I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.

Dear Scott Walker,

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. It is so hot! http://www.wunderground.com/US/WI/Milwaukee.html Speaking of heat, did you hear that PASCH and Darling are in a dead heat now? http://www.politiscoop.com/categoryblog/405-pasch-in-dead-heat-with-darling.html How exciting! Speaking of exciting, did you know that Democrats are 7 for 7 in the last election races? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/19/dave-hansen-wins-wisconsin-recall-election_n_904101.html How high speed! Speaking of high speed, did you know that taxpayers are paying to maintain the Hiawatha line service? http://www.wuwm.com/programs/news/view_news.php?articleid=8873 It is a good thing that Vos was there to explain that you want the money, but you want to get it at certain time and use it under certain conditions that are convenient for you. Speaking of convenience, have you been in contact with ALEC lately or have they thrown you out with the bath water? http://www.alecexposed.org/wiki/What_is_ALEC%3F Speaking of water, watch this: http://front.moveon.org/is-there-anything-more-beautiful-than-this/#.Tic-dmHHw2M.facebook How ironic that Wisconsin may become the next new fracking frontier? What is fracking? http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/whats-fracking Isn't it ironic? http://youtu.be/Jne9t8sHpUc "Well life has a funny way of sneaking up on you, when you think everything's okay and everything's going right. And life has a funny way of helping you out when you think everything's gone wrong and everything blows up in your face." Do you still think everything is okay? Do THEY still tell you everything is okay? Are you looking for life to help you out? Have you felt like everything has blown up in your face? You have the opportunity to do the correct thing. It is ironic because you have been given the opportunity to do the correct thing over and over. Just do the correct thing :) I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.  

Carrie 

 

Dear Scott Walker,

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. I am not sure if you have heard or not, but many districts who have a contract are now going back to the teachers for voluntary concessions by teachers. Darling (her name, most certainly not an enduring reference on my part) suggested an amendment to your budget bill that will allow this without the contract becoming null and void. This is actually a very cunning thing to do for many reasons: 1. It will offer the opportunity for teachers and unions to look greedy if they do not decide to make concessions. 2. If teachers and unions do decide to make concessions, there is no guarantee how the money will be used. Administration has suggested how they would use the money, but that does not mean they have to use the money to rehire teachers. 3. Even if teachers agree to concessions, Milwaukee Public Schools will be in the same, or possibly even worse, predicament next year. 4. Teachers can be pitted against each other with the students hanging in the balance. 

This got me to thinking about what I do as a teacher. Here is a video that offers a fraction of insight.  http://youtu.be/d_pGiUeVFEU  Remember, you are always more than welcome to job shadow me. You cannot teach my classes because of you lack of qualification, but you can observe. 

Then I got to thinking about how much I love my job. My kids are amazing. What they learn is amazing. The people I work with are amazing. My job is...you guessed it, amazing! Why is it that people who like their jobs have eyes rolled at them? Why is it that people who love their job are expected to do it for less? Do not give me the "we're broke" soundbite response because we all know that is a fallacy. You are choosing to put the money elsewhere, like tax breaks (http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2011/mar/04/progressive-change-campaign-committee/wisconsin-ad-says-workers-get-pay-take-major-corpo/) and funding rail service that was already funded (http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/125810723.html). You are choosing to tie the hands of communities so that education is not properly funded and then make false statements about property tax savings (http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/125810723.html). 

This got me to thinking about my "worth" and made me realize you are totally getting me as a steal! I am worth more than this. The profession is worth more than this. The students are worth more than this. Before all of the attacks on public employees, I knew I was never going to get rich teaching, but I never felt like I deserved more. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that I love my job. It is challenging and exhausting and there is nothing in the world that I would rather do. I think you will realize this if you spend a day with me. See what I see; experience what I experience. Not just anyone can do this; unfortunately, the legislation you are enacting suggests that you think anyone can. Perhaps you need this in business terms, since you approached this from the viewpoint of a small business owner. Remind me again, what was the name of the small business you owned? Maybe you worked in a small business. What was the name of the small business you worked in? Who is your small business mentor? The things you are doing and the tactics you are using seem much more like big, multimillion and billion dollar business to me: do what you want regardless of the cost to workers, think of your bottom line and comfort first, and make sure that there is always a scapegoat to blame. Anyway, let me put this into some business terms for you. I do not own a business, but I frequent them often and have several friends who either own or work in small businesses. Teachers deal in the commodity of humans. This commodity is in high demand and precious. You need to recognize and appreciate that. 

Pay special attention to my signature today. You may not know Jonathan Kozol. http://www.learntoquestion.com/seevak/groups/2002/sites/kozol/Seevak02/ineedtogoHOMEPAGE/homepage.htm I recommend you read Savage Inequalities before you come job shadow me. http://faculty.fordham.edu/kpking/classes/uege5102-pres-and-newmedia/Jonathan-Kozol-Savage-Inequalities-by-D-Beauford.pdf I am not going to require it of course because I prefer that you come, but I think the research will give you some context for an educational environment in an urban setting. I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.

Carrie

More from Carrie! (you go girl!)

Dear Scott Walker,

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. I know that you are familiar with Fox News, but did you know that there are some reporters on Fox News that had your agenda figured out all the way back in February? This is a clip of Juan Williams and Shepard Smith discussing why you wanted to break up unions. http://youtu.be/NJBGWH222KI 

I was aware of the fact that 70% of the top political campaign contributors gave money to Republicans; hearing it again reminds me of the reason why we continue fighting and why we will always continue fighting. Our voices will not be silenced; they cannot be silenced. There is too much at stake. I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.

Carrie 

 

Dear Scott Walker,

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. Well, today was the last day of student attendance. Now most teachers will spend several days continuing to clean and organize pro bono publico (for the good of the public or otherwise known as free). Then we will be on to other fun things such as part-time jobs, taking classes, and teaching summer school. That is what summer is all about, right? Then before we know it, we will be back in the classrooms cleaning and organizing for the start of a new school year. I was dis appointed that you could not visit my school and spend a day with me this year. I am hopeful that you will take time next school year to come and job shadow me. Your schedule may open up a little more around the end of 2011/beginning of 2012. I just want you to know that no matter what happens, you are invited to gain an appreciation for what teachers do on a daily basis. Oh, and I am not going to allow you to read Dr. Seuss' Oh! The Places You'll Go. I will not allow you to read it to my students because, even if they cannot detect your insincere and mocking manner, I know your actions and words are insincere and mocking. Perhaps you do not even realize you are being insincere and mocking when you read Dr. Seuss' Oh! The Places You'll Go to students. Let me help you connect the dots. Your blatant disregard for education, child welfare, child safety, and family health are apparent in the legislation you and your cohorts are forcing, sometimes illegally, through legislature. This does not even take into account the "leading by example" of fraud and lying you and your cohorts are displaying. This is why your photo opportunity classroom visits where you read Dr. Seuss' Oh! The Places You'll Go reek of insincerity and mockingness. Just so you know, I know that mockingness is not a word, but I needed to change the word mock into a noun form, so mockingness it is. Who knows, maybe I have just taken the first step toward institutionalizing a new word! We are making history every day. I know my Webby Speech: We are making history here! I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.

Carrie  

 

Dear Scott Walker,

Dear Scott Walker,

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. I went to a retirement party today. I will be going to several more within the next week. You are the cause of these early retirements. I hear you are trying to roll back child labor laws, though. We probably won't need as many teachers if the children are working in sweat shops. Don't think my use of the words "roll back" were an accident either! I am sickened by what you are attempting to do. The good news is, the people of Wisconsin are not going to allow this to happen. We will not let this happen because this is what we are fighting for: http://youtu.be/0k7F8O_5yaE. I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more!

Sincerely,

Carrie

I am not in the mood for you tonight...but you must know anyway...

Dear Scott Walker,
I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. That is all for now, not because I don't have anything to say, but rather because I am not in the mood for you tonight. I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.
Sincerely,

Carrie

CAN YOU HEAR US?????

Dear Scott Walker,I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. I have a quotation from Facebook for you tonight. I am not going to comment on it; I simply want you to ponder it. Well, you and everyone else I am including in this email. After you ponder it, if you are like me (one filled with virtues and conscience), you will be compelled to send the quotation to someone else so he or she can ponder it. And so it begins..."Remember when teachers, public employees, Planned Parenthood, NPR, and PBS crashed the stock market, wiped out half of our 401Ks, took trillions in taxpayer funded bailouts, spilled oil in the Gulf of Mexico, gave themselves billions in bonuses, and paid no taxes? Yeah, me neither!" I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.
Sincerely,

Carrie 

 

Dear Scott Walker,I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. I just read the good news about the official "state dessert" making it's way through legislation. I heard a snip-it on the radio this morning that it was a possibility. I am including the link to the article and a quotation: http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/123470919.html "Fourth-graders from Mukwonago have been pushing lawmakers to anoint the cream puff as Wisconsin's favorite treat. They convinced Republican Sen. Mary Lazich to introduce a bill." This information is good to know; I wonder what else students could push for...what else would republicans be willing to introduce for the benefit of students? What else could students possibly want from republicans? How else could students and republicans work together to improve the state of Wisconsin? I feel like the state dessert is just the beginning. Imagine all of the accomplishments that could happen if students and republicans teamed up. Where would it end? We might have a state restaurant, candy, and cartoon before you know it! On second thought, the students now probably have much more relevant legislation they would like passed, such as reduction in class-size, sufficient school funding, accessibility to technology, and reinstatement of school specialists. It looks like the republicans might have to rely on themselves for ideas about bills that are really important to Wisconsinites. The students will just worry about the bills that affect them on a daily basis. I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.  

Carrie

Dear Scott Walker,

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. Perhaps the heat is getting to me a little, my husband says I get crabby when it gets hot. Seeing your generic email when I checked my email today really made me quite bitter. To blow off some steam, I am going to create my own generic email based on your generic email. We'll see if it helps. 

Thank you for your generic e-mail message reply.  I welcome you expressing your views and concerns to me, and I commend you for participating in sending a generic email message reply. (This is sarcastic because you have not expressed your views and concerns to me and because at this point I am only willing to commend you for handing in a resignation letter.) I take into account the views of all of the citizens and politicians of Wisconsin, and I will keep your specifically generic comments in mind during my service as your constituent.

If you would like more information about my or other constituents’ positions on issues, or would like to read my or other constituents’ public statements on issues, I encourage you to explore the WI Workers Against Walker website http://wiscworkers.blogspot.com/.  I like to respond individually to every letter and telephone call I receive; however, I cannot respond to any of your communications due to the lack of volume and substance.  If your request is time sensitive, please call my home at XXX. You may also write to me via conventional mail at Carrie XXXXX

As noted in emails previously sent to you, please know that any communications will be subject to release under my own personal "public records good conscience" and that my policy is generally to release communications sent to this email address.

Once again, thank you for contacting me with generic email message replies. (Once again, this is sarcastic. Who would really want to receive a form reply when they are pouring their heart and soul out to you each and every night?) Please feel free to contact me again if I can ever be of assistance to you and especially if you are going to craft an original piece of writing instead of the generic email message replies.

Sincerely,

Carrie

Here is your generic email reply so you can compare. I wrote my response using as much fidelity and homage as your generic email message deserves. 

Thank you for your e-mail message.  I welcome you expressing your views and concerns to me, and I commend you for participating in your state government.  I take into account the views of all of the citizens of Wisconsin, and I will keep your specific comments in mind during my service as your Governor.

If you would like more information about my positions on issues, or would like to read my public statements on issues, I encourage you to explore my website: www.walker.wi.gov.  I like to respond individually to every letter and telephone call I receive; however, I cannot respond to each e-mail individually due to the volume.  If your request is time sensitive, please call my office at (608) 266-1212. You may also write to me via conventional mail at Governor Scott Walker: PO Box 7863, Madison, WI 53707.

As noted on our website, please know that any communications may be subject to release under Wisconsin's public records law and that our policy is generally to release communications sent to this email address.

Once again, thank you for contacting me. Please feel free to contact me again if I can ever be of assistance to you.

Sincerely,

Scott Walker

Governor

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more...one a day from Carrie K!

Dear Scott Walker,

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. Have you ever felt like what you are saying is falling on deaf ears? I have felt like that lately. The good news is I have been talking to people about how I am feeling and they seem to be having similar experiences. Many people are becoming increasingly frustrated with your flippant attitude. Citizens of Wisconsin are reaching out to you (some of them daily and from Walkerville) and they feel like their concerns, ideas, and voices are falling on deaf ears. Since they are corresponding with you, you would be the owner of those deaf ears. I guess we could also say that the emails and letters are falling on blind eyes since you only have a computer generated generic response. The good news is that I believe these are self-inflicted ailments. I am sure that you have it within yourself to begin hearing and seeing again, only if you want to. If you begin hearing again first, I hope someone will read these questions to you and transcribe your responses. If your regain your sight first, please read and answer them yourself. 

Why? Why are you so UNwilling to listen to the majority of people? http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2011/05/walkers-numbers-continue-to-get-worse.html Why? Why are you targeting hardworking and vulnerable citizens of Wisconsin? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/11/AR2011031103966.html (This link mistakenly says you "won" but to be fair it is dated 3/11/11) Why? Why do you disregard the well-being and health of Wisconsinites? http://www.wqow.com/Global/story.asp?S=14087832 Why? Why do you insulate yourself from your constituents? http://www.alternet.org/economy/150095/right-winger_scott_walker_overreached,_and_his_arrogance_has_turned_the_political_tide_against_him_in_wisconsin?page=entire Why? Why are you so diametrically opposed to compromise? http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/49919.html Why? Why are you willing to break the law and perhaps even lie? http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=32638 Why? Do you create a financial crisis when there is none? http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/editorial/article_61064e9a-27b0-5f28-b6d1-a57c8b2aaaf6.html Why? Why are you perfectly content with disenfranchising voters? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/25/wisconsin-voter-id-law-scott-walker_n_867090.html Why? Why are you systematically and persistently trying to create divisiveness among the people of Wisconsin? http://dailycaller.com/2011/02/22/walker-may-have-wasted-political-capital-by-sparing-wisconsins-policemen-and-firemen/ Why? Why has no one told you that your attempts at division are failing? http://my.firefighternation.com/forum/topics/despite-exemption-wisconsin and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/05/wisconsin-protesters-walkerville-tent-capitol-scott-walker-budget_n_871523.html Why? Why? Why?

 I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.

 Sincerely.

Carrie 

Dear Scott Walker,I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. I am not sure if you have been around the Capitol or watched the news or seen any articles lately; there is a growing community of tents. This community is named Walkerville. The people play a game called Scottyopoly to pass the time. Teachers were sharing stories about how the budget cuts you have proposed will negatively impact classrooms and their students. Donations from all over the world are once again pouring into Ian's pizza. Walkerville citizens are organizing community meals and rotations for duties. It is amazing how one small man can inspire so many people to come together to fight for the right thing. It is just too bad that so many people cannot inspire one small man to do the right thing. If you have an opportunity, you should see if you can get a tophat, tux, and cane. Then take a walk through Walkerville. It would be interesting to see reactions to you carrying around a sack (a pillowcase would work) with a big $ on it. Could you just imagine! Maybe you should go incognito instead with those glasses that have the fake nose and moustache attached. Either way, I think a visit to Walkerville would help you understand interdependence, contribution, and teamwork. I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.

Carrie K

 

 

Dear Scott Walker,

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. How was your Saturday? This Saturday was our annual neighborhood rummage sale in Washington Heights. I was unable to attend because I was teaching people how to throw axes at Pirate Fest in Port Washington today. You have missed your opportunity to rummage in our neighborhood wide this year, but there is still one more day for Pirate Fest. I am not inviting you to Pirate Fest in Port Washington because you don't seem to come to events that I invite you to. I am going to provide you with the necessary information if you would like to attend. 

What: Pirate Fest

Where: Port Washington (take Hwy 33 into town until you cannot drive anymore, it is on the lakefront)

When: Sunday, June 5, 10 am- 6 pm

Why: See pirate ships, pirate fights, and learn how to throw axes from me

Cost: FREE, tips are greatly appreciated :)

This is going to be a short email because I am tuckered out from being in the sun all day. I want to get a couple more report cards done before bed. It is going to be an early bed time because I will be back in the sun tomorrow all day teaching people how to throw axes. Yeah, I am pretty awesome and amazing, not to mention humble :)

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.
Sincerely,

Carrie

 

Dear Scott Walker,

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. I am including an invitation for a literacy celebration picnic. It is the 4th Annual Literacy Celebration Picnic. I have invited you to things in the past (teacher grade-ins and Thunda Around the Rotunda), and you have been unable to attend. I am hoping you can come to the Literacy Celebration. There will be Reader's Theatre performances, hot dogs, and maybe even a dance party! Plus, it has never rained during the Literacy Celebrations. Did I mention that this is the 4th Annual? Here is the invitation; I hope you can make it. Feel free to bring any of the following as your potluck item: hot dogs, buns, washed strawberries, washed grapes, cut up watermelon, cut up cantaloupe, washed and cut carrots, washed and cut celery, washed and cut cucumbers, ketchup, mustard, ranch dressing, pasta salad, rice, chips, dessert, water, or juice. 

Dear Parent/Guardian/Scott Walker,

 

A literacy celebration!

 

Where: Mitchell Park, 2200 W. Pierce St.

When: Friday, June 3, 2011

            10:30am – 2:00pm

(Students will be walking from school to the park prior to this time.)

Who: Mitchell School Book Buddies (Rooms 107, 110, 200, 213)

Cost: There is no cost for this fieldtrip.

Food: The picnic will be a potluck. Students will be assigned a food item to bring to share. See attached note to sign up for a food item.

Transportation:  The students will be walking to and from Mitchell Park with their book buddies. Parents may walk with us, or meet us at the park.

 

Purpose: Throughout the year students have been forming academic and social relationships with their book buddies. They have worked together to develop reading fluency, enhance pronunciation and strengthen comprehension skills, both in English and Spanish. This celebration of literacy will include student performances that demonstrate the culmination of this collaboration.

 

Chaperones: All parents, non-school-age children, and Scott Walker are welcome. School-age siblings are expected to attend school as usual the day of the picnic. If parents and/or Scott Walker would like to help set up and cook, please arrive at Mitchell Park at 9:30am.

 

Questions? Send us a note or call us at (414) 902-xxxx

 

                                                                        Sincerely,

 

Carrie

Dear Scott Walker,

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. I had the opportunity tonight to view your Brown Bag Lunch #23. It reminded me of something I saw in Madison. I took a photo of it and tagged you on Facebook. It was a brown paper bag that had "Walker's Brown Bag is Full of SH&*" Here is the link in case you forgot the question or your response: http://youtu.be/flUjTwxI620 

When you talk about the "tools to balance the reductions in state aid" you do realize that you are one of the people reducing that aid, right? You are reducing the aid and then supplying the "tools". Granted, I am a layperson when it comes to corporate underhandedness and manipulation; this seems like a classic case of "your coworker is gone, you have to do twice the work for half the money, and you better do it with a smile on your face because you have a job and I am supplying you with the "tools". I do not understand why you need to reduce state aid in the first place when over $600,000,000 (that's $600 million) was "found" in the budget and you are refusing federal aid (just google "Scott Walker refusing federal aid", there are too many instances for me to cite here). 

When you say you are giving the school districts the "tools to avoid those layoffs and protect middle class jobs" you do realize that there are thousands of layoffs and the middle class is shrinking by the minute, right? (http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/the-u.s.-middle-class-is-being-wiped-out-here's-the-stats-to-prove-it-520657.html?tickers=%5EDJI,%5EGSPC,SPY,MCD,WMT,XRT,DIA http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/09/8-surprising-facts-about_n_675545.html#s124108&title=CashStrapped_States_Are http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/examiner-opinion-zone/uncertain-america-shrinking-middle-class actually just google "shrinking middle class" and once again you will have a plethora of articles to peruse) The only thing you are avoiding is having to take responsibility for job loss in the state of Wisconsin. You definitely do not want to factor in the number of people out of work when you are touting "Wisconsin: Open for Business", do you? From what I hear, you do not count the jobs lost in your running total of jobs gained anyway. I hear you only talk about the increase in jobs since you took office; you do not talk about the people who have lost their jobs since you took office. If you ask me, that seems like only putting deposits into your credit union records and ignoring any checks you write. Who wouldn't want to look at that statement at the end of the month, right? I only have additions and no deductions?!? That does not even take into account the jobs that decided to expand to other states rather than Wisconsin. What analogy can we make with that? I guess that would be like me recording deposits in my credit union, ignoring deductions for bills, and pretending that I didn't even want that lollipop at the drive-up window anyway. It might be a bit of an over-reach; if anyone can relate, you can.

With regard to charter school certification requirements, when you say "...take that successful, semi-retired business person and ask them to come into the classroom and teach a little bit about business, we're not going to require them to go back and get a whole new certification. Instead, if they've got a college degree, we're going to give them the opportunity to share their business experience and share that in the classroom." you do realize that senate bill 22 allows them to do more than teach a little bit about business, right? Senate Bill 22 allows anyone to teach any subject for any amount of time as long as the person "demonstrates competency". There is no stipulation in Senate Bill 22 that suggests a minimum or maximum amount of time in the classroom or even that a degree is necessary. Am I safe in assuming that since you stated a college degree is necessary, you either A.) did not know there was no such requirement or B.) will not be teaching in a charter school? Did you realize that by creating a college degree prerequisite you were making yourself ineligible? Was that on purpose to "save face"? 

This is just nit-picky because I teach English as a second language and have my master's degree: in the video at 1:14 you said "...to help ensure that every kid can move on to the fourth grade with the skill set that they need when it comes to reading." I believe you meant to say "...to help ensure that every kid (a little too informal for my taste, but you are brown-bagging it and this is not a grammatical error; I would have used "student", though) can move on to the fourth grade with the skill set that HE OR SHE NEEDS when it comes to reading." 'Kid' is singular; therefore, you must maintain singularity throughout the sentence. On a side note, as someone who has her master's degree in literacy, I'd like to know what your expectations are for the necessary skill sets for students at any level in any curricular area. Also, you say "semi-retired business person and ask them" when you really mean ask him or her. You also mean to switch to the singular form for the rest of the quotation. I know, I know when you spend so much of your own hard-earned money on both a bachelor's and master's degree, you tend to take your certifications and degrees pretty seriously. It is both a curse and a blessing. I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.

Carrie 

 

A few emails from our lovely contributor, Carrie

Dear Scott Walker,I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. Today is Memorial Day, and I hope everyone had an opportunity to thank military servicemen, servicewomen, and their families for the sacrifices they endure. I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.

Carrie

 

 Dear Scott Walker,

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. I know that technically I did not email you last night. I was visiting my family, so I did not send an email. I did, however, write an email and saved it to send today. You can let me know if you feel like we should start our count over again or not. Here is my letter written on 5/28/11 and emailed on 5/29/11:

Dear Scott Walker,

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. How was your Saturday? I got to spend mine with my husband, mom, step-dad, sister, twin nieces, nephew, and 6 dogs. Does that sound busy? It was! We were up pretty early and spent a couple of hours getting cereal and talking. Then we got to work. We dug up and transplanted some yucca plants, put a canopy on a gazebo, planted flower seeds, moved dirt from a pile and spread it down to plant grass seed, planted grass seed, and watered plants. We got a lot done, and we could not have done it without each other. We cooperated and used teamwork. Have you had a chance to cooperate and use teamwork lately? It is amazing when people cooperate and use teamwork because you can get more done in less time. Plus, everyone contributes, which creates a feeling of mutual dependence and importance. People work within their areas of strength and also learn about the strengths of others. Throughout these experiences, people have the opportunities to learn new strengths and information, as well. I know from personal and professional experience that when we all genuinely want each other to succeed, we make sure that we all succeed because we are on the same team working together. When we are more concerned with what is "in it for us" and "who is going to get the credit" we do not always put forth our best effort. Sometimes we can harbor feelings of resentment or negativity when we feel someone else is going to get credit for all of our work. Remember there is no "I" in team. Today we all worked had in different ways at different times, and in the end everything turned out great! Additionally, we got the work done so quickly that we were able to go for four-wheeler rides, play soccer, and throw balls and frisbees for the dogs. 

You may think, "Great, you were working with your family doing "fun" things, so of course you all had a great time and completed the work with smiles on your faces." I assure you that I would not have chosen to do any of those activities today. Getting bit up by mosquitoes and black flies while smelling your own armpits is not my idea of fun. Working together, contributing, talking, interacting, completing a project, and accomplishing a task with others is what makes it fun. The task and the people will always change, the "fun" will not. Fun is what you make it!

I had a phenomenal Saturday, and I hope you did too. I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.

Since this is sort-of a letter within a letter, so I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. 

Carrie

 

Dear Scott Walker,I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. I do not have time to write a detailed email today. I just wanted to make sure that you know and it gets recorded that I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.

Carrie

 

 

Don't forget that I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.

Dear Scott Walker,

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. I am feeling creative tonight and want to write another poem to communicate my feelings. I wrote a poem in my email for 4/18/11. That was one of the emails I pre-emailed you with the "open on" subject line. It had words that rhymed with OPPOSE because I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. I have chosen a different format for this poem; I hope you are still able to understand my message:

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more

Openly and

Purposefully I craft original emails nightly

Partly for me and mostly for you

Only to find

Some machine is yet again speaking on your behalf

Everyone has a voice, and I want to hear yours

Sound bites simply are not

Enough for me anymore

Now we have reached

A

Time in our relationship that I must say to you:

Enough is enough!

Big, little, young, old, no one 

Is spared from your

Litigation bills (Do the taxpayers know you are costing them money when you violate the law?)

Lawyers, lawsuits, law, low-down dirty shame!

2 people emailing nightly, one pouring her heart out, the other searching for something...a heart?

2 immediate replies received, one a message about mail delivery failure

And the other, a generic letter desiring to usurp power from a hard-working, tax-paying citizen

No you are not going to pretend to be representing me

Do not write that you are my governor

Shirley is my grandma, and she is my governor. I voted for Grandma Shirley and

Others are writing her in on the ballot, too.

Making cuts and calling votes

Under the cover of darkness

Children's education: cut!

Healthcare services: cut!

Mother and baby benefits: cut!

Oh, and don't forget about public transportation: cut!

Recycling: cut! Really? How is what you are doing benefiting the citizens of Wisconsin?

Everyone needs to look in the mirror at some point. 

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.

Dear Scott Walker,I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. How has you Sunday been so far? Mine has been amazing! I did not get out of bed until 9 am! Then I did dishes, cleaned the kitchen, and prepped our meals for the rest of the week. This is goinga to be a busy week for us. How about you? The weather was so nice that I sat outside this afternoon to grade papers. Tonight will bring some beef Kung Pao for dinner and working on report cards. What are you going to be doing tonight? I hope you were able to fit in a little Sunday funday, even if it is just grading papers in your backyard on a sunny afternoon. Wait, you wouldn't be grading papers. Even if it is just creating an authentic reply to emails in your backyard (paid for by taxpayers) on a sunny afternoon. Enjoy your Sunday funday :) I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.

Carrie 

 

Dear Scott Walker,

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. I am starting to feel like I am the only one working at this relationship. I ask questions, share experiences, and seek mutual understanding, but you just keep replying the same thing over and over:

Thank you for your e-mail message.  I welcome you expressing your views and concerns to me, and I commend you for participating in your state government.  I take into account the views of all of the citizens of Wisconsin, and I will keep your specific comments in mind during my service as your Governor.

If you would like more information about my positions on issues, or would like to read my public statements on issues, I encourage you to explore my website: www.walker.wi.gov.  I like to respond individually to every letter and telephone call I receive; however, I cannot respond to each e-mail individually due to the volume.  If your request is time sensitive, please call my office at (608) 266-1212. You may also write to me via conventional mail at Governor Scott Walker: PO Box 7863, Madison, WI 53707.

As noted on our website, please know that any communications may be subject to release under Wisconsin's public records law and that our policy is generally to release communications sent to this email address.

Once again, thank you for contacting me. Please feel free to contact me again if I can ever be of assistance to you.

Sincerely,

Scott Walker

Governor

I think you may becoming a little complacent in this relationship. I want you to know that I am not. This is important. I will not just fade away. I will email daily, unless I happen to miss a day, and then I will begin emailing daily again the following day. That reminds me, since a did miss emailing you last Sunday, are we starting fresh with the anniversary date, keeping the old one, or acknowledging both of them? I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.

Sincerely,

Carrie

What Teachers Make, or
Objection Overruled, or
If things don't work out, you can always go to law school

By Taylor Mali

He says the problem with teachers is, "What's a kid going to learn 
from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" 
He reminds the other dinner guests that it's true what they say about 
teachers: 
Those who can, do; those who can't, teach.

I decide to bite my tongue instead of his 
and resist the temptation to remind the other dinner guests 
that it's also true what they say about lawyers.

Because we're eating, after all, and this is polite company.

"I mean, you¹re a teacher, Taylor," he says. 
"Be honest. What do you make?"

And I wish he hadn't done that 
(asked me to be honest) 
because, you see, I have a policy 
about honesty and ass-kicking: 
if you ask for it, I have to let you have it.

You want to know what I make?

I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. 
I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional medal of honor 
and an A- feel like a slap in the face. 
How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall 
in absolute silence. No, you may not work in groups. 
No, you may not ask a question. 
Why won't I let you get a drink of water? 
Because you're not thirsty, you're bored, that's why.

I make parents tremble in fear when I call home: 
I hope I haven't called at a bad time, 
I just wanted to talk to you about something Billy said today. 
Billy said, "Leave the kid alone. I still cry sometimes, don't you?" 
And it was the noblest act of courage I have ever seen.

I make parents see their children for who they are 
and what they can be.

You want to know what I make?

I make kids wonder, 
I make them question. 
I make them criticize. 
I make them apologize and mean it. 
I make them write, write, write. 
And then I make them read. 
I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitely 
beautiful 
over and over and over again until they will never misspell 
either one of those words again. 
I make them show all their work in math. 
And hide it on their final drafts in English. 
I make them understand that if you got this (brains) 
then you follow this (heart) and if someone ever tries to judge you 
by what you make, you give them this (the finger).

Let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true: 
I make a goddamn difference! What about you?

Dear Scott Walker,

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. Okay, let's address the white elephant. Wait, that is a white elephant gift! If you are unfamiliar, a white elephant gift is a gift that costs more to keep than give away. ***Rhetorical question coming*** Are you a white elephant gift? I kid, I kid! I kid because I know the answer; that is also why I warned you about a rhetorical question coming. Getting back to the topic at hand, what is it called when something seems unstoppable? What is something called when it will do what ever it has to do to get what it wants? Ahh, it is all coming back to me now; it is called the 800 pound gorilla in the room! Some people confuse this with the elephant in the room; they are different. What you and I want to address is the 800 pound gorilla in the room. Before we do that, I am looking for a punch-line: What do you get when you cross a white elephant with an 800 pound gorilla in the room? I know what I would say, but I am going to save that for my signature line. 

Let's get to the meat and potatoes of this email. Assembly Bill 7, also known as the Wisconsin Voter Suppression Bill, passes the Assembly today on 5/19/11. Here is a clip of what happened today in case you did not see it. 

http://youtu.be/wpJ_U1j_cm4 

Mike Ellis says things such as "shut up" and "no, nuh, nuhuh, no, nuhuh" and is very demanding and intimidating. The clerk calling the roll seems quite uneasy and his initial questioning about whether or not to continue the call is quickly squashed with "continue the roll-call" (repeatedly). After his second questioning, Mike Ellis demands to have the count. I present exhibit "800 pound gorilla in the room".  

Here is another clip of Mike Ellis swearing on the senate floor:

http://youtu.be/G7Tlsk4toUc

This clip is to reinforce Mike Ellis' lack of self-control and myopic agenda. I represent (as in present again) exhibit "800 pound gorilla in the room". 

I have heard that this bill will be in front of you to sign into law as early as next Wednesday (5/25/11). I would like to pose a question to you. Have you thought about whether or not you will sign Assembly Bill 7? Have you thought about the impact of signing this bill? Have you thought about what the financial ramifications to the state and taxpayers will be if you sign this bill into law? Have you thought about the statistics regarding voter fraud in the state of Wisconsin? Have you thought about the fact that there is insufficient voter fraud in the state of Wisconsin to make a statistical difference? Have you thought about the amount of disenfranchisement you will be inflicting on hard-working citizens of Wisconsin? Gosh darn it, I intend to pose one question to you so I am more likely to elicit a response from you; then that morphs into multiple questions. It reminds me of posters I saw in Madison "Screw us and we multiply". One question leads into the next, which gets me thinking about another, then I wonder what you would say about...you get the picture, right? I mean correct! I have really been trying to break my habit of using certain words. For example, why say tool when you can just as easily say "handheld device that aids in accomplishing a task"? If you have done nothing else for me, you have created an aversion to certain words. Let's refocus to the many questions I posed to you about Assembly Bill 7. Luckily for you, all of my questions can be answered with "yes" or "no". I purposefully did not require more explanation than that. I want you to have time to personally reflect on your reasoning. You have nothing to justify to me. I voted my conscience; I voted for Grandma Shirley. You are the one you have to go to bed with at night. You are the one you have to look at in the mirror in the morning. You are the one you need to face throughout the day. I mean, really, if you cannot convince yourself, how can you be expected to convince the people who bought the election for you? Grrr, did I go there or was it just in my head? I am pretty sure I went there. Bought, brought, tomato, tomaaahto. What does it really matter? You will still send me an automated response that does not come close to addressing any issue we need to discuss, right? :) Great, at least you are consistent. 

Don't forget to think of a punch-line for "What do you get when you cross a white elephant with an 800 pound gorilla in the room?" Don't forget to look at my signature line for my punch-lines.  Don't forget that I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.

Sincerely,

Carrie

Punch-line to "What do you get when you cross a white elephant with an 800 pound gorilla in the room?"

Someone who thinks he is CEO of Wisconsin OR someone who thinks he is creating more jobs than he is destroying in Wisconsin OR someone who packs his lunch (or perhaps has his wife pack it) and thinks that is extraordinary OR someone who has no problem disenfranchising citizens of Wisconsin (Please do not be fooled my use of the singular form here. You have some how managed to insulate yourself with white elephant 800 pound gorillas in a room. We are working on that, though.)

Office of Sec. of State, Domesitc Partnership, Voter ID...the list keeps going and going

May 17, 2011                                                                

Dear Scott,

There is no justification or reason for changing the office of Secretary of State. I ask you to leave it alone and unchanged and kill the bill that seeks to do so.

Please confirm that you will do so.

May 17, 2011

Dear Scott,

I just read that you do not want to defend the state's domestic partnership law against a legal challenge and have filed court papers to withdraw from the case.

SHAME!

There is no justification or reason for doing so. Why would you deny your constituents the basic human decency of having the right to visit a loved one in a hospital or receive family medical leave? How un-Christian of you; you are a hypocrite!

I ask you to resume defending the state's domestic partnership law against all legal challenges.

Please confirm that you will do so.

May 17, 2011

Dear Rep. Wynn,

You supported Assembly Bill 7 (the Voter ID bill also called the Voter Suppression Act).

I am really curious why you think voter fraud is problematic at all, let alone increasing, because my understanding is that the voter fraud has NOT been documented as a problem here or elsewhere. (For example, a recent study in Ohio showed that the voter fraud rate for that state was only .00004 percent.)

Please explain the factual basis for your statement that “Voter fraud in past elections has become increasingly problematic” (and please include the number of successful criminal prosecutions for voter fraud in the state of Wisconsin for each of the past 10 years and as the percentage of total votes cast state wide in that year).

Also please explain why, if Wisconsin is broke, you can justify spending (according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau) more than $5.7 million of our tax dollars to implement the bill.

You sent me a letter that alleged that two investigations in Milwaukee revealed thousands of cases of voter fraud but omitted any identifying information which would verify the allegations, which therefore completely lack in credibility. (Of course if the stories were true - they would have received national news coverage - but didn't.)  And of course you did not identify a single case of successful prosecution.

And I love that you mention the generic unsubstantiated stories by unidentified voters. How about you make decisions based on verified facts instead of rumors?

In addition to the information requested above, please tell me the names and the contact info of the persons who conducted the investigations in Milwaukee which you described in your letter and also please forward me a copy of the investigation reports which I'm sure you would have personally reviewed if you were going to rely on them.

Thank you and I look forward to your prompt response.

May 17, 2011

Dear Rep. Wynn,

I don't appreciate being lied to.

I know that the Voter Suppression Act does NOT have the provisions you mentioned. For example: The ID cards are NOT offered free of charge - one has to ASK for them to be free. How many people will know that? And DMV offices across the state are only in limited locations and open for limited hours. How many people lack transportation? Or can afford to take time off work to go there?

You rejected EVERY every single amendment that would have helped prevent the bill from disenfranchising thousands of Wisconsin voters:

* amendment to require administration to find a way to pay for voter ID bill without raiding transportation fund; amendment fails.

* amendment to require DMVs to have evening and Saturdays in every county. Now that we are requiring people to have a DMV issued ID to vote, we should make sure people have access to DMV offices. Many counties have no DMV office or are only open once a month; amendment fails.

* amendment to allow voters to vote without photo ID if they object to photos of themselves being taken for religious reasons; amendment fails.

* amendment to require mobile DMV stations on college campuses if we aren't going to have offices in every county open at night or on weekends

* amendment to have mobile DMV stations in high poverty areas; amendment fails.

* amendment to clarify what it means to have the name on your ID "conform" to the name on the voter rolls; i.e. John F Smith in the ID versus John Smith on the voter rolls; amendment fails

* amendment to make it clear on the DMV form that they can get the ID free of charge; amendment fails.

* amendment that moves the deadline to clarify the provisional ballot to 10 days after the election; amendment fails.

* amendment to address absurdity in the law: you need photo ID to get a birth certificate AND you need a birth certificate to get a photo ID; amendment fails

* amendment to ensure that the homeless and those in transient housing can still vote without proof of residency; amendment fails. Stone, author of the bill says homeless people will now have 'responsibilities' to exercise their right to vote. He also concedes he doesn't know if DOT will give an ID with the address of a public library, as the homeless currently do. Wow.

* amendment to inform the voter if their vote has been deemed provisional. How else are voters to know if they have to correct their ballot; amendment fails

* amendment to exempt towns from this bill; amendment fails. So much for local control.

* amendment to remove requirement that voters mail in a copy of their photo ID when they vote by mail;amendment fails.

* amendment to waive fees for secondary ID's to get DMV voter card to avoid poll tax; amendment fails.

* amendment that out of state license is acceptable form of ID if corroborating ID of current WI address; amendment fails.

* amendment to clarify that if license is suspended revoked it is still valid for the purposes of voting; amendment fails.

* amendment that says employers have to give 3 hours off of work to get to one of these rarely open DMV centers; amendment fails.

* amendment to require clerks to keep voter lists up to date so that you right to vote is based on you proving your qualification as a voter NOT on the potential mistakes in a voter list; amendment fails.

* amendment to keep expired ID's valid back to the last NOVEMBER general election; amendment fails.

* amendment to allow for Student ID's to be valid ID's for the purposes of voting; amendment fails.

* amendment to restore straight ticket voting; amendment fails.

* amendment to all people with disabilities to be required from having to sign the voter roll if a disability prevents them from doing so; amendment fails.

* amendment to give people with disabilities the opportunity to vote with other forms of government issued ID's; amendment fails.

* amendment to make it illegal to bribe someone with anything of value in exchange for signing a recall petition. Kensoha bartender was caught on tape trading shots for signatures. Amendment fails.

* amendment to allow voters to stay on absentee list if they miss one election; amendment fails.

* amendment to require county clerks to post results online community by community and ward by ward on election day. This would avoid clerks magically finding more than 14,000 votes two days after the election in a way that changes the outcome of a statewide election. Amendment fails.

* amendment to allow any ID issued by any level of government to be valid for the purposes of voting. It will save the state at least $7 million on the cost of the bill; amendment fails.

* amendments to allow affidavit to be signed verifying someone's identity if they don't have proper documentation on Election Day; they all fail

You are NOT representing the people of your district - you are merely rubber stamping the corporate agenda advanced by Scott Walker.

Shame on you! We will not forget.

When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money.

Dear Scott Walker,

I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. I want to address a bill that will be in front of you. I am uncertain of the number and even if you are aware of it, and the radio announcement that I heard made it seem as if you may or may not pass the bill, so you might not know what is coming your way. I just heard a very brief segment about the bill to stop disinfectant additions to Wisconsin drinking water, so I want you to clarify your position and how you think it will benefit Wisconsin as a whole. I say benefit Wisconsin as a whole because, well, just read my signature line. Ahh, I am a softie and pasted it here for you: When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money. ~ Cree Prophecy Do not confuse me with an Angel Softie, though. We all know that Georgia Pacific products are not benefiting angels or softies! I am fairly certain you know that Georgia Pacific products are benefiting the Kock brothers. Remember, you thought you were taking a call from one of them a couple of months ago. I have called you, but the voice mail is always full. Anyhooo! Getting back to the quotation: When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money. ~ Cree Prophecy It may not be you or your kids, but if we keep this up, it will definitely be your kids' kids that will not be able to eat money. So, do you support the proposal to stop disinfectant additions to Wisconsin drinking water? If so, how does this benefit your stance on hydraulic fracturing, or hydrofracking as the kids are calling it now-a-days, in Wisconsin? From what I understand, you are a proponent of the hydraulic fracturing procedure. Have you seen news footage about the ramifications for people living in the areas where hydraulic fracturing procedures are taking place? Have you seen how people can light their tap water on fire? Have you heard of Halliburton? I assure you, these are reputable news sources reporting about hard-working citizens. I have seen these segments on news sources such as 60 Minutes (http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7054210n) and local news stations. I will pose the question again in case you got side tracked by the video: Do you support the bill to stop disinfectant additions to Wisconsin drinking water? If yes, how does the bill to stop disinfectant additions to Wisconsin drinking water benefit Wisconsin? If yes, how does the bill to stop disinfectant additions to Wisconsin drinking water benefit hydraulic fracturing in Wisconsin? If yes, how does the bill to stop disinfectant additions to Wisconsin drinking water benefit Halliburton hydraulic fracturing in Wisconsin? If yes, how does the bill to stop disinfectant additions to Wisconsin drinking water benefit living, breathing citizens of Wisconsin? I just want to know the benefits. Oh, by the way, I already know that I cannot eat money, so I am unwilling to allow you to cut down all my trees, hunts all my animals, pollute my waters, and contaminate my air. Oh, by the way, I am not alone. We OPPOSE the bill to stop disinfectant additions to Wisconsin drinking water. We OPPOSE hydraulic fracturing in Wisconsin. We OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. 

Carrie

Have you ever had the kind of day where your head is spinning?

Dear Scott Walker,
I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more. Have you ever had the kind of day where your head is spinning? Have you ever had that kind of week? Have you ever looked at the calendar and realized that it is only Wednesday?!? This is the sort of week I am having. I know that you have visited select schools (mostly charter and under quite secret pretenses); perhaps you feel that is enough to give you a "feel" for the state of education and perhaps even education itself. I assure you it is not. I am going to extend an invitation to you, yet again, to spend a day with me. I will let you pick the day because I am positive that any day you choose from now until 6/16/11 will either be busy, busier, or the busiest you have ever been (I will not guarantee that it will be the busiest I have ever been. I cannot make this guarantee because it is a very definitive term, and quite frankly, I do not have time to think about when I have been the busiest, let alone rate it against other days to determine if that is, in fact, the case.) Please look at your schedule and see what works best for you. I am willing to pick you up at the high-speed rail station, and we can carpool from there. Oooops! Is the Badger Bus still running the Madison/Milwaukee route? Wait, I think I heard something about an SUV perk to your job. I got an SUV with my job, well actually I guess it was for my job. You know transporting curriculum and supplies. I guess technically it was bought with taxpayer money, of which a portion is mine, after I performed a service. Wait, I may have even been a factor in producing more productive citizens and more future, if not current, taxpayers. Is this starting to make your head spin? Let's take it step by step. I do not "receive" anything; I earn it. I pay for everything I own. I pay for somethings other people own and consume. I pay for somethings people are using temporarily (ie: your car and housing). I am busy. I love what I do. I want you to come spend the day with me and learn why I cannot imagine doing anything else. I will provide you the opportunity to meet people you will not forget. I can offer insight into a resolution. Enough about me, let's talk about you. :) You will see me in "action". You will realize we have more in common, as people. You will laugh hard, cry hard, laugh until you cry hard, and maybe all of those in one day. If you stick it out for one week, you will almost certainly have the opportunity to do all of those. You will volunteer for recess and/or lunch duty. You will have the opportunity to play "explosion tag" if it is nice out. You will arrive home exhausted. You will reflect and fall asleep with a smile, after grading and/or lesson planning, of course. You will wake up thinking you are one of the luckiest people in the universe. Perhaps I am projecting a bit; that is how I feel, and I cannot wait to share that feeling with you. :) I OPPOSE senate bill 22 and so much more.

Carrie

You haven’t responded to my e-mail from February 22,2011

Dear Governor Walker,

I was initially going to write to you to ask some questions about your recent legislation— in particular, the voter identification law and your proposition to deny hospital visitation rights to same-sex couples, but it occurred to me that you haven’t responded to my e-mail from February 22,2011 addressing your intent to strip public workers of their collective bargaining rights.  This made me question whether or not my efforts to write you again would be futile. While waiting to hear from you, I’ve been following all sorts of news in anticipation of finding a logical rationale to your motive; but, as you are probably well aware, the media can be a less than reliable source of information.  This, governor, is why countless friends, colleagues, acquaintances and I have decided to go directly to you for answers.

I’ve been waiting 77 days for your response. While I’m only 26 years-old, and can only tally the number of jobs I’ve held on one hand, I have yet to encounter a job where it is permissible to allow this length of time to pass before addressing an inquiry from a client.  In fact, in my present job, I can be reprimanded for not returning a phone call, letter or e-mail within 24 business hours.  In the event I need more time to compose a thoughtful, informed response because a situation requires special tact, sensitivity, or resources I must acquire, I'm necessitated to acknowledge the writer  in a short personal message indicating that her message is important, and I will address all points as soon as I am able.  This, of course, eases the writer’s mind and communicates that her concern is legitimate.  Even if it seems superfluous to me, it is my duty to attempt to understand his point of view and address it, nonetheless.  My workplace has enforced this policy so as to hold its faculty to the highest professional regard.  After all, it's what I'm paid to do.

I imagine the demands as a governor are greater than I can possibly fathom.  Though as fathomed by an English teacher, maybe they aren't.  I imagine, like me, that your job extends well beyond the workday, and, like me, you often lie awake late into the night questioning whether the decisions you make every day in your job are, indeed, the best ones;  also, like me, I imagine you constantly search for ways to thoughtfully address the needs and concerns of the people you are paid (and elected) to serve. 

Since I am only one of your constituents with one letter, I’m not offended that you haven’t found the time to address my e-mail.  Maybe it became lost in the abyss of cyberspace; maybe, as you were contemplating my points, you spilled coffee on your keyboard which launched a much more urgent debacle, and you simply forgot about it.  Maybe a computer virus wiped it out.  Some of these are circumstances beyond your control.  I am, however, skeptical that this has also happened to the letters and e-mails of every single person I know who has written to you. 

Given the sheer volume of mail you must receive and the likelihood that it is simply humanly impossible to address each one in the personal manner that professionalism merits, I might suggest a simple televised address providing detailed answers and explanations to the most commonly asked questions.  Maybe this could be a regular occurrence (with a possibility of contributing to your goal of 250,000 jobs?).  I feel this might provide some degree of relief to those who are trying to reach you, but can’t, and also relieve your inbox and mailbox of redundant  materials.

  It could very well be that the task of properly addressing the abundant concerns of your constituents prevents you from adequately executing the many other demands of your job.  As is the case in every other profession of which I’m aware, if an individual is unable to sufficiently perform all tasks of his or her job, that individual is asked to resign.  If I feel I cannot perform all aspects of my job due to stress, anxiety, or a general sense of overwhelming, I have a personal duty to myself and a professional duty to my students and colleagues to allow a more capable individual to take my place.

Furthermore, if you are receiving such a high volume of negative mail that you simply cannot personally address each writer in a prompt, passable way, it is a clear reflection of your competency and professionalism.  That said, please use the content of your mailboxes, either electronic or otherwise, as a gauge of your performance and take the necessary steps to alleviate anxiety and stress on yourself as well as the citizens you've neglected.

Before I bring my most recent points of distress to your attention, I'm attaching a second copy of my February 22nd e-mail with the expectation that you will respond to it in a way that is not vague, dismissive, or automated.  Moving forward, it is my hope that  in responding to citizens  in a way that is prompt, personal, and thoughtful, you will improve communication and, therefore, begin to build trust and support with the skeptics of your constituency.    

Sincerely,

Marcy Berenschot