Speak Out 3/21/10

Utility rates

IS the Missouri Public Service Commission actually for the people? People have lost your jobs, and if you're lucky to have one you've not received a raise in years. AmerenUE sent out letters comparing usage and how to save. How much electricity and ink did they use to do this? We had no ice storm this year, and Ameren is pushing for a rate increase? That's ridiculous.

Sportsmanship

I would like to comment on a recent basketball game I attended. This was a tournament with fifth- and sixth-grade girls. I was most impressed with the team from Trinity Lutheran School. This team not only finished second in the championship game, it showed great sportsmanship. The girls played hard and always showed sportsmanship. They had a coaching team that never argued with the ref. While the players cheered for their team, they never jeered the other team. Trinity Lutheran School should be commended on its sportsmanship, hard play and success. A lot of schools could take a page out of Trinity Lutheran School's participation in this tournament.

Health support

VERY recently, I have had the occasion of receiving extensive medical procedures. I thought as I went through the tunnel for a CT scan, how could I not support a health bill that might save someone else's life as mine was being saved?

Voting record

I would like to thank the Southeast Missourian for putting in the paper how our federal legislators vote. Anyone representing us who votes for the health care bill will not get my vote.

Financial regulation

KARL Marx was correct. Capitalism really does contain the seeds of its own destruction. Of course, Congress could fix it with proper financial regulatory reform that would allow a more carefully regulated capitalist system to survive and thrive. However, business as usual will carry the day, and Congress will do nothing.