OpinionApril 16, 2009
Speak Out 4/16/09
The way I walk; Reason for meltdown; Dog eat dog; Mental disability; Corporate welfare; State policy; Military change; Organizing unions
The way I walk
I was in a restaurant last week for lunch with my parents. As I returned to my seat, a young woman laughed at me and mocked the way I walk. I want to say to this young woman: Think before you ridicule. In the blink of an eye you too could end up with multiple sclerosis. You never know when a crippling disease may hit you. I have secondary progressive MS and am trying not to give into a wheelchair yet. This is why I walk funny, if you had asked why instead of making fun, you might have learned a bit of tolerance and compassion. I will pray that some day you will see that your cruelty has hurt others.
Reason for meltdown
AT the very time we need to come together as individuals and through the government to try to solve the many domestic and foreign problems we face, the Southeast Missourian stunningly devotes much of its Opinion page to celebrating none other than Ayn Rand, the author of "Atlas Shrugged." Gary Rust (it's still hard for me to believe he's a Rand fan) summarized Rand's sociopathic attitude toward her fellow man with a quote from the book, part of which is from a character who said, "I swear by my life and love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask man to live for the sake of mine." Aside from the fact that this not too subtle rejection of altruism is anathema to everything this country and its many religions stand for, it is obvious that Rand's extreme libertarianism (she called it objectivism) is in the economic sphere (deregulating much of the economy) a major reason for our economic and financial meltdown.
Dog eat dog
IT'S fitting that on the day the Southeast Missourian deifies Ayn Rand, a Speak Out comment argues for the repeal of Medicaid and the establishment of a dog-eat-dog rugged individualism, something that never existed in this country, though macho men who think themselves dependent on no one like to believe in and try to perpetuate this myth.
Mental disability
IN response to the caller who thinks someone with a mental disability is not entitled to benefits: The caller is living in the past. If that person has paid into Social Security, he is not "clogging the system." He is getting what he deserves. I hope this person never has to deal with mental problems. Trust me, they are just as bad as any physical disability.
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Corporate welfare
I agree with Jon Rust's impassioned plea to preserve Missouri's historic preservation tax credits. Yet I am certain that the Southeast Missourian's assumed iconic political philosopher, Ayn Rand, would denounce tax credits because she would see them as a form of welfare.
State policy
I'M a heterosexual man who fails to see any threat to society in the sanctioning of same-sex marriage. What difference does it make to anyone else whether the state grants equal rights to same-sex couples? My marriage is outstanding because I have a great partner, and no outside forces can change that. If your church is against same-sex marriage, so be it. My church only conducts weddings between two adults subscribing to my particular denomination of Christianity. Surely nobody would argue this should be the state's policy as well.
Military change
THANKS to courageous Republican Secretary of Defense Robert Gates for supporting an increase in defense spending but demanding a radical change in the Pentagon's dated procurement system.
Organizing unions
FACTS about the Employee Free Choice Act: This act gives workers rather than companies the choice of how to organize unions. It requires that when a majority of employees has signed authorizations designating the union as its bargaining representative, this choice cannot be vetoed by the company and the union will be certified by the National Labor Relations Board. It also requires the NLRB to develop modal authorization language and procedures for establishing the validity of signed authorizations. It changes the current corporate-dominated representation process that encourages companies to coerce and intimidate workers who seek to form unions and pressure them to influence their choice.
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