It is an embarrassment to the good people of Wisconsin and, in particular, Madison, that such child-like political mudslinging and pseudo-fascist policy is all those who would run for office can offer. The recent calamitous primary debacle for the District 8 seat on the City Council moves one to comment on the ridiculous status of local Madison politics. Each and every one of us deserves better.

After writing on this page this past Monday, Ryan Corcoran embarrassed himself out of the race with shameful comments regarding District 8 Alderman Austin King and comments regarding Native Americans.

As per the childish behavior exhibited by Mr. Corcoran, it is indicative of the tenor of debate present here in this city in general. Who could imagine a city touting its flagship university as one of the finest in the world being home to such a mockery of public discourse and debate?

Local, off-year elections in America tend to elicit small voter turnout due to both lack of interest and lack of information, and Madison is no exception. However, for once, voter apathy resulting in fewer than a couple hundred votes cast total in this seems warranted. Indeed, it should seem obvious: when Corcoran dropped out of the race, he cemented the already well-established reality that the primary race itself was at best little more than a formality, and at worst a terrible joke.

Even worse is the fact that much of the policy enacted within the city itself tends to echo discredited leftist economic theory, favoring bureaucratic and centralized regulation over local market forces as opposed to the vastly more efficient and equitable free market. These borderline authoritarian measures, such as inclusionary zoning, the citywide minimum-wage increase and the smoking ban, all of which have been debated (and rightfully lambasted by some) over the past few years.

These restrictive measures, respectively advocated in the name of low-income housing, higher income for low-wage workers and safer workplaces at bars, have noble goals in mind.

Nevertheless, noble goals do not always make effective ends.

Inclusionary zoning, without developer incentives, works to be little more than a tax on new development, stifling economic growth and preventing local entrepreneurs from seeing Madison as a business-friendly community.

Statist policies restricting the rights of free individuals to contract as they choose is the antithesis of freedom, working only to ultimately hurt those they intend to help. Of course minimum-wage earners would be thrilled to learn of their newly increased income.

That is, until they realize that this will not only be offset by higher costs to consumers throughout the Madison economy, but will also increase pressure on small businesses, particularly those on State Street already strapped for cash due to the high rents on their valuable property, forced to make do with one or two fewer employees.

Some people say that no one can make a living at $5.15 an hour. That may be so, but it’s better than no job at all. This is the choice the elected officials of Madison have presented its people, and it is no doubt a byproduct of backward thinking and progressive ideals gone awry.

There’s nothing progressive about taking away jobs.

And, of course, the smoking ban reeks of social reconstruction at its worst. When they say they don’t want you to smoke in bars because it hurts employees forced to work there, don’t believe it for a second. It’s merely an excuse to strip you of your freedoms and enforce their moral standards of behavior upon you and local businesses that thrive on providing both smokers and non-smokers a place to relax and enjoy themselves.

But hey, Madison is a progressive city, right? It is a place of freedom for all and the ideal for liberal policies.

Except, of course, if that “liberal” policy of yours happens to advocate real freedom, both economic and social, and not enforced serfdom.

And don’t forget, these people can’t even have an honest, principled debate without making a mockery of democracy. People of Madison — we deserve better.

Demand it.

Zach Stern ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in political science.