Wisconsin’s Other Choices
Electing a governor or president gets a lot of press attention. Voters have plenty of opportunity to learn about these candidates. But in a federal system of government, like ours, other state and local offices are also important. Too often these “down ballot” candidates don't get the attention they deserve. Often people going to the polls don't even know who is running for these offices. They don't know the qualifications, political philosophy, or agenda of these candidates. They don't know what difference one candidate or the other might make. In short, they can't ...
Think Outside the Oil Barrel
Many of the world's best scientists just released their latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, their thrust? To continue to rely on fossil fuels is to invite incalculable disaster. Considering the reputation past IPCC reports have earned as much too conservative this one is so alarming then that we ought to rush out with arms opened wide to embrace renewable energy and other sustainable technologies like electric cars.
We should exuberantly grow our own food, gladly reduce the amount of meat in our diets and when possible buy locally sourced ...
Nine Communities Vote on Big Money in Politics
Nine Communities will vote to reclaim democracy from moneyed interests.
On Tuesday, November 6th, Wisconsin residents in nine communities will vote on whether to amend the U.S. Constitution to clarify that only humans should have constitutional rights and that money is not the same as speech and political spending can be limited to allow all Americans to participate in the democratic process.
Voters will cast ballots in Jackson, Sauk and Wood counties, the villages of Readstown, Westfield and Weston, and the towns of Kickapoo, Rib Mountain and Vermont.
If all vote ...
More Wisconsin Choices November 6th
This article is for voters of northwest Wisconsin and continues our look at the other candidates on the November 6th ballot.
Wisconsin Assembly
Democrat Nick Milroy is the incumbent in the 73rd Assembly district (most of Douglas County). He has been elected to three terms and is unopposed in this election. Nick has been a biology teacher and has worked as a biologist for state, federal, and tribal agencies. Nick is a strong advocate for people and the environment.
Beth Meyers is the Democratic, two term incumbent representative for Assembly district 74 (Bayfield, ...
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, is insurance-based healthcare legislation designed to improve Americans' access to medical care at lower costs.
Some of its components are:
get everyone in the insurance pool by requiring insurance with the individual mandate;
help low-income folks pay for insurance with government subsidies;
expand Medicaid eligibility to very low-income populations;
let children stay on parents' plans until age 26;
require insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions;
make participating insurance ...
DO YOU TRUST THE MEDIA IN WAUSAU?
What is Beyond the Headlines?
“Beyond the Headlines” brings Wisconsinites together for discussions that explore journalism’s crucial role in enabling productive citizen engagement in American democracy.
What role do media have in society to inform the public and protect democracy?
What do residents expect from media and law enforcement? The national dialogue reveals a shaky trust between the public and law enforcement or media.
Where does Wausau fit in this picture and what has this exploration of Beyond the Headlines told us about where we’re ...
WISCONSIN TAXPAYERS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 286 public school referendums have been passed (out of 421 districts that went to referendum) since January 1, 2010. This means people in these districts have voted to raise their property taxes because of the cuts to education under the Walker Administration. (I spoke to Tom McCarthy at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction on 9/24/2018.)
On April 3, 2018, voters in the D.C. Everest School District overwhelmingly passed a referendum to update the buildings along with other necessary improvements ...
Causes of Poverty
History often repeats itself but we seldom learn from the past. The Gilded Age is being repeated. A tiny few have unprecedented fortunes while many working people stay in poverty and the middle class is shrinking. Today Victorian attitudes about the poor still hold sway in 21st century America.
In Victorian England “respectable” people believed the poor were poor because of their laziness and moral failings. They were in poverty because they didn't work hard enough. This is a commonly held belief in modern America. Today many politicians repeat the same false belief ...
CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR SPEAK FOR EDUCATION
WSAA (Wisconsin State Administrators Alliance) has asked both candidates Tony Evers and Scott Walker to answer these questions for education in Wisconsin.
Scott Walker has not responded.
Tony Evers has given the following answers:
You can read the entire interview at this link:
http://www.wsaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Evers-Answers-2.pdf
1. What is your motivation to be Wisconsin’s governor?
I’m running for governor because I believe what is best for our kids is best for our state. I love Wisconsin, and I’ve had the privilege of living and ...
UE UNIT XIV Ignoring common sense and arguing with the laws of physics
Image yourself a passenger on an ocean liner crossing the Atlantic from Europe to New York City. The voyage goes well until one of the ship’s boilers explodes just 20 miles from the shores of America. A massive hole is blown in the side of the vessel. Water rushes in and the ship begins to sink. There will be no time for rescue help to arrive. Thankfully the weather is calm and there are more than adequate lifeboats for everyone aboard.
Passengers gather near the sides of the ship as the lifeboats are set to launch. Just as everyone prepares to climb into the boats ...