Romney: None so Blind

My son, known to readers as Amigo, stands with his white can and tells a good joke.

Mitt Romney, on the other hand, isn't funny. Mitt is gaining notoriety for his bullying behavior in high school, behavior he calls "dumb things." I'd take it farther than just dumb or dumber.

To read the rest of the post, go to the new URL for Compost Happens. Trust me. It's all there. 

Stumble It!

I am woman, see me vote.

It was a dark, dark night in the state capitol. In the dark of the night, a killer did his deadly deed. This was not a crime for attention or a plea for help. A pen scratched across the paper, quickly, in the hopes that no one would hear. Then, there was silence. Silence, until the scene became public.

Wisconsin Governor Walker had signed a bill the killed women's rights to equal pay for equal work.

He thought we wouldn't notice. 

He thought we didn't really care, didn't really mind being set back fifty years in workplace gains. 

Instead of listening to the real women who stretch every dollar of their paychecks, he listened to a wealthy supporter who said that "...You could argue that money is more important for men."   The same supporter referred to men as the breadwinners for their families. 

Mr. Walker? Over here, please. I'm the primary breadwinner for my family. I'm female, and I vote. 

But Mr. Walker, taking his cue from his contributors instead of his constituents, repealed the Equal Pay Law that would guarantee women and men equal pay for equal work. He believes that women are worth less. 

Gov. Walker thinks we're worth less. The male teacher in the next classroom with the same education and experience can make more than the woman in the room next door - because of a Y chromosome. The male principal can make more than the female principal - regardless of school size, demographics, or (yeah, yeah, yeah) test scores. The male can bring home more bacon than the woman - because she can, and might, bear a child. 

Gov. Walker and his cohorts think we're worth less. Does his Lieutenant Governor know? Her salary doesn't have to equal that of a male Lt. Gov. She wears pumps with her suit instead of oxfords, and therefore she is worth less. 

Governor Walker thinks women are worth less. That's frighteningly close to worthless. 

Governor Walker thinks we're worthless. 

Well, soon-to-be-former Governor Walker, my influence still equals a man's on one important count. 

We each have one vote. 

Stumble It!

Respect and Politics: can they coexist?

Once upon a time, about two weeks ago, on a very busy Tuesday, a friend and former colleague ran for local office: County Board Supervisor for her district. After the April 3rd election, she had lost by 19 votes. Careful examination of the absentee ballots found two more votes in her favor.

She (we'll call her Ann) asked for a recount. She didn't see the recount in terms of who won or lost, even though she was eager to serve. She saw the process as necessary to assure voters of accuracy - assure each and every voter that his/her vote did indeed count.

The recount, a tedious 11-hour process, ended with her opponent at 642 and her own tally 625. With 17 votes in between, she had lost. She conceded, congratulated her opponent, and moved on. I'm disappointed, like many of her supporters, but I'm so, so proud. Her statement contained no bitterness: only appreciation for the recount workers, thanks for her supporters, and the pride that comes with a record voter turnout in her district. She told us, "I am feeling very satisfied with the process and the outcome, as we all can be sure of the accuracy of the voting results."

Meanwhile, back in in Walkerville, Wisconsin's Governor Walker again demonstrated that he considered himself above all others and immune to suggestions and requests. That is, he's immune to requests from anyone who doesn't donate millions to his campaign. Gov. Walker campaigned recently on a six-city swing through our fair cheese filled state. At each rally, he warmed up the crowds by entering to the song, "Small Town" by John Mellencamp. Great, right? A musician from the Midwest (Indiana), a song with a title that acknowledges Wisconsin's rural roots - what could be wrong with this scene?

Plenty is wrong with this scene. Mellencamp doesn't support Walker. In fact, his publicist contacted the Governor's campaign to state firmly that he is pro-union, pro-collective bargaining, and he supports the fight for workers to earn a living wage. Add to that Mellencamp's performance of "Small Town" at a rally for President Barack Obama in 2008, and Walker's use of the song sounds even more out of tune.

John Mellencamp's representatives asked John McCain not to use the musician's "Our Country" in 2008. McCain complied. So far, Gov. Walker has ignored the request to stop playing "Small Town" during his campaign.

Which candidate has more class, shows more respect for the voters? Ann, the local county board candidate, or the one who (temporarily) carries the title Governor? Soon-to-be-Former Governor Walker doesn't respect the famous musician John Mellencamp; I certainly can't expect him to respect me, an ordinary citizen. As for classy, in tune with constituents, and worthy of my respect, I vote for Ann.

Stumble It!

Next election: we're ready

One election down, another coming up in one month. In one month, Wisconsinites will decide who will challenge current Governor Scott Walker in a recall election. At least one young voter is ready.

Amigo uses an adaptive voting machine called an Auto Mark. It scans the ballot, reads it aloud (with headphones to preserve the voter's privacy), and at the push of a button, marks his vote.

When he was finished, he proudly wore his sticker.

Stumble It!