Speak Out 4/20/15

** Roundabout

Instead of trying to carve out a roundabout at the main intersection in Jackson, just turn the whole square into a large roundabout and work on the entry and exit points for the various intersections.

No. 1!

Hey, we're No. 1 again! Missouri leads the nation in money owed to the federal government for blatant noncompliance with Medicaid reimbursement. And, to top that off, someone with our state government said that, by golly, we're not going to pay it. I think this person deserves a profile in courage, and we all should go visit when he/she is confined to a federal penitentiary.

** Mehan's screed

I don't mind Missouri Chamber of Commerce's Minister of Propaganda, Daniel Mehan, having so many of his screeds published on this page. It helps me with my low blood pressure.

** Attention span

What's the deal with these mega-length editorials? Have you forgotten that your readership has the attention span of a gnat?

** Millions wasted

It was stated that the 2016 election was 82 weeks away. I am already tired of it and the campaigning hasn't even started. How many millions of dollars will be wasted to get a job paying $400,000 a year?

** Coach pick

When SEMO hired Dickey Nutt, he had a 0.500 winning record. Now they hire Rick Ray, who has a less than 0.400 winning record at Mississippi State. Does this make any sense to anyone? You can't continue to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different outcome. I would very much like to see the records of other coaches who were interviewed; I would bet there are some of those with a better then 0.400 winning record. What reason could possibly be given for hiring a coach who has been as unsuccessful as this one?

** Qualified

In answer to Hillary's question, "Wouldn't you like to see a woman president?" No, Hillary, not necessarily. I'd just like to have a president who is qualified for a change.

** Union, cost

I hear where there's a lot of people talking about how good unions are and all this. That iPhone you're holding in your hand, if that was union made, that would cost $5,000. That's why they're made in China. That's why all the companies are moving out, to get away from unions. Thank God for right-to-work states.

** 2 percent

I'd like to report the new license bureau in the Town Plaza charges 2 percent on a credit or debit card. So you might want to be aware before you go in there because that can add up pretty quick. And when you're budgeting for the license and taxes on a vehicle, you're already stretched pretty thin sometimes.

** Women's coach

The new women's basketball coach at SEMO sounds like a great hire. I wish her lots of luck, and I'll be there to cheer her and the team on.

** Hillary lunch

I would like to know if Hillary Clinton's going to have a school lunch program better than Michele Obama.