Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, in a recent blog post
Yes, she did, from 1985 to 1988 as an aide to County Exec Jonathan Barry. She also worked as a social services administrator for the state of Wisconsin and as social services director for the state of California.
But throughout her career, Anderson has drawn criticism from liberals for delivering heaping doses of what is euphemistically called "tough love" to people who need a helping hand. Some examples:
Anderson, in a 1996 column by George Will, on ending the federal entitlement to welfare: "People say, 'The poor won't know what to do!' Tough. They'll learn."
From an interview with the Manhattan Institute, as quoted by Will: "If you tell me, 'I'm pregnant, and I've never worked,' I would say...don't come here, because having a baby is not a crisis. That's a condition, and your behavior caused that."
Anderson drew national attention as the architect of "Bridefare," a state program that used financial incentives and penalties to encourage teen mothers to marry. But in an earlier interview with the Feminist Connection, she offered a less sanguine view of marriage, at least for those with the wherewithal to avoid it: "I always thought of being a mother but I never thought of being a wife. To me, a 'wife' equals a 'slave,' and I wasn't interested."
And, in a 1991 interview with Isthmus, Anderson questioned whether poverty spurs social ills: "I don't know if poverty is causing the problems or inadequate family relationships are causing the problems." She added, "Poverty wouldn't be so great if material goods were not as esteemed."
Still cheering, Mayor Dave?
