Wisconsin Power Grab, Day 40

Today marks day 40 since the protests began. Folks around here are beginning to wonder "What's next." This comes up at the bus stop and on the sidewalk, wherever folks have a chance to stop and chat lately in Madison, Wisconsin

Neighbors on street corners, acquaintances at the grocery, we're all wondering and talking about the power grab by the money-rich elite. About our Governor's attempt to divert our state's resources from education, health care, the environment, and social services into the pockets of the owning class--wealthy owners and investors.

Now that the farmers' tractor parade has left the Capital Square, we're wondering what the future holds. Some worry that the protests are over, that folks are giving up the fight, retiring from their state jobs, or leaving the state entirely. "We can't lose momentum," they say. They're worried that our state's citizens will roll over now and play dead.

Others put their faith in the efforts to recall Republican State Senators who support the Governor's plan. Next in line, they say, is the Governor himself, who is the target of a massive campaign to gain signatures from those who pledge to recall the Governor next fall (after the one-year waiting period).

But from where I stand, I see a change. Signs posted in home windows and in cars. Folks wearing buttons and wrist bands to show our solidarity. "This will not stand," they insist. And I am inclined to agree.

You see, we can easily forget a fundamental reality. One that cannot be changed. And that is that the people have the power. I know, it sounds cliche, but that doesn't mean it's not true. We the people are the only source of real power.

That may sound odd or surprising. Especially because so many of us can feel powerless so much of the time. I witnessed that powerlessness and the resulting frustration and anger that dark Wednesday night when Republican legislators decided they would pass the bill that they said they couldn't legally pass without a quorum. Folks converged on the Capital--and they were pissed. Understandably so!

There was shouting at police officers, banging and kicking on closed doors, occasional pushing and shoving. I thought there was a chance that things would turn outright violent.

But folks, we don't need violence. Violence is for the powerless. And we are not powerless. The people simply need to take our power, to own it.

Yes, our electoral system has been distorted and controlled by big money. Yes, we have been manipulated by political advertising and propaganda. And yes, we elected (or allowed to be elected) a Governor and Legislature that represents the interests of the elite. But that does not change the fact that our government serves at our pleasure. We have the power to determine who governs us. You are in charge!