On Why you should support the United Way

Posted on September 15 at 12:47 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I agree, I would rather give (and I do give) to my local church than to United Way. They do alot of good so I don't have a problem with others donating to them, but it's run more like a business than a charity, not to mention the ethical dilemas such as Pete pointed out.

On Game consoles can drive up utility bills if left on

Posted on August 25 at 3:42 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

To second Opinionsforfree, if you really want to track how much appliances use you should really invest in a kW meter. You can find them cheap online (I bought a Kill-a-watt, possibly the same one linked to previously, for $20 off Amazon marketplace). The only down-side is that they can't monitor anything 220 (unless you get an expensive one suited for that) such as laundry dryers, some AC, or anything hard-wired.

I'm curious as well, ihavealife, what is this house test through Aliant?

On FURLOUGH DAYS close UW-Whitewater TODAY!

Posted on August 21 at 11:41 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

"I still think a “fee” is another name for a “tax.” I would assert, IF IT COSTS like a “tax,” it is a “tax”! Do you agree?!"

No, I do not agree. (I do agree with the comments about the use of CAPS.. really man, come on.) A tax is something that we are all forced to pay for the existence of our government. A fee is something optional that I have more control over. For example, registering my car at the DMV is a fee, not a tax, because I could always choose to not own a car (and many people have made this choice). Or tuition at a state university is a fee, because I don't have to send my child there. Also, the "gas tax" really is not a tax but a fee for the same reasons. I'm all for having more fees for peripheral services if it means reducing taxes, because it gives the taxpayer more control (this is why I loved Huckabees plan of doing away with income tax altogether in favor of sales tax, which if you think about it is like a gray area between tax and fee).

On Lawmaker opposed to ethics disclosure bill

Posted on August 11 at 12:34 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Why should it require "some effort"?

To weed out those who are just wasting time or have no legitimate interest in looking up such information. Along the same lines as voting, that if you're too lazy to put in some effort to vote then you probably shouldn't be voting anyway. If you have a real interest in this information (such as an investigative journalist for example) then you will go through the proper channels. If you're just surfing the internet and looking to ridicule someone or do something unethical, then you'll think twice before submitting your name and address to the board. Like I said, I don't have a problem with putting it online, I just think the board should have to authorize access for each request.

On Planning helps take bite out of meal costs

Posted on August 11 at 5:48 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

$50,000 annual budget... that's almost $1000 per week. Does the average household really spend that much? Our budget is $100 for a family of 4.

On Lawmaker opposed to ethics disclosure bill

Posted on August 10 at 11:35 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

So putting it online is only for the sake of those who are either too lazy to go through the board, or too afraid to admit that they want to see the information? I say keep it the way it is. I guess I don't have an objection to putting it online for the convenience, as long as you still have to submit your name and information to gain access (to discourage people trolling it for identity theft). I know this is the age of making everything easy and online, but some things SHOULD require some effort.

On Married man allegedly assaulted by girlfriends

Posted on August 4 at 5:53 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

My statistics may be a bit dated (from around 2000 I think), but I believe men are actually assaulted by women a little more (or about the same) as women assaulted by men. Men just don't report it as much (too much pride I guess). I agree that it is not funny when someone takes the law into their own hands. Now instead of people looking at this man and finding him guilty, some will look at him as a victim and the girlfriends as crazy, so they didn't really help their cause.

On Wis. domestic partners need birth certificates

Posted on July 30 at 11:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

I thought the constitutional amendment was worded to ban same-sex marriage AND any type of union having the same or very similar properties, such as domestic partnerships. Did I miss something, or has this been interpreted to not resemble marriage?

On We Energies fined $150,000 for power-plant blast

Posted on July 30 at 11:41 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Yeah that's the joke of it.

On Earthsong provides a healthy 'alternative'

Posted on April 14 at 11:09 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

The important question would be, did they ever re-paint the air-conditioner to contrast with the wall?