Tommy Thompson

Tommy George Thompson ( born November 19, 1941 in Elroy, Juneau County, Wisconsin) is an American politician. He was the 42nd Governor of Wisconsin and served from 2001 to 2005 as the seventh Minister of Health of the United States.

Early years and political rise

Thompson was born in Elroy, where his father ran a gas station and a grocery store. He studied law at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Thompson is a former captain in the U.S. Army and was a member of the military reserve.

In 1966 he was a Republican delegate in the Wisconsin State Assembly. There he remained until 1984 and was temporarily leader of the Republicans. In the gubernatorial election of 1986, Wisconsin he beat the Democratic incumbent Tony Earl and entered on January 5, 1987, to its successor.

Governor of Wisconsin

Thompson was elected as governor so far only four times in a row for four years in office to that office. He held office for 16 years until 1 February 2001. He has received numerous awards and honors in these 14 years. He was a member of several associations governor.

During his 14 years as governor of Wisconsin Thompson was known for promoting school choice programs. In 1990, Thompson introduced the first statewide parents school choice program that allowed families to be able to send their children to private schools or public schools of their choice.

Also well known is his 1996 program started " Wisconsin Works" or "W -2". The program called for the adoption of a work of the unemployed, but offered at the same time to service and gave financial support. So the return of unemployed should be facilitated in the labor market. The help was there in support for child care, health and mobility and training. The program was considered successful and exemplary: Wisconsin's monthly expenditure on social assistance sector decreased by 90 percent and the economic situation of the participants of "W -2" improved. Similar programs were subsequently carried out in other U.S. states. In Germany, Hesse state premier Roland Koch referred to this program as a model. However, independent institutes had at this time already established in the U.S. in a report the total failure of this so-called " future model ". The German Association of Towns and Municipalities concluded in its assessment of November 2003 for a similar result. The DStGB drew the following conclusion: " The three politically independent institutions [ were meant: Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, the Center for Economic Development at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, and the Institute for Wisconsin 's Future ] authored report " Passing the Buck " [ " another passing the buck " ] confirms the result that former welfare recipients have not managed to enter the world of work, as one might assume from the declining number of welfare recipients, but that the most plain and simple to switch from government aid for Caritas are. Also on the labor market is not the desired effects were achieved. The cost of social security benefits have increased significantly. Even in Wisconsin with relatively favorable starting conditions, the " Welfare to Work" model has failed. "

In 1996 he was on the list of possible vice - president of the Republican candidate Bob Dole, along with Governor Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey, Texas ' Governor George W. Bush, Michigan Governor John Engler and Jack Kemp, said Thompson an important role with John Engler campaign played.

Minister of Health of the United States

2001 convened the newly elected President George W. Bush Thompson as Minister of Health ( Secretary of Health and Human Services ) in his cabinet. Then Thompson resigned as Governor on 1 February 2001. He tried to hold the post to attract more private money for national health care institutions ( National Institutes of Health ), and reorganized Medicare and Medicaid in favor of more private provision. By resolution of reserves also 1.8 million low -income Americans could be covered by health insurance. After the attacks of 11 September 2001 reinforced Thompson also preparing for bioterrorism. In 2004, appointed after the election, the second George W. Bush administration no longer belonged to Thompson; he was succeeded by Michael Leavitt.

Presidential candidacy

On 1 April 2007 he announced his candidacy for the presidency of 2008, which he gave in August 2007 due to lack of support again.

More

Tommy Thompson and his wife Sue Ann Thompson three children. A son, Jason Thompson, gained brief attention when he called this at a brunch, President Obama to send " back to Kenya ". He had to apologize for it later.