By Jack Bratrud First, the reader is subject to think that unions represented nearly 35% of the workforce in 1954. What the article does not say is that in the 1950s, 60% of our workforce was blue collar workers. By 1978 only 20% of the workers were blue collar and 80% were white collar workers, thus the need for white collar unions and a voice to challenge … [Read more...]

In March of 2015, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker finally addressed something that really needs national attention. Unions have overstayed their welcome in America, and especially within the public sector. Once upon a time, unions served a purpose. Between 1932 and 1954, union membership in America grew from serving 7.7% to nearly 35% of the workforce. Back in the … [Read more...]

Yes, readers, I’m afraid it’s true. My two-year-old looks to be heading down that dark path and I figured it best to get this story out to the masses in an attempt to nip it in the bud. It isn’t easy having to relate all of this to you, but I feel I need to. If I don’t act now, there’s no telling what sort of crazy things my daughter might do as she gets older. I first … [Read more...]

Tall structures for seeing distant objects have been vital in virtually every successful civilization. For millennia, the heights of buildings were very limited to only several stories due to a lack of either innovation or resources. With stone and mortar, watchtowers allowed sentinels to keep watch over great swaths of distant land. With only a few more innovative methods … [Read more...]

By Roy Cerling This note is in response to Col. Gudmundson’s January 9 Fillmoare County Journal commentary on retaining the electoral college. I take exception to some of the arguments used. In fact I believe the editor Mr. Sethre should sometimes reject commentaries due to their utter lack of journalistic standards. I complain because, while Col. Gudmunson is … [Read more...]

Our 44th President of the United States of America said, early on, “If you like your plan, you can keep your plan.” Over-promised and under-delivered. I have watched and waited since November 9, 2016, when the world came to realize Donald J. Trump was elected to be the next President of the United States of America, before sharing my observations. If I had my … [Read more...]

Cold weather presents a unique set of challenges for those who have to work outside, including our farmer producers. No matter how cold it gets, animals need feed and water, snow has to be moved and grain has to be shipped. While most producers have ways of remaining productive during the winter months, it never hurts to remind ourselves of some important cold weather … [Read more...]

There are a lot of dire predictions about our representative democracy out there. We’re just past a presidential election campaign in which candidates complained about a rigged political system. Now, commentators worry about the imminent failure of the American experiment. I don’t agree with these predictions of calamity. Our representative democracy is not on the verge of … [Read more...]