On Janesville high school students to have longer days
Posted on May 8 at 11:20 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Verotika- The info is in the newspaper. you want the details, go buy a copy, read it at the library or a coffee shop, or wait until after 4:00 pm to read it online.
On State Assembly approves junk food stamps bill
Posted on May 8 at 10:18 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Working and being able to support yourself/family are not always the same thing. I agree that we should be putting funding and effort into getting people to work so that they can support themselves. The problem is that there are not enough family supporting jobs out there.
In our consumer driven economy, what is needed is an increase in demand. That will cause an increase in production and supply, which will increase employment and wages, which will create more demand and the cycle continues. The way things stand now, too many consumers are barely able to keep afloat with the basics. They do not have the expendable income to spend on extras, so demand drops, which causes business layoffs and closings, further decreasing the overall demand. The question is how to spark that increase in demand? The last two stimulus programs failed for two reasons. First, Americans are concerned about debt and the future so they either paid down bills or put it in savings instead of spending the money on extras. Second, the amount each person received was insufficient to actually make a difference, but the overall amount was still a staggering pile of money. A similar situation will occur with the tax cuts proposed in the current state budget. While any tax cut is welcome, a couple hundred dollars per family isn't going to do much. That is only a few dollars a week.
Do I have a solution? Sadly, no. If I did, I would certainly offer it.
On State Assembly approves junk food stamps bill
Posted on May 8 at 9:30 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
WisconsinResident- Did you know that 1 out of 4 military families use food stamps compared to 1 out of 8 in the civilian population? So does that mean that military personnel should get "back to work so they can support themselves without the taxpayers giving them a free hand out"?
On State Assembly approves junk food stamps bill
Posted on May 8 at 7:59 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
The bill defines the "good" food as those on the WIC approved foods list. This list is at http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publication....
Examples of non-approved items: ketchup, juice boxes EXCEPT for Juicy Juice brand (because one brand is so much better than another?), juice bottles larger than 64 oz, peanut butter containers larger than 18 oz, dried beans from the bulk bin, bread loaf larger than 16 oz, sharp cheddar cheese, cheese block larger than 16 oz, brown eggs, any egg carton larger than 12 count.
You could buy more than one of the size limited items listed, just not buy the larger package. For example, there is a 1 lb loaf of bread at a local store that costs more than the same brand 1-1/2 lb loaf. Same brand and style of bread in the same store, just different sizes. The larger loaf costs less, not less per lb or anything, simply a lower price on the larger loaf. A smart shopper would buy the larger loaf and spend less money, but under this proposed law, the food stamp customer would be forced to buy the smaller, more expensive loaf. Does that sound like good economic sense?
I really don't have a problem with the idea of encouraging people to eat healthier foods, but this bill is the wrong way to go about it. Using the WIC food list simply does not work.
As for the likelihood of this ever becoming law, it doesn't matter of the Assembly and Senate pass it and the Governor signs it, a waiver from the USDA would be required and no state has ever been granted one although many have tried. A study by the USDA concluded that "The idea of restricting the food choices of food stamp recipients as a means of promoting dietary improvement among low-income Americans has serious conceptual and practical flaws. There are better alternatives for promoting healthier diets. One could, for example, consider incentives – rather than restrictions – to encourage purchases of selected foods (fruits and vegetables or whole grains, for example) by food stamp participants. Or one could expand and strengthen nutrition education and promotion to make sure that participants have the knowledge, skills, and motivation they need to make healthy choices. These approaches are more practical, and likely to be more effective than restricting choice in achieving the dietary improvements that promote good health." (http://www.fns.usda.gov/ora/menu/Publish...). It should be noted that this was published in 2007, during Bush's administration.
On Assembly to take up informed consent bill
Posted on May 8 at 7:21 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I found a website that talks about each and gives an example of each.
http://blog.jdmd.com/index.php/tag/reaso...
http://blog.jdmd.com/index.php/tag/reaso...
Looks like under patient standard, the doctor has to tell you everything. Under the physician standard, the doctor tells you only what they think you need to know.
On Some question school workers' benefits
Posted on April 12 at 9:05 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
iteach- You dared to have a child DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR?!?!? Don't you know slaves, err I mean teachers, are not allowed to do that!? You must schedule all deaths/illnesses/births during the weekends or summer months. And if you do schedule it on the weekend, you must be sure to be back bright and early Monday morning.
I kid. Congrats on the little one. :)
On Janesville church to build 60-foot cross
Posted on April 12 at 12:36 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
First off, I am not an "anti-Christian zealot". I am very active and involved in my church. I just don't feel the need to erect a 60 foot cross on my lawn to prove it.
Second, maybe the sign ordinances don't apply, but the city has basically taken a hands off view of this as stated in the article (which you can read this part yourself on the front page picture over on the right):
"Gale Price of the city community development department said the church does not need a permit for the cross because the city’s attorney concluded the project is protected under the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000.
The federal law “prohibits zoning and land marking laws that substantially burden the religious exercise of churches” according to the U.S. Department of Justice website."
There was a similar uproar about a church just the other side of the interstate putting up a lighted digital sign. That church did not need to comply with local ordinances, but they did anyway. Because that is what good community members do.
So my question, restated for clarity, is would this 60 foot cross be allowed under normal circumstances under current city ordinance if the federal law did not exist? Would the church normally have to apply for a permit?
On Janesville church to build 60-foot cross
Posted on April 12 at 12:04 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Two thoughts come to mind...
1. Would this normally be allowed under the city's sign ordinances? If yes, then what's the fuss? If no, see #2.
2. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
On Robotics team takes seventh competition in Milwaukee
Posted on March 24 at 9:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Actually they made it to the semi finals where they lost to the team that took second. Results are at http://www2.usfirst.org/2013comp/events/.... They were in the Red Alliance in Semi 1-1 and 1-2.
They were 8-2 going into the elimination matches. They swept in the quarter final and lost in the semi.
Watching the matches was amazing. Think of about 15 seconds of the robots shooting frisbees at a target ON THEIR OWN. Followed by 2 minutes of remote control driving trying to gather frisbees, shoot them into the targets and even climbing a monkee bars pyramid.
May not have won first place, but they did AMAZING! Congrats to all involved!
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On State Assembly approves junk food stamps bill
Posted on May 8 at 11:37 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Yes you hit a point that I missed. It isn't enough to just increase demand, we need to also convince businesses to locate and stay in Wisconsin. It doesn't do any good to increase demand if it creates jobs overseas or another part of the country. We need to convince businesses that Wisconsin is where they want to be! This requires a reliable, skilled workforce and the transportation infrastructure to move their products to the consumer.
Also needed is for our elected officials to stop voting party line and voters need to stop voting for someone just because of the D or R after their name. I think that political parties hold too much power and the extremists control the parties. Until representatives start voting on a proposal based on its merits instead of which party proposed it, things will never change. They also need to start concentrating on things that will make a difference, and this junk food bill will not do anything to make people healthier or prevent waste and fraud in the food stamp program, or help those on the program better able to support themselves.