Message From Wisconsin: What We’re Losing

I say losing – instead of lost – because the jury is still out. The fat lady has yet to sing.

We have not completely lost. But we are losing. We are losing the war of words. We have lost control of the discourse. The dialogue. 

My mother is to blame for everything that is wrong with this country today. My mother, the immigrant, who came to this country in her mid-30s with 10 years of teaching experience behind her. My mother, who re-trained as a teacher in this country during the bad economic times of 1970’s, New York City. My mother, who waited for years to get a permanent teaching job in the public school system. My mother, who really didn’t teach that many years. My mother, who in her retirement, is far, far, far from rich, but well-taken care of enough that my sister and I don’t have to lose any sleep. My mother, who as a fairly young widow, put her two daughters through school at fine East Coast colleges.

My mother was a public servant. She entered into a social contract with the citizens of her adopted city, to serve. Her salary would never be great, but in return she would have deferred benefit when she needed to be taken care of. She would have a decent pension and health care in her old age. And maybe because a few worries would be taken off her head during her senior years, she would have the where-with-all to continue to contribute to her society, in other capacities.

And now, everything is her fault. And the fault of others, like her.  Public servants.

So yes. We are losing. We are losing the war of words. We have lost control of the discourse. The dialogue.

And there is no better evidence of that fact than the trial balloon Mitt Romney thinks is acceptable to float.

Romney said of Obama, “he wants another stimulus, he wants to hire more government workers. He says we need more fireman, more policeman, more teachers. Did he not get the message of Wisconsin? The American people did. It’s time for us to cut back on government and help the American people.” 

Better yet, watch the video, if you can stomach it.

 

I would be lying if I said I knew what the message from Wisconsin was this week. I can’t wrap my head around it. Can’t put myself in the place of those who support Gov. Walker.

But my message to the Democrats? We have to fight the war of words. We have to take back the discourse. We have to take control of the dialogue. We have to burst the trial balloon.

And I am not sure we have the guts to do it.