COMMENTARY: Urging Kenosha Residents to Vote for Senator Wirch

On February 17, 2011 we woke up to learn that school was canceled due to teachers calling in to protest in Madison. We had been following everything about the Budget Repair Bill closely and were planning on taking a trip to protest on the weekend.

But after realizing my daughter had no school, it only took a few minutes to talk my husband into using one of his saved up vacation days. We bundled up (not realizing it was going to be gorgeous that day), packed a bag and headed to Madtown.

A couple of friends were already there and they had us meet them in Senator Bob Wirch's office. We were helping prepare some fliers as my daughter stared in amazement at the crowd from the window. We were questioning where Senator Wirch was but no one seemed to know, or would say. Then we listened to the roll call on the loud speaker piped throughout the Capital. With an annoyed voice, it was finally clear, the Dems were not present.

Soon after, we headed off for lunch and heard that the brave Senators risked their jobs and headed to Illinois to avoid a quorum and stop the vote on the assaulting Budget Repair Bill which most citizens knew little to nothing about. We applauded and for the first time, I was truly proud of a real life politician.

We attended several rallies and protests after that day. We are not protester type people, but this was so important – far too crucial to sit by and ignore. We never again allowed the kids to tag along. Until that first day, I didn't realize the extent of the crowds, and I just didn't feel it was safe. But I am glad she was there that historic day.

Since winter, our efforts have died down. I am sad and ashamed to admit that we simply haven't had the time or energy to participate in much of the political fight lately. And with the recalls only days away and the Governor recall months away, I am disappointed that I have made myself invisible. My short lived activist card has been confiscated.

So, I feel the very least I can do is tell you why all Kenosha County residents need to vote for Senator Bob Wirch on August 16.

Senator Wirch has been faithfully and thoughtfully representing the people of Kenosha since 1986. He is an active member of countless organizations and councils. He has fought for the middle class, elderly, children, women, jobs – all that which is facing devastation with our current administration. Here is more information you should know:

Senator Wirch is a third generation factory worker.

• He helped save Snap On jobs in Kenosha.
• He saved medical programs for the elderly.
• He voted for insurance coverage for autism treatment.
• He supported the minimum wage increase.
• He supports the crucial Planned Parenthood program.
• He is backed by the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters.
• He supports truth-in-sentencing for violent criminals.
• He is against higher property, income and sales tax.
• He is against increased state fees.
• He is against state-funded school vouchers.
• He supports limit requirements for corporate and PAC contributions to candidates.
• He supports full disclosure of campaign finance information.
• He supports the five year lifetime limit on welfare benefits.
• He supports the two consecutive year limit on welfare benefits.
• He supports requiring that able bodied welfare recipients receive job training, attend school or work in order to receive welfare benefits.
• He supports limiting welfare benefits to recipients who have additional children.

Kenosha resident, Angie Aker, says it best, “I will be voting for Bob Wirch because he has tried to help Wisconsin preserve its middle class heritage. If his opponent (Steitz), a corporate lawyer from Illinois, is allowed to win, Kenosha will be reduced to a few Haves and a whole lot of Have Nots. Bob Wirch won't let that happen. He is not a puppet of the corporations.”

Boyd Frederick agrees, “Bob Wirch is always fighting for working class families. In an era where common citizens feel they have no voice, Bob Wirch is their voice in Madison.”

The Republican candidate seeking Senator Wirch's position is a man with very few ties to Wisconsin at all. He has virtually no background or relevant information available which demonstrates he is remotely qualified for this position.

What I found most interesting is Mr. Steitz's residential history. He rents a home in Pleasant Prairie. Oddly, the house is owned by a gentleman in Utah – where it just so happens the Wirch recall effort started. Yes, in Utah. I would say this is coincidence if so much to the contrary hasn't been discovered in these past 7 months.

He has lived and worked for years in the UK. He returned to the states only one year ago to start a job in Illinois. Recently, he took a leave of absence to run for office.

Steitz has not voted in local elections until his decision to run himself. Senator Wirch has never missed a day at the polls. In 2003, Steitz must have been too busy rubbing elbows with the English elite to pay his taxes on time. Nothing about this candidate smells right.

The choice is clear and I ask that all Kenosha residents who are reading this make the responsible choice and vote for Senator Bob Wirch on August 16.