PEOPLE'S LEGISLATURE CAN TURN STATE AROUND

Hope was reborn in Madison last Tuesday. For the first time in a long time,
I honestly believe that a statewide movement to take back our government is
more than a pipe dream. The People's Legislature convened its first meeting
with representation from all of the major political interests in Wisconsin,
along with people from all over the state.

They came together - some 1,100 strong - out of frustration with what has
become of the political process in this state, which was once acclaimed for
its clean government but has degenerated into a "pay to play operation."
People gathered as a group of "politically homeless" individuals, who still
believe that in diversity and numbers, change can happen.

A number of things occurred this day. First, the meetings were able to stay
on focus. Not that every individual in the crowded room did not have his or
her own issues, but the skillful leadership of Ed Garvey, former
gubernatorial candidate, and the rest of the steering committee kept our
attention on the larger picture. Gay marriage, the legalization of medical
marijuana, universal health care, racism and other problem areas were
acknowledged as legitimate areas of concern, but it was also soon agreed
that without changes in the process, nothing else would be addressed in a
non-biased way.

Speaker after speaker talked about preserving the "soul of democracy." Nino
Amato, longtime public servant and current president of the Wisconsin
Industrial Energy Group, spoke passionately about how free and responsible
government cannot exist when the campaigns are so corrupted by corporate
contributions.

I even found myself applauding Ed Thompson, also a former gubernatorial
candidate and current head of the Libertarian Party.

"Many people are not aware that the current Wisconsin Legislature does not
represent the people," Thompson said, in his rousing fashion. He used the
term "Republicrats," calling for smaller government in the lives of the people.

"Democracy should not be used to diminish people's personal lives,"
Thompson said. He spoke to the need to educate the public on the state of
the political theft of our state government.

Paul Linzmeyer, a businessman from Green Bay, spoke of a dream in which
individual citizens can take back our state - with a wide initiative that
includes urban and rural. "We need to fix the process."

Mike McCabe of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign addressed the morality of
600,000 Wisconsinites who are without health insurance and the unemployment
rate of African-American men in Milwaukee reaching 59 percent. He spoke of
the obscene amounts of special interest money received by our elected
officials and how that money is tied to voting records.

For me, what took this day beyond rhetoric about all that is wrong with
Wisconsin - as well as the nation - was listening to people who are
knowledgeable and respected speaking about democracy in a way that was
almost sacred.

Former Sen. Stan Gruszynski from Marinette was eloquent and inspiring as he
spoke of the preservation of democracy being our gift to ourselves. "Our
children's future depends on us," Gruszynski said.

What will come of this beginning? In order to clean up our corrupt state
government, this diverse group of concerned citizens agreed on the following:

Comprehensive campaign finance reform must be the cornerstone of a new way
of doing things. This includes public financing of election campaigns and a
ban on corporate contributions.

A politically independent, combined state ethics and election board that
will enforce the law.

Nonpartisan legislative redistricting modeled after a system used in Iowa.

Preservation of local control to prevent arbitrary, centralized budget
limits on local units of government.

More rigorous ethical standards by all people in government.

More openness and more citizen input in how laws are debated.

How is all of this going to take place? There are plans to develop regional
networks of the People's Legislature to educate others and work on
strategies to accomplish the goals. Is it perfect? No, but it is empowering
and encompasses all of the political wings in a common purpose.

What is it they say? Just like the fragile snowflake, when enough of us
stick together we can paralyze the whole state - and who knows, perhaps beyond.