January 5, 2005
The homeless build a nest
In what can only be described as a tremendous success, more than 1,000 of the "politically homeless" came together yesterday at the first People's Legislature. We had been rather bold in setting a goal of 804--one more than the number of registered lobbyists in Wisconsin--but we reached that goal before the gavel came down for the first session. And how uplifting it was to see all the chairs filled and more than 100 standing. People who are, to steal the phrase, mad as hell about a political system than cries out for reform.
The steering committee welcomed the people's legislators. Ed Thompson for the Libertarians, Carol McKy for the Republicans, and the Committee for the Greens, independents, Democrats, and those who are in search of a political home.
It was a work day with iffy weather but they came, participated, remained until nearly seven o'clock, and shared their ideas and their humor. Not one nasty word was spoken but one thing is clear: They want this to continue and it will.
Our multi-partisan, non-partisan, hell-raising session was, to put it mildly, cause for celebration because those in attendance believe our democracy can be saved. There was no cynicism, no apathy, no complaining about November's elections. These legislators looked to the future with confidence.
The resolutions will be posted on our site soon.
Here we go!
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