Letter: Barrett would be best for Wisconsin

TO THE EDITOR: With the gubernatorial recall election June 5 between Milwaukee Mayor, Democrat Tom Barrett and Republican Gov. Scott Walker, it’s important to be conversant with the issues. A strong turnout at the polls will reflect how the people wish to be represented.

I oppose Scott Walker because of his steadfast determination to weaken safeguards for working people, jeopardizing opportunities for students unable to bear more debt and educational institutions increasingly forced to endure substantial cutbacks. UW- River Falls was required to return 2011 and 2012 state money already designated. The upheaval from this economic crisis continues to wrack this campus and others across the UW system.

Walker is falling far short of his campaign promise of 250,000 new jobs. The 12,500 jobs lost in 2011 were the most of any state.

He refused federal monies pre-approved for high-speed rail and broadband service that would have brought small towns and rural Wisconsin the high technology needed to expand business that would have contributed jobs to the state.

Social legislation met the chopping block in various ways, from health care for the most needy to protections for women’s reproductive health and freedom.

And remember redistricting? A plan to give election advantages to Republicans rammed through the Legislature behind closed doors.

However, the main reason I oppose Scott Walker is his autocratic approach to the office, his posture as ruler with resulting unilateralism, his opacity and inability to brook dissent. His stated advocacy of “divide and conquer” is tearing this state apart.

In order to restore Wisconsin to its status as one of the most progressive states in the Union we need a governor with the democratic, exploratory mindset that Tom Barrett demonstrates. He has the necessary qualities for leadership to alter the regressive course set by Scott Walker and the Republican majority.

Tags: opinion, letters, politics