"Murder, He Spoke!"

We’ve been quoted in the media about our criticism of Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner’s statement that Milwaukee is "becoming the murder capital of the United States.” We said that statement was wrong-headed and that Rep. Sensenbrenner should issue an apology.

Let’s talk about this a bit more because there are some lessons here concerning the way we’re communicating with one another – or not.

It’s no great revelation to state that American politics has become less about doing a job (never mind doing what’s right) and more about getting elected and holding on to power.

This isn’t a Republican or a Democratic issue. It’s not “right” or “left.” It’s the way the system now works for everybody.

So when we hear or read statements from our elected officials, we have to evaluate them through the filter of self-preservation. Are they saying things because it’s a true belief, or because it’ll generate a big round of applause?

In this case, the issue is not whether there is a crime problem in Milwaukee. There is. In fact, we’ve talked about it on this blog. But this problem is not unique to Milwaukee. It is factually wrong to state that Milwaukee is rapidly becoming the national leader in homicides.

But is it philosophically wrong to make such a statement?

Yes, for a number a reasons.

First, this is coming from an elected official from this area. The fact that his constituency does not encompass the city itself is no excuse. His responsibility does not stop at the border of his district. Issues of crime, like the environment, education and a hundred other things that are important to all of us are things we have a right to expect our officials to address in cooperation with one another, not with finger pointing and hyperbole.

To that point, these kinds of statements are certainly not helpful to those of us who want to attract and hold new business and new talent. Milwaukee (and the entire Chicago/Madison/Milwaukee triangle) is at a crossroads. Will we work together and develop our businesses, industry and culture to grow and prosper? Or will we lose out?

The last thing we need is one of our own elected officials opening his mouth and uttering false and slanderous statements that make the media rub their hands in glee.

Think of it this way. If this were your employee (and you did give him the job and we do pay his salary), what would you say to him if he made these kinds of statements about your company?

Here’s another reason why this is a wrong-headed thing to say. We’ve written before about the detrimental effect negative political advertising is having on our system.

While it can indeed get candidates elected, the long-term effect of accusations and innuendos on our government is proving to be very harmful. The media asked us if people would actually believe this kind of over-the-top statement. And we had to say that experience shows that people do tend to take this stuff with a grain of salt. It is, after all, election time.

But what do we really want from our elected officials? I don’t know about you, but I’d like the truth. I’d like the truth about the war in Iraq. About gas prices. About public transportation and the deficit. I find the truth to be shall we say, helpful, in making decisions.

The sad thing is that the consistent stream of name-calling and half-truths from both sides has obscured the real truth, at least in terms of looking to our own elected officials (and those running for office) as a legitimate source of truth. And so in turn, the integrity of our public officials drops another notch.

I’m sure there are those who would say that the good congressman was in fact advancing the cause of truth in making this statement. They would say there is a crime problem and if overstating the case gets action when little has worked to date, then say it. Show some passion. Stand up for what you believe.

We’re all for that. Just get your facts straight, consider the ramifications of what you’re about to say and take a deep breath before you say it.

Or you might end up saying things like “weapons of mass destruction.”