OCTOBER 5, 2011 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - PAGE 9
• Letters to the editor • Class warfare? So now the president’s proposal to adopt the Warren Buffet proposal that the very wealthy be taxed at no lower rate than the middle class is “class warfare” according to GOP leaders. How do you think the 400 highest income Americans increased their combined income from $16.9 billion in 1992 to $90.9 billion by 2008 while reducing the percentage they paid in federal income tax by 16 percent? I wonder if that wasn’t class warfare, a class warfare that was waged quietly by well-placed campaign contributions and well-paid lobbyists. My tax accountant informs me that I paid 18.9 percent of my income in federal income taxes last year. Buffet, whom I admire, paid 17.4 percent of his and many of the super rich paid an even lower rate. State and local tax obligations take a much smaller percentage from the upper income earners than does the federal income tax. I’m not complaining about mine, but I do object to being labeled a class-warfare soldier for backing an increase in those making over a million a year to equal mine. Someone has to pay for the unnecessary wars and tax preference giveaways, and it ought not be left up to our grandchildren. Eiler Ravnholt Luck
Praise On Friday, Sept. 23, at about 6:40 p.m., our neighbor’s home at 958 353rd Ave., Frederic, was destroyed by a gas explosion. We would like to praise all of the emergency responders, fire, rescue, police, ambulance and power company teams, who performed their work with the great-
est competence, courtesy and compassion. They arrived at the scene quickly and removed the owner, who was in the basement of the home at the time of the explosion, with the greatest care. Thanks to their efforts, he is now recovering at Regions Hospital in St. Paul from second-degree burns and a crushed hip. Also, I would like to extend gratitude to them for responding to the concerns of the victim’s friends and neighbors with the greatest patience and courtesy. Having such wonderful emergency services available to us in Polk County gives my wife and I a great sense of security. These men and women deserve our highest admiration and gratitude. Jo and Cheryl DeGeer Lewis
United Way effort United Way St. Croix Valley has kicked off what we hope will be our biggest and best community fund drive. We are extremely proud and thankful to have Jason Davis, host and executive producer of KSTP Eyewitness News’ “On the Road” series, as our honorary campaign spokesperson. We filmed Jason’s visits to several of United Way’s partner agencies in Polk, Pierce and St. Croix counties. In each community, he talked with people whose lives have been improved through the services provided by these agencies. The resulting video is touching and clearly communicates both the need and the help available right here in western Wisconsin. We invite everyone to view this extraordinary video by visiting the United Way St. Croix Valley home page www.unitedwaystcroix.org and clicking on 2011 Campaign Film. While on the site, you can also learn more about how United Way and our partners meet basic and
emergency needs, strengthen children and families and improve health and independence. United Way is about many people giving a little bit to help our communities become stronger. After viewing the video, even if you have not contributed to United Way in the past, we invite you to click on “Give” and invest in your community. There are many easy ways to give: online, by mail, at work or through estate planning. Remember to designate our United Way if you donate through an employer campaign in the Twin Cities. Whichever way you choose, we thank you sincerely for “Living United.” Linda Robertson and Warren Schneider 2011 campaign chairs United Way St. Croix Valley Hudson
The poor rich Last week, Mark Pettis, former Republican state representative, tried to convince us federal taxes were unfair to the rich. He says lower-income folks pay 15 percent and the $1 million folks pay 29 percent, and rates should be changed to “even out federal tax percentages. Just to be fair.” I am concerned that his kind of “evening out” is more like “rubbing out” the middle class. The richest 20 percent of Americans already own 84 percent of all of U.S. wealth If we divide $1 million among 100 people the way our country’s wealth is now, 20 of them average $42,000 each and the other 80 average $2,000 each. Some folks are very rich, some medium rich, and 80 percent of folks are barely getting along, most of them working hard and going backwards. Pettis says the $2,000 folks should pay more taxes so the $40,000 folks can pay less “just to be fair.” He is repeating what
Republican Party politicians are saying in their determined effort to protect and further enrich the few at the top. Jesus was clear about the rich. “Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Let’s help the rich get into heaven by sharing a little of their wealth here on Earth. Russell B. Hanson Cushing
“No Guns Allowed” Posting No Guns Allowed signs in public buildings and private businesses – I agree that keeping these places free of guns may be justified, but the sign only affects law-abiding people that have received training, a background check and a permit to carry concealed. All others are banned without the sign, as they can’t legally carry anyway. By complying with the sign I must leave my gun in my car or saddlebag. This causes a much greater danger to the public. I must draw my gun, in public, to place it in my car and handling the gun increases the chance of accidental discharge. Also, the gun is much less secure in the car as the car can be broken into and the gun stole, and now in the hands of a criminal. The two most secure places for a handgun are in my holster or gun safe. Please consider these facts as you decide whether to place a sign on your building. John Warnest Grantsburg
Jauch makes statement on Senate Mining Committee Northern lawmaker one of seven senators appointed to serve MADISON — State Sen. Bob Jauch, DPoplar, has been appointed to serve as a member of the newly created Senate Mining Committee. The group will be charged with reviewing Wisconsin’s current mining laws, as well as making recommendations for possible reforms and improvements. The committee will consist of four Republican and three Democratic members. It will be chaired by Sen. Neil Kedzie, R-Elkhorn. “I have been calling for the creation of this committee since last May following the effort to rush a controversial bill draft written by and for the mining company through the legislative process. Mining is a complicated and controversial topic that
deserves full public participation in a thoughtful dialogue on potential changes to the mining permitting process. Our current mining laws were the result of extensive public discussion that led to consensus on policies that resulted in the permitting of the Ladysmith mine. “The public has a right to be frustrated when special interests attempted to ram a bill that weakens our environment through the Legislature without adequate public input. Another group of citizens are legitimately concerned that a dysfunctional Legislature might deny the chance for changes to current law to be considered at all. An issue of this importance must be deliberated away from closed doors, and the establishment of a committee should assure full transparency and public involvement. “This committee will not decide the fate of any specific mining proposal. Mining is an allowable economic activity and the ul-
timate decision on a mine rests with state, federal and tribal authorities who will review permits based on existing water and air quality standards. “However, the committee can begin a thoughtful public discussion about whether or not our state’s current mining permitting process is fair and thorough. I remain convinced that the review will dispel some of the myths about the Wisconsin mining laws and demonstrate that the time taken to permit a mine is not dramatically different from the time line in a state like Minnesota. “Recent statements by Assembly Republican lawmakers have suggested that they have the votes to pass a mining permitting bill. Perhaps the Assembly lawmakers should reveal this plan to the public, so that the public can learn what policies the politicians have in their back pocket regarding this important issue. Revealing their bill would also enable an op-
portunity for comparison between the Senate and Assembly proposals. “Participating in a committee does not constitute a commitment to a particular time table or outcome. I will work with committee members in a serious attempt to conduct a comprehensive review of the permitting process that will include public hearings outside of Madison. I remain open to constructive suggestions; however, these must not diminish our environmental standards, erode local control or weaken public input. Above all, the recommendations should assure that the mining permitting process ultimately serves the public interest. “I have spoken with Senator Kedzie and am confident that he will approach this issue in a thoughtful and deliberative way.” — from the office of Sen. Jauch
Fall special session to continue focus on jobs MADISON - The governor has announced his intention to call the Legislature into special session in order to continue efforts to encourage economic growth in Wisconsin. Upon making this announcement for a Back to Work Wisconsin special session on jobs, state Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls, expressed support for the special session, citing the critical need for job growth in the state. “It is critical that jobs continue to be a top priority as we work to reverse the effects of the economic downturn and put people back to work,” said Harsdorf. “We need to build on the initiatives we acted
on earlier this year.” The bills passed in the earlier special session allowed Wisconsin to foster a friendlier business climate and created incentives for job creation in the private sector. Since the passage of the special session bills from the beginning of this year, Wisconsin’s business climate ranking jumped 17 points from to 24th from 41st according to one business publication. The agenda for the fall special session includes legislation to improve access to capital, support workforce development, streamline regulations, and address trans-
portation and infrastructure concerns. Included among the proposals and legislation up for consideration during this special session are bills authored by both Democrats and Republicans. “I believe legislators from both parties recognize the essential need to revitalize our economy,” said Harsdorf. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact legislation that job creators have cited as needed to improve Wisconsin’s economy.” In announcing the Back to Work Wisconsin special session, 26 bills or proposals were listed as part of the special
session’s agenda. Work on some of these proposals has already begun as various committees are holding public hearings and voting on bills. As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Higher Education, Harsdorf voted for one of the bills on the special session agenda earlier this week. This bill, Senate Bill 40, seeks to address a concern of job creators by encouraging further business collaboration in providing advanced manufacturing skills training. Senate Bill 40 was approved by the committee on a bipartisan 7-0 vote. - from the office of Sen. Harsdorf
Walker to look at unemployment comp benchmarks by Chuck Quirmbach Wisconsin Public Radio MILWAUKEE - Gov. Scott Walker says he’s looking at whether people on unemployment compensation are trying hard enough to make a quick return to the workplace. Walker met with business executives in Milwaukee at one of the governor’s new
by-invitation-only jobs forums. Several executives told Walker that they have job openings, but contend some people who are out of work would rather take unemployment comp for as long as they can rather than get hired. Walker says he supported the recent extension of unemployment benefits, but wants to see if people who get the aid are meeting enough of the
requirements of the compensation program. A laid-off factory worker from Kenosha says it’s a slap in the face to hear employers say they can’t find enough people to fill jobs and then blame the unemployment compensation system. Scott Page says making the jobless hit another benchmark to get an unemployment check
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would be wrong, Page says he sometimes comes to meetings of the labor-backed Wisconsin Jobsnow Coalition, which attracted about 40 people to a sidewalk protest outside Walker’s appearance in Milwaukee.
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