The Importance of Voting...

I would like to let people know, that Wisconsin has gone through a rough patch, with midterm elections in 2010, and the divisiveness that Wisconsin politics played. The new governor shoving down legislation about mandatory auto insurance, slashing collective bargaining rights for only SOME of the public employees, cutting huge amounts of funds from health care and education, and more... Then there are those senators who ran out of state while the budget/bargaining issues were getting pushed through... And the protesters, my gosh! It got seriously crazy for a while. Thing is, which party is correct? Teachers didn't realize that the public was so outraged. They were, and still are willing to put into their pensions. Now they lost the say into what would be fair or not reasonable as to how much they earn in pay, how much they pay into their own benefits, etc... And we all know that teachers already spend their own money to put into their classrooms. Now with less budget, it's going to just get worse. I recently talked to a retired teacher, who taught graphic art design. Because of previous budget issues, there was nothing there to pay for a printer and ink so the kids could print their final work to show off. Now, with further budget cuts, what will happen now? As it was, many teachers would have stuff like pens, pencils, paper, crayons, paint, etc for those who could not afford to have all the necessary supplies. Teachers also provided some small snacks so the kids could have something to eat, as many of our students are homeless or in transition. S.E. Wisconsin has the highest unemployment rate, and I'm actually fortunate to be underemployed, as I could be without a job and having to live in someone's basement. At least I can afford my corner in a transitional neighborhood. But, with health care and other social programs get cut, I'm seeing that the people I take care of, as I work home care, are also being hurt because now they are trying to help themselves with their elderly problems or disability issues, and now with less resources that cost more money. Is this the way we treat our fellow citizens? Some of these people are well into their 90's, and they are getting pushed further into the corner. For these reasons, there has been a recall election. June 5th is the general recall election, and I will be voting for the democratic opponents, Tom Barret for Governor, and John Lehman for State Senator. I am hoping that they will return the state to where I can get a better position with better pay, or at least around the same pay with more hours, and that my son will be able to have the resources he needs to be educated properly. Plus, Senator John Lehman drafted April's Law Wisconsin, before the 2010 election, and will be able to pursue it in 2013. April's Law is an innovative and aggressive piece of legislation to stiffen penalties on those who sexually prey on children on and offline. It is named after a girl named April, whom was repeatedly raped, and contracted an STD at age 6. Her perpetrator only got 12 months. 20 years later, he was sentenced again as a repeat offender, and this time got 10 years. This is way too easy. For drafting this, I want to sincerely thank Mr. John Lehman, whom I hope wins this upcoming election. My current senator denied the request to introduce this piece of legislation. Just remember, happy children do better in school, and education helps keep our children smart. Smart children are those who don't have to worry about being abused. Just a friendly reminder that 87% of youth who are sexually abused in any way are victims of someone they know, and trust. The stranger danger situation is only a minority of the cases. with acquaintance and date rape being the second biggest category. Now, regardless of who you are voting for, or which political party you support, please, please please go vote! Show your pride, and go vote! Voting is the American way, and just remember, back in the revolutionary days, our founding fathers put their lives on the line to ensure they could vote, as they were taxed w/o representation. When the black people rightfully and proudly got to be free people, many died in that fight to bring the vote to former slaves. Native Americans, who went through turmoil and near extinction also earned the right to vote. Women's Suffrage was the only time no one died to with the right to vote, yet is also an important monument. My own grandmother was born when women couldn't vote, and she was girl when women got that right, and she's voted through her life. So be a good American patriot, and go vote. It's a power thing. And please sign this petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/650/959/434/wisconsin-aprils-law/