middle wisconsin news - may 2012

7/31/2019 Middle Wisconsin News - May 2012

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Information Technology SolutionsMiddle WisconsinNews

A FACT-DRIVEN VOICE FOR

MIDDLE WISCONSIN VIEWS

FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE STATE

FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS

Ma y 2 4 , 2 0 1 2

May. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Fighting Bob Fest . . . . . . . 2

Working Wisconsin . . . . . 3

Something to Consider. . . 4

Recall Endorsement. . . . . 5

Commonwealth . . . . . . . . 6

Workers Memorial. . . . . . .8

Dropping the Bomb . . . . .10

The Mining Bill. . . . . . . . 11

Freedom for All. . . . . . . . 12

Worth Repeating . . . . . . 13

Challenging the Myth . . . 14

2011Midd le Wiscons in

IN THIS ISSUE:

www.M id d le Wisco n s in . co m

It is nearing the end of May in Wisconsin, and the shades of green on the hillsides

and in the woodlands are beyond description. Each spring our state becomes a par-

adise of new life - of resurrection and hope. Can there possibly be a more lush and

verdant place on Earth? And perhaps this rebirth is a symbol of the renewal taking

place all across Wisconsin.

In cities and countrysides throughout our state we are reaffirming what it means to

be a Wisconsinite - and in truth what it means to be an American. We are reaffirm

ing our belief in fairness, in mutual respect, and in a sense of community and the

common good. We are reaffirming our belief in life.

As we go forward in the months ahead we know we will face problems and strug-

gles. But let us remember that we live in Wisconsin. Let us remember that rebirth

and renewal surround us.

,

MAY 2012

Middle Wisconsin Newswelcomes letters, articlesand essays on relevant top-ics. We ask that you limitsubmissions to 800 wordsand provide sources whenappropriate. Submissionsmay be edited for length,clarity and taste. Emailedsubmissions should be sentin plain text or MicrosoftWord attachments to:[email protected]


2/14

The second annual Bob Fest was held at Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Ed Garvey started the original FightingBobFest in Baraboo over ten years ago. It was movedto Madison a few years ago to accommodate the thousands of people who attend. So now there are twBobFests in Wisconsin, one in spring in Chippewa Falls and the other in fall in Madison.

It brings todays best progressive speakers to the Midwest to inspire local people to speak and act oncritical problems that endanger our democracy. It is a perfect place to remember Fighting Bob LaFollette who liked to speak at fairgrounds and parks around the state. During this time in Wisconsin politics, the need for clarity about how money influences elections, campaigns and government is greaterthan ever.

There is so much I could tell you about the day. In the interest of space, I will give highlights. Timeand again the speakers emphasized that this election is far bigger than Democrats versus Republicans.

This is wealth and powerful corporations versus the people.

Dana Schultz of Athens is the director of 9-5, an organization in Milwaukee working for equal rightsfor women. She reminded us that it is the middle-class that creates jobs.We all do better when we all do better.

Nino Amato (from the Amato Restaurants in Madison) is the director of Coalition of Wisconsin AginGroups of Madison. Their mission is to reduce conflicts of interest between prescribers and pharma-ceutical and medical device companies. He recommended two books: The Time of Our Lives by TomBrokaw and That Used to Be Us by TomFriedman. He reminded us that it took over 100 years to gain women suffrage.

Bob Kincaid of West Virginia is a union progressive hillbilly. He hosts a radio show:HORN (Head-On-Radio Network) in Appalachia. He told about the coal companies that have blownoff the tops of 500 mountains, burying 2000 miles of streams.He told how the ideas of Bob LaFollette caught fire in West Virginia. He reminded us that the nationwatching Wisconsin. If the Corporate Powers can destroy Wisconsin, they can win anywhere.

Mike McCabe gave a wonderful, fact-filled speech, as usual. He reminded us that the more moneyinvolved, the less democracy there is. Because of the work of investigative journalists, many peoplenow know about Citizens United and ALEC.

Mike McCabe advised us to think about where we want to START in our work with Wisconsin poli-tics. For the past year, we have concentrated on what we want to STOP, namely Governor Walker anhis radical ideas. Currently, he sees two political parties: one is scarey and the other is scared. TheDemocratic Party is damaged and we need to recover its purpose of progress for every person. Politi-cians need to be free to lead, not to be obliged to financial supporters. If you want to know how to de

velop a progressive party, follow the path of the 1911 session of the Wisconsin Legislatures. We neto do what citizens need, not what corporate power and money desire.

Mahlon Mitchell, candidate for Lieutenant Governor, gave a dazzling speech. So did Ruth Conniff oftheProgressive. I knew that John Nichols writes very well. However, I had never heard him speakand I was riveted to my chair. I couldnt even take notes. He gave a sensational speech. Then SenatoKathleen Vinehout spoke. Again we stood many many times applauding loudly. She told how Gov.Walker found the state surplus by delaying payment of bills. This only adds to the interest our stateowes. He re-financed the existing debt. The Governor delayed more debt than Gov. Doyle did in hisyears of office.

I left that afternoon session with my ears ringing and my head full of information and ideas, resolved do all I can to get out the vote on June 5.

Middle Wisconsin NewsMa y 2 4 , 2 0

Pa g e

Once socialchange begins,it cannot be re-

versed. Youcannot unedu-cate the personwho haslearned toread. You can-not humiliate

the person whofeels pride.You cannot op-press the peo-ple who arenot afraid any-more.

--Cesar Chavez


By Virginia Kirsch - Wausau

Fighting Bob Fest May 19, 2012


3/14

Divide and Conquer

A single twig breaks, but the bundle of twigs is strong. Tecumseh Shawnee ChiefA certain Father had a family of Sons, who were forever quarreling among themselves. Nowords he could say did the least good, so he cast about in his mind for some very striking example that should make them see that discord would lead them to misfortune.

One day when the quarreling had been much more violent than usual and each of the Sonswas moping in a surly manner, he asked one of them to bring him a bundle of sticks. Then

handing the bundle to each of his Sons in turn he told them to try to break it. But althougheach one tried his best, none was able to do so. The Father then untied the bundle and gavethe sticks to his Sons to break one by one. This they did very easily.

"My Sons,"said the Father, "do you not see how certain it is that if you agree with each other

and help each other, it will be impossible for your enemies to injure you? But if you are divied among yourselves, you will be no stronger than a single stick in that bundle.". (Aesop)

When you go out in the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. (Robert Ful-

ghum - All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten)

I am astonished on a daily basis how the State of Wisconsin has come to a point where neighbor is pitted against neighbor, communities are divided and workers are demonized. It is truly surreal the animosity between us. I grieve for my State.

It is only together that we can accomplish great things, great ideas and great communities.The myth of the self-made man must be rejected. The vast majority of us are workers. Therare few that are born with silver spoons in our mouths. When we believe the myths that di-vide and conquer us, we are weak and will be exploited. That is exactly the reasons that Unions were formed-to fight for economic and social justice. I hear the echo chamber that Un-ions have outlived their usefulness. Really? Would economic and social justice be main-tained without Unions? Would corporations pay workers a living wage and not just a mini-mum wage without Unions? Are single twigs stronger that a bundle of sticks?

I had an interesting conversation the other day. An acquaintance told me that he was talking

to another person about the myth of the self-made man and he argued that there are some wh

just cannot keep their heads above water due to conditions that are not in their control. He

asked this person how we should treat these people in our community. The person responde

by saying something like Well that is just their lot in life and they should not get any ass

tance. He then asked could you please make a list of specific peoples names in his commu

nity who should live so miserably and we should not help out. The conversation abruptly

changed. He put a real face on the issue-he put a human face on the divisive ideals that this

person expounded. Would your views change if you had to personally tell your neighbor

tough luck for you-no helping hand. Unity - not division is a Wisconsin value. Enough i

enough.


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Most people in thecountry are lookingat everything thatshappened. It justseems it is one dis-aster after another

after another. Peo-ple are starting toconnect the dots.

--Anthony Leiserowitzof Yale University, oneof the researchers whocommissioned a newpoll showing 69 percent of Americans be-lieve extreme weather

is probably madeworse by global warm-ing.


Working Wisconsin - Labor News and ViewsBy John Spiegelhoff

-Merrill, WI


4/14


Pa g e

Banking is a hugeleech on our economy.40% of every dollarwe spend on goodsand services - 40% ofall that we create andall we consume - is

siphoned off the top asbank interest in oneform or another.(Calculations ofMargrit Kennedy) TheUS Government is inthe absurd position ofpaying interest to aprivate bank for everydollar that is put intocirculation.

Five hundred billiondollars could be savedannually just by refi-nancing the federaldebt through our owncentral bank, interest-free.

Ignoring the Crisis: Philadel-phia Schools Are Crumbling

-

-

Ellen Brown Truthout

http://truth-out.org/news/item/9216-the-revolution-will-not-be-televised-quiet-drama-in-philadelphia


Governor Walker has many claims to fame in his sixteen months in office. He, along with theRepublican controlled legislature, slashed funding to education, weakened laws that protect twetlands, and used $36 million dollars from the federal government that was to go to home-owners to balance a budget that is supposedly balanced. Nine state agencies gave out bonues or raises to 218 employees to the tune of $765,195. The Milwaukee Journal stated: These

bonuses come as the state faces a $143 million shortfall and after state workers took pay cutsthrough provisions in the collective bargaining law.

Another claim to fame for the governor is not widely known. Governor Walker is the onlygovernor in Wisconsins history to set up a legal defense fund. Let me give a brief history ofthe John Doe investigation and a legal fund. A John Doe investigation is a secret probe inwhich authorities can compel witnesses to testify and turn over evidence. This investigation

began in May, 2010, while Scott Walker was the Milwaukee County Executive. Six peoplewho worked with him while he was Milwaukee County Executive have been charged with atotal of fifteen felonies and three misdemeanors.

Darlene Wink, a former aide, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor political corruption charges inFebruary. Her sentencing has been delayed because she agreed to cooperate with prosecutorsin ongoing investigations of other close associates of Walker.

On February 22, four felony misconduct in office charges were filed against Kelly Rindfleischis former deputy chief of staff.

Tim Russell, Walkers former deputy of staff and long time friend, and Kevin Kavanaugh,

Walkers appointment to the Milwaukee County Veterans Service commission, are chargedwith stealing more than $63,000 intended for veterans and their families. The money was speon Caribbean cruises and renewing Walker-for-Governor websites. The pair is charged withmultiple felonies.

The home of Cindy Archer, a former top-ranking aide to Walker, was raided by the FBI lastyear.

The John Doe inquiry has broadened its focus to bid-rigging or other misconduct.

Authorities are also investigating a secret email network used during his time as county executive. This secret email system was setup to hide activities that directly benefited his career an

to evade transparency. The FBI, Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, and oters are involved in the investigation.

Walker has retained criminal defense attorneys who specialize in representing criminal defenants and grand jury targets and owed $55,000-- through December 31, 2011--to two law firmThese attorneys bill at a rate of over $1,000/hour. Recently, $60,000 was transferred to thelegal defense fund.

Wisconsin statutes allow government officials to seek contributions to defense funds only ifthey are being investigated or charged with a violation of either campaign finance or otherelection laws.

The above information is something to consider on June 5th when you go to vote.

Something To ConsiderBy Joyce Leudke - Hayward


5/14

QUESTION: Who made this glowing endorsement of Wisconsins recall process?

You know, the folks that were angry about this started a recall, and they were toldthey needed to collect 73,000 signatures in sixty days. . . . Tens of thousands of ordi-nary people did an extraordinary thing. . . . In less than thirty days they collected morthan 150,000 signatures. It . . . wasnt just about anger. . . . What happened was reall

amazing. You saw people standing up shoulder to shoulder, neighbor to neighbor, ansaying, We want our government back. And in doing so, the real emotion on displawas about hope.

ANSWER: Scott Walker, candidate for Governor, in a May 2010 ad, referring to the2002 recall of his predecessor as Milwaukee County Executive. Google Taking OurGovernment Back Walkerto view it.

Now Walker wants to discredit recalls. GoogleKristi Recall Sour Grapes to view hisNovember 2011 ad: Kristi, High School Teacher: Im not big on recalls. . . . It feelslittle like sour grapes. . . . We didnt get our way and so we want to change the out-

comes.Google CNBC Walker November 2011 to find Walkers interview where hesaid, A minority of voters will get to force a new election in Wisconsin . . . .

Wisconsins Government Accountability Board (GAB) website indicates 900,938 ofthe 931,053 Recall Walker petition signatures presented were deemed valid. 540,208signatures were needed for a recall. GABs site recites rulings made by the courts anGAB on all legal and procedural challenges to the recall. The recall is legitimate.

Listen closely to political ads and discussions. Use critical thinking skills. Ask ques-tions. Do some research. Who paid for the ad? Where does their funding come from?Do they have a bias or motive? Are definitions clear? Is proof presented to support

opinions? Are statements taken out of context? Is emotional reasoning impairing cleathinking? Are issues oversimplified? If misinformation is repeated often enough, doeit become true?


Pa g e

The 2008 -2009 economiccrisis presents uswith an enor-mous opportuni-ty: to rediscoverour values - as

people, as fami-lies, as commu-nities of faith,and as a nation.

It is a moment ofdecision we darenot pass by.

-- Jim Wallis


By Jeanne Larson - Phillips

Endorsement of Recalls


6/14

Information Technology Solutions

Hi, my name is Jody, but it could be Sue, Bill, John, or Jill because Im no different than many of

you. I was born, raised, and now choose to live in Wisconsin. For thirty-eight years this land hasnurtured and supported me. I write this today because I fear that nurturing and supportive natureis fundamentally changing. I perceive that attitudes are coming to surface so rapidly and with somuch venom we may find it hard to move forward together again.

When I was a boy in the early eighties the economy was bad. Jobs -decent paying jobs that couldpay for food, mortgage, clothes, and end worry - were difficult to come by. At least they were in myhouse. Inflation was soaring, interest rates were solidly in the teens, and our household was wait-ing for our piece of the American pie to trickle down. Without the weekly unemployment checks,blocks of government cheese, and the goodwill of friends and family, our situation would havebeen much worse. The commonwealth of the people, our shared taxes, helped my family weatherthe storm of misfortune.

Another asset of the commonwealth (Common: of or relating to a communityat large, Wealth: allmaterial objects that have economic utility; especially the stock of useful goods having economi

value in existence at any one time) that proved the difference for me and my family is our educa-tional system. I was an able student, but willful and challenging. There were so many educatorsthat took extra concern with me and brought me back to the straight and narrow when I strayed.As a reflective adult I see this clearly now. At the time I found them meddlesome, but what per-spective does a student have on the role of the educator? This is one aspect I find troubling rightnow. The armchair quarterbacking going on relative to teachers is galling. As if someone over twety years removed from the experience, and immature when the experience was gained, has anyuseful insight into the position of our public teachers. No one at large has the competence to judg

the worth of a teachers compensation. Few understand the commitment, the schooling requiredas a prerequisite, the sacrifice, and the bargaining that brought them to this pass. Rather thanenvy a fellow citizen their compensation, we should hold them as a standard for the whole of socety. Devaluing their status of compensation only devalues our own. Not to mention that reducedcompensation lessens the possibility of the best entering the profession as the best have optionsDo we want the best for our children or do we want the mediocre?

I grew up in a family that relied on deer hunting for sustenance. We didnt hunt for the glory of

shooting some Boone and Crocket trophy. My dad was fond of saying You cant eat the antlers

anyways. The deer herd then was not robust and it was quite a bit of work to bag a deer. Doe tag

were rare and it was a treat to see more than a few flashes of brown in the woods. Today, becausof decades of academic practices, we have a thriving deer herd that is the envy of many states.The whitetail of Wisconsin is a prized asset of our shared tax resource, our commonwealth. Ourdollars, spanning generations, have paid for the current bounty. Our shared lands, which our money paid for, are managed to produce timber, to produce game, to produce water. These sharedresources provided so much for us. My family didnt have money to go to exotic locations for vaca

tion, but we could go tubing down the river or bobber fish for bluegill. We could get a permit forwindfall timber and cut enough firewood to feed our woodstove all winter long. We could pitch acamp at a state park and Escape to Wisconsin. We were from here and proud to say so. I nowread that some would have us pay in excess of $750 per deer permit (a 3,000% increase) and thpublic lands should be sold to private interests because private management is so much moreeffective than government managed lands. I am confused, startled, angry, sad, and unable to comprehend why anyone from here would want to sell off our most valuable asset.


Pa g e


Then Sam Fathers, stand-ing just behind the boy ashe had been standing whenthe boy shot his first runningrabbit with his first gun andalmost with the first load itever carried, touched hisshoulder and he began toshake, not with any cold.Then the buck was there,looking not like a ghost butas if all of the light werecondensed in him and hewere the source of it, notonly moving in it but dis-seminating it, already run-ning, seen first as you al-ways see the deer, in thatsplit second after he hasalready seen you, alreadyslanting away in that firstsoaring bound, the antlerseven in that dim light look-ing like a small rocking-chairbalanced on his head.

Now, Sam Fathers said,shoot quick and slow.The boy did not rememberthat shot at all. He wouldlive to be eighty, as his fa-ther and his fathers twinbrother and their father inhis turn had lived to be, buthe would never hear thatshot nor remember even theshock of the gun-butt.

So the instant came. Hepulled the trigger and SamFathers marked his face

with the hot blood which hehad spilled and he ceasedto be a child and became ahunter and a man.

-- William FaulknerGo Down Moses

By Jody Maier- Wausau

Our Wisconsin Commonwealth

Continued on page 7
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communityhttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/community


7/14


If some government managed assets are deemed not to be in the best interest of our common-wealth why not extrapolate that further? Roads are expensive, requiring huge amounts of cash tobuild and maintain. We the people really dont even get the best utilization of them. Freight trans

portation companies do. Our highways and interstates are choked with tractor-trailers poundingdown our tax dollar bought and paid for concrete and blacktop. Our cars do not apply nearly thewear and tear that these vehicles do. And since private business is so much more efficient whydont we sell off our roads to them? The reason is because wed not be able to afford driving any-

where of significance. If you think air travel is expensive, sit down and do the math on traveling oa private roadway. The only way that level of infrastructure can be created and maintained is byour combined and shared revenue. Those freight haulers pay their share too by the way, but theycouldnt foot the burden alone.

We all share in the cost of so much: police protection, fire protection, roadways, corrections,water/air/soil protection. The common citizen as well as businesses all pay taxes to support thesand many other enrichments to our lives, so for some to think that government serves no role or inherently inefficient is incredibly ignorant and nave. In 2008 it was not the government needingbail out. GM, Chrysler and Wall Street did not lend money to Uncle Sam. Rather it was We the

People (i.e. the government) rescuing them from their own financial ineptitude. The apologists

blame the unions for the woes of these corporations. Other apologists absolve unions of anyblame. Common sense dictates that both sides share in the trouble and both sides would need tobend to correct the situation. Isnt that where we stand right now in Wisconsin?

Special interest money brought this ideological, political war to our state. The extremists currentlyholding public office would have us believe that money is union money. It is true that some unionmoney is in the campaign. It is also true that Scott Walker brought in over $23 million in out ofstate donations. His super-sized yard signs and endless television ads are testament to the cash

he has on hand. That the Wisconsin teachers union would throw some money in to this fraymakes sense to me as they have much at stake. That well healed people from other states woulddonate tens of thousands of dollars to a governor from Wisconsin does not make sense. Peoplewith that kind of money are not in the habit of wasting their resources. These are men and womethat place their money in ventures where they can reasonably expect a return on their investmenSo please ask yourself: what return are they expecting here? Cheap land? Private schools? Re-laxed environmental regulations to ensure lower operating expenses? Busted unions to ensurelower wages and benefits? What level of political favor would you expect if you handed a politiciaa check for $500,000?

Im a son of Wisconsin. Wisconsin and her people have been good to me. I thrive here. I belong

here. I live here. I believe in Wisconsin. I believe in our shared resources that our forebears paidfor - our commonwealth. I believe that we can disagree, that we can debate, that we can be wary

each other but can overcome our differences. But the key is HOW we treat each other in the pro-cess. Our current leader admits to using divide and conquer tactics against his constituents -divide me from you and conquer us both. But we are the power. We cannot stand for a leader whwill not compromise or consider another perspective that is divisive at best and destructive atworst. Scott Walker is destructive. He arouses our basest nature and lures us to be dismissive ofour neighbor. Weve all been taught to love our neighbor. Weve been taught to treat others the

way we wish to be treated. Right now there is another Jody out there needing the help that this

Jody received. Some need much more. We should not be looking to remove our tax dollars fromthese people. We should be looking to remove our current governor and replace him with someondeserving of us.Please join me in recalling Scott Walker on June 5.


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The Commonwealth

PublicLand

I cant repudiate it. Itwas never mine to repu-diate. It was never Fa-thers and Uncle Buddysto bequeath to me to re-pudiate because it wasnever Grandfathers tobequeath them to be-queath me to repudiatebecause it was never oldIkkemotubbes to sell toGrandfather for be-queathment and repudia-tion. Because it wasnever Ikkemotubbes fa-thers fathers to be-

queath Ikkemotubbe tosell to Grandfather or anyman because on the in-stant when Ikkemotubbediscovered, realized, thathe could sell it for mon-ey, on that instant itceased ever to havebeen his forever, fatherto father to father

--William FaulknerGo Down Moses

Commonwealth continued . . .


8/14

The North Central Labor Coalition observed Workers Memorial Day with a reading of the

names of local workers injured, killed or who have died from illnesses related to the work-

place contaminates. The pictured Workers Memorial stone was dedicated as well as the me

morial tree planting. Speakers for the program included John Spiegelhoff, AFSCME Counci

40, Father Dean Einerson, St. Augustines, Rhinelander (pictured), Julie Allen, AFSCME

Council 40, Fred Andrist, NTU UniServ Director and Paul Knuth, Master of Ceremonies,

Oneida County Democratic Party Chair. Fifty people joined in a Solidarity Sing, refresh-

ments, and received red pine seedlings to commemorate the day. The event was co-sponsore

by Northwoods Grassroots Labor Activists.


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You see, Dr. Kingunderstood that it isorganizing that makesus most human. Heknew that when weuse our social nature

to lift each other up,we express our fullhumanity. We don'trealize our potential inlife the way corporateAmerica and their me-dia tells us -- not bypushing others aside orcrawling over anyoneelse's back or kissingsomebody's a**, but

by linking arms andlifting everyone, eve-ryone's family, every-one's kids, everyone'sstandard of living.And so today, mybrothers and sisters,we are confronted byhis memory. We arecalled by his struggle.We are challengedby

his sacrifice."

-- Stewart Acuff


Local Workers Observe

Workers Memorial Day

Continued on page 9


9/14

Information Technology SolutionsMiddle Wisconsin NewsAp r i l 27 , 20

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Who are the main Job Cre-ators?ConsumersWho are one of the mainconsumers?WorkersHenry Ford knew that if heraised his workers wages

he would have more con-sumers to buy his cars!In a poor economy the lastthing you want to do islower wages and benefitsof your main consumerswhich drives down con-sumer confidence and buy-ing power!Scott Walker with his"Divide And Conquer Ap-proach" and "His assaulton Workers" has lowered

consumer confidence andbuying power in Wiscon-sin!Henry Ford understoodhow a consumer driveneconomy works !Scott Walker and JerryPetrowski don't!Tom Barrett, MahlonMitchell and Donna Seideldo!That's why I urge you tovote for Tom Barrett,Mahlon Mitchelland Donna Seidel June5th!

Randy Radtke PresidentMarathon County LaborCouncil AFL-CIO

Workers Memorial DayWausau, Wisconsin

April 28, 2012


10/14


Governor Walker goes about the nation speaking and raising money about dropping thebomb on Wisconsin and Wisconsinites. As we can see, this strategy has been very lucrativefor him. To date over $23,000,000 has come to his campaign with 70% or more from out ofstate with much more to come. His campaign has a 25 to 1 advantage over Mayor Tom Bar-rett. The Koch brothers have given $1,700,000 (Koch Industries--oil, paper, and many otherentities).

But who are the victims of dropping the bomb?1. Students. $1.6 billion was cut from education with more cuts to come. This cut was thelargest in the states history and the largest in the nation.$1.6 billion translates to:A. Larger class sizes and less individualized attention for each student especially in the crucearly grades K-3.B. Course offerings were cut in the K

-12 schools

--art, music, computer sciences, technology

foreign languages, sciences, math, and so many other vital courses for the students who willbe in global competition in the future.C. Drastic cuts to the technical school system means fewer welders, machinists, nurses, me-chanics, accountants, and all the jobs that are so desperately needed to fill the demand of unfilled positions requiring a technical degree.

2. People on Badgercare/Medicaid. Possibly 111,000 low income people will be affected bycuts to Badgercare. More than 17,000 people will be leaving or will be turned away from theBadgerCarePlus health programs for the needy. One family was featured in the Wausau DaiHerald. The wife lost her vision due to a tumor and is unable to work. The husband was in-

jured while working on the job and is unable to work. They will lose their health care.

3. The working poor and low income homeowners and renters have seen cuts to the EarnedIncome Credit and the Homestead Credit resulting in an increase for them.

4. All of us have been affected in one way or another by the bomb being dropped on Wis-consin. Just look around!

Scott Walker also is proud of the divide and conquer tactic. (You can see this on YouTubeThis netted him $510,000 alone from Diane Hendricks of Wisconsin with money pouring inthis campaign from those who want to fuel the fire of divide and conquer.

As we can see this strategy has worked: The hard working private sector is pitted against the

hardworking public sector. The private sector are the have nots while the public sector arethe haves even though statistics are available that for comparable jobs/education/experiencthe public sector makes less. Families, friends, co-workers wont speak to each other becausof the divide and conquer strategy.

Here are the questions we need to consider when we vote in this historic election on June 5th

What bombs await us if Scott Walker is re-elected?Who will be the next sector to be divided? Who/what will be conquered next?Are these the strategies we want for our state?Who will heal the state and bring us together?


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Life, not money, isthe measure of realwealth value.

Real wealth alsoincludes all themany things of in-trinsic, spiritual, orutilitarian value thatare essential tomaintaining thevarious forms ofliving wealth.

They include

healthful food, fer-tile land, pure wa-ter, clean air, caringrelationships andloving parents, edu-cation, healthcare,fulfilling opportuni-ties for service, andtime for meditationand spiritual reflec-tion.

--David KortenAgenda for a New Economy

Dropping The BombBy Penny Greene and Joyce Leudke - Hayward


11/14

The April 26, 2012,Points North section ofThe Bee, quotes Republican Assembly-man, now State Senate candidate Jerry Petrowski at a Price County Republican Partydinner: Mining here would have looked the same as the gravel pit in Marathon Couty , and would have brought in more money to the area. Petrowski voted for AB426the mining bill introduced December 8, 2011 , by Assembly Republicans. Petrowskiopponent, Democratic Assemblyman, now State Senate candidate Donna Seidel, voted against AB426.

Gogebic Taconite (GTAC), a Florida-based company, proposes to strip mine taconita low-grade iron ore, in 21,000 acres along 21 miles of the Penokee Range in Ashlanand Iron Counties just south of Copper Falls State Park . This watershed area flowsinto Lake Superior . GTAC Managing Director Matt Fifield says, The Cline Group one of the nations largest privately-held mining companies. . . . Gogebic Taconite . is a wholly-owned entity of the Cline Group.Read about Cline Group owner Christpher Cline by googling Forbes Billionaire List.

The Center for Media and Democracy (CMD),prwatch.org, suggests GTAC wroteAB426 because no legislators were listed as authors. CMD states: The Assemblyproposal would make numerous changes to current law, including regarding howmines can affect waterways, wetlands and groundwater. The new bill drastically limithe time available to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for processing permit requests to 360 days. Similar permit requests in Minnesota took between two andfour years. The new bill also places a two million dollar cap on the amount a companmust reimburse the DNR for costs associated with processing a request. Any expensebeyond the two million dollar cap would come from the DNRs budget. Similar min-ing permits elsewhere have cost between three and four million dollars, and the DNRalready faces severe cuts. Follow CMDs links to track Clines Wisconsin campaigndonations.

Some criticisms of AB426: it guts mining-related environmental safeguards, elimi-nates public input, reduces revenues to local communities, rushes the permit reviewprocess, opens up possibility for damaging water quality, and jeopardizes federalflood insurance because of exemptions for dumping mining waste into floodplains.

Petrowski and Political Action Committees supporting him say Seidel voted againstcreating jobs by voting against AB426. Seidel, in Phillips on April 27, 2012 , said shvoted against bad legislation, not against mining or creating jobs; that the issue is notdead; and that she wishes to form a committee, including engineers, scientists, legisltors, and people that live in the area, to create mining legislation that balances eco-nomic and environmental concerns. Her common-sense approach on this importantissue is just one reason to vote for Seidel on June 5.


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The most im-portant forms ofwealth are be-yond price andare unavailablefor market pur-chase. These in-clude healthy,happy children,loving families,caring communi-

ties, and a beau-tiful, healthy,natural environ-ment.

-- David KortenAgenda for a New Economy


By Jeanne Larson - Phillips

The Mining bill


12/14

In- formation

Freedom for AllDoes the Obama Administrations rule on insurance coverage for contraception unconstitutionally deny reli-

gious liberty?

Cardinal Timothy Dolan has called American Catholics to a campaign of civil disobedienceand social action todefend the Church against the unprecedented incursion into freedom of conscienceof the Affordable CareActs requirement that insurance companies must provide contraceptives as preventive carewith no deductibleor co-pay. As the leader of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Dolan has challengedhis flock to participate in a period of prayer and study, leading up to a period of national advocacy and civil dis-obedience a Fortnight for Freedom in opposition to the Administrations preventive care package.

Family Planning Health Services (FPHS) would like you to help us answer the bishops call to defend religiousliberty. Join us in a public discussion of first amendment protections of religious freedom in America, its mean-

ing and history, in the context of contraceptive coverage. Share your thoughts and questions with those whoagree or who disagree and, most significantly, with those who are open to reason or persuasion. We will invite,record, and post commentary. We will use social media to encourage wider participation.

Contact Lon Newman [email protected] Dino Corvino at [email protected] you would like to par-

ticipate in the public discussion.

Ap r i l 27 , 20

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719 N Third Avenue Wausau, Wisconsin 54401website: www.fphs.org | telephone: 715 675 9858 | fax: 715 675 5475

[email protected]

family planninghealth services inc.

WIC Program Health Education and Promotion Client Advocacy Reproductive Health Care

_
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/our-first-most-cherished-liberty.cfmhttp://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/our-first-most-cherished-liberty.cfmhttp://www.usccb.org/about/media-relations/resources/wall-street-journal-op-ed-on-religious-freedom.cfmhttp://www.usccb.org/about/media-relations/resources/wall-street-journal-op-ed-on-religious-freedom.cfmhttp://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/01/20120120a.htmlhttp://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/01/20120120a.htmlhttp://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-060.cfmhttp://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-060.cfmhttp://www.fphs.org/http://www.fphs.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.fphs.org/http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-060.cfmhttp://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/01/20120120a.htmlhttp://www.usccb.org/about/media-relations/resources/wall-street-journal-op-ed-on-religious-freedom.cfmhttp://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/our-first-most-cherished-liberty.cfm


13/14


Here are some good words from wise people:

The world has changed, but the current arsenal carries the baggage of the cold war.There is the baggage of significant numbers in reserve. There is the baggage of a nuclear stockpile beyond our needs. What is it were really trying to deter?--General James Cartwright, retired vice-chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff and formeCommander of US Nuclear Forces, calling for a drastic reduction in the number ofnuclear warheads.

Senator Russ Feingold in WHILE AMERICA SLEEPS has this observation:

We must dedicate ourselves to a more developed relationship with other nations. Wmust make the governmental and personal commitments that allow us to better understand what is happening in a place like Nigeria. Declaring victory over Al Qaeda anignoring sinister developments in places like Nigeria wont do it. We must launch adecade of outreach, learning, and development of new ties that will allow us to undestand the rest of the world better. page 277

In 1940, John F. Kennedy, an undergraduate at Harvard College, wrote his senior thesis:Now that the world is ablaze, America has awakened to the problems facing it. Headded, We cannot escape the fact that democracy in America, like democracy in

England, has been asleep at the switch.Ten years after 9/11, I think we would all agree that this nation was asleep at theswitch when it came to the gathering threat of Al Qaeda, and that it is our mission tostay alert into the future. I dont think we have adequately done so. In the words ofthat future president, To say that democracy has been awakened by the events of thlast few weeks is not enough. Any person will awaken when the house is burningdown. What we need is an armed guard that will wake up when the fire first starts obetter yet, one that will not permit a fire at all. p. 278

David Liners was the guest speaker at the NAOMI banquet held Sunday, May 29 atSt. Anne Church of Wausau. Mr. Liners also emphasized the need to build relation-

ships and to hear the stories of other people in our community. Relationships arebuilt on empathy, not sympathy. We walk with others in our community as we heartheir stories. We stay in the relationship even if tensions develop. Community is buion dealing with tensions, not denying them. Community is built on stories, not onideologies.

Three challenges for us in the future include:1. Build new relationships. Talk with people we dont always agree with. Hear thei

stories.2. Take advantage of training. Learn how to be intentional.3. Stand for something. Be bold.


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Worth Repeating

By Virginia Kirsch - Wausau

Let us rise to theoccasion. We mustnow move forwardwith a New Econo-my agenda to dis-mantle and replaceWall Street institu-tions that championthe seven deadlysins of pride, greed,envy, anger, lust,gluttony and slothwith New Economy

institutions thatchampion the life -affirming virtues ofhumility, sharing,love, compassion,self-control, moder-ation and passion.

-- David KortenAgenda for a New Economy


14/14

By Dave Svetlik


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CHALLENGING THE MYTH...And if all others accepted the lie which the party

imposedif all records told the same talethen the lie passed into history and became the truth.

George Orwell, 1984 (published in 1949

The Myth That Debt Reduction Measures Are

Intended To Reduce The Debt

Its not nice to say this (but the truth is rarely nice): whatever they may say, Republicans are not concerned, above all, about thedeficit. In fact, its not clear that they care about the deficit at all. Theyre trying to use deficit concerns to push through their goal ofdismantling the Great Society and, if possible, the New Deal; they have stated explicitly that they want to reduce taxes on high in-comes to pre-New-Deal levels. Paul Krugman - Noble prize winner in economics. http://truth-out.org/articles/item/879

Realistically, the budget-deficit plan conceived by Republican Representative Paul D. Ryan would sharply increase the deficit because its spending cuts are in many cases impossible, and its supposed revenue neutrality is a sham. Paul Krugman http://truth-out.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1374:the-debt-ceiling-as-a-bargaining-chip

"Starving the beast" is a fiscal-political strategy ofAmerican conservatives[1][2][3]to cut taxes in order to deprive the government ofrevenue in a deliberate effort to create a fiscal budget crisis that is intended to force the federal government to reduce spending(rather than restore tax levels). The short and medium term effect of the strategy has been increased United States public debtratherthan reduced spending. The term "beast" refers to the governmentand the programs it funds, particularly social programs[4]such aswelfare,Social Security,Medicare[3]and public schools; and does not usually refer to spending on military, law enforcement or pris-

ons. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starve_the_beast

We are all only too aware that Wisconsinites and Americans in general are being driven into hardship because

of government debt and deficit. For several years we have listened to the lie-

and yes, it is a lie and we mustrepeatedly say so - that excessive government spending caused the problem and we now must sacrifice to payfor our profligate ways. The record does not support this.

Numbers are boring, but they are critical to understanding. Federal spending ranged from 18.84 percent ofGDP in 1970, to 22.92 in 1982, to 20.65 in 2008. In other words, government spending hadnt changed in 40years. Because of bank bailouts and stimulus funding, federal spending rose 4 to 5 percent in 2009 2010, buthas since been returning to historic levels. There has never been excessive government spending.Government debt is another matter. It remained at about 35 percent of GDP from 1970 through 1982 whenthe introduction of trickle-down economics caused dramatic change. Federal debt rose to 39 percent of

GDP in 1983 and ongoing tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy, along with deregulation of the financialindustry, methodically and deliberately continued this growth to 69.15 percent in 2008.

We know how to cure Americas debt problems. The Great Depression taught us that austerity measures willfail - that investing in the public good, raising progressive and corporate taxes, and regulating a parasitic finan-cial industry return us to prosperity. But reducing Americas debt has never been the goal.

Government debt is a tool. It is a tool to kill social security and Medicare a tool to privatize schools, prisons

and police forces, to steal our public lands, parks and waterways. It is a tool to scapegoat public employees

while hiding the real culprits a tool to enable the total and deliberate destruction of our democracy by corpo-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_conservatismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starve_the_beast#cite_note-0#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starve_the_beast#cite_note-1#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starve_the_beast#cite_note-Lindberg.2C_Mark-2#cite_note-Lindberg.2C_Mark-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starve_the_beast#cite_note-Lindberg.2C_Mark-2#cite_note-Lindberg.2C_Mark-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_public_debthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_public_debthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._governmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._governmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starve_the_beast#cite_note-3#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starve_the_beast#cite_note-3#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welfare_(financial_aid)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welfare_(financial_aid)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_(United_States)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_(United_States)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_(United_States)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starve_the_beast#cite_note-Lindberg.2C_Mark-2#cite_note-Lindberg.2C_Mark-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starve_the_beast#cite_note-Lindberg.2C_Mark-2#cite_note-Lindberg.2C_Mark-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starve_the_beast#cite_note-Lindberg.2C_Mark-2#cite_note-Lindberg.2C_Mark-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_(United_States)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_(United_States)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welfare_(financial_aid)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starve_the_beast#cite_note-3#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._governmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_public_debthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starve_the_beast#cite_note-Lindberg.2C_Mark-2#cite_note-Lindberg.2C_Mark-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starve_the_beast#cite_note-1#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starve_the_beast#cite_note-0#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_conservatism

middle wisconsin news - may 2012

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