O C A F

February/March 2008 Newsletter

The Great Lakes Compact:  The “unanimous approval” provision in the Great Lakes Compact is holding up state assembly enactment of the Compact -- opponents want to strip that hard-fought element from the Compact and replace it with a “majority vote” provision that could have disastrous results, according to those who want to see the Compact approved, as it has been in four state legislatures.  Even though it will not give everyone in Wisconsin everything they want, the ultimate benefits of a completed Compact are indisputable.  Our community is situated on one of these marvelous lakes, and we are particularly concerned about protecting the ecosystem of the Great Lakes.  We need to get the Compact approved now!  Please write your state assembly representative about this important issue today.

There are a number of organizations working on Great Lakes issues, which can be confusing to the average person.  Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy organization which protects our clean water and air, has a website that seems to be clear and informative: www.cleanwisconsin.org.   Another interesting website is www.healthlakes.org,  Be sure to read the article : Are you ready for the water wars?”

Health Care:  How do we go about making sure that permanent, quality health care is available to all of our Wisconsin citizens?  The Coalition for Wisconsin Health is a group of 60 organizations (labor, human rights, religious and health care) which is working to reform health care in Wisconsin and the U.S.  It is advocating for the Wisconsin Health Security Act, which would replace over 700 different health insurers with a single publicly financed plan administered at the state and local level and accountable to the residents of Wisconsin.  Some plans put the insurance industry in charge of your health care, but these companies have strong economic incentives to overcharge the healthy and overlook the sick.  C.W.H. is an affiliate of the Physicians for a National Health Program.  For more information, go to www.wisconsinhealth.org, or call (608) 663-8322.

Food Safety:  With the recent recall of beef products in the U.S., we have more reason than ever to be concerned about food safety.  The Food and Water Watch lists five facts which are important to know about this concern:

• Only 1% of imported food is inspected, and there is no country-of-origin labeling program for meat and produce
• Artificial hormones are still allowed in dairy products (they are banned in Canada and Europe)
• Factory farms and slaughterhouses are allowed to pump livestock full of antibiotics, dip carcasses in toxic disinfectants, and irradiate meat.
• Meatpackers are blocked by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture from implementing their own mad cow testing programs.
• The Safe Water Drinking Act is being weakened by administration and congressional representatives.

Knowledge is power!  Talk to your meat dept. manager or butcher!

Federal Budget:  Whose Priorities?:  The national budget affects all of us.  According to the Friends Committee on National Legislation (Quakers), the new budget allows funds for new diplomat hiring as well as support for civilian efforts to help stabilize and reconstruct countries emerging from war and conflict.

It also, however, includes funds for a new generation of nuclear weapons and a new nuclear bomb plant!  It would also make permanent one trillion dollars in tax cuts,  mostly benefiting the wealthy, and eliminate housing assistance for 100,000 families as well as home heating assistance!  Are these the priorities of the American people?

FCNL recommends that for the next six months as the budget is considered, we follow the dialogue in the Appropriations Committee (Sen. Herb Kohl) and the House Sub-Committee on Foreign Relations (Sen. Russ Feingold), sending notes of approval or disapproval, as the case may be.  For more information, go to: www.fcnl.org/issues. 

“Voluntary Simplicity”:   If you are interested in joining a group to reflect on how our lifestyles affect the environment and what we can do about it, and still have a healthy, more balanced life, please contact the Great Lakes Earth Institute at their website: www.glei.org.

Other interesting courses, such as “Choices for Sustainability Living” and “Exploring Deep Ecology” are also offered.

“Sustainable development is ... development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

                                                - Our Common Future

Coming Events

Saturday, April 26, 2008:  Plan now to celebrate Earth Day 2008 by participating in a Sustainability Fair: “Living Green”, in collaboration with Wellspring Organic Farm and Retreat Center in Newburg.  Participation by interested businesses as well as community leaders and citizens is cordially invited.  It will not only be a chance to share information and ideas on “living green” but will also feature music, speakers and exhibits on sustainability.  Michael Frome, well-known environmental author and teacher, and a resident of Port Washington, will be a major speaker.  Confused about global warming?  You will also hear an enlightening address by Climatologist Sue Loomans of the Sierra Club, and low-energy light bulbs will be given out free – first come, first served!  Refreshments!  Further details about this exciting day and directions to Wellspring (near Newburg) will also be announced.  Mark your calendars now and tell your friends.  It’s an event you won’t want to miss!  Come and bring your family!

 

Action Items

Peace Signs:  Next month we will observe the FIFTH anniversary of the Iraq occupation, with no end in sight.  Our “Choose Peace” signs are still available for $10.00 each from Amy Wilborn, 233 Pier St in Port (the signs are on the front porch - you are on the honor system).  Put one on top of your snowpile!  Going, going, gone!

If you would like to be part of an anti-occupation of Iraq rally, please contact the Forum at our email address:   info@ocaf-wi.org

F.Y.I.

Senator Kohl:  (202) 224-5653                       http://kohl.senate.gov/gen_contact.html

Senator Feingold:  (202) 224-5323                 http://feingold.senate.gov/contact.html

Rep. J. Sensenbrenner:  (202) 225-5101.        http://sensenbrenner.house.gov/contact

 

Parting Thought

“The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to the point where it becomes stronger than the democratic state itself.  That in its essence is fascism – ownership of government by an individual, by a group or any controlling private power.”

                                                        - Franklin D. Roosevelt