Well that didn't go to plan....

2am, and the post election analysis is abysmal. Not really a single Democratic victory to be excited about in Wisconsin.

Republicans have taken control of everything. State Assembly and Senate, Governorship, Congressional Seats, and a Senate Seat. In fact it's so bad, a lot of us simply had to laugh about it. Disaster. At least with total control, they will have plenty of room to completely mess things up. I don't think Wisconsin voter realise what they have gotten themselves in for. I hope they rue the day they elected the GOP to all these positions.

Terrible policies will certainly be on the cards for the next 2 years.

It wasn't for lack of great candidates. There were many Democrats running who would have made excellent legislators. Nor was it lack of effort. Many of these people knocked on every door in their district two or three times. The groundwork of volunteers and coordinated campaigns was truly incredibly. They really got out the vote, but too many voters simply marked their ballots as a straight ticket, voting for all Republicans. This despite all the talk of anti-incumbancy. That only seemed to matter if the incumbant was a Democrat.

I was truly inspired by many campaigns across the State. Walking into the campaign office in Racine on Monday, I felt I could see democracy at work, in the bustling environment, and thought this was what its all about. I got a rush of adrenaline, seeing the effort people went to, in order to get out the vote, and see their candidates win.

Unfortunately, a lot of it was in vain. But now the Dems have a chance to regroup, build on the great network of volunteers they have, and make a plan of action for the next couple of years. It may ultimately be beneficial. Having briefly held the majority, they know what to expect, and what they could improve on, and do differently next time around.

As the Wisconsin motto says... Forward.

Less than 24 Hours to go.... Please let Sanity triumph.

The time is almost upon us. I don't know how many Americans read this blog, but I hope that those who do pay attention. Pass it on to all your friends and family, anyone of voting age. And Brits.. I am sure you could learn something too.

There is a lot hanging in the balance in this coming election. The future direction the US could take for a start. Political deadlock in Washington, and across the fifty different states is a distinct possibility, as Republicans refuse to compromise, refuse to offer policy plans, and only intend to attack Obama and the Democrats, repeal anything that has already passed, and block any future proposals. Sound like a good plan for the US to follow?

Take the Republican candidate for the US Senate in Wisconsin for example. Ron Johnson, a millionaire businessman who has gotten to the position in which he finds himself, a likely victor, because of the amount of his own money he has poured into the campaign. And would he serve Wisconsin well, would he be an effective legislature?

Two letters... NO. I say this not because we share different views on the economy, or social issues, or because I don't want rich businessmen like him extending taxcuts to millionaires and repealing constraints on banks. I say this because Ron Johnson is an absolute idiot. He is incredible stupid. He has no, "0", nada plans for his time in the Senate. When asked about specific policy, or legislation he wanted to introduce, or procedures he would implement to help the economy recover, he replied that he had no specific plans. No idea. He just wanted to learn on the job. Now is not the time for newbies! How does the electorate not see this? One of the most conservative newspapers in the state, the Greenbay Gazette, which has always endorsed Senator Feingold's opponent (Democratic incumbant), sat Johnson down for an interview, and when he failed to answer any question they asked of him effectively, they endorsed Feingold.

Does this not scream incompetence? And yet Johnson is well on track to win. Wisconsin voters how you can you even consider voting for this man? You used to be the state of fighting progressives like Bob LaFollette. Or you were home to extreme reactionaries like Joseph McCarthy. Either way you were pretty unique in the US, and certainly didn't follow the tide. But now, you are letting the tsunami in. Embracing the GOP and helping turn the waters on the Democrats in what could be their worst election defeat since 1938. And that was a bad year.

The same is true of Scott Walker, Republican nominee for Governor. This guy is so extreme, he supports the outright ban of abortion... INCLUDING in cases of rape, incest, or where the mother's life is in danger. He ran the economy and budget of Milwaukee County into the ground, devastating a number of employees. And yet he is likely to win the gubernatorial race, over a great guy called Tom Barrett, who could bring great things to Wisconsin.

I have so much more to say on the independent, bright, intelligent nature of the skilled legislators who are running under the Democratic banner this year. Unfortunately that is a major factor playing against them. Please let's make it not be. I'd write more, but it's now half past midnight, and we only got back in ten minutes ago, after a night spent dropping flyers and putting up yard signs. Anything to get out the vote.

Let's not turn this country in the wrong direction. Remember, in a car, R is for reverse. Backwards. D is for drive. Vote Democratic, and restore democracy and sanity to the US. The Jon Stewart rally proved people care. Show your dedication for one final day, and get out to the polls.

Up North

I'm from "Up North" back home. Tomorrow I am heading up north here in Wisconsin. About as far north as you can get, without leaving the state of Wisconsin, to the town of Ashland. A 5 and half hour drive ahead of me tomorrow morning. Leaving at 7.30am. Ouch.

I always thought Wisconsin bordered with Canada. But actually, it doesn't share a land border with the Big C. Michigan wraps in on one side, along with Lake Superior, and Minnesota bends over the top at the other side.

But you know what me leaving means. Most likely a lack of blog posts. My ideas and my laptop go with me on my travels, but time seems to just disappear. Again, I will try my best to write. I also have to work on college apps and prep for my exam too. Sometimes I wish I had simple life. But that wouldn't be any fun now would it?!

Before I depart, I will leave you with a quote. It's actually the last quote this lady ever said, her dying words in fact. And they sure made me smile. (Courtesy of Time Magazine) Her name is Claire Rayner, and she was a campaigner for the NHS in England. I think we can all identify with this, given the current economic and political climate, and the threat of cuts to all public services. I hope this lady follows through on her promise.

Tell David Cameron that if he screws up my beloved NHS, I'll come back and bloody haunt him!

 

Some Pictures to Entertain

A few quick photos from my travels to amuse you.

Remember I described the lengths people go to, in order to decorate their homes for Halloween? Well I couldn't resist taking a few snaps of this incredible house.



Wolf on the roof, various figures, heads on posts, hands creeping down. This was just the beginning...



Various pumpkins scattered around a graveyard, and a scary looking Mummy leaning against the house.

Skeletons hanging and blood dripping from the garden tree.

And finally, the graveyard garden! Complete with tombstones, coffins, and skeleton lights. Note also the famous figures, Freddy Kruger on the left, ET on the right, Dracula in the back.

This house must have cost a fortune to put together, as well as a huge amount of time and creativity. But it sure made me smile.

...As did the next image I came across.



Oh Dear!

Worth the Wait

On Saturday night we made a kind of spur of the moment decision to go and see Ingrid Michaelson perform. Nicole had some friends who were going, so we tagged along. We'd seen her before, and knew what to expect; she has pretty nice relaxing songs, and puts on a good show.

What we did not expect, was for the concert to be sold out. But sure enough, we got to the box office, promptly ready to pay for our tickets, before being told it was sold out and there were no tickets left. Bummer! But just at the moment, a girl came up to the box office, asking to sell a spare ticket back. We jumped at the opportunity, and bought the ticket at face value, saving about $8. Luckily, we didn't have to pay the "rip-off" charges of processing and handling fees.

But this still left us a ticket short. Nicole's friends went into the theatre to get a good spot, and me and Nicole patrolled the entrance ways, hoping to find another poor soul with a spare ticket. The minutes ticked by, and we were having no luck. We spoke to stewards and the box office staff, but there were no returns. In the end, Nicole went into the theatre to make sure she got a spot too, while I tried by best to find a ticket.

Half an hour went by, after the scheduled start time. I just kept walking in circles, seemingly out of luck.

I was about to call it quits and head back home, literally planning on just staying 2 minutes longer, when one of the stewards came up to me. Her and her boss were wondering where the girl had gone whose boyfriend didn't have a ticket. "That's me!" I said, "I am the boyfriend". She thought I might be, and I told them I sent Nicole on in to enjoy the show. The boss man said he'd see what he could do, and walked over to the box office. He returned, minus a ticket, but said they could just let me.

I was shocked. The steward stamped by hand, and asked where Nicole was. She was in the downstairs area, which had long been shut off because it was full. Back to the boss man, who magically produced a wristband to allow me access to it. I couldn't believe my luck. That there are still such generous people like these two out there astounded me. Though it really shouldn't, as I am sure they exist in all aspects of life, but go unknown and un-rewarded. Anyhow, the steward led me to the doors, and told the ticket guys that I would be the only person without a ticket, but they should let me in and remember me.

And in I went. Free of charge! Incredible, and so lucky I waited so long to get in. Well worth it.

The show was totally worth the wait too. It was always going to be good, but it really was great. Nicole and I co-wrote a review of it for the Badger Herald blog here;

http://badgerherald.com/blogs/arts/2010/10/24/ingrid_michaelson_le.php

But there was a lot we didn't get to say because of space. Devoted to her fans, Ingrid aims not just to come out on stage and sing her songs, but to entertain. Too many bands regurgitate their album, making you feel as though you could have just as easily skipped the cost of a ticket and stayed at home sat next to your speakers. An Ingrid show on the other hand, makes every song different. Accompanied by her five band members, two of whom are singer-songwriters in their own right, Ingrid rocked the stage, and the band gelled well together, making even mellow songs upbeat and full of energy.

Her anecdotes were very funny, and make her appear just as a normal "fan" of music, not a star in her own right. She is "awkwardly famous" in some ways. And she wasn't afraid to talk about the fickleness of the music industry, drawing laughs while talking about the stupidness of an encore, telling it like it is. Instead of leaving the stage just to come back, the band simply 'hid' on stage; just to make a point.

Some of her new songs, including one called "Parachutes", written for Cheryl Cole, seemed to me a little too poppy, almost like Ingrid was trying to tap into the fan base of superstar girl pop acts like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, introducing synths which did not appear to gel with Michaelson's style. However, the songs soon won me over, and Ingrid showed her talents stretched to these more upbeat rocky songs too.

Overall, the laughs and the music made it a great show, and Ingrid really showed why her fan base continues to grow. I'll be looking forward to her next album.