After a brief period of relative calm (I said relative!) local politics will be taking center stage once more. Scott Walker is approaching one year in office, the minimum required for a possible recall. Even if I never read the news or turned on the television, I would know this because my email is starting to bloom again. Actually, it’s starting to blow up. Every day, I get a message from one group or another reminding me of the assault on the middle class and various other things. As if I, or anyone else in Wisconsin, could forget the last year.
When the protests started, I was completely amazed and seriously impressed. The show of support for union rights, fair wages, and a fair political process was unlike anything I had ever seen. The sheer numbers were unbelievable. I felt an incredible sense of pride even though I am not originally from Wisconsin. But like so many things involving social-political action, it seemed to take on a life of its own and turn ugly.
Then, during the first round of recalls, I grew tired of the nasty rhetoric, finger pointing, and escalating acts of nonsense. At some point, I think it hurt the larger cause more than it helped. Given all that, I have mixed feelings about the next several months.
For the record and for those who may not have read .EDU (my hibernating blog) I do not support Walker’s agenda. I believe that lower-wage earners have been, and will continue to be, most harmed by his policies. I believe that severe cuts to education are misguided, short-sighted, and just plain foolish. I believe unions were a specific target. I believe Walker and his supporters favor wealth over all else and use shady tactics to get things done. For these and many other reasons, I want to see a recall election.
I also want to see the political process used fairly and ethically. This is perhaps more important than the outcome. If even one aspect of the recall effort comes into question, it harms everyone. If volunteers for either side behave inappropriately, it harms everyone. Most states do not have a recall option, so I hope people take advantage of it, but don’t make a mockery of it.
