Ryan new Reagan?

May 2 marked the passing of an American political giant and conservative icon.

Jack Kemp, star quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, congressman, HUD secretary and vice presidential candidate, was instrumental in Reagan's economic policy, fostering lower taxes to stimulate the economy, leading to greater revenues. He was key to the establishment of "enterprise zones" to promote businesses in inner cities. Kemp co-founded the think tank Empower America, where one of his protégés was Paul Ryan, now Wisconsin's 1st District congressman.

Although Kemp was a passionate advocate for conservatism, it was Reagan, the Great Communicator, who embraced Kemp's ideas, giving them their voice. To use a metaphor, Kemp was the songwriter and Reagan was the singer. The two of them made quite a team.

Many are asking, "Who will be the next Jack Kemp?" No name is mentioned more than Paul Ryan's. As Kemp's was, Ryan's political philosophy is full of "PEP"- the Passion of ideas, the Economics of growth and the Politics of hope and opportunity. Kemp inspired Ryan to approach politics as a "happy warrior."

While liberals view life as static, needing government controls to equalize results, Ryan visualizes life as dynamic, with government providing the tools and opportunities for people to be successful. This is so clear in Ryan's Roadmap and the Patients' Choice Act.

Paul Ryan not only offers bold policies, but articulates them with passion and eloquence. He may not only be the new Jack Kemp, but also the new Ronald Reagan. We may have in our midst that rare artist called the singer-songwriter. While not everyone may like his music, it may be striking just the right chords for America.

Tom De Fazio

Kenosha

Keep cats indoors

I am confused about something, and perhaps someone out there can clear this up for me.

When a person decides to become a pet owner - specifically, cats in this case - I have to sometimes wonder, what is their actual motivation? Did their child beg for a pet that the parent truly did not want? Did they decide that the cleaning of litter boxes was simply too laborious? There must be some reason, be it a good one or not, why cat owners allow their house cats to roam freely through the neighborhoods.

I adore cats. And that is why I want to vomit whenever I see one on the side of the road after being hit by a car.

That is why is saddens me to no end to see cats spread feline HIV and various other diseases so rapidly. That is why it breaks my heart when I see them freezing in the winter snow.

Aside from my love of cats, I also enjoy and appreciate the wild creatures nature affords us. And that is why last week I was sickened to find a murdered chipmunk in my backyard (luckily before the kids did). It is also why I have been obsessing over a baby robin with a mutilated wing all weekend.

And it is why my mother painstakingly had to put her own indoor cat to sleep last week because the outside domestic cats coming into the yard every day were making her urinate all over the house. Years of suggestions from vets and others did not conquer the problem, and 15-year-old Punky had to be euthanized per suggestion from her vet.

So, if you are one of those cat owners who allow your pet to run freely through the streets, I have to ask you: Why? If your answer seems to outweigh the negatives your decision is bringing to others, then I hope you sleep well. If not, I urge you to please keep your house cats where they belong, in the house.

Heather Rayne Geyer

Mount Pleasant

Water rate hikes

Recently I read that the Racine Water Utility, faced with the loss of one of its larger consumers, raised the rate on the water used by the rest of this community by 18 percent and our fire protection water rate by almost 30 percent.

These hikes took effect in anticipation of the customer's move, still several months hence. I was appalled, not only by the fact that the rates were being raised by such large percentages, but by the explanation offered by the utility, suggesting the loss of revenue from one consumer will have to be made up by the rest of the consumers of its product.

I am further appalled by the fact that there has been so little outcry from the community, especially in the face of the necessary cost-cutting we are all experiencing. Well, most of us … have you noticed the Water Department's fleet of expensive vehicles, always perfectly groomed? Have you heard anything about cost-cutting in the budget of the utility?

As a business owner, I have trouble with the concept of raising prices in the wake of lost revenue, but then my customers have a choice of vendors. C'mon, Racine, react, for heaven's sake … this is another outrageous tax imposed by a self-governing bureaucracy, the omnipotence of which we can't afford to sustain.

Terry Brinton

Racine

Lawmakers at work

Instead of requiring any vehicle on the road to be insured, our lawmakers are once again sticking it to the responsible taxpayers of Wisconsin. Their attitude is, just make the responsible drivers who do carry auto insurance carry higher limits and pay higher premiums to offset the deadbeats who don't.

When are our lawmakers going to start making people take responsibility for their decisions?

Jim Bachand

Waterford