Speak Out 5/27/06

Appropriate dress

I AGREE with the comment about unprofessional dress at the work place. I work where proper attire is strictly enforced. Managers of stores should take that in to consideration.

A better life

CITIZENS, DO you really appreciate this country? Do you not thank God every day that you live in the country that gives people the last best hope for mankind? One only needs to look at the rest of the world to see how it is lacking life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness. The opportunities for a better life are here if you put in the effort. Just ask the aliens from Mexico.

Full-time politicos

WHEN WE consider the hundreds of laws passed each year, many of which duplicate those on the books but unenforced, we should also consider that the time may have come when our lawmakers should go way back to the time when they were not expected to be our full-time employees.

Campaign money

DOES IT not occur to anyone else that state Sen. Jason Crowell needs the expertise of House Speaker Rod Jetton in order to continue to be elected? It's nice for him, though, that the money paid to Jetton does not come from his own pockets.

Moonlighting officials

HOUSE SPEAKER Rod Jetton's consulting business that he operates for his one client leads one to wonder how much time he spends in his full-time political job. Like most of our politicians, Jetton is acquiring his future wealth through his political position. We, the employers, should be pushing for laws that forbid such moonlighting. We pay enough that they shouldn't have to have second and third jobs.

Transporting ethanol

HERE'S A tidbit for all who think ethanol is the answer to our so-called energy crisis: Ethanol can't travel in pipelines along with gasoline, because it picks up excess water and impurities. As a result, ethanol needs to be transported by trucks, trains or barges, which is more expensive and complicated than sending it down a pipeline.

Consulting ethics

I DON'T claim to be an expert on campaign-finance law, but for an elected official or even a person running for office to be allowed to accept consulting fees from another elected official or another person running for office seems like money laundering. If House Speaker Rod Jetton can accept money from state Sen. Jason Crowell's campaign funds for consulting, and Crowell could accept money from another representatives campaign for consulting, couldn't all representatives just give money to each other from campaign funds without really having to consult? It's hard to prove consulting ever took place. This seems unethical, because campaign contributions weren't given so that other elected officials could get rich. I don't care if you are a Democrat or Republican, this seems wrong. I think political consulting fees need to be reserved for those who are not elected officials and who are not running for office. There are enough experienced, former elected officials who can carry on the consulting duties.

Stopping drug deals

A COUPLE of weeks ago, the SEMO Drug Task Force made a raid in Morehouse, Mo. I am glad a person who has been dealing drugs in this area for years was arrested. I hope the courts will put him away. I will be watching to see the outcome of this. The whole neighborhood will be watching.

Ride the school bus

MY CHILDREN ride the school bus and will until they graduate, unless they get a job and buy their own car. If more kids rode the bus or walked to school, there would be less congestion at the schools before and after school. There would be fewer speeding tickets too.

Not a rock star

THE SEMO District Fair has booked Bo Bice for Saturday night, the night we were promised rock bands. If the fair board wants to book bands from "American Idol," that's fine. But don't present a glorified karaoke singer as a rock star.

Smelly deal

HOUSE SPEAKER Rod Jetton and state Sen. Jason Crowell's political arrangement does not pass the smell test. It is funny how the Republican Party, perceived as moral and religious, can have leaders that subscribe to such shady practices.