The VA healthcare system has been continuously cut back by Republicans who want to privatize that system.

Brookfield, WI – It's one of the programs that has always paid huge dividends.  The G.I. Bill of Rights, an educational grant and a first time home buyer benefit for military veterans, has given opportunity to millions and contributed to the American economy. Democrat Tom Palzewicz, running for the Fifth Congressional District seat, is a classic case in point.

Upon returning home from a six-year hitch in the U.S. Navy, Palzewicz got his degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  That led to a career in banking, followed by a career as a business consultant. When he and wife, Terri, bought their first home, it was the G.I. Bill that made that a possibility.

“The educational access was essential to my getting established professionally,” said Palzewicz. “We would not have been able to buy our first home without the G.I. Bill. Terri and I would not have been able to afford the down-payment alone, but it was basically no money down. When you help veterans with college, they will repay that grant thousands of times over. It's a very good risk.”

While many will agree with the basics of the G.I. Bill, what is not necessarily thought about is healthcare for returning veterans. Palzewicz believes all returning veterans should have access to mental healthcare.

“The VA healthcare system has been continuously cut back,” said Palzewicz.   “The reason behind this action is that Republicans want to privatize that system.  In 2014 President Obama signed a reform bill to give the Department of Veterans Affairs the necessary resources they need to care for our men and women in uniform.  Obama made the move to hold people accountable for misconduct and reached out to more than 200,000 vets, who were on wait lists and did not have immediate access to care.”

Palzewicz stresses the need to take care of veterans and advocates for providing the requisite funding to the VA to ensure the programs are carried out.  He also sees the need to develop a universal healthcare plan to ensure that veterans are covered, as well as the general public.

“I think of universal healthcare as Medicare for all and that would mean our veterans are covered,” said Palzewicz. “ We need to build a better healthcare system. Once we have universal healthcare, which will benefit everybody, we no longer need to have a separate veteran's healthcare system. We no longer have to have a separate Medicare system or Medicaid system or Badger care.  It is straight forward, everybody is covered.

“From a financial standpoint, by just covering everyone, we can also save a lot of money which would otherwise go to funding all these separate agencies.  We put that money into paying for the coverage.  We can streamline the system, while ensuring quality care and save money in the process.”

Palzewicz understands the needs of returning vets and the necessity of their having access to specialized healthcare.  He would rather the focus be on fulfilling  those needs and not on the bureaucracy of multiple agencies duplicating effort.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/high-voltage-lines-farms-s5.jpgWisconsinites "suffered and saw their livelihoods destroyed because of Trump...Like the rest of the country, we are reeling from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and Trump’s failed response," says President of Farmers Union.

Honor on State Day of Service and Remembrance.

MADISON — On Thursday, Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #88 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Friday in remembrance of the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the attacks on Sep. 11, 2001 and in honor of the State Day of Service. 

“On the 19th anniversary of September 11th, we pay tribute to the those who lost their lives, the survivors and surviving family members and loved ones, and the first responders, volunteers, and other countless heroes who responded during a time of great need,” said Gov. Evers. “We continue to strive toward that which has held us together when tragedy strikes, our resilience, our spirit of service, and the resolve to find strength through unity and purpose.”

The governor encourages Wisconsinites who wish to participate in the State Day of Service to do so safely by following all Wisconsin Department of Health Services recommendations. Wisconsinites can participate by finding service opportunities in their neighborhoods and communities paying it forward with an act of kindness. Some volunteer opportunities, including virtual or low contact opportunities, are available here at the United Way of Wisconsin, Serve Wisconsin and Wisconsin Volunteer Coordinators Association website. 

Executive Order #88 is available here.

“He's counting on his heavily red district to automatically vote Republican, without considering the issues," says Democratic opponent Palzewicz.

Brookfield, WI – Scott Fitzgerald is setting a dangerous precedent.  The Fifth Congressional District seat is open in this election, but Fitzgerald will not consider a debate with Democrat Tom Palzewicz.  He will not return a phone call.  Fitzgerald is not interested in the democratic process, he prefers to do nothing as usual.

When Governor Tony Evers called the full-time Wisconsin Legislature back into session, the Republican majority complied in a “session”, as they graveled in and graveled out, doing absolutely nothing.  Fitzgerald, along with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, did what they always do—nothing.

Fitzgerald, Vos, has dominated the political landscape in Wisconsin for several years, from pushing through Act 10, to the recent Supreme Court action cutting off the Badger Bounceback Plan and the efforts by Evers to halt the spread of Covid-19.   Rather than legislating, Republicans seem to be more comfortable with litigating. Along the way, Fitzgerald and Vos have made Wisconsin one of the most gerrymandered states in the nation.

“Wisconsin has a full-time legislature and they don't even meet,” said Palzewicz.  “There is no democratic process in Wisconsin.  It is an authoritarian approach to governing, just ignore the public and do what you want.  Fitzgerald has used his power to gerrymander his district to heavily favor his candidacy, he doesn't go to work, and he won't debate.  He gets paid full time wages for not working.

“He's counting on his heavily red district to automatically vote Republican, without considering the issues, without any public exchange of ideas or positions.  He wants to ride to Washington on the coattails of President Trump, never having to stand up to scrutiny or challenge.  He is counting on people not paying attention.  Becoming a Congressman is not an entitlement, it's a privilege.  People expect their elected representatives to go to work for the collective good, not just for personal gain or party.”

Fitzgerald's unwillingness to debate follows the model of the retiring Jim Sensenbrenner, who never debated an opponent.  Sensenbrenner would hold town hall meetings, which were not listening sessions, but just personal appearances to advance his opinions.  For over 40 years, Sensenbrenner never changed his approach.

“Authoritarianism does not allow for the open exchange of ideas,” said Palzewicz. “Authoritarianism is the antithesis of democracy.  Fitzgerald wants to support the current regime in Washington and not allow the Congress to act, the courts to rule.  He will not support our institutions, such as the CIA, the FBI, the CDC, because Trump does not believe in them. Trump says that anyone who does not stand with him is anti-American and that he and he alone has all the answers for the country. I will fight for the right of people to be heard and that means listening and really hearing them.

“It's time for Americans to embrace what democracy is all about and not be fooled by the promises of those who have no intention of keeping them.  America is made great by its people being informed, active and not allowing authoritarianism to limit their choices.  It's time to give America back to Americans.”

Palzewicz welcomes any opportunity to debate the issues of the Fifth District.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/trump-woodward-tapes-covid-19-cbsn-s5.jpgWoodward has Trump on tape acknowledging as early as Feb. 7 that the coronavirus is “deadly stuff.” The following month, he admitted, “I wanted to always play it down.”

Feds outline some immediate improvements to their COVID-19 response.

WASHINGTON, DC - USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Rural Development will keep our customers, partners and stakeholders continuously updated as more actions are taken to better serve rural America.

Read the full stakeholder announcement here.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/qanon-trump-rally-nbcnews-s5.jpgDave Armstrong, Republican candidate for the 75th Assembly District is one of several local politicians across the country who has used their social media channels to spread baseless and dangerous QAnon conspiracies.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/frances-perkins-s5.jpgFrances Perkins dedicated her career advocating for workers’ rights and became a high-profile leader helping to establish programs that are fundamental to the way our country runs today.

League of Women Voters WI explains how to sign up for your absentee ballot and check the status and location of it's delivery in real time.

https://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-uw-madison-s5.jpgRising COVID-19 Threat on Campuses. "What worries me more than anything is the uncertainty of where we will be in a few months," says one student.