RURAL POVERTY
I write this article with one question in mind: can speaking the truth on issues of poverty and racial division make any difference? I write this in hopes of sparking a conversation, and in hopes of ending the bloodshed. I believe that it is time that we take a look at the issue of rural poverty and at how it fits into the broader narrative on the politics of racial division. Most poor people avoid the topic of their own poverty because they believe doing so admits failure. To be one of the noble poor in this nation is to be silent. As someone who is ...
SAVE OUR POST OFFICE
“The United States Postal Service shall be operated as a basic and fundamental service provided to the people by the Government of the United States, authorized by the Constitution, created by Act of Congress, and supported by the people...It shall provide prompt, reliable, and efficient services to patrons in all areas and shall render postal services to all communities.” Title 39 of the U.S. Code. Our Post Offices are an essential public service that are vital to individuals, businesses and the overall economy. This is why a postal service ...
KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS
Art Linkletter was right when he said “Kids say the darndest things.” Kids have an amazing way of transforming our world into a wonderland. I wish I could remember all the funny things that youngsters said to me when I worked in the one-room schools of Marathon County from 1954 to 1965. I remember some which I would like to share with you. I was working in the two-room school in Knowlton, which is in south-central Wisconsin. The elementary teacher of grades 1 – 4 referred three first graders who lisped. I knew that 6-year-old children who lisp ...
THE BIPARTISAN DISMANTLING OF AMERICA
Plutocracy: government by the wealthyOligarchy: government in which a small group exercises control for corrupt and selfish purposesDivide and Conquer: The act of turning the citizens of a nation against one another to distract them from observing how plutocrats and oligarchs are using the government of that nation for corrupt and selfish purposes. As the November election draws near, we Americans seem intent on tearing one another to political and social shreds. Neighbor turns on neighbor, friend on friend, family member on family ...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Senator Jerry Petrowski, Representative Pat Snyder, and the Republican Party bring shame to all that was once good about Wisconsin and the values we hold so dear. Of course, they have no decency or conscience to be ashamed.They continue to sit on their butts and haven’t reported to work for over 140 days while getting paid by us, the taxpayers. They continue to collect their generous salary and benefits and now have lots of time to campaign at the taxpayers’ expense!Millions of Wisconsinites go to work every single day during this pandemic putting ...
THE SKILLS ARE ALIVE
THE SKILLS ARE ALIVEVIRTUAL EDUCATIONAL SKILL BUILDINGSATURDAY OCTOBER 3RD9:00 AM TO 5:00 PMDemocracy on Fire- with Center for Popular DemocracyBird Dogging- with Center for Popular DemocracyOpen Records- with Sheila PlotkinSignage- with Nate TimmLive Streaming- with Dan FolkmanMovement Through Music with Tom CastleNO CHARGE MORE INFO & PRE-REGISTERA PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS PRESENTATIONCO-SPONSORED BYBuilding UnityWisconsin Grassroots Network ...
GAMBLING WITH CHILDREN
“The U.S. attempt to return children to the classroom this fall has turned into a slow-motion train wreck...” Anne Flaherty, ABC News Parents, teachers, and medical experts are worried about sending children back to school. People are worried about the consequences of opening schools for in-person classes while Covid-19 cases continue to climb and people increasingly refuse to follow recommended protective measures. In the rush to get back to “normal” and open up the economy, are we gambling with the safety of our children? Contrary ...
WHAT IS A LIVING WAGE
What constitutes a living wage? The answer to that question will vary based on numerous factors including geographic region, number of dependents, and other circumstances. Will setting the federal minimum wage at $15 per hour ensure that every full-time worker has enough income to make ends meet? The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) states that a $15 minimum wage would lift some families out of poverty while leaving some individuals without jobs. The $15 hourly wage represents a current median income level for many regions across the nation, which is ...
STAND WITH BLACK WOMEN
(This speech is printed with permission from the author. Kayley gave this talk at the Women’s Event at the 400 Block of Wausau on August 15, 2020.) My name is Kayley McColley. I am 20 years old. I am a nursing student at Northcentral Technical College and I work as a behavioral health technician at North Central Health Care. I am honored to be here today and have the opportunity to share this historic moment with you all. It calls for celebration, but for myself, this commemoration also produces feelings of sadness. This is because, for Black women, ...
SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT COVID-19
Over eleven hundred deaths from Covid-19 have happened in Wisconsin. This is more than terrible! This number represents a huge loss to all the families who have lost parents, children, relatives and friends. Each person’s life touches dozens of others. We need to know more than the numbers. We need to know why this disease is so dangerous and horrid for us and the whole world. Surprisingly, Astronomy Magazine (September 2020) supplies answers in an article by Dr. Jeff Hester, astrophysicist. Hester writes in his article, “Learning the Hard ...
