I’m surprised there is not more talk about the Wisconsin demonstrations in the outdoor industry.  Yeah, the jaded part of me says that since only those with money can afford expensive toys.. you don’t want to tick ‘em off by taking the side of unions or labor.  I’d hope it’s not that simple.  Still, the thing that gets lost in all the hoopla is that while labor and unions are getting all the attention, our environment is under assault as well.   Here in Wisconsin the “budget repair” bill and the proposed budget are among other things; cutting requirements to disinfect drinking water, rolling back recent regulations regarding the emission of phosphorus which causes weed and algae growth in lakes and streams, eliminating recycling mandates and funding, take away Department of Natural Resources Wardens the right to bargain (While preserving the right for other law enforcement & firefighters), making it harder to acquire land for preservation and recreation through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, cutting funding for cycling & pedestrian trails.. and that’s just what has been ferreted out so far.   Not to mention the all out war on public education and the poor.  THAT’s why there are people in the streets and sleeping in our state capitol every night. Meanwhile  many major newspapers across the country are stating very frankly that Wisconsin is not actually facing a budget crisis at all.  This is a battle of ideologies. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Now sure, I’d like to just go paddling out into the middle of a lake and forget about it.  I can hike, snowshoe, or jump on my bike to escape the anger that wells up every time I think of what these rules mean for our to the environment, to the elderly, mentally ill, and other people dependent on assistance, not to mention the teachers, plow truck drivers, DNR wardens and the myriad other public workers that make our world better every day.  It ticks me off when I see what this will do to low income families.  Oh, and yeah,  this is a total cock-up when it comes to Wisconsin’s reputation for outdoor recreation & tourism.  What living, breathing, vital human being can just ignore it?

In 8 days the Canoecopia, the worlds largest paddle sports show will be held just a couple miles from Wisconsin’s state capitol building.  That means a lot of us in the business and just outdoor lovers in general are going to have a perfect opportunity to show solidarity with the unions, just as the Sierra Club has already done.  If we want to protect our environment I’m not sure we can just go paddling and leave it to the activists to sort out.. I think maybe we all need to speak up this time.