Politics
Public Schools Serve the Whole Society
A 21st Century public education system is the foundation of democracy and provides equal opportunity. The doors of public schools are wide open for all students and are essential to the well-being of our communities, state and country.
Do you know the difference between taxpayer subsidized private schools and our community Public Schools?
Responsibilities and Standards
Taxpayer subsidized private schools do not need to hire highly qualified teachers and were not required to take state assessments until last year. Public schools are rated by the state every year, ...
“RIGHT TO WORK” – FOR LESS
The following is the text of a speech given by Fred Andrist at a press event against “Right to Work” on March 4, 2015, in Wausau, WI. Mr. Andrist was a teacher for 21 years, 15 of those in Rib Lake northwest of Wausau, a Public School Employees Union Rep for 18 years in Menomonie and Rhinelander, a former President of Statewide Staff Union for six years, a Proud Union Member for 33 years, and a member of the North Central Labor Coalition centered in Oneida County. Fred recently retired.
There is a lot to dislike about the “Right to Work” (RTW) for less. For ...
WILL LINCOLN’S AMERICA PERISH FROM THE EARTH?
By: Scott Erlenborn
Over 230 year ago America’s founding father’s brought forth upon this continent a new nation that was conceived in liberty and dedicated in blood; a government of the people, by the people and for the people that thus far has not perished from this Earth. Just as this noble experiment was put to the test during Abraham Lincoln’s tenure, it is now being put to the test by those that call themselves Lincoln’s Party. It is being put to the test by those who would seek to replace our great democracy with a corporate plutocracy, a government of ...
BUDGET PROPOSAL ELIMINATES LOCAL ASSESSMENT AND INCREASES COST WISCONSIN TOWNS ASSOCIATION “LOSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND YOU WILL LOSE AMERICA”
The following talking points regarding proposals in Governor Scott Walker’s budget to remove local control of property assessment are reprinted from Wisconsin Towns Association Executive Director Mike Koles. Please visit the Wisconsin Towns Association website to learn more about how this proposal will not only be harmful and expensive for towns and counties, but also undermines local government and control.
Despite overwhelming opposition in 2009 under Governor Doyle, the Department of Revenue (DOR) is once again proposing an upheaval of the generally very ...
Economic Development $$$ Grow – Public Oversight Shrinks – By Senator Kathleen Vinehout
Senator Kathleen Vinehout
“I’ve heard about the cuts,” the Buffalo County man said. “But this budget spends more. Who’s getting more money?”
Folks are concerned about big cuts to the UW; cuts to local schools; scaling back of health programs for the disabled; public radio and TV losing state support.
But the new budget spends $3 billion more than the last. Where is that money going?
One place to look is the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Despite its name, WEDC is a part of state government; in fiscal year 2012-13 it receive...
CORPORATE COLONIZATION OF WISCONSIN, Part III — COLONIAL EXPLOITATION OF LABOR: KEEP THE CITIZENS UNORGANIZED AND UNEDUCATED
This is the third in a series of articles by Dr. Keith Roberts discussing the corporate colonization of the state of Wisconsin. In this segment Dr. Roberts explains how the corporate colonizers are exploiting the working people of Wisconsin by keeping them unorganized and increasingly uneducated. Previous articles in this series can be found archived under the author’s name.
Keeping Workers Unorganized
Previously I have discussed the exploitation of the resources of Wisconsin by outside individuals or corporations that control Wisconsin's current Colonial Governor-Ge...
Potential Impact on Environmental Education of the Proposed FY 2016 & 2017 Budget
Information provided by Jeremy Solin, Director (interim) of the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education at UWSP:
The infrastructure of environmental education in Wisconsin is in jeopardy. The proposed Wisconsin state budget affects the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education, the Department of Public Instruction Environmental Education Consultant position, and the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board.
Environmental education inspires people to pursue STEM-related careers in science, technology, environmental management, engineering, natural resources, ...
THE WISCONSIN IDEA DEFINES US
For more than a century, the Wisconsin Idea has defined who we are as citizens of this state. It is an Inspired Idea. It is an idea based on the principles that learning must be available to all and that the search for truth is paramount.
In his 2015-2017 Budget Bill, Governor Walker struck the Wisconsin Idea from our laws.
Section 36.01 of the Wisconsin Statutes embodies the Wisconsin Idea in its definitions of the purpose and mission of the State University system. The purpose holds it is "in the public interest to provide a system of higher education." The mission ...
Normal Relations With Cuba Long Overdue
This is the second in a two part series on Cuba by Philip Anderson. The first article in this series can be found archived under the author’s name. Mr. Anderson is a twenty year veteran of the U.S. military.
Establishing normal diplomatic and economic relations with Cuba is long overdue. For over 50 years we have bullied and threatened this small, poor nation for no good reason. Not only has our animosity toward Cuba been irrational and unnecessary, it has been a complete failure. President Obama should be praised and supported for finally considering improved ...
WHAT IS BEST FOR CHILDREN IN RURAL WISCONSIN?
The times, they are a-changin’. Rural Wisconsin is seeing big changes. Rural Wisconsin is home to almost 44 percent of the state’s 860,000 public school students.
One big change is the decrease in school enrollment. Rural school districts have a 7% decline while non-rural districts have 3%.
With a decline in student population comes a drop in funding. Every district works hard to make the most of each dollar.
But at the same time, rural school districts are increasing in poverty. More than half the students are eligible for free-and-reduced lunch.
Along ...
