Political Uncommon Sense, another rant by a mad woman.

You know, it just seems crazy. It's pure insanity, really. Here we are, with all of these issues on our plate, and it seems as if the two extremes want to put it right down to being right conservatives and wrong liberals, or correct lefties and heartless conservatives...

Here is MY take on the whole thing. Personal rights is accompanied by personal responsibility. People seem to want to forget the responsible part. Even with the free speech.


Lets take the situation between the judges here in Wisconsin. So they were arguing a couple years ago. Judge A flipped off Judge P. She was wrong, even if he was badgering her, and no matter who is right or wrong on the topic, she should NOT have flipped him off. She is a Wisconsin Supreme Judge for cripes sake! Then to top it off, Judge P decides to retaliate by calling her the B word. HELLO!!!!! Was that really necessary? He too, is a Wisconsin Supreme Judge, and knows that two wrongs don't make a right. I am a bit disgusted, because I would expect this during 5th grade recess, NOT during a Judge's meeting.


Even with our current economic system, I'm getting disgusted with some of the extreme pushes that are going on... Okay, on the far left, we're forgiving illegal aliens for being here. Why? Because, according to a very liberal pastor, "We NEED them". Why? because they take jobs that Americans won't take, but are necessary, such as at our various farms doing migratory work, cleaning out toilets, etc... Well, with as many Americans that are in dire need of work, I am positive that the single people w/o children would be willing to serve as migratory supervisors, and there would be some jobs that would be taken because of the fact that our children need to eat, and we don't have enough jobs to go around... So while maybe SOME are needed, it's not like our economy is going to crash because we don't have illegal grunts who will work for $2/hr...


What is sad, is, that until 2007, when the law was passed to stop illegal aliens from getting benefits, it appears that they MAY have been eligible to get it... Here is the LINK. Anyway, even if some do slip through the system to get it, I feel it's wrong, because they're already here illegally, and they are working. So they are lucky to be here, but, to the ultra conservatives, until there is probable cause to arrest them, they are presumed innocent of illegal status...


The solution to make sure the situation is under control? Maybe give farmers more incentive to hire Americans, rather than migrant workers. Make sure that if the welfare sign in verifies that this person is here legally, and/or a citizen. Because while sure, just because one speaks perfect English doesn't automatically mean you're a citizen, but, it sure looks funny that someone who speaks NO English is legal? Unless that person/family is a sponsored refugee, I'm guessing they may be illegal. But, if they are here legally, via sponsorship, there is always a contact person who can prove legal status. My church has gone through this already, so, while I'm no expert, at least I can rest assured that there IS paperwork available for those who are here as refugees or for political asylum.


So yes, I think it's wrong, just because the American or state government is working with a check book a lot bigger than the average household's, doesn't mean that we should spend those hard earned tax dollars on illegal immigrants to get food stamps, or any other rescue benefit. It's wrong. But, as long as they are behaving, I don't think we should just kick them out, especially if a family is here, and may get split up. Keep families together, because, then we become our brother's keepers... Of course anyone in need of emergency services ought to get it, because it's a life or death situation.


On education, boy, is there a HUGE mess here with RUSD. Okay, don't get me wrong, I am a supporter of public schools. I don't think all schools should be privatized. But the public schools as they stand now are NOT up to par as what they ought to be, and I have mixed feelings about the budget cuts to the schools. Really. Okay, on some levels, yes, the schools are not spending money properly. We have what are called "bilingual" classes, which are NOT the same as ESL = English as a Second Language. With ESL, the kids go to regular classes, and get pulled out for short, small sessions to learn English. One of my friends from 8th grade went through this, and became successful in the pharmaceutical field. But she was fully immersed into the regular classes, and it was a learn or fail situation. We forged a good friendship, to where we are still friends to this day, almost 30 years later... But I really think the ESL classes are good, because they not only teach necessary words to learn, but, has the students mixed in with the rest of their classmates, to learn the conversational part of the language. Bilingual classes consist of Spanish speaking students. Most of them are new to the country. Fine, but, did you know that the main teacher not only has a teaching degree but also bilingual IN Spanish? Then, there is a Spanish speaking teaching assistant who is bilingual in English. Much of the class is taught in Spanish, so then the kids don't really get motivated to learn as they should... One example is that way back when, a 15 year old was pregnant, and was afraid, so she somehow got into California, and had a daughter. That daughter never learned English, and when she was 15, got pregnant, had a son, got here to Racine, and the boy, who was in 3rd grade at the time, was in the Bilingual class, because he couldn't speak fluent English. HELLO! His grandma was in this country for 23 years, and her daughter is 23 and was born here, and at age 8, this child, also born here can't speak English either? OUR hard earned tax money is paying for this. These are NOT special needs children, so, I think if we are going to have a bilingual class, have a teacher, who ought to know at least SOME Spanish, and the kids should be making plans to learn to speak English... That would save money right there. Cut these back.


On the other hand, when I used to sub, I saw some of these history and social studies books, much of the information was about 20 years old. The copyright dates were sometimes newer, but, the research was somewhere between 20-40 years old, and they're teaching that as being current. Now, shouldn't the kids have updated books to learn from, if they're going to teach it as current info? The liberal in me thinks they should spend money to make sure the kids are learning. In the mean time, if competition is the issue, I still want to tout virtual schools. They DO take special needs, provided they can do SOME of their own work, such as log into the computer and follow simple directions. Having a good learning coach would at home is a must. Right now there are Wisconsin Virtual Learning (WVL) out of Northern Ozaukee County, Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WIVA) out of McFarland, and Wisconsin Connections Academy (WCA) out of Appleton. They are all considered public schools, and have the supports needed from a learning advocate, to online teacher, to technicians, to special education teachers, and more... My son started with WIVA, when they were in Ozaukee, but when they moved, and WVL stepped in, we just stayed with Ozaukee. We are pleased with it, because not only does it teach technology from being online, but, all of the text books are current, and there is NO hiding from me. I find out everything, and that's good, because we keep connected that way.


Parents need to be involved with their kids. That means that parents should know what their kids are doing in school. It takes 5 minutes to go through their back packs, and, if you can't stay connected, maybe you need to call in help. Usually grandparents, God-parents, aunts & uncles, etc... Someone is usually available to help you, if you need to check in with your kids.


As for the welfare issue again, well, no, I don't think people should make a career out of being a welfare dependent. What happened to people taking pride in doing for themselves, the good feeling of a job well done? Should this even be a partisan issue? NO!! There are wealthy people all the way down to poor people. Healthy people and sick people. Young, old, in the middle, business class, working class... We have all kinds. Accept it. We are all here. Some of us climbed the corporate ladder, and are sitting comfortable as a Veep of an important company working for someone else. Others are lower on the totem pole, cleaning the bathrooms of the place. We need them both. Some of us own our own businesses, and especially if it's a restaurant, we need cooks and waitstaff, as well as some others... Not all of us were meant to own a business, and the owner isn't meant to be the low person on that totem pole. But we are lucky to have all of these people, because good restaurants need all of them, from the owner to the chef to the good wait staff, and the host. So, if you're busting butt as a waitress, and are having a hard time making ends meet, and you want to go to college to make a better life, go ahead, get the help, get out of poverty, and make a go of life. The help is there so you can get a hand up. Or, say if your calling is to be a mechanic, and your pay at the "mom & pop garage" isn't paying quite enough to support your family, go ahead, sign up for the extra help. You're busting butt to ensure you're doing everything you can do to support the family. You pay in, get a little back. The kids will learn the good work ethic. Really.



On the other hand? Like the guy who wants his landlord to pay his water bill? Take in a roomy to help pay your own bills, or, go to a place more affordable. Some landlords put in the contract, especially if multiple tenants live in the same building, that they will pay the bill. In that case, it's in the contract, don't worry about it, and be thankful that the landlord is generous. But jeez. If the water bill, which is usually relatively inexpensive in comparison to your rent or WE Energies bill is too much to pay, ever think you need to try to save on water?


About abuse issues... I don't think anybody should abuse anybody. Ever. It's wrong. This is NOT about liberal vs. conservative politics. It's the difference between right and wrong. I've pushed for April's Law Wisconsin, to help stiffen up laws against child sex predators on and offline. It is now AB-136, and is in committee. I thank Cory Mason for getting it this far. I wish I could say the same for others, but, I seem to be getting ignored.


There IS the federal petition that is still open for April's Law, and I hope you'll sign that one also. That goes even further with the websites, because some are actually considered legal pedophile websites, covered under the First Amendment for Free Speech. This will be an amendment to the Adam Walsh Child Protection & Safety Act.


And, of course there is my petition for our unacknowledged survivors of abuse, our men, and in memory of baby Sean, who died at the hands of his mother, I'm sponsoring the Sean's Voice Petition to ensure that abused men will have access to emergency shelter, support and necessary services needed to become thrivers in our society, not abused further by being ignored. This will be an attached amendment to the Violence Against Women Act of 1993 to ensure that the disparity will shrink when it expands to help protect abused men also.


What gets me is, yes, I lean left, sometimes more left than others. But, I do truly believe that people who NEED help OUGHT to get it. We wouldn't think of cutting off our senior citizens and disabled people off of what ever aid they need, would we? I think liberals and conservatives alike agree, that those who are born with a disability should be able to live with dignity, and if in need of help, because their parents could only do so much, that they shouldn't be denied the extra help where family can't do it any more, because our parents eventually die, and leave their adult disabled kids behind... Anyone who would disagree with that is inhuman, in my mind.


Those who want to blame the entire economical problem on the other party, is a bit nuts, imho. If you blame it all on illegals, you're naive as all get out, because, it's both extremes that are trying to "cure" what won't be cured. Really, if we choke up our borders with militia, there's more money spent there, and free reign costs too much too.


Like I always say, the answer is usually somewhere in the middle, but, don't take my word for it, because to some people, I'm just labeled with the rest of "them", like the lame blanket statements.


Those irritate me, really, because to say that "All liberals have no morals and are Godless" is just as crazy as saying that "All conservatives are religious wingnuts who hate poor people and want them to die". Neither are true. Both are equally wrong. And it's freaking irritating.


Comment at will. I can't guaranty that I'm done ranting, so I may not necessarily reply, or, beware of another rant in response...

4 Ways To Kick Prosser Out of Office

I think that this is kind of absurd, that republicans think Prosser is such an upstanding justice, when he refers to a female colleague by the *B* word, and then strangles another in her chambers. Please click HERE to read the article. I just don't understand why a man who threatens to destroy a colleague would be hailed as an upstanding person of their profession. That is unprofessional, to say the least, and one with that kind of prestige ought to be ashamed of himself for displaying that sort of temper tantrum. He ought to have enough in stature to get his message across without being violent. After all, how can he hand out justice to all, if he can't control his own actions? This behavior is abusive, and is criminal on it's own.

Off to the Criminal Justice & Corrections Committee!

Hi All! It's been a long road, and I want to thank you all for bearing with me, and even if we don't agree on the personal level, that you've been supportive of the cause. I've got great news about April's Law!

All of our hard work has finally paid off. After getting the details of the budget bill ironed out, a new bill will be introduced to the Assembly. April's Law is now AB 136, under review of the Criminal Justice & Corrections Committee. After this has gone through the committee and the Assembly irons out the budget bill, it will go to the floor to be voted on.

I want to send Rep. Cory Mason a HUGE thank you for supporting, drafting and sponsoring AB-136, which is the new April's Law Wisconsin. I encourage everyone else to do so as well.

Madison Office Room 6 North
State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708

Telephone (608) 266-0634 Or
(888) 534-0062
Fax (608) 282-3662
Email Rep.Mason@legis.wisconsin.gov

And for all of your help & support, thank you too. Just because it's been a victory so far, I'd like to invite everyone to Wilson's Coffee & Tea in West Racine, on Saturday, June 18 at around 3pm. It's okay if you can't be there, I'll be there with a book, just in case.

This may not have happened if it weren't for my readers supporting the cause. For being you, patient, vigilant, and everything good, I sincerely thank everyone for their loyal support on getting April's Law Wisconsin pushed to being AB-136. I'm looking forward to it becoming a real law on the books. I will keep you posted.

Until next time, peace out.

A school day walk in progress

School ends for my son this Wednesday. Because we're so far enough ahead, we decided to take our field trip today, just so we could have a leisure day and still have it count as a school day.

We went to the Eco-Justice Center, sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Racine. It was interesting to visit there, since I'd never been there. They have chickens, geese, ducks, other birds, a couple of pygmy goats, and alpacas. The alpacas were cute.

Well, it was interesting how they have a raised bed of flowers in a couple spots, and then others are native to the area from before the Native Americans were here, and how the roots help keep the underground water shelf clean, etc... Then they have at least two good sized veggie gardens that they live off of. They even take stale bread to feed the animals and birds.

We walked the trail and it was interesting to see the different buildings on this land. There was a red farm house, where the office is on the main floor, and a gift shop upstairs, a regular house for the nuns to stay, an old barn that got converted to house the cats and fowl. Even the old outhouse was there, though I'm sure it's defunct at this point... and they have everything from a turbine to solar panels that help to run the energy there, and has saved a whole lot of money...

Funny how these elderly people make by there, and they even do crafts such as weaving the old fashioned way, and all sorts of stuff. They're self sufficient. Even down to the apple trees and making apple cider. I'm hoping to visit there again. Maybe even bring a school trip there.

We followed that up with a short trip to the Salvation Army store, where we picked up a couple odds and ends we needed. A desk light for Metal Fan, a Lord of the Rings computer video game for my son, a sewing box for me (with some extra odds & ends goodies included), and some eco-friendly garbage bags for house hold use.

For supper we went to the Yard Arm Pub & Grill. It was interesting to say the least. It wasn't what we were figuring on, but since we were there... My son was gutsy, he tried the Calamari, and liked it. I had the chicken sandwich, and Metal had the bratwurst patty with grilled pepperoncini peppers and mozzerella cheese on it. We shared a couple appetizers, and I'm not sure if I am very fond of their "sand dollars". It's potato sliced VERY thin, deep fried like a potato chip, sprinkled with grated parmesana cheese on it. It wasn't bad, but I'm not sure if it was my cup of tea... The thing with this place is that it's sitting right where Root River comes out into Lake Michigan, and many of the boats port in this area. So it's the boat scene that makes it very attractive.

We finished the day out with going out to the movie theater. We'd originally joked with him saying we're going to watch "Farmer Boy", a book by Laura Ingalls Wilder with his grandma, but he was pleasantly surprised when we went in to see X-Men 3. It was pretty interesting, and was glad to see it.

We're broke but we were glad to see it. The trip to the Eco Center was free, so it was worth the long day.