solidarity

My politics shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who knows me, or spends even a cursory amount of time reading this page.  My mother was a high school teacher and union member for four decades.  My husband is an officer in his union.  I believe in what unions stand for, and I’m not a fan of Scott Walker.

If this budget bill passes, the effect on my family is likely devastating, and I’m not exaggerating.  Nor are we alone in that regard, or in any way the people who stand to lose the most.  But it wasn’t because of the proposed increases in health premiums and pension contributions that I went to Madison today to march.  It was because of the blatant disregard of my governor (yes, he’s still mine, whether I like him or not) for honorable engagement with those with whom he disagrees.  It was for the unions who have worked so hard to protect me and mine, union members or not.

Simply put, the role of collective bargaining is central to the dignity of the worker, and Walker’s attempts to strip union workers of the same is about as dishonorable as they come. 

State employees are no different than you and I, and I say that as a former state employee myself.  They understand the economic conditions we all face.  They have endured pay freezes, furlough days, and layoffs.  They were prepared to deal with additional cuts.  But Walker’s administration never asked them that.  He never asked them anything at all, choosing instead to throw them to the wolves rather than meet them at the bargaining table.

If you know me, you know that politics are deeply personal to me, but I try very hard to not take them personally.  Disagreement isn’t grounds for harsh words, or vitriol.  It’s an opportunity to learn from one another, and, in some instances, change our outlooks. In a civilized society, we can work to find some middle ground.  Unfortunately, Governor Walker made no attempt at all.

I stood today, in tears at times, shoulder to shoulder with union members and non-union members, Democrats and Republicans, young kids and senior citizens, and I couldn’t have been more proud.  That’s why I marched in Madison today, and why I plan to go back tomorrow.  Because generations of workers sacrificed for me, and it’s the least I can do, to fight for their rights, and for mine.  You don’t have to agree with me.  You don’t have to support what’s going on there.  But I hope you will at least try to understand that for most of us it’s not about economics.  It’s about the beauty of living in a democracy, where all voices have a right to be heard, and a place at the table.  I just want our union brothers and sisters to have a seat.