To have and have not
I don’t know which was more upsetting reading in this week’s issue: college students living a carefree life of luxury in a $1,500-a-month downtown high-rise because school is so hard, and “after all, it’s finals week”; or the single mother trying to feed a family of four with only $12 to spend on a meal, and having no viable choice except to choose McDonald’s (“Lap of Luxury” and “Lives Depend on It,” 5/12/2016). And how disheartening that the “big” grocery chains didn’t even have the courtesy to reply to requests to build a store in her neighborhood.
The first story screamed of entitlement, and the second one reminded readers of the often insurmountable problems of living a life of poverty. Hurray for organizations like the Willy Street Co-op and the UW, which step in to help where it’s really needed. Just think how much even part of that $1,500 a month could mean to struggling families. It’s both embarrassing and heartbreaking that this sort of dichotomy exists.
Mimi Lea, Lake Mills (via email)
Yeah, guess who will be bailing these supercilious brats out when they default on their student loans. “Being a student gets to be somewhat overwhelming”?! Tell that to the guy working two jobs in the real world just to keep a roof over his family’s head. Bet he’d love the chance to wind down and relax in your spa or beat out his frustration on your drum set. What a bunch of narcissistic wusses.
Gail Tappen (via email)
The Walker Doctrine
Gov. Scott Walker’s administration recently reneged on paying $101 million in state debt due May 1 (Week in Review, 5/12/2016). Instead, they moved to pay the bill over eight years, even though it will cost taxpayers $2.3 million in interest over that period.
We could have written the $101 million check April 30, as that and more was sitting in the state treasury. It’s not like Wisconsin is facing imminent bankruptcy. We even have a $280 million rainy-day fund from 2008-2011 savings. There’s a more cynical reason we stiffed our creditors.
Anyone savvy about Wisconsin politics knows a bogus $101 million in the state’s coffers will reduce — on paper — our budget deficit when the November elections roll around. Hiding that debt may look good to some, but it deludes those uninformed voters who only hear the governor’s soundbites.
Astoundingly, the governor blamed President Obama: “The bottom line is, we have concerns about the Obama economy nationally, and we want to make sure Wisconsin’s prepared for it.” What? President Obama’s policies are causing a recession? Where?
A new Walker Doctrine has emerged. Weasel on your debts to win elections.
Gary Peterson, Rice Lake (via email)
Art history
Jay Rath’s engaging portrait of Dane Arts’ Mark Fraire (“Beautiful Mission,” 5/5/2016) seems to begin the history of local government’s support for the arts with the 1976 decision by the Dane County Board to establish a Cultural Affairs Commission. In fact, the city of Madison’s Cultural Affairs Committee came into being several years earlier, during the first administration of our current Mayor Soglin. I was its chairman.
I recall well the snide question asked of me by former Ald. Jay Wexler, who demanded to know at the city council’s confirmation vote why I wanted to be “the cultural commissar of Madison.” I don’t remember my answer, but I did understand the political criticism behind the inquiry.
The committee had two other members, and lasted for two years with an annual budget of $2,000. Our happiest time was spent creating the Summer Art Grants Program, which solicited ideas from local artists about how to increase visibility and engagement with the arts. The maximum grant was $400. I still regret one applicant who was never funded. She proposed a large buffet of “food art” to be put on display at a gallery, after which it would be consumed by the people who attended the comestible exhibit. The city attorney put the kibosh on the project.
Local governmental involvement with the arts has a history somewhat longer than is usually acknowledged, so thanks for supporting the arts in our city and region.
Robert Skloot (via email)
Clarification and correction
Last week’s story about the Memorial Union renovation project incorrectly described the planning process for saving the Terrace oak trees. Union officials always intended to save the trees, but the specifics of the procedure were not included in the original project plan. In the article “A Curious Collaboration,” the authors were misidentified. Abby Frucht appeared on the left, Laurie Alberts on the right (see below).
