LETTER: Wisconsin’s woe: Self-serving politics to blame

To the Telegram:

As a former Wisconsin resident with strong remaining ties to the state, I am sad to see how Wisconsin politics have become so divisive and self-serving, when the opposite is needed. Although both parties can be faulted, I am particularly sad to see how the Republican Party increasingly serves special interests and fosters misinformation.

During the efforts to recall Sen. Bob Jauch, I was especially appalled to hear a radio commentary attacking his credibility on mining issues, when the commentary was actually deceitful.

This commentary suggested that mining waste could not produce sulfuric acid as Sen. Jauch claimed because commercial production of sulfuric acid requires extremely high temperatures.

As a chemist, I know that any sulfide mining tailings will produce acid even at low temperature, and have seen the damage that this can do to water resources and the difficulties in controlling this.

There are legitimate points on both sides of the mining issue, but this debate should have some respect for the truth, which in this case Republicans seem to lack.

And, although there was a need for strong action on state budget problems, it is disappointing to see how Gov. Scott Walker exploited this to pursue other agendas and serve special interests rather than bring all interests together. His anti-union actions were not necessary, and his failure to reveal his intent regarding this in his campaign was reprehensible. It is also ironic that he criticizes support from out-of-state interests for his opponents, when this is even truer of his side.

Russell Erickson,

Duluth

Tags: opinion, letters