Turner's women's rights arguments insulting
While reading Sarah Turner's column (""International Women's Day a celebration of peace,"" March 13), my thoughts quickly transitioned from interest to disgust. What I originally thought would be a column about International Women's Day rapidly turned into an excuse for single mothers to rely on the welfare system in order to support their families and themselves, among other things.
First, I question Turner's sources of information, or rather lack thereof. Throughout her column she fails to deliver credible citations to her ""facts,"" one of which states that ""women do two thirds of the world's work'worth at least $11 trillion'and most of their effort is unpaid."" Where or what are her sources of information?
Secondly, her arguments are unclear. While supporting International Women's Day and women's rights to equal pay for equal work, Turner also argues that single mothers have the right to remain on welfare. However, how can women and single mothers be independent if they rely on the government for income through welfare? And furthermore, how can single mothers on welfare educate their children about self-reliance if they themselves rely on taxpayer money for income?
This argument is not only contradictory, it is insulting to women's rights and a women's ability to support herself and her family. Women should indeed earn equal pay for equal work. Yet allowing single mothers to rely solely on the welfare system, which Turner recommends, will only destroy the fundamental arguments supporting women's equality and women's rights.
Wisconsin's tobacco decisions harm economy
Wisconsin stands at the brink of a public health disaster due to short-sighted political decisions.
In 1998, Wisconsin was given stewardship of a 30-year, $5.9 billion endowment. This was to be compensation for the terrible health costs associated with tobacco. Our leaders now plan to sell off the remaining payments to fix the budget mess.
Using the future settlement payments as a short-term fix isn't a bargain. A recent report, The Burden of Tobacco in Wisconsin, estimates that Wisconsin pays out $3 billion for tobacco-related health care costs each year. More than 7,300 residents died from smoking-related diseases in 2000 alone.
The tobacco settlement was more than just dollars; it was a symbol of pain and suffering many Wisconsinites addicted to tobacco endured.
The settlement helped Wisconsin make huge strides in the tobacco fight and offered hope to people trying to rid themselves of the yoke of tobacco addiction.
This potential windfall for public health stood to benefit generations of Wisconsinites at no taxpayer cost. As public policy selling off the tobacco endowment makes no sense.
Our elected officials could fight to protect future generations. Instead they meekly turn away, embarrassed yet unwilling to do the right thing. It's equivalent to taking money from children's piggy banks to pay for cigarettes.
The burden tobacco places on Wisconsin's economy pales in comparison to the continuing loss of friends and family members. Wisconsin's elected officials need to hear from us today.
