It's semi-open as I actually went onto the White House website and wrote this to the President of the United States. We'll see what the response is, if any. I wrote this letter or comment or whatever you want to call it as I struggled for a way to convey my thoughts and feelings after going with my family to Madison, Wisconsin yesterday. It felt wonderful to be around so many people who believed that standing up for not only their own rights but for the collective rights of the many was strong enough and important enough to brave snow and temperatures in the teens. And it also was inspiring to know that these people, regular people, like my family have continued this fight for two weeks now. They are and will continue to be an inspiration to me, my wife and my son.
Below is my short plea to the President to join us.
As someone who along with my then 10 year old son walked and knocked on doors for you, I implore you to keep your promise and not only speak up for workers in Wisconsin but to also walk with the protesters there.
You may have people advising you to not take sides because it may hurt you politicially, but don't let them sway you. If you can't stand up now, then when? If not for workers and the middle class, then who?
My wife is a public employee in Wisconsin. She is a public librarian who does what she does because she loves it, not because she gets paid a lot (believe me, she doesn't). It is not about benefits. It's not about money at this point. It is about the right to collectively bargain. That is why she, my now 12 year old son and I were there in Madison this past Saturday.
It's more than time to get those comfortable shoes on and join us.
I will not be surprised if this plea is not heeded although I will be that little bit more disappointed in my President. This is a President who I voted for in the Democratic primary and general election when he ran for the U.S. Senate when I lived in Illinois. He, along with my son, is someone I volunteered for and knocked on doors for in both Iowa and Indiana. He is someone who I know believes in unions and in helping the middle class and that is what makes it all the more frustrating that we have not seen him here in Madison. We have done the heavy lifting already for you, Mr. President. We've led. Now, we'd just like you to not only speak up, but to get up and walk with us.