An Alternative to War
“Thinking that war is inevitable makes it so; it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
“Thinking that ending war is possible opens the door to constructive work on an actual peace system.”
“There is more peace in the world than war. It is not inevitable. We have a record of doing things differently. We have changed in the past and we can do more in the future.”
Most people think world peace is a Utopian pipe dream. Humans are the killer ape. War is as old as humans and it isn't about to go away. We live in a dangerous world and must rely on a strong ...
US- CHINA TRADE TENSIONS? WHAT’s at stake for Central Wisconsin’s Agriculture?
With the U.S. imposing billions of dollars of new tariffs on Chinese imports and Beijing retaliating with tariff increases on June 1 on $60 billion worth of goods, largely agricultural, what will be the fallout in central Wisconsin?
A free public forum on June 18 will address the many areas impacted by the tariffs, including ginseng, dairy, corn and soybeans. Facing millions of dollars in lost revenue, what can these producers do to stay in business?
WIPPS is partnering with UW-Madison Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) to launch its inaugural “East Asia Now” ...
Climate Change is Real
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
By James A. Lewis
I recently reached the age of ninety. I have lots of hope that people coming after me will be able to live happy and healthy lives. But my hopes are under threat.
I pray that Americans will soon realize that climate change is real, that it will persist and will intensify unless we act quickly. Climate change is the result of our worldwide use of coal, oil and gas. Our government must--without delay – adopt the standards set out in the Paris Climate Agreement.
We must again assume leadership in the worldwide effort to ...
WHO WRITES WISCONSIN LAWS?
I always thought that laws came from suggestions from the citizens and then written by legislators for public hearings and committee review. The bills were then presented to the Wisconsin Assembly and State Senate for voting.
However, not all Wisconsin laws are created this way. Four dozen Wisconsin laws since 2009 came from “model” bills. These bills were often from outside of Wisconsin and frequently backed by powerful business and ideological interests, according to a Wisconsin Democracy Campaign review.
Last month, USA Today reported the use of model bills in ...
Militarism in America
“We must see now that the evils of racism, economic exploitation, and militarism are all tied together. And you can't get rid of one without getting rid of the other.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
“War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.” President John F. Kennedy
Americans believe we are the “good guys” that promote peace and democracy around the world. But too frequently we are part of the problem rather than the solution to conflicts between nations. As a ...
POLITICS OR THE PEOPLE’S PRIORITIES?
My role representing the 31st Senate District didn’t just start when I was sworn into office on January 7 this year. It began last year when I started talking to voters in the 31st Senate District. I heard over and over from voters that they want lawmakers to work together to support our rural schools and to fix our roads.
The people’s budget presented by Governor Tony Evers provided a $1.4 billion increase for K-12 education. The Governor’s plan included sparsity aid for rural districts and a start for restoring dramatic cuts made in the past eight years.
Just ...
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
How many times have you heard the expression, “Knowledge is Power?” I heard it from an unexpected source last week during one of our public hearings in the Senate Government Operations, Technology and Consumer Protection Committee.
Who could disagree with the statement that knowledge is power? In fact, when someone used that line representing the conservative group, Americans for Prosperity, I thought it might be an opportunity to find agreement. The person testified in favor of a bill (Senate Bill 179) to force gas stations to post a sticker on each gas pump ...
Individual Liberty and Health Care
Recently I had conversation with a college student on the subject of a national health care program. The student objected to “Obama Care” because it limited his “liberty.” Being required to participate infringed on his freedom to choose not having health insurance. He also objected to paying for other people, especially those who might do unhealthy things.
I suggested to him that we are all members of a society. No man, or woman, is an island and no one is free to do, or not do, anything they want. All civilized societies impose necessary restrictions on people. ...
MODERN MONETARY THEORY UNIT III: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SPENDING FUNDS TAXES
Imagine for a moment that this popularly held belief is true – that the US Federal Government has no money of its own and depends on taxes to fund any government spending. Think about this. Ask yourself the obvious question. If the US Federal government has no money of its own and depends on tax dollars for its operation, where did the tax dollars people pay each year come from in the first place?
Well, we would all answer, “I work hard for my wages or salary and part of the money I earn is taken away from me to pay my federal and state taxes. That’s where federal ...