Isn't my blog the center of the universe?

Actual evening conversation in our home

Me: Oh, no! Our Internet connection is really, really slow!
Chuck: May I recommend you wait a day? There may still be some problems caused by last night's storm.
Me: But I'm in a Blogathon! I have to get tomorrow's post ready!
Chuck: Life goes on, dear, despite your blog.
Me: But it's part of my marketing strategy for the new domain and new URL!
Chuck (now trying not to laugh): Life goes on, dear, despite your blogging needs.

Luckily, I got online at that point.

Yes, we are still married.

And I'm cross-posting for a while at both URLs while the new Compost Happens is under construction. You can check out the progress here: http://compostermom.okaybyme.net. Let me know how you like the new look!

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Quieting my Inner Cynic

If every cloud has a silver lining, every environmentalist has an inner cynic. We're the ones who say, "Earth Day? I do this kind of thing 24-7-365."  True to form, I had a field day today when I came home from school.

The weather outside was delightful, so I was able to walk to and from work. I brought my own lunch, refilled my own water bottle and coffee mug, and handled the workday in my usual green way. Then I came home.

A package was on the porch: a product review sample left by FedEx. While overnight shipping has a significant carbon footprint, I understand the need for marketers to get their products out to their bloggers quickly. I can swallow this one.

The mailbox had a book in it, a title I'd ordered from a swap site. This book will go to the little free library in front of my school building. Wrapped in recyclable brown paper, this secondhand book quietly and firmly channeled my inner Kermit the Frog green.

The newspaper had an article about reducing trash. A nearby city is considering a pay-by-the-bag policy instead of the current property tax billing. I laughed out loud. When we moved here 16 years ago, we filled our large garbage bin to the brim every week. Now we have a garbage bin that's half the size (and a fee of $0), and if we miss a weekly pick-up it doesn't matter. We generate very little garbage. Recycling, composting, and a sincere effort to reuse instead of disposing all contribute to our lack of trash. Charge by the bag? I'm so there.

Well, I opened the box to find a half-axed attempt at enviro-packaging. First, they'd sent me both items instead of the one I wanted. Hint: I didn't sign up to review a kids' product because my "kids" are grown-ups now. Second: the box was way, way over-packaged. I might have let this go if the only packaging had been the (reusable and recyclable) shredded paper, but atop the paper was a plastic sheath and underneath were two - 2! - layers of puffy plastic pillows.

Deep breath, Daisy, deep breath. Not everyone has the same eco-standards as the Okay Chorale. Finish supper, settle in with laptop, and relax.

My inbox had a note from a consulting group recruiting bloggers to try a program called the One Bag Party. Their goal is (are you ready for this?) to keep trash bags out of the landfill by making their bags stronger with less plastic. I stopped myself from snorting cappuccino out my nose at this one. This is supposed to be eco-sensitive? Make the bags bigger and stronger so people can throw away more garbage? People, check out the graduation party for Amigo and La Petite - a true One Bag Party. We didn't even use the lyrical Red Solo Cup.

Oh, sigh. I guess the world isn't ready for the Compostermom standard. Quiet, inner cynic, quiet.

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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. 

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Keeping Safe at Any Age

Age 16: eligible to drive

Age 18: eligible to vote

Age 21: eligible to drink a beer or two

Oops, I missed one. Age 20: Leave behind a statistic. What statistic? I'm glad you asked.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) defines children as anyone aged 0 - 19, and the leading cause of death in children is unintentional injury. Accidents. Car crashes, suffocation, drowning, poisoning, fires, and falls are just a few of the examples.

Our country is getting safer for children - about 30% safer over the last decade. But even with improvement during decade 2.0, we still have issues. Okay, I'll leave the issues behind, but accidents still happen, and happen to the tune of more than 9,000 deaths a year.

The CDC asked several bloggers to help share safety tips, and of course I said "Yes." I'll share some of their common sense recommendations, and I'll point you toward a few web sites chock-full of information.

Common sense isn't as common as it should be, given the - well, common name. For example, under drowning, tips to decrease drowning deaths include this list.

• Learn to swim.
• Watch kids closely around water.

It's a start. Motor Vehicle tips are also common sense, but these take a little more time and effort.

• Always use seat belts & safety seats.
• Use booster seats that are correct for a child's age and weight.
• Use safe-driving agreements or contracts with teens.

Prevention for falls brings in a few items that aren't necessarily "cool" with kids.

• Insist on soft landing surfaces on playgrounds (i.e. sand or wood chips).
• Install protective rails on bunk beds and loft beds.
• Wear a helmet. Listen up, kiddos, Aaron Rodgers wears one.

I promised links.

The CDC has a page they call "Protect the One you Love."

"Color me Safe" is a coloring book available in English or in Spanish.

This site offers free e-cards related to the topic.

Readers, dear readers, I agree to post on these topics for many reasons. Health posts are never paid posts or sponsored. When the CDC calls - well, when the CDC emails - I'm willing to help because I want our world to get better, not worse, for the generations that follow. I'm teaching one of those generations right now. If I can make a difference, if I can make a suggestion that prevents a child from getting hurt, it's more than worth the blog space.

I'm serious about the disclaimer. This is not a paid post. I'm also serious about making a difference. The U.S. has a higher death rate from preventable injury than Sweden, Norway, the U.K., France, Canada, Australia.... isn't it sad that the list goes on? Let's change it, folks. Add a safety suggestion in the comments or post one on Twitter. Be sure you copy it to @CDCgov so the CDC folk see it, too.

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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.

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Teacher Profiling - hearing aid compatible version

Ah, readers. You've come through for me in the past. I'm working on a post describing what it's like to be a hearing impaired person teaching in a virtual school. Here's my draft. Let me know what you think. Since I hit copy and paste, I've already made three changes. Five. Now I've lost count.

I entered the teaching field armed with a music degree, two teaching licenses, and two powerful hearing aids. The degree and teaching licenses got me hired; the hearing aids helped me thrive. My condition is a progressive loss, one that has worsened with time and will continue to change as I grow older. This loss is due to nerve damage, and hearing aids are the correct and only treatment. As my hearing loss worsened, I looked for an alternative to a traditional classroom setting, and Wisconsin Connections Academy attracted my attention. I was fascinated by the variety of families enrolled, the unique program, and the commitment to learning, and the enthusiasm for technology in education.

My hearing loss is only one part of who I am as a teacher. Sometimes I need small modifications, or reasonable accommodations as the law calls them. This was easy for WCA; all of the headsets are hearing aid compatible. My students and my coworkers take my hearing loss in stride.

At one time I taught students with hearing impairments – not as a specialist, but as their regular classroom teacher. The presence of a role model, a professional with the same disability they had, motivated these children more than any lesson I could teach. I hope that my current students see my disability, when they think of it at all, as an example that they, too, can succeed, no matter what challenges lie ahead.

Well, readers? I feel like it's still rather stiff, rather bland. Help me out, please?

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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.

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"No."

Two-year-olds are so good at this. They say no easily, and mean it. They're not malicious, they're not mean, they're just sincere in their right of refusal.

Take my niece for example.

SIL: "Eat your soup, Audrey."

Audrey: "No. Hot." -- stated so seriously and in such an adorable voice that we knew she meant it.

At Christmas, after opening a present containing her new Aaron Rodgers jersey:

Brother: "Audrey, would you like to try on your new shirt?"

Audrey: (looking at her tummy, putting a hand on her sweater) "No." --again, very logical. Why would she put on another shirt, no matter how special, when she was already dressed? Geez, these grown-ups lack common sense.

Grown-ups do indeed lack common sense at times. Teachers, parents - nurturers, especially, have a hard time saying no. Put in extra time to finish progress reports? Of course. Bring in a couple of side dishes for the pot luck lunch? Naturally. Take on additional students for a day? Not a problem.

Sooner or later we run out of hours in the day and energy with which to productively fill those hours. We keep saying Yes because it's expected, because we feel we must. Maybe, just maybe, it's time to channel our inner two year old. Calmly, logically, seriously, and in such sweet voices that no one can resist, we need to say it.

No.

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One week away --

One week from now, our community and state will go to the polls. Highlights? Lowlights? I'm glad you asked.

We're electing both new and experienced supervisors to the County Board, due to redistricting. Chuck and I have talked to the supervisor who represents our neighborhood. We've also helped a friend with her campaign.

Wisconsin holds its presidential primary. Some time in the next week, I expect Chuck to get called out to drive the satellite truck to a rally or two or three or four.

My fair city elects or re-elects a mayor.

Wisconsin holds its presidential primary. I am getting really good at keeping the TV remote near me so I can mute campaign commercials.

My local school district, a.k.a. my employer, chooses two candidates out of three who are running for two open seats on the school board. The two incumbents are good people; the potential newcomer holds some dangerously narrow views. He's already made clear his opinions on the freshman reading list. Let's just say his point of view is different from mine.

Wisconsin holds its presidential primary. Robo-calls, campaign calls, and survey calls will keep my phone ringing. Thank goodness for caller ID.

And when it's over, all over, we'll turn our attention to the upcoming recall election in June, when the divisiveness hits the polls. Our state will be divided for a long time. I will keep working to elect legislators who cooperate and think carefully before writing and voting on bills. To me, that's the biggest problem facing our divided legislature: the poorly written laws being rushed through the Assembly and Senate.

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Make an impact: what's your influencing style?

A teacher friend on Plurk led me to this article in the Harvard Business Review online. We (my Plurk, I mean, Professional Learning Network) discussed our own influencing styles. Teachers are leaders, and teachers influence many every day of each school year. We have opportunities to influence students, the students' parents, students' friends & siblings. On another level, we influence other teachers, administrators (sometimes), and incoming teachers, too.

Here are the main influencing styles, according to the HBR.

• Rationalizing
• Asserting
• Negotiating
• Inspiring
• Bridging

My main styles are rationalizing and negotiating. I rationalize in print every time I write a grant. Every time I discuss the value of virtual schools, I rationalize a unique form of education. Rationalizing can be positive: for me, it means finding the reasons for what I'm doing and sharing those reasons with others. I rationalize by writing letters in support of my favorite candidates for office, too.

Ah, negotiating. Long ago, when I worked in a child care center, I stepped into an argument and removed a pan of heavy serving dishes from the hands of one of the angry staffers. I brought this out of the boxing ring and into the kitchen to prevent breakage and injury, but it turned out to be the move that made the combatants settle down a bit, too. Taking the physical barrier out of the way also made the two feel more equal: one no longer had the tag of "kitchen help" weighing on her - literally or figuratively.

Training peer mediators was a great way to spread my negotiating skills. In training mediators, I had the chance to work with some wonderful students who really cared about making a difference. Non-violent crisis intervention was another valuable training for my peacemaker tendencies. Group facilitation and AODA support group training offered skills for negotiating woven into the counseling techniques.

As for the others -

Asserting: I'm more likely to back down or negotiate a compromise than assert myself too firmly. I consider conflict and fights to be a waste of time and energy. Mediation feels more productive.

Inspiring: Teachers inspire no matter which other style of influence they favor. Every time a student picks up a book we recommend and actually likes it, there's an influence. When a parent hears the same comment from several teachers over a span of years, that parent might begin to listen and accept the influence from school staff. Now that I think of it, inspiring is part of my style, too. I just don't think of it very often.

Bridging: This would seem like a companion for negotiating, but it's actually more of a networking strategy. Connecting with others, building consensus and coalitions, depending on others to return favors, and uniting with an expanded group of like-minded people - salespeople use these skills, political candidates develop and hone theirs, but do teachers work this way? Some do. It's an area where I see a need for growth, at least on a personal level.

Teacher influence , no matter which style, spreads to the general public. We prepare and train hundreds of students who bring their talents and skills to an educated workforce. We attempt to influence those who set policy and write laws; we're not always successful in that arena.

Perhaps a chance in influencing style would help.

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Why I Volunteer -- a personal political statement

Top Ten Reasons I Volunteer

10. I'm one of many who are suffering under the actions of current state *cough* leadership.

9. The tea party war against women sets us back fifty years - or more. What's next, repeal the 19th amendment? No, don't answer that.

8. One coworker no longer admits to being a teacher. She's tired of the blame game in the public realm that considers state employees to be a drain on the budget, rather than hardworking professionals.

7. Grass roots are strong; anyone who has tried to turn a patch of lawn into a vegetable garden knows that. Grass roots movements thrive on volunteer contributions.

6. Contributions don't have to be financial to be worthwhile. My volunteer time makes a difference.

5. I vote, and my vote counts. I help others realize that their votes count, too.

4. I'm not willing to run for office, but I'm willing and able to work for others who will lead well.

3. The National Education Association (NEA) was once called a terrorist organization. Now my state association members are being called "thugs." Name-calling used to be a playground problem; I'm doing what I can to get this childish behavior out of the state capitol.

2. Someone has to make a difference.

And number one, the top reason for volunteering, is borrowed from Dr. Seuss. In the words of the Once-ler, here it is:

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,

Nothing is going to get better; it's not. --Dr. Seuss

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Dear Scottie; it's just not working.

I didn't write this. I wish I had; it's brilliant. The original source is the Wisconsin Democratic Party leadership.

By the way, how do you break up with a guy on a tractor? I'll tell you when we're done breaking up with Scottie.

Dear Scott,

There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to come right out and say it. This isn’t working. It’s time for us to see other people.

I wish I could say that it was me, not you, but we both know that isn’t true. It’s you. When we first got together, part of me really had reservations, but the other part was so hopeful about what we could become together. But then you did it – you know what you did.

When you dropped that bomb on me a year ago, it changed the way I thought of you. You never told me that’s what you were planning. We never talked about that. Ever. If you had told me the truth, I doubt we ever would have gotten together in the first place. It made me wonder if I could ever trust you again.

And when I told you how I was hurting, and how your betrayal rocked me to the core, what did you do? You kept lying. You said it was my fault. That what I wanted - a great education for my kids, affordable healthcare for the people I care about, and to see my friends and neighbors work family-sustaining jobs where they are treated with respect and dignity -- was too much. An "entitlement." Well maybe you just think I'm high-maintenance, but I don't think those things are too much to ask for.

So... I think it's best that we cut our losses and both move on. I don't know exactly what my future holds, but I know I just don't see you in it any more. You might be a disgrace in my eyes, but you'll land on your feet. You have plenty of rich friends for whom you've done a TON of favors. Someone will take care of you.

And speaking of your friends, that’s another thing I just can’t handle. How could you think I’d be okay with inviting people who steal from the families of veterans, commit sex crimes against children, and criminally misuse public office into my home?

But really, all of this just brings me back to your terrible judgment and dishonesty. I need someone who listens to me, is honest with me and wants to see me be the best I can be. Someone who will cherish the values and institutions I hold so dear. Because you clearly aren’t that person.

Love,

Wisconsin

Okay, readers. In the good Wisconsin farmland tradition, the punch line. How do you break up with a guy on a tractor? Send him a John Deere letter, of course.

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On teaching, voting, and cooking supper

Election Day wasn't bad, all things considered. My ward has a lot of well-informed and politically active people, including our representative in the state assembly. We found the new poll location, pulled our photo IDs out to prove we are who we are, the poll workers blinked at my double name (older people: most young ones don't even notice) because it didn't match the poll listings exactly. It was close enough that they let me vote.

Yesterday I wondered why the meat was taking so long to cook. It looked done, but the meat thermometer kept giving me dangerously low numbers - at least it did until I realized what was wrong and turned the temperature readout back to Fahrenheit. Shhh. You've done that, too, haven't you?

I must learn when to sit on my hands and keep quiet. We are short a teacher temporarily at school, a high school language arts teacher. I'm not a high school teacher, but I do know much of the literature at that level. I offered to help out. I haven't regretted it yet... but remind me later that no one forced me to do this: I stuck my neck out and offered.

Back on the topic of Election Day, my fellow blogger and good friend Green Girl made it through her primary election for school board. Now comes the real work: the main election. Readers, head over to her blog to congratulate her; she deserves it! Instead of complaining about the local schools, she has taken action to make the situation better.

Making the situation better: that's what running for office is all about. Go Green Girl!

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Pennywise

I talked about pocket change vs. a living wage. Right now, hubs and I are guarding our living wage and working on stashing pocket change. Did you guess why? Hint: laptop, minivan, replacement, repairs.

We 're not desperate. We're not going to miss any bills. With recent expenses, though, we feel we must be careful. A few thoughts:

Double duty: de-junk the house and pocket the money. It's time to clean the bookshelves and pay a visit to half Price Books again. Maybe Chuck will be willing to browse his CDs at the same time. It worked for my cookbooks! I created space on the shelf and put $20 in my pocket.

Use caution, not credit. Paying cash ensures immediate payment with zero interest. This means preparing to have cash on hand - or preparing not to spend.

Eat at home. Most of the time this is easy. I should say it's easier, cheaper, and healthier, too. I'm planning on trying a new marmalade recipe soon. One more set of pretty jars in the cabinet - one more product (jam, marinade, sauce) that we won't buy in the future.

Walk. I'm lucky to live within walking distance of my workplace. In winter weather, I've managed to get in one to two days a week. That's one or two days less wear and tear on my minivan. It's also one or two days of lower gas consumption. It's an investment in my overall health, too, and there's no price tag on that.

Put off non-essential purchases. I can't decide if Amigo's socks fall into this category or not. At the least, I can wait for a sale or a good discount code.

Use bonuses carefully. Chuck used a prescription rebate ($10 on a $20 purchase) to replace a lampshade. The lampshade was wearing out and could have become a fire hazard. The in-store sale and the $10 coupon made it a deal.

Clean the bathroom cupboards. Yeah, yeah, no fun, but I always seem to find toiletries in the far corners under the sinks. Conditioner, shampoo, you name it, and then I don't have to buy it. Work for me.

And in the long run, I'm going to work and work and work some more to get the Puppet in the Governor's Mansion recalled. He and his handlers are responsible for my pay cut and the uncertainty in my job security. Getting him recalled will help many: public employees and those they serve.

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How much is a million?

If you wanted a swimming pool that would hold a million gallons, you'd better have a big yard. Your pool would have to be 267 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 10 feet deep.

If you counted once per second, eight hours a day, seven days a week, it would take you a little over a month to count to one million.

If you wanted to recall a governor and your organization needed to submit just over 500,000 petition signatures, gathering and submitting a million instead sends a strong message.

Voters don't need a backyard pool that holds a million gallons. We'd rather take time to support our families than time to count to one million. But knowing that more than one million ordinary, everyday citizens are so disillusioned with their governor that they want to kick him out of office: now that's worth a million.

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Red hats or pink ribbons? Komen or PP?

Political or financial? Policy or personal? Planned or --

Folks, Komen et al knew what they were getting into when they made their poor decision. They didn't realize that women of all ages and all incomes and all faiths would jump straight to their computers and blog it, sing it to the world, and then donate money to Planned Parenthood.

Two bloggers named Margaret and Helen posted about pink razors, Planned Parenthood, and politics. Please take a look at what they have to say. These two are done having babies, but they're not done taking care of women in the U.S. Here it is: Pink Razors.

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Pocket Change or a Living Wage

Living Wage: a salary or wages sufficient for paying basic expenses such as rent or mortgage, food, utilities, transportation, and the like.

Pocket change: small amounts of money brought in to supplement a wage; not enough to be a living or a second job, but enough to help buy extras.

Second job: supplements a main job in an attempt to bring total income up into the range of a living wage.

Dear So-called Governor Walker;

When you consider job-related legislation, please keep in mind the differences between the three defined above. In order to keep citizens in Wisconsin and discourage them from moving away, people need to earn a living, not just work. It seems you've grown out of touch with the people who actually pay bills regularly. Maybe those speaking engagements (out of state, raising big bucks from PACs and wealthy donors) are giving you the wrong impression: the impression that anyone and everyone has bucks to spare. To tell you the truth, most of us everyday citizens are grasping tightly every cent.

So Gov. Walker, next time your entourage passes a yard sale, remember that the people there may really need the money to buy groceries. When you see a second-hand bookstore, consider that a struggling worker may have sold a stack of books to put a few gallons of gas in the car. Do you see the family cleaning closets and preparing clothing for a consignment store? They may be doing more than de-cluttering; they might be bringing in the cash to buy a workplace wardrobe for someone who hasn't yet received a paycheck. And if that paycheck isn't a living wage, well, can you really take credit for job creation in our state? No, I don't think so.

My ramblings could move yet to the need for an educated workforce, but I know you don't understand that, either. Maybe if you'd taken the time to actually graduate from college, finish that degree, you could better understand the dedication and motivation it takes to accomplish a goal. A positive goal, that is: a goal that betters the individual and all those around him.

In closing, Governor, if you really want Wisconsin to remain a great state, think outside the box -- your isolated, security-protected box. Make yourself aware that the living wage is an essential part of living, and a quality education is essential to get there.

Sincerely,

Daisy

Did you notice I made my points without blowing my cover as a public school teacher? Clever, eh?

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Governor Walker, the frogs, and the hot water

Do you know the one about the frog who escaped drowning? Two frogs accidentally hopping into a bucket full of cream. One gave up hope, sank, and drowned. The other kept kicking and kicking his legs, determined to escape and survive. Eventually his actions churned the cream into butter. The frog used the solid butter as a launching pad and hopped out of the bucket.

In another frog fable, two frogs fell into tubs of water. The first frog fell into hot water. She reacted immediately to the scalding water and jumped out. The other frog fell into comfortably warm water. She settled in, enjoying the temperature. Gradually, however, the water became hotter and hotter. The temperature went up slowly, though, degree by degree, so the frog didn't notice until it was too late: she was about to boil to death.

The second story was related in All the President's Men. Woodward and Bernstein, the journalists who investigated the Watergate scandals, said they'd felt like the second frog. With each story from each new source they peeled back one more layer, raised the heat one more degree. They actually became scared: what if this investigation reached the White House? What would that do to the country? But they were in too far to stop; the temperature kept rising.

Now there's Walkergate, the investigation into illegal campaigning while on company time. That "company" is, notably, both public and taxpayer funded: the Milwaukee County Executive's office under Scott Walker. In Watergate, the question became one of integrity: what did Nixon know and when did he know it? That question has already come up for now-Governor Walker.

Nixon had tapes, recorded conversations between himself and other high-ranking staffers. He or a staffer physically erased some of the more incriminating recording before the conversations could be made public.

Walker has an electronic trail as well, but one that is harder to erase. His emails, date stamped and word-for-word quotable, are grounds for discussion and investigation. These email conversations might, if the investigation continues to heat up, be grounds for dismissal - or even arrest.

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Letters to our "Leaders"

Dear President Lincoln,

You told us that "A house divided against itself cannot stand." I know you meant the nation's splitting into two, Union and Confederate, fighting brother against brother. Unfortunately, your statement would be apt today in my home state - Wisconsin.

Dear State Senator Ellis,

Do you remember your offhand, spontaneous, condescending statement from last Monday night? No, not the one making all the media. I'm talking about when you told my friend and professional colleague that if she didn't like teaching, she should get another job. She informed you in no uncertain terms that we, the dozens of teachers in attendance, love teaching. We hate what you've done to teachers.

Dear Soon-to-be-Former Governor Walker,

We love our jobs; we hate how you treat our profession. We used to be public employees, dedicating to educating today's children, tomorrow's workforce. Under your rule (reign? You seem to feel all-powerful and kingly), we've been changed from public servants to public enemies.

Dear voters;

Bring photo ID to the polls, and be prepared for long lines. Your vote counts! Let's get this state back to its progressive tradition. Let's elect leaders who lead by example, not by force.

Let's elect legislators who lead not by dividing, but by uniting.

Stumble It!

Random Thoughts and Lobbying

The roads were still slick, so I had to drive carefully.

The van near the old bus depot had a logo on the side. It was the shuttle for the Warming Center, an overnight shelter. One thought: I'm glad there is a safe and warm place to go. Second thought: it's sad that people are in such dire straits that this service is a necessity.

Pulling up to a parking space, I dropped in enough change for an hour and a half. If I got a parking ticket, that would probably be a sign that I should give up on politics. Right? Nah.

The event had, as always, a good buffet of munchies and a cash bar. We nibbled, we caught up with friends who were there, and then started pointing out the important people, those we were there to meet.

Meet, greet, work the room. Teachers really don't train for situations like this. Business people do, and politicians excel in the atmosphere. We're learning. More teachers are getting active than ever before. We must. There is no option.

Soon-to-be-former Gov. Walker didn't show. He didn't send a staff member, either. At least my congressman sent a staffer - someone who turned out to be familiar to me because his child was in my class a few years ago. Ah, my chance! I can do this; make small talk (I was sincerely interested in hearing about his son's progress), and ease the way for the more direct of my colleagues who would bring up the legislation that mattered to us.

I met and talked to or listened to my state assembly rep, another state assembly member from a nearby district (great guy - why have I not met him before?), & our county executive. I waved a greeting to my state senator (he doesn't know me, but I keep writing him letters) and signed all the attendance sheets for those elected officials who didn't see this event as necessary.

Now the real work begins. I've said it before, and you'll hear me say it again. Those with whom I spoke tonight won't remember me, my profession, or my concerns. Now it's time to write follow up letters.

Dear Lawmaker;

Thank you for attending/ sending a staff member/ ignoring the Meet Your Legislators event in downtown Happy Valley. I attended as part of WEAC- FV.... that'll scare the Governor; maybe I shouldn't mention my sponsor. At least I didn't introduce myself as a Recall Volunteer. Okay, start over.

Dear Lawmaker;

Thank you for attending/ sending a staffer/ ignoring the Meet Your Legislators event in downtown Happy Valley. I'm glad I had the chance to talk with you/ meet you/ wave to you/ leave my name on your calling card. I am deeply concerned about the negative politcal climate in our fair state.

The divisiveness, the bullying, the battles. The poorly written legislation, rough drafted in a hurry to be pushed through as quickly as possible while the Powers That Be are still in Power. As slick as a winter street.... oh, no, that's not even relevant. Revise, edit, slice, dice, and rewrite.

This kind of lawmaking creates problems, not solutions. Please take the time to consider and think of those who are affected by your decisions. We are real people, with real families, real jobs (yes! we work! hard!), and real challenges. These politically charged knee-jerk reactions to non-existent issues.... oh, here I go again. This needs to be redone, too.

Well, at least I have a rough draft. I will now pretend I'm a role model for those who read the letters, and I will take the time to read, reread, revise, and edit. After all, I am a leader in the community - a public school teacher, a public employee: a public school teacher.

How should I sign off? Suggestions, readers?

Sincerely

Not-so-sincerely

Respectfully (or not)

I know one thing - I'm sure not signing it "Love."

Stumble It!