Undesirables
When I read the recent article about the crackdown on the homeless population in downtown Madison, I had to wonder what Mayor Paul Soglin’s vision is for Madison (“State Street Crackdown,” 8/4/2016). I wonder whether he simply sweeps what doesn’t fit his perfected view out of the way, and keeps what’s undesirable at bay. What’s really undesirable in my view is having someone at the helm of a progressive city like Madison with regressive views straight out of the 1950s. Exactly why did Madisonians elect him again?
If he had the strength of a powerful vision, everyone out of a job would be rolled right into some temporary position until another one opened up in their specialty or until the previous employer had found another one for them to go to. That would certainly cure homelessness — if everybody had a reasonable way to make a living. Aside from that far-off scenario, how about marshaling the significant resources here to build a place for people to be? Otherwise, just as Tyrone had said, they will just go somewhere else...like off Gammon and Odana roads by West Towne Mall, near where I live.
Does Mayor Soglin envision all the homeless would just disappear? Sadly, just because they are now not in your personal view from your downtown office, it doesn’t mean they have left the city that you’re in charge of improving. I think Madisonians — all Madisonians — deserve better than this.
Dorothy Hawkins (via email)
Surrogacy laws
While Rep. Mark Spreitzer’s proposed legislation to change statutory references from “husband or “wife” to spouse is a good start (“Same-Sex Couples Need Certainty Under the Law,” 8/4/2016), it would not have helped the couple (profiled in an earlier article — “Was Judge Pushing Anti-Gay Agenda?” 7/21/2016 — regarding the extremely poor behavior of former Judge Troupis) seeking legal recognition of surrogacy in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin is one of many states with no surrogacy laws, whether for straight or same-sex couples. As a result, couples and surrogates are thrown into an extremely murky legal quagmire that can be expensive, heart-wrenching and — as shown by the experience of Mr. Timmons and Mr. Olson — subject to the whims of a particular judge.
Wisconsin needs to change its laws to fully recognize marriage equality. It also needs to establish laws to address surrogacy and similar situations brought about by medical advances that have been used for at least the last 30 years. Only then will future families avoid the nightmares brought to light by this story.
Michele Perreault (via email)
