Speak Out 2/5/10

By the numbers

PRESIDENT Obama's first year by the numbers: January 2009 there were 13 million unemployed. December 2009 there were 14.7 million unemployed. The unemployment rate in January 2009 was 7.7 percent. The unemployment rate in 2010 was 10.5 percent. Outstanding public debt in January 2009 was $10.6 trillion. Outstanding debt January 2010 was $12.3 trillion.

Snow removers

I just want to say that the Dohogne boys came through again with their cleaning of Shalom Street and another neighbor cleaning off our driveway. All the words I could say could never be enough to thank them for what they've done.

Private accounts

I think Gov. Jay Nixon is wrong. No one has the right to go in your bank account to collect back taxes. The only time I ever see fit for any part of government going in bank accounts is to collect from deadbeat fathers. But law-abiding citizens? I don't think so. That's overstepping the authority of the government. It would cause some people to hide money in their homes, creating new problems for law enforcement.

Drinking in Jackson

EVERY day more and more children in Jackson are drinking and driving. Where are they getting the liquor? Why aren't we trying to find out who's buying it and prosecuting them? Why aren't parents more upset? Why do we pretend it doesn't happen? I am ashamed of parents who let their children drink just because "they are going to do it anyway." I am ashamed of school officials who give a little slap on the hand if students are caught. There are a lot of parents who feel the same way I do. We need to form a group and get something done before more of our children are hurt or killed.

Domestic violence

I by no means condone domestic violence, but the law in Missouri is clearly slanted toward arresting men as the aggressor, no matter what the situation. There are also women who believe they can assault a man any way they choose because the man will go to jail and have a domestic assault on his record if he retaliates. Sometimes, the man gets arrested without retaliation or provocation. It's the law, and it's wrong.

Political hypocrisy

THE hypocrisy is astounding. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, including U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, met last weekend at the Miami Ritz Carlton. Also attending were Washington lobbyists representing oil, banking, tobacco, drug and insurance companies. These are industries and companies the Democrats hate and constantly attack. The $30,000 fee to attend allowed participation in "informal conversations" with senators. The event is nothing more than a fundraiser from corporate America. McCaskill didn't mention this conference in her recent article about Washington politics.

In the dark

OUR president's recent meeting with the Republicans should be a must see for all Americans who love their country. Fox News cut the feed as soon as they saw that he had an answer for all their talking points. That was most unfortunate, as Fox viewers never got to see the truth. Many eyes can be opened with the facts, but censorship keeps us in the dark.