As a Second Gilded Age hits it stride in 2025, democracy begins to falter. But we have walked these halls before. If we can hear the voices from the past and heed the lessons learned; perhaps we can survive this moment while laying the foundation for a stronger democracy that provides opportunity for all Americans.
Once upon a time…in the not so distant past…in a America far, far away from its founding ideals…
The late 19th century dawned upon America, a land gripped by the dizzying pace of the Second Industrial Revolution. Towers of industry pierced the sky, railroads crisscrossed the continent, and the hum of new technologies—electricity, automobiles, telephones—promised an age of unparalleled progress.
Yet, beneath this shining veneer of innovation, a darkness had taken root. For the vast majority, especially the surging tide of immigrant laborers, this era brought not prosperity, but fantastic deprivation and upheaval, where starvation, disease, and despair whispered through the pages of local papers. Worse still, government corruption was rampant, its policies twisted to favor wealthy friends and contributors, leaving the common people feeling victimized and robbed by powerful interests like railroads and lumber companies. The very fabric of democracy seemed to fray, as Wall Street’s influence eclipsed Main Street’s cries.
But hope, like a distant star, began to flicker. From the grassroots, fueled by fervent Protestant reform movements, arose a new force: THE PROGRESSIVE ERA. Stretching from the late 1800s to the end of World War II, it was an era of reform, innovation, civic spirit, and social responsibility
A generation of reformers, embattled idealists fighting the good fight, believed that society’s ills were a flaw in the political system, and that government, if reclaimed, could—and must—serve the economic and social welfare of all. Their passionate rhetoric was matched by their fearless action, and things changed.
Leading the charge was ROBERT “FIGHTING BOB” LA FOLLETTE, who fought a relentless crusade against political machines and entrenched privilege. Aided by his wise and fearless partner, BELLE CASE LA FOLLETTE, a fierce champion of WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE, CIVIL RIGHTS, and RACIAL EQUITY, a tireless advocate for reform through numerous public speeches and articles in the family’s progressive magazine, Fighting Bob and his followers launched their ultimate weapon: the WISCONSIN IDEA.
This revolutionary philosophy demands that government should not “stumble along like a drunkard in the dark,” but must instead “light its way by the best torches of knowledge and understanding it could find” from the state university to light the way. The Progressive forces sought to restore the government to the people and protect democracy from the rising tyranny of concentrated wealth…
But the fight for democracy was far from over. Upon the death of “Fighting Bob” La Follette in 1925, the LA FOLLETTE LEADERSHIP continued, as both of his sons followed in his footsteps.
The mantle of national leadership fell to the eldest son, ROBERT M. LA FOLLETTE JR. (“Bob Jr.”). Having just turned thirty, he immediately took his father’s seat in the United States Senate, which he would occupy for the next twenty-one years. He settled comfortably into his senatorial role, becoming one of the most respected legislative craftsmen on Capitol Hill.
Meanwhile, his charismatic younger brother, PHILIP F. LA FOLLETTE (“Fox”), took up the fight on the state level. Phil was a gregarious extrovert who loved the challenge and excitement of political maneuvering and campaigning. Endowed with a similar dramatic flair and oratorical genius to his father, Phil quickly rose, winning three terms as governor in 1930, 1934, and 1936. As a governor, Phil garnered national attention with innovative proposals for public works and unemployment compensation. He drafted the ambitious WISCONSIN RELIEF BILL OF 1935, which, though conservatives in the legislature blocked its approval, greatly influenced President Roosevelt’s NEW DEAL.
While Bob Jr. and Fox battled the deprivations ushered in by the GREAT DEPRESSION, two new crusaders joined the fight–JOHN P. VARDA and MARGARET P. VARDA. Both earned law degrees and served in the Wisconsin Assembly fiercely espousing and advocating for Progressive ideals. Both volunteered for the war effort courageously serving their country, fighting to keep fascism from our shores. Margaret spent a lifetime championing Progressive principles in her writings and fighting on various governmental committees to bring higher education to every citizen of Wisconsin. John P. as lawyer, soldier, assemblyman, lobbyist and judge, never wavered in his dedication to plain-spoken straight talk, transparency and ethical and honest action in all his affairs.
Meanwhile, dedicated civic organizations, such as the MADISON ART ASSOCIATION as well as the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE waged a different war. Fueled by voluntary contributions, community and civic spirit, these institutions helped every citizen of Wisconsin both participate in and access music, literature and art.
Bob Jr.’s best friend and confidant, DR. WELLWOOD NESBIT and wife GENEVIEVE, were both dedicated and tireless advocates for the arts. Genevieve, along with many of her friends, was an avid and dedicated cultural leader in her community. She was vitally interested in music and art her entire life. And in conjunction with the Memorial Union and the University, she and the LaFollette progressives–DEAN CHRIS CHRISTENSEN, ARTIST IN RESIDENCE JOHN STEUART CURRY, KATHLEEN CURRY, GRANT WOOD, MR. and MRS. ADOLPH BOLZ, MR. and MRS. KENT TENNEY, THE FRAUTSCHI FAMILY, FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT and wife OLGIVANNA, CONRAD and CONSTANCE ELVEJHEM, DEAN LLOYD K. and MRS.ELLEN JAY GARRISON, and MANY MANY MORE–made art and music accessible to all citizens in every corner of the state. Not only did they make art and music available to everyone; they made it an inclusive and unifying experience.
In 1934, a group of businessmen, unhappy with FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT’S NEW DEAL, plotted to overthrow the government by replacing FDR with a fascist authoritarian leaving the president as a mere puppet. To achieve this end, the conspirators, attempted to cajole a General, employing false pretenses, to organize his veteran followers and march on the United States Capitol. The General having spent his career instigating and preventing coups, recognized the request for what it was and refused. The conspirators relied on white supremacy to inflame the passions of the public. This failed coup attempt was known as the “BUSINESSMAN’S COUP”. Allegedly WILLIAM DUPONT and HENRY FORD were involved. The investigation was squashed.
A hundred years later our DEMOCRACY is once again under attack. This time instead of the BARONS OF INDUSTRY, it is the BARONS OF TECHNOLOGY who have ascended to power with the assistance of a government that has become degraded and corrupted over time as we drift farther and farther from our IDEALS. Led by a infamous BUSINESSMAN, our DEMOCRACY is being deconstructed piece by piece.
Those who valiantly fought in WWII and returned to Wisconsin to establish the DEMOCRATIC PARTY, have said every generation will have it’s battle with fascism–every generation must put it down. It may well be this generation’s turn.
