Letter-Supports Barrett

Dear Editor,

There is little doubt the political climate in Wisconsin these days is full of bitter partisan bickering and rancor. How did we get to this point and why? Determined to find an answer I did a little research, what I found is both disturbing and enlightening.

Consider the following statement from Grover Norquist of the “Americans for Tax Reform” from the Denver Post, May 26, 2003; “We are trying to change the tones in the state capitals -- and turn them toward bitter nastiness and partisanship.” Well congratulations are in order to Grover Norquist on his success. But I, for one, see his success as an abomination of the democratic process.

How was this rancor infused into the politics of Wisconsin? In large part, through the efforts of Gov. Scott Walker. Evidence of Walker’s association with Norquist was brought to light when reporter Dave Weigel tweeted,“Gov. Scott Walker just left ATR/Norquist Xmas Party.” Since Gov. Walker took office his actions have sown nothing but divisiveness, pitting private workers against public workers and “taxpayers” against teachers.

As a result Scott Walker has become something of a “Rock Star” to the radical right throughout the country. So much so that Walker spends most of his time traveling out of state garnering funds from wealthy contributors for not only his political campaign but also for his criminal defense fund. It’s pretty clear that Scott Walker’s ambitions are all about Scott Walker and not about the citizens of Wisconsin.

Accusing unions and teachers of the very activity he is engaged in Walker stated recently: "They can take their money, they can take their people and they can go back to New Jersey and Washington and Chicago and anywhere else they're from because we run things in Wisconsin for the taxpayers," How ironic! Is that the leadership of one who seeks to unite Wisconsin? In contrast Tom Barrett was quoted in the same Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article saying: "Let us once again be a state where we can talk to our relatives, where we can talk to our co-workers, where we can talk to our neighbors about politics without it being a bitter fight"

It’s clear to me that the best way to continue the acrimony in Wisconsin is to cast your vote for Gov. Walker. However, if you’d rather see an end to the bitterness Tom Barrett would be the wiser choice.

Art Juchno, Hudson

Tags: opinion, letters, politics