I did an 8 hour "lit drop" in rural Wisconsin today

[undeterred]

This is part of Sensenbrenner's district and the people usually vote Red. Dairy farms, corn, and soybeans. Lots of dead end roads that I have to drive down for a mile or so to reach every residence and then turn around. The WI primary is in 9 days and there are signs up for candidates, but they're all for Republicans.

I wave at few people driving their riding mowers and have several dogs bark at me and chase my car. I take a few pictures of some incredibly beautiful scenes. I have no idea why the world looks so different to people living out here, or why they should feel so much more fear living in this setting than I do living on a busy street in the city.

I delivered around 300 pieces of literature today in a labor intensive mission to tell this area that this year they have a choice, an alternative, and a really good one at that. They've been stuck with Sensenbrenner for 28 years, often with no opposition.

We change the world one voter at a time. :kick:

[Wilms]

1. That's beautiful.

Thanks for sharing the thoughts from your day.

[countingbluecars]

2. Thanks for your hard work.

I like and believe these words, "We change the world one voter at a time".

[rodeodance]

3. steny boy has convinced them that their way of life will be no more if Dem

s control Congress.

[StrictlyRockers]

4. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Keep up this good work!

[Nite Owl]

5. Thank you.

I don't understand why rural people are so scared either. Amazing since NYC went overwhelmingly for Kerry!

We've been canvasing and tabling at the fairs. It's been good. Most people are very responsive and want to talk. We have had people refuse to take the literature because they said they won't be voting Republican this time anyway so save it. The War and Healthcare are the two biggest issues.

[undeterred]

8. I have to admit I feel more comfortable in an urban environment

as I spent 19 years on the south side of Chicago. There is anger and violence but I never felt like it was directed at me and I became comfortable around it. When I am in a rural area and I see a "no trespassing" sign it I don't know what to make of it. Are they going to bring out a shotgun if they see me taping something to their mailbox? If I didn't drive all the way out there would there be any other way of reaching these people?

I did see signs for the Republican candidates for governor and atty general and local races but absolutely nothing for Bush/Cheney, the war, or Sensenbrenner so I suspect there are a lot of disappointed Republicans out there.

Thank you Nite Owl and everyone, for thanking me. I needed that. :grouphug:

[Nikia]

10. One grandfather worked as a police officer, the other for the USDA

Who do you think was shot at more? Who was attacked by people's dogs more?
I don't mean to scare you.
I am sure you would be fine if you limited your activity to their main driveway and mail box.

[Taoschick]

14. People in rural areas

Generally don't "shoot" people who drive up to their mailboxes. Now if you climb over their fence and ignore the "no trespassing" sign, you aren't likely to get a positive reception any more than you would if you walked into someone's apartment in Chicago.

I spent a decade delivering mail in Metro Atlanta and I feel a heck of a lot safer here in rural NM than I ever did there. I've never been shot at or threatened here...but I was there.

[karynnj]

9. Not only did NYC go overwhelmingly for Kerry

Manhattan was even more for Kerry than the entire NYC. Lower Manhattan where the WTC was - was among the most for Kerry.

We went to a performance of Jonathon Larson's Tick Tick Boom within a month of 911. The Line in the show about it being a "mediocre time - I mean George Bush is President" - got thunderous applause. So, anger, not fear was the main thing.

[Fridays Child]

6. Your user name matches the attitude you took with you, today.

Thank you for your hard work.

[Eric J in MN]

7. Cool. NT

NT

[Vidar]

11. Well done.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

12. I believe that the Dems lost much of the rural Midwest in the 1980s,

when they didn't do anything to help the farmers who were struggling under a combination of low crop prices and high interest rates. Thousands lost farms that had been in their families for generations.

Even though Reagan was president, the Dems still controlled Congress and could have proposed a relief bill, allowing the farmers to refinance their loans at manageable interest rates. Even if Reagan had vetoed it, they still would have gotten credit for trying, I believe.

Instead, the public image of the Dems was that they were all about affirmative action, busing for integration, and abortion, the first two being irrelevant to rural voters and the third being offensive to many of them. Rural people felt that they were struggling too, just like inner city people of color, but no one was talking about helping them.

The Republicanites at least paid attention to rural voters' concerns about behavioral issues and guns.

[undeterred]

16. Good points.

In this district farmers are geographically the majority, but in numbers they are still small. I'm sure in a lot of mixed districts where you have a combination of city or surburban and rural, the farmers don't feel like their issues get enough attention.

[HereSince1628]

22. That's the sentiment of all my farming neighbors in Helenville.

Of course I ask them why if Democrats don't care about farmers why in Minnesota Democrats belong to the Dem. Farm League.

Honestly I've been in Helenville since 1991 and I've never seen a Democratic candidate for Sensenbrenner's seat show up there. And you must know Sensenbrenner got the Jefferson Lil' Friskies plant onto the list of places that needed protection more than New York City and Washington DC.

[undeterred]

27. I've been through Helenville twice!

And I didn't know that about the Lil Friskies plant. I would love to have Bryan Kennedy do an event in Jefferson county if people will come out for it! Maybe those German days in Jefferson?

[HereSince1628]

38. Well, most everyone seems to go _through_ Helenville...

It's a village the way little Wisconsin villages have been for a long time...no barber, no grocer, one bank, one bar, one insurance salesman, one church with elementary school and cemetary with a larger population than the village, a volunteer fire dept. and 4 and one-half streets where free-ranging chickens rather than stop lights interrupt travel.

[undeterred]

40. Blink and you'll miss it

I saw a backyard sheep farm too. There is a gas station at D and Route 18 but other than that nowhere to get gas or get some food for dinner.

At least Helenville IS somewhere. I had the hardest time figuring out where IS Farmington until I realized there really is no central area, its a township that ranges over many miles.

[HereSince1628]

41. ? Um, Wisconsin doesn't have townships. It has Towns.

Not knowing that sort of broadcasts "I don't live here and I'm not familar with rural/ex-urban life."

I'd say that's also something very important to remember when engaging county-level politics being that school levies, special land use permits, etc. are handled by "Towns." If you look close at a Wisconsin income tax form you'll notice that they ask for "Town" and not Township.

Wisconsin "Towns" most definitely ARE somewhere and the names are posted all over the place--the Town name is on the address/fire number, which BTW change color between adjacent Towns.

You are correct that they are bigger than Helenville, you won't miss a "Town" if you blink. They are typically 36 square miles, being laid out on the Western Reserve system and just like most "townships" of the midwest, Wisconsin "Towns" are usually 6 x 6 miles square.

Helenville is in one of the exceptions. It is in the Town of Jefferson but it started out life as part of Hebron township from which it separated. Which must have been an interesting bit of Town politics when it happened.

[undeterred]

44. I'm not familiar with it at all!

But we don't have many rural volunteers. The database the Dem party provides is really confusing, too.

If you search for Farmington you will get a city somewhere else in WI. The people who live in the Town of Farmington thats in Jefferson County have mailing addresses that might be in Watertown or Oconomowoc. Watertown is not in the 5th Congressional District, but Ocoomowoc is. Its very confusing!

[HereSince1628]

47. Yes, Cong. district boundaries are gerrymandered and so

generate boundary lines that are not predictable by other government boundaries and of course the Congressional District boundaries don't appear on any government placed roadside markers. I'm sure that is confusing.

[Odin2005]

31. Another problem is condesending attitudes to us "hicks" by big city folks.

I am sick of all posts made by DUers bashing us rural people as "gun-toting hicks" and "ignorant knucle-dragers." Urban Dems basically drive rural voters into the hands of thr Pukes every time you spew insults.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

32. That and classist jibes at "white trash"

:grr:

If the disdainful DUers only knew what kind of long-term suffering and hopelessness impels that "trashy" behavior.

[TheFriedPiper]

42. I guess stopping being hicks is not an option

Hicks have earned their reputation, and obviously there are exceptions, but when you see the kind of people that rural voters elect then you tend to think they, as a group, could not be very well informed.

[Selatius]

13. My only guess is they buy the Republican talking points

Low taxes, limited government.

At face value, it seems quite attractive. Nobody wants Big Brother.

The thing is people don't really think too much beyond that without prodding and encouragement. If you fall, there will be no help because the government doesn't provide safety nets in a low tax, low service government.

History shows that when the government helped people in need, everybody was better off. In the 1950s, when people became wealthier, everybody became wealthier. Of course, the rich had the biggest portion of the pie, but the point was everybody got something.

Today, when wealthy people become wealthy, people in the middle barely stay in the same place, and the poor slip further behind.

[fudge stripe cookays]

15. Which part?

My family history all centers around Clinton, Janesville, and Beloit. I've become very fond of that area now that I feel a historical connection to it.

Good work!
fsc :hi:

[undeterred]

17. Johnson Creek - Jefferson - Farmington

But I work in Beloit and drive by Janesville on the way! I get around Wisconsin.

[fudge stripe cookays]

23. Good on ya!

You probably know half the cousins I'm just getting to know. Know any Siekierskis, Palubinskis, Rochons, or Woolseys?

I got up to Madison twice last year. I'm having withdrawals this year. I miss it so much! I really feel HOME when I'm up there.

There's a cheesehead inside me just dying to get out! :D

[alfredo]

18. Good for you. The Dems need the Pack Mules.

I guess things will pick up here. Our congressional seat is safely in Democratic hands, so it is local candidates and issues that have us on the streets. I did some work for Vote Yes Saturday. That was fun. http://www.bluegrassflow.org/

[Olney Blue]

30. You mean pack donkeys!

:dem::dem::dem::dem::dem::dem:


Thanks, undeterred. You are a good example for all of us.

[alfredo]

33. At our Jefferson Jackson Dinner the Dems give out plaques

for the hardest workers. They are "Certified Pack Mules."

I am all for doing away with the JJ dinner. That money for the award dinner should go to the campaign instead. In 2004 we spent less on the campaign than was spent on the dinner. We were still able to gain a seat in our county and built an organization that has endured. We pooped the dinner out the next day.

[Olney Blue]

50. Sometimes the social engagement of a dinner

can lead to unexpected networking and increase morale. Your comment about the
endpoint of the dinner made me smile!

It's says alot when you can carry off both. Good job! :hi:

[alfredo]

52. The dinner cost us $5,000. It could have been

a lot cheaper and served the same purpose. It didn't need to be at a palatial clubhouse. I could have given them a fine dinner at a very nice hall for about $1,300.

Democrats are BBQ and beer, we don't need fancy fixin's.

Because of the 2004/2005 coup, a lot of younger people are in positions of power, hopefully resources will go to fighting the good fight, not patting ourselves on the back.

And this time there will be some vegetarian choices other than the side dishes.



I guess the endpoint was rather crude, but it was true.

[nradisic]

19. IGNORANCE

People are scared because they are ignorant. Ignorance breeds, fear, bigotry and lies.

[Critters2]

20. You've got one strong Dem in West Bend

My dad hates Sensenbrenner with a vengeance!

[undeterred]

37. Good for him!

I think a lot of people are sick of him but for so long this district has not had a choice. Its so hard to run against someone with all that money. This time will be different!

[dragonlady]

21. Eight hours!!!

You win the prize for sure, undeterred. My highest point ever was four hours, although that was on foot in a suburban neighborhood. It will all be worth it when Bryan Kennedy takes the oath of office in Washington next January. This is how it's going to happen, folks. Mix one great candidate, super volunteers like indeterred, and some contributors who are willing to take a chance, and voila! One more progressive in Congress!

[undeterred]

26. It takes at least 30-45 minutes for me to get to the district or get back

I heard the weather might turn rainy today and Monday, so I got out there early (7am) with a geographical goal. Still took a lot longer than I thought~! I have a couple other super volunteers during rural areas in Jefferson county too.

The thought of how exciting election night will be keeps me going. :applause:

[Subdivisions]

24. Thank you! - eom

[Nictuku]

25. If only they would vote out Sensenbrenner

....

So many terrible things can be attributed to that man. I'm curious if you found anyone at all who was even moderate in his district.

Thank you for being a concerned and involved American!

[ginnyinWI]

28. Don't worry--we're not all Republicans out here!

I'm a DUer who lives out in the ex-urbs of Sensenbrenner's 5th district. In the last election, my subdivision had twice as many * signs as Kerry signs, but there WERE Kerry signs. I think our county voted 33% for Kerry, so I like to think that one out of three people I see in the grocery store are Dems. It's probably more like one in six, considering that maybe only half of the people voted at all. And the * bumper stickers have all but disappeared now.

p.s. I worked for the Kerry campaign but they were focusing not on in my area but in the larger cities near here. Maybe someday we'll have enough money/volunteers to actually canvass these areas better.

p.p.s. I hate Sensenbrenner, too! Have met Bryan a few times and find him to be a very nice candidate indeed.

[Gregorian]

29. Jesus Christ, that's brave.

I live in an area just like the one you described. Although, hopefully not much longer. And I would never ever think of doing what you did. There are way too many freaks with guns and ill behaved dogs. I'd like to know how you faired. Did you drive up to each residence?

To be honest, I have totally given up on these people. But I shouldn't. Your story gives me a bit of optimism. Maybe I should drive around and hand out something intelligent and thoughtful.

I just don't think it would help. These are the retards of the universe. Edit- I never met a retarded person who wasn't the kindest soul. That's the wrong metaphor. These people are just plain thoughtless and careless and unsympathetic. I love retarded people. But not those we're talking about here. Shit, I"m getting myself into trouble with this post.

I just want to know what you handed out that didn't get you shot. Haha.

[undeterred]

35. You forgot the sarcasm icon.

But yes, it is a different world for me, one I have never lived in. I love driving around out there and I love the animals and the friendly people who wave. I had my own dog in the car, and I talked to all the dogs.

What I don't understand is that some people seem ready to defend their property at gunpoint if someone unfamiliar drives by and puts something in the newspaper box. I don't understand why people need a security system way out in the country where hardly anyone ever goes and there is no crime.

And when I do get to talk to people, I feel like I'm going to get a negative reaction if I tell them I'm from Madison. I've been told that people will drive an extra 20 miles to do their shopping in Janesville. Too many pot smokin', tatooed, socialist, homosexual vegetarians with bumper stickers in that other place.

It works both ways.

Edit: We know that rural districts tend to vote red, although I'm not sure why. My first assumption is that people who vote Republican think that only "they" can protect us from terrorists. I inferred from this that people in rural areas are more worried about terrorist attacks than I am, although I am at a slightly higher risk because I live in a large city. Some of the posts here have given me other ideas about why people in rural areas vote Republican, reasons that have nothing to do with security.

[Gregorian]

49. I have some idea why.

I left the San Francisco area because it was crowded. I was immediately confronted with a wall of Republican people. It's not true everywhere, but mostly the country seems to be full of those sorts. It's ignorance. Plain and simple. It's cheaper to live in the country. Or was. Often people in the country own amazing pieces of land that have been handed down, and so don't really know the value, and certainly didn't earn their way to ownership. And there is supposedly more freedom. One can let their unruly dog bark at all hours. One can shoot a gun. Whoopie! Pickup trucks with no mufflers at three in the morning. There aren't even sound ordinances in the countryside. And the occupations are often environmentally disasterous. Logging is one good example. It's not really freedom as much as it is recklessness. Conservatives confuse those.

Metropolitan areas are comprised of intelligent people. It's because of the universities that are there. It costs more to live in those areas. People have limits placed on them.

Oh, I could go on and on. It's not worth your time. It's just that I altered my life for a better one, and was confronted with a bitter pill. Now I'm trying to swim back upstream to a proximity to intelligent life forms. I'm worried. And that is another subject. There aren't many places left. Not affordable.

Well, it could be worse. I'm sitting here drinking my espresso instead of in the operating room every morning at 7am.

[undeterred]

51. The area I was in yesterday has a lot of newly built homes

Housing and property taxes in Madison are outrageous. So I am guessing that there are a lot of people out there who have left Milwaukee or Madison or Chicago and moved out to the countryside because the housing and land are much less expensive, its beautiful, its a nice safe place to raise children, and so on. Probably a mix of people who have been out in the country for generations and some who have fled the high price of the cities, but still drive back for work.

The operating room... years ago I worked as a research tech for a university surgeon. Conferences at 6am, before surgery. He said he hoped I would come in early for the conferences but I didn't have to... so I never did. :shrug:

[Kurovski]

34. K&R_nt

[JNelson6563]

36. Wow!! Thank you!!!

8 hours! Now that's dedication! A big THANK YOU!! That's a lot of walkin'!

:toast: Julie

[Califooyah Operative]

39. Thanks and Keep Up The Good Work! nt

[leesa]

43. Thanks for doing that. I have relatives in rural Wisconsin, hard core

Republicans. They work at jobs without benefits and with abusive bosses but HATE unions and workers protections. They completely buy into the myth that the high cost of health care is due to lawsuits. They have bought every crackpot idea the GOP has dreamed up to keep the corporations fat and them fleeced. They are poor as church mice and yet they vote against their best interests time and time again...makes me crazy!

[undeterred]

53. They must listen to Rush Limbaugh

The high price of health care is 1% or less due to lawsuits. Quite a bit of the fat is in advertising, the high cost of administration when you bill for every bandaid, and the obscene profits that drug companies make.

The other Limbaugh talking point is that everyone already has health care since the ERs cannot turn you away. There are so many problems with that argument I don't know where to begin! Hospitals are closing because they can't afford their ERs.

[Sugarcoated]

45. If only more people would realize

how important it is, that for government to work we all need to be participants in it. The government is us.

Thank you undeterred. :patriot:

[democrank]

46. Thank you so much, undeterred.

Glad to know you made an effort to change things.

[otohara]

48. Death Tax Fear Mongering Perhaps

The GOP is always throwing that big fat lie out to farmers - when in reality the so called death tax really doesn't affect them. Oh and guns! Them liberals want to take our guns.

[midnight]

54. Thank you so much undeterred.

I have my Brian Kennedy sign up.