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THE D EMOCRATIC LAXDEMS.COMVOICE June 2018 Newsletter Message from a literature. From Geography 101, I began Board Member to internalize the interconnectedness of Austin Goodrich natural systems and the consequences of At-large LCDP Executive Board Member environmental degradation. Additionally, Native American literature presented When I was born in 1993 it meant that conflicting cultural values as well as a I never lived in a world where televisions history told from an opposing perspective. weren’t a staple of the US household. Cognitive dissonance, and the results of It meant that I would barely remember broadened horizons led me to change a world without cellphones. It meant Upcoming Events schools and to change locations. that before I was old enough to vote, I transferred to UW La Crosse in 2015 my representatives would decide that Monday, June 4, 2018 LCDP Open- and enrolled in the sociology program. I corporations had the right to donate large House, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. at 115 5th became involved in groups like Coulee sums of money to political candidates. Ave S., La Crosse Region Climate Alliance and Coulee A desensitization has occurred in the Progressives. Around the same time, I country from before the time I was born Monday, June 4, 2018 Executive became involved in the 2016 presidential and has continued since. The wars are Board Meeting, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., election as Bernie Sanders inspired me and no longer wars but conflicts, job loss and LCDP Office 115 5th Ave S., La many of my generation to become involved poverty have become personal weaknesses, Crosse in the political process. While involvement and environmental issues are passed on as in a political movement was a wonderful the next generation’s problems. Myself, Monday, June 18, 2018 LCDP experience, I also became very frustrated like a lot of my generation, grew up Annual Picnic Fundraiser, Copeland with the political process. politically hopeless and apathetic. Enclosed Shelter, 5:00 -8:00 p.m. While I have supported the Democratic I spent most of my youth avoiding Party for my entire voting history, it realities. It didn’t click when we would Monday, July 2, 2018 LCDP felt like the Democratic Party was not shut off the lights, lock the doors, and Executive Board Meeting, 6:00 – validating my own beliefs or people who hide under the tables for a school shooting 9:00 p.m., LCDP Office 115 5th Ave felt like me. The super delegate system drill. It didn’t click when my eighth- S., La Crosse and the DNC’s misconduct made the grade geography teacher explained Democratic Party appear not all that how greenhouse gasses trap heat in the Wednesday – Sunday, July 18-22, democratic. Many of my generation atmosphere. It didn’t click when my Interstate Fair – Volunteers needed became activists in 2015 only to have their friend’s brother was severely injured by a disillusions of the process verified. As a car bomb while stationed in Afghanistan. Monday, July 23, 2018, LCDP result, many young potential members Most examples I can think of where it Regular Meeting, 6:30 p.m., LCDP turned away from the party. Unfortunately, didn’t click were external. The examples Office, 115 5th Ave S., La Crosse I believe that turning away from the didn’t significantly affect myself or my party will only lead to increased isolation family’s lifestyle. That was until the attacks political activism. This event opened the from the political process. I decided that on education from the current Wisconsin door to my own development as a political I wanted to join the party to ensure that administration. participant. people’s voices are heard and that the My mother has been an elementary My early engagement was simply Democratic Party is working towards school teacher for over 20 years. Most of voting. My first vote cast was for Tom democratic values. I want my voice to her family are teachers as well. While my Barrett in the recall election and then represent people like me who have been mom’s side of the family has always been shortly after that I voted for President disenfranchised from the process, so that outspoken Democrats, my mother was Obama for his second term. During this when the next wave swells we will be politically reserved for most of my youth. time, I was pursuing my undergraduate working towards riding it instead of trying In 2011, my mother drove to Madison to degree in actuarial science at UW Eau to quell it. participate in the Act 10 protests. This was Claire, but it was the general electives that As a member of the Democratic Party, eye opening for me, since this was the first helped shape my world view, especially time that I had a personal connection with Geography 101 and Native American Continued on page 2 Continued from page 1 I am working towards my own vision for a better future. My Ron Kind’s Message values are grounded in sustainability and equality. This means that I support a reconfiguration of institutions and businesses Thank you to everyone who helped collect signatures that take more from the environment than they return. We to get us on the ballot – we submitted over 2000 signatures should be aiming to pass down a cleaner more resilient planet from all 18 counties in the 3rd Congressional District! than the one that we inherited. In addition, we need to utilize With your help, we got a lot of yard sign requests and new technology and people to mitigate the damage already done volunteers to help keep the 3rd CD blue this fall. to ecosystems and natural processes. Wealth inequality has Recently, I had the honor to join the Bi-Partisan increased for my entire life and I believe that this imposes Climate Solutions Caucus, a group of Republicans and serious threats against democracy and our social institutions. I Democrats that are dedicated to working together to believe that a majority of the money should belong to a majority protect our air, land, and water from the dangers of man- of the people. Additionally, I aim to work towards ensuring made climate change. In order to join this group, I had to that groups of people are not left out of the process. This find a Republican member of Congress to join with me, means access to education, the political process, and reliable and I’m so happy that we are able to work across the aisle transportation. to confront this threat to our natural resources. I believe that you shouldn’t give up before you really give We’ve held a listening session in 17 of our 18 counties, it your all, which is why I’m here with the La Crosse County with the last listening session coming up in June before Democratic Party giving it my all. campaign season kicks into full swing. I’m looking forward to seeing you at a Dairy Breakfast, a County Fair, or a Parade this summer! Ron DPW State Convention on Oshkosh, June 1-2, 2018 A political convention is successful if the speakers and caucus activities motivate delegates to return to their communities as activists committed to victory. The DPW State Convention in Oshkosh over Friday and Senator Tammy Baldwin Mayor Peter Bulligieg, Saturday, June 1 and 2, accomplished this and more. Over South Bend, Indiana 1300 delegates, alternates, and guests, including two dozen delegates from the LCDP, were treated to speakers who tapped from right-wing groups. The keynote speaker, Mayor into the energy and enthusiasm among the delegates, and in Peter Bulligieg, South Bend, Indiana, emphasized that the return, generated more energy and enthusiasm. Democratic Party is the party “supporting and protecting Candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney people in their everyday lives.” general, and congressional and local legislative offices, spoke Onward, Forward, and Upward. Let’s win in 2018! about their qualifications for office. Several elected officials, including Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-2), Congresswoman Please support these candidates in the Gwen Moore (WI-4), and Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader June 12th Special Elections! Jennifer Shilling of La Crosse (WI-district 32), motivated the Assembly District 42 (Just North of Madison) delegates with passion and enthusiasm. Congresswomen Gwen Ann Groves Lloyd Moore urged the delegates to do the hard work to make the Website: https://www.annforwisconsin.com/ blue wave “part the Red [Republican] sea.” All the candidates Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnForWisconsin/ and elected officials reminded Democrats to stand united Twitter: @AnnForWisconsin against a retrograde Republican agenda that has harmed the Donate To Ann Groves Lloyd: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ Wisconsin Idea and its citizens in the eight years of Walker- ann-for-wisconsin-1 led Republican majorities. In contrast to Walker’s divide State Senate District 1 (Door County Area) and conquer approach to governing, speaker after speaker Caleb Frostman emphasized a positive Democratic message of fairness, Website: CalebFrostman.com opportunity, and community. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calebfrostmanforstatesenate/ Senator Tammy Baldwin received an enthusiastic welcome Twitter: @CalebFrostman as she praised the delegates as her secret weapon against Donate To Caleb Frostman: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ the $10 million of outside money pouring into Wisconsin frostman Message from the Co-chair common good. Walker and Republicans reliably put corporate interests above the people’s interests on environmental issues. The by Michael Smuksta Department of Natural Resources has become politicized, and the “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” deregulation of wetlands opened this important natural resource A classic film from the mid-1970s isNetwork , a satirical film that to corporate development at the expense of flood protection.