Last week, thousands gathered near the Capitol to celebrate as nearly two million signatures were delivered to the Government Accountability Board in the culmination of the effort to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, and three other state senators. Representing a stunning 46% of the 2010 electorate, the more than one million signatures submitted for the recall of Scott Walker announced loud and clear that Wisconsinites are ready to put their state back on track.
Students at UW-Madison have been hurt badly by Walker’s policies, and they played an important part in the recall. Walker’s cuts to public high schools and universities are resulting in higher tuition, educator layoffs and reduced class offerings; his refusal to build a sustainable small business environment has meant fewer jobs for students upon graduation. In the month before finals, hundreds of students took action, talking to their friends, classmates, roommates and others to collect signatures. Ultimately over 10,000 students signed the recall petitions.
As the Government Accountability Board certifies the signatures and begins the process of calling an election, all of us will begin working to elect the next governor of Wisconsin. But it’s important that we not lose sight of the other political events going on around us.
We’re less than ten months away from the date we need to re-elect the President. We need to elect the first openly gay U.S. Senator in the form of Tammy Baldwin. We have Tammy’s open seat to fill, in a race complete with a four way primary. And that’s not to mention the myriad of state legislative, county board and city council races, beginning with the spring 2012 primary in just a few weeks.
Now, with the voting rights of the student and the Wisconsin value of public education under attack, it is more important than ever to stay involved, be informed, and participate in the process as advocates for ourselves. The past year has shown that one person has a voice and can make a difference. The past week has shown that one million of our voices would like a new governor– someone with a history of standing up for the people rather than pushing us down, and that the citizens of Madison and of Wisconsin won’t let a bought-and-paid-for governor corrupt the values we’ve held dearly for decades.
I encourage each of you to get involved again as Madison life settles back into rhythm after the holidays.
• Tuesday, January 24, former Dane County Executive and declared candidate for Governor of Wisconsin Kathleen Falk will be visiting campus at noon in 114 Ingraham to talk about her 30-year career in public service and the change she will bring when elected.
• On January 30 at 4:30, Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor and longtime friend of Barack Obama, will visit campus in Ingraham B10 to conduct a phone interview with first lady Michelle Obama, where both will talk about their experiences in the White House and what students can do to help re-elect Barack Obama.
• Beginning with the February primary, all voters will need a valid Wisconsin ID to vote. If you don’t have one, please be sure to stop by the Wiscard office in Union South to pick up an updated ID free of charge from the UW.
There is no better place in Wisconsin to be an advocate than in Madison. I’m proud to be here, where we are able to work with diverse people from all walks of life in pursuit of shared goals.
I’m proud to use our resources to advocate for students, progressives, the LGBTQ community, economically disenfranchised minorities, the middle class and the Wisconsin Idea. But most of all, I’m proud to work with each of you as together we stand up for ourselves and begin taking Wisconsin back.
Sam Gehler is the President of the Young Progressives. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com
