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Why is it that some Wisconsinties in this forum are so ultra sensitive to criticism? People are allowed to have different opinions, and not all of us have positive experiences in the state. Wisconsin is home to many happy residents overall, but by no means is it paradise for all. It is not growing like the sunbelt. Many people prefer a different lifestly, that WI doesn´t offer. I think when people attack someone and blame them personally for not liking Wisconsin, it shows exactly what some people have tried to vent on here. Please, let's be more tolerant of different experiences and perceptions, no one has a monopoly on "what Wisconsin is like."
When I reply to these posts it's not because I'm ultra sensative to critism. I'm just pointing out how ridiculous it is to rip on a state, any state, as being "unfriendly" or even friendly. This whole coming on a forum and ripping on a place, which is nothing more than a conglomeration of soil is senseless (as it my futile effort to try to point this out, which means I'm just a big a time waster). You are right when you say people have positive experiences and negative, it doesn't matter where you live. I just think it's funny that people do not look at themselves as the possible reason for their unhappiness but instead it must be this place "Wisconsin", "New Mexico", "Timbuktu". Ihatefondy has to be the best example of this. To find paradise all she had to do was move west across the Mississippi. So MN is great and WI stinks, it's just so silly.
And really what is wrong with having some pride in your home state and defending it. So people make silly "critisms" as you call them and other people as you point out have had different experiences and they want share those.
You know, this is ridiculous, I'm done with this. It's just so silly. This whole USA rules all other countries stink. But Texas rules and all other states stink. But Ozaukee county rules and all other counties stink. But Madison rules and all other cities stink. This whole defining who we are by what piece of soil we happen to be born on is making us silly. You know what? You're right, the group of ground that is labeled WI sucks. Other groupings of ground are way better because the people that happen to be born on that ground are <fill in the blank with positive adjetive>.
My question was rhetorical, I know the answer. I was asking it to prove a point- that many people in Wisconsin are happy, and do not understand why others do not share their passion and falsely conclude that the unhappy people are the problem if they cannot be happy here.
The original poster merely expressed he or she was happy to be leaving. More power to him or her. All I am saying is that people have different opinions and interpretations on things, and no one's is right or wrong, just different. I am thankful that we are in a country where we are able to express diverging viewpoints. I don't see this as an issue of people attacking Wisconsin-lovers, rather some people with thin skin who don´t understand different opinions readily.
I am just trying to clarify my posts and reasoning. I think Wisconsin is neither heavan nor hell. Most people can be happy or unhappy anywhere. There are many residents who love Wisconsin, while others simply do not like what the state has to offer, and that's that.
This is part of the answer to your own question. Those happy residents that DO like Wisconsin and DO like the lifestyle are watching that lifestyle not just get criticized but stereotyped and attacked viciously. I don't even live in Wisconsin and even I get defensive when people express their criticism not just by saying "I don't like it here, the culture isn't for me" but imply or state flat-out things along the lines like "Wisconsinites are nothing but beer-swilling brat-eating adultering drunks." If you lived there you'd probably get defensive too. The tone of one's criticism will greatly affect the responses to it.
Damn, I couldn't have said that better myself.It's very annoying when you read a thread about a town or city or area and are trying to help inform somebody about it and the thread gets hijacked by some person who has a death wish against Wisconsin.
Ok guys..... apparently my writing style does (and has) set off a reaction of sorts. Lay this to rest..that simple.
Does WI stand alone - no there are other areas of the states that are similar in culture
Is it everyone's cup of tea - nope
are the people sensitive - from what I've seen here - YES - and I make this comparison as a born and bred Chicagoan....I can say that the "flatlanders" can take more **** per day than those north of them (remember guys that is my observance and opinion)
Am I happy to get out - yes the biggest reason is the $$$$ - as just refreshed by a web article - in 2005 WI ranked in the top 5 states of highest tax burdens, the 2006 list just came out and it didn't get much better.
So overall while it was interesting to read your threads... the one comment I have is - I do agree on the sensitivity part...and I do agree that ever since the internet went public it has been diluted (had to throw you a left curve).
Bottom line - yes we are happy to be out, we have our reasons like it or not, and we'll never be back. (ok stop the applause)
however just to be fair - since I travel 99% of the year for my job....there are other places I don't like either..... blame the area, culture, or whatever.
All I can say is wow...... Not one person here is right...or wrong.. I have been looking at other states threads & I see a lot more people talking about positive things & looking at reasons why they appreciate their state. I plan on getting out of WI within a few yrs because I do not like it personally, but I don't need to come in here & tear it to shreads either. I simply want to live somewhere that suits me better. NOTHING MORE TO IT. ONe should be able to state their opinion though without others getting defensive about the remarks. Remember, we don't even really know any of these people in real life so don't get our undies in bundle & develop High BP over it.
One should be able to state their opinion though without others getting defensive about the remarks.
While i mostly agree with the sentiment it should be noted that if someone wants to provoke a *defensive* reaction, stating their opinion in an *offensive* fashion is one of the surest ways to achieve it. Had the original poster merely said that he was glad to be leaving Wisconsin because it didn't work well for him he would be unlikely to get the sorts of responses that he generated. Phrases like "GOOD RIDANCE!", on the other hand, are the sorts of things that might be considered provocative. GreggB's postings, both on this thread and others, about Appleton step over the line from "might be" to "is certain to be".
While i mostly agree with the sentiment it should be noted that if someone wants to provoke a *defensive* reaction, stating their opinion in an *offensive* fashion is one of the surest ways to achieve it.
True. My remark though about not coming in & tearing a state to shreads simply because one does not like it was intended to the original post because I do agree opinions are many times stated with intent to aggrivate.
Please take every rotten nasty low life DWD wisconsin state employees in Madison with you. It would save us taxpayers a whole bunch of money to pay these lying so & so's.
Talk about greed and back stabbing people.
I'm surprized that this corrupt state agency hasn't had the State flag changed to a State employee taking a knife to the back of the taxpayers and fly it proudly above that disgusting building on east washington ave!
Come to think of it I bet they have tryed to do so!
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