I Am A Puzzle Unto Myself
It was my turn to speak.
County Board meetings always begin with an “inspirational message” from a supervisor. This job rotates alphabetically. November 20, 2025 was my turn. Below is my speech.
I want to share some thoughts on identity. As you listen, I invite you to think about your own contradictions. I think we’ll find we have more in common than we think.
I am a puzzle unto
myself
I am from the industrial Midwest
I own a farm
I love beer and coffee
I can’t grow a beard
I am an anarchist
I am a parent
I want free education
I want fiscal responsibility
I am a feminist
I am raising three boys
I believe in the American Dream
I find it hard to believe in America
I listen to Public Enemy
and Merle Haggard
I am a puzzle unto
myself
I believe in free speech
I believe that some people should not be platformed
Damn “the man”
I am “the man”
All of my favorite sports teams are “red”
My favorite color is blue
I want to defund the police
I want police
I want free healthcare
I never go to the doctor
I am an introvert
I am a public official
I love to read
I hate closed captioning
I am a puzzle unto
myself
I am a gun owner
I want gun restrictions
I am a job creator
I support worker’s rights
I believe in climate change
I don’t understand how recycling works
I am an atheist
I have a God and Country Religious Medal
I do not hate
I find it hard to love
I write beautifully
I have terrible penmanship
I am a puzzle unto
myself
I love Transformers
I hate Transformers movies
I am a punk
I am terrible at DIY
I am an extremist
I want everyone to get along
I am polite
I support civil disobedience
I am a Democrat
I voted for Bob Dole
I am not one thing
I am everything
I am a puzzle unto
Myself
We all carry pieces that don’t fit neatly together. That’s not a flaw—it’s a feature of being human.
Let us bring all of our pieces together to construct the Dane County puzzle.