Phyllis Schlafly set an example for us all

It was hard to decipher the shaky handwritten note from Phyllis Schlafly, dated August 19, 2016, "Thank you Gary for your generous gift."

I didn't know that she was dying of cancer and would pass away Labor Day, Sept. 5.

I first met Phyllis over 55 years ago when I was a Missouri State Jaycee Vice President. I was publicly speaking about "Americanism and the Communist Threat."

She was active in the Cardinal Mindszenty foundation and I attended one of their educational seminars.

Then in 1964 I was a "Goldwater" delegate to the Republican National Convention in San Francisco where she was being celebrated for her book "A Choice Not An Echo" which sold over 3 million copies and set the stage for what's been called the "Reagan Revolution."

We kept in touch over the years (not close, but with mutual respect).

As a Missouri State Representative in 1972, I witnessed her stopping this state from adopting the Equal Rights Amendment ... primarily pointing out the little discussed provision that the federal government would establish the rules and regulations to implement the amendment (similar federal regulations are changing our hospitals, health insurance companies, banks, environment, etc.).

I've read the Phyllis Schlafly newsletter for over 40 years and found the information honest and informative.

We talked at events over the years as she always remained upbeat and positive in her concerns about the country's trends toward centralization.

She and Millie Limbaugh (Rush's mother) often traveled to conservative events together.

For over 50 years she lived a "purpose-driven life" and she set an example of continued focus on the problems as she saw them and worked to affect the outcome, whether she won (as she did many times) or lost.

n

Investor's Business Daily has spent years analyzing leaders and successful people in all walks of life. Most have 10 traits that, when combined, can turn dreams into reality. Each day, they highlight one.

1. How you think is everything: always be positive. Think success, not failure. Beware of a negative environment.

2. Decide upon your true dreams and goals: Write down your specific goals and develop a plan to reach them.

3. Take action: Goals are nothing without action. Don't be afraid to get started. Just do it.

4. Never stop learning: Go back to school or read books. Get training and acquire skills.

5. Be persistent and work hard: Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Never give up.

6. Learn to analyze details: Get all the facts, all the input. Learn from your mistakes.

7. Focus your time and money: Don't let other people or things distract you.

8. Don't be afraid to innovate; be different: Following the herd is a sure way to mediocrity.

9. Deal and communicate with people effectively: No person is an island. Learn to understand and motivate others.

10. Be honest and dependable; take responsibility: Otherwise, numbers 1-9 won't matter.

n

Wisdom to Live By:

Greiner on Action

Dear optimist, pessimist, and realist -- while you guys were busy arguing about the glass of wine, I drank it! Sincerely, the Opportunist!

Lori Greiner, inventor

Grant on Labor

Labor disgraces no man; unfortunately, you occasionally find men who disgrace labor.

Ulysses S. Grant, 18th U.S. President

Drucker on Challenges

You can either take action or hang back and hope for a miracle. Miracles are great, but they're so unpredictable.

Peter Drucker, business professor

Allen on Perseverance

People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don't know when to quit. Most men succeed because they are determined to.

George Allen, football coach

n

The Clinton Foundation was set up by Bill and Hillary Clinton but it is not a typical charitable foundation that gives most of its revenue to bona fide charitable programs.

Since 2001, $2 billion of cash was received by the Clinton Foundation from donor contributions and from Bill Clinton speeches. Bill Clinton received over $100 million for 200 speeches. One speech generated $750,000.

Some of the speech fees went to the Clinton Foundation and some were paid to Bill Clinton personally.

Charles Krauthammer has said the Clinton Foundation is "a massive family enterprise disguised as a charity, an opaque and elaborate mechanism for sucking money from the rich and the tyrannous to be channeled to Clinton, Inc. Its purpose is to maintain the Clintons' lifestyle (offices, travel accommodations, etc.), secure profitable connections, produce favorable publicity and reliably employ a vast entourage of retainers, ready to serve today and at the coming Clinton Restoration."

Source: Private Newsletter

Gary Rust is chairman of the board of Rust Communications, which owns the Southeast Missourian, as well as a member of the editorial board.