Family & Community
Rethinking Militarism
We have a culture in this country of violence and militarism. Many of our national myths are based on violence. The six-gun toting cowboy, the tough cop, the military hero, and mafia godfather are typical Hollywood themes. Even our national anthem is all about war and “bombs bursting in air.”
Around patriotic holidays, like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, this culture is promoted with speeches honoring the “sacrifice” of our troops. They died to “defend freedom” and protect our way of life. Implied in these stories is that our many wars were necessary ...
The Looming Retirement Crisis
The Looming Retirement Crisis
By Joyce Luedke
Currently half of all Americans 65 and older live on $18,000 a year or less.
75% of those nearing retirement age have less than $30,000 saved for retirement.
In Wisconsin 101,000 people 65 and older claim the Homestead Tax Credit.
In Wisconsin more than 48,000 households with people 60 or older received food stamps in 2010.
The number of people 65 and older is projected to nearly double over the next 30 years.
The number of people 85 and older will skyrocket 142% to 287,000.
The number of ...
VOTE WITH YOUR MONEY….BUY LOCAL PRODUCTS
VOTE WITH YOUR MONEY….BUY LOCAL PRODUCTS.
By Virginia Kirsch
As you shop this week, look for products made in Wisconsin.
Here are reasons to buy local….
Biggest job creators. Local businesses are the largest employers nationally.
Circulates more money in our own community and grows the tax base.
Helps local non-profits as local business owners donate more to local charities than non-local owners.
Encourages local “character” and culture.
Reduces environmental impact.
Gives better customer service.
Local owners re-invest ...
TREATMENT……NOT IMPRISONMENT
TREATMENT……NOT IMPRISONMENT
By Middle Wisconsin Editorial Staff
“The simple message: “Do NOT pass a budget that includes funds to expand the prison system.”
• There are proven, safe ways to reduce the prison population. The Administration can take measures to fix the broken parole system that is keeping hundreds (perhaps thousands) of people in prison longer that the sentencing judge ever envisioned. The Administration can also increase efforts to provide alternatives to revocation for people on supervision who have not committed a new ...
Remember Those Who Have Given So Much for Our Freedom!
This Memorial Day, and in the days that follow, please take a moment to thank the men and women who have given so much in the service of their country.
I was raised in a Marine Corps family. My father was a career Marine* and my mother was the daughter of a career Marine. Born in a Naval Hospital after WWII, I spent the next 20 years surrounded by Marines and personnel from the other branches of our Armed Forces. I knew how dedicated they, and their families, were to protecting our freedom. They’ve earned our appreciation. It’s up to us to honor their dedication by ...
Honor the Fallen Not the Wars
On Memorial Day we remember those who died serving in the military. But remembering their sacrifice should also remind us of the futility and costs of war. We should mourn the fallen without glorifying and promoting war.
Too often in eulogizing veterans we unintentionally promote war. The story line is that we owe our freedom to the sacrifices of military veterans in just wars. This is not true, but saying so is unpatriotic.
It is not true that all our wars have been necessary, just, or in defense of freedom. Many have been illegal. Most have been about protecting ...
MEMORIAL DAY FOR WORKERS
(Memorial Day began as Decoration Day after the American Civil War to honor those fallen soldiers of the North. Later Memorial Day was expanded to include all military personnel who died in the service of their country. Memorial Day has expanded to include all dear ones who have died. On April 25, 2015 Memorial Day for Workers remembered people who died while in the workplace. Here is the speech given by Randy Radke.)
MEMORIAL DAY FOR WORKERS
By Randy Radke
I would like to thank everyone who was able to join us today to remember our fallen sisters and brothers. ...
Letter to Citizens of the State of Wisconsin
Dear Citizens of the State of Wisconsin:
The right to a high quality, free, public education is fundamental, and education at all levels is critical to our future.
Public schools give all students the opportunity for success. They are at the heart of our communities.
Today, Wisconsin is ground-zero in the fight to regain and maintain the standards of excellence and effectiveness which made Wisconsin a benchmark for others to follow.
That fight requires a steady, compelling voice in the media, yet none currently exists.
To answer the call, PEIS*, with the ...
CALL TO ACTION TO SAVE OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
CALL TO ACTION TO SAVE OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
I signed a petition on Action Network telling Members of the Wisconsin State Legislature to STOP the Takeover of Milwaukee Public Schools.
Republicans Senator Alberta Darling and Rep. Dale Kooyenga have proposed legislation to take over many Milwaukee Public Schools that educate mainly African American and Latino children in high-poverty neighborhoods. Our communities reject this takeover of our schools.
We want vibrant, public community schools that welcome and serve all children, offer special education services and ...
SAVING FOR RETIREMENT
SAVING FOR RETIREMENT
By Joyce Luedke
The numbers are stark. Few Americans have saved for retirement. Those with access to 401(k)’s have not saved enough.
" Sixty five percent of respondents to an August 2012 AARP survey said they worry they won't have enough to retire and 72% believe they will have to delay retirement."
Social Security benefits represent about 38% of income for the elderly .
Twenty-two percent of married couples and about 47% of unmarried people rely on Social Security for 90% or more of their income.
In 2014, 101,000 people 65 ...
