Ben Adams, Watertown
On January 6, 2021, the USA experienced the most serious challenge to our democracy since the Civil War–an insurrection against our democratic process and the peaceful transfer of power. There were violent, pre-planned disruptions in the normally mundane process when we formalized the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as our chief executives.
Leslie DeMuth, Lake Mills
Almost nothing is more important to a democracy than voting. Yet across our nation, the very right to vote is under attack. Thankfully, Congress is working to pass two bills that will guarantee all eligible citizens the freedom to vote, with no exceptions.
Ben Adams, Watertown
The WI GOP sowed the seeds of mistrusting election results by questioning the legitimacy of the large number of absentee ballots in the largest cities. And then they reap the benefits of the mistrust claiming they need new laws to restore trust! And it is ongoing.
Steve Bower, Lake Mills
The 2011 maps are widely regarded as among the most partisan gerrymandered maps in the country. Drawing legislative maps should and must be removed from the legislature and placed it in the hands of a nonpartisan commission. The party in power – which ever one – cannot be trusted to draw fair maps.
Alyson Schmeisser, Citizens’ Climate Lobby
What perfect timing for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to release their latest assessment of the climate crisis: this summer’s wildfires, drought, floods, and heat personally confirm the report’s conclusion that hair-on-fire time is here. The report also tells us that we have to move faster. So, now what?
Joe Kallas, Watertown
It has been 8 months since the presidential election and state Republicans are spending more taxpayer dollars to audit the election results. Assembly speaker Robin Vos has hired 3 former police officers and a former supreme court justice to conduct an “independent” audit.