LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - Writer got his U.S. history wrong

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The April 23 issue of the Record-Review had a letter from Bruce Bohr of Marathon. As usual, Bohr regurgitates what he saw on Fox News or heard on right-wingnut radio.

He writes about the importance of knowing American history, the importance of secure elections and the importance of citizenship.

Bohr writes “Jim Crow laws continued to influence voting until a Republican-dominated Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965.”

In reality, the 1965 Congress had Democratic super majorities in both houses of Congress. In the Senate, it was 68 Democratic senators and 37 Republican senators. In the House of Representatives, it was 295 Democrats to 140 Republicans.

I know you and your ilk are trying to rewrite American history to fit your ideologies. That may work with those who have drank the Kool-Aid, but facts and the truth cannot be refuted.

Gary Fergot Edgar

During the next weeks, Congress will work out details on how to offset the $4.5 trillion tax cut which will benefit mostly the super- rich. Since the Reagan era, Republicans have strongly promoted a supply-side, “trickle-down” economic model. The premise has been to cut taxes for the wealthy in hopes of attracting international investment and stimulating innovation and production. But this theory has serious flaws.

In reality, many wealthy individuals used their tax savings not to invest in the economy, but to buy back stocks — boosting their own wealth — while hiding money in offshore tax havens, far from the IRS’s reach. Meanwhile, the middle class has struggled, losing purchasing power and contributing less to the economy. That matters, because markets are primarily demand-driven. It’s the working and middle classes — who tend to spend more of their income — that actually fuel economic growth.

These tax cuts have also reduced government revenue, increasing our national debt, which now stands at $106,000 per American. Congress is now considering another $4.5 trillion tax cut. While the middle class will get a small piece — partially offsetting rising costs due to tariffs — the overwhelming majority will go to the ultra-wealthy, further widening the gap between rich and poor.

I understand that it may be difficult for Congressman Van Orden and Senator Ron Johnson to vote against the interests of their wealthiest donors — but they were elected to represent all of us. It’s time to give us a break and tax the rich fairly.

Markus Fasel Chippewa Falls

Public education is under attack here in Wisconsin.

The 241 education referendum questions on the ballot last year, and another 94 this year, highlight the inadequate funding.

The funding burden is pushed back onto frustrated communities through continuous referendums. They decry the front line — our beleaguered school administrators, school boards and even teachers; while our legislature, who actually hold the purse strings, are sitting on a historic surplus.

There simply is no amount of “belt tightening” that will fix the current funding situation.

What will fix it is ending the statewide voucher program. Our representatives need to stand up to the powerful, deep-pocketed voucher school lobbies (that are huge donors to the majority party in our legislature and whose ultimate goal is to dismantle public education).

What will fix it is reimbursing public schools for special education at the same 90% rate that voucher schools receive.

What will fix it is adjusting public education funding to inflation and fixing the antiquated funding formulas.

We know the value of our schools, yet crazy complexities of education funding are difficult to understand and blame is often misplaced at our struggling, under-funded schools instead of on the lack of support from our elected officials.

They are counting on us not paying attention and bickering amongst ourselves instead of holding them accountable.

Our children deserve better. Speak up now during the budgeting process. Remind them that they represent the communities of their district, not the school choice lobby regardless of their campaign donations.

Kristina Reser-Jaynes Readstown