Tucked in the corner of the Old Hall of the House of Representatives in the U.S. Capitol is a statue honoring perhaps the greatest politician, statesman and intellectual to hail from Wisconsin-Robert La Follette. Every day Wisconsin families visiting the U.S. Capitol stroll past \Fighting Bob"" La Follette, some are indifferent, but most recall La Follette's lasting legacy, a tradition of Wisconsin politics based upon taking power back for the people and standing up for what is right, no matter the costs.
Unfortunately, few of our generation, especially those not from Wisconsin, know Fighting Bob's legacy. Although he has an impressive resume that includes a graduate of UW, governor of Wisconsin, U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator and presidential candidate, La Follette is remembered more for what he did than what he was. Wisconsin politics would be drastically different were it not for La Follette's progressive views, unique style and relentless dedication to his convictions.
Regrettably, La Follette's dedication to his convictions would land him in trouble in a harsh political environment. At the height of his power, as the U.S. debated entering World War I, La Follette's conviction for staying out of WWI made him detested in American politics. The United States was making a major change in their foreign policy, from 120 years of largely isolationism to the internationalism we recognize in modern U.S. foreign policy. La Follette, never one to bend to political pressure, stood on the Senate floor and said, ""We should not seek [to] inflame the mind of our people by half-truths into the frenzy of war."" These are words today's leaders would be wise to recall.
When politicians consider voter ID bills, lobbying ordinances and campaign finance reform they should keep in mind La Follette's successful fight for direct primary elections in Wisconsin and his words in an 1897 speech at the University of Chicago, ""Go back to the first principle of democracy. Go back to the people.""
During a time in which economic and political power is held in fewer hands, social and economic justice is overlooked and our president champions a reckless foreign policy, our political leaders could learn much from LaFollete's brand of progressive politics. In fact, they should consider what La Follette would do were he in the political environment of 2005. It might be hard to imagine Fighting Bob walking the halls of power carrying a blackberry or iPod, but if he were still with us today, La Follette would likely be disgusted with the state of America and its politics.
Thankfully, Baraboo hosts ""Fighting Bobfest IV"" this Saturday, which will include many leading progressives including U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., U.S. Rep Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, and U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, D-Wis. The event provides an opportunity for citizens and politicians alike to reflect upon Fighting Bob and use his ideals for the future.
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