When this whole mess started over a year ago, I was thrilled.

I lived a block and a half from the biggest action in the state, thousands upon thousands of protestors circling the Capitol, genuine outrage, creative signage; what wasn’t to love? It was an exciting time to live in Wisconsin, people were united behind a cause and taking an active and reasoned role in their government.

That didn’t last long though.

Drum circles, vuvuzelas, inane chanting, moronic hashtags, Ed Schultz and that guy from The Nation who kept weaseling his way to microphones; these were dark and stupid times for Wisconsin. Worse yet, there was no end in sight.

But now there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and no, it’s not some weak metaphor for hope or solidarity. We have a real opportunity to affect some change in the state of Wisconsin and restore some sanity and moderation to our politics and the way we interact.

All it’s going to take is reclaiming Wisconsin. Or empowering the unions. Or ousting Gov. Scott Walker. Or ending the war on Wisconsin workers. Or taking back the Legislature.

What were we doing again? Kill the Bill?

Jake Begun ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in history and journalism.