FIRE AND ICE

FIRE AND ICE   Some say the world will end in fire,   Some say in ice.   From what I’ve tasted of desire   I hold with those who favor fire.   But if it had to perish twice,   I think I know enough of hate   To know that for destruction ice   Is also great   And would suffice.   (Robert Frost lived from 1874 to 1963.. He lived and taught for many years in Massachusetts and Vermont.)    

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FUNNY MONEY, HOMELESSNESS, AND THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

  "Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice."  Dave Barry, humor writer.   “Oh look, yet another Christmas TV special! How touching to have the meaning of Christmas brought to us by cola, fast food, and beer…” Bill Watterson, creator of Calvin & Hobbes   We have a credit card that accumulates “Reward Points.” We are “rewarded” for buying more than we want or need. For me this is more annoying than motivating. It is a just ...

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WHY WE ARE A NATION DIVIDED

  Born in the 1940’s, my generation was the fortunate beneficiary of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s (FDR) “New Deal,” whose long-term goals after the Great Depression were to enact public, government policies that would develop the nation’s resources while ensuring a fair and egalitarian distribution of America’s vast wealth.   World War II had been won and, using its constitutionally authorized right to create the nation’s money, our federal government provided free college education for tens of thousands of returning military men and women ...

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IMPROVE PRISON EDUCATION

  (Tommy Thompson was born in 1941. He was governor of Wisconsin from 1987 to. 2001. He is now President of the University of Wisconsin System.)   I first started thinking about prisons during my early years in the Assembly, more than 50 years ago. I believed then, and I believe now, that we need to give people who have committed a crime a second chance. I’ve been thinking more about this lately as I reflect on my accomplishments in political life and as I work to renew the Wisconsin Idea for the 21st century as president of the University of ...

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WHY NOT?

  Some men see things as they are and ask, 'Why?' I dream things that never were and ask, 'Why not?'  Robert F. Kennedy.   I recently stumbled on to a website that asked a number of “why not” questions. “A 21st Century Vision for America: Guiding Principles for a Great Nation,” is the work of Gary J. Evans, PhD and a business management consultant. It is a product of his “deep concern about the current state of American politics.”   Dr. Evans creates a practical, plain language vision of “our country as most Americans would want it to ...

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THE GIFT OUTRIGHT

  (Robert Frost, 1874 – 1963, read this poem at the inauguration of John F. Kennedy.)   The land was ours before we were the land’s.   She was our land more than a hundred years   Before we were her people. She was ours   In Massachusetts, in Virginia,   But we were England’s, still colonials,   Possessing what we still were unpossessed by,   Possessed by what we now no more possessed.   Something we were withholding made us weak   Until we found out that it was ...

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PANDEMIC BLUES

  "I'm asking you to look at the data — the real data, not just something you see on Facebook — and realize that the science is real and that wearing a mask will not only protect the gains we've made, but also help your family members and friends stay healthy."  Phil Scott, Republican Governor of Vermont   “What the coronavirus has revealed is the power of America’s cult of selfishness. And this cult is killing us.” Paul Krugman   I worry about my grandchildren's futures. Their world will be very different in many ways. This won't just ...

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CAN YOU CHANGE SOMEONE’S MIND?

  In this holiday season we will gather with family and friends, probably by zoom or phone. How do you keep your conversations from disputes and hard feelings?   Amanda Abrams wrote a helpful article in YES. (YES, December 2020) She tells of people who were firmly convinced of one political persuasion and came to realize another view.   What brings about deep changes?   Researchers tell us not to look to facts. “People think they think like scientists, but they really think a lot like attorneys,” say Pete Ditto, a professor of psychol...

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NEWS FROM NORTH CENTRAL CO-OP OF CITIZEN ACTION

  Citizen Action of Wisconsin’s Executive Director, Dr. Robert Kraig, Climate & Equity Director Rafael Smith, and North Central Co-op Organizer Joel Lewis met with Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg on Wednesday, December 9th. We all joined what Katie calls the World Peace Tour, and Organizer Joel Lewis learned that it’s hard to take a screenshot while giving a peace sign.   He also learned that no matter who you’re meeting with, a double peace sign photobomb is not out of the question! The meeting was to discuss the lay of the land in Wausau, in ...

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FEND FOR YOURSELF UNLESS REPUBLICANS DO THEIR JOBS

  The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives significantly, killing nearly 4,000 Wisconsinites, devastating our economy and leaving us in a hard place to recover.  After more than 230 days since the State Legislature met, Governor Tony Evers stepped up, once again, to provide relief for Wisconsin families.   On November 17th, Governor Tony Evers released a COVID-19 legislative relief package. Governor Evers’ plan dedicates $466 million to COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, vaccination distribution and support for hospitals. The relief package ...

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