Good Morning! My name is Don Quinton. It’s great to see you all here today! I’m honored to be invited as a guest. I would like to talk with you today about Responsibility.
But First, this being my first public appearence, let me start by telling you a little bit about myself. I am the son of Richard and Shirley Quinton, who have owned a farm West of Shell Lake since 1973. Being raised on a farm, we learn the meaning of hard work and family values. I graduated High School from Shell Lake , and was proud to have been a part of their first State Championship Football Team. Out of High School, I went into the United States Army and served as a Military Policeman. I attended the University of Wisconsin River Falls. My wife, Carrie, and I live in Spooner, and together we raise 4 beautiful, active children who range in age from 14 to 1. That’s right football Practice to diaper changes. I got it covered. My responsibilities to them are clear. I’ve served on the Spooner Police Department for 17 years. The County Board as a County Board Supervisor for 5 years, and recently I was appointed to the Board of Directors for Northern Bridges.
I’m Proud of the things I have done to serve my community, but I stand before you today to fulfill a Lifelong Dream. I WANT TO BE YOUR NEXT 75TH ASSEMBLYMAN! That is where I truly believe I can make a difference!
I mentioned my parents... I come here this morning after participating in the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk in Spooner in support of my Mom. She has suffered from Alzheimer’s since 2001. It has gradually deteriorated to the point she now lives in the Rice Lake Convalescent Center under a Hospice program at the age of 69. Unfortunately, I know that many of you have suffered through this or other illnesses with your aging parents, or other family members. Clearly caring for our seniors is very near to my heart.
There was a time when neighbor looked in on neighbor to make sure that each other was doing well, and that everything was alright. Today, that support system doesn’t always exist, nor is it always enough, as I have learned. My commitment to Seniors is strong, and grows stronger every day. They gave us love and support when we needed it, now let’s give them the respect, and support they deserve. Our Responsibility is Clear!
This isn’t going to be easy in these tough economic times. Did you know that Wisconsin is the 9’th highest taxed state? The 9th highest! Yet we have a 6.6 Billion dollar deficit! That’s Billion with a B! It’s time for responsible spending in government!
This week I attended a conference for the Wisconsin Counties Assoc. in La Crosse. I got to hear numerous speakers. Those representing the current administration all had one reoccurring theme. “Things aren’t as bad as you think they are!” Well, in response to this I look at two things. Again Wisconsin is the 9th highest taxed state in the nation, and We have the 4th highest Deficit in the Country! I think things are as bad as I think they are, maybe even worse! It’s time for responsible spending in Madison. It’s time for change!
I’m sorry but with me and my family, Just because we have checks left, doesn’t mean we still have money in the bank! It’s important to me that in the next 25 years we don’t continue spending money that we don’t have, and passing this problem down to our children.
I bet your family is a lot like ours. We’ve had to make cuts. We still have cable TV, but we don’t have every channel that they offer! My kids don’t go to bed hungry, but we certainly don’t go out to eat as often!
Just for a moment I want you to put yourself into this scenario. You have 3 choices in front of you. Food, Mortgage, Vacation. You only have money for two of these choices. Which one do you cut? The responsible choice is clear! We need to start treating our Government Finances like you and I treat our Family Finances!
Compounding these economic issues are recent reports that put Wisconsin 43rd in the Best and Worst States for Bussinesses. Generally Wisconsin ranks substantially below average in economic performance. Businesses are leaving Wisconsin at an unprecedented rate. What does this mean to you and I? We need to encourage a Business climate in Wisconsin that not only keeps the jobs we have, but entices Business to our state and to our area. Businesses that pay competitive wages! Wisconsin’s Motto is “Forward” but I think we are headed in the wrong direction, and falling farther and farther behind. Lets put Wisconsin back on track!
I told you that I wanted to talk about Responsibility. It’s time for responsible Decisions, responsible policy, and responsible Government! If your not going to be part of the Solution, Get out of the way your part of the Problem!
In Closing
Scott Walker recently said, and I couldn’t agree with him more, “What is failing us is not our People and Places, It’s our Government”.
Ladies and Gentleman! We need to return responsibility and common sense to Madison! If you want a leader for Change, vote for me Don Quinton for 75th Assembly!
2010
May 4 2010
2009