Wisconsin Bankers Association Need Old Ideas

Last month the Wisconsin Bankers Association held their annual meeting and as reported by the Milwaukee Business Journal, Republicans dominate bankers' convention.

The three featured speakers were Milwaukee County executive and Republican candidate for governor, Scott Walker, Representative Paul Ryan, and failing radio talk show entertainer Mark Belling.

None of the three have a historical understanding or comprehension of what made America great. This country forged ahead since the Civil War on a partnership of public and private investment.

From the land grants for the railroads and the harbors to the space race and the interstate highway system the United States recognized the importance of public investment in infrastructure as the principal inspiration for private investment.

No banker ever approved a loan for the construction of a Cracker Barrel, a clinic, or a factory in a field without roads, water, and a workforce, an educated workforce.

Now Belling advises the state's financial leaders to abandon Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) because of his personal grudge with some of the key health care providers, particularly Aurora.

Wisconsin Bankers can do better. Wisconsin Bankers know better.