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My parents moved to Madison in the nineties. Here's how my mom views all the fun that's happening there now.
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People keep asking me, What's going on there, for heaven's sake? I thought the Midwest was more moderate! Yes, Wisconsin did produce Joe McCarthy, so the seeds of extremism are in the soil next to the farm co-ops. But Fighting Bob La Follette began many worker's movements in Wisconsin. This is where collective bargaining began, I believe.
Wisconsin is truly a swing state and switches back and forther between Repub. & Dem. leadership. We thought Tommy Thompson was trying to become an emperor when he was in for four terms, but then he went to the Federal HHS position. But he was reasonable compared to Scott Walker. Other leaders have asked him to step up and advise Walker, but he's not saying anything publicly.
Even though Madison has an unemployment rate under 5% (state gov., university, medical, etc.) enough WI folks were desperate during the election, I guess, because of the economic downturn to vote for someone who gave them hope for more jobs. The Tea Party made its mark, and trade unions have been getting weaker and weaker over the last 50 years so lots of folks have no experience with them and don't know their value and why there were and are necessary.
Last year Walker campaigned on getting 250,000 more jobs in the state and improving the state government's economy, but since elected has done everything to wipe out jobs and cost us more. He quickly cut taxes for businessmen, and that's what created the budget shortfall for the current fiscal year. One first big act was canceling the high-speed train project of over $180 million from the feds which Roy had worked on extensively. This will cost the state huge bucks for contract cancellation fees, the 5500 construction jobs won't come, and Minnesota is so hopping mad about not connecting to Chicago through Wisconsin that they are considering how to connect with them by bypassing Wisconsin. How short-sighted can you be??? Here we just finished a huge bio-med research facility at the University and are the state capitol, and he cuts us off from the future national network! He's a small-minded small town guy who partly got elected on his sentimental reminiscences of growing up in Delevan in SW Wisconsin. He loved small town life which seems to have permanently damaged his thinking. Neither is he a college graduate, more's the pity.
He has the subtlety of a battering ram. Even the other Repub. governors are commenting on his destructive confrontational style from day one. He seems to think he can ram anything through at breakneck speed. I think our only hope now is that the more experienced Republican state legislators who know the value of some moderation can put the breaks on a bit and make some promises or compromises with the Dem. senators who are hiding out in Illinois. An anti-protestor had written on his car: "Illinois: Day care for immature WI Senators." Now another state's refugees have joined them. That technique of disappearing to prevent a quorum is new to me.
I think the delaying tactics of the state senators may pay off because now voters, protestors, other legislators and the nation can see what the effects are of Walker's tactics. Labor unions have investigated how to pull off a statewide general strike like they do in Europe if The Bill passes. The question is now whether all the Repub. senators will follow Walker lockstep or use their own better judgment. That's what the newspapers are asking for now. The whole thing is so sad. Today the churches have a rally and march supporting the rights of working people. There are movements to recall Walker but so far he hasn't done anything illegal. Man, I wish he had gone to Washington to meet with other governors this weekend. Some of them could have given him some tips on how to behave and get results!!
I'm too old to march in protests. My legs won't take that much standing. I barely make it through long stands at stores trying to figure out our new technology, even with support hose on! I did bring a big bunch of portable food to the Madison teachers' union which had been my union. It's near the capitol and as been a sign-making spot and planning center for protests. I also wrote a letter to Walker and to the editor of the paper, but they are probably getting thousands every day and print but a few.
Walker is a total jerk.
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