Kinder dedicated to Missouri

It takes a special person to be involved in politics. I am certainly not one of them. Sometimes the heat that comes down is almost unbearable and is unfair.

I have been able to watch Missouri politics for well over a decade now and this state is blessed to have Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder in a command position.

Lt. Gov. Kinder, as most of you know, was born in Cape Girardeau, attended Missouri universities and was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1980. He was elected lieutenant governor in 2004 and carried 91 of Missouri's 114 counties.

This is not an endorsement of Lt. Gov. Kinder. If he decides to run for governor next year, the voters will decide.

However, in the last few weeks, he has felt the pressure of being successful in politics.

Peter Kinder is an exceptionally talented real person with real feelings. His experience is outstanding.

While he has been taking a lot of flak for his personal life, which in my viewpoint is his business and not anyone else's, his accomplishments have been significant.

Kinder sponsored and passed the Elderly Protection Act of 2003 which increased the penalties of elder abuse crimes. He has made sure that the poorest seniors are provided prescription drug coverage. That plan has rolled into another that now has 170,000 seniors. He was instrumental in passing the 2006 Assisted Living Bill, a top priority of multiple senior advocacy organizations.

Peter Kinder's contributions are in our best interest.

Look, you have to admire someone with his dedication to public service. It is tough duty. I don't always agree with every decision that Lt. Gov. Kinder has made or some past personal choices, but he works in the best interest of all the people of Missouri.

I am comfortable knowing that Lt. Gov. Kinder is dedicated to making Missouri a better state.

Many thanks, Peter Kinder. I appreciate what you have done and continue to do for Missouri.

Mike Smythe is the vice president and general manager for KFVS12 and WQWQ in Cape Girardeau.