What Would They Think

Wisconsin Civil War Heroes

Remember Why They Fought

I read with great interest a recent piece in this paper by Linda McAlpine about an exhibit of photos of Wisconsin citizens who served in the Union Army during the Civil War that will be coming soon to Washington County’s Historical Society Museum. 

Evidently, over 90,000 Wisconsin soldiers fought to preserve our nation from being torn asunder by those who promoted the evils of slavery and believed that the rights of individual states to control what happened within their respective borders took precedence over federal laws to the contrary. The slave holders and states’ rights proponents lost that epic struggle on the battlefield and had to accept federal superiority as a precondition for re-entry into the Union. That victory cemented our current federal/state governmental hierarchy.

Many in the Southern states and recently in other states, including Wisconsin, continue asserting beliefs that states should not have to follow federal mandates with which they disagree. Anglo-Saxon racial superiority over those with other skin tones has once again reared up to justify rejection of the more inclusive society we have become since the Civil War.  Wisconsin politics has been consumed by divisive rhetoric along those very lines. 

I wonder what those brave Wisconsin men in blue uniforms who fought to preserve our nation state would think if they saw Confederate flags flying from pick-up trucks and painted on the sides of rural barns on their home grounds. Surely, they did not fight and die to see this come to pass. 

Another driver of the states’ rights and supremacy of individual freedom train is an extreme form of Christian fundamentalism that has taken over our political discourse. “Religious Freedom” has become an accepted justification for rejecting federal laws requiring equal treatment of women, the gay and transgendered, brown and yellow skinned immigrants, contraceptive insurance coverage and universal healthcare itself. “Religious Freedom” has morphed under such fundamentalist teachings. It used to mean that you were free to worship as you see fit. It now means my religious beliefs trump the laws with which I disagree.  

The Wisconsin men who went to war to reunify our country certainly never envisioned Wisconsin and the country being torn apart once again. 

What we are witnessing in this election season is a re-incarnation of the Union Army of the Civil War as Wisconsin men and, yes, women join together to reassert the fundamental beliefs that were reaffirmed by the Union victory those many decades ago. 

We are one state in one country, united by the common shared values and beliefs enshrined in the Constitution. We are all equal and have the right to enjoy the prosperity our shared work produces. We are blessed with untold resources that require wise conservation and preservation so that future generations can share in our national bounty. We take care of one another because together we can and will accomplish much more than any one of us can do individually. We share responsibility to protect the Republic and to make it stronger through unified, purposeful actions designed to promote the common good. We do not leave any one behind. The fallen and weak are just as important as the strongest among us and can contribute to the common good if only allowed the opportunity. We welcome all those, as we have since our founding, who come here to make a better life for themselves and their families.

To achieve these lofty ideals, we must learn once more to work together to find solutions to our common problems. We need to rely upon science to provide a foundation for what we do and how we do it. Religious beliefs must be honored for those who have them with freedom to believe what they believe, but not with the ability to impose those beliefs on others. 

We are on a threshold of once more rejecting attempts to divide this great country into increasing numbers of warring factions or allowing the chaos to envelop our wonderful State and make the struggles of those brave Wisconsin soldiers who left home to protect our nation a wasted effort.

All Politics Are Local

All Politics Are Local

Change Starts Here

Election season is upon us once again.

Wisconsin Democrats are putting up more quality candidates than we have seen for many years. Women, veterans, business leaders and union workers are running strong campaigns across the state, including traditionally GOP voting districts like ours.

Dennis Degenhardt, the recently retired CEO of West Bend’s Glacier Hills Credit Union, has been knocking on doors and meeting voters across the 58^th Assembly District all Summer. Building on his special election run for the same seat last winter when he won the City of West Bend over Rep. Rick Gundrum, Dennis is making his case directly to the voters on the issues that matter. 

Degenhardt’s campaign is focused on support for affordable universal healthcare, stronger support for public education, creation of family sustaining jobs, fiscal responsibility for state spending, protection of Wisconsin’s natural resources and ensuring fair elections. His website is found at https://www.degenhardtforassembly.com

Chris Ralf, a Navy veteran and businesswoman, is running strong against Rep. Rob Brooks in the 60^th Assembly district. She was recently the beneficiary of a gift from Gov. Scott Walker when Walker called on Brooks should resign from the Assembly after making offensive racial and sexual comments about several GOP women assembly members while intoxicated. Brooks stepped down as Assistant Assembly Majority Leader, but refused to resign. 

Rahlf’s campaign is focused on sustainable economic growth, increased protection for the environment, stronger support for public education, fair elections and affordable universal healthcare. Her website is found at http://chrisrahlfforassembly.com

Emily Siegrist, an Army veteran and nurse, is running in the 24^th Assembly District against Rep. Dan Knodl. She promotes universal healthcare, increased support for public education, renewing Wisconsin’s infrastructure, support for veterans and protection of the environment. Emily’s website is found at https://www.emilysiegristforwi.com

All of these candidates for Washington County assembly seats share something else in common. All of their Republican opponents have refused every opportunity to debate or share public events with them. The non-partisan Ozaukee County Chapter of the League of Women Voters proposed debates in each of the districts where the incumbents and challengers could describe their visions and take questions form their constituents. All the GOP incumbents refused this time-honored format, but suggested one forum for all of the candidates. When that demand was agreed to, they demanded more conditions such as choice of moderators and influence over the questions to be asked. The League wisely backed away.  Rep. Gundrum refused to debate Degenhardt during the special election campaign and has, so far, failed to respond to an invitation from groups at UWM-WC to a candidate forum on their campus next week. Brooks has already declined to attend. All the invited Democrats agreed to attend.

These GOP representatives seem to be acting in concert with other GOP Assembly members who have also refused to meet face to face with Democratic challengers in front of their constituents. One has to wonder what they are afraid might happen should they meet with voters in something other than a friendly forum with scripted questions followed by buzz word answers. 

Perhaps they might be asked to explain how they might respond to Gov. Walker’s about face on issues like education, healthcare and transportation. Once hallowed GOP ground, Walker has sullied the party line by recently adopting very democratic sounding ideas like full 2/3 state support for cost of public education, required coverage for pre-existing conditions and increased funding for Wisconsin’s crumbling roadways. Walker’s new promises ring hollow when we recognize that he does not have the support from his colleagues in the Legislature for any of these measures. He knows he can promise the moon in order to gain another term when he also knows that his cronies will never allow him to deliver. 

The pre-existing condition coverage promise is all the more hypocritical after Walker unleased Attorney General Brad Schimel to join other Republican governors in suing the federal government to overturn the Affordable Care Act which provides the very coverage he now claims to support.

Walker even tried to outdo State Superintendent of Schools Tony Evers by claiming the mantle of “Education Governor.” While it is true that Walker proposes to significantly increase “education” funding in the next budget, he forgets to mention that most of the increase would  go into the failed voucher/school choice pot, not the “public education” pot he and the Legislature have slashed to the marrow of the bone. GOP restrictions on local control and funding through referenda remain untouched.

Voters indeed have a choice next month. We can restore Wisconsin to its great traditions of strong. Locally controlled public education, a pristine protected environment, fair taxes spread equitably and elections free from gerrymandered chicanery or re-elect those afraid to meet their challengers to debate the issues of the day in front of their constituents and a governor who is willing to say and do anything to get re-elected. 

Confirming Kavanaugh

Confirming Kavanaugh Sends the Wrong Message

The confirmation hearings for Judge Brett Kavanaugh quickly morphed from a dispassionate examination of his credentials and judicial record into another sordid chapter in the divisive partisan politics that have consumed our body politic ever since Newt Gingrich decided to adopt a scorched earth approach to achieve a one-sided political landscape. The partisan divide aside, the hearings also brought sexual assault and violence towards women face to face with angry white male privilege and entitlement. We are none the better for either.

Whether you believe Dr. Ford’s allegations or Kavanaugh’s denials, the televised hearings made one thing very clear. Judge Kavanaugh did not display anything that comes close to approaching the temperament we expect from judges. Having practiced law in State and Federal trial courts, State and Federal Courts of Appeal and the Wisconsin Supreme Court, I have run across all manner of judicial behavior. There have been partisans and umpires, those with open biases and closed minds, prosecutors who never left their world view, scholars and political hacks at all levels of the judiciary. Fortunately, many of those ill-suited for the bench don’t last long in the robes. They either chaffed at the constraints or failed to earn the trust of their colleagues. 

The standards for judicial conduct are set out in the ABA Standards of Judicial Conduct and State level equivalents based upon them. Federal Judges, including Judge Kavanaugh who sits on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, are bound by the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges. That Code has five Canons which state the broad rules. They are:

Canon 1: A Judge Should Uphold the Integrity and Independence of the Judiciary
Canon 2: A Judge Should Avoid Impropriety and the Appearance of Impropriety in All Activities
Canon 3: A Judge Should Perform the Duties of the Office Fairly, Impartially and Diligently
Canon 4: A Judge May Engage in Extrajudicial Activities That are Consistent With the Obligations of Judicial Office
Canon 5: A Judge Should Refrain From Political Activity

Each Canon has detailed explanations of their meanings and the broad sweep of their coverage. 

Judge Kavanaugh’s angry outburst during his opening statement before the Senate Judiciary Committee after Dr. Ford’s testimony and many of his responses to questions put to him by the Senators clearly demonstrated a lack of judicial temperament and violated Canons 2, 3 and 5. Any one of these violations should disqualify him from confirmation to the United States Supreme Court. The most egregious came when he accused Democrats, including the Clintons, of engaging in a calculated conspiracy involving Dr. Ford and his other accusers to deny him his seat on the Court. Kavanaugh’s lack of judicial demeanor caused over 1,700 law professors and the largest group of protestant Christian churches to call for his nomination to be withdrawn or rejected. I cannot imagine ever appearing in his court and expecting a fair hearing while representing a cause even loosely tied to an issue espoused by Democrats or involving sexual violence against women. His mind will be made up before the case is even called.

Kavanaugh’s disqualifying demeanor should have caused those responsible for his nomination to withdraw it or for the GOP Senators to reject it. Neither course was taken. 

President Trump, after weeks of restraint, finally caved back into his baser instincts. He recently tweeted and spoke demeaning Dr. Ford and her unholy alliance with Democrats. He heaped praise on Kavanaugh and bemoaned the damage done to his reputation and family. Most telling was Trump’s rallying cry that young men must now fear being guilty of similar false accusations, especially for youthful indiscretions. Trump and Kavanaugh both expressed their clear entitlement to do what they will as part of their privileged stations in life. No mention was made by either of a need to listen to and address violence and sexual assault against women by men, even young men. 

We are left with a restricted FBI investigation into some of the allegations raised by Dr. Ford and Deborah Ramirez. So far, this appears to be but a sham to cover loose ends, not the thorough examination of the facts and any corroborating evidence Senators Flake and Coons wrested from Senate leadership before they would vote Kavanaugh’s nomination out of committee. Few now anticipate anything new being added to the confirmation process, especially since Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has indicated the FBI report would not be released to the public before the full Senate votes. 

The saddest part of all these machinations is the message being sent to young girls. They still will not hear, “we believe you” if they are assaulted. They will continue to be told that rape is not the fault of the rapist, but their own because they did not keep themselves safe. Kavanaugh’s confirmation will embolden another generation of privileged white men and silence another generation of those abused and violated by them.

Rush to Judgment

What’s the Rush?

Do it Right this Time

What’s the rush to hold a vote on Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the United States Supreme Court?

The Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled a hearing on Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s

 accusations of sexual assault against the nominee for this coming Monday. Dr. Ford’s requested a short delay and rules to ensure a fair hearing and her safety. Grassley already rejected her request for an FBI investigation into her allegations but has offered to have the hearing next Wednesday with questioning to be conducted by an independent lawyer. Dr. Ford is still considering this offer. Committee Chairman Sen. Charles Grassley seems hell bent on getting the distraction caused by Dr. Ford over with so his committee can vote to confirm Kavanaugh’s nomination and pass it on to the full Senate. 

This is no longer 1991 when Prof. Anita Hill leveled sexual misconduct accusations against another Supreme Court nominee, Clarence Thomas. Hill’s appearance before the same committee in that year played out on TV and showed the nation what little regard the male Senators had for issues of sexual violence against women. Some of the same Senators who dismissed Prof. Hill then still sit on the Judiciary Committee today and we will soon learn if they have made any progress on women’s issues in the decades that have passed. 

Dr. Ford’s life has already been turned upside down after she revealed her claims publicly in an interview with the Washington Post. She has received death threats, had her email hacked and had to leave her home for the safety of her family. She has every reason to request an independent investigation into her allegations so that there is more than a “she said, he said” record before the Committee hearing. While Kavanaugh’s original FBI background check has been completed, all President Trump has to do is ask that it be re-opened to include Dr. Ford’s claims. So far, Trump has failed to make that request.

Prof. Hill correctly pointed out in an opinion piece in the New York Times on Tuesday that the Senate lacks any kind of protocol for handling claims like those she and Dr. Ford have made. She suggests the outline for one that makes a lot of sense and would take much of the partisanship out of the process.

Prof. Hill suggests that Senators make both claims of sexual violence and the integrity of the judiciary priorities and craft rules that acknowledge the importance of both. Next, she proposes that a neutral body, well versed in sexual violence cases, be tasked with investigating the claims and issuing a report for the Committee to use when it develops questions for a fact-finding hearing. The Committee should also rely upon advice from experts in the field of sexual violence as the hearing unfolds to avoid many of the myths often raised to counter women’s claims, like the “failure to report, therefore she’s lying” claim Trump made Friday. Hill joins the voices calling for a delay in the fact-finding hearing so that a proper investigation of Ford’s claims can be conducted. Finally, Prof. Hill suggests calling Dr. Ford by her name and not referring to her as an accuser or other loaded terms. 

Unfortunately, Prof. Hill’s suggestions are likely to fall on the tone-deaf ears of highly partisan Senators who need Judge Kavanaugh confirmed before the Supreme Court’s new term begins on the first Monday in October, not to mention the mid-term elections that take place a little over a month later. The shaky GOP Congress does not want a slew of 4-4 votes from the Court when a clear 5-4 majority is close at hand. 

There are substantial downsides for the GOP rush to confirmation looming as well. Confirming Kavanaugh’s nomination without holding a meaningful investigation and a fair fact-finding hearing on Dr. Ford’s claims will further alienate suburban women who are already jumping from the GOP ship in droves over Trump’s treatment of women. If the male-dominated Senate pushes Dr. Ford aside, many of those up for re-election in the up-coming mid-terms will not fare well in the backlash.

The #MeToo movement and the passage of time since Prof. Hill was raked over the coals must have had some impact on those in the Senate with any compassion for women who have suffered from sexual violence. Hopefully, Senators Collins and Murkowski will join with Sen. Jeff Flake and slow the train by voting “no” if Kavanaugh’s nomination comes up for a speedy confirmation vote in the full Senate. The ten democratic Senators facing re-election in states that Trump won will have to stand strong as well. A dismissive treatment of Dr. Ford’s claims will make that an easier vote for them all. 

We have reached a pivotal moment in our history. We will soon see how those we elected to represent us choose to treat women’s claims of sexual violence by the prominent and important. They need to start taking women seriously. 

Trump Must Go

The President Must Resign

The hijacking of our democracy continues. Alarm bells ring loudly, but none in the corridors of power with the power to stop it seem to be paying attention. What will it take for those who can bring the madness to a peaceful conclusion to take decisive action?

This week one of the nation’s most respected and trusted journalists published a book on the failings of the Trump presidency only to be ridiculed and dismissed by Trump and his minions. This week one of the most trusted and respected newspapers in America published an anonymous op-ed piece that revealed serious resistance to Trump’s presidency inside the White House at the highest levels only to be called “gutless” by Trump. This week Trump’s nominee to fill a vacancy on the United States Supreme Court refused to answer basic questions from United States Senators charged with vetting his qualifications in advance of a confirmation vote. At the same time, the White House withheld tens of thousands of documents related to the nominee’s background and views from those who need them in order to do their work effectively. 

First, there was Bob Woodward’s book, “Fear: In the Trump White House.” Woodward was part of the team that broke the Watergate burglary and cover-up story at the Washington Post that helped end the Nixon presidency. His reputation since has been beyond reproach. His writings then and up to the present were and are always backed up by recorded interviews with multiple sources who have first-hand knowledge of the matters discussed. He follows up all of the leads and resolves the conflicts between different perspectives of the same event. His work is always documented and vetted. If Woodward makes a claim or puts a statement in quotes, he can back it up with ease when challenged. 

Woodward’s book has been excerpted from advance copies to other media outlets and many of his more telling descriptions of the Trump presidency should raise serious concerns and questions, especially for the members of the GOP in Congress who support the Trump presidency. Woodward’s reporting shows a White House run by fear and a president out of control. These GOP members, many of whom are up for re-election in the coming mid-term elections, stand with Trump at their peril.

On Wednesday, the New York Times took the highly unusual step of publishing an anonymous op-ed piece by a senior Trump White House staff person. The Times’ editors know the writer’s identity and must have believed what their source provided or they would not have published it, at least without attribution. The writer disclosed the existence of a “soft resistance” in the White House staff and, apparently, in the President’s own cabinet, that actively works against the worst of Trump’s ideas and plans. Trump is variously described as morally and politically adrift, issuing contradictory demands and proclamations while favoring America’s enemies over long standing allies and unable to look beyond his own selfish goals to see what the people of America need. The discussions of what this “resistance” should do to protect the country included consideration of the provisions of the 25^th Amendment to the United States Constitution that make it possible for the Vice-President and a majority of the cabinet to declare the President unable to perform the duties of his office and have the him removed from power. Never before in our nation’s history has there been such an active resistance within the White House against a sitting president.

Finally, we have the three-ring circus of the confirmation hearing for D.C. Court of Appeals Judge Brett Kavanaugh to fill the seat on the Supreme Court vacated under questionable circumstances by Justice Anthony Kennedy. Here we see the partisan gridlock in full bloom. The republicans have the votes to confirm Judge Kavanaugh by the slimmest of margins. To keep their members in line, the leadership ramrodded the scheduling of the confirmation hearings before much of the Judge’s record could be examined. The White House invoked a claim of Executive Privilege and refused to release over 100,000 pages of documents related to Kavanaugh’s work in the Bush White House. The night before the hearing, the White House delivered 40,000 pages of Kavanaugh related documents to Congress, leaving no time for review or analysis before the hearing began. No previous Supreme Court nominee has had his or her record stonewalled like that. 

Even if one is compelled to forget all of the other atrocities committed by this President during his short tenure in the Oval Office, the events of this week alone should be enough to compel Americans of conscience to rise up and demand the President’s resignation.

Guns Won’t Win Elections

Guns won’t win elections

Voters want more

There was a surprising twist in the recent Republican primary election for the Washington County Sheriff. Jason Guslick staked out a “I’m tougher on crime” position and won the endorsement of Tim Schmidt, owner of Delta Defense. Both lost to the more moderate and experienced Marty Schulteis who wisely steered clear of both issues. 

Guslick apparently believed local voters would buy into the fear of criminals invading from the inner city of Milwaukee pushed hard by Delta Defense/NRA elements who believe that the Second Amendment gives everyone the right to tote whatever kind of fire power they want to defend themselves from the hordes of “others” bent on doing them harm. Voters clearly rejected that message.

Had Guslick been paying attention, he would have remembered the most recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election where Rebecca Dallet refused NRA money and handily defeated the NRA backed judge who opposed her. Most Wisconsin voters no longer see an NRA endorsement as a sole reason to cast their vote. Thankfully, the Delta Defense endorsement did not fare any better.

Guslick might have been better served to look at the national polls that show a strong majority across party lines wants sensible and stricter gun control measures, especially in the wake of the mass shooting incidents that show up all too frequently in the headlines. 

The post-Parkland shooting millennial voter registration drive aimed at new voters opposed to guns for everyone everywhere has raised the stakes and mounts a significant challenge to NRA positions. These new voters want candidates who will refuse pro-gun money and commit to sensible gun control legislation once elected. They have already swung the discourse away from the Second Amendment purists.

Political candidates, especially in law enforcement, need to walk a fine line. It is perfectly acceptable to stress public safety and the need for public support for law enforcement. Fear based campaigns cross the line, especially when they are tinged with racism and stereotypes. Most voters now want to see effective and fair law enforcement that does not play favorites or support white supremacy.

Anti-Immigration arguments often cross the line as well. Washington County is home to many immigrant families who work hard every day on local dairy farms and behind the kitchen doors in our restaurants. 

Let’s have a nuanced discussion on immigration reform that recognizes the substantial contributions immigrants make to the local economy. We need to encourage a path to citizenship to recognize the sacrifices those newly in our country have made to start their new lives here. 

Claiming support for a southern border wall will not garner as much support as it once did for President Trump in light of the economic reality of our need for immigrant labor. 

Law and Order is a great name for a 1990s television show. Voters have moved beyond the buzz words and slogans and are looking for realistic, sensible solutions to the problems in our society. 

We cannot win any war on addiction, especially opioid addiction, with just a lock ‘em up and throw away the key mentality. Law enforcement can disrupt the supply chains all day long. Without effective medical and mental health treatment programs to help the addicted and their affected families, law enforcement interdiction efforts will always fail. 

Law enforcement that partners with community-based resources offering treatment, homeless solutions, medical care and other social services will be more effective in reducing criminal activity than driving around in armored SWAT vehicles with automatic rifles at the ready.

Washington county voters appear ready for these changes in our law enforcement strategy. Hopefully, the new Sheriff understands and will act accordingly.

Waring Fincke is a retired attorney and serves as a guardian for the elderly and disabled with a Sheboygan County non-profit agency.

Guns won’t win elections

Voters want more

There was a surprising twist in the recent Republican primary election for the Washington County Sheriff. Jason Guslick staked out a “I’m tougher on crime” position and won the endorsement of Tim Schmidt, owner of Delta Defense. Both lost to the more moderate and experienced Marty Schulteis who wisely steered clear of both issues. 

Guslick apparently believed local voters would buy into the fear of criminals invading from the inner city of Milwaukee pushed hard by Delta Defense/NRA elements who believe that the Second Amendment gives everyone the right to tote whatever kind of fire power they want to defend themselves from the hordes of “others” bent on doing them harm. Voters clearly rejected that message.

Had Guslick been paying attention, he would have remembered the most recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election where Rebecca Dallet refused NRA money and handily defeated the NRA backed judge who opposed her. Most Wisconsin voters no longer see an NRA endorsement as a sole reason to cast their vote. Thankfully, the Delta Defense endorsement did not fare any better.

Guslick might have been better served to look at the national polls that show a strong majority across party lines wants sensible and stricter gun control measures, especially in the wake of the mass shooting incidents that show up all too frequently in the headlines. 

The post-Parkland shooting millennial voter registration drive aimed at new voters opposed to guns for everyone everywhere has raised the stakes and mounts a significant challenge to NRA positions. These new voters want candidates who will refuse pro-gun money and commit to sensible gun control legislation once elected. They have already swung the discourse away from the Second Amendment purists.

Political candidates, especially in law enforcement, need to walk a fine line. It is perfectly acceptable to stress public safety and the need for public support for law enforcement. Fear based campaigns cross the line, especially when they are tinged with racism and stereotypes. Most voters now want to see effective and fair law enforcement that does not play favorites or support white supremacy.

Anti-Immigration arguments often cross the line as well. Washington County is home to many immigrant families who work hard every day on local dairy farms and behind the kitchen doors in our restaurants. 

Let’s have a nuanced discussion on immigration reform that recognizes the substantial contributions immigrants make to the local economy. We need to encourage a path to citizenship to recognize the sacrifices those newly in our country have made to start their new lives here. 

Claiming support for a southern border wall will not garner as much support as it once did for President Trump in light of the economic reality of our need for immigrant labor. 

Law and Order is a great name for a 1990s television show. Voters have moved beyond the buzz words and slogans and are looking for realistic, sensible solutions to the problems in our society. 

We cannot win any war on addiction, especially opioid addiction, with just a lock ‘em up and throw away the key mentality. Law enforcement can disrupt the supply chains all day long. Without effective medical and mental health treatment programs to help the addicted and their affected families, law enforcement interdiction efforts will always fail. 

Law enforcement that partners with community-based resources offering treatment, homeless solutions, medical care and other social services will be more effective in reducing criminal activity than driving around in armored SWAT vehicles with automatic rifles at the ready.

Washington county voters appear ready for these changes in our law enforcement strategy. Hopefully, the new Sheriff understands and will act accordingly.

Blue Waves in Wisconsin Too

Blue Waves Are Building

In Wisconsin Too

Recent primary elections continue to sweep left of center Democrats into November general elections against Trump supporting far right Republicans. Progressive Democrats pushing Bernie Sanders’ agendas have forced more establishment leaning candidates to adopt more populist positions than ever before. While the progressive wing of the party does not control the party apparatus yet, its positions on the issues facing the state and country have become the mainstream of the party platform.

The primary in the governor’s race in Michigan demonstrates the point. The more traditional Democratic candidate won the primary. Gretchen Whitmer, a former State Senator, beat Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive former director of Detroit’s health department. Sanders and other national progressives endorsed El-Sayed. Even though he lost, Whitmer’s campaign took its direction straight out of Sanders’ playbook on most issues except for universal single-payer healthcare. 

Whitmer’s positions on major issues are very progressive. She led the fight for Medicaid expansion in the state senate and saw it approved even though Republicans controlled the legislature and the governor’s office. She supports a $15-an-hour minimum wage and wants to repeal Michigan’s anti-union “right to work” laws. She supports legalization of recreational marijuana and taxing sales to fund roads and public schools. She is staunchly pro-choice and wants to restore state funding for Planned Parenthood. She wants public schools to adopt a “yes means yes” consent public school sex-ed curriculum. Whitmer wants civil rights laws expanded to protect members of the LBGTQI community. She wants to establish the state’s first universal pre-school program.

Whitmer’s platform would not be what it is were it not for the grassroots efforts by progressives who built a solid base in Michigan’s politics. 

Kansas voters picked a Sanders’ styled progressive out of a crowded field to try and flip a red congressional seat. Sharice Davids, a Native American mixed martial arts fighter and out of the closet lesbian looks to take a congressional seat come November. She built as solid grass-roots campaign on a progressive platform that resonated well with voters. Independents swung away from the right and help propel her victory.

The most surprising result came in Tuesday’s special election in Ohio’s 12^th Congressional district. Progressive Democrat Danny O’Connor took on a Trump endorsed republican in a district Democrats have not won since the 1980s. At this writing, this election is too close to call. Provisional ballots remain to be counted and the margin currently stands at 0.9% in favor of the Republican. If that margin goes under 0.5%, there will be an automatic recount. 

O’Connor’s showing clearly demonstrates voter dissatisfaction with President Trump and his policies and finds echoes across the country.

In our fair county, Democrats are fielding more candidates that ever before in state assembly races. None face primary opponents next Tuesday and all will advance to the November contests against Walker/Trump allied opponents. 

Progressive Democrat Dennis Degenhardt, the former President and CEO of Glacier Hills Credit Union, is running against Republican Rick Gundrum in the 58^th district in a rematch of last November’s special election. Degenhardt actually won the City of West Bend vote last fall and has expanded his campaign to reach voters in Slinger and other parts of the district. His work on the doors and phones is receiving positive voter feedback. 

Chris Ralf, a Navy veteran and project management consultant, is running a strong progressive campaign in the 60^th Assembly District. She is focused on listening to everyone she meets to learn what they believe is important to Wisconsin’s future. She believes in rebuilding our infrastructure while taking care of our environment. She advances a solid-plan for state investment in universal healthcare. Chris is visiting communities, large and small in our area talking to voters.

Emily Siegrist, a veteran, nurse and instructor at MSOE, has put together a strong progressive campaign in the 24^th Assembly race focusing on infrastructure, healthcare, veteran’s issues and education. Look for her in the southern part of the County working the doors and speaking with voters. 

These three strong candidates are in a position to give Washington County voters real and positive alternatives to the business as usual GOP office holders they are challenging. All three are building on the progressive vision Washington County’s Democrats have been sharing while they have been Building Community Through Action since 2011. Come join the Blue Wave building across Wisconsin and the nation.

Waring Fincke is a retired attorney and serves as a guardian for the elderly and disabled with a Sheboygan county non-profit agency.