Only An American

Though I have strong feelings, I shy away from posting (or speaking for that matter) much of anything to do with politics.  People are far too divided, far too ingrained in their own thoughts and perspectives to even open their minds to others.  Unfortunate really, because I am afraid this country will have to learn some hard lessons, and maybe many of it's citizens can learn some of the basics that we try to teach to our kindergartners about listening, respect, sharing, and compromise.

That said, I had the opportunity to see our First Lady yesterday and what an experience!  Being up close with the First Lady was so moving.  I was able to shake hands with her and talk to her for a moment, enough to move me to tears.  I have tremendous respect for the process and those symbols, and figureheads that we, as a people, have put in place, agree or not.  Just as I was so excited to have Air Force One fly over my house a few weeks ago, or how I get the chills every time I hear our National Anthem, seeing the First Lady yesterday was an honor and you don't necessarily have to be a supporter to feel that way, only an American.

A Purple State

With the beautiful weather I have been taking loads of photos and some images came to mind as I snapped away that I thought were fitting to mention on today, primary day in Wisconsin.  As in most of the country the volatility of the political environment is so divisive and ugly that there seems to be no room for discussion, only cutting down the other group.  There is no effective governance taking place, only jockeying for the next election cycle.  I can say with a fair amount of confidence that our state reflects this to the utmost.  You can drive around and the election signs are scattered all over the landscape.  From yard to yard you can see the vast differences among neighbors.  We are considered one of the 'purple states'  that is supposed to reflect the virtually 50/50 split of red and blue.  To me, the reality of being a purple state is closer to being bruised, than being some idyllic middle of the road community.

I wonder what it would be like if we could be a purple state, like our state flower the wood violet, that exudes more a spirit of compromise and discussion?  Hmm, it seems that a middle ground would be a good course for our country's political system.   "The work of many minds, the Constitution stands as a model of cooperative statesmanship and the art of compromise."(taken from archives.gov)    I don't think that the We the People that the forefathers referred to meant We of our party not yours, We of our background not yours, We of our status not yours.  I think We the People is more in the spirit of compromise, doing what is best for us all.  We may not all agree, in fact we won't, but complete stalemate does nothing for any of the people but deepen the bruise, and I for one would prefer to enjoy the wood violets, competing, yet living in harmony with their fellow plants.

Mom, It's Affecting Us Now!

I try to stay away from blatant politics on this blog, simply because I hate getting in lose, lose conversations.  These days people either have one opinion or another and never the twain shall meet.  I make sure to never very rarely get into the conversations with family members because I do not want the fight.  I will however, occasionally mention something when the passion brims over, and this is one of those times.

Our state is headed in a very scary direction.  New legislation is being passed down regularly that is terrifying.  As I talked about here, it is important for us to participate in the democratic process and teach our kids the same.  We have explained to them that they may not see any immediate effect in things like their schools, but the reason we are speaking out is our concern for what we feel the repercussions will be in the future.  We have also explained that there are others that feel just as passionately that what Scott Walker is doing is right.  They know our reasons for our beliefs, but we are also teaching them that other's have different beliefs, just as strong as ours, and that is ok. 

Yesterday when I picked up the kids at school, Sidney came running up and said "Mom, the changes are affecting us now!!!"  They had made an announcement at school that 3 TA's and the school nurse would be gone next year.  Sidney said that all of the girls were crying.  The kids have known these teachers since first grade and they have been important in their learning, or in helping their friends.  I am afraid that this is just the first round of news as the superintendent announced there were going to be  a lot of cuts, including 125 positions district wide. 

Appropriately, this may very well be the end of the world as we know it.