87 results for author: Virginia Kirsch

To our Readers from the Editor….

To our Readers from the Editor…. Today is Pearl Harbor Day. Seventy-one years ago on December 7, Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor, thinking that would keep the USA out of the Pacific war front. Instead it galvanized the American people and the next day President Roosevelt declared war on the Japanese. Americans had stayed out of the war until then. Once attacked, Americans did what they knew was needed. They needed to stop the totalitarian forces attempting to take over the world. Americans of all ranks and social classes joined the military. Women and minorities went to work in the factories. People planted Victory Gardens and lived ...

REPUBLICANS WEAKENING WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Workers Compensation began in Wausau, Wisconsin with Employers’ Mutual over 100 years ago. This model system protects injured workers and makes sure they are treated fairly. This plan benefits both employers and employees. The Wisconsin Workers Compensation Plan is nationally respected. On Tuesday, November 10, Rep. John Spiros (R-Marshfield) and Rep. Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville) introduced AB501. They say the bill will prevent workers from fraud and abuse of the system. This bill is dangerous because it would considerably weaken the Workers Compensation System and undermine the work of The Advisory Council. The bill has gone to the Assembly ...

PROTECT LOCAL CONTROL OF LOCAL SCHOOL REFERENDUMS

Some state legislators have introduced Senate Bill 355 and Assembly Bill 481 that would tell us when school districts can go to referendum and how often. The bills dictate the financing methods as well. These bills take away local control. Local public schools need to be kept in the hands of our local citizens. How can state politicians take over our public schools? Public schools have received the largest funding cuts in state history. Small rural districts are struggling to keep their doors open and the furnace turned on. SB 355 and AB 481 would put more pressure on already struggling public schools. Local citizens know best what is good ...

CAN WE TAKE BACK OUR DEMOCRACY?

Yes, we can, according to Harry Boyte, who spoke at the 20th Conference on the Small City and Regional Community at University of Wisconsin-Marathon County on October 6, 2015. Boyte defined the small city as a population less than 50,000 population. Boyte firmly believes that democracy is being renewed and recovered in small towns across the USA. He noted that the level of citizen engagement is the lowest in 40 years. However, 70% of the people still believe in local government. People still trust their local governments which can be the incubator for new ideas. According to Boyte, there are three levels of citizenship: government-centered, ...

BOBFEST 2015

BOBFEST 2015 By Virginia Kirsch Bobfest 2015 occurred September 19 in Madison’s historic Breese Stevens Field. It is the fourteenth year for this unique event. Hundreds of people came for a fun day oF progressive politics and music. Bobfest is named after Robert M. “Fighting Bob” La Follette, who presented many speeches in many parks and fairgrounds throughout Wisconsin 100 years ago. He fought to put government back in the hands of the people. Once again, Wisconsin is in the hands of moneyed forces that obey special interests and buy politicians for themselves. The need is great to turn the tables on those who put profits ahead of ...

ICELAND SAYS YES TO REFUGEES

Last month the government of Iceland said they could take 50 refugees into their country. However, the Icelandic author, Bryndis Bjorgvinsdottir, thought differently. She presented the case for refugees on her Facebook page. Twelve thousand people offered to accept refugees into their home. That is 4 per cent of the total population of Iceland. Four per cent of US population equals 12 million people. Do you think that many U.S. people would respond? The Icelandic author said “we want to push the government—show them that we can do better, and do so immediately.” “Refugees are human resources, experience and skills. Refugees are ...

ON THE BOOK SHELF: THE END OF JOBS (Freedom Without the 9-5)

Taylor Pearson is the author of THE END OF JOBS (Freedom Without the 9-5). The book tells how to be an entrepreneur to “create freedom, meaning and wealth in their lives.” Taylor Pearson spent 3 years meeting with hundreds of entrepreneurs from Los Angeles to Vietnam, Brazil to New York. He worked with dozens of them in industries. He found one commonality: “entrepreneurship was more accessible, profitable and safer…while jobs were riskier and less profitable. The jobs are spin-offs of the internet, such as online marketing, content editing, travel gear sales, freelance software development and web designing. Pearson attended a ...

THE DAILY CALL

THE DAILY CALL By Virginia Kirsch “Mere passive citizenship is not enough. Men must be aggressive for what is right if government is to be saved from men who are aggressive for what is wrong.” By Robert “Fighting Bob” LaFollette; It is in this tone of Fighting Bob that articles are selected to keep our citizens informed and our democracy strong. The Daily Call is a free daily update from Wisconsin on news updates, commentary, links and support networks for progressives. Mark L. Taylor is the editor and invites you to read his daily post at www.thedailycall.org . You can subscribe for free today! You can read the daily posted ...

POPE FRANCIS CALLS FOR WORLD DAY OF PRAYER ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

POPE FRANCIS CALLS FOR WORLD DAY OF PRAYER ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 By Virginia Kirsch Pope Francis called for a World Day of Prayer for Care of the Earth on September 1. Care of the Earth is top priority for Pope Francis. He wishes all of us could realize our responsibility in caring for the earth and protecting it for the next generations. Pope Francis said that on September 1, people can “reaffirm their personal vocation to be stewards of creation, to thank God for the wonderful handiwork which he has entrusted to our care.” Stewardship of the earth crosses boundaries of generations and religions. All the earth belongs to all the people. ...

YOU NEED A PHOTO VOTER ID TO VOTE

YOU NEED A PHOTO VOTER ID TO VOTE by Virginia Kirsch You need a photo ID to vote in Wisconsin elections. The Government Accountability Board of Wisconsin has a very handy, user-friendly website to help you with this process as well as many other details concerning elections. At myvote.wi.gov you can register to vote, check your voter registration status, find your polling place, see what's on your ballot, request an absentee ballot (military and permanent overseas voters only), and check provisional ballot status. The U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed the photo ID provisions of 2011 Wisconsin Act 23. A photo ID is now required to receive a ...