Dave Obey Visits Merrill - Sort Of

Our story begins with someone calling me and asking me if I knew where Dave Obey would be. I didn't know I said but I would look into it. I live in Merrill in Lincoln County Wisconsin (important background info to keep in mind) and congressman Obey was supposed to appear in Merrill today.

1) 1st I called congressman Obey's office in Wausau, I was first told no and then told their computers were down (sounds familiar doesn't it?) and the lady on the phone could not access the information.

2) 2nd I called congressman Obey's office in Superior (no answer).

3) 3rd I called congressman Obey's office in D.C. which put me on hold for over 5 minutes (I hung up).

4) I called Melissa Schroeder's house (Lincoln Co Dems Chair) and was told they knew nothing but politely referred me to the Wausau office and even offered to give me the number.

5) I called the Vice-Chair's home and got the answering machine.

6) I next called WJMT Radio and they knew nothing either.

7) I then called the Merrill Courier and they also were not told anything about congressman Obey coming to Merrill.

8) I next called the Merrill FOTO News and the lady I spoke to there also had not heard of it.

9) I tried Mayor Doug Williams office and his secretary was not aware the congressman was going to be here.

10) I called 3's Company on a whim because that is where the local Dems meet and the person on the phone didn't know anything.

11) I called a reporter (I'll protect my source) at the Wausau Daily Herald and he knew something but was not at his desk so he referred me to a colleague at the paper and voila! That person told me everything I needed to know - the event was at the Merrill Area Public School Administration Building.

12) I called the Merrill Area Public School Administration Building and asked the operator who referred me to "the person who can help you". I asked that person (an unidentified woman) who said yes it was there (in the present-tense) with a few "education administrators" and I asked if the event was open to the public and she hesitated and said eveyone who was there had been invited.

So the event was by invitation-only. Did congressman Obey rent the room? Were campaign checks accepted? Aren't there campaign finance laws about political events in taxpayer supported buildings like the Merrill Area Public School Administration Building? Why was it not listed on the event calendar?

I'll tell you why. Because after 40 years of breathing the rarefied air of our Nation's Capitol, Dave Obey is out of touch with the majority of his constituents and only feels he needs to hobnob with the people of his choice - to hell with the ordinary folks who elected him. Also as an elected lawmaker, he may feel since he writes the laws that he is above the law.

After 40 years of really good luck (no real serious challenges save maybe 1994) with opponents the hubris that surrounds and pervades congressman Obey's head must be substantial.

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Amid the tranquils sweet around, and to my own design,
     I built me castles of a towering height,
And thereto did my pleasures and my rising hopes resign,
     Thought that these bulwarks would resist all might.

But, lo! they fell in ruined heaps, and mighty was the fall,
     And my bright hopes lay ruined at my feet,
And the deluding dream of fancy passed away, and all
     The scenes so fair did from me now retreat;

Like as the mirage travellers see upon the desert waste,
     In view where cooling waters seem to rise,
And which the body longs to reach, the parched tongue to taste--
     Alas! alas! such fancy is not wise.

John D. Cossar 1870

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Yep, Dave Obey is going down this fall.