The following are some of the victims of an economic system that has forgotten the majority of its people.

Children One out of every five American children now lives in poverty, and for black children it's nearly one out of TWO. Almost half of food stamp recipients are children. UNICEF places us near the bottom of the developed world in the inequality of children's well-being, and the OECD found that we have more child poverty than all but 3 of 30 developed countries. It's rather embarrassing to view the charts.

...

The Elderly Three-quarters of Americans approaching retirement in 2010 had an average of less than $30,000 in their retirement accounts. The percentage of elderly (75 to 84) Americans experiencing poverty for the first time doubled from 2005 to 2009. The folly of cutting Social Security is reflected in two facts. First, even though Social Security provides only an average benefit of $15,000, it accounts for 55 percent of annual income for the elderly. And second, seniors have spent their working lives paying for their retirement. According to the Urban Institute the average two-earner couple making average wages throughout their lifetimes will receive less in Social Security benefits than they paid in. Same for single males. Almost the same for single females.

...

Wage Earners Workers have 30% LESS buying power today than in 1968. If the minimum wage had kept up with employee productivity, it would be $16.54 per hour instead of $7.25. Almost unimaginably, conditions for workers have gotten even worse since the recession. While 21 percent of job losses since 2008 were considered low-wage positions, 58 percent of jobs added during the recovery were considered low-wage.

...

The Sick and Disabled Over 200 recent studies have confirmed a link between financial stress and sickness. In just 20 years America's ranking among developed countries dropped on nearly every major health measure. Victims suffer both physically and mentally. A recent study found that unemployment, whether voluntary or involuntary, can significantly impact a person's mental health. Even grimmer, from 1999 to 2010 the suicide rate among Americans ages 35 to 64 increased by almost 30 percent. In the long run, the only Americans to increase their life expectancy have been seniors covered by Medicare.

John Cleese has it about right: "The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Syria and have therefore raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." The English have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.

The Scots have raised their threat level from "Pissed Off" to "Let's get the Bastards." They don't have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France 's white flag factory, effectively paralysing the country's military capability.

Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides." The Germans have increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbour" and "Lose."

During the first two years of the Solidarity Singalong, when the Capitol’s permit requirement was not enforced, how many people were hurt? Two, as far as I can tell: 1) A singalong participant, punched in the mouth by a gun enthusiast, 2) An assistant state facilities director who used his pocket knife to pop a red helium heart balloon and only succeeded in injuring himself.

Now, after a month of police actions to enforce the permit policy, how many people have been hurt? 1) A man falling down the stairs while handcuffed in police custody, 2) A retired minister, suffering an angina attack that required hospitalization, also while in police custody, 3 and 4) Two brothers, injured while being assaulted by police.

In short, the injury rate under the police crackdown is higher now than under the supposedly “anarchic” situation that preceded the crackdown.

The police may claim their permit policy is needed to maintain order and protect public safety, but it is now clear it is the police themselves who are the greatest threat to order and safety. Please, Capitol Police, stop “protecting” us.

– Steve Burns, Madison

Apply now for Wisconsin's premier candidate training for Democratic women. The Emerge Wisconsin 2014 Application is available online only from September 1st until October 25th.

Starting in January 2014, Emerge Wisconsin will train its eighth(!) class of Democratic women. We recruit and train women from all over the state to run for office at all levels of government. Our training provides women with the skills they need to run and the tools they need to win. Graduates have won races across Wisconsin from Village Trustee to State Senate.

Invest in your candidacy by signing up for more than 70 hours of training over seven months with Emerge Wisconsin. Learn from experts in the areas of fundraising, campaign messaging, how to build a field plan, and so much more.

You can join the growing ranks of Emerge Alumnae by clicking on the following link and filling out the online application: Emerge Wisconsin 2014 Application.

We seek passionate, Democratic women who are dedicated to effective and ethical political leadership.

Criteria for selection include:

evidence of political leadership experience or potential, and meaningful involvement in workplace or community;
interest in pursuing political office;
demonstrated ability to bring together disparate groups to achieve a goal;
ability and desire to build effective networks;
ability to articulate a personal political vision;
demonstrated ability to inspire others;
commitment to full participation and attendance requirements of the trainings.

Applicants must be Democratic women residing in the state of Wisconsin.