Letters to the editor

In 1851, Wisconsin adopted “Forward” as the official state motto.  In 2022, we face the clear choice of voting for candidates who embody, or fail to embody, that motto.  Senator Ron Johnson seeks to move our state and nation backwards while Governor Tony Evers continues to push Wisconsin forward.  While Johnson flagrantly spread COVID misinformation, Evers pushed preventative measures, widespread testing and accessible vaccination.  While Johnson dismissed climate change as “BS”, Evers created the Office of Environmental Justice to mitigate the impacts of climate. While Johnson campaigned to divert tax dollars from public to private schools, Evers fought to provide the funding our public schools need to meet 21st Century challenges. This week, Johnson voted against the Women’s Health Protection Act, intended to protect a woman’s right to safe and legal abortion.  Gov. Evers recognizes reproductive rights as a keystone in the century-long progression toward equality for Wisconsin women. Ron Johnson’s visions so far as public health, public education and environmental quality would place Wisconsin alongside states which haven’t even moved past the Civil War.  Tony Evers’ vision is of a Wisconsin which sets an example by continually striving to become a better home for its citizens.   Janet Brandt Arena   Bans Off Our Bodies Rally Hosted by Indivisible Sauk Prairie    On Saturday, May 14, Indivisible Sauk Prairie held a rally on the Hwy 12 Sauk City bridge. Our rally was part of a mass mobilization and turnout for reproductive freedom supporters across the country on that day. It was a wonderfully positive experience with around 55 people of all ages attending, including three sets of multi-generational families! Some were from as far away as Prairie du Chien and Illinois. (Watch this video, by Sauk-Prairie Indy, featuring our event: youtu.be/noihfoN6xM4) Most driving by were supportive, with constant waving and honking. This reflects the fact that a large majority of Americans want abortion to be legal and safe. Gallup polls (May 2021) show 80% of Americans support abortion in all or most cases.  The leaked draft of the US Supreme Court opinion that could overturn Roe v. Wade shows us that Republicans have packed the Supreme Court with extremists who don’t share our values. Confidence in the US Supreme Court continues to fall. Indivisible Sauk Prairie will continue to stand up for progressive American values, including abortion justice and reproductive freedoms. To contact us or receive our newsletter, email indivisiblesaukpr@gmail.com. Also, like us on Facebook.   Sue Heintz Lodi