THE OFFICIAL WEB SITE OF THE MADISON TIMES WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

CENTERSPREAD STORY

2003 in Review: Best and worst of times

by Jonathan Gramling

2003 began with such promise. As James Doyle began to announce his appointments to key positions in state government, it became abundantly clear that it wouldn't be business as usual. Governor Doyle's administration proved to be the most diverse in Wisconsin's history. It was going to be government of, by, and for the people.

The Doyle administration also proved to be inclusive in its policies, including people of color in the mainstream of economic policy. Minority business enterprises were viewed as part of the solution - not a part of the problem.

However, the short-term solution to the state's $3.2 billion budget deficit meant cutbacks in the services provided by state government. These cuts have trickled down to the county and city levels, where taxes have been raised and/or services have been slashed. The first order of business for newly elected mayor Dave Cieslewicz was to deal with the city's deficit. The blow was cushioned but it could be worse in 2004.

The Bush administration had its way in the invasion of Iraq. For months, it had already decided in its heart that it was going ahead with an invasion regardless of what the rest of the world thought or what real evidence existed of weapons of mass destruction. Thousands of lives later, Saddam Hussein has been captured and the rationale has shifted to the promotion of democracy and the elimination of a mass-murdering dictator. How fortunate America is that the present is not the 19th century when Native Americans were slaughtered, millions of Africans enslaved, and women politically disenfranchised within its borders. Surely, we would have deserved to be invaded under our new foreign policy.

For the first time in history, America is fighting a war and cutting taxes at the same time. The Bush administration is racking up record budget deficits to keep political hegemony at home while it pursues its military misadventures for oil abroad. The fine print of this economic policy states that the good fortunes of future generations have been mortgaged so we can have our cake and eat it too today. When the bill finally comes due, the federal government will have been bought and sold to bond holders with American taxpayers paying the tab for generations to come. On some levels, the entire federal government will have become privatized.

There's been an economic recovery on Wall Street while the rest of America waits for jobs to be created. This economic recovery will make it possible for record numbers of Americans to work at fast-food restaurants, resorts, and retail outlets. Millions of hard-working Americans will have gone deeper in debt as they consume more and more of the world's resources. Little do they realize they have sold their freedom in the process. The company store isn't just down the street anymore.

But in spite of it all, life went on, as it always will. Festivals were held. Weddings and funerals took place. Businesses formed and businesses closed. Many national figures came to Madison including Rev. Benjamin Hooks, Nikki Giovanni, Rev. Clifton Davis, and Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu. Arrested Development, the hip-hop phenomenon of the 1990's regrouped and performed in Madison.

Madison continued to evolve into a multicultural, metropolitan area, enriched by the beauty and diversity of its people. In spite of the hardships that many experienced during 2003, there is always the hope of another year grounded in the strength and perseverance of the people around us. Many of us or our ancestors have been here before. The struggle continues.