Speak Out A 12/27/02

Jackson's history book

I JUST received my copy of the book "History of Jackson, Missouri, and Surrounding communities." I truly feel like this is the best Christmas gift I will receive. I want to thank all who are responsible for printing this, most of all the Jackson Area History Book committee: Pat Fosse, Barbara Lohr, Bernard Schaper and Katherine Stoverink. This book is just priceless. I just thank God for each and every one of you who participated.

Quality control

THE EYE-OPENING report by "60 Minutes" on the lack of regulation of prescription drugs from the time they leave the manufacturer until they reach the consumer blew my mind. Some drugs go through as many as 10 steps before reaching those in need. They are sometimes intentionally diluted or even counterfeited. They end up being worthless. Pharmaceutical distributors and wholesalers have stopped the attempt to regulate this mess through successful lobbying efforts. Will our legislators at the state and federal level ever get the backbone to stand up to such sickening scams?

Paying taxes, fees

TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS support the Riverside Regional Library. Yet you have to pay $24 a year to use Riverside Regional Library. Isn't that double taxation? Why is that allowed?

Just be thankful

I THINK instead of everyone saying, "I don't have, I need," we should all say, "Thank you for what we have." No matter how bad off we are, there is always someone worse off. So many people forget what Christmas is all about. If you have family, thank God for that every day. When we wake up in the morning, we should ask ourselves every day of the year, "What should I be thankful for?" Not everyone has a lot, but everyone has something.