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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 liabil...
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 ...
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, ...
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. ...
Martin Luther King Jr Celebration
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration: ‘How Long? Not Long’
Date: Monday, January 21, 2019
Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Great Hall Grand Theater
Address: 389 N. Fourth St., Wausau
Ticket is $30 each
Residents of the greater Wausau area are invited to celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with live entertainment, a keynote speaker and an announcement of this year’s Social Justice Award winner.
The celebration will take place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 21, inside the Great Hall of the historic Grand ...
A New Day in Wisconsin?
“What’s best for our kids, is what’s best for our state and our democracy.”
Governor elect Tony Evers, 2018
"Well, we're going to start in a couple weeks with our budget adjustment bill. The first step is we're going to deal with collective bargaining for all public employee unions, because you use divide and conquer." Governor Scott Walker talking to billionaire campaign contributor Diane Hendricks about getting rid of unions and making Wisconsin a “completely red state,” January 18, 2011 (emphasis added)
“It is a new day in Wisconsin.” Tony ...
UNDERSTANDING THE TRAUMA OF RACIAL BIAS
Sunday, January 20, 2019
You are invited to this event. It is free and open to the public.
YWCA
613 5th Street
Wausau, Wisconsin 54403
3 – 5 p.m.
Our dynamic guest speakers will share their insights about how the legacy of racial injustice has affected our community and how we can build a new legacy of racial equality.
Our speakers, Dr. Fran Kaplan and Mr. Reggie Jackson, are consultants with Nurturing Diversity Partners of Milwaukee.
They are affiliated with America’s Black Holocaust Museum.
They are nationally-known speakers on issues of ...
Gifts For Our Future
What will make things better? Here are some ideas.
SOCIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS: ADDRESS THE ROOT
When a person applies for food stamps, unemployment, Medicaid, or other tax-supported programs, they face a stack of requirements to prove they’re worthy of help. Each application and benefit comes with its own separate process. Part of the problem for such applicants might be a lack of understanding about how to fill out the forms.
What’s needed is an advocate to guide the applicant through the process but also, more importantly, to assess the person’s situation, ...
HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN CENTRAL WISCONSIN
Learn more about the myths and truths of human trafficking in Central Wisconsin.
Officer Sarah D’Acquisto from the Wausau Police Department and Brenda Bayer from the Women’s Community will present information on human trafficking.
Sarah and Brenda will cover:
What human trafficking looks like in Wisconsin
Myths and truths about trafficking
How social media plays a role in recruitment
Red flags
A discussion will follow the presentation.
Please note: The content of this presentation is mature and is intended for teens and adults.
This event ...
WISCONSIN AND NICARAGUA ARE PARTNERS
Wisconsin and Nicaragua are partners. For fifty years, programs have provided assistance to people in Nicaragua of all ages. Programs help with natural resources and cultural diversity, with health and education.
For fifty years, the Wisconsin/ Nicaragua partnership has shown that working together brings good results.
Wisconsin and Nicaragua have commonalities:
++Each approximately 57,000 square miles
++Extensive stretches of coastline
++Large inland lake
++Valuable forest areas
++Agricultural production
The headquarters are in Nelson Hall of UWSP ...