I would like to remind you that your party lost the last election, and lost badly. It was over by 10:00 p.m. The party that won the election won with a campaign agenda that primarily focused on healthcare/health insurance reform. Let me explain. That means the people elected him to do just that. Get it? It's called Democracy.

Recently I have noticed a banner outside of a local bank in Bonne Terre. I myself am a member of this bank, but I find myself disappointed in their cause. This banner has been up for about a week now, reading ‘Tent Drive for Haiti.’ The banner asks those who can, to drop off their old tents so that the people of Haiti can be assisted during this tragic time. I completely understand the need to assist others in a hard time such as those who are in Haiti. I do not disagree that these victims of tragedy need assistance. However, I feel that it is completely outrageous that in our very own state there are more than 2500 people who are currently homeless and we are supporting a drive to house people who are thousands of miles away. What about our neighbors who have lost their homes because of layoffs? What about those single parents that have no where to turn, and are forced to put their children to bed in the back seat of a car? Where will the elderly man sleep when he is forced to leave his home because of defaulted medical bills? The desire to help those in need is a great thing, but maybe we should focus a little closer to home?

There are so many people I need to thank for helping with the EMAA Back to School Fair. They gave their own time to raise money for school supplies and some came to volunteer at the fair. I wish to thank Kenny Glore, Steve Grinds, Dan Ward, Patrick Mullins, Linda Fischer and Sheriff Dan Bullock. Also, I would like to thank the Daily Journal (esp. Teresa and Paula), Fred Dockins from Froggy 95.9, Big River Sand Drags, Prairie Farms, Subway in BT, Caseys, Country Mart in BT & PH, Desloge McDonalds and Burger King. Also Ed Steer for loaning us his biggest Uhaul truck -he had to move the school supplies to Farmington. Also, St. Louis Auto racing Fan Club and Eileen Waters who sent checks to EMAA for supplies. That was so nice to help kids out of thier area, they must really care about children. Also I want to thank Kim and Pope Bess, Joann Dunn, Larry Barton and the BT City Council. They really work hard. I hope I didn't leave anyone out.

Folks, you just won't believe this.

February, 2010, ten illegal workers were arrested at a construction site in Farmington, Missouri. The Immigration Department of the United States was notified. The Immigration Department told the law officers to release the workers. Their primary focus is on terrorism. The immediate problem is not with terrorists, it is from our own government. Who could we contact whose primary concern was not terrorism?  Has the fear of terrorism become the only concern of our government?  Were the illegal workers rewarded by being freed for their illegal act?  Does this action or inaction send the message that our borders are wide open. What incentive is there for them, what punishment did they receive but freedom?  They are probably working somewhere else today. This is surely not the only  city in these United States where this is occurring. Shame on the owner of the Hampton Inn , Mike Stavern , and shame on the contractor, Thomas Construction Company.  It is your job to know who your workers and subcontractors are.  All you have to do is be diligent in checking for legitimacy.  I guarantee that you could have found 10 Americans willing to work these days.  I only hope that the owner, the contractor, and the subcontractors have not received stimulus money, grants, or government loans for this project.

While on the treadmill this morning, I kept switching between CNN, FOX, MSNBC, CS, and NBC, seeing the same reports, only from a different slant. The stories they were running reminded me from history that a country called The United States of America was formed after revolting against England because of taxation without representation, among other things. Notice any similarities today? We are taxed on everything; some things more than once.