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Federalism in America

05/23/01 - 05/24/01

What force in America allows an unemployed, in debt twenty-five year old male with few assets to drive out of a car dealership in a new shiny red Chevrolet Impala? One very beautiful and very dangerous word--credit. Three years to the week from when my last car blew up on me on the way back from Tybee Island while driving with my buddy's pregnant girlfriend, I land a new set of wheels. I haven't figured out where the money for the first payment will come, but damn, it sure feels good to have freedom again--despite the slavery a car payment brings.

After a job interview at a bank in downtown Minneapolis, a companion and I head to enemy territory for Vikings fans--Wisconsin. We stop at the Ho-Chunk Casino hoping to win that first car payment from the slots--without success of course. After filling ourselves at the casino buffet we then venture on towards Madison.

Today, we arise and head to the state capitol where we take a self-guided tour of that very impressive building. We then venture up State Street, explore the University of Wisconsin and hike out to Picnic Point on Lake Mendota. We return to State Street, roam the great used bookstores and funky shops and cruise around the Lakes before calling it a day. We were both very impressed by the interesting isthmus of land and people that is called Madison, Wisconsin.

Reflection:

Freedom! It is nice to have wheels again, but I am a bit apprehensive about the payments. I've had quite a run the past few months and wish I could keep going. I doubt I will ever find happiness at a job until my grand project is complete. It is great for a man to have a mission--it gives him a sense of purpose, a passion for something and a quest to complete. It is also a little scary to believe in your mission--it can blind a man to other things and make him sacrifice things he should not sacrifice.

In the Wisconsin State Capitol there is a replica of the Liberty Bell. Many state capitols have these bells--France gave each state a replica as a gift back around 1950 I believe. Over the Senate and Assembly chambers within Wisconsin's capitol are statues of Badgers--Wisconsin's state animal. The Liberty Bell, a symbol of America. The badger, a symbol of the great state of Wisconsin. The Liberty Bell and The Badger--the beauty of American federalism! America's political genius also creates America's political tension. When Americans think of themselves as Virginians first, Americans second we have Civil War. When Americans consider themselves Americans first, Minnesotans second we have more harmony. But, the fact is--we are both. Residents of a state, and residents of a nation at the same time. Think about a football game: when the Vikings play the Packers, state pride is paramount. The citizens of each state dress in war uniforms (albeit Cheese Heads with Green and Yellow versus Viking horns with Purple jerseys) and cheer their happy warriors on. A football game between two state rivals shows that state identity is still very much alive. Aw, but what happens before the Purple People Eaters sack the Pack? Why, we all sing the Star Spangled Banner together! Fifty states, all different. One nation, may she be always united. The Liberty Bell and The Badger.

Congressional Districts:

Congressional Districts: Wisconsin # 3, 6, 2 (274 Left to Visit)

03/22/02

After showering and eating breakfast I head out to see Austin. I walk through the massive University of Texas then head to the Story of Texas exhibit at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. What a story! The only state to have been a separate Republic certainly has an amazing history and cast of characters. From settling a harsh land, to winning a revolution to cowboys and wildcatters a trip to the Texas History Museum helps to explain the Texas ego. There is a lot I like about this state, I feel very at home here. After visiting an interesting exhibit on Davy Crockett (another great American adventurer and former Congressman) I bought a book on Sam Houston and headed to the Texas State Capitol. One big building! As is my custom, I read the monuments outside the statehouse and toured the inside. I was impressed by the monuments, especially the one to the Texas Rangers and the heroes of the Alamo. I also noticed a monument to the "romantic riders of the range" that looked an awful lot like a monument I found outside the Oklahoma state capitol.

Afterwards, we met up on 6th Street for a bite to eat and some conversation before calling it a fairly early night.

Reflection:

Texas certainly has a cast of characters, from Houston to Crockett this land has seen some heroes. Outside the state capitol one sees a number of statues of men with guns. Statues of men with guns fighting for their beliefs. That is a lot of American history right there. Proud, strong, ready to fight and die for his rights--that is Texas, that is America.

Outside the capitol there was a monument to the Texas Confederate dead, commemorating how they died for their rights won in 1776. Inside the capitol, there is a plaque to the Children of the Confederacy which states that it is their duty to "study and teach the truths of history (one of the most important of which is, that the war between the states was not a rebellion nor was its underlying cause to sustain slavery)…" That is what the marker reads. A very interesting statement. Northerners would do well to go and read the monuments to the Confederate dead in the south--it is very educational and gives one a different perspective on that great saga in American history called the Civil War. To really understand America, one has to deal with the Civil War. It just keeps on turning up all over my travels! Many is the south, indeed most of the fighters, died and fought for the rights they had guaranteed at the founding, which included slavery. Many in the north fought to extend rights to the slaves and protect the union. The idea of states rights is very important to American history, so too however is the idea that we are an American nation with common values and beliefs. State identity versus national identity. Harmony and discord, union and civil war. The two conflict and converge time and time again.

Texas state pride is still very real, but I doubt many people will march to secede from the United States. Our differences now lie more upon cultural attitudes than upon conceptions of state rights. Indeed, where someone is from in a state (rural versus urban areas) is often more important than what state he is from. The state capitol and state history museum were very interesting and very Texas. What a State--God Bless Texas as they like to say!