In the last 3 days I've had a number of friends invite me
and my family to join them at the World’s Largest Brat Fest over Memorial Day
Weekend here in Madison. For over 25 years, folks have gathered to set the
world record for most brats eaten and to raise funds for charity. For many
years, Johnsonville Sausage has donated the brats that are sold at the fest and
over $1 million dollars has been raised for area charities. I've probably been to about 10 of these events
and eaten over 50 brats there, but for the third year in a row I’m passing.
It’s been over 2 years since Scott Walker tore apart
Wisconsin with his attack on working families and their rights. It’s also been
over 2 years since I've enjoyed a Johnsonville brat. The Stayer family, who
founded Johnsonville, has been a consistent supporter of GOP candidates in
Wisconsin. Based on findings from the Wisconsin
Democracy Campaign, the family gave Scott Walker $34,000 during his initial
gubernatorial run. When this news was made public, I like many others invested
in protecting the Wisconsin we love, walked away from “Tasteville” and Brat
Fest.
In 2011 there were 3 alternate brat fests with proceeds
still going to charity. I ended up sitting out everything and I honestly can’t
remember if that was other plans or just being pained that I was missing out on
the main event. Many people, including those that were against
Walker, still attended Brat Fest in 2011 as they cited the benefit that the area
charities received. They were right that
the charities were still benefiting, but so was Johnsonville as their brand was
still put on mount high for their generosity. In 2012, there were 2
alternatives and even more people I knew returned to the Brat Fest fold. Some
on the basis of the more good than harm argument, and others because they were
too tired of fighting everything related to Walker and his agenda.
This year there are again two
alternatives but recent discussions lead me to believe that, for many, time
has healed the busted skin on Brat Fest. I sat on my deck last night weighing
invites, doing a little soul searching out loud on Twitter, and in the end, I
can’t do it. Maybe it’s the fact that Walker got another $7500 from Launa
Stayer since the 2011 Brat Fest. Maybe it’s the fact that I love food and that
I hate to see a food I love be associated with Walker. Mostly though, I think
it comes down to the fact that I’m still angry and sad over what Walker’s
Wisconsin has become. I’ve watched teachers marginalized, attacked and
dismissed. I’ve seen our land sold off. I’ve seen our basic rights questioned
and legislated against. I’ve seen people say tearful goodbyes to jobs, friends,
and our state. I’ve seen my mother in
law, the oldest probation officer in the state, who would have worked for many
more years; retire out of fear for her pension and her job.
I’m sure I've inadvertently bought a Koch Brothers product
in the last couple of years and I may have even had a Johnsonville product
without knowing it at a friend’s BBQ. Likewise, I know skipping Brat Fest and
abstaining from Johnsonville products is admittedly a small drop in the bucket
but I’m still mad, I’m still fighting and these wounds are still open.
