19 results for month: 01/2019
Looking at ACA
Remember the high-gloss campaign mailings? The non-stop TV and radio campaign ads from last year about protecting people with pre-existing conditions? I bet you heard more than you ever wanted about pre-existing conditions, right? Well, the number one issue from last fall’s election is coming home to roost here in the Legislature.
When I left office as State Representative in 2010, bipartisanship was at an all-time low. The biggest political football at the time was the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. Democrats knew it would be a political liability to pass the ACA, but health care reform was desperately needed. During the ...
Singing for Justice
“Have you sung a song for freedom? Or marched that picket line? Have you been to jail for justice? Then you're a friend of mine”
excerpt from “Have You Been Jailed for Justice” by Anne Feeney
In Madison, Wisconsin people have been singing for freedom and justice at the state capitol every business day since March 2011! For over 2000 days people have come to the Solidarity Sing Along. As Governor Scott Walker, the object of this extraordinary protest, exits the political stage I think it is appropriate to honor these singers.
This tour de force began in March of 2011 as a part of the massive protests in response to Walker's Act 10 budget ...
Make America America Again
Like nearly all Americans, I am the offspring of immigrants. The peasant farmers whose family name I inherited came from Ireland. They left a homeland savaged by famine, trading a grim reality of financial ruin and starvation for the promise of a new and better life. They were part of what might be described today as a massive caravan that took incalculable risk to make its way across a vast ocean seeking refuge and comfort from the Mother of Exiles.
My immigrant ancestors settled first in New Jersey before journeying to northern Illinois and eventually Wisconsin. They made this land their home and passed down a way of life from generation to ...
HAVE THE TAX CUTS TRICKLED DOWN TO YOU?
HAVE THE TAX CUTS TRICKLED DOWN TO YOU?
By Jeanne Larson
In December 2017, the Republican majority rushed tax-cut legislation through Congress before the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis of the 505-page bill could be properly scrutinized.
On April 9, 2018, reuters.com reported that the CBO estimates the immense tax cuts signed into law -- which Republicans said would pay for themselves -- will balloon the deficit for years to come. In just one year, 2017 to 2018, the deficit expands from $665 billion to $804 billion.
On September 28, 2018, forbes.com reported:
*The tax cuts are fueling a huge increase in the federal ...
MAKING THE WORLD WORK FOR EVERYONE – A PALE BLUE DOT PART 1
It is now the year 2019. Twenty-nine years since Voyager I sent the above photo of our planet. In a world seemingly bent on a path of self-destructive madness, when human-induced global warming and the quickly growing threat of nuclear war threaten the very existence of life on Earth, it is worth it, perhaps critically so, to recall the words of astronomer Carl Sagan in his 1994 book, “Pale Blue Dot.”
“Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of ...
THE UNIVERSAL ECONOMY UNIT XVIII: LESSONS FROM MONOPOLY
Most of us (especially elders like myself) have played the board game “Monopoly.” Interestingly, in spite of huge growth in electronic gaming, sales of “Monopoly” continue to do well. The face to face social interaction in board games is regaining its appeal. But the game of “Monopoly” also provides many lessons in understanding the current state of economic affairs. It is a microcosm of a macrocosm – specifically, macroeconomics.
A quick review. . .
The “Monopoly” board has various properties, utilities, railroads and other locations where players land as a result of a shake of the dice (die). In other words, luck controls ...
Ruminations on a happy new year
“They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” Tom Bodett, author, and NPR personality.
“Happy New Year” is one of the meaningless Hallmark platitudes of the season. You hear the greeting from friends and strangers. It is in the shopping mall Christmas music tape loop. The cards you get from the power company or your dentist wish you happiness. For a few weeks everyone is full of good will and peace on earth. At least until January 2nd.
All humans seem to seek happiness. We are social animals with a propensity to smile, laugh, sing, create art, ...
DARK MONEY
DARK MONEY is a film by PBS. The film looks at the untraceable corporate money’s influence on our elections and elected officials.
The film is set in Montana in the fight to preserve fair elections. A local journalist worked to expose the real-life impacts of the Citizens United decision. The film shows how American elections are bought and sold.
This showing is sponsored by Wausau United to Amend and American Association of University Women (AAUW) Wausau branch.
It will be shown at the UU Church on Thursday, January 24, 2019 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public. Mark your calendars:
Thursday, January 24
6...
RETIREMENT FOR ALL
For years polls have shown the general public to be more supportive of specific policy issues than the close partisan elections would indicate. People from across the political spectrum want action on affordable health care, adequate public school funding, and rebuilding our crumbling public infrastructure. This is a golden opportunity for Democrats to LEAD even if they control only one of the branches of government. A bold agenda that addresses people's real needs and concerns could turn the “blue wave” of 2018 into a tsunami in 2020.
As this week's special legislative session shows, Republicans are NOT going to cooperate with Governor Evers ...