Speak Out 8/11/07

Where can she go?

I TOO met the woman who lives in her car last winter when the temperature was 5 degrees. She is still in her car this summer, and it's 90 to 100 degrees. If the city can spend money the way it does and the churches can build bigger churches, why can't they get together and help these people out?

No-win situation

THERE WAS a comment that said President Bush was in a no-win situation because of the Democrats. That is partially correct. America is in a no-win situation because Bush put us there. Democrats aren't doing much to help, either.

Power grab

GOV. MATT Blunt, in an arrogant power grab, wants to scrap a nonpartisan judicial selection process that is the envy of most states. Not content with controlling both houses of the General Assembly, the governor wants absolute power over the selection of Supreme Court judges. In what amounts to a childish tantrum, the governor has resorted to intimidation of candidates chosen by the process and those who selected them, demanding documents never before required by more mature governors. He is notorious for accusing judges of legislating from the bench or judicial activism, terms used by sour-grapes politicians who are unable to accept constitutional law. Missourians should demand mature behavior from our governor and oppose his aspirations to become the first absolute ruler of our state.

Blogging in Iraq

IF YOU had ever been deployed overseas, either in time of war or peace, you would know that soldiers who are deployed hunger for news from home. They take time out whenever they can, even if it is only once or twice a month, to read hometown papers online and, when they feel it is warranted, to comment on items they read.

Bigger majority

DEMOCRATS HAVE a 31 percent approval rating in Congress because they don't have enough of a majority to get much done. Much legislative action requires a super majority in the U.S. Senate, meaning a minimum of 60 out of 100 votes. This will be rectified in the 2008 elections. As a result, the Democrats will have two-thirds to three-fourths of the seats in Congress.

Fudged question

COLUMNIST KATHRYN Lopez fudged the question as to why women who have abortions are not charged with premeditated murder. She portrayed women as helpless victims with no mind of their own who succumb to societal and other pressures.

Oxymoron?

ALTHOUGH YOU used it in an editorial headline, don't the words government work fit the definition of an oxymoron?

Good orientation

I WENT through orientation at Jackson Junior High School. What a great job the faculty and student council members did. You made it very simple and quick. Thanks.

Circular taxation

ACCORDING TO a General Accounting Office report, the Highway Trust Fund will have a negative balance in a few years. Part of the reason is that people are driving less because of the high gasoline prices. So now higher gas taxes are being considered. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? Same thing with wanting to raise cigarette taxes: Raise taxes on specific things, and we'd better not count on the money that was anticipated coming in. Higher gasoline taxes: less driving, less tax income than projected. Higher tobacco taxes: less smoking, less income than projected. Higher city taxes: major purchases bought elsewhere, less income than projected.

Highway waste

THE FEDS aren't the only ones who waste money. The Missouri Department of Transportation does a pretty good job of wasting money too. If you don't believe me, drive west of Jackson on Highway 34-72 for about three or four miles. I think you'll get the drift.

Correct spelling

THE NAME of Joe and Freda Sauer is wrong. It should be Seyer. They were the ones who cleaned up the highway. I think they would appreciate it if their last name was spelled correctly.

Cleanup walkers

I WOULD like to thank the two women who walk on East Main Street every day from Shawnee Boulevard east. They do a wonderful job cleaning up our street. Thank you, and God bless you.

Thanks for medicine

I WOULD like to thank the person that picked my medicine up in the Kmart parking lot and returned it to the pharmacy.

Thanks for response

THE NEIGHBORS on County Road 220 at Blomeyer wish to thank Chaffee, Delta, Whitewater and Gordonville firefighters and responders for coming to the aid of the propane tanker that caught fire. If not for all of them responding in all of the 100-degree weather, we could have had a much worse situation. Thanks again.

Country of values

SPEAK OUT is full of those who blame the government for the courthouse roof, their lack of income, their health care and bridge collapses. Anything that happens, it's the government's and politicians' fault. How much do you do for our country except complain and want others to take care of you? Dead weight is what hurts America. This country isn't supposed to be a welfare state. It is supposed to be a country under God's values where free men can work and prosper and raise their families decently.