Showdown in Madtown

So this past week quite possibly could have been the biggest week in Wisconsin's history, well politcal history at least. I don't think there is ever anything that can top the Packers winning the Super Bowl in this state. Starting on Tuesday the battle between the people and Gov. Scott Walker began, when he proposed a new bill to help with Wisconsins deficit. While I may not be the most educated person on the matter, I still have a voice and a right to share my opnion on the matter. A little background for those who aren't as up to speed on the issue.

First, pre bill proposal, Walker declined the federal government's $810 million for High Speed Rail. A project that would create jobs, not only to build the rail itself but for the operation of the train for years afterwards. It would have been a huge stimulus for the Wisconsin economy, yet he declined the money, why exactly, we're still not sure. He also returned the $23 million that would bring broadband to urban schools and communities. And now the latest: " Budget Repair" Bill. A bill that he has proposed to eliminate Wisconsins deficit that contains however, many items that don't even effect a budget: elimination of protected wetlands, selling state power plants without requiring bids, giving political appointees the ability to change the state's Medicaid programs without legisative oversight, and the big issues, effectively ending collective bargaining rights not just for the state but for all local governments. All of this began at the end of January, so there has been little to no time to debate the matter. Walker is going out there without letting representatives speak.

Yes Wisconsins deficit is bad, but it's not as dramatic as Walker makes it out to be. This bill goes way beyond repairing the budget. In fact, many state union workers have already accepted pay cuts and said they would take more in order to help the budget, yet Walker refuses to negotiate. This clearly extends far beyond the budget. Can I mention one thing in addition to all of this, Gov. Scott Walker never graduated college.

I was uneducated on the matter until last Thursday/Friday when I talked with my mom, a 3rd generation union worker, who if this bill goes through, is directly effected. The impact this bill has on her job, her career and her continuing education, makes this a personal matter to me. She's my mother, I'll fight for her as if I'm fighting for myself. Starting on Tuesday public workers, students, teachers, and those against the bill have peacefully protested against the bill at the state capital. Many sleeping on the floor of the rotunda when they got the chance, despite the constant cheers and rallies by the rest of the public. As the week progressed, more and more people showed up at the Capital to protest. The number of supporters against the bill to show up in Madison has been astonishing. Teachers especially. Many schools have had to cancel classes because there have been a large number of teachers calling in sick to protest. That however is one thing that I haven't agreed with. I think it could have been organized a little bit better so that classes wouldn't be cancelled. The teachers are fighting for their collective bargaining rights that help to protect the students they teach, however they need to make sure that the students, even in this time are getting their education. A few days off of school however, in order to keep their rights, could be worth it in the long run.

On Friday monring, we weren't sure as to whether my 13 year old brother was going to have class or not, even showing up to school classes weren't officially cancelled but there were not a lot of teachers there so we spoke to a few, got the work he would miss, and started our drive to Madison. On the way up there my mom explained a lot of what was going on to my brother and I. My mom is a TA at UW-Milwaukee while she is getting her Masters in English and technical writing. As a TA and student she has some good benefits including the university paying for her tuition as long as she's teaching (TAA). However if this bill passes, she loses that, losing the university's money to pay for her tuition. Which ultimately could effect her continuing in her program to get her masters. It's not fair. One voice, her voice, is loud but having a few more to support her, could make a difference. We got to Madison last in the morning on Friday and walking up to the capital we could hear the crowds already. An eye-opening experience to say the least.

Outside the Capital building itself was quite the sight. Thousands of people walking together, signs held high, shouting together in unison to make their voices heard. Chants being lead all at different times: "Hey Ho, Scott Walker has got to go!" "Kill the Bill!" "It's not about the $$, It's about the rights!" and many more. Signs were beyond creative varying from simple "Kill the Bill" to playing on the the Empires' Imperial Walker from "Star Wars". I think my favorite sign was held by a teacher saying: "Scott Walker, your son is in my class, I teach him. I protect him. I inspire him." You'd think Walker would want to protect his child and his teacher, but with this bill, neither of them are safe. This is one of the first times I've truly felt apart of something important, something real. I can tell people I was there, I was involved. Moving into the Capital, I was floored by what I saw. The Rotunda and the surrounding wings were jam packed with protesters. Despite the slight stench of a high school lockerroom due to the lack of showers and sweat by thousands of people, it was impressive to see the unity of so many people. It seemed as though everyone could put aside various differences and come together under on goal, "Kill the Bill". Even the Rev. Jesse Jackson showed his support in person. He came to the rotunda and to the people outside on Friday to show is support. Paraphrasing what he said, unions and public workes built our state and our country to what it is, if we disband these unions and take away these rights, we lose what our country is about: the middle class. The working class. People of all ages, races, occupations and backgrounds, are bonded together under one cause.

One chant/saying really stuck with me in my time up in Madison: "It's not about the $$, It's about the rights!". It struck me deep because it's true. Teachers and public workers aren't millionaires, far from it, and have made it clear that they would take the pay cuts and the increase in moeny towards their health plans, retirement and other benefits as long as they can keep their collective bargaining rights. Many have argued that these rights do nothing, but in fact they do just about everything for the children. Collective bargaining protects students and teachers from the schools taking over all aspects of the education: Class size, curriculum, student security, salary, teacher rights in the classroom, etc. Without collective bargaining class sizes could rise substantially, curriculum would change, not to always benefit the students, security in the schools could change. But because teachers and the union have those rights they are able to protect students, if these teachers lose these rights schools can easily say you're fired and find a teacher or few who will do what they want without question. Which ultimately puts the childrens education at risk. My younger brother's favorite teacher, Mr. Ross, would lose his right to be able to teach the kids how he thinks would benefit them most. Mr. Ross is a fantastic teacher, he's great with showing the kids how to do the right thing taking the time to individually help them even when he doesn't have to. He cares, he wants his students to be successful.

I returned back to Madison on Saturday, on my own. The Tea Party illuminated their Batman signal and rallied their troops for their chance to make their voices heard. Unfortunately for them, when the word spread that theyw ere coming to Madison, more people came to protest against the bill. When I arrived donning my Clay Matthews jersey (he's stated he's with the WI Public Unions) and my sign "Union Workers Won the Super Bowl" I heard a speaker for the tea party say "I think we've got a pretty even number here." regarding the number of people in support and against the bill. Clearly the tea party needs to learn how to count again because their 5,000 to 70,000 is not about the same. Surprisingily with the opposing sides, the protest remaind very peaceful. Don't get me wrong there were plenty of verbal arguments, shouting and I'm sure many profanities and insults thrown across the sides, but no violence occured. Each group got to speak their mind and made it well known how each felt on the matter.

The biggest issue occuring at the Capital is the "disappearance" of the 14 Democratic Senators from Wisconsin who left the state to stop the bill from being voted on. Uniting together, they chose to leave the state (where WI police have no jurisdiction) to stop the quarum on the bill from occuring. Those supporting the bill see it as a sign of cowardess, however I think it shows strength. They were out of options to try and stop the bill because Walker refuses to negotiate on the matter, so they had no other choice. It shows their solidarity and support for the people of Wisconsin and until Walker will agree to negotiate the bill, they should stay away. Just because they're across state borders, doesn't meant they can't do their job remotely. No they're not in the capital but they can still fight for the people there without bringing the bill to the floor for a vote. There are a few republican senators who are on the fence about the bill and if we can get them to change their views then we we can possibly stop the bill from passing.

While there are so many people who would be directly effected by the bill, there are some groups and unions who are protected from Walkers "Budget Repair" bill. Those groups includ the Police and Fire Department forces, especially those in the Madison area. Walkers bill does not include pay cuts or taking away the collective bargaining rights of those unions, mostly because they supported him through out his campaign for Governor so here he is protecting them. A little bit of a backfire though. the Fire Department has been open and vocal about their support for labor, not Walker. They have marched with the people against the bill after their showed up at the Capital on Tuesday night with a stream of bagpipers, formally publicsize their support for the public labor unions. It's amazing to see their support despite their protection. Even firefighters from Illinois have come to Madison to show their support. They protect us day in and day out, putting their lives in danger for our safety, and here they are on their days off showing even more support of the community and making it clear that they stand with the public despite their unions and workers being protected.

This movment, this fight extends far past Wisconsin's state lines. Many other states are on the fence with bills similar to Walkers in disbanding unions and taking away collective bargaining rights If the bill passes here in Wisconsin, there are many other states likely to follow in the footsteps. I'm not opposed to a bill that's going to fix WI's budget, however write a bill that is actually going to do so, not a bill that is going to take away rights of public workers. Wisconsin is one of the leading states in SAT/ACT scores and general education, part of that is because of the collective bargaining rights that the teachers unions have. Why would you want to change something that clearly is working for the younger generations?

It's clear my position on the matter, I'm not saying I know everything about what's going on beacuse I don't, but from what I do know I do think I'm entitled to the opinion that I do have. It's going to be interesting to see how things are going to pan out with everythings that's going on. Will Walker negotiate the terms of the bill? When will the dem. senators come back to Madison? Can this bill actually fix the budget? Will public workers keep their collective bargaining rights? What impact is this going to have on the rest of the nation? Only time is going to tell and for now all we can do is keep making our voices heard so that hopefully Walker can get the message. In Wisconsin there are few people who have more of an impact on the people than those in office. Those people include past and present Green Bay Packer players. With Aaron Rodgers as a union rep for the NFLPA and Charles Woodson making an open statement in support for the unions as well as other past and present players, everyone listens to them. In a state where nothing is more important than our football team, to have them supporting the public means everything.

For now all we can do is speak up and continue to spread the word about what's going on. I continue my support for the public workers and their unions until we get what we're asking for.

"It's not about the $$, It's about Rights"