Word Up: 'Equipoise' Is What Wisconsin Needs

I learned a new word this week: Equipoise. Once I looked up the definition — a balance of forces or interests — it struck me that this is what is sorely missing right now. We are in the midst of a very divisive time in our country, and it doesn’t look like it will end anytime soon. This "us vs. them" climate is working against the greater good, and taking us far away from the idea of checks and balances set forth as the basis for the two-party system. Instead of each side playing "devil's advocate" for the other, encouraging lively debate and healthy compromise, we demonize "the other side" completely, writing off any chance for independent, rational thoughts to make it through. The best ideas do not rise to the top by any means, because we have lost any sense of all being in this together, responsible for and beholden to one another.

Here in Wisconsin the divide has reached extreme levels, pitting neighbors, friends, colleagues, and family members against one another. And because of the nature of recent changes and proposals regarding policy, budgets, power, rights, programs and input, the fight is now perceived to be the haves vs. the have nots. (Of course who would have predicted that the hardworking middle class would be considered a have not?) Now it seems money and power are being wielded around like wild pitches, just for the sport of it. And too many of us are getting beaned and bruised.

True leaders show their character and strength by not using positional power to force their will upon others. To use a cliché, they know how to be uniters-not dividers. Every good manager knows the idea is to make yourself obsolete. Put structures and support in place so those you are managing feel empowered to be the best they can, with the confidence to solve problems collectively and rationally. Good leaders provide context and vision, and facilitate, support, listen, advise, revise, delegate, and recognize. It takes wisdom, self-esteem, compassion, flexibility, and drive to steer an organization in a mutually beneficial direction. Mutually beneficial, meeting everyone's reasonable needs, or at least the constant quest to that end.

How has this concept gotten so lost? No matter your position on the issues — your "side" — it is hard to not to see that currently in Wisconsin we are being dictated to, not led. There is a dearth of listening, respect, and support, and certainly no uniting. Those with the power right now seem to have forgotten the very basic American tenets of equal rights and a voice for all, and that each person, no matter their means or circumstances, has a right to the same opportunities and chance for success. As a democracy it is our job to try to even the playing field — the haves responsible for the have nots, those born into advantage or achieving success, empowering the disadvantaged and disenfranchised. I'm proud to be part of the Shorewood community that typically has been open and supportive of programs and candidates that take care of others as well as ourselves, thinking and acting way beyond our own special square mile.

Education has been touted as the great equalizer, and is the biggest civil rights issue of our time. We are so far afield of equity on this issue in this country, and have always been. In Wisconsin, the proposed cuts to education funding is not only making the situation worse for Milwaukee Public Schools, but is threatening to compromise further one of the main reasons our village is as great as it is. The Shorewood School District has had to make drastic cuts for eight years now, putting an increasing burden on teachers to deliver the same high quality education with less and less. Classes, programs and staff have been cut or decreased, costs of sports and activities have been passed along to parents and teacher's compensation has been sliding as the workload has been rising. Because of the proposed cuts from the state and the current funding formula in general, as well as proposed property tax limits, our advantaged children — lucky to be in this school system — may soon find that their education is much more equal to the students of the struggling city schools. This is a form of achieving balance, certainly, but not in a good way.

There are so many other decisions being made right now that will put us more and more off kilter from what is right and fair. It should be quick and easy for every single eligible person to be able to vote, no matter their circumstance or location. Healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and should be equal and affordable for all. Our environment needs care and protection, seniors need financial stability…the list goes on. All views need representation — a voice — showing respect for the different perspectives. And we need to look at each individual issue/solution for its own merit, and not immediately jump to one side based on what a party or "party dictator" says. Of course if each party and party leader courted and earned our respect, there wouldn't be an issue. How, by listening? No, hearing, with an open mind and compassionate heart. An election isn't a finite contest that ends with: "I won and I can do whatever I want."  Elected officials also represent those who voted the opposite way, and have just as much obligation to serve their needs and priorities. Their driving force needs to be altruism, steering clear of egotism and cronyism.

Balancing differing perspectives and turning them into action is where the burden of leadership falls. Above all, decisions must be made for the greater good, and benefit those who need it the most. Because of what we stand for as country, we should error on the side of freedom of choice, not imposing personal or religious beliefs upon others, and balancing, as much as possible, power and opportunity. Collective bargaining was created so those providing jobs couldn't take undo advantage, giving workers leverage to negotiate fair conditions for all. Unions provide the needed balance of interest between workers and management. The way this balance is now threatened in Wisconsin is emblematic of how our current state leadership is functioning. Money, or the pursuit thereof, is being used to squelch equality, choice, freedom and healthy debate.

Wisconsin: We need equipoise, NOW.