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The Fall of Wisconsin: The Conservative Conquest of a Progressive Bastion and the Future of American Politics
The Fall of Wisconsin: The Conservative Conquest of a Progressive Bastion and the Future of American Politics | Dan Kaufman
3 posts | 2 read | 1 reading | 4 to read
The untold story behind the most shocking political upheaval in the country. For more than a century, Wisconsin has been known nationwide for its progressive ideas and government. It famously served as a "laboratory of democracy," a cradle of the labor and environmental movements, and birthplace of the Wisconsin Idea, which championed expertise in the service of the common good. But following a Republican sweep of the states government in 2010, Wisconsins political heritage was overturned, and the state went Republican for the first time in three decades in the 2016 presidential election, elevating Donald J. Trump to the presidency. The Fall of Wisconsin is a deeply reported, searing account of how the states progressive tradition was undone and turned into a model for national conservatives bent on remaking the country. Dan Kaufman, a Wisconsin native who has been covering the story for several years, traces the history of progressivism that made Wisconsin so widely admired, from the work of celebrated politicians like Robert "Fighting Bob" La Follette and Gaylord Nelson, to local traditions like Milwaukees sewer socialism, to the conservationist ideas of Aldo Leopold and the states Native American tribes. Kaufman reveals how the divide-and-conquer strategy of Governor Scott Walker and his allies pitted Wisconsins citizens against one another so powerful corporations and wealthy donors could effectively take control of state government. As a result, laws protecting voting rights, labor unions, the environment, and public education were rapidly dismantled. Neither sentimental nor despairing, Kaufman also chronicles the remarkable efforts of citizens who are fighting to reclaim Wisconsins progressive legacy against tremendous odds: Chris Taylor, a Democratic assemblywoman exposing the national conservative infrastructure, Mike Wiggins, the head of a Chippewa tribe battling an out-of-state mining company, and Randy Bryce, the ironworker whose long-shot challenge to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has galvanized national resistance to Trump.
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Floresj
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I grew up in blue state WI, moved to CO 20 yes ago, and have watched and felt WI‘s transition to a red state. This book stressed me out- the presence of ALEC, gerrymandering and voter ID laws will ensure that the liberal WI I knew won‘t be back anytime soon. Interestingly, the attack on unions did such damage to workers rights, and affected elections. It just made me so sad to read this one. I think Janesville was the better WI book.

JenReadsAlot I live right outside of Janesville so that book was powerful! 6y
Floresj @JenReadsAlot Did you think the book was accurate? I grew up in FDL, but I‘m 20 years removed. Glad to connect with another Wisconsinite😁! 6y
JenReadsAlot I did. I've met people that made career changes because of the closing - my massage therapist for example! 6y
Floresj I felt as though the book put into words the feeling I have when I go back to visit! Although the book saddened and scared me A LOT. 6y
7 likes4 comments
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TheWordJar
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Such a noble beginning.

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TheWordJar
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One of the most upsetting moments on that fateful election night was when it was announced that my state did not go to Hillary. Guess it‘s time to figure out what‘s going on.

Christine Same. 😕 6y
JenReadsAlot Let me know what you think of the book - also a confused Wisconsinite.... 6y
ofclumsywords 🙋🏼‍♀️another confused Wisconsinite here! For sure going to pick this book up! 6y
MaGoose I think a lot of us across this nation are trying to figure out what's going on, too. 6y
53 likes4 comments