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Letters to the Editor-4
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Faith-based crime prevention
Wisconsin citizens have every reason to be alarmed at the special committee of the Legislature chaired by Rep. Scott Jensen whose ``assignment" is to encourage ``faith-based approaches to crime prevention and justice."
At the committee's first meeting on Dec. 2, all but two legislative members present singled out their religious affiliations and convictions, such as going to church every Sunday, as their credentials for being on the committee.
All but one of the eight non-legislative voting members are either ministers or are connected with religious groups that have a vested interest in advising the state to fund ``faith-based" programs. Ex-legislator-turned-minister Susan Vergeront and another Milwaukee pastor openly expressed ``delight" that there might even be some public mony available for their ministries!
There was no mention at this committee meeting that our Wisconsin Constitution guarantees that no citizen shall ``be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship, or to maintain any ministry," nor shall ``any preference be given by law to any religious establishments or modes of worship."
Many studies over the years have agreed that most criminals are already religious or come from religious backgrounds. If religion didn't keep lawbreakers out of prison in the first place, why is religion suddenly a panacea for crime? Thirty paid prison chaplains already cost Wisconsin taxpayers more than $1 million in salaries and fringe benefits every year. Religious volunteers are free to use their tax-exempt groups to try to convert prisoners and ex-cons, but it should not be at the expense of our Constitution or taxpayers.
Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc.
Schools deserve support
Our schools are not so ill as many with their own agendas want us to believe. More appropriately it may be our society that is sick. This fall, quite by accident, on the streets, at a wedding, and at a funeral I have been showered with praise for what I, more rightfully our schools, have done to nurture and educate our youth by both former students and parents. My recent tally includes five college graduates in the medical field, two with doctor's degrees; two outstanding young attorneys; two professionally working with the environment; a pharmacist; an airline pilot; a bank manager; a Broadway technical director; a mother, who rightfully boasts that her son is a world financial leader, ``regularly meets with the Exchequer" (England's) and a daughter who is an executive with the World Bank in Africa. It has been the latest page of young people and /or their parents sharing success stories and their gratification for an education well given. Our product works, just like those of industry, however, ours starts to show real positive results about the time industry's start to wear out.
Racine can be proud. ``Unified" is not a disease or four-letter word. Instead, poverty, poor dysfunctional home environments (or none at all), and a populous that turns away from the needs of its children and busies itself with other things are.
I don't know all the answers, however, what I do know is that we must stop bad mouthing our schools and blaming them for everything that is wrong with society over which they have no control. This is devastating to teacher morale and makes students wonder about the point of going to school. We must decrease class size, especially dramatically in primary grades and even more so to compensate disadvantaged children. That means more classrooms to house them as well. If we can afford ``Miller Park," we can afford state of the art classrooms. We have seen a new Menards built, and will probably see it torn down before even a vision of a new school building evolves here. Compare the age of Menards, Milwaukee County Stadium, etc. to our older school buildings.
We must correct the societal problems mentioned earlier and until then, provide schools and other social organizations with the resources to overcome them. It will cost us, but every child is priceless. The continued cost of our failure will be catastrophic in both dollars and loss or productive citizens for the future. Generally those in prison are the kids whom first parents, then the community, and finally the schools failed. Investment is needed by all of us in every possible way, and not just money, to save every child and stave off state bankruptcy caused by prison support and lack of quality workers.
Harvey H. Radke
4823 S. Green Bay Road
Waiters need better wages
Restaurant patrons, at this busy season, when we are tired from shopping and enjoy being waited on in a restaurant, I wonder if you realize our waiters and waitresses do not even get a minimum wage. Their average is $2.35. They have to depend on tips. I feel this is not fair.
The laws should provide at least a minimum wage, $5.25. These people work very hard. Many at two jobs to survive. I am not knocking people tipping, but the laws should be changed. A tip should be a bonus!
Elaine Cruz
Racine
Firefighters earn praise
During our recent house fire Sept. 9, we had the best fire departments that came to our aid. They are hard working men who know what they were doing. The departments came from theTown of Raymond, Union Grove, Kansasville and Wind Lake. The Racine Fire Bells also helped out. We would like to thank each and every one of those wonderful workers for a job well done.
God bless you all.
Gilbert and Marilyn Peterson
11301 Six Mile Road
Franksvill
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