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Stop at a Wisconsin rest area on the interstate and count how many separate recycling receptacles there are. You don't even have to live there for a while to observe that.
When I lived in Michigan, and visited my sister in Wisconsin, she'd make me go out and help shovel her snow, first thing in the morning, when there was an inch or two overnight, right down to the pavement, and right to the edge of the grass, I remarked that the difference between Wi and MI is that in WI everybody shovels their show, while in MI, everyone just drives through it. She acted like I was talking about Bangladesh. I looked up and down the street, and everyone was doing the same thing, as if they are afraid of some secret police or something. Or officious neighbors, which is worse. Then she said you have to carry each shovelful onto your lawn, because you're not allowed to push the snow into the street, even though it's fine for the showplows to shove it all into your driveway. I'd like to hear the supreme court rule on that law, but people in WI just take it. I was remarking to my nephew about these kinds of things, and he said Yes, Wisconsin is the most nazi state in the US. And he grew up in Germany.
When my WI relatives drive to the mall, they think you are "not allowed" to pull through a parkng space so you are pointing out through the facing one. "Not allowed to" is the phrase I hear most frequently when hanging out with my family there. Wisconsin people have a very keen awareness of what you're "not allowed" to do. It's like a sixth sense.
These are not opinions, they are observations. Ive lived in 15 other states, and I see what I see.
I would agree. However, that's what I love about Wisconsin. I like knowing that the recycling is taken seriously, and even though it's not mentioned, I love paying taxes that I know will benefit our society and community. I wish that we could all live in the climate and society that we choose instead of having to make these decisions. But, I guess I would side for climate, because society will change for better or worse no matter where you live.
The observations about Wisconsin shoveling and parking are accurate, but I personally don't hear anyone say "not allowed" as much as "I shouldn't". You wont be arrested for throwing snow into the street or pulling into the space ahead. Although, living in southern Wisconsin, I've never heard of an issue with pulling ahead into a parking space. It's usually that people don't like it when someone takes the time to BACK INTO a parking space.
That is what I miss about Wisconsin. I currently live in California, which is generally an -Individual is most important- society, as opposed to the Wisconsin -Community is most important- society.
There is no rule or law about throwing snow into the street. No one is going to get into trouble. It's just a group effort to clear the snow. If you don't throw the snow into a designated pile, it becomes a problem by obstructing traffic, covering street signs and just getting plowed right back into your drive way. Everyone gets annoyed by the plows throwing snow back onto the drive, but they are just people at work who are providing a service. I don't want them to have to get out and clean up from the sides of the plow at every house they go past. They are city workers (that means they have other duties) and have to be on call to work any day of the LONG winter from sundown to sunup. We would just pay more taxes for that.
We don't drive through it because the weight of the vehichle packs the snow down, which the sun melts while you're at work, and then it becomes ice. Ice tire tracks are much more difficult to remove than shoveling 2 inches of snow.
You gave good examples of why some people should not move to Wisconsin. However, to be fair, that is why some people love Wisconsin! You may have to sacrific some of your personal freedoms for the group, but you don't have to worry about obnoxious people overstepping your boundaries.
Grew up in WISCO and have lived in 8 other states. WISCONSIN ranks last in my book as the biggest bigoted, socialist state in the US. The Sheeple who live here are some of the biggest smack-tards I've ever seen.
Grew up in WISCO and have lived in 8 other states. WISCONSIN ranks last in my book as the biggest bigoted, socialist state in the US. The Sheeple who live here are some of the biggest smack-tards I've ever seen.
It's good to hear you're spreading your charm to other states... too bad you have internet access.
Grew up in WISCO and have lived in 8 other states. WISCONSIN ranks last in my book as the biggest bigoted, socialist state in the US. The Sheeple who live here are some of the biggest smack-tards I've ever seen.
Specifically though, how do you feel?
I think people here are, on the whole, so nice... I think about that everytime I'm out in public. Even if I encounter a "smack-tard" or two (bound to happen any city, anywhere), there's always someone else (usually more than one person) that makes up for it through helpfulness, polite service, small talk in line, or something else.
Grew up in WISCO and have lived in 8 other states. WISCONSIN ranks last in my book as the biggest bigoted, socialist state in the US. The Sheeple who live here are some of the biggest smack-tards I've ever seen.
Specifically though, how do you feel?
I think people here are, on the whole, so nice... I think about that everytime I'm out in public. Even if I encounter a "smack-tard" or two (bound to happen any city, anywhere), there's always someone else (usually more than one person) that makes up for it through helpfulness, polite service, small talk in line, or something else.
Agreed, I need to break out of my shell. Too much caffiene and local news coverage about entitled civil servants fueled my rant.
I'm no longer a 'former Wisconsin resident' after moving back here last summer. Reflecting upon your comments, I shamefully must agree. I meet 100s' of Wisconsinites each week. Yoiung and old, rich and poor,...
they are pretty much as you say.
I'll always maintain this is a socialist state, at least until govt. spending and excessive taxing turn this state around....
Not a former Wisconsinite, just a newby. I like most things about it. The bad roads and fanatical politics are taking some getting used to.
The politics here are odd. I just don't see tens of thousands of people storming the capital over collective bargaining in the other six states I've lived in.
Most of the other places I've lived were by no means union states, and for what it's worth, they all have a strong middle class with good economies at least when the economy overall is good.
I'm not saying the protesters don't have the right to do what they do. If that's how they want to make their voices heard, then I say go for it. Being from a completely different part of the country, I just don't understand how all that ruckus ever makes any difference.
Yelling and dirty looks usually isn't the best way to convert anybody to anything. Believe me, I've tried all that.
About all I know to do is vote every couple of years, maybe persuade others to vote your way and let the chips fall where they may.
I originally grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Didn't care much for that. in High School moved up to the North Shore. Only like it better because I could get out of the city. I have always had a love affair with Wisconsin since I was a small boy. Eventually I moved up to West Allis on the west side when I got married as I traveled for a living and didn't want to be in Illinois. We stayed a couple of years and then moved out to the San Francisco Bay area in the early 80's when it was booming and yet the population and cost of living wasn't quite what it is today. We bought a home a block from the ocean. Yes of course it was beautiful and the weather was wonderful. I didn't miss the snow however. In 93 we moved to Salt Lake City Utah and as I was traveling for a living (also covering Wisconsin by car for my work) I didn't get effected much by the excessive Mormon influences as I wasn't home much. I even flew my wife in often to join me on the road.
I covered 17 States from Ohio to California "by car" if you can believe that. I was a real dinosaur indeed for the times. Nobody could believe i covered that much area by car let alone. But I'll tell you this. My visits to Wisconsin were literally "magical". Now some will read this and go what's this guy on. Sure, maybe I no longer lived there on a permanent basis, but I did spend probably at least 2 weeks at a time several times a year throughout the State. I suppose if I concentrated on all of the negative things I read folks say here, it could be made into an issue. However for me it was the most fun and pure enjoyment I had each year. My customers were the BEST. Real personable and they became like family. I so looked forward to seeing all of them, but nothing quite like the atmosphere I felt when I was there. That wonderful air coming off of the fields as I traveled North from Milwaukee to the towns all the way up to Door County. And my visits to Green Bay were always profitable and enjoyable as well. The drive across Hwy 29 was better than medicine for my blood pressure. I can remember that drive when it was just a little 2 lane country road. Now with the 4 lane expansion it is another world.
I admit I favor the Eastern and Northern portion of the State. Never quite took to the liberal pukes of Madison. I'm a bit of a conservative myself. And some of you refer to folks as bigoted. Considering nearly all of the folks I visited and areas, it was Catholics, which historically haven't been overly loving of the Jewish folks, my being one never kept them from treating me like family. Everywhere I went for the most part people were always very friendly and welcoming. The food throughout Wisconsin is legendary and known by others I speak to. Others just like to hear my stories about my taking the wife out for those unreal Sunday brunches they have across the State, especially in Metro areas. Na, on days when I get melancholy, I just hop onto Google Earth and cruise around above ground level and relive my travels there. I strongly believe life and relationships are what you make of them, they don't just happen. You get back what you put out. Perhaps people saw I was so enthusiastic when there they felt the vibe and joined in. Indeed your attitude effects those around you make NO mistake about it. I miss my travels there as I no longer travel for a living. But one of these days I'll get back up North there. My wife and I still order the Wisconsin cheeses for delivery as you can't compare it to any other. They RULE that roost. So instead of the banter of the bad, I'll just leave you with a may you all be blessed. I'll dream about that breeze carrying that smell of the fresh cut fields driving north through the country in the summer.
Not a former Wisconsinite, just a newby. I like most things about it. The bad roads and fanatical politics are taking some getting used to.
See I don't get the bad roads thing. I find them just fine here Upnorth and in the Western part. No complaints or anything that has stood out. The roads in Rice Lake and Eau Claire are definitely better than Great Falls, Montana where I lived before. Got so tired of bouncing around on their crappy city roads. Once not long before moving I went into a ridiculously deep pothole. I was pretty annoyed.
Maybe that just depends what part of the state you're in, and also, how they're treated in the winter compared to other states maybe?
Moved from Montana to Wisconsin in October. Worst stretch of road the entire trip was that little stretch of I-94 between Moorhead, MN and (don't have atlas on me right this minute) maybe Alexandria, MN? Around in that area? The road is old and filled in with tar various places... looks like thin black snakes going across the road the whole way. Sounds real healthy driving over it. lolol They just need to re-do the road altogether. But that was the only road complaint I had the whole way. Everything before and after that was pretty decent.
I find the road system going from Rice Lake to Duluth odd. Not a fan of the cross-traffic thing.
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summerfest
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