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October 22, 2009

United Way off to good start but help needed
United Way had a good start of the 2009 campaign with a fun evening at our kick off on September 26 at The Veranda.
The response to the silent and live auctions was great with many of the local businesses and individuals contributing items for the auctions.
The food was great. The beer and wine tasting was eventful. The paddle wheel raffles were a tremendous hit. New this year were chair massages and manicures done by the staff from Utopia Day Spa. All of their proceeds were donated to United Way and the "customers" also benefited.
Our 2009 campaign has just started and we are now over 16.5 percent toward our goal of $79,000. First, I want to remind everyone that the money raised by our campaign retains over 90 percent of it within Taylor County. We are supporting 17 agencies this year focusing on the greatest need areas principly in human services.
We are having a United Way Breakfast Day at the Medford McDonald's on October 23 from 5-11 a.m. Stop in and see the board of directors at "work."
Our campaign runs through the end of 2009. Contributions should be mailed to United Way, PO Box 85, Medford, WI 54451-0085. Our member agencies and the public in general appreciate the generosity of the people of Taylor County.
— Bob Whetstone, United Way campaign chairman

Just what does health care reform mean?
Point number one: All current versions would greatly expand and fund abortion, would include taxpayer payment of abortion and would allow federal subsidies to private insurance plans that cover abortions. As more proof that the above is true, Congress has refused to vote in measures which would specifically exclude abortion coverage. They also refused to vote in a conscience clause to protect health care workers. Some congressmen say the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of federal tax dollars to fund abortions in the Medicaid program, already prohibits the use of our taxpayer money to fund abortions. However, the Hyde Amendment only covers Medicaid and would not cover the health care reform bill.
Point number two: Main provisions of all the various health care bills under consideration by Congress would eventually lead to rationing and even denial of treatment for any citizen, especially older Americans and those with disabilities. For example, the Senate bill offered by Sen. Max Baucus would establish that, for at least five years, Medicare physicians, who authorize treatments for their patients and wind up in the top 10 percent of per capita cost for a year, will lose 5 percent of their total Medicare reimbursements for that year. This onerous provision means that all doctors treating older patients will be driven to order the least expensive tests and treatments for fear they will end up in that top 10 percent.
Contact Congressman Obey 1-202-225-3365. (2314 Rayburn Building, Washington DC 20515-0000). Tell him to oppose any health care reform bill that contains provisions that would lead to rationing of health care. Tell him to vote down any health care reform which does not specifically exclude abortion. Or write, call or visit him in Wausau, 1-717-842-5605 (410 Fifth St. Suite 406 A, Wausau, WI 54403-5473).
— Greta Murray, Medford

Decker will be key to hopes for an independent DNR
Attention citizens of state Senate District 29
If clean air, pristine waters, and healthy fish and game populations are important to you, then there is legislation in Madison that you need to be aware of. If you have been following the legislative initiative to re-instate the power to appoint the DNR secretary to the Natural Resource Board you know that the Assembly overwhelmingly passed this bill. They understand that our natural resources are too important to be directed by political appointees that in many cases have no background in natural resources. Now it’s the state Senate’s turn to address the bill. The groups that are opposed to this change feel that keeping this bill off the Senate floor is a very good way to defeat it. Our state senator Russ Decker is the key person to getting this bill on the Senate floor for debate and a vote. Senator Decker needs to hear from us, the people that he represents, that this bill should be brought to the floor of the Senate and that he should support this change. Senator Decker can be reached at 1-877-496-0472 or Sen.Decker@legis.wisconsin.gov Please take a minute to make the call or send an e-mail.
— Mike Riggle, DVM, Taylor County Conservation Congress

Actions speak louder than words on environment
Do you believe everything you see on TV? You would think we are in the midst of an unprecedented Green revolution. At least based on the lip service given by the broadcast networks. Among other measures, you would think the highways would be full of small efficient cars driving the speed limit to save gas. The evidence of my own eyes in driving 3,300 miles to Florida and back this month refutes this completely. Americans are not serious about energy conservation. There were absolutely zero cars driving slowly and nearly all traffic was moving 10 mph over the speed limit just to stay out of the way. You say "who cares?" Well, policy makers in Washington are moving ahead with "Green" measures based on what Americans are signaling regarding their priorities. The thing is, Americans are fibbing. Cap and Tax is going to be an expensive penalty for lying.
— Mike Tanis, Medford

Raise the beer tax why?
To help pay for the costs for increasing drunk drivers who need services.
I’m over the age of retirement and I received my first traffic violation for drunk driving, I should, at my age, know better. It happens.
I accept responsibility and the consequences of my actions. Having said this, I am learning the financial cost for my actions.
First time offense runs around $1,500 plus. I was allowed monthly payments and required classes will cost more.
I’ve learned the assessment at social services are $285 without monthly payments.
They are booked months ahead. Do the math for 40 hours a week intake of funds.
We pay for our actions. There is no one else to pick up the tab.
So don’t tell me personally that a raise in the beer tax will pay for my actions.
— Betty (Boots) Jensen, Lublin