'GONNA HAVE A REVOLUTION

Whether you remember the Beatle's tune Revolution/not, you're going to be hearing and seeing it more and as it's the new logo of Wisconsin's progressive movement. Wisconsinites have had enough of Scott Walker and his cronies in our 'once' progressive state.  A roomful of Coulee area residents filled La Crosse's Brick House meeting room Monday night as 6 of the 20 gubernatorial candidates were present/ represented at a public forum.  With a year to go until election time to depose the 2 term Governor supported by Koch monies, the message at the forum was the "Divide and Conquer" motto is not sitting well with most of us.  No matter where you live you have seen evidence of this policy. 

We didn't have time to hear any detailed plans as to the candidates's intentions as there was a limited response time.  Joe Heim, retired UW-L political science professor moderated the 2 hour forum with 2/3 (?) minute segments for candidates to state their reasons for running, why they would be good for Wisconsin and to answer the same 3 questions re: Education, Health Care and Jobs.
From right to left on the panel we heard from the following:

Self anointed "Soccer Mom", Michele Doolan
raised by a single mom who received educational aide to improve her young family's situation, modeling determination in fighting poverty. This upbringing helped made Doolan now a mom of 3, a community activist and desire to be a servant of the people, not a boss. 

State Superintendent Tony Evers's top 3 issues start with regaining a world class educational system, stabilizing and rebuilding the disappearing middle class and protecting the environment. Working on good job wages ie to attract and keep employees such as good teachers in state.  "District funding of school equality does not equal equity."

 Milwaukee businessman Andy Gronik top priority would be job growth with 30+ years of bringing folks together to do business. Using our success of agricultural assets to bring new business to the state. He promises to serve as a public voice not a corporate one. He has an invested interest with young children at home to improve our public school system.


Bob Harlow, Stanford graduate, son of 2 UW- Madison professors credits his good education to good public Wisconsin schooling even in his small hometown and views the current educational funding issues perilous to what was once our state's pride and joy.  He promises to use his tech expertise to bring tech companies to the state, work on health insurance issues and not ignore public needs. 

photo from previous UW-L visit

Senator Kathleen Vinehout  (not present as she needed to be in Madison for a rigorous long congressional day) but her representative spoke of her upbringing by a father who was a union president, putting herself through school, becoming an organic dairy farmer, her 'People First' reputation, a powerhouse in the Senate who works tirelessly for affordable healthcare, taxation of corporations, legislation for clean air, state spending & property taxation, district funding, etc...

Mike McCabe activist known for Blue Jean Nation passionately spoke of economic inconsistency and the need for a definite vision to get out the vote. Economic development of renewable resources to create some 30,000 jobs in addition to creating a better health insurance and educational system. McCabe is a big proponent of dismantling the voucher system as it's been proven to not be providing a better education.

Jeff Rumbaugh stressed his 'compassion 'after some 20 years working with the disabled, the need for a more effective system and an environmental concern for clean water.
The future of Robotics, AI are reasons to improve technology and that commerce doesn't stop at our borders.

borrowed from internet

Wisconsin assemblyman Dana Wachs (not present) is ready to fight big business, start up monies (10K) for small businesses, erasing student loan debt, working on infrastructure, $15 minimum wage. He promises to be our voice.



All  of the candidates spoke of values referring to legislation for health insurance to cover all, access to a good education, the need to have good paying jobs available. Values are fine and good but the plan is important and as the field of candidates is narrowed down hopefully we will hear more about specifics. We will need to get the vote out to create change and repair the damage that has been done to make our state progressive once again. Will it take a revolution?  Well you decide, it's up to all of us to vote. 

Beatle's Revolution