On Wisconsin

Last summer, in the midst of all of my European traveling craziness, I suddenly ached for the simpler, slower life I had back in Wisconsin. There were other factors, of course, like my desire to be close to family again. However, the overall draw to returning “home” was what I hoped would be a sense of stability and normalcy.

Err, anyone been to the capitol lately?

Wisconsin is not exactly the poster child for all things stable and normal anymore. A state of working class folks who don’t typically demand a whole lot, things have suddenly gotten a lot more interesting for the Dairy State. If you live anywhere in the U.S. that is not under a rock, you have heard that the state capital, Madison, is on its third week of mass protests. What exactly is being protested depends on who you talk to. The governor’s attack on labor unions? Impending layoffs of a few thousand state workers? Massive proposed cuts to Wisconsin schools, Medicaid and other basic social programs? The demise of the Democratic party? The overarching issue that money talks in this country? All of the above?

Whatever side you’re on, you cannot deny that this has been and continues to be one powerful demonstration. Last Saturday alone, an estimated 100,000 people descended upon the capitol including people from all over the country (and let’s not forget Canada) who wanted to show their support for Wisconsinites. Quite a surge for a city of 200,000. A few weeks ago, a group of New York City Cheeseheads donned their yellow foam and rallied in midtown to show their support. Even people from the other side of the globe are putting in orders at Ian’s Pizza, a downtown Madison pizzeria to help feed the protesters. I’ve even heard that the cops (supposedly protected from this bill) were at one point handing out bottles of water and hot dogs.

During a time when people are already struggling to keep their heads above water, the idea of further cuts to salaries and benefits along with all out job loss is too much for most, in any state, to bear. Throw in the possibility of losing a voice at the bargaining table and you’ve got an already struggling middle class that is absolutely going to flip their lids. But this is American where everyone is allowed their opinions and according to most reports, these passionate protests, even the one that included the Tea Party, have been nothing been respectful and peaceful.

Last week, I was feeling pretty downtrodden about the whole thing. I mean, can the job situation for Americans really get much worse? I don’t care what the news reports say about the U.S. economy being on the upswing. Tell that to the folks of Detroit. How many more people are going to have to worry about losing their houses? And tell me, why the hell did I come back to this state again?

But as I pored over coverage of the weekend demonstrations, reading the protesters’ posters, listening to their speeches, and catching up on their personal stories, I felt that this was actually a perfect time to be back in Wisconsin. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs the past few years and although I hate to see anyone suffer, it helps to be reminded that I am a part of a strong collective of Midwestern folks. We’re all just trying to survive, to make ends meet the best way we know how, and provide safe, healthy homes for our families. To hear people on both sides voice their concerns peacefully and passionately reminds me that no one is really alone. Those people rallying at the capitol for the 17th day in a row know that better than anyone.