The Definitive Pragmatic Politician

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is the definitive pragmatic politician.  He may also be the most unique elected official in the entire United States.  In an era of hyper-partisanship, vicious rhetoric, partisan agendas, and special interests dominated politics, Rick Snyder charts a different path.  His no labels approach, smart government designs, post-partisan policy prescriptions, and relentless positive outlook should make him an icon for centrists everywhere. 

Civility and compromise have become dirty words in American politics.  But to Rick Snyder that is the only way forward.  He argues that the problems we face cannot be tackled by one party or one politician alone.  We need to work together in order to get back on track.   As he says, “It is time to drop the labels.  All of us carry far too many labels, of party, of ideology, of geography.  So many different labels.  To make this work there is only one label that matters.  That label is Michigander.  It is time to come together as Michiganders.” 

In doing so he has approached each issue with an open minded, consensus seeking attitude.  Although he is a Republican, Snyder has met with leaders from more than 15 unions to seek their input and support.  Even union leader David Hecker of the American Federation of Teachers has said “We're going to be able to have a dialogue with this administration.”  Snyder likes to say “This is not Wisconsin.”  He does not employ the scorched earth tactics that other Republican governors such as Scott Walker have used. 

In addition, Snyder has overlooked the contentious social issues that are usually exploited for partisan gain.    Detroit Free Press Columnist Brian Dickerson noted, “Among the things that distinguished Rick Snyder from his party's other governor wannabes in 2010 was the voters' impression that Snyder had little interest in, or patience for, the ideological crusades in which many conservative Republicans are so heavily invested.”

Pleas from fellow Republicans to pass a “Right to Work” law have been ignored; the Governor admonished anti-abortion legislators who tried to create new reporting requirements on universities that conduct stem cell research; he was the only Republican governor who didn’t sign a letter protesting President Obama’s health care reforms; he stopped Michigan GOP’s efforts to recall Democrats; Snyder also vetoed a Republican bill that banned the state government from creating regulations above the federal standard; and he snubbed Republican legislators’ requests to freeze state implementation of Obamacare.  Instead Snyder helped enact MiHealth Marketplace to comply with Obamacare and had no qualms taking federal funds for high-speed rail that other Republican governors rejected. 

Snyder also stands out in the GOP for his perspective on government.  He has focused on legitimizing government instead of attacking its credibility.  He does not endorse the conservative ideology that pits government as an intrusive, overbearing obstacle.  Nor does he believe government should solve all of society’s problems as progressives do.  

Instead Snyder tries to reveal what government does for the average citizen and how it can help create a ladder to the American Dream.  To that end he argues for a new form of government.  “And what does that government look like?” Snyder explains, “It’s simple, it’s customer service government.  It’s to treat you the citizen as the customer.  We need to look at life through your eyes and ask two simple questions.  How do we help you to succeed?  And how do we get out of the way?  And when we ask you for a dollar of revenue, instead of taking your money and spending your money, we show you value for your money, that we’re making a difference in real people’s lives.  That’s the government you deserve and that’s the government you’re going to get.” 

Through fiscal responsibility and performance based metrics Snyder is creating smart government, government that runs more like a business.  Every program comes with a clear mission statement and easy to understand metrics of intended objectives.  The state government and all municipalities now have “dashboards” on their websites to allow any taxpayer to find out how well their city is managed and where their tax dollars are spent. 

Snyder demands that tax dollars be spent for the people, not one special interests or business.  All of the tax credits and loopholes that have defined Michigan’s tax system for so long were removed by the new structurally balanced budget Snyder signed into law in June 2011.   

The repeal of tax credits was not based on ideological reasons, but because it was the “best practice” available.  And that is at the heart of pragmatism.  Pragmatic policy is neither liberal nor conservative, but rather it is the smart thing to do at that given moment.  Find what works, that's Snyder's philosophy.  He is not afraid to pick and choose policies across the political spectrum while ignoring the partisan politics and the special interests demands.  He is a fiscally conservative, socially liberal, environmentally friendly politician who may also be the most pro-immigration governor in the country, Republican or Democrat. 

Detroit Free Press Brian Dickerson coined Snyder’s agenda as “a radical vision by a pragmatist.”  “It lacks a cohesive partisan or ideological label.  But it is still radically different than what voters usually get.”  MLive columnist Peter Luke added “Say what you want about Gov. Rick Snyder's accomplishments his first five months in office, they at least challenge the partisan ideologies that often had Lansing tangled in knots.” 

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder defies what it means to be a politician.  He never held elected office before he won the governorship in 2010; and while Republicans around the country promote an anti-government ideology which rejects all government activism, Snyder is showing taxpayers how government helps them; as politicians across the country place blame and go negative, Snyder seeks solutions and offers “relentless positive” actions; although political leaders in both parties scorn compromise, civility, and consensus, Snyder is offering all three.  Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is the most unique politician in all of America, because he is the definitive pragmatic politician in a world filled with uncompromising, uncivil, partisan ideologues fixated on political gain.   

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