People Before Citizens United

I spent 40 years of my life as an educator. I am proud of the fact that my life was devoted to working with parents to care for and educate their children. The children did not have a bright blue D or a shiny red R inscribed on their foreheads. The schools I taught at were not Blue schools or Red schools. Politics was a topic of learning included as part of a civics class or a social studies class. Politicians were very far removed from the classroom. No more, however. Politics and politicians now are integral parts of virtually every aspect of education – what schools a child can attend, what resources are available to teachers for use in the classroom and, most recently, and somewhat frighteningly, how secure our schools are and how safe our children will be.

That brings me to something that I find increasingly worrisome. When teaching a civics class or a social studies class, I always taught that in the United States there are three branches of government – the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch and the Judicial Branch. Each of these branches has specific separate, but related and interdependent roles and powers. A system of checks and balances exists to protect the electorate – those citizens who have the right and responsibility to elect from their peers the individuals who will govern our nation. I always believed that this system of checks and balances would safeguard the electorate from individuals and groups who might seek to manipulate our government and veer away from another fundamental democratic principle – that our government is “of the people, by the people and for the people.”

So we have been teaching our children that there are three branches of government and that it is the voters, the individual citizens, who have (or should have) the power to elect those who will lead our cities, states and nation. It is becoming frighteningly clear, however, that we have, in recent years, misled the young people we have been teaching. We have neglected to expose the fact that no branch of our government, nor the combined branches of government, seems strong enough to resist or combat the overwhelming and devastating power of money in our electoral process. Politicians, be they wealthy or not, are confronted with what appears to be the fourth branch of government, otherwise known as the Citizens United Branch.

There are other names under which the Citizens United Branch of government operates. For some it is the NRA. For others it might be the Koch Brothers. For still others it may be powerful unions (to be fair, the Citizens United Branch is an equal opportunity money source.) Whatever the source, the ultimate result is a total destruction of the primary goal of an elected, representative government – one person, one vote. This is an alarming state of affairs. Our rights as citizens can only be protected by a constitution and a government that recognizes that the rights of each and every citizen supercede greed and political self-interest.

Our government must recognize that the rights of the people cannot be replaced by the power of money. The Citizens United Branch of government must be eliminated and it must happen soon. The good that government does seems so easily and quickly lost. The injustice seems almost impossible to overturn.

Surcharge on Millionaires

The Journal-Sentinel on December 6, 2011 asked whether readers favor a surcharge on millionaires that would “pay” for the extension of the payroll tax cut. After considering this question for perhaps a nano-second I decided that I definitely favor this surcharge. The payroll tax cut could mean approximately $1,500 annually or about $125 per month for those who earn less than $1 million. I thought I would see how $125 might be spent by the over-$1 million population as opposed to the 99% who earn less that $1 million.

Now where might the over-$1 million population shop? Hmm? What might $125 buy at Tiffany’s? I found that Tiffany’s had 18 items on their Under $250 link that cost only $125. Sparkly baubles at bargain prices to cheer the millionaires.

Now, as to the under-$1 million population – where might they shop? Macy’s is somewhat pricey, but what could $125 buy on a link at Macy’s? It seems that the Kids link has about 350 items under $125 in the Coats & Cold Weather pages alone. Jackets, scarves and mittens to warm toddlers, kids and teens in the under $1 million population.

It doesn’t take an economist to see that the purchase power of 99% of the population might actually have a considerable impact on the GDP and the U.S. economy, not to mention middle and lower income families.

If a surtax on millionaires allows an extension of the payroll tax cut for average working people, I say yes, without a doubt, to the surtax.

The Time We Are About To Build

As I find commentary on history, freedom and the need to develop a fair and just political order, I will post such ideas on this blog. Feel free to add your thoughts on achieving freedom and justice in Wisconsin, nationally and the world.

History’s most important ideal has been that of freedom, even though it is a burden not all (wo)men are capable of bearing.

            Freedom is simple and unique.

            It must be secured on all flanks in collective action.

            The first of these includes guarantees of a political order.

            The effort to solidify these guarantees should become a lasting feature of our times.

              And of the time we are about to build.

From The Right To Be Intelligent

By Luis Alberto Machado

Appointed in Venezuela in 1979 as world's first

Minister for Development of Human Intelligence



“We’re Baaack!”

I rode to Madison on Saturday for yet another rally in the long series of efforts by thousands of Wisconsin citizens to raise their voices to be heard by Governor Scott Walker and his Republican minions. Once again the banners and posters were delightfully clever, but more importantly, they showed the breadth and depth of the fear and anger being expressed by protesters as well as the diversity of those raising their voices.

• “One Day Longer, One Day Stronger”
• “Stop The Attack On Workers’ Rights”
• “Our Nation Is A Union”
• “Care About Educators – They Care About Your Children”
• “We Are Standing (read that marching, rallying, protesting, recalling) Together For Our Rights”
• “Stop The Attack On Wisconsin Families”
• “Workers’ Rights Are Human Rights”
• “Minnesota Teachers Support Wisconsin Teachers”
• “Newsflash: Walker, The Whole World Is Watching In Disgust!”
• “I’m A Teacher; I Pay Taxes”
• “We’re Baaack!” (This one I found particularly revealing of the sentiments of everyone at the Capitol.)

Also in great abundance was the passionate mind-set that Scott Walker should and would be recalled. Many of the protesters against Walker are frighteningly aware of the multitude of issues that Walker is determined to quickly push through the Wisconsin legislature even without citizen input. Fear-provoking issues include: decreasing the general funding of education to K-12 school districts throughout the state by nearly $1 Billion; defunding Head Start, the low-income, early childhood school program; cutting Badger Care – the healthcare program that is a lifeline of care for thousands of Wisconsinites; cutting the Wisconsin Arts Board funding by almost 70% and placing control of the board under the Department of Tourism. It seems that no program affecting the quality of life is safe from destruction by the budget that Walker is proposing. 

But the people in Madison on Saturday, people of all ages and backgrounds, from all areas of Wisconsin, will not give up! They are educating themselves and those who were foolish enough to ignore their right to vote in November or who conscientiously voted for and were deceived by Walker, a candidate who revealed very little of the true ideological, political, egotistical agenda he had in mind for our state. It is actually difficult to list or explain all of the issues or significant aspects of life that are negatively impacted by Walker and his followers. The list is endless and continues to grow with each daily news release.

It may be a cliché, but Walker has definitely awakened a sleeping giant – a powerful, angry giant. This giant is roaring and taking action for the children, the families, the elderly and the disenfranchised throughout the state and by extension throughout the country. The giant is becoming increasingly conscious of the power of the people and it is delivering a forceful message: Beware, Governor Walker, “We’re Baaack!” and, United We Are Powerful!

Biblical Tradition of Tithing

I guess congratulations are in order for Mr. Henry Theisen, the chief executive of Neenah-based Bemis Company. I am certain that Mr. Theisen is a hard working, private sector employee who has probably worked for the Bemis Company for many years. That would certainly explain the 70% increase in his overall compensation package for 2010 to $9.69 million. (Business in Brief section Milwaukee Journal Sentinel March 23, 2011) He may, in fact, be nearing retirement and, therefore, I am sure that Mr. Theisen is very relieved that his pension plan will be quadrupled from $825,922 to a nifty $3.5 million. Way to go corporate America! 

There is another top executive who was not quite as fortunate as Mr. Theisen. I’m sure we can all feel sympathetic for Mr. Gale Klappa the CEO for Wisconsin Energy whose compensation package in 2010 was actually 10.9 % lower than it was in 2009. Because of the reduction, his total compensation for 2010 was a meager $10.3 million. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel March 4, 2011) It is a bit puzzling as to why his compensation was less than 2009 since Milwaukee-based Wisconsin Energy, the parent company of We Energies, actually posted a 19.5% rise in profits last year, to $456.8 million from $382.4 million in 2009. How very strange.

Now I imagine that neither Mr. Theisen nor Mr. Klappa are a bit like the greedy public school teachers in Wisconsin or the other insensitive public employees who are trying to inflate their pensions at the expense of the taxpayers of the state. I am certain that they both try to lead lives based on reason and compassion. Therefore, I have a suggestion for these highly regarded Wisconsin executives that they may not have thought about since receiving the recent data on their compensation packages.

I think it would be a worthy gesture if these two decent, hard-working citizens, and possibly other similarly fortunate citizens of Wisconsin, would reflect on the ancient biblical tradition of tithing. Now, as many people are aware, tithing involves contributing 10% of one’s annual produce (maybe one of these hard workers has a garden) or of their earnings. Usually this contribution is considered a tax for the support of a church or the clergy, but perhaps there are some truly worthy alternate organizations that could benefit from a sum of money somewhere in the neighborhood of $1million.

One place might be the Neenah, Wisconsin Joint School District where that sum of money would come close to paying the combined salaries and benefits for Fund 27 which is the Special Education Fund as noted in the 2010-2011 Budget for the Neenah Joint School District. Another possible beneficiary might be the Glendale-River Hills School District where just slightly less than 10% of  the compensation packages for either of these CEOs would pay off the school district’s recently reported deficit. I’m sure the students and teachers in either district would be really grateful.

Since the federal tax rate for incomes over $373,650 is a whopping 35% I think this would be a real bargain for Mr. Theisen and Mr. Klappa. I am sure they would be able to write off such a kindhearted donation and really save themselves some money. There may even be other chief executives around Wisconsin whose corporate salaries have been enriched by Governor Walker’s largess and who might benefit from tithing to their local school district. It certainly seems like a real win-win situation for everyone. I hope my humble suggestion is helpful.

Without Education, Democracy Is Doomed

On March 17th an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune entitled "Dana Roskey: Democracy and literacy" focused strongly on the link between education and democracy. The comment is made that "The level of general education has a direct impact on degrees of functional democracy." Having been involved with education all of my life I can only wish that this close link was acknowledged more frequently and its obvious importance valued more highly.

In the past month I have been a part of the alarming political turmoil taking place in Wisconsin. I find it frightening that the governor and the ruling class in the state capitol have waged a veritable attack on not only teachers and state workers, but also, ultimately, on the entire educational system throughout the state.

At the same time that there has been an attack on teachers, students, schools and the educational system, the guiding principles of democracy also have been threatened. There have been limitations placed on citizen involvement in the legislative process and the legal rights of workers are being slowly and surely destroyed. If we cannot respect and support education, democracy and the rights of all citizens in our own small world how can we ever hope to lead and encourage democracy around the globe.

Education is a civil right. The link between education and a strong and vital democracy cannot be threatened. If those in power do only lip-service to supporting our educational systems, our future is hopeless and our democracy is doomed.

Seniors in the Eye of the Storm

Arthritis makes it difficult for Andrew to walk shoulder to shoulder with the other protesters. Maria Elena’s walking cane is plastered with colorful stickers of her grandchildren’s pictures that she proudly displays as she chants “Tell me what Democracy looks like.” The pain in Cherise’s shoulder makes it difficult to wave the banner high, but she responds at full volume with “This is what Democracy looks like.”

Protesting, marching, chanting and challenging government and established authority are far from customary behaviors for these apprehensive Wisconsin senior citizens. But like thousands of others who have lived and worked in Wisconsin for many years, the protesting and marching have become their call to action. They form one end of the spectrum. Children are at the other end. In this turbulent, disconcerting battle there will be very few winners.