OpinionSeptember 22, 2009
Speak Out 9/22/09
Parade trash; Bike licenses; Be Americans; Being homeless; A better country; Inappropriate slogan; Military spending; In their pocket; No new taxes?; Quick points; Misdirection; Waiting game
Parade trash
I am appalled as I drive down Broadway after the fair parade and see the unbelievable amount of trash. Don't people know there are trash cans?
Bike licenses
BICYCLE riders should have to take a test and get a license, purchase mandatory bike insurance, register their bikes with the state and get a yearly inspection before riding on our streets and highways. They also need to pay personal property tax on their bikes.
Be Americans
I thought the president's speech was fantastic. He made his health care plan clear. As a former Republican, I was embarrassed by the actions of the right, somewhat like little boys who didn't get their way. I believe the American people are wise to all the tricks of the Republican Party. It's time to take off the party hats and be Americans.
Being homeless
I am homeless. I don't use drugs or abuse alcohol, and I work. I have not eaten much this week because I don't have any money. I was able to buy a bottle of Febreze to air my clothes so I don't smell horrible when I go to work. I have no place to stay, but I have a lot of pride and will not go begging for handouts. You wouldn't know it, because I won't let anyone know. I feel deeply for other homeless people who have to use those benefits, because they have to go to the same people who did not want a homeless shelter in the federal building. And their reasoning was because they didn't want a seedy element downtown. What businesses were they going to harm? God forbid that accountability was actually enforced for politicians. If it were, they would be out of a job and looking for their own homeless shelter.
A better country
I hear every day about how bad President Obama is doing and how he is going to bring some great catastrophe on this country. The country was not doing so great before he was elected. I suppose it was just Obama-voting Democrats who used the Cash for Clunkers program. He is our president, so either you can help make this country better or you can hold us back.
Inappropriate slogan
I was appalled at the fair parade to see the breast cancer awareness group using the slogan "Save second base." I find that degrading and inappropriate. I do not want to have to explain to my daughters what that means about their body.
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Military spending
MILITARY spending has been strongly opposed by the Democratic Party, yet President Obama can propose a "civilian defense force just as well-funded and well-trained as the military" without criticism from his own party. Exactly what is this defense force? What will it be used for? And why don't Democrats criticize doubling the military budget to achieve it?
In their pocket
LIBERALS accuse opposition to the health reform bill to be in the pocket of special interests. However, Sen. Max Baucus writes a partisan bill that gives the insurance industry a mandatory 30 million new customers. Who is really in the pocket of special interests?
No new taxes?
IN the campaign, Barack Obama promised no tax hikes for the middle class. After the election, he signed a tobacco tax. Now President Obama is pushing Sen. Max Baucus' health care plan. Baucus' plan can potentially tax middle-class families up to 18 percent of their income simply because they choose not to purchase insurance. If Obama signs this bill, I will call him a liar, and I will not apologize.
Quick points
SEN. Claire McCaskill properly opposed the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act on the grounds she believes the federal government is not allowed to make gun legislation, as the Constitution leaves that up to individual states. If McCaskill honestly believes her own statement, she should work to rid us of the 1934 NFA Act and the 1986 Firearms Owners Protection Act. However, I'm afraid she won't, as she's only interested in quick political points, not the Constitution.
Misdirection
HOW soon we forget that George Bush was called not only a "liar" but a "fascist" and a "Nazi" on the venerable floor of Congress. Nobody went off the deep end about that. I guess it depends on who's getting criticized. What it boils down to is business as usual for our elected officials: Try to focus the attention elsewhere while Congress is so full of corruption that the odor is overwhelming.
Waiting game
GARY Rust paraphrased Thomas Sowell to the effect that there is no need to hurry to implement health care because it wouldn't take effect until four years later. Well, the reason for fast action is that if you wait another two or three years, then it will be four years beyond that before anything substantive can be implemented.
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