Tom AultJefferson CityDear Editor:I have read with great interest the Sunday News Tribune article regarding poverty. Understandably, there are circumstances beyond control regarding this unfortunate situation, but among them, there are a couple that could be controlled that stand out.First, the wholesome person that has had the fortunate advantage of being brought up with understanding, love, and caring about themselves and others, seldom is the one that suffers from this situation. Unlike today’s “living together,” marriage was taught to me to be something a man and woman did according to God’s law and because they loved each other, had plans for their future, and either decided to, or not to, have children.It appears that today the opposite is being pushed by television, books, movies and the advertising industry suggesting that one should have as much safe sex as possible without concern about marriage responsibility.As a consequence, we have many single … [Read more...] about Not all poverty factors are beyond control
Opinion
Congress needs to do its job
Charles SchroederWestphaliaDear Editor:I have written a number of letters concerning the Washington Establishment. President Trump calls it the Swamp; to be more accurate it should be called “government bureaucracy.”We all know that we have corruption in the Senate, the House, IRS, CIA, FBI, DOJ, as well as other government agencies.Liberal, biased judges have changed laws by rulings in some cases.We are a very divided country after eight years of the Obama administration. The country was divided in the 1960s and 1970s, so let us go back to that point of time when the bureaucracy was formed.The Ethics in Government Act passed by Congress in 1978 established the Independent Counsel. The bureaucracy created by Congress relegated Congress to serving as a executive oversight body rather than a legislative body. Government no longer operates on behalf of the people, nor the common good of the country.The centralized bureaucracy has become the central feature of government. … [Read more...] about Congress needs to do its job
Prepare for flooding
With spring storms, tornadoes might well be a cause for concern.After all, recent media reports said tornadoes and severe weather could threaten 50 million people between Texas and Missouri this spring.Not to scare you, but we’re on the verge of another natural disaster that could make you forget about tornadoes for awhile — flooding.Of natural disasters, flooding is more deadly than tornadoes. Fortunately, in this case, it’s something for which we can prepare.As we write this, the Missouri River level is above 25 feet. By the time you read this, the entire former Cedar City area north of the Missouri River again could be underwater. Parts of Jefferson City south of the river will be affected as well.One of the biggest dangers with flooding involves driving. The National Weather Service and the State of Missouri sum up their advice in a brief slogan: “Turn around, don’t drown!”Here are a few more tips from the State of Missouri at … [Read more...] about Prepare for flooding
Editorial: A reckless bill for longer bar hours invites trouble
Some bad ideas just won’t go away. Case in point: a rerun of a bill to extend bar hours from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. A measure allowing 10 cities, including San Francisco and Oakland, to add more hours to the carousing clock just cleared the state Senate and is bound for the Assembly. The idea is the brainchild of the usually sensible state Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat who has flogged this ill-conceived step twice before. His rationale is all fun and hipness: times have changed, nightlife is an “industry,” and the tag-along problems are overrated. Sorry, senator. This city is rife with urban ills that more alcohol will worsen. Driving is a danger, so why put more tipsy half-wits behind the wheel for longer periods? Neighbors who live near bars and restaurants already complain about the nuisance that late-night drinking brings on. In a city that talks tough about limiting substance abuse, it’s ridiculous to officially welcome more boozing. For a state … [Read more...] about Editorial: A reckless bill for longer bar hours invites trouble
Why Joe Biden is Still Winning
Opinion With his recent presidential announcement, former VP Joe Biden has bounded out of the pack to a commanding lead in the Democratic presidential nomination. One survey has him with over 40% support against a field of 22 other candidates. This has been surprising since the book on Biden was that he was too white, too male and too old to appeal to the Democratic Party circa 2020. With suitable apologies to my Democratic friends for meddling in their party’s affairs, here are at least four reasons why Biden is doing so well and why he may have staying power as the nomination contest moves forward. He can win: Biden runs strongest of anyone against President Trump. He wins national surveys, but for fans of the electoral college, he wins there too. Surveys have him winning Arizona, Pennsylvania and Michigan. He is competitive against the president in North Carolina and surprisingly Texas. Some of this is name ID, but he seems a far better candidate … [Read more...] about Why Joe Biden is Still Winning