Both Sides of the Fence
A Tosa resident since 1991, Christine walks the dog, cooks but avoids housework, writes and reads, and enjoys the company of friends and strangers. Her job takes her around the state, learning about people's health. A Quaker (no, they don't wear blue hats or sell oatmeal or motor oil), she has been known to stand on both sides of the political and philosophic fence at the same time, which is very uncomfortable when you think about it. She writes about pretty much whatever stops in to visit her busy mind at the moment. One reader described her as "incredibly opinionated but not judgmental." That sounds like a good thing to strive for!
Why I didn't march at Scott Walker's house
Last night, coming home from work at about quarter to nine, curiosity got the best of me. I headed down 68th Street to see what was going on with the Recall Scott Walker event scheduled to be held in front of the governor’s family home. I had no intention of participating, but I wanted to see for myself what was going on.
Besides, it was on the way to Gillies, and a fish sandwich on rye was calling my name.
The streets were peaceful and empty as they usually are at night. The only change was a stubby army of No Parking signs lining the way.
I had three reasons for not participating.
- I’d rather walk my dog along the parkway near my house, especially while it’s still a parkway and not just a thoroughfare for someone else’s power lines and sewage.
- I’m one of the 58% of Americans who actually has a job, and I was doing it.
- Possibly the only thing I’ve ever agreed with Scott Walker about is that it’s just not right to bring politicians’ families into things. (The exception is if they step into the fray publicly: then their political statements are fair game.)
I don’t know Mrs. Walker, but she seems a private sort of person. We should respect that privacy. I don’t know the kids, but it has to be hard to be going through adolescence and having a famous and authoritarian parent. Let them deal with their own lives without making them feel assaulted.
I do know, very slightly, the governor. And he’s the most emotionally contained person I’ve ever met. He’s the last person to be rattled by. . . anything. Except, perhaps, a perceived intrusion on his family. Wouldn’t we all feel that way?
In my very own personal rule book, you don’t do things you think are wrong just because you think they might work. Make that I: I don’t do things I think are wrong just because they might get a result I prefer.
Not marching in front of Walker’s house is a personal decision, and I understand those who made a different decision. It’s not a reprehensible one; it's just one with which I disagree.
But circulating fake recall petitions and destroying legitimate signatures is wrong and dishonorable. Putting fake candidates on the ballot is wrong and dishonorable. Allowing yourself to benefit from those kinds of actions is wrong and dishonorable, no matter what side you’re on.
And voting for people who condone such actions, actively or passively, gets you into a world where deceit is viewed as the norm. That's not where I want to live. Do you?
Of course, the best way to keep people from marching in front of your house -- or the state house -- is to make sure they can get decent jobs, educate their kids, stay healthy, and support their families and communities.
Then we're too busy and content to be bothered with signs and chants.
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