News is essential to democracy. More and more, the news that we rely on to make daily decisions is disappearing. Oh, there's plenty of news out there, but as our president is so fond of saying, much of it is fake news. News with an agenda, news with a slant, news that is nothing but a pack of lies. News in a silo does nothing for democracy, it only serves to polarize and make it nigh impossible for people in opposing camps to even speak, much less understand each other.
“Many people with disabilities depend on public programs so they can stay healthy and live, work and participate in the community,” Jason Endres wrote to me in favor of a bill I recently introduced.
My bill, Senate Bill 870, would create a Public Assistance Advisory Committee. I drafted this legislation in response to Special Session bills recently passed by the Legislature that modified public assistance programs.
I was out of town during the recent school walkouts so did not get a chance to participate or be supportive. However, I'm wildly heartened to see this level of passion and activity on the part of young people across the country. It all has reminded me of this old Dar Williams song, and I am happy to see that someone has produced an updated video which I would like to share this morning.
"The quality of interpreters is so important. I need someone who has the fluent skills to work with me,” Leah Simmons explained. “Their lack of knowledge reflects negatively on me.”
Professor Simmons uses specific jargon and language. Her colleagues and students judge her by the language she uses. She cannot communicate directly to hearing students.
“Lord willing, and the creek don’t rise, I’ll see you Tuesday.” I said as I left the office in Madison.
By the next day, the creek at the base of my farm’s steep driveway had risen over the road. The rushing water cut a channel through the gravel town road, making the road impassable.
Internet security has always been hard, and requires vigilance. However, whether it's the effect of old age or just that life is getting completely out of hand, the last few months have been nuts.
“Public assistance should be a trampoline not a hammock,” read the title of Governor Walker’s press release touting work on a package of bills introduced in a Legislative Special Session. The bills made changes to certain programs targeted at helping those living in poverty.
Last Friday afternoon we learned of the 79 bills up for a vote on Tuesday. I spoke with my neighbor shortly after seeing the long list.
“How can they possibly know what they are voting on?” she asked me. I replied there is no time to talk with people and learn the effects of these changes.
