Letters to the Editor

49th Assembly Dist. is just fine as it is

I take issue with the State Journal's endorsement of Travis Tranel for 49th Assembly District. The district has been bombarded by mailings from an out-of-state group, wrongly accusing incumbent Phil Garthwaite of voting to give illegal aliens health care.

Tranel is also running as a "pro-life" candidate. There is a law on the books in Wisconsin making abortion illegal that is superseded by Roe v. Wade. Garthwaite is the first Democrat elected to the Assembly from this district in decades. Since Roe v. Wade passed in 1973, what have Republican representatives done about it?

I don't doubt that Tranel is a fine, intelligent person. However, his platform is "been there, done that." If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

-- Michael Casey, Bloomington

October 26, 2008
Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my support for re-electing Phil Garthwaite to the 49th Assembly.  Phil has worked hard during his first term in office as our “voice for Southwest Wisconsin”, serving on the Transportation Committee, Agriculture Committee, and the Rural Affairs & Rural Economic Development Committee.  He has fought to give Wisconsin citizens affordable access to healthcare, appropriate funding for their public schools, safer roads, and fair policies for farms and small businesses.  As both my father and father-in-law were veterans of WWII, I appreciate the tremendous support Phil Garthwaite shows for all our veterans.

Unfortunately, a Michigan based special interest group, All Children Matter, has launched a vicious attack on Wisconsin politicians, including Phil Garthwaite, by buying radio time and mailing flyers that are filled with lies and deception.  Because of their unethical tactics, this group has already been levied a $5.2 million fine by the bipartisan Ohio Elections Commission and is currently under investigation in Wisconsin.

It is disappointing that rather than distance himself from these types of unethical tactics, Travis Tranel chose to do the same in his campaign flyers.  So much for the “positive campaign” he told voters he wanted following the primary election.  The last two flyers his campaign sent to my mailbox only slammed Phil Garthwaite and did not say anything about his own issues.  Although no statement printed on those flyers said anything about Travis Tranel, they spoke volumes to me.  If he was that easily influenced by special interest groups, what would he be like in Madison?  Would he be unable to speak his own mind then, too?

Phil Garthwaite ran a positive campaign in 2006 and has continued to do so in 2008.  While he has been in Madison working on the issues he promised to make a priority in his 2006 election bid, Phil has not forgotten the people he represents.  He was there helping the Village of Bagley clean up after the flood.  He was there speaking at the dedication of the Mt. Hope Veterans Memorial.  He was there announcing or auctioneering at numerous events and fundraisers throughout the 49th Assembly district.  Please join me in supporting a man who is true to his word and true to his roots.  Vote for Phil Garthwaite on November 4th!

Sincerely,
Carol Harris
Bagley, WI

Vote for women’s isssues

Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my strong support for Phil Garthwaite in his quest to continue to represent us. On six bills regarded typically as women’s issues, Phil voted 100 percent for the rights of women. On one of these bills, he voted for compassionate care for rape victims. Imagine if you, or your wife, mother, sister, daughter, or friend were raped—Phil’s support for this bill demonstrates his understanding and empathy for the victim/survivors of rape.

I also strongly support Phil because of his integrity. He has kept the promises he made when he was first elected.

Please join me in supporting a man who is honest and who is empathetic.

Sincerely,
Rea Kirk
Platteville

Political flyer not correct

Editor,
Like the rest of your readers, I received a flyer from an organization called “All Children Matter.” The article was a hateful, colored, glossy piece packed with lies about Rep. Phil Garthwaite. No doubt it was enough to make even Mr. Tranel blush. I was hard pressed to find one honest and legitimate statement in the entire piece. Illegal aliens get FREE medical care? Not true! The doctors get paid, but not by the patient; the doctor is paid by you and me through our health insurance premiums. And consider the name of the group: “All Children Matter.” They obviously don’t think the children of illegal aliens matter to them. I fully expect Mr. Tranel to publish a statement disavowing any and all of the blatant lies included in the flyer. And, I challenge Mr. Tranel to stay positive and stop the spread of hateful and dishonest organizations from supporting him.

Fritz Domann
Platteville