 billion dollar deficit type of mess.

Since then, Governor Jim Doyle was able to balance that budget WITHOUT RAISING TAXES. In fact, he cut $600 million dollars in spending, while still funding schools and freezing property taxes.

Then consider the republican budget proposal. Had Doyle not been able to use his veto pen, the budget passed by the repubs would have:

Created a $1.1 billion dollar deficit in the 2 year budget ending in 2007.

Added 649 more full time state workers than Doyle recommended in his budget. (Prior to Doyle getting elected, republicans were demanding that the number of state workers be trimmed.)

Relied on $250 million more in one-time funds than Doyle's proposal.

Increased general fund spending by $1 billion in the second and final year of the budget.

Only a 1% increase in school funding.

Who's the fiscally responsible party?