I don't believe I've ever asked anything from this community other than honest feedback, but I'm asking for your help now. Below the fold you will find home phone numbers for a few members of the Wisconsin Senate who are poised to vote away union representation for thousands of Wisconsin workers in the next couple days. One of those about to have the floor yanked from under her is my wife, a 25-year veteran teacher who has used every resource and every trick in the book over the years to get her disabled students the help they need and deserve.
Please call these state senators and urge them to vote no. Please note that these are phone numbers found on whitepages.com. They are public records. I am not asking you to do anything illegal, unethical, or rude. Please, especially if you live in Wisconsin, call them tonight.
Dan Kapanke (608)782-1871
Scott Fitzgerald (920)386-0260
Dale Schultz (608)647-8089
Michael Ellis (920)722-0182
I have already called them. I had one answer (not from the Senator but a person who was willing to give him a message), two answering machines, and one just rang.
The Senators are from a list of those who are rumored to be on the fence, but the entire list of Senators is here, if anyone wants to look them up on whitepages and call these entrenched,right-wing scorched-earthers.
There is a lot of coverage of the issues on Madison.com. I can't take the time to write a lot of detail other than to say that the alleged budget bill is actually a bill to bust unions, gut Medicaid, and authorize 36 new political appointees to head various state agencies currently headed by tenured civil service employees.
Suffice it to say, the shit is going to hit the fan tomorrow. Massive rallies, peaceful but disruptive job actions.... Stay tuned.
If you're in or near Madison, join the protests at the Capitol tomorrow. I was there today and it was a real morale-booster. Of course, Governor Wal-Mart...errr, Walker, was "out of town."
But first, please call these state senators tonight. Be polite. Please don't call when you're angry, don't use foul language, and don't call after a reasonable hour.
Thanks.