The Legacy of 1776 “…Life, Liberty and The Pursuit of Happiness” Thomas Jefferson - The Declaration of Independence, 1776 1 Tom Ivey.

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FreedomThe Legacy of 1776

“…Life, Libertyand

The Pursuit of Happiness” Thomas Jefferson - The Declaration of Independence, 1776

Tom Ivey

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Three FoundationsOf Our Freedom

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Governments are created “…by the people, and for the people.”

Governments exist for the benefit of the people being governed, not merely to serve “kings”- or

as we say today, the elite “1%.”

Abraham Lincoln – The Gettysburg Address, Nov. 19, 1863

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For America to succeed, our Founders knew individual rights had to be considered in

conjunction with the common good of others and the well-being of our communities.

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Simply put… Governments have a

responsibility to...

Treat individuals fairly, Respect the diversity of their peoples, and

Advance the common good of their citizens.

Independence Hall – Philadelphia 1776

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Fairness, Respect & Common Good…A “Test” of Wisconsin Values

Wisconsin’s people hold strong values. We believe in the American concept of Freedom. We know True Freedom requires us to act responsibly as individuals and as members of our local communities, our state and country.

Our government’s role is to create balance between the needs of people, businesses, and community institutions. Our local governments (schools, cities, municipalities, etc.), non-profit groups (charities, churches, and other not-for-profit corporations), and businesses must work together to ensure a healthy community. When all are properly balance, our communities are strong, and we enjoy True Freedom.

When our communities are out of balance, we all suffer. Our quality of life declines, and our people begin to look elsewhere for a place to live and work…

such is the cost of False Freedom! False Freedom exists when individuals abandon their moral responsibilities to their friends, neighbors and community. When people, institutions or businesses begin behave as if they are only responsible for themselves, their family or their property.

We searched for a “test” to determine whether or not a proposed law, or regulation, brings balance to our communities. We arrived at…

Does the proposal: 1. Treat people fairly, 2. Show respect, and 3. Advance the common good of our community?

These questions cannot be answered in isolation. Like the pieces of a jig saw puzzle, our responses must fit together to give us clear direction.

Wisconsin Community Voices – 2011

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Three FoundationsOf Our Freedom

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Constitutional

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Our Right to Vote…The Lifeblood of Our Freedom

• Phony claims of “voter fraud” used to justify unwarranted “Voter ID laws.”

• Manipulating polling locations, voting times, and overcrowding to restrict voting access.

• “Redistricting” to guarantee votes for a single political party or ideology.

Threatened by:

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10http://www.brennancenter.org/analysis/election-2012-voting-laws-roundup

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Obstructing Our Right to Vote Harms Every American, In Every

Community, and Every State!Voting restraints strike at the very core of

the American Democratic System…

the right to elect our representatives in free elections!

Americans have not seen such an attack on our right to vote since the “Jim Crow Laws” passed after the Civil War to obstruct Black Americans’ ability to vote and exercise their rights as free citizens.

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Three FoundationsOf Our Freedom

CommunityCentered

Public Schools

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“We are of the humble opinion that we have the rights to enjoy the privileges of free men. …We therefore pray your Honors that you would in your wisdom some provision might be made for the free education of our dear children.”

Petition to the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bay, 1787

Community FundedPublic Schools

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Public Schools…The Key to America’s Success

Americans have long recognized the importance of tax-payer supported, non-secular, public schools in creating a

strong democracy.

Our Public Schools are the great equalizer between the “haves” and the “have not's”

in our great country.  

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Our Public SchoolsCommunity Centered…

Funded by taxes…Educating All Our Children…

Run by Locally Elected School Boards

• Provide us with skills necessary for a successful life.

• Subsidize businesses and industries by providing educated consumers and employees.

• Develop informed citizens capable of maintaining effective governments at the local, state and national levels.

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Our Public Schools America’s

“Schools of Choice.”• Parents, children and communities like their public schools.

They know their public schools provide a quality education.

• When given a “choice,” Wisconsin families with children in public schools overwhelmingly choose to keep their children in public schools.

• In the Wisconsin Rapids and Wausau areas, 90% of School Voucher students attended private/parochial schools the previous year.

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When we chose to live in a community we accept the responsibility of supporting the community’s public services. These include: police, fire, health and social services, parks, roads, water, and public schools. Taxes are the way we support our public services.

Tax-payer subsidies, such as Vouchers and Tax Deductions for private schools, create a new class of citizen...individuals who demand to be excused from their community responsibilities.

Tax-payer subsidies for private schools take tax dollars away from our communities’ Public Schools.

Everyone for Themselves?

Or

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Three FoundationsOf Our Freedom

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Citizens

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How Can We Be Free To Pursue Life, Liberty and Happiness If We Are Not Healthy?

We must protect our health if we are to

pursue… “Life, Liberty and Happiness!”

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When We Are Unhealthy Every Aspect of Our Life Is

Negatively Affected! Some employees earn health insurance as part of their compensation, but many do not.

The Affordable Care Act gives millions of Americans the ability to purchase quality health insurance at price they can afford.

Americans no longer have to worry about going bankrupt because of huge medical bills.

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What Does the Affordable Care Act Mean to Me?

• The ACA creates a “Market Place” where you can purchase affordable, health insurance coverage.• It provides premium assistance for

individuals and families making less than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.

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House-hold Size 100% 133% 150% 200% 250% 300% 400%

1 $11,770 $15,654 $17,655 $23,540 $29,425 $35,310 $47,080 2 15,930 21,187 23,895 31,860 39,825 47,790 63,720 3 20,090 26,720 30,135 40,180 50,225 60,270 80,360 4 24,250 32,253 36,375 48,500 60,625 72,750 97,000 5 28,410 37,785 42,615 56,820 71,025 85,230 113,640 6 32,570 43,318 48,855 65,140 81,425 97,710 130,280 7 36,730 48,851 55,095 73,460 91,825 110,190 146,920 8 40,890 54,384 61,335 81,780 102,225 122,670 163,560

2015 Federal Poverty Levelhttp://familiesusa.org/product/federal-poverty-guidelines

Premium Assistance AvailableDepending upon your annual income and the number of people in your household you may qualify to save on your health insurance coverage under the ACA -- Incomes that Qualify for Lower Health Care Costs - Accessible Chart | HealthCare.gov.

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Do I qualify to save onhealth insurance coverage?

Because of the AffordableCare Act…

• You can’t be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions.

• Insurance providers can’t cancel your coverage.

• Insurance providers are held accountable for rate increases.

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Because of the ACA…

• You have a choice of Doctors and health plans.

• There are no lifetime or yearly limits on your health coverage.

• You can appeal decisions by your health insurance provider.

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Fairness, Respect & Common Good…A “Test” of Wisconsin Values

Wisconsin’s people hold strong values. We believe in the American concept of Freedom. We know True Freedom requires us to act responsibly as individuals and as members of our local communities, our state and country.

Our government’s role is to create balance between the needs of people, businesses, and community institutions. Our local governments (schools, cities, municipalities, etc.), non-profit groups (charities, churches, and other not-for-profit corporations), and businesses must work together to ensure a healthy community. When all are properly balance, our communities are strong, and we enjoy True Freedom.

When our communities are out of balance, we all suffer. Our quality of life declines, and our people begin to look elsewhere for a place to live and work…

such is the cost of False Freedom! False Freedom exists when individuals abandon their moral responsibilities to their friends, neighbors and community. When people, institutions or businesses begin behave as if they are only responsible for themselves, their family or their property.

We searched for a “test” to determine whether or not a proposed law, or regulation, brings balance to our communities. We arrived at…

Does the proposal: 1. Treat people fairly, 2. Show respect, and 3. Advance the common good of our community?

These questions cannot be answered in isolation. Like the pieces of a jig saw puzzle, our responses must fit together to give us clear direction.

Wisconsin Community Voices – 2011

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Learn more about efforts to restrict voting in America:• http://www.brennancenter.org/issues

• https://www.brennancenter.org/analysis/voting-laws-roundup-2015

• http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/election-laws-and-procedures-overview.aspx

Learn about Public Schools and tax-payer subsidized private schools:• http://news.dpi.wi.gov/news

• https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinNetwork (Wisconsin Public Education Network)

• http://greatlakescenter.org/think_twice.php

• http://www.stepup4publicschools.org/Research.html (2013)

• http://wisconsinsfuture.org/

• http://www.reformwi.org/

• http://www.progressive.org/news/2015/05/188145/watching-wisconsin-destroy-public-schools

Learn how the Affordable Healthcare Act affects you: • https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/

• https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/qualifying-for-lower-costs/

• https://www.sba.gov/healthcare (Small Business Administration)

• https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/health-care/index.htm

• http://www.citizenactionwi.org/got_healthcare

• http://www.medicaid.gov/AffordableCareAct/Affordable-Care-Act.html

• http://kff.org/ (The Kaiser Family Foundation – Health Policy Research)

• http://www.aarp.org/health/affordable-care-act/?intcmp=AE-HEA-ENDART-ACA-HLF

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FreedomThe Legacy of 1776

“…Life, Libertyand

The Pursuit of Happiness” Thomas Jefferson - The Declaration of Independence, 1776

…a beginning, not an end.Step Up and Speak Up!

Tom Ivey