The Best Way to Stop Climate Change
Many of us are well aware of climate change, so we use LED light bulbs, plant trees, recycle, and lower our thermostats in the winter. As we do all this, however, we realize that fossil fuel companies are receiving billions of dollars in federal subsidies and that global warming and climate change continue to increase.
Is there anything you can do that would have a significant impact on global warming?
Yes, there is! You can contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives and urge them to pass a revenue-neutral carbon tax. Climate scientists and economist agree ...
On a Green Diet: UW-Stout Claims State Recycling Crown
Less than two years after going on a strict trash diet, University of Wisconsin-Stout has weighed in. The results are impressive: the university has cut tons of waste, is producing more compost than trash and has earned a state title.
During the 2013-14 academic year, UW-Stout so far has reduced its total amount of waste going to the landfill by 43 tons — more than 86,000 pounds — compared to the previous year. That figure played a big part in the recently completed national Recyclemania contest. UW-Stout, for the first time, led all competing colleges in Wisconsin ...
Moral Monday: The Birthday Party
Family members decided to do something different for the child’s birthday this year. Instead of having a party for a few children, they decided to have a birthday party for all 26 children in the first grade classroom. The family purchased: a meat and cheese platter, a fruit platter, a veggie platter, wholesome buns and crackers. Each of the children in the classroom and the teacher received a gift. The mom and child read Happy Birthday to You by Dr. Seuss to the class.
The children in the classroom come from diverse backgrounds. This school district ...
Honor the Fallen by Working for Peace
On Memorial Day we remember our military dead and honor their sacrifice. But we do not honor veterans by lying to ourselves about why they died.
Many Americans believe we are “free” because of the military and the sacrifice of our troops. “Got freedom? Thank a Vet!” This is a nice sound bite, but it is not true.
This slogan only blinds us to the real causes of war. It promotes the next war. It justifies the war industry and maintains recruiting. It is misleading because it assumes that only veterans have protected our freedoms. And it assumes our numerous ...
Moral Monday: Discovering the Penokees
EDITORS' NOTE: "Moral Mondays" is a movement founded by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II to identify interconnected social and moral issues, and the people, movements, and organizations working to address these problems. "Moral Monday" is a weekly feature in Middle Wisconsin.
Moral Monday in the Penokees
By Joyce Luedke
An Open Letter to Senator Jerry Petrowski
After reading the book Discovering the Penokees by Joel Austin, Joyce sent a copy of the book and this letter to Senator Jerry Petrowski.
Dear Senator Petrowski:
Please share this book, Discovering the ...
Contraceptive Coverage & the Supreme Court
The stately Lady Justice sits beneath the Supreme Court inscription: “EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW.”
Advocates at the national family planning conference visited our elected officials this week. As I passed Lady Justice, I thought about the pending case on contraceptive insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Much of the public is weary of this tedious and endless debate on women’s health and women’s rights. But if the court’s motto is not to become an epitaph for equality for women, individual constitutional rights in these most intimate and ...
Why Women Should Support Women (written by a MAN!)
It's amazing that in 2014 we're still fighting over equality for WOMEN.
Equal pay for women is an example. This seems like a simple issue of fairness and family values. Women do make less than men for the same work. Women are the primary breadwinners in many families. Yet Gov. Walker ended the state equal pay law. This week the Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked DEBATE on the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would have helped women fight unequal pay.
But it doesn't stop with pay. Opposition to health care reform impacts women more than men. So do attacks on voting ...
National Security: Less is More
The Pentagon, and all the other national “security” spending, is a major reason we have taxes, deficits, and budget problems.
The Center for Defense Information, a think tank run by former military officers say:
“Pentagon costs, taken together with other known national security expenses for 2015, will exceed $1 trillion.”
“There is much more than $495.6 billion in the budget for the Pentagon, and there are piles of national security spending outside the Pentagon...”
They list total national security spending outside the Department of Defense ...
WHAT DOES THE FARM BILL MEAN?
In February, the US Congress passed the Farm Bill in the amount of $958.6 Billion. This money will be spent in the next ten years. Its official title is the Agriculture Act of 2014. US farmers make up less than 2 per cent of the population. Why do they receive so much money?
According to the Wisconsin Farmers Union, this legislation is really about food and nutrition. Seventy per-cent of the funds will support SNAP, WIC and the U.S. school lunch program. SNAP is the federal food stamp program, now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. WIC is the public ...
How Is Wisconsin Faring?
1. Job Growth:
Wisconsin is ninth out of the 10 Midwestern states in private sector job growth. Only Illinois ranks lower.
Wisconsin is 32nd in all job growth from 2011 through 2013.
A job analysis by the Wisconsin State Journal shows Wisconsin, in 2010, ranked 16th in private sector job growth under Democratic Governor Doyle. At the end of 2013, Wisconsin ranked 36th.
Wisconsin ranks 45th in projected job growth.
Wisconsin placed 2nd in job losses during the month of February 9,500 jobs in the public and private sector were ...
