As I finish up my last semester at the University of Wisconsin, I find myself looking back on the things that have made my time in Madison so enjoyable. Sure, there are the obvious things such as wonderful friends, valuable lessons from great professors and surviving my first four winters. But these haven't been the only positive aspects of Madison for me. Over the past few years, I have become entrenched in the wonderful world of politics in Wisconsin. What began as a casual curiosity in local happenings was transformed into an obsession by, among other things, the 2004 elections and recent events at the Capitol that I am sorry to be leaving behind.
There is never a dull moment at the Capitol. Recently, the state has had to grapple with the discriminatory gay marriage ban that just passed through the Senate, the concealed carry law that has the potential to endanger Wisconsin residents and the controversial gas tax repeal.
Along with the current bills working their way through the Legislature, there have been some recent headlines concerning politics on a more local level. The group Citizens for Responsible Government (CRG), which is based in Milwaukee, started and ended a recall effort against Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz. CRG began this anti-Dave campaign in response to the Madison smoking ban and the local minimum wage hike. While I am opposed to a citywide smoking ban, which might not even matter soon with a statewide ban in the works, it is not a sufficient reason for a recall.
CRG has mentioned that they have never failed in their efforts to recall local officials even though, technically speaking, the group has failed to successfully recall some of its targets. Heather Mees of CRG stated in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that she feels that the recall effort was a success because now there is a base in Madison to concentrate on ousting Mayor Dave. Although the group garnered a mere 7,000 out of a needed 34,520 signatures, CRG has attracted some prime news time lately.
While I personally like Mayor Dave and would be sad to see him go, this fight has entertained me for weeks now, so thank you CRG. Now, with their egos still intact after losing this particular fight against Mayor Dave (in my opinion at least), their sights are set on ousting Gov. Doyle and some Madison aldermen in April. Oh, how I'll miss the bickering that is so prevalent in Madison these days!
CRG, also vocal proponents of TABOR (Taxpayer's Bill of Rights), have threatened to campaign against Republican Sen. Grothman of West Bend if he does not schedule hearings for the bill soon. The group played a role in Grothman's defeat of former Senate majority leader Mary Panzer. Orville Seymer, of CRG, said to the Journal Sentinel that if the hearings aren't held soon, "somebody will lose their job." Quite the scare tactic for a group that just got a measly one-fifth of the signatures needed to recall Mayor Dave. Here's a tip; if a state Senator actually agrees with what you are in favor of, try to stay on good terms with him, don't threaten his job.
As I begin my long journey home, I will be thinking of the situation here in Madison and in the state. So Wisconsin, I may not be here physically after next week, but I will continue my obsession with your politics and I will remain committed to keeping up with current events. After receiving almost four years of education, fun and entertainment here it seems only fair.
Julie Isen ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in political science and is graduating Sunday.
