But what has kept me away from the blog is more so my thoughts than my actions. I have had a difficult time getting past the June 5th recall election. As a public employee -- specifically a public school teacher -- I was in full favor of the recall. And when Walker won so handily I knew I needed to accept the fact and move on. I mean "this is what democracy looks like." As depressing as the results were, I had no choice but to guide my emotions to a better place. And yet in getting to this better place it is essential that I do not drift into a world of complacency. And there lies my conundrum.
The political battle that took place in Wisconsin over the past 16 months has worn me out. It has worn out many of us ... On both sides of the political aisle. And yet still, as I accept the Walker win, I must continue to fight for my profession. And my livelihood, and for the betterment of my state.
But I can't help but wonder if there is a better way. Because so much of the battle in front of us involves putting faith in a system that appears more broken by the day.
Everywhere I turn I hear talking heads: On the radio. On the television. On Facebook. On on-line newspapers and especially with the article's corresponding reader comments. What I know, or at least what I feel, is that nobody is listening. Everyone is talking and no one is listening. Or at least we are only listening to other like-minded thinkers. Instead of listening and learning from our neighbors we instead let voices -- hateful voices -- dictate our thinking. And what we are left with is a very false view of each other. And that is just the way the wealthy and powerful like it.
Tip O'Neill famously said "all politics are local." Today, these words should be revised to read: "all politics are personal." In O'Neill's version local citizens sit down and together figure out what works for their locale. In the revised version it is never about ideas but rather about victory and power -- victory and power for those who have access to the government, defeat and humiliation for our democracy.
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| Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill share a laugh |
Since the election my thoughts have stayed central to one single question: "How is it that we have gotten to the point where public school teachers have become the enemy?" I don't ask this with a critical tone, but rather with an honest curiosity. I like my friends in the private sector and I respect what they do; I think they like me; I think they respect me. If my assumptions are true, then what has happened? I always thought, that even with our differences, that we are in this together. Today, I am not so sure.
The public school question is one I am starting to ask outloud ... to my friends, to my colleagues, to my family, and on appropriate occasions even to those who think differently than me. I know this question can be broadened to include all public sector workers, but I want to -- at least initially -- talk to what I know: public schools and public school teachers. I see this question as a starting point for some essential conversations ... and very likely some painful discourse.
Yet I trust my friends and my neighbors. I trust that we can share ideas, and beliefs, and differences. And that we can all leave feeling better about ourselves and our neighbors -- even those who had "Walker" or "Recall Walker" signs in adjoining yards.
I do not believe that politicians or talking heads can take us to a place where trust and respect resonate. We can only get there by getting rid of the noise and start speaking to each other about what matters. I am willing to bet we have a lot more commonalities than we do differences.
I was raised in a place where people got along. It is a placed steeped in conservative values. The neighbors I grew up with were and are good people. They looked out for each other and they cheered for each other. Wanted good things for their neighbors, for their schools, for their community. They shared common ideas and infrastructures and yet still, many voted differently from each other. But that was okay because eventually they sat and figured things out. And then they had picnics and beers together.
Yet on June 5th many of these same people who I grew up with -- some who I saw as mentors -- voted for something radically different than what I voted for. And now we sit on completely different sides of the divide.
I struggle to wonder why?
Doing a bit of bargaining? I think the problem goes back to a couple of things: first off, almost no one has a pension anymore--common folks aren't going to vote for someone who has a pension other than social security. Sad to state, but public employees have the perception with joe six pack of being part of the 1 percent. Living standards have become so low that we don't want others to have pensions and health care benefits when most of us don't have one. In other words, inequality and money rule.
ReplyDeleteLife has devolved in America and things aren't very hopeful.
So how do we bring pensions back to the discussions. Corporation don't want to pay taxes, fine, so lets let them trade pension, health care, and living wages for a tax free existence. It really wouldn't be that hard to do.
ReplyDeleteLet's open state pensions open to all who want in. Again, provide incentives for business to match their workers.
Wisconsin has arguably the strongest pension system in the country. Let's build it up for all of us, not destroy a system that pays for itself.
Kia ora LPH,
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts. I have struggled with this from a far, and have been very surprised by the attitudes of a lot of people I grew up with, and even in my own family. I guess we all have the right to hold our own views, but it seems to me the corporates and ultra wealthy have really showed their hand and intentions. Keeping people in a constant state of financial struggle or worry and therefore happy to simply have a job and keep under the radar, and support the lowest common denominator spin. And those who have some semblance of security don't want any riff raff in the gated communities. So it becomes easy and less real work at critical thought to simply point the fingers down instead of up. It saddens me to see such a thorough wave of ungerousity become political agenda in my home state.
Somehow Robb the conversations have to change. Right now it is the corporate media and the wealthy elite that are controlling the dialogue. Our corporations on sitting on record profits and yet somehow we still believe that taxes and regulations are too high and that public employees are destroying our financial solvency. For thirty we have been told that these profits will trickle down to us. It so obvious that It isn't happening and yet so many citizens continue to buy the narrative.
ReplyDeleteThe wealthy appear to simply want it all. The rest of us be damned. Let's never forget that when Rome burned the wealthy Romans got richer while the poor and middle class wilted away.
I am contemplating talking to some of my conservative friends ... friends who are struggling in this economy, and having neighborhood panel discussions. Brunch and Discourse ... or something to that effect. I want to sit with those who think differently and begin to try and understand each other.
In the meantime: I will be in Madison from Tuesday July 17 through Saturday July 21st. I know this is only a few days (July is my busy month for AAU basketball), but very much want to get together. Take care!