1.12.2005

Another article on our healthcare crisis. Tell me again how we have the best healthcare system in the world?

"Here's a wrenching fact: If the U.S. had an infant mortality rate as good as Cuba's, we would save an additional 2,212 American babies a year.
Yes, Cuba's. Babies are less likely to survive in America, with a health care system that we think is the best in the world, than in impoverished and autocratic Cuba. According to the latest C.I.A. World Factbook, Cuba is one of 41 countries that have better infant mortality rates than the U.S."


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/12/opinion/12kris.html?th

I have to compliment the Northwestern on the recent articles about the problems with Oshkosh's Healthcare costs vs service.


How is this not the lead story of the day?

Search for WMD in Iraq ended
Effort folded shortly before Christmas


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6814588/

"Bush has expressed disappointment that no weapons or weapons programs were found, but the White House has been reluctant to call off the hunt, holding out the possibility that weapons were moved out of Iraq before the war or are well hidden somewhere inside the country. But the intelligence official said that possibility is very small."

It is official, we were lied to. Tens of thousands of Iraqis, 1300+ Americans dead - for a lie.



Of course, privatization never fails taxpayers:

FINANCIAL OFFICER CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLEMENT

The financial chief for Milwaukee voucher school has been arrested in Texas. Cleveland Lee is accused of taking as much as 750-thousand dollars from the Harambee Community School.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6816790/

1.11.2005

Press Release:

Winnebago County Democratic Party: Underheim Needs to Explain Lobbyists, Felons Gathering Signatures

1/10/2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jef Hall
920.203.6883
jef@jefhall.com

OSHKOSH – The Winnebago County Democratic Party (WCDP) Chair is calling on State Representative Gregg Underheim to explain why he had lobbyists and convicted felons gathering signatures for the Secretary of the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) ballot.

“It was disturbing to discover that two of the individuals that were hired to help Underheim collect his signatures have, in the past, pleaded guilty to felony forgery,” said Jef Hall, Chair of the WCDP. “disturbing, but also illegal.” These felons were Jennifer Kaltenberg, who plead guilty in 2002 and Tammy Drinkwater who plead guilty in 2004.

Underheim, recently re-elected with a less than 47% of the vote, serves as Chair of the Health committee and is a member of the Public Health, Insurance, Corrections and Courts, as well as Colleges and Universities Committees. Several lobbyists with direct interests in these committees’ work have circulated nomination papers for Underheim. They include Alice O’Conner (Wisconsin Medical Society), Eric Borgerding (Wisconsin Hospitals Association), R.J. Pirlot, Christine Mangi, Joan Hansen (Wisconsin Manufacturers Commerce), Michelle Mettner (Broydrick & Associates), Sandra Lonegran (Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association), James Boullion (Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin), and Chad Taylor (Michael Best & Friedrich).

“For a long-term candidate who will often tell you of all the doors he knocks, it is ironic that Mr. Underheim’s group of circulators read like a Madison insider’s party,” said Hall. “While it may be legal to have lobbyists gather signatures for sitting legislators, it appears unethical, one minute they are gathering signatures, the next they are encouraging favor on legislation. Why does a candidate from Oshkosh need felons and Madison lobbyists gathering signatures, instead of true supporters? I think Mr. Underheim owes an explanation to his constituents in Oshkosh and all of Wisconsin’s voters in the spring election.”
This is long, but a must-read when arguing with "values-voters"

Plus, I like to use sources that they will believe.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/bc/2005/001/3.8.html


I tend to agree with this:

Send a Message to God - He has gone too far this time.

http://www.slate.com/id/2112083/

I struggle with the dicotomy that we praise God for saving victims, yet not blame him (or her or them) for the people that are killed.

It is the only logical conclusion - if God chose to save some individuals, he either chose not to save, or to outright kill the others.
This is a Democrat?

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=29417


Rep. Ziegelbauer: Minimum Wage Statement

1/10/2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer (920) 684-6783

Manitowoc Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer (D-Manitowoc) today released this statement on proposals to raise the minimum wage, "Raising the minimum wage seems to be a popular political idea. While we might wish otherwise, the reality is that government can't create wealth this way. This is a bad idea that will hurt poor people."

"The truth is that in a market economy the world of work is the real path to success. Minimum wage jobs are an entry level beginning for the inexperienced, the first rung on the ladder of economic opportunity, and rarely a source of family supporting income."

"Wages are determined by the value an employee can bring to an employer. Raising the minimum will only have the effect of making it that much harder for those needing the experience, to bring enough value to a potential employer, to get that first job, and a start in our opportunity society."

"Taxing entry level jobs by raising the minimum wage will yield less jobs, but surely protect those who already "have" (the jobs, & the business), at the expense of those who "need" it most. Knocking out another bottom rung on the ladder of economic opportunity makes it harder for those who need to climb aboard and share in the prosperity of America."

"I hope that the Wisconsin State Legislature will have the courage to do what's right for those most in need of opportunity rather than what sounds good."