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Wisconsin State Journal: Sheridan and lobbyist attended ritzy conference together; campaign spending questioned

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There’s a new story at the Wisconsin State Journal revealing that Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Sheridan attended a ritzy resort with the payday loan industry lobbyist that he was dating while his caucus drafted legislation about that industry.  Sheridan’s also not been living in his district, and has kept shoddy records of his travel expenses.

In a story entitled, “Sheridan and lobbyist attended ritzy conference together; campaign spending questioned,” Mary Spicuzza reports that

A payday loan lobbyist who has dated state Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan attended the same conference he went to at a luxurious Georgia resort this fall, as well as another conference in California.

Both Sheridan, 51, and Shanna Wycoff, 31, were listed as attendees at the conference for statehouse speakers at The Cloister at Sea Island, Georgia, said Stephen Lakis, president of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation.

There are two aspects to the revelation.  The first was to be expected, really, once it became clear that Sheridan attended a resort.  One could guess that he attended with Wycoff.  The dodgy expense reports that he’s filed pointed toward, well, that Sheridan attended a resort while Wycoff was there.  The first aspect involves Sheridan attending resorts with the lobbyist he’s dating.

There’s a second aspect, though, more fundamental.  Even if Sheridan attended alone, even if he were the only one at the resort, I would question his judgment in attending (and, of course, in accounting evasively for his expenses).

What district does Sheridan represent?  He represents a district in Janesville, a place (sadly) of high unemployment and economic struggles. In this difficult time, he chose to go away to an out-of-state luxury resort.

Why not take a look at that ritzy place?

Here’s a photo of the resort he attended, at Sea Island, Georgia:

Lovely, isn’t it?

I’m quite sure that Georgia’s economy benefitted from Sheridan’s spending while at the resort.

Here’s the link to the website of The Clositers on Sea Island: http://www.seaisland.com/16/Home.htm

Finally, here’s a promotional video for Sea Island, Georgia:

Link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp7iHJ9u940

What can one say about all this?  I’d say that Sheridan is both selfish and vulgar.  He’s selfish to frolic at an expensive out-of-state southern resort while his Janesville district and Wisconsin struggle.

There’s more, though: Sheridan’s likely a vulgar and pretentious man, whose head is easily turned by mere things.  The promotional video reveals how the resort caters to unprincipled, easily-swayed, pretentious new men.  There’s something both funny and pathetic about the video’s declaration that “if you’re not a registered guest, a turnaround has been provided before the gate.”

Shameful and absurd — a low person’s idea of what it means to be high.  This is how an ill-raised person thinks, one who draws his identity from possessions and status in place of principle and service to those less fortunate.

Let’s be candid — The Cloisters can’t be truly exclusive if they’d let Sheridan stay over.  A junket here, a conference there, and suddenly the resort is filled with anything a cat could drag in.

Many a weak-minded politician, drunk with a bit of authority, betrays his constituents while whetting his vulgar appetites. Sheridan is merely our homegrown version of this contemptible sort.

Finally, a quick note for Speaker Sheridan — this is probably your last trip to The Cloisters, for more than one reason.  Turns out, the resort’s up for sale, and the new owners will likely be more discerning.  See, “Legendary Resort Placed on Blocks.”

Previously —

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