Speak Out 7/19/12

If I had only a $20 food voucher to feed my children, I would buy a large bag of potatoes to fry, a large bag of beans, ham hocks, some cornbread meal, and my children would go to bed with a warm meal in their stomach. I would feed them hot oatmeal for breakfast, with milk and sugar. No child should go to school hungry. If there wasn't a free lunch program at school I would pack them a peanut butter sandwich. These are hard times for a lot of people and my heart goes out to them. However, where there is a will there is a way. Been there and done that. God bless.

A caller referred to those without health insurance as "abused" and implied that those who are against Obamacare are the "guilty." Hogwash! Obamacare does much more than give health insurance to those who don't have it. It forces people to purchase it! Furthermore, I work with lower-income people and love what I do, but I am appalled at how content the vast majority are to simply sit back and wait for the government (with our tax dollars) to pay for whatever it is they need. Rent, food, medical care, etc. is provided without any proof that they are unable to find a job. It is provided even if they are using what income they do have on alcohol, cigarette and drugs. I actually make less than what many of our clients make from all their government-provided handouts, and I have a nice quality of life.

The condemnation of the U.S. Olympic team's uniforms being made in China resulted in a rare show of united outrage from both political parties and could be the issue that reunites our country.

Though generally not apparent on the Opinion page of the Southeast Missourian, public approval of Obamacare seems to have pulled even or surpassed the percentage of those who disagree.

I can feed a family a more than five for less than $20, and I wouldn't be buying hot dogs, either. Quit biting the hand that, quite literally, is feeding you and be thankful for what you have. Look around you. What nonnecessities do you have? And I mean things not truly needed. Sell them. Get rid of cable, the second car, and things like that. Don't buy alcohol or tobacco products. Walk wherever you can.

Bravo to Brad Pitt's mom for speaking out. She is 100 percent right.