Today is the first day of the recall effort against Wisconsin Governor. He and his right-wing radio fantasy-spinners like to suggest that the recall is just "a Madison thing," but reports from across the state indicate that it ain't just a Madison thing. My own pa just posted a facebook message saying they're already running low on petitions where he lives - in the heart of Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald's district!!
Me, I spent the day collecting signatures in Madison. To the dude who yelled "get a f*ing job" from his truck as he passed me at the corner of State and Gorham, let me just say that I have a job - a non-union, private sector job. I earn vacation time at my job (thank you, unions) and today was a vacation for me. In fact, it was one of the best vacations I've ever had.
I also learned a few weeks ago from Jesse LaGreca that a good response to "get a f*ing job" is to yell back "pay your f*ing taxes!', which I did, minus the "f*ing." I didn't want to offend the people who were lined up to sign my petitions. This is a family-friendly recall.
The most wonderful thing about today was the way events unfolded to remind me of all the people I've met over the past 9 months. On my way around the Capitol early this morning after picking up my blank petitions, I spotted State Senator Jon Erpenbach heading into the building. "Senator Erpenbach," I called out. "Can you sign my recall petition?"
"Sorry," he smiled. "I've already signed." He shook my hand and thanked me for collecting signatures. It's the third time I've met him and shaken his hand since February. He's my senator. Maybe he'll be my new governor?
Two women from Milwaukee stopped to sign my petition. I had met them back in March during the large protests, but they didn't remember me. One of them told me how her mother in San Antonio would always tell her that everyone was cheering for Wisconsin.
One of our daily "Solidarity Sing Along" regulars came by and snapped a couple photos. Two weeks ago, I sat behind him and his daughter in the Wisconsin Assembly gallery and watched as he was arrested for silently filming the proceedings.
One grumpy old man came up to me and said "Can I ask one question?"
"Sure," I said, sensing he was just there to start an argument.
"If this goes through, who's going to end up paying for this election? (pause) The taxpayers?"
"Yes," I answered very calmly."If we have an election it will be paid for by the taxpayers, just like all elections."
"What a waste of money," he grumbled as he walked away.
Yes, I thought. Democracy is a terribly inefficient way to run a country. It's also very expensive...but it's a good value.
Around noon, I went back to the Capitol to join the Sing Along. We sang outside today. I stood up on one of the steps and had a good view of all the singers. As we sang, I looked around and realized just how many of these people I now know by name. We've had some shared experiences. We have a history together. We're friends. Even the lone counter-protester who shows up on a semi-regular basis and yells out anti-union non sequiturs between songs was there. He has actually made a few friends among the singers, or at least allowed a few to slowly kill him with kindness. He is fond of calling us "union pigs", so he has been affectionately nicknamed "pig man", which we mean in the nicest way possible.
After the singing, I went inside the Capitol. I had someone take my picture in front of the statue of Fighting Bob LaFollette that stands in the rotunda outside the Governor's office. Another Solidarity Singer and activist signed my petition, right there in the shadow of Fighting Bob, whose legacy we defend. I can honestly say that I will defend it to the death if need be. It's something we don't like to think about, but all it takes is one crazy person, or a few overzealous state troopers.
By this time my petition pages were full, so I headed the few blocks to the recall office to turn them in and pick up more. On the way I met and chatted with "Segway" Jeremy, then Jo, then Arthur...three of the most dedicated activists Wisconsin has produced this year who were returning from the recall office with clipboards in hand. They're citizens who said enough is enough. Pure souls. Patriots. People who are foolish enough to believe that the Bill of Rights means what it says and are willing to be there day after day, marching, organizing, pushing the envelope, beating the drum, singing and shouting. I love these people. They have renewed my faith in America.
I was pretty tired after all this, but I made my way to the office, turned in my work, and got some blank petitions. I faced another walk to the parking ramp where I had parked my car, so I started trudging uphill on King Street toward the Capitol. On the way, a woman in a van stopped and asked me where the office was where she could sign the recall petitions. (She must have noticed the huge "Recall Walker" sign I was carrying and assumed correctly that I knew.) I told here where the office was but I offered her my clipboard. "I just came from there. You can sign my petition if you don't want to go all the way back around."
She took me up on the offer and half-jokingly asked "You're one of the real ones, right? Not one of those with the fake petitions."
"Oh, I'm real," I answered. "I'm not going to shred or burn these." I showed her my "official" Recall Walker Volunteer lanyard. She must have trusted me because she signed against Walker and Lieutenant Governor Kleefisch.
I'd like to think I have a trustworthy face, but the truth is you can't fake the experience of the last 10 months. There's a look in the eyes of those who are working to topple FitzWalkerstan. It can't be faked. That woman saw it in me, I'm sure.
Yeah, I'm real. This recall is real. This democracy is real. This movement is real, no matter what Scott Walker does to denigrate it, outlaw it, or ignore it.