My family came to Wisconsin between 1860 and 1885. My father’s Bohemian grandparents were lured to Oshkosh by jobs in the burgeoning woodworking industry. My mother’s German and Irish grandparents settled on farms in Waupaca County. Both arrived with aspirations of a promising life in a new state. Those dreams were quickly tempered. While Oshkosh’s lumber barons amassed fortunes, immigrants toiled in harsh conditions. The farmlands of Waupaca County provided no better opportunity. Scared by glaciers, countless boulders challenged the era’s horse-drawn plows.
I mention this because I often thought of my family during our time in Madison. Sitting in Madison at our grand Capitol, discussing the complex issues that face our state, I felt something akin to bittersweet experiences of my Wisconsin ancestors.
I have always looked forward on trips to Madison, when the Capitol appears on the horizon. Basking in pristine beauty, it reflects the heart and soul of Wisconsin. Gazing up at the brilliant white dome capped by the gold statue, Wisconsin, you are reminded of the spirit of those who call Wisconsin home: grand aspirations, looking forward, tenacious like the original “badgers,” and, well, a sense of humor: What else explains the badger on that striking statue’s head?
Yet for some time, I have been dismayed by the state’s highly partisan politics. Our seminar, while informative and fascinating, didn’t lessen my disillusionment. There was a time when our state was known for being progressive. The “Wisconsin Idea” set the standard for clean government. Clearly, the divisive nature of our political process is firmly entrenched with little vision for much-needed reform. Mark Bugher, Director of University Research Park, offered a succinct explanation of this malaise. He described how the exorbitant costs of running for office and the resulting need for money from special interests have solidified the contentious nature of Wisconsin politics.
On a hopeful note, Lieutenant Governor Lawton spoke glowingly about our group’s leadership potential. She offered this without really knowing us. Her judgment was based solely on the remarkable record of past WRLP participants. It seems, our predecessors have set a high standard and much is expected of us.
Today’s challenges are no less daunting than those in the early years of statehood. How can individual rights balance with government’s obligation to preserve our environment? Can the state create economic growth that benefits all our citizens? As WRLP participants, we are expected to help ensure that Wisconsin’s future generations can enjoy abundant resources, work at jobs that pay well and take pride in government. The very same things my family was looking for when they first came to Wisconsin. Are we up to the task?
Kim Beck is the Director of Arts, Humanities & Science at UW-Milwaukee, School of Continuing Education.
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This seminar was generously sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. An additional thank you to Landmark Services Cooperative for their sponsorship, of the “Group XI Welcome Picnic.” |
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