LETTER: Legislators put lives at risk to push their political agenda

To Ozaukee Press:

I am writing because I am shocked our legislators are allowing an in-person election to go ahead in the middle of a pandemic. Wisconsin is the only state and only government on earth I am aware of going ahead with an in-person election.  

We are all under orders to stay at home except to get food or medicine. Covid-19 is highly contagious and can even be communicated by breath and talking. We should all know by now that it can be communicated by people who are asymptomatic for up to 14 days.  

All the poll workers in the town where I live quit, as is understandable. Most poll workers are in their 70s and 80s, as they are especially susceptible to this disease. The Saukville town chairman’s only child is fighting for her life on a ventilator with suspected Covid-19.                      

Yet legislators are telling people it is OK to go to the polls and vote. Legislators are not only putting poll workers’ health at risk, but also that of anyone who is voting in person.  

This is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue. This is a very clear right and wrong issue. Any legislator who would rather play political games than take very sensible steps to either postpone the election as other states have or allow mail-in voting is simply not competent to serve in government. Any such legislator is putting political gamesmanship ahead of people’s safety, not to mention their constitutional rights.  

It is sad to see that Wisconsin has come to this. We are a national and even international laughingstock and disgrace. Legislators playing a win-at-all-costs game thinking they have some advantage because this will drive down voter turnout are simply wrong. The ends do not justify the means. Their actions are undemocratic, unamerican, reckless, unsafe and wrong.

Tom Korb
Saukville