The new administration promised to cut fraud, waste and abuse in the federal government. Admittedly, there is potential for cutting costs and our leaders should spend our tax dollars responsibly. Each administration has the right to fund projects it feels important. However, the current administration is creating unimaginable hardships for thousands of people they should be serving. They are taking a chainsaw approach to cuts instead of a surgical scalpel. Many of these “slash-and-burn” initiatives will eventually affect us all. Who’s got your back?
The Army Corps of Engineers were instructed to release over $2 billion gallons of water to fight the fires in Los Angeles. That water couldn’t reach the fires and won’t be available later to irrigate the crops we eat (think cereal grains, tomatoes, vegetables, tree fruits, nuts and grapes). Obviously, the administration didn’t have the farmers’ backs.
Federal “probationary” employees are losing their jobs “at will” and without “cause” by this administration. Many “probationary” employees are spouses of military members. The services rotate personnel every three to four years to build a cohesive and integrated force. Unfortunately, when spouses leave their job at one location for another, they are classified as “probationary” although they have many years of experience and expertise. They depend on those jobs. Between 30-40% of military families found it difficult to meet expenses last year. Armed service already entails enough risks and stressors without adding additional financial insecurity. Although our leadership frequently proclaims support for our military families, they obviously don’t have those military families’ backs.
Our representative government is broken; it’s been highjacked by ultra-rich people who don’t care about their employees, farmers, workers, or us. They ignore bills passed by Congress and endlessly tie up the courts to achieve their goals. Our representatives must be afraid to act or just don’t care. But we can vote for those who do care. Wisconsin’s Supreme Court is on the national target; outside groups are pouring millions into the race. Who has your back? I’ll vote for Judge Susan Crawford. I know she will have mine.
William Meyer
Sister Bay, Wisconsin