As a citizen, and more recently a declared candidate for the 50th assembly district, I find myself continually in disbelief by the reckless and divisive proposals that have been coming out of our legislature.

To be certain,  rural assembly districts have unique needs that differ from more populated districts.  However, I am certain that we can all agree that the “zero sum” game that is being played in the capital is not in the best interest of the people of Wisconsin.  Once upon a time in Wisconsin, we treasured civility, bipartisan cooperation, moderation and open government. 

What happened to our state?  Perhaps more importantly, what happens next?

If we want to return our state to a progressive model, and once again embrace our state motto of “Forward” it is imperative that we stop being good Democrats, good Republicans and firstly be good Wisconsinites.  The first step in this process is to embrace Article 1 of our State Constitution; “All people are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights; among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness; to secure these rights, governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Shrader, a Reedsburg resident, is running as a Democrat for the 50th Assembly District seat held by incumbent Republican Rep. Ed Brooks, also of Reedsburg.