Wisconsin’s Capitol building is one of the most beautiful in the country. I had not toured it for a long time. My college friend Char and I spent the day admiring the building and what it has stood for in years past. Now it was a reminder of Wisconsin gone bad. We let life get in the way of coming here to show support and came a day late. The legislature passed an unbelievably draconian budget the night before. It was sad to see the legislative chambers and think about what had happened there.
We are Wearing Red for Public Ed, of course. It was ironic to see the statue called “Wisconsin” (upper right) which is supposed to represent the state motto of Forward when Wisconsin has become a national symbol of going backward.
We did enjoy the Solidarity Sing-along at noon, the fourteenth week people have gathered to protest in song, only 100-125 people today. The volunteer band delighted everyone including these little guys who danced along.
The Raging Grannies
One of the songs:
This land is your land;
This land is my land,
From Lake Geneva to Madeline Island
From the rolling prairies
To our lovely dairies
Wisconsin was made for you and me.
In the squares of the city
In the shadow of the steeple
In the Capitol,
I see my people,
And some are grumblin’
And some are wonderin’
If this land’s still made for you and me.
And another:
First they came for the unions,
Saying that you should have less
Saying that you should have less
Business needs more, you people aren’t poor
Stop whining; buck up like the rest.
And then they came for the children,
Hard to believe but it’s true.
Schools and good health
Might take from their wealth,
So tell me what are you gonna do?
Scotty, we’re coming for you!
For so long we’ve all been asking
How come people aren’t more upset?
They’re selling our clout and tuning us out.
They’re not treating us with respect.
So tell me, what are we gonna do?
Scotty, we’re coming for you!
Signs in and around the Capitol
