5 years ago today one of my personal heros was killed in a plane crash about a hundred miles from my house. Before you read any more of my blog today I should say that we'll be going down some political roads, I don't ask that you agree with me, I ask that you respect my right to believe the way i do. I will do the same for you.
I was lucky enough to meet Paul Wellstone several times while he was my senator. (I can see some of you rolling your eyes, HA) And truth be known, I didn't always agree with him politically. What I respected was his never ending passion for the poor. And I loved that he couldn't be bought. So many senators will change their vote for a back scratch for their district, but not Paul. It was a sad day for me when he died.
I cannot change minds about the role of government aid in our society. I can only tell my story.
I grew up poor. As Oprah says "we were so poor we didn't know we were poor" My mom had me at 16 and shortly after my sister was born my dad became sick. He spent the next 17 years in and out of the hospital. I spent more time in the st. josephs waiting room than at home. Countless times my principal or some volunteer would drive me from school to the hospital because he was on the brink of death. So that was my childhood....wanting things I couldn't have and angry for the world I thought was unfair.
Without social services we would of died. As it was I have vivid memories of trying to take care of my baby sisters with whatever combination of surplus food we were able to scrape together. Most of our clothes were relatives hand me down or goodwill. I cannot make you feel the wisconsin cold when you can't afford heat and the monthly allotment is still a week away. I cannot make you feel the pain of a childhood being shunned because your shoes have holes and you only have 4 shirts that fit your growing teenage body. Without the help of the government I would of died. It's just the truth. Some of you may have some of the same stories.
So as a child I didn't know Paul. As an adult I see someone has to stand up and shout for the kids like me who are far too often forgotten or worse yet manipulated by advertising into believing they have a right to 200. sneakers. I don't know where the money comes from. I know that money should not be the issue. Any country that can spend 600 billion on a war that hasn't made us any safer (and some would argue less safe) can afford 35 billion for childhood health care.
You can disagree with me if you want. I can still see the look in my sisters eyes when we each got a popcorn ball for christmas. This is my reality and this is why I believe as I do.
I miss you Paul....I won't forget you. | 
