This is my partner's story. He attended a town hall meeting/listening session this evening in Wauwatosa WI, held by our State Representative David Cullen.
Below the fold is his take-away from the meeting.
Partner's narrative:
I just returned from a town hall meeting in Tosa, where Rep David Cullen held a listening session. A large room was packed, and I was astonished with how moving, sincere and articulate the stories and testimonials were: our kids' teachers, health workers, even some small business people, all spoke with sadness and anger about the direct consequences of this bill. It ended with Cullen stating the following:
1) politics is a long struggle.
2) people protesting the bill will lose this one - the legislators aren't listening and will rubber stamp everything Walker puts forward. However,
3) the legislators are freaked that they have awakened a sleeping giant.
4) it is all calculated: Walker does this major deluge early and fast, and the giant will go back to sleep long before election time.
I find this news a little deflating - I understand that Cullen has the view from the inside and knows what is up. That doesn't mean that bill will inevitably pass, despite our collective protests, but it very likely will. Walker knows he has the votes, he's got both houses in the legislature, and he'll do it because he can. He's betting that four years from now the people of the state will have forgotten. Even that one year from now, when any recall effort can be initiated, the people will have forgotten.
I think, with that in mind, the people of Wisconsin need to focus real efforts on the legislators who support this bill who CAN be threatened with a recall now. Make 'em sweat and then make 'em pay.
In the meantime, partner and son are off to Madison tomorrow - partner for the second time - to lend their support.