The Committee on Ways and Means can make a LOT of decisions affecting just about everything. Not only is it the budget, but the issues also affect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, health care, Food Share, other social programs, and of course taxes. While the Republicans will woo the country with the promises of lower taxes for all, yet, it's not entirely true. Thing is, giving tax breaks to the rich doesn't create more jobs. We found that out in the 1980's, when Reagan supported the "Trickle Down Economics" theory actually seem plausible. But, in later years, we find out that even when billions of dollars get cut from the rich, only about 2% went out to create jobs. Even if my numbers are not exact, here is an article that goes to show that the numbers are pretty dismal when we expect certain people to do the right thing.
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2010/12/do-tax-cuts-for-the-wealthy-create-jobs/67723/
What is scary, is, while Paul Ryan tried to shake hands with his liberal counter parts, we can't predict what will happen with pressure from his conservative peers. Not only that, but, some of these decisions play hand in hand with some of Wisconsin's issues as a state, in which many conservative legislators want to push this "Right to Work" deal. Thing is, this state of right to work isn't as simple as it looks. It's not JUST about private sector jobs not forcing employees to have to join a union as a condition of their hire. We all remember how the bargaining rights were pretty much stomped out just a couple of years ago. While Scott Walker is trying to play his cards more diplomatically since he's considering a presidential run in 2016, but, this may be one of those things where it could go either way, if he thinks the decision could get him into the White House.
So, while they herald the "Right to Work" states as being able to still benefit from certain Union actions, such as protecting everyone's right, not just those in the Union, it also gives the employers the right to terminate your employment for the simple reason that 'they can'. Thing is, if you're a loyal employee of 20 years, and the company gets bought out by a new owner, you could get laid off because the new owner doesn't like the shape of your nose. So, yes, the "Right to Work" state does not protect you from unfair firing practices. If a union is in place, the union must protect EVERYONE, including those that are not Union members on their own time and dime in these states.
I am kind of mixed on the Union issue. On one hand, yes, I do agree with the fact that if I don't want to have to join the union, I shouldn't have to. I don't agree with the Republican stance that unions are evil. I also don't agree with the Democrats that the unions are the working person's savior. Unions have a time and a place. In certain circumstances, yes, they do actually help. In cases where there are dangers, such as in mining, a union may be of great use, to save as many lives as possible. On the other hand, I do realize that unions can be corrupt, as I've heard from a guy who worked in the cement and construction field, who would have his job saved for him by the union over situations that most normal people would agree with the boss that he should have been fired. It wasn't just a case of calling in once too often for illnesses, or that a light on his cement truck got broke which could be disputed on who actually broke it. There have been times where he had gone out on a job, whether it was for a state highway project or to do a big parking lot or for a privately owned mansion's driveway... He had flipped off one of the DOT supervisor for a highway job, and basically told the mansion owner to buzz off while being told the way the owner wanted the project to be done and completed, and told him he knows how to do his job. Well, if a union is going to defend this action, it's proving all of the Republicans right, that unions are corrupt. On the other hand, when protecting the 20 year work veteran, the union should have some say in being able to keep this guy's job, especially if this person is a descent worker. I've seen these situations, and well, if employers were always doing the right thing, maybe the use for unions would disappear. But, it doesn't always go that way.
There is also this article in Saturday, January 3rd's paper about Governor Walker wanting to put a stop to abortions after the gestational stage of 20 weeks. While I am strongly pro-choice, this is one of these sensitive issues. Considering that I have heard of women giving birth in their 23rd weeks gestation, and their premature babies make it. Not all of them end up with learning issues. And, of course if aborting the pregnancy is your final decision, the earlier you do it, the better. Survivors of rape and sex assaults should have that freedom to choose. So many times, the court cases last 2 years. 40 weeks, or about 2/3 of a year, is the normal length of a pregnancy. Remember, pro-choice means exactly that. A choice. A rape victim should be able to choose to abort, keep the pregnancy and adopt, or keep her baby. The rest of us should not tell her what she should or have to do. But, as a mother who lost my first born due to health problems at 33 weeks gestation, it bothers me that under other circumstances, I would have been able to raise 2 boys, but, my 14 year old is being raised as an only child, because I lost his big brother, and could have died myself. I truly wanted both of my babies. I would never wish that on anyone. So, for those who feel they aren't fit or ready, I would hope they would consider being extra careful on using protection. Because it's never 100%, that if abortion is the choice, to ensure it gets done as early on as possible. But, at 20 weeks, that is only 3 weeks short of viability... Yet, what I find interesting is, here, this abortion issue is very decisive and divisive amongst we, the people. Yet, Viagra is covered by medicare and most insurance policies. Ahem, Viagra leads to an activity that could potentially cause pregnancy. I don't see anyone protesting that. So, why is it okay for men to take part in an activity that leads to pregnancy, but, if a woman is not ready for motherhood, she is held responsible for taking part in a relationship? Until we can get men and women on the same page as equally responsible for bringing children into this world, abortion will always be an issue to argue about. Sex is not something that men are entitled to, and women are supposed to defend. Not many of our young men are taught that this should be just as sacred to them as it is for our young women. Sexual freedom is a term that is useless until we are on level playing grounds, and no, don't pin in on the women, but that is for another blog.
Sorry, I digressed. Another issue is to perform drug tests on those who enroll for food stamps. Yes, this is coming from our governor. Of course, just like any program, I am sure that there is a little bit of fraud. But, we can learn from Florida, that the level of drug users was what, about 1.2%? The drug tests cost so much more than that. So, okay, many of us when we start a job, we must take a drug test. Why not for the food stamp program? Because many of those on the food share program are already working. Some are part time, and in a few cases, even full time. In this economy, where our high paying jobs such as Chrysler, Jacobson's, and the many other factories that payed a living wage for families are gone, and then in many cases, now, are working jobs that can barely support a single person, it's not a thing that someone was being irresponsible by having kids they can't afford, but, more like going from a position of being able to support a family to all of a sudden not. And with the fact that we have violent felons in prison that get health care, 3 meals a day, a place to sleep, etc... Is it a crime for a poor person to be a parent? Many a poor people are excellent parents. Then there are wealthy people that hire nannies to take care of their children... and the nannies are the ones who are poor, and actually doing the parenting. I am not sure why some people think that the fraud is rampant... if someone knows more than I do, please enlighten me.
But, anyway... It's one of these things that it shouldn't be a republican or democratic issue for people to do the right thing. A megacorporation like Walmart could afford to pay their staff better. Is it really going to hurt them, to make "only" $28 billion a year, as opposed to $35 billion? I think not. Yet, even full time Walmart workers need medicaid or food stamps, energy assistance and rent assistance. I am not sure how a tax break or tax incentives will help this situation, except that in this case, Walmart can make $41 billion in the tax savings, without paying out to their staff. On the other hand, local businesses like our "mom and pop" type stores would greatly benefit from a tax break. I'm talking the businesses we all know and love around Racine, such as Kewpee's, Wilson's Coffee, Nelson's Dime Store, DeRango's, Infusino's, etc. These are the types that would benefit, and will be able to give raises to their staff, even if it isn't by that much. But, a nickel an hour increase over how ever many hours worked in a week, times 52 weeks in a year, it adds up.
Then there is the fact that Racine's Uptown looks half like a ghost town, and there are many empty shops in the downtown area as well... If the tax breaks are going anywhere, it should be to those who are going to revive our local economy by being able to afford those low interest loans to fix the place up, low taxes to help defer the cost of starting up a new business, and that sort. Lets face it. Big corporations like Walmart, McDonald's, Auto Zone, etc aren't going anywhere too soon. If anything, they're not going to miss much of the competition because they ARE that big. Plus, in areas such as Racine and Kenosha, many of us are desperately in NEED of these types of places close by, because we are either unemployed, low paid, under employed, etc...
Another issue is expanding the voucher system, which doesn't always make sense. In some ways, sure, private schools may or may not meet or exceed the regular public school ratings. For some kids, the regular public school isn't for them. For others, private schools aren't for them. For my son, virtual school ended up being the best medicine. But, the thing is, this is public tax money. It is not supposed to be to teach everything, and, if the private school happens to be a religious school, that science gets taught. And, scores should be transparent.
The education in this country as a whole, generally speaking, does not match up to many of our other fellow industrialized schools. A student coming from Japan to start 10th grade probably has an education that is equal to a freshman in college. My mom is hosting 2 teenage girls as foreign exchange students from Poland and Germany. The German one can't find a math or science class she hasn't taken yet, and she is an 11th grader. The one from Poland is also very advanced, and she, too, has taken just about everything that is offered in our high schools, aside from the English Literature and History. And while I give the point that just throwing money at a situation doesn't always fix the problem. But, I question taking money out of the public school system to give to private schools will solve much. Some of our neediest students may or may not be able to fit into the structure of private schools. I'm sure some will. But, not all of them. Then, to send them back to public school without refunding some of the money, will only stress the public school system even more. History has taught us that nations that have a poor and uneducated public usually don't have good economies, health systems, technologies, etc. At this rate, we cannot ignore our special needs students. There is also a misconception that all special needs students are mentally retarded and is incapable of living independently in our society. That is such a huge misconception, that it's very wrong. Many of the staff at Goodwill are special needs. There are plenty of special needs volunteer groups that clean churches, the kennel clubs, and to live somewhat independently with doing their own basic cooking and cleaning. Then here are those that it isn't about not being able to learn. My son is actually considered special needs, but, he is very smart, and in some ways smarter than many other kids his age. Only his learning style is different, and is capable of reaching normal goals. His type of special needs might not be met in a private schools, because there is no one available to pitch the material to him the way he needs it. To alienate all special needs classes that serve these kids would be a travesty. And, let us face it. Even the severe special needs people are a permanent group in life, so, those of you who don't feel comfortable with these who will forever be dependent better get used to the fact that yes, eventually, when their parents can't take care of them, you will have to step up to the job, so, may as well see everyone as a normal part of life. On top of which, privatizing schools will only make education a for profit entity, and this only serves to line the pockets of whom ever runs the schools, because money, not education will be the bottom line.
So, I urge people. Please. The budget and the talks and the negotiating and such will start right after Martin Luther King Jr. day. It will go through February, and probably into mid March when it's finalized. We have time to write to our state and federal legislators to fund the things that are important. Really.
Here is Paul Ryan's contact information - and calling by phone or writing snail mail is still the best way to contact people to get their attention.
1233 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3031
Fax: (202) 225-3393
Senator Tammy Baldwin
- Washington, D.C.717 Hart Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510Phone: (202) 224-5653Fax: (202) 224-9787
- Madison30 W. Mifflin Street, Suite 700Madison, WI 53703Phone: (608) 264-5338
- Milwaukee633 W. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1920Milwaukee, WI 53203Phone: (414) 297-4451From Wisconsin Only: (800) 247-5645
- La Crosse205 5th Avenue, Room 216La Crosse, WI 54601Phone: (608) 796-0045
- Eau Claire402 Graham Street, Suite 206Eau Claire, WI 54701-2633Phone: (715) 832-8424
Senator Van Wanggard - vwanggaard@gmail.com or facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Senator-Van-Wanggaard/147619011978714
Senator Bob Wirch
Room 127 South
State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707-7882
(608) 267-8979
Representative Peter Barca
Room 201 West
State Capitol
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708
(888) 534-0064
Representative Cory Mason
State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708
(888) 534-0066
Governor Scott WalkerOffice of Governor Scott Walker
115 East Capitol
Madison, WI 53702
(608) 266-1212
(888) 534-0066
Governor Scott WalkerOffice of Governor Scott Walker
115 East Capitol
Madison, WI 53702
(608) 266-1212
I am refraining from putting down Senator Ron Johnson (federal) and Representative Tom Weatherston, because it's actually pretty pointless. Johnson will thank you for writing, and then, not even address the issue that you wrote about. Even more pathetic, is write to Weatherston, and you'll get more information back from crickets and your palm reader than you will from him.
20 South Main Street, Suite 10
Janesville, WI 53545
Toll-Free: 1-888-909-RYAN (7926)
Phone: (608) 752-4050
Fax: (608) 752-4711
5031 7th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53140
Phone: (262) 654-1901
Fax: (262) 654-2156
216 6th Street
Racine, WI 53403
Phone: (262) 637-0510
Fax: (262) 637-5689
No comments:
Post a Comment