As I See It
Governor says changing license plates udderly ridiculous
Perhaps change is inevitable. But sometimes doing the same thing for a long time is a good thing. Such is the case with the Wisconsin license plate. The state’s plates have changed some over the years. They have been many different colors and have used varying designs. But one thing that has been constant on Wisconsin license plates since 1940 is the use of the slogan “America’s Dairyland.” But some think it is time to change that. One state representative is circulating a proposal calling for updating the plates to, in his words, reflect who we are, not what we were. His efforts are a nod to Foxconn, suggesting the state should be known for its efforts to better technology. Now Governor Scott Walker has weighed in on the plate debate, insisting that the America’s Dairyland slogan is not going anywhere. He tells Farm Director Pam Jahnke of our Madison radio stations that the state’s bread and butter, literally and figuratively is agriculture and manufacturing. Walker is absolutely right on this one. Wisconsin is known across the country for our agriculture, which remains the backbone of our economy. It is good that our economy is becoming more diverse with that new Foxconn plant to be built. But we don’t even know if that deal will work out. If it doesn’t, do we want to brag about it on our license plates for all to see? Wisconsin remains America’s Dairyland, and our license plates should continue to reflect that.