LETTER TO THE EDITOR: A Lesson in Ethics

Once again, Wisconsin has made the national news, with people trying to explain the absurdity of what’s going on in our state – a dubious distinction. 

We have the voting fiasco, because the “powers that be” had hoped that people wouldn’t show up during a pandemic. We saw Mr. Vos being interviewed on television in PPE, saying all was safe. We now have our Supreme Court, from the safety of their own homes, reverse Gov. Evers’ Stay at Home order – and oh, by the way, with nothing to replace it. All towns, municipalities and cities are on their own. Could it be that if things go south, the Supreme Court thinks they will be left off the hook? And let’s not forget the Wisconsin Tavern League: It seems that within minutes of that decision, it put out a statement, “You can open up the bars and restaurants now.” What a sad state of affairs.

One has to wonder what exactly our elected officials care about. It certainly appears that “we, the people” are not the priority. So where does that leave us, Wisconsin citizens who are just trying to make it through this pandemic and financial difficulties? 

Well, I’ll tell you: It’s called hope. When you see that, in spite of all the roadblocks our government put up to make it as difficult as possible to vote, we showed up for hours to exercise our right. When you see our families, friends, neighbors and strangers caring for each other through food banks, welfare checks, donating masks and wearing them; when you see all the essential workers who continue to do their jobs; when you see people doing what’s right and decent. 

We’ll continue to demonstrate to our state officials that we’re better together in spite of them. We’ll show them what common decency, compassion and justice look like because we all deserve an ethical state and country. 

Come November, just remember who is working for us and who is not. In the words of Wendell Phillips, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”

Carol Schmidt

Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin