Should Milwaukee Be The Capital of Wisconsin? (Madison, Kenosha: how much, employment)

[Milwaukee City]

Just for fun thread. If it were possible to move the capital to Milwaukee would you? I personally can't stand madison and I think everyone here knows that by now. Most capitals in the US are the smaller of the two big cities, why is this I wonder? nearly every state is like this. But if it were possible I would make Milwaukee our capital but I don't know if I would want all those blow hards in my city, I suppose they all come here on the weekends anyways.

[Milwaukee City]

One of my reasons for this is people who make policy in this state and appropriate funds to Milwaukee or lack thereof never even been in Milwaukee, plus I think all that pot, clouds their way of thinking.

[DmagnessDO]

Originally Posted by Milwaukee City

plus I think all that pot, clouds their way of thinking.

Now that's quite an overgeneralization....I grew up in Madison - love it there, but I am moving to Milwaukee in June for my residency at St Luke's hospital.

I may have grown up in the Madison bubble, but I am better person for it.

I hope I learn to love Milwaukee the same as I have loved Madison...

[Milwaukee Ronnie]

Madison was chosen to be the capital of Wisconsin for the same reason Jefferson City was chosen to be capital of Missouri and Springfield the capital of Illinois: central location.

Of course, in Illinois, the real seat of power is not in the town of Springfield, but in Chicago. 8 out of 10 people in Illinois live in Chicagoland. They totally and completely dominate a state that is largely rural and sparsely settled outside of Chicago.

Milwaukee, while it is the largest city in Wisconsin by a factor of 3, does not dominate its State. To the contrary, not a single leadership position currently in the State government is held by a Milwaukee representative. Wisconsin's population is much more evenly distributed than other Midwestern states.

This dynamic would not change were we to move the capital.

But in the interest of the fun nature of this thread, allow me to make another proposition: the full secession of the Milwaukee area from the State of Wisconsin.

Think about it: the rest of the State sees us as a drain on resources. So let's give 'em what they want. Let's break away and form our own State. Of course, were we to do that, Wisconsin would suddenly realize just how much Milwaukee contributes to the State's bottom line. Five of the seven Fortune 500 companies in Wisconsin are located in Milwaukee. One quarter of the State's employment is located in Milwaukee. The only major banks and financial firms in the State are located in Milwaukee. We're not the only economic driver in the State, to be sure, but we contribute greatly to Wisconsin's overall prosperity.

Without Milwaukee's commerce, there would be less revenue to support the UW system and its flagship campus at Madison. There would be less revenue to support Wisconsin's state park system, BadgerCare, the list goes on and on.

Now, of course, without Milwaukee, the State's expenditures would go down to reflect a lower population and the (supposedly) fewer social problems that Milwaukee, as the only urban area in the state, suffers from. But, on balance, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Wisconsin would welcome Milwaukee back into the fold when they realize that we contribute more than we "take."

And, of course, were we to secede, the US Congress would have to sign off on it, and we'd have to elect our own Governor, Senators, and Legislature. And all the US flags would have to be changed to have 51 stars. But let's give it a go and see what happens!

[Milwaukee City]

But in the interest of the fun nature of this thread, allow me to make another proposition: the full secession of the Milwaukee area from the State of Wisconsin.

Yes,I'm on board just give us our 7 county area and will can be our own state MILWAUKEE STATE!

[Milwaukee Ronnie]

Originally Posted by Milwaukee City

Yes,I'm on board just give us our 7 county area and will can be our own state MILWAUKEE STATE!

I would even be willing to have just Milwaukee County secede ...

at a population of about 1 million, the State of Milwaukee would have a larger population than a lot of other states, like Wyoming or Alaska.

[quijote]

In reality I don't think Milwaukee should be the capital, though some major governments functions ought to be based here. But this is a fun thread, and the points made are great. If the Mke metro or Mke County were its own state, UWM would suddenly become a flagship university, and it would be interesting to see how the flow of students between the UW campuses works out.... Unless the new state includes Racine and Kenosha counties, we'd be landlocked--a little inconvenient. What would our state tree, flower, bird, etc. be? We'd have to pick exotic stuff befitting a small state (like for the bird, Hawaii's Nene or Rhode Island's Red). And would we take up a specific state name? Who would emerge as our guv and senators? So many possibilities!

[karfar]

I don't know, I don't think being a capitol of a state has much of an impact. I could be wrong. I don't mind it being Madison & I also have no problem w/Madison. I wish I would've gone to school there. I like Milwaukee, but Madison offers different things as well, they're both good in my book.

[Milwaukee City]

Just think if we had a Milwaukee State, we could get rid of all those blow hards in office and start over!!! Maybe then we could build up the park east desert.

[karfar]

Originally Posted by Milwaukee City

Just think if we had a Milwaukee State, we could get rid of all those blow hards in office and start over!!! Maybe then we could build up the park east desert.

Ok, well I guess I don't know who you mean when you say "blowhard".