Conservatively Speaking

This is another reminder that in less than two months, all high-power TV stations will convert to broadcasting with an all-digital signal, affecting millions of American consumers. The switch takes place February 17, 2009. Many consumers are unaware of what to do, if anything.

In a nutshell, if you have cable or satellite TV, you’re fine. If you don’t, the solution is a simple converter box at a minimal cost.

Here are more details.

Take a good look at a Nativity scene. What do you see? Appropriately, the Baby Jesus is at the center of attention, surrounded by Mary, Joseph, the wise men and the shepherds. Do you see yourself in the crèche? Peter Kreeft says you should.

A Christian author of over 25 books, Kreeft teaches at Boston College and is on the Advisory Board of the Catholic Education Resource Center. Kreeft wrote in the National Catholic Register during December 1986 the fresh and compelling interpretation that we are all the figures in that historic birthplace.

Kreeft’s suggestion is the most spectacular symbolism. He writes, “When you look at your Nativity set, at this most natural and ordinary thing in the world, a mother and a newborn baby, you are reading a pictorial newspaper headline that announces the most extraordinary event in history; the Maker of Mary was made by Mary; the One who surrounds the stars is surrounded by Mary’s womb; the Creator consented to come into His creature because she consented to have Him.” Kreeft asserts that in this most marvelous of scenes, we all incredibly surround the Christ Child.

The analogies are fascinating. The challenge is to use your imagination and picture yourself, that night, in that stable.

Can you relate to the shepherds? They are poor, humble, unassuming, decent, hard-working individuals. The peasant in each of us hopes and dreams, just like the awe-filled shepherds.

Angels, the story goes, told the shepherds this magnanimous event came to them, much like God is around us no matter if it be our home, office, or outside under the evening stars.

The wise men provide a stark contrast to the shepherds in many ways, including their cleverness and wealth. But the shepherds, like the wise men, share a seat near the Child, for everyone is the same in Christ’s eyes.

The wise men brought treasures to present. Some of us have more to offer in life than others who can only give of themselves or their work. The gift is less significant than whether a gift and how a gift is given. The less fortunate shepherds among us are very much like the more sophisticated wise men.

Joseph served the relatable role of provider, even though he had no home and couldn’t get a room at the inn. Unable to provide to the fullest might lead to a provider feeling like a failure, but examine Joseph beyond that magical night. Under his selfless, constant guidance, Mary and Jesus prospered as a family. It’s a winning formula that has worked ever since. Daily, hard work brings dignity and stability.

Relating to Mary, an immaculately conceived woman, the Mother of the Christ Child, can pose a tougher mental challenge. Women today, as Kreeft says, “conceive, bear, and nurture that precious seed of divine life in our souls as Mary did in her womb….a mother loves nothing more than to share with her children all her privileges. Even now she (Mary) is helping Christ prepare our heavenly home, decorating our rooms for us.”

Comparing oneself to Biblical times and figures, especially its most dramatic episode might sound incomprehensible, but it shouldn’t. We are laborers, workers, gift givers, providers, and nurturers, just like those present at the most sacred, blessed night of all.

Christmas is a humbling time of year, offering a great opportunity to reflect and appreciate what we have: family, friends, individual liberties and freedom, and for those truly fortunate, rewarding employment and good health. The most joyous season should be a reminder to all of us not to take any of what we enjoy each and every day for granted.

Please remember the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas is the time we give of ourselves, we sacrifice our time, and we share the greatest gifts of love and peace. Most importantly, we must be ever mindful of the Christ Child and the promise of hope and salvation that came into the world with his birth.

I wish you and yours the most blessed and joyous holiday season.

Merry Christmas!

Conservative columnist Thomas Sowell provides us an important history lesson.

Some would argue the Great Depression was caused by a failure of the free market system. They claim that only when the federal government imposed its solutions did America crawl out of its fiscal abyss.

Not so, says Sowell. A series of government interventions after the stock market crash of 1929 led to a huge increase in unemployment. It’s a lesson we should heed.

Sowell’s column is a must-read.

I am pleased to announce the state Senate Committees I have been assigned for the upcoming 2009-11 legislative session that begins January 2009.

I will serve as the ranking member on the state Senate Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief and Revenue committee.

I will also serve on the state Senate Small Business, Emergency Preparedness, Technical Colleges and Consumer Protection Committee, and on the Joint Committee on Audit.

I am happy to serve once again on the Health Committee. Health will be one of the most important issues the Legislature will tackle in the next session. Senate Democrats are poised to reintroduce their massive government-run health care plan that had a price tag in the previous legislative session of $15.2 billion, creating the largest tax increase in the history of the United States. I opposed the plan in the last session and will be ready to thoroughly review any government subsidized program Democrats offer this session.

The Audit Committee appointment is one I am thrilled about. I have served on the Committee in the past, and as you have read in my many blogs on audits I have the highest regard for the outstanding work done by the Legislative Audit Bureau. As I have stated at my various Town hall appearances, I enjoy audit data that usually is a good barometer about whether we are allocating and spending funds effectively.

Small businesses are the engine that runs our economy. I look forward to the challenges that will come before the Small Business Committee. The success of our state depends on the success of small businesses. The other areas the committee covers, emergency preparedness, technical colleges, and consumer protection all have impact and affect constituents.

You be the judge.

A report by the nonpartisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WTA) shows Wisconsin ranks at number 11 among the states when it comes to government units.

Care to guess how many government units Wisconsin has? 1,000? 1,500? 2,000?

Try 3,120; that includes municipalities, school districts, special districts, and counties.

Wisconsin ranks number 11 for the number of government units even though we ranked number 20 in population and number 25 in land area. The 10 states with more government units than Wisconsin had greater populations and land mass.

Other findings by the WTA:

“Depending on the type of government, Wisconsin’s numbers vary. Wisconsin has more towns (1,259) than all but six states. When cities and villages were added, Wisconsin had 1,851 municipalities, sixth highest among states.

Comparing other government units, the ratio of Wisconsin’s school districts (K-12 and technical college combined) was 7.9 for every 100,000 residents, 14th highest and well above the U.S. average of 4.8.”

Children raised at home by both biological parents who attend regular religious services together have less home and school problems. That’s according to a new study released by the Wisconsin Family Council.

Some of the key findings in this study are that children raised at home by their biological parents are five times less likely to repeat a grade, less likely to have behavior problems at home and school, and are more likely to be cooperative and understanding of others’ feelings.

Their parents have less stress, healthier relationships with the children, and less worries about their children’s ability to achieve.

It is incredibly difficult to disagree with the study findings or the sentiments of Julaine Appling, the CEO of Wisconsin Family Council when she says, “Children do best when they’re living with their biological or adopted mother and father and are taught moral responsibility. Children thrive under the community and moral structure of a church.”

Here is the full study and the Wisconsin Family Council press release. 

The Beloit Daily News editorial board performs, as Charlie Sykes would say, a flagrant act of journalism by reminding readers what Governor Doyle campaigned on during 2002 and what he is saying today. The newspaper writes:

“OK, LET'S TAKE a trip back in time, to 2002, when then-Attorney General Jim Doyle was locked in a tight race as he attempted to unseat Republican Gov. Scott McCallum.

The state faced a deficit then, too, estimated at more than $2 billion. Candidate Doyle pledged to bridge the gap without raising taxes. And he vowed to do so, in part, over a couple of terms in office, by eliminating about 11,700 state employees.

Hmmmm.

In 2002, Doyle asked voters to put him in office on a promise to streamline government and cut those jobs. Now, he's begging Congress for a bailout so he won't have to cut jobs.

Just a tad inconsistent, wouldn't you say?”

I would say more than just a tad. You can read the entire editorial here.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection offers helpful reminders and gift-buying tips about such areas as ordering, gift cards, return policies, and what to do if you have a problem.

Read the tips here.

The family ritual of climbing into the car, driving to a tree farm and cutting down a fresh Christmas tree is very good news for Wisconsin’s economy. That’s because the Christmas tree industry is big business in our state. Fresh Christmas trees generate over $50 million to the state economy every year according to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture.

Wisconsin ranks as the fifth largest Christmas tree producer in the country. About 1.8 million trees are sold every year.  Wisconsin is also the third largest state nationally for acreage of Christmas trees grown.

Finding a Christmas tree farm to purchase a fresh tree is easy. There are 1,387 Christmas tree farms in the state selling any number of varieties of trees.

University of Wisconsin-Extension Racine County horticulture educator Patti Nagai says each acre of trees produces enough oxygen for 18 people. For every tree chopped down, two or three more are planted. The trees are recyclable and when chipped or shredded make great mulch. So Christmas trees are good for the environment.

For more information, check out the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Growers Association.

• Stay off roads until they are plowed.
• If you have to venture out, slow down, leave plenty of room between vehicles, and anticipate stops and turns.
• Be prepared for the unexpected. Remember: If there's ice and snow, take it slow.
• Give snowplows plenty of room to work. They're big and hard to see around.
• Don't pass a working snowplow - they can throw up a cloud of snow that could cause a whiteout and disorient you.
• Also, it's tough for snowplow drivers to see you. Don't crowd the plow. Make sure you can see the driver's mirrors so he can see you. Remember, it's the law that you stay at least 200 feet behind a working snowplow.
• And always remember to wear your seatbelt, drive sober, and keep your speed appropriate for the conditions - all essential when winter weather hits.

Read more from the DOT.

• Contact local sport shops to ask about ice conditions on the lake or river you want to fish.
• Do not go out alone, carry a cell phone, and let people know where you are going and when you’ll return home.
• Wear proper clothing and equipment, including a float coat to help you stay afloat and to help slow body heat loss; take extra mittens or gloves so you always have a dry pair.
• Wear creepers attached to boots to prevent slipping on clear ice.
• Carry a spud bar to check the ice while walking to new areas.
• Carry a couple of spikes and a length of light rope in an easily accessible pocket to help pull yourself – or others – out of the ice.
• Do not travel in unfamiliar areas or at night.
• Know if the lake has inlets, outlets or narrows that have current that can thin the ice.
• Look for clear ice. Clear ice is generally stronger than ice with air bubbles in it or with snow on it.
• Watch out for pressure ridges or ice heaves. These can be dangerous due to thin ice or may be an obstruction you may hit with a car, truck or snowmobile.

• 55 cents per mile for business miles driven
• 24 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations”

There was a host of referendum and initiative questions on ballots all across the country on Election Day last month.

State Legislatures Magazine has a rundown of the results.