Sher Valenzuela’s Hypocrisy
I meant to get to this last week when I first saw it, but time gets away from us so easy. Anyway, Republican Propaganda Channel, otherwise known downstate as WGMD, tells us that presumptive GOP Lt. Governor nominee Sher Valenzuela wants starting and growing a business to be an easier endeavor.
So, she’s creating a business accelerator with the help of Delaware State University to help others travel through the minefield of government bureaucracy to help them find and use resources already available. To find out more go to Valenzuela’s campaign website at www.Sher2012.com
I was intrigued, so I went to her website to learn more, and guess what. There is nothing at all on any page of the website about this business accelerator idea. Perhaps that is because Sher realized … either independently or from order from upon high …. that small businesses don’t need any help from anyone, and surely they don’t need government resources and grants, for that would interfere with Mitt Romney’s false “You Didn’t Build That” campaign. Indeed, I wonder if Sher Valenzuela and her husband took advantage of government resources, grants or credits in starting and growing their business.
A reporter should look into that. And into presumptive Republican gubernatorial nominee Jeff Cragg’s Mailbox, Etc. business. Because if either of them received help from the Government, then they should be endorsing and campaigning for Barack Obama’s reelection, rather than pursuing a false lying “You Didn’t Build That” campaign with Mitt Romney.
DD I would also say (this is an educated guess; I have no specific inside knowledge) that DSU was not happy with having its program of building business incubators (which, not “accelerator” is the term I have most heard used on campus) turned into a political football for electoral politics.
That is probably right as well.
Over at Delaware Politics there was a debate raging about how awesome Sher was. Things were going along great until someone (I think posting under the name “Dave”) pointed out all of the gov’t assistance she received. Including SBA loans (she was voted SBA business of the year for DE), gov’t contracts, stimulus funds and Milford is paying her electric bills for her facility.
She is quoted in newspaper articles about how great gov’t contracts are once you figure out the maze of red tape.
I am pretty sure she said on her website that she decided to move here to start her business, too. Apparently business’ do want to relocate here despite the right wing saying otherwise.
Teaming up with a State University isn’t exactly creating a business accelorator “on their own.” And I think the incubator program has been up and running for a while. And its considered a public/private partnership to get business’ off the ground.
Valenzuela’s business took millions in federal money, including over $300,000 in stimulus money from the ARRA of 2009. It’s all right here, on a DL post:
http://delawareliberal.net//2012/07/20/jeff-and-sher-campaigning-in-philadelphia/
Grants, loans, no bid contracts, the City of Milford paying FSM utility bills, yet she has the nerve to go out of state to attack Fisker.
And I think the incubator program has been up and running for a while. And its considered a public/private partnership to get business’ off the ground.
Just FYI–there are a bunch of different incubator programs at DSU, not just one, and they are handled by different groups of faculty and staff with different expertise depending on size, industry, etc.
You are absolutely right: these programs predate any involvement by the candidate and they are considered public/private partnerships, and (I believe; again this is unofficial) several have working partnerships with DEDO as well.
Do you think she understands the difference between public and private?
Here’s the quote from her website:
Are Jeff and Sher actually out campaigning — as in talking in public — to Delaware voters? It would be highly amusing for someone to go hear what she has to say about this.
Note to GOPMole: We do not allow outting on Delaware Liberal. If you have a problem with David Anderson or any other writers on Delaware Politics, then please leave it at Delaware Politics.
Sorry 🙁
It’s no problem.
Sher Valenzuela built her ENTIRE business on government subsidies and wants others to get on the gravy train.
I applaud that.
I know Sher’s campaign pissed off a lot of people with that sticker that was on the front of every freakin copy of TNJ yesterday.
While I admire those with the entrepreneurial spirit to create a successful business. What I abhor are those who espouse principles but don’t act in accordance with those principles. Valenzuela is one of those who, by her words and associations, communicates a principle of being anti government. Not only has she profited from that which she decrys, she seeks to become government.
I am not for or against big or small government. I support a government with the size and capability necessary to execute its responsibilities. I evaluate things based on whether a function or program is by necessity or law inherently governmental. That is, is government the best method or achieving a necessary outcome.
If Valenzuela had communicated similiar thoughts I would probably find her an attractive candidate, but as a hypocrite she fails the honesty test, unless she believes what she says, then she fails the delusion test. Of course if she is just pandering, then well, she fails that test as well.