Back OpEd News | |||||||
Original Content at https://www.opednews.com/articles/How-Will-Wisconsin-s-Marat-by-Joanne-Boyer-120520-663.html (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). |
May 20, 2012
How Will Wisconsin's Marathon Race End?
By Joanne Boyer
Keep those positive vibes to the universe going. Wisconsin voters can turn the tide. Are you ready to celebrate or head for your hidey hole?
::::::::
In my newspaper days (which are now more than a generation ago), one of the best copy editors for whom I worked always said, "If there's a question in the headline, you can bet the story doesn't answer it." I would never counter the wisdom of the great Newton Spencer, so don't look for an answer here as to how the Wisconsin recall election of its uber right wing, Koch brother-backed Republican governor will turn out in two weeks.
It will be a roller coaster ride of emotion as we see the end of what feels like a marathon race. We've watched Scott Walker tear apart a state known for open, transparent government -- a state rich with a progressive heritage of working together for the common good. One thing is certain. Scott Walker's view ofI think it's human nature to be fearful as David takes on Goliath. Bullies and those who use power to dominate and control others are not an easy target to take down. I heard fear in the voices of Mike Tate,
Add to that the fact that Kathy Nicholaus, a Scott Walker buddy and Republican, will still be in charge of counting votes in
Even Wisconsin State Senator Lena Taylor, always a voice of courage in this struggle, worked to put the smile on her face over the weekend on TV. She turned the conversation to the fact that the recall elections of the 4 state senators could turn the Wisconsin Senate back to Democratic control -- regardless of what happens in the governor's race. It said to me, maybe we lose the big prize, but we shut down his effectiveness.
I heard someone say last week; we're not going to ask on June 6 th , did the people of
If Democratic challenger Tom Barrett wins, we awake on June 6 th to a state (and nation) still very much divided by rhetoric that pits one against the other vs. talk of how we are all part of one.
If Tom Barrett loses (tell me again, who is counting votes in
"I guess this is just another lost cause, Mr. Paine. All you people don't know about lost causes. Mr. Paine does. He said once they were the only causes worth fighting for. And he fought for them once, for the only reason any man ever fights for them; because of just one plain simple rule: 'Love thy neighbor.'... And you know that you fight for the lost causes harder than for any other. Yes, you even die for them."
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the people of
"
We, the 99 percent, will never have enough money to take on today's political power structure. I know the Wisconsin Democratic Party would love financial contributions at this time. And many of us have already done that. About all that's left for those of us around the country who do not live in