Amazing photos of Madison, WI

deb · #1 05/13/11, 01:42 PM

I haven't spent a lot of time on CF lately, so I don't know what has been discussed here about the protests in Madison, WI. I'm been spending a fair amount of time down in Madison talking to my representatives and protesting the huge funding cuts being made to public schools. In my county the public schools will lose $550 per student. We aren't sure if our local public schools can survive such a huge cut. I don't have children, but I support our local schools and I willingly pay my property taxes to support them.

There's been a lot of stuff said about the rallies and the protesters. I never met any thugs or out of state agitators at the protests, but I have met many kind, caring Wisconsinites who love their state.

I want to share these amazing 360º photos taken of the protests. Madison Capitol Protests: "Ground Zero" in the US Fiscal/Political Debate/. The crowds are huge, but I was never stressed or scared by the other attendees. Notice the variety of people in the crowds and the number of children as whole families attended the protests together.

The tractors and manure spreaders were from a big tractor rally. Farmers from all over the state brought in their tractors to participate. I counted about 60 tractors.

You'll notice a lot of signs with palm trees and "Fox News Lies" in some of the photos. Fox News broadcasted a video of 2 men arguing at some event in California complete with palm trees in the background and said it was taken at the WI Capitol protests. The only palm trees "growing" around the WI Capitol are the ones drawn on posterboard and the plastic blow-up variety.

You can make take control of rotating the photos yourself or let it rotate the picture for you. Be careful not to turn the photos too fast or you'll get dizzy!

I want to share these amazing photos and give you a view of democracy in action.

If you want to criticize me or the other people in attendance for exercising our right to free speech, please consider starting a new thread in Chat and discuss it over there so this thread doesn't get locked, deleted or moved.

Deb
in wi

Soap · #2 05/13/11, 01:50 PM

The images are too big for dialup. I will check it out at my MIL's house as she has dsl. Thanks.

Batt · #3 05/13/11, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deb

If you want to criticize me or the other people in attendance for exercising our right to free speech, please consider starting a new thread in Chat and discuss it over there so this thread doesn't get locked, deleted or moved.

Then why start the thread in CF? Are you only looking for those that agree with you?

Shadow · #4 05/13/11, 02:37 PM

When I spend too much I have to cut back. The retirement funds are all ponzi schemes even mine form a private company. They promised way too much and with the down turn in the stock market the money is not there. Several of our friends are teacher and have to work 189 days per year,from 8 till 3.30 for an average between them of 47,000 dollars per year plus insurance and retirement both are provided free. Me as a office manager of a major international company had to work 200 days a year from 8 till five for 45 thousand that means they work 1417 hours a year I work 1800 at forty hour weeks they work 7 and a half weeks less for more money. This is in an area where the average yearly wage for full time is less than 25000. Now my retirement is in danger just like theirs and I had to pay for mine. Its just a dose of the real world these cuts have to be made not just in WI and the money tree is just about dead. I can not pay more taxes my income is going down as is most peoples. Tax the rich sure we did tax the middle class for everything now they barely exist, I used to be middle class at $45000 now at 22450 I aint. Just my opinion but we have not seen pain yet but its comming down the road and its going to affect everyone.

Sonshine · #5 05/13/11, 03:09 PM

This should be in General Chat, so I'll refrain from saying anything else.

arabian knight · #6 05/13/11, 03:15 PM

So will I as I think the cuts should be made. And some schools are making cuts already on their own, which is a telling sign that something needs to be done, and is being done even if the bill is still in limbo. So that is a good sign. Enough Said.

cathleenc · #7 05/13/11, 03:23 PM

I think the pics are amazing! And it is good to know that so many people can feel so passionately about a cause - and behave well and be respected while expressing their opinions.

stormwalker · #8 05/13/11, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cathleenc

I think the pics are amazing! And it is good to know that so many people can feel so passionately about a cause - and behave well and be respected while expressing their opinions.

Ditto!

JuliaAnn · #9 05/13/11, 03:31 PM

The bottom line, both figuratively and literally, is that we can't expect others to continue pay (via taxes and fees) for our financial mismanagement. It's not fair, or right, or ethical, or moral to take money out of our neighbor's pockets by force because we think we have a right to. It's time for school districts and local and federal agencies to learn to budget their money and make cut-backs *just like everyone else does*. The school districts in Madison are no exception. They are no more special than anyone else.

arabian knight · #10 05/13/11, 03:43 PM

Double Dittos

Tricky Grama · #11 05/13/11, 03:54 PM

Not sure what response OP is looking for...everyone know that 2/3 of HS kids in WI cannot read at grade level? This is after record am'ts of $$$ thrown at the schools.
What is a better answer? Allow the state to bankrupt?
Why do teachers get nearly all their hc paid fro? By us? And nearly all their retirement? If I lived in WI I'd want some 'collective bargaining' for the taxpayers.
I worked for one of those evil corporations. That bleed the middle class (?) Had to pay for 1/2 my health ins & nearly all retirement. Worked 40-50 hr weeks. ALL YEAR LONG. Had 2 wks off then by the time 5 yrs in, 3 wks.

Edited to add- Forgot to comment on the paragraph about FOX news, those who are watchers know that FOX did not claim those were WI protests w/palm trees, they were protests in another state.
This is how rumors from far left cites get spread & taken for truth. Please do some homework when posting things that are hearsay.

JuliaAnn · #12 05/13/11, 06:33 PM

I am glad the protesters were polite and well behaved compared to the others. But it makes no difference if someone says 'please' and 'thank you' while they're picking your pocket. It's still wrong.

I wonder if some of the people protesting understand that there are lower and middle class people who pay taxes (such as the self-employed, who pay more taxes overall than others) to the point that they can't afford to pay for *their own* healthcare and that of their children while at the same time being forced to pay for the healtcare of others and other's children. I seriously wonder if anyone doing the demanding has an understanding of that? I am sure some do, and yet they still demand taxes taxes taxes. It's utterly selfish, shows a fundamental lack of compassion for one's neighbors and countrymen. And it's wrong!

stormwalker · #13 05/13/11, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuliaAnn

The bottom line, both figuratively and literally, is that we can't expect others to continue pay (via taxes and fees) for our financial mismanagement. It's not fair, or right, or ethical, or moral to take money out of our neighbor's pockets by force because we think we have a right to. It's time for school districts and local and federal agencies to learn to budget their money and make cut-backs *just like everyone else does*. The school districts in Madison are no exception. They are no more special than anyone else.

What cut-backs?
Such as in my town -where they took a piece of productive farmland, rented by a local farmer, and made more recreational facilities? Who's paying for that?
How much does that guy on the road crew with the stop-sign make?
I could go on, ad infinitum!

arabian knight · #14 05/13/11, 07:23 PM

There are a few cutbacks already made. With more coming. But Those that you see on the side of the road are those union guys that never want to back down no matter what. So they Will Not do a thing when it comes to cutting back. But some schools are already seeing that the Golden Goose may no longer be coming and are making hard choices, but that is what it is going to take if we want to get this state back to a financial sound one.

SquashNut · #15 05/13/11, 07:28 PM

they want to raise our house taxes for the schools here. There is a vote on it on the 17th. We will be voting NO.

arabian knight · #16 05/13/11, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SquashNut

they want to raise our house taxes for the schools here. There is a vote on it on the 17th. We will be voting NO.

Right. There comes a point when NO is the only answer. No More Golden Goose money being handed out at the expense of WI tax payers.
Many know what TEA stands for in Tea Party. Taxed Enough Already.
And that says it all.
Cuts are coming, schools and other places have to either find new ways to get money, or cut back and combine or cut out all completely.
Get out and do Fundraising for things you may think need to be kept in schools. And then you may just find people more willing enough to open up the pockets Voluntarily, instead of being Forced into paying for things.

Laura Zone 5 · #17 05/13/11, 08:00 PM

What was the final bill for the damage done to the Capitol building after the 'peaceful protesters' left?
And correct me if I am wrong, but the ONLY folks that can bid on the job of cleaning up and repairing the damage done by ticked off union workers .......are UNION WORKERS?

arabian knight · #18 05/13/11, 08:06 PM

$240,000 and over 7.5 Million in extra Police protection.
Close to 5 Years of wear and tear to the capital itself, done in only a weeks time.
http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/R...121785814.html

SquashNut · #19 05/13/11, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arabian knight

Right. There comes a point when NO is the only answer. No More Golden Goose money being handed out at the expense of WI tax payers.
Many know what TEA stands for in Tea Party. Taxed Enough Already.
And that says it all.
Cuts are coming, schools and other places have to either find new ways to get money, or cut back and combine or cut out all completely.
Get out and do Fundraising for things you may think need to be kept in schools. And then you may just find people more willing enough to open up the pockets Voluntarily, instead of being Forced into paying for things.

I am in Idaho that they are doing thism heads up across this country. it's coming to a voting booth near you.

JuliaAnn · #20 05/13/11, 08:58 PM

$240,000 and over 7.5 Million in extra Police protection.
Close to 5 Years of wear and tear to the capital itself, done in only a weeks time.
http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/R...121785814.html

How very considerate of the protesters. How kind toward their fellow taxpayers. How sweet that was toward people barely scraping by...