According to Wisconsin Judge Patrick J. Fiedler, you do not have a fundamental right to consume the food you grow or own or raise. The Farm To Consumer Legal Defense Fund, pioneers in defending food sovereignty and freedom, recently argued before Judge Fiedler that you and I have a constitutional right to consume the foods of our choice. Judge Fiedler saw no merit to the argument and ruled against the FTCLDF. When they asked him to clarify his statement, these were his words:
1) “no, Plaintiffs do not have a fundamental right to own and use a dairy cow or a dairy herd;”
2) “no, Plaintiffs do not have a fundamental right to consume the milk from their own cow;”
3) “no, Plaintiffs do not have a fundamental right to produce and consume the foods of their choice…”
4) no, the Plaintiffs, Mark and Petra Zinniker, have a private contract that falls outside the scope of the state’s police power;
5) no, Plaintiffs do not have a fundamental right to produce and consume foods of their choice.
People are seeing this as a payoff to large agricultural concerns that are afraid to lose even a tiny part of their market. They see it as a death blow to small farmers, telling them what they must grow and where they can sell what they produce.
Is this a strike against free enterprise and free markets? Will this lead to the closing of the Farmers Markets that some have come to rely on for fresh foods and others also rely on to provide income?
The state has, since back in the 50’s, banned the sale of raw milk because of what they claim are public health concerns. I grew up on a farm and the only time I ever drank what corporations pass as milk was at school, and it sucked. At home the milk was rich and had a layer of cream at the top. We would use the top cream to make butter. Later my parents raised goats and we even made our own cheese.
This ruling would seem to say that people have to buy only products from corporations and that you’re not allowed to consume products you raise or even have a cow or herd of cows. Where will it stop?.... with the state outlawing gardens and the planting of fruit trees? Will there be laws to prevent people from gathering wild fruits, plants and mushrooms?
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Can the middle class exist in the Corporate World Order?
What does the corporate world have in mind? What are their goals? They seem to be intent on dismantling the labor structure and destroying the gains made by the common working man, reducing them to a level that returns labor to the early 1900’s.
Why would they want this? One reason might be that they can then rebuild the world as they wish it to be without the bother of labor laws and regulations. What they view as standing in the way of more profits are things like overtime, workers compensation, vacation pay, health insurance, unemployment insurance and pensions.
Why would they begrudge workers these benefits? Simple ..... it takes away from their bottom line. They have to pay someone to administer these programs and it doesn’t add to the productivity and profit margins they want to see.
Without these programs they can further reduce the workforce that's needed. By demoralizing the workforce they can pretty much get the workers do what they want. They have been trying for decades to remove the obstructions of those pesky regulations and requirements.
The workers are being told that the corporations are unable to create jobs because of being over-taxed and over-regulated. There would be no room for those items and the creation of profits as well, so they can’t bring themselves to make a commitment to create jobs.
Now they will wait for the workforce to march on Washington to demand that concessions be given to corporations in order to get work. We have already heard what some of those demands are: the removal of the minimum wage; the removal of unions from the work place; the removal of all workplace safety regulations; removal of all environmental regulations; no restrictions on work hours; and no age limits or penalties for the use of child labor.
Corporations are a crafty bunch. They prey on the tender underbelly of labor while they undermine and poison the public view. They are placing the current economic crisis on the backs of union workers by making the public believe that, even though corporation have never done as well as they are now, unions and the government are forcing them not to hire.
The Corporations have seized on the opportunities given to them. First, they were allowed to move operations overseas to a climate of lower labor costs and lower regulations. Now they are using the crisis they have caused here in an attempt to force those same principles to be implemented here in the US.
Why would they want this? One reason might be that they can then rebuild the world as they wish it to be without the bother of labor laws and regulations. What they view as standing in the way of more profits are things like overtime, workers compensation, vacation pay, health insurance, unemployment insurance and pensions.
Why would they begrudge workers these benefits? Simple ..... it takes away from their bottom line. They have to pay someone to administer these programs and it doesn’t add to the productivity and profit margins they want to see.
Without these programs they can further reduce the workforce that's needed. By demoralizing the workforce they can pretty much get the workers do what they want. They have been trying for decades to remove the obstructions of those pesky regulations and requirements.
The workers are being told that the corporations are unable to create jobs because of being over-taxed and over-regulated. There would be no room for those items and the creation of profits as well, so they can’t bring themselves to make a commitment to create jobs.
Now they will wait for the workforce to march on Washington to demand that concessions be given to corporations in order to get work. We have already heard what some of those demands are: the removal of the minimum wage; the removal of unions from the work place; the removal of all workplace safety regulations; removal of all environmental regulations; no restrictions on work hours; and no age limits or penalties for the use of child labor.
Corporations are a crafty bunch. They prey on the tender underbelly of labor while they undermine and poison the public view. They are placing the current economic crisis on the backs of union workers by making the public believe that, even though corporation have never done as well as they are now, unions and the government are forcing them not to hire.
The Corporations have seized on the opportunities given to them. First, they were allowed to move operations overseas to a climate of lower labor costs and lower regulations. Now they are using the crisis they have caused here in an attempt to force those same principles to be implemented here in the US.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Education
I think most of us would agree that educating our young people is paramount in this day and age. Should all children be guaranteed the same access to quality educations? I say yes. As parents, grandparents and even great- grandparents we have to be assured that every student has a chance to excel and reach their full potential.
Learning is a lifelong process that begins the day we’re born and never stops until our last breath. How do you motivate a young person to strive for the stars? First, you have to present them with different opportunities and fields of interest to allow them to find that niche that sparks their minds. One must then cultivate and nurture their abilities.
Public education is the cornerstone of the foundation but it is just a small part. The rest of the building must come from encouragement at home, allowing a child to search for the place he or she fits in and sharing their desire to reach their goals. Many times parents will set the goals and become upset if the child seems to stray from the path, but they must permit the child to explore every corner themselves.
We see today where not all students have reached the standards set. Just so you know, not every student is cut out with the same cookie cutter and to require every one of them to reach the set standard at the same point in their life is unreasonable. To hold others back in their learning isn’t being reasonable either. As a child I attended a one room school house for fourth thought eighth grade all housed in the same room. It was an awesome learning experience.
Is home schooling the answer? One on one learning sounds ideal. However, many times the parents have isolated the child from gaining the social skills so necessary in today’s world. By protecting them from everyday issues the child may not be prepared for the reality of life beyond the front door. If the reason for home schooling is to protect the child from drugs and violence that also may not be a good reason. A better way might be to become more involved in their everyday life and give them plenty of proper guidance.
Learning is a lifelong process that begins the day we’re born and never stops until our last breath. How do you motivate a young person to strive for the stars? First, you have to present them with different opportunities and fields of interest to allow them to find that niche that sparks their minds. One must then cultivate and nurture their abilities.
Public education is the cornerstone of the foundation but it is just a small part. The rest of the building must come from encouragement at home, allowing a child to search for the place he or she fits in and sharing their desire to reach their goals. Many times parents will set the goals and become upset if the child seems to stray from the path, but they must permit the child to explore every corner themselves.
We see today where not all students have reached the standards set. Just so you know, not every student is cut out with the same cookie cutter and to require every one of them to reach the set standard at the same point in their life is unreasonable. To hold others back in their learning isn’t being reasonable either. As a child I attended a one room school house for fourth thought eighth grade all housed in the same room. It was an awesome learning experience.
Is home schooling the answer? One on one learning sounds ideal. However, many times the parents have isolated the child from gaining the social skills so necessary in today’s world. By protecting them from everyday issues the child may not be prepared for the reality of life beyond the front door. If the reason for home schooling is to protect the child from drugs and violence that also may not be a good reason. A better way might be to become more involved in their everyday life and give them plenty of proper guidance.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Why the rush?
Are we seeing an increase in investigations of wrongdoing amongst elected officials? .... Or is it, as some will claim, a witch hunt for political reasons? Shouldn’t our law makers abide by the same laws an average citizen is required to follow?
We seem to be seeing the neo-conservative movement pushing to overreach their authority in passing laws in every state where they now hold the majority. In some states they have removed duly elected officials and are now privatizing local government boards. In others, they disregarded open meeting laws to force the legislation that was on their agendas.
The citizens want. and deserve, answers to their questions and are being told to shut up. Our officials are saying we are in power and will do as we please. The people are left with no recourse other than to press for an investigation. This option is available to every citizen not just to the party in control; this is how democracy works for everyone.
If there is corruption in our government why should we allow it? No matter which party we back, not fighting it allows it to continue unchecked. If you can’t get the laws you want without using illegal tactics how can they be good laws?
I welcome these investigations into the misuse of the office and staff of those elected to represent the people. If it is proven that these charges are true, even those who are given immunity should be barred from ever holding a state job or an elected office again. While they may not have to face prison time they should pay for their actions. They have earned the distrust of the people.
We seem to be seeing the neo-conservative movement pushing to overreach their authority in passing laws in every state where they now hold the majority. In some states they have removed duly elected officials and are now privatizing local government boards. In others, they disregarded open meeting laws to force the legislation that was on their agendas.
The citizens want. and deserve, answers to their questions and are being told to shut up. Our officials are saying we are in power and will do as we please. The people are left with no recourse other than to press for an investigation. This option is available to every citizen not just to the party in control; this is how democracy works for everyone.
If there is corruption in our government why should we allow it? No matter which party we back, not fighting it allows it to continue unchecked. If you can’t get the laws you want without using illegal tactics how can they be good laws?
I welcome these investigations into the misuse of the office and staff of those elected to represent the people. If it is proven that these charges are true, even those who are given immunity should be barred from ever holding a state job or an elected office again. While they may not have to face prison time they should pay for their actions. They have earned the distrust of the people.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Where are the leaders we could respect?
We are witnessing a complete change in the makeup of present day elected officials. They have departed from a role as leaders to one of simple followers.
Gone are the days when they gained respect for their foresight and vision. Now we are left with puppets obeying orders from large donors, corporate henchmen and fanatics with religious leanings.
Gone are the days when our leaders could make a decision without first getting permission from the forces outside of the structure of the legislative circle.
The Citizens United ruling has devastated the political makeup of this nation and has opened the floodgates to influence-peddling and corruption.
It has allowed those with the means to tip the scales in their favor to interfere with the democratic process. In order to maintain the balance of power we have to focus every effort on removing this corporate-purchased ruling by the Supreme Court.
We have proof that at least two of the members of the Supreme Court were invited to attend seminars paid for by corporate money. They are still sitting justices, even though their conduct is unethical.
Many members of state and federal legislatures belong to one of the largest corporate lobbying groups that suggest legislation be brought to the floor for passage. These same legislators show no shame in the fact that they are allowing themselves to represent not those who voted them into office but a select group who are thinking of their bottom line.
We are in need of serious legislation to prevent influence-peddling by corporations and the wealthy. Where do we draw the line and begin to take back the governance from those seeking to use their wealth to gain control of this nation?
Gone are the days when they gained respect for their foresight and vision. Now we are left with puppets obeying orders from large donors, corporate henchmen and fanatics with religious leanings.
Gone are the days when our leaders could make a decision without first getting permission from the forces outside of the structure of the legislative circle.
The Citizens United ruling has devastated the political makeup of this nation and has opened the floodgates to influence-peddling and corruption.
It has allowed those with the means to tip the scales in their favor to interfere with the democratic process. In order to maintain the balance of power we have to focus every effort on removing this corporate-purchased ruling by the Supreme Court.
We have proof that at least two of the members of the Supreme Court were invited to attend seminars paid for by corporate money. They are still sitting justices, even though their conduct is unethical.
Many members of state and federal legislatures belong to one of the largest corporate lobbying groups that suggest legislation be brought to the floor for passage. These same legislators show no shame in the fact that they are allowing themselves to represent not those who voted them into office but a select group who are thinking of their bottom line.
We are in need of serious legislation to prevent influence-peddling by corporations and the wealthy. Where do we draw the line and begin to take back the governance from those seeking to use their wealth to gain control of this nation?
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Focus on the real job creators
New small businesses are the backbone of today’s economy. We need to help them stabilize and put the governments' focus on helping them to build and expand. We need to stop supporting the large corporations that have reached their growth potential and instead put that energy and money toward the goal of the real job creators.
New businesses that have been in operation for five years or less are shown to be the largest creators of new jobs. "True, most young businesses are small. But most small businesses aren't young. That's where most trip up ....... in the argument that small businesses are the key to job growth.
If jobs are the priority, the target for policymakers should not be size, but age and innovation. This is why so many are concerned with the pathetic state of the U.S. Patent Office. David Kappos, Patent Office director, was asked last year how many jobs he felt were being held back by patent backlogs. His response was "millions".
There's even more to the job conundrum. A surprisingly small number of companies create almost all the new jobs. Economist David Birch calls these companies gazelles, as opposed to elephants, which employ many people but don't create many new jobs, and mice, which employ few people and create few new jobs.
Greece may have more self-employed entrepreneurs than America, but the majority are mice, working in agriculture and street-vendor shops that rarely, if ever, grow.
Birch's findings on the American job market are staggering. Gazelles, which make up around 4% of firms, create as much as 70% of new jobs. During some periods, gazelles created more jobs than the entire rest of the economy, as all other firms shed more jobs than gazelles created. Another characteristic of gazelles: They're very young."
Who are these companies? Google, Facebook, and Netflix, among others. They are not small but they are new and they are growing.
There is room for improvement. The Kauffman Foundation sums this all up nicely:
"Virtually all of the attention among policymakers and the media has focused on the waiting game by larger firms, currently reluctant to take back employees they dismissed, and unwilling so far to begin hiring new employees again … This attention is misplaced. "
The overwhelming source of new jobs is new firms. The key implication for policymakers concerned about restarting America’s job engine, therefore, is to begin paying more attention to removing roadblocks to entrepreneurs who will lead us out of our current (well-founded) pessimism about jobs and sustain economic expansion over the longer run. This much-needed shift in focus cannot come soon enough."
New businesses that have been in operation for five years or less are shown to be the largest creators of new jobs. "True, most young businesses are small. But most small businesses aren't young. That's where most trip up ....... in the argument that small businesses are the key to job growth.
If jobs are the priority, the target for policymakers should not be size, but age and innovation. This is why so many are concerned with the pathetic state of the U.S. Patent Office. David Kappos, Patent Office director, was asked last year how many jobs he felt were being held back by patent backlogs. His response was "millions".
There's even more to the job conundrum. A surprisingly small number of companies create almost all the new jobs. Economist David Birch calls these companies gazelles, as opposed to elephants, which employ many people but don't create many new jobs, and mice, which employ few people and create few new jobs.
Greece may have more self-employed entrepreneurs than America, but the majority are mice, working in agriculture and street-vendor shops that rarely, if ever, grow.
Birch's findings on the American job market are staggering. Gazelles, which make up around 4% of firms, create as much as 70% of new jobs. During some periods, gazelles created more jobs than the entire rest of the economy, as all other firms shed more jobs than gazelles created. Another characteristic of gazelles: They're very young."
Who are these companies? Google, Facebook, and Netflix, among others. They are not small but they are new and they are growing.
There is room for improvement. The Kauffman Foundation sums this all up nicely:
"Virtually all of the attention among policymakers and the media has focused on the waiting game by larger firms, currently reluctant to take back employees they dismissed, and unwilling so far to begin hiring new employees again … This attention is misplaced. "
The overwhelming source of new jobs is new firms. The key implication for policymakers concerned about restarting America’s job engine, therefore, is to begin paying more attention to removing roadblocks to entrepreneurs who will lead us out of our current (well-founded) pessimism about jobs and sustain economic expansion over the longer run. This much-needed shift in focus cannot come soon enough."
Friday, September 23, 2011
Repeat History
History is a remarkable portal to the past. We are able to see how far we have progressed over the decades and generations from the time this nation was conceived, and before, until the present day.
In the time of our ancestors, man had not really made much progress in improving the quality of life. Lifestyles in the colonies were primitive, to say the least. Even the cities were not much more than muddy dirt paths flanked by wooden buildings.
In the time in which this country was new and unexplored, only a few ventured beyond into the unknown. Medicine was nothing more than bloodletting and leeches. The technical marvels of today were not even a spark in mans mind, and the war machine had barely reached the invention of gun powder.
To imagine the founders being able to foresee what the future would hold and being able to address these issues in the making of the documents that are the base of our government is outrageous. Remember these men were farmers, small businessmen and soldiers and had limited education. What they gave us were the direction and the tools to create an independent nation.
Their documents were written so that civilization could expand on them and encompass newer writings, with the same desire for freedom and liberty, to include them together as the people of the United States of America and as one country.
Today we have people that wish to return to the time of the founders ...... before there were changes to the Constitution and the everyday life that has also advanced past the musket, leeches, and candles. People whose view of history has been warped and distorted by misspeak, lies and hatred. People whose agenda it is to divide the nation just as it did when this nation was brought to a war of brother against brother.
Will we be forced by the narrow minded to repeat history, to relive the tragic times we've already been through once again?
In the time of our ancestors, man had not really made much progress in improving the quality of life. Lifestyles in the colonies were primitive, to say the least. Even the cities were not much more than muddy dirt paths flanked by wooden buildings.
In the time in which this country was new and unexplored, only a few ventured beyond into the unknown. Medicine was nothing more than bloodletting and leeches. The technical marvels of today were not even a spark in mans mind, and the war machine had barely reached the invention of gun powder.
To imagine the founders being able to foresee what the future would hold and being able to address these issues in the making of the documents that are the base of our government is outrageous. Remember these men were farmers, small businessmen and soldiers and had limited education. What they gave us were the direction and the tools to create an independent nation.
Their documents were written so that civilization could expand on them and encompass newer writings, with the same desire for freedom and liberty, to include them together as the people of the United States of America and as one country.
Today we have people that wish to return to the time of the founders ...... before there were changes to the Constitution and the everyday life that has also advanced past the musket, leeches, and candles. People whose view of history has been warped and distorted by misspeak, lies and hatred. People whose agenda it is to divide the nation just as it did when this nation was brought to a war of brother against brother.
Will we be forced by the narrow minded to repeat history, to relive the tragic times we've already been through once again?
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Some never left the past.
Three hundred and nineteen years ago was a dark time in the history of the United States. I am referring to the Witch trials of Salem, where men and women were put to death and had their property seized.
This had a big effect on my wife’s family. No - one of her relatives wasn’t one of the accused, he was the Sheriff of Salem - George Curwin(Corwin). The family gained from this so much financially that they had to bury dear old George in the basement of the family home in 1693 to prevent his body from being dug up and held ransom as a means to recover the property he took. They had some strange laws back then.
Today, we are witnessing more of this same type of witch hunt being fostered by religious groups and backed by political candidates pandering for their votes. Only today it is less greed and more hatred that is fueling them.
For a hundred years after the Civil War African Americans felt the brunt of this hatred, but since today’s society frowns on this type of behavior they have turned their attention instead to the gays.
The same groups who once wore white robes and hoods and burned crosses on the front porches of blacks, hanging them for nothing more than being black, have found another group to slander and deny basic rights to.
They have turned the lives of gay people into a crap shoot as to whether they might be targeted for a beating or death. The youth of this group, after so many years of hearing rhetoric from their parents, think of hunting gays as nothing more than sport - like shooting rabbits.
The so-called leaders of this nation - those portraying themselves as presidential hopefuls - are feeding the hatred and fanning the flames to gain the favor of an extreme and radical group. Once again they are looking to profit from the perception that this group is different and needs to be feared in order to further their agenda.
Just as in Salem over three hundred years ago, they are using God to benefit themselves.
This had a big effect on my wife’s family. No - one of her relatives wasn’t one of the accused, he was the Sheriff of Salem - George Curwin(Corwin). The family gained from this so much financially that they had to bury dear old George in the basement of the family home in 1693 to prevent his body from being dug up and held ransom as a means to recover the property he took. They had some strange laws back then.
Today, we are witnessing more of this same type of witch hunt being fostered by religious groups and backed by political candidates pandering for their votes. Only today it is less greed and more hatred that is fueling them.
For a hundred years after the Civil War African Americans felt the brunt of this hatred, but since today’s society frowns on this type of behavior they have turned their attention instead to the gays.
The same groups who once wore white robes and hoods and burned crosses on the front porches of blacks, hanging them for nothing more than being black, have found another group to slander and deny basic rights to.
They have turned the lives of gay people into a crap shoot as to whether they might be targeted for a beating or death. The youth of this group, after so many years of hearing rhetoric from their parents, think of hunting gays as nothing more than sport - like shooting rabbits.
The so-called leaders of this nation - those portraying themselves as presidential hopefuls - are feeding the hatred and fanning the flames to gain the favor of an extreme and radical group. Once again they are looking to profit from the perception that this group is different and needs to be feared in order to further their agenda.
Just as in Salem over three hundred years ago, they are using God to benefit themselves.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Does it matter in the end?
The wealthy have the privileges. They have the nicest homes, are able to travel, and are living their lives in luxury. For the majority of the rest of us things like this are not to ever be possible. We will struggle from payday to payday. We will live on the edge, with a sheer wall on one side and a deep canyon on the other.
Many of us, even though we live hand to mouth will discover love and happiness and find contentment in raising a family and providing them a better life than we had. We know that the dream of a luxury life is just that - a dream - so we have settled for a more mundane life filled with friends and families. All we ask for is to be able to live a comfortable life.
Will the wealthy be able to say the same? They have to worry day to day, afraid that some unseen forces will destroy their world. They will be hard-pressed to find even the tiniest piece of contentment, worried that the one who professes to love them may only want their wealth.
Their offspring that have become accustomed to an easy life may not be ready to face reality. If they were to tell the truth, happiness has eluded them. All that wealth generates is the desire for more wealth - and power. They see the control of those beneath them as rewarding. Why should the middle class be so happy? It just isn’t fair.
The goal of the middle class is to one day be able to reap some of the rewards we worked for so long. Since the wealthy seem to feel that we are not even entitled to that, they want to dash the middle class dreams on the hard rocks of life to make us feel as unfilled as they do. Greed is the only constant in their life. They must have more to create more.
What the wealthy don’t see is that, come the day of reckoning, all the wealth, cars, boats, planes and fame don’t count. They will stand before the Maker and be as equal as the homeless veteran who died shivering on the street. They are not going to find a first class penthouse waiting for them. Greed is non-transferable. The worms that will consume their flesh don’t care how wealthy they were.
Many of us, even though we live hand to mouth will discover love and happiness and find contentment in raising a family and providing them a better life than we had. We know that the dream of a luxury life is just that - a dream - so we have settled for a more mundane life filled with friends and families. All we ask for is to be able to live a comfortable life.
Will the wealthy be able to say the same? They have to worry day to day, afraid that some unseen forces will destroy their world. They will be hard-pressed to find even the tiniest piece of contentment, worried that the one who professes to love them may only want their wealth.
Their offspring that have become accustomed to an easy life may not be ready to face reality. If they were to tell the truth, happiness has eluded them. All that wealth generates is the desire for more wealth - and power. They see the control of those beneath them as rewarding. Why should the middle class be so happy? It just isn’t fair.
The goal of the middle class is to one day be able to reap some of the rewards we worked for so long. Since the wealthy seem to feel that we are not even entitled to that, they want to dash the middle class dreams on the hard rocks of life to make us feel as unfilled as they do. Greed is the only constant in their life. They must have more to create more.
What the wealthy don’t see is that, come the day of reckoning, all the wealth, cars, boats, planes and fame don’t count. They will stand before the Maker and be as equal as the homeless veteran who died shivering on the street. They are not going to find a first class penthouse waiting for them. Greed is non-transferable. The worms that will consume their flesh don’t care how wealthy they were.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Shared?
Today’s economy has been blamed on the actions of the left. While they deserve a portion of the blame, both sides played equally into the current economic crisis.
This downward spiral was begun when we started two wars and the Republicans never gave a second thought to how they were going to fund them. They made a fateful decision not to include them in the budget so citizens didn't think they were overspending. After all, the Republican Party is a conservative group, and it wouldn’t look good if they were observed burning money.
For eight years the bills keep rolling in as the cost continued to climb until the point where the bills they pushed along are now long overdue.
Today the same group that was so eager to cover their spending has had to deal with it after all. How? First they decided to shift the blame and become the party of no tax and no spending. The liberals are to blame for the mass spending as they have been too wild and free with the taxpayers’ dollars.
Now we have to force the liberals to cut every program to the hilt and convince the public that this is the only way to dig the nation out. Taxing our way out won’t work - our masters have told us to say this. As the real facts start to slowly emerge the public is finally becoming aware that they have been deceived.
The jobs they were promised have not materialized. Instead they are fed hollow rhetoric about how more tax cuts for the upper tier will make those jobs appear. They have heard this before, and so far their plates are still empty - along with their savings accounts. They see the greed and "we want” but never "this is what we are going to do get people back to work".
We now have a proposal on the table that actually might help put people on a slow road to recovery, but even before the bill was even opened all we heard from congress was that they wouldn’t allow it without more “we want”. The people don’t want more of the blame game. They are tired of it. They want results. “They want “those elected to come to the table and sit down to work on creating a real solution!
This downward spiral was begun when we started two wars and the Republicans never gave a second thought to how they were going to fund them. They made a fateful decision not to include them in the budget so citizens didn't think they were overspending. After all, the Republican Party is a conservative group, and it wouldn’t look good if they were observed burning money.
For eight years the bills keep rolling in as the cost continued to climb until the point where the bills they pushed along are now long overdue.
Today the same group that was so eager to cover their spending has had to deal with it after all. How? First they decided to shift the blame and become the party of no tax and no spending. The liberals are to blame for the mass spending as they have been too wild and free with the taxpayers’ dollars.
Now we have to force the liberals to cut every program to the hilt and convince the public that this is the only way to dig the nation out. Taxing our way out won’t work - our masters have told us to say this. As the real facts start to slowly emerge the public is finally becoming aware that they have been deceived.
The jobs they were promised have not materialized. Instead they are fed hollow rhetoric about how more tax cuts for the upper tier will make those jobs appear. They have heard this before, and so far their plates are still empty - along with their savings accounts. They see the greed and "we want” but never "this is what we are going to do get people back to work".
We now have a proposal on the table that actually might help put people on a slow road to recovery, but even before the bill was even opened all we heard from congress was that they wouldn’t allow it without more “we want”. The people don’t want more of the blame game. They are tired of it. They want results. “They want “those elected to come to the table and sit down to work on creating a real solution!
Monday, September 19, 2011
States outsourcing and privatizing.
How much should the private sector be allowed to operate in providing services to taxpayers? Today’s trend is to outsource the labor to private corporations in an effort to balance the budget. But does it really save us money?
At first glance it may seem that it is. But when we look closer we will find that those jobs that were once filled with workers who had good pay and health coverage are now filled with workers earning just over minimum wage and receiving little to no benefits. Who must make up where those corporations are lacking? The taxpayers of course. And who do we complain to about bad service? Not to the supervisor of the department but to an automated answering system in a out of state or out of the country corporate office.
Let’s look at how this private system works. First the state hires a corporation to provide the needed services for a contracted amount. They, in turn, hire their employees at a rate which will provide the company with a nice profit. The new hires are most likely temporary workers paid at the lowest possible rate so there is little to say. They are able to do the job and to save the company money and are given little training. Many of the workers are not even residents of the state they work for so there is little guarantee they will be available when needed. They also have very little incentive to do their work well, other than to receive their meager salaries.
Remember we now pay an out-of-state (or country) Corporation (X) dollars to provide a needed service with non-resident workers. If you have a complaint will you be able to get satisfaction? Here in Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County Governor Walker did just that. He fired union security people at the courthouse and give the jobs over to a private company http://blog.buzzflash.com/node/12390
How much did he save the county? Well he actually ended up costing them over a half million and counting so far because a court ruled he could not do what he did, but even though the former county workers were reinstated in their jobs, the county also had to continue to pay the contracted firm for the duration of the contract.
Now our Governor is well on his way to privatizing jobs throughout the entire state. What will this cost the taxpayers in the end? Do we want a multinational corporation doing business within our government Shouldn’t we, to create revenue, see that contracts at least be awarded to companies within the borders of this nation and preferably within the borders of our state?
Let’s see ....... he has also hired a legal firm, even though the state has a department to handle court cases. The cost so far is $700,000 dollars. This is in his first year in office. How much will his cost "savings" cost "we the people" in the end?
At first glance it may seem that it is. But when we look closer we will find that those jobs that were once filled with workers who had good pay and health coverage are now filled with workers earning just over minimum wage and receiving little to no benefits. Who must make up where those corporations are lacking? The taxpayers of course. And who do we complain to about bad service? Not to the supervisor of the department but to an automated answering system in a out of state or out of the country corporate office.
Let’s look at how this private system works. First the state hires a corporation to provide the needed services for a contracted amount. They, in turn, hire their employees at a rate which will provide the company with a nice profit. The new hires are most likely temporary workers paid at the lowest possible rate so there is little to say. They are able to do the job and to save the company money and are given little training. Many of the workers are not even residents of the state they work for so there is little guarantee they will be available when needed. They also have very little incentive to do their work well, other than to receive their meager salaries.
Remember we now pay an out-of-state (or country) Corporation (X) dollars to provide a needed service with non-resident workers. If you have a complaint will you be able to get satisfaction? Here in Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County Governor Walker did just that. He fired union security people at the courthouse and give the jobs over to a private company http://blog.buzzflash.com/node/12390
How much did he save the county? Well he actually ended up costing them over a half million and counting so far because a court ruled he could not do what he did, but even though the former county workers were reinstated in their jobs, the county also had to continue to pay the contracted firm for the duration of the contract.
Now our Governor is well on his way to privatizing jobs throughout the entire state. What will this cost the taxpayers in the end? Do we want a multinational corporation doing business within our government Shouldn’t we, to create revenue, see that contracts at least be awarded to companies within the borders of this nation and preferably within the borders of our state?
Let’s see ....... he has also hired a legal firm, even though the state has a department to handle court cases. The cost so far is $700,000 dollars. This is in his first year in office. How much will his cost "savings" cost "we the people" in the end?
Sunday, September 18, 2011
It has been 10 Years.
Just a few short days ago we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the most devastating attacks on civilians this country has ever known.
This wasn't the first surprise act of war on this country but it was the largest loss of civilian life. Unlike Pearl Harbor, the enemy didn't have uniforms or marked planes that clearly showed who they were and no one really laid claim to being responsible. We drew the conclusion that we were attacked by Arab extremists and mounted action against them.
Before the end of the next year we were drawn into two unfunded wars which had a devastating effect on the economy. What was different was that instead of bringing the nation together and unifying us under one flag as Pearl Harbor did it instead divided us.
People asked why we had invaded a nation that had no apparent links to the attacks. They were told that they had weapons of mass destruction, but that was proven to not be true. Even 10 years later we are still torn by the loss of freedom we have experienced and by the suspicions of different segments of the nation.
Every day we witness the erosion of our freedoms under the guise of protection. We are now under suspicion and subjected to searches just to travel by air. There has been legislation passed that demands we must allow more intrusions from law enforcement divisions into our lives.
Most accepted the fact that we may need more security, but at what point do we stop quaking in our boots and make a statement that the loss of our freedom must come to a halt?
Some are demanding less government, but at the same time are supporting bills that increase the role of law enforcement, military, and government intrusion. I feel the risk of attack is far less than the loss of hard won freedoms and the tax payer dollars already spent on personnel and equipment we are told is necessary for our own good.
Stop feeding the beast of fear, stop being the victims and show the world why we at one time were a great nation ..... a nation that can overcome tragedy and not lose its strength and commitment to liberty and self reliance.
This wasn't the first surprise act of war on this country but it was the largest loss of civilian life. Unlike Pearl Harbor, the enemy didn't have uniforms or marked planes that clearly showed who they were and no one really laid claim to being responsible. We drew the conclusion that we were attacked by Arab extremists and mounted action against them.
Before the end of the next year we were drawn into two unfunded wars which had a devastating effect on the economy. What was different was that instead of bringing the nation together and unifying us under one flag as Pearl Harbor did it instead divided us.
People asked why we had invaded a nation that had no apparent links to the attacks. They were told that they had weapons of mass destruction, but that was proven to not be true. Even 10 years later we are still torn by the loss of freedom we have experienced and by the suspicions of different segments of the nation.
Every day we witness the erosion of our freedoms under the guise of protection. We are now under suspicion and subjected to searches just to travel by air. There has been legislation passed that demands we must allow more intrusions from law enforcement divisions into our lives.
Most accepted the fact that we may need more security, but at what point do we stop quaking in our boots and make a statement that the loss of our freedom must come to a halt?
Some are demanding less government, but at the same time are supporting bills that increase the role of law enforcement, military, and government intrusion. I feel the risk of attack is far less than the loss of hard won freedoms and the tax payer dollars already spent on personnel and equipment we are told is necessary for our own good.
Stop feeding the beast of fear, stop being the victims and show the world why we at one time were a great nation ..... a nation that can overcome tragedy and not lose its strength and commitment to liberty and self reliance.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Life's Path
The path of life isn’t always clearly marked. We will sometimes come to a fork in the road and not know what direction to take. If we take the wrong branch of the path and find we are going against our principles, we have no recourse except to forge in a new direction.
Today’s political scene is very well marked, so there is little doubt in many people’s minds as to what direction they want to go. I choose to follow the path that the founders carved out in the battle against corporate rule and domination.
This is a path some have abandoned because it can be difficult. It is steep and rocky, with many hurdles to overcome, but this path fits my principles and values. I take this direction because I feel that, as a citizen, I have a duty to allow others to have their opinions and opportunities and not condemn them for not sharing mine.
This nation was inspired by many men with different views who put those views aside to work together and make a new world ..... one free of the influence of corporations and religion. Over the years we have worked to include all people in this new world. I admit it is hard to accept the radical and extreme views of some of our countrymen and their refusal to work together. All I know is that it isn’t the path I want to venture down.
I see the outcome as disastrous to this nation, but many are rushing along this path at a break-neck speed, not willing to compromise or veer from this collision course.
If we want to preserve this nation we need to work together. United means we must put aside our differences and comprise. Without this the path we are on will lead to ruin and discord. No one group can have it entirely their way.
Today’s political scene is very well marked, so there is little doubt in many people’s minds as to what direction they want to go. I choose to follow the path that the founders carved out in the battle against corporate rule and domination.
This is a path some have abandoned because it can be difficult. It is steep and rocky, with many hurdles to overcome, but this path fits my principles and values. I take this direction because I feel that, as a citizen, I have a duty to allow others to have their opinions and opportunities and not condemn them for not sharing mine.
This nation was inspired by many men with different views who put those views aside to work together and make a new world ..... one free of the influence of corporations and religion. Over the years we have worked to include all people in this new world. I admit it is hard to accept the radical and extreme views of some of our countrymen and their refusal to work together. All I know is that it isn’t the path I want to venture down.
I see the outcome as disastrous to this nation, but many are rushing along this path at a break-neck speed, not willing to compromise or veer from this collision course.
If we want to preserve this nation we need to work together. United means we must put aside our differences and comprise. Without this the path we are on will lead to ruin and discord. No one group can have it entirely their way.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Slip Sliding Away
We have come a long way, but we are losing traction on the slippery slope of freedom. It is very easy for freedom to slip away just by allowing your views to blind you to reason.
Today many on the right are ready to toss freedom out the window for purely selfish reasons. What is most disconcerting is that they have no idea that in their quest to demonize some cultures and parts of our own society that they are actually harming themselves. They have tunnel vision, and want to create a world only they are part of.
They cannot see that by creating their so-called perfect world they are creating a Totalitarian state.....One that allows the government complete rule and one in which the people have no say.
We see it now in the states where one party rams though legislation without due process, thereby preventing open discussion. We observe many people cheering this reckless abandonment of democratic rule.
Their disregard for life that doesn’t fit their narrow view of the perfect world is shocking. They cannot see that once you give your government unlimited power and control they will not be ready to give it up.
The only way to maintain your freedom and liberty is to have a level playing field. Their field is created from money and greed, with no respect for the rights or feelings of others. They are like putty in the hands of those who want an unregulated world free from any rules that would prevent them from making more profit.
Those rulers are holding this nation hostage. Saying no jobs until you give us what we want, and using the narrow minded to accomplish their goals. It may be too late for the people to gain back their freedom and we have only greed to blame.
Today many on the right are ready to toss freedom out the window for purely selfish reasons. What is most disconcerting is that they have no idea that in their quest to demonize some cultures and parts of our own society that they are actually harming themselves. They have tunnel vision, and want to create a world only they are part of.
They cannot see that by creating their so-called perfect world they are creating a Totalitarian state.....One that allows the government complete rule and one in which the people have no say.
We see it now in the states where one party rams though legislation without due process, thereby preventing open discussion. We observe many people cheering this reckless abandonment of democratic rule.
Their disregard for life that doesn’t fit their narrow view of the perfect world is shocking. They cannot see that once you give your government unlimited power and control they will not be ready to give it up.
The only way to maintain your freedom and liberty is to have a level playing field. Their field is created from money and greed, with no respect for the rights or feelings of others. They are like putty in the hands of those who want an unregulated world free from any rules that would prevent them from making more profit.
Those rulers are holding this nation hostage. Saying no jobs until you give us what we want, and using the narrow minded to accomplish their goals. It may be too late for the people to gain back their freedom and we have only greed to blame.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Moral Decay
In the last decade, this nation, in the eyes of the world, has reduced itself to a country with little or no moral fiber. Our leaders have taken the platform that held us above those who advocate terror and put us on the same level by allowing torture and imprisonment without legal rights.
The world has seen that the US no longer respects the fact that people are not created the same but has chosen instead to condemn those with a different culture or lifestyle as subhuman and not worthy of belonging here or of sharing the same rights we hold dear.
They see that racism has reared its ugly head once again to set the nation back almost 150 years. They are not even attempting to hide their hatred of the President for the fact that he is black. They are so adamant that they would allow the destruction of this country to have their way.
How do we put a stop to this? How do you stop the growth of cancer? You can’t reason with it, and you can’t wish it away. You have to fight it with every cell in your body. You have to remove the growth and only leave only healthy tissue.
The world has seen that the US no longer respects the fact that people are not created the same but has chosen instead to condemn those with a different culture or lifestyle as subhuman and not worthy of belonging here or of sharing the same rights we hold dear.
They see that racism has reared its ugly head once again to set the nation back almost 150 years. They are not even attempting to hide their hatred of the President for the fact that he is black. They are so adamant that they would allow the destruction of this country to have their way.
How do we put a stop to this? How do you stop the growth of cancer? You can’t reason with it, and you can’t wish it away. You have to fight it with every cell in your body. You have to remove the growth and only leave only healthy tissue.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS
What do we think of the Republican candidates for President? We were first presented with Michelle Bachmann telling us she was the Chosen One to become President. Enter Rick Perry, claiming he is the real one for the job. Would God please put out a press release soon so we common folk know for sure?
I for one am tired of right wingers who profess their qualifications to be our God given saviors. God used to be pretty much a one man act, but seems that lately we have some false prophets, thicker than fleas on a dog.
Is it a good candidate that will pander for votes? One who uses fear, hate, bias and false claims to get elected..... is that who we want leading us? As the Native Americans once said “white man speaks with forked tongue” at least in the movies.... is that what a leader should do?
The candidates of today, while condemning entitlements, have had their hands out to take as much as they can personally grab onto. They slam big government while creating new laws which expand that same governments’ role. A man who claims to want his state to secede from the union has chosen to run for a position as the leader of that union and represent us to the world.
Frankly I feel we can do much better. Where has this view come from? Why has it become so much a national issue that we must all declare and bow before the Christian principles? I for one want my religious freedom granted to me by the founders of this country, and not in some radical view dictated by others. If those who want to lead want to do so from a pulpit let them start a church, but don’t bring your religious views into my government.
I for one am tired of right wingers who profess their qualifications to be our God given saviors. God used to be pretty much a one man act, but seems that lately we have some false prophets, thicker than fleas on a dog.
Is it a good candidate that will pander for votes? One who uses fear, hate, bias and false claims to get elected..... is that who we want leading us? As the Native Americans once said “white man speaks with forked tongue” at least in the movies.... is that what a leader should do?
The candidates of today, while condemning entitlements, have had their hands out to take as much as they can personally grab onto. They slam big government while creating new laws which expand that same governments’ role. A man who claims to want his state to secede from the union has chosen to run for a position as the leader of that union and represent us to the world.
Frankly I feel we can do much better. Where has this view come from? Why has it become so much a national issue that we must all declare and bow before the Christian principles? I for one want my religious freedom granted to me by the founders of this country, and not in some radical view dictated by others. If those who want to lead want to do so from a pulpit let them start a church, but don’t bring your religious views into my government.
Monday, September 12, 2011
The beginning of the Tea Party
What are the origins of the Tea Party? Where did they come from? From their platform rhetoric I am drawn to the conclusion that they are an offshoot of the Posse Comitatus, the Christian Identity (Christian Patriots).
Incorporated in Los Angeles in 1948, Wesley Swift's Church of Jesus Christ Christian was initially a racist sect which later became the Christian Identity. The central belief of the Christian Identity doctrine is in the existence of two races on earth. The first is a godly white race descended from Adam and a the second a satanic race fathered by Satan.
Swift was a Klan leader and preacher at Amy Semple McPherson's Foursquare Church in Los Angles. He was never able to make much of a success out of his doctrine, but its words attracted several people who became central to what was later called "Christian Identity": San Jacinto Capt, William Potter Gale and Richard Girnt Butler.
William Potter Gale played in the formation of Identity, the Posse Comitatus, Aryan Nations, The Committee of the States, the Unorganized Militia and all the rest of the panoply of militant white supremacy in the United States today.
In other words the Tea Party has its roots in the white supremacist movement and now has become linked with the John Birch Society. If you take a good look at the goals of the Tea Party and compare those to the Posse you can see similarities between the two.
The posse has been the force behind state militias, resistance to federal authority, tax resistance, and total removal of gun laws. The posse believes the federal government should be abolished, with each state being allowed to rule independently from the others. County law enforcement trumps federal at all times. The rise of the religious right is in total compliance with the agenda of the posse.
The posse believes in the essence of the "two seed" theory, which is that there are two races on earth: one godly and one satanic.
They believe in the organic constitution, that is - “The Constitution is a divinely inspired document in which human agency is secondary to God's will. Only the original Constitution and Bill of Rights, as signed by the founders, is the supreme Law of the Land and this law should be interpreted in the light of Biblical understanding. All later amendments, laws and regulations are "unconstitutional" in the sense that they "create a federal constitution in opposition to the original."
- The organic Constitution is God's law and the only law of the land.
- "Natural rights" come from God, not the state. The rights enumerated in the divinely inspired organic Constitution are expressions of God's laws and cannot be altered by the laws of men.
- The federal government is an "unconstitutional" tyranny and the Constitution must be "upheld" by resisting that tyranny.
- Because the 13th and 14th Amendments are unconstitutional, there are two or more classes of citizen, with only white Christian property-owning males possessing the natural rights of first class citizenship -- "sovereign citizenship." All others are "14th Amendment citizens" and possess inferior rights.
- These "sovereigns" are the only people empowered to interpret the organic Constitution as the law of the land.
I think you can see the similarities between the tea party and the posse.
Incorporated in Los Angeles in 1948, Wesley Swift's Church of Jesus Christ Christian was initially a racist sect which later became the Christian Identity. The central belief of the Christian Identity doctrine is in the existence of two races on earth. The first is a godly white race descended from Adam and a the second a satanic race fathered by Satan.
Swift was a Klan leader and preacher at Amy Semple McPherson's Foursquare Church in Los Angles. He was never able to make much of a success out of his doctrine, but its words attracted several people who became central to what was later called "Christian Identity": San Jacinto Capt, William Potter Gale and Richard Girnt Butler.
William Potter Gale played in the formation of Identity, the Posse Comitatus, Aryan Nations, The Committee of the States, the Unorganized Militia and all the rest of the panoply of militant white supremacy in the United States today.
In other words the Tea Party has its roots in the white supremacist movement and now has become linked with the John Birch Society. If you take a good look at the goals of the Tea Party and compare those to the Posse you can see similarities between the two.
The posse has been the force behind state militias, resistance to federal authority, tax resistance, and total removal of gun laws. The posse believes the federal government should be abolished, with each state being allowed to rule independently from the others. County law enforcement trumps federal at all times. The rise of the religious right is in total compliance with the agenda of the posse.
The posse believes in the essence of the "two seed" theory, which is that there are two races on earth: one godly and one satanic.
They believe in the organic constitution, that is - “The Constitution is a divinely inspired document in which human agency is secondary to God's will. Only the original Constitution and Bill of Rights, as signed by the founders, is the supreme Law of the Land and this law should be interpreted in the light of Biblical understanding. All later amendments, laws and regulations are "unconstitutional" in the sense that they "create a federal constitution in opposition to the original."
- The organic Constitution is God's law and the only law of the land.
- "Natural rights" come from God, not the state. The rights enumerated in the divinely inspired organic Constitution are expressions of God's laws and cannot be altered by the laws of men.
- The federal government is an "unconstitutional" tyranny and the Constitution must be "upheld" by resisting that tyranny.
- Because the 13th and 14th Amendments are unconstitutional, there are two or more classes of citizen, with only white Christian property-owning males possessing the natural rights of first class citizenship -- "sovereign citizenship." All others are "14th Amendment citizens" and possess inferior rights.
- These "sovereigns" are the only people empowered to interpret the organic Constitution as the law of the land.
I think you can see the similarities between the tea party and the posse.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Freedom
Freedom. What does it mean to you? To me it means that I can expect to go about my business, as long as it doesn’t violate any laws or infringe on anyone else's rights or freedom.
Today we are seeing a two tier level of freedom - one level for the average man on the street and the other for those of means. We are witnessing our elected officials denying the public the opportunity to be heard, while at the same time those who lobby for their favors are given an open door. Or we see one segment of society clamoring for denial of another’s rights. These are the same people who profess fear that they will lose their own rights.
Do we want a society where we have two classes of citizens? To me, the question not whether we want it but rather do we allow it to continue? In the military there is a saying, “a solider is never happy unless he has something to bitch about." The loss of our freedom deserves more than just to be bitched about. It requires action. The people of Wisconsin took that action, along with the people of Ohio and Michigan.
Now is the time for the entire country to pull together and demand that the freedoms we are granted as citizens of this great nation be equal for every man woman and child. It shouldn’t matter if you’re black, white or red…. or if you are Christian, Muslim or an Atheist. Nor should it matter if your sexual persuasion is gay or straight. If you live in the United States, you are an American, given the exact same rights as your neighbor. Freedom is your right to be who you are.
Today we are seeing a two tier level of freedom - one level for the average man on the street and the other for those of means. We are witnessing our elected officials denying the public the opportunity to be heard, while at the same time those who lobby for their favors are given an open door. Or we see one segment of society clamoring for denial of another’s rights. These are the same people who profess fear that they will lose their own rights.
Do we want a society where we have two classes of citizens? To me, the question not whether we want it but rather do we allow it to continue? In the military there is a saying, “a solider is never happy unless he has something to bitch about." The loss of our freedom deserves more than just to be bitched about. It requires action. The people of Wisconsin took that action, along with the people of Ohio and Michigan.
Now is the time for the entire country to pull together and demand that the freedoms we are granted as citizens of this great nation be equal for every man woman and child. It shouldn’t matter if you’re black, white or red…. or if you are Christian, Muslim or an Atheist. Nor should it matter if your sexual persuasion is gay or straight. If you live in the United States, you are an American, given the exact same rights as your neighbor. Freedom is your right to be who you are.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
No More Milk
On September 6th the Baraboo Wisconsin school district announced it would no longer be offering milk with the mid-morning snack at its elementary schools. I at first thought this was rather shocking. but after reading about their reasoning I now support the board in this decision. Please read this article entirely before you make your judgment.
The Board made the decision after reviewing cuts in school budgets that would force poorer students not to take part in the program. This would then force a two tier program, with the privileged getting milk and the others drinking only water. I know kids should learn that the world is not fair.... we hear this from the tea party folks all the time.........but I am sure the children have gotten that message long ago at home, on the street, and from other children. In school I think we should have a more level playing field. The sometimes cold and cruel world is waiting just outside the schoolroom door.
"Many parents pay 30 cents for the daily dairy offering, but state funding through the Wisconsin School Day Milk Program helps pay for the cost of milk for students from poor families," says Molly Fitzgerald, Principal and Director of Elementary Programming at Gordon L. Wilson Elementary School.
Even with the support from the state program, students who received milk with their snacks through the free and reduced-price lunch program cost the district about $10,400 last year. This year, the district instead plans to encourage all students to drink water with their morning snack.
With the budget crunch going on, at least this school district is showing parents the effect Walker has had on public schools. Walker's draconian cuts have placed Wisconsin in the unenviable position of being number one in cuts to public schools, the highest in the nation.
The school district feels the voters need to see what effect Walker's cuts are having on schools so they can make informed decisions about the future of their school system. Of course, with Walker's proposed deregulation of environmental protection laws, the water quality may not be very good just a few short years from now either, so drink it while you can.
The Board made the decision after reviewing cuts in school budgets that would force poorer students not to take part in the program. This would then force a two tier program, with the privileged getting milk and the others drinking only water. I know kids should learn that the world is not fair.... we hear this from the tea party folks all the time.........but I am sure the children have gotten that message long ago at home, on the street, and from other children. In school I think we should have a more level playing field. The sometimes cold and cruel world is waiting just outside the schoolroom door.
"Many parents pay 30 cents for the daily dairy offering, but state funding through the Wisconsin School Day Milk Program helps pay for the cost of milk for students from poor families," says Molly Fitzgerald, Principal and Director of Elementary Programming at Gordon L. Wilson Elementary School.
Even with the support from the state program, students who received milk with their snacks through the free and reduced-price lunch program cost the district about $10,400 last year. This year, the district instead plans to encourage all students to drink water with their morning snack.
With the budget crunch going on, at least this school district is showing parents the effect Walker has had on public schools. Walker's draconian cuts have placed Wisconsin in the unenviable position of being number one in cuts to public schools, the highest in the nation.
The school district feels the voters need to see what effect Walker's cuts are having on schools so they can make informed decisions about the future of their school system. Of course, with Walker's proposed deregulation of environmental protection laws, the water quality may not be very good just a few short years from now either, so drink it while you can.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
A Cry For Help
The tea party’s platform includes a need for smaller government. They say states should be allowed to handle issues at the state level and keep the federal government out, since they don’t need them in the states business.
Then along came Hurricane Irene storming up the east coast, ripping out trees, taking out power grids and flooding cities and towns. Now Chris Christie, governor of NJ, and one of those same tea party people, is demanding that the federal government step up relief for the communities in his state.
I see this as a perfect time for Governor Christie to demonstrate to us how well individual states can cope in a disaster. This would be proof positive that their platform works. Hey Governor maybe it is time for more tax breaks for the rich and cuts for the others in your state so you can pay for your own repairs.
The tea party feels that as long as a disaster doesn’t affect them, it is of no concern to them, but once Mother Nature body slams them they are standing at the front of the line wailing loudly and demanding federal aid. Isn’t that correct Mr. Cantor?
Then along came Hurricane Irene storming up the east coast, ripping out trees, taking out power grids and flooding cities and towns. Now Chris Christie, governor of NJ, and one of those same tea party people, is demanding that the federal government step up relief for the communities in his state.
I see this as a perfect time for Governor Christie to demonstrate to us how well individual states can cope in a disaster. This would be proof positive that their platform works. Hey Governor maybe it is time for more tax breaks for the rich and cuts for the others in your state so you can pay for your own repairs.
The tea party feels that as long as a disaster doesn’t affect them, it is of no concern to them, but once Mother Nature body slams them they are standing at the front of the line wailing loudly and demanding federal aid. Isn’t that correct Mr. Cantor?
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Labor day
Why has the nation turned its back on the common laborer? Have we lost the perspective of what these workers have done for this country?
The men and woman who toiled countless hours under the hot sun and in the freezing winters to build America are its backbone. The workers who risk their lives deep underground in the coal mines or spend their days and nights clearing the roads of snow so when morning comes you can travel safely to work......the drivers who deliver food to your store, or take you to an appointment on days when no sane person would venture out, should be hailed as heroes. Instead, we tend to look down on them. Is that because that they may not hold a degree or wear a suit and tie to work?
These are the men and women that built the very foundation of the country we enjoy today. They tunneled though mountains, created roads where there were none, cleared land for our homes and crops, and probably built the town you live in, with their blood, sweat, and tears.
Today they are called the middle class - the workers, the road crews, the garbage collectors and others. Whether they are working in the public or the private sector they are all cut from the same fabric. They all deserve the respect of every man, woman, and child.
They shouldn’t be put down because they were able, with the aid of a union, to advance themselves above their peers. Can the resentment towards union workers be that those not in unions are jealous? Give that some thought as we celebrate Labor Day this year.
The men and woman who toiled countless hours under the hot sun and in the freezing winters to build America are its backbone. The workers who risk their lives deep underground in the coal mines or spend their days and nights clearing the roads of snow so when morning comes you can travel safely to work......the drivers who deliver food to your store, or take you to an appointment on days when no sane person would venture out, should be hailed as heroes. Instead, we tend to look down on them. Is that because that they may not hold a degree or wear a suit and tie to work?
These are the men and women that built the very foundation of the country we enjoy today. They tunneled though mountains, created roads where there were none, cleared land for our homes and crops, and probably built the town you live in, with their blood, sweat, and tears.
Today they are called the middle class - the workers, the road crews, the garbage collectors and others. Whether they are working in the public or the private sector they are all cut from the same fabric. They all deserve the respect of every man, woman, and child.
They shouldn’t be put down because they were able, with the aid of a union, to advance themselves above their peers. Can the resentment towards union workers be that those not in unions are jealous? Give that some thought as we celebrate Labor Day this year.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Rights as Taxpayers
The issue of health care has been the focus of many discussions during the past election cycle. What we are seeing now is a partial synopsis of a report paid for by the past administration.
Dr. Jonathan Gruber, a noted economist, was hired to create a report on the effects of this health care plan on the citizens of Wisconsin. The facts were not reported in full by Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith and Insurance Commissioner Ted Nickel, but were instead cherry picked from the complete report.
As residents of this state, as well as taxpayers, we must demand that the full report be released so we can be fully informed and able to make the correct decisions on health care for Wisconsin citizens. We cannot rely on those in charge, who are releasing only the information they feel fits their agenda.
As officials in power and position they are obligated to tell the people all that the report includes so they can make informed judgments. As a public official, to do less is unethical and displays bias for an agenda that may not really benefit those they are supposed to serve.
In order for Wisconsin citizens to make a proper judgment we must demand that all information paid for with tax dollars be released so we can be better informed on the issue. As long as the report doesn't concern national security we have a right to know.
Dr. Jonathan Gruber, a noted economist, was hired to create a report on the effects of this health care plan on the citizens of Wisconsin. The facts were not reported in full by Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith and Insurance Commissioner Ted Nickel, but were instead cherry picked from the complete report.
As residents of this state, as well as taxpayers, we must demand that the full report be released so we can be fully informed and able to make the correct decisions on health care for Wisconsin citizens. We cannot rely on those in charge, who are releasing only the information they feel fits their agenda.
As officials in power and position they are obligated to tell the people all that the report includes so they can make informed judgments. As a public official, to do less is unethical and displays bias for an agenda that may not really benefit those they are supposed to serve.
In order for Wisconsin citizens to make a proper judgment we must demand that all information paid for with tax dollars be released so we can be better informed on the issue. As long as the report doesn't concern national security we have a right to know.
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