Springfield News-Leader

The individual investing in the auto industry today would be about as ideal as providing former President George W. Bush with complete creative control on fixing the nation's current economic situation. There are, however, some investments that current and future business leaders need to make. Forget the cars, stocks, bonds and 401(k) plans. Those safety nets will mean virtually nothing if we stop investing in the most prized resource this nation has: people.

Watching schoolchildren bounce and dance their way out of the theater after seeing Springfield Little Theatre's performance of Disney's "Alice in Wonderland Jr." always brings a smile. However, we earn our real reward when the students' delight at seeing the show translates to a burst of enthusiasm for learning they carry to their homes and classrooms.

I support guaranteeing health care for all Americans, not only because it's a moral issue, but also because it's an economic issue.

Springfield voters kept faith with the city's children this week, overwhelmingly approving a $50 million bond issue to enhance school structures. The fourth such measure passed since 2000, the decision ensures that Springfield will have state-of-the art educational facilities well into the 21st century.

Missouri fatality crash totals as of Nov. 5: So far this month: 4 This date, last year: 16

A ROSE: To our past and present state legislatures who required our state spending to not exceed the projected income. Another rose to Gov. Nixon for managing this budgeting requirement. Perhaps our state legislature and Gov. Nixon could spend some quality time with our nation's Congress and help them understand fiscal responsibility!

Dick Morris summed up President Obama's health care quite well. He stated: "It is, essentially a program to force people who don't need it to buy health insurance so as to lower costs for those who do and to subsidize part of the price tag by cutting medical care to the elderly."

It is getting to be that time of year again. Soon, you will see various organizations displaying their requests for donations to help those in need. As you are deciding on where to direct your holiday donations, I would like to call to your attention a wonderful program called Heroes at Home.

I am a janitor at MSU. I am a 55-year old-woman. I am responding to a recent editorial that appeared in the News-Leader, concerning the benefits at MSU.

Veterans Day will be here this year on Wednesday. This day is set aside to remember our fallen heroes; those men and women who have helped to ensure our freedoms that we usually take for granted. Unfortunately, it is difficult to easily find information on Veterans Day events in Springfield. Branson puts us to shame and it is time we change that.

Springfield voters overwhelmingly approved a $50 million bond issue on behalf of the more than 24,000 students in Springfield Public Schools. This represents an essential investment in keeping our facilities up to date and ready to serve the needs of children. We are fortunate to be part of a community so united in their support for education.

When the government accuses someone of a crime that could result in the loss of liberty, the accused is entitled to an attorney to assist in the defense of the charges. Our system of government relies upon the adversarial system in the courts to see that we have a fair and impartial administration of justice. In order for this system to work, there must be a true balance between the parties. When the accused is indigent, the Constitution requires that the court appoint an attorney to represent them. In Missouri, we have chosen to set up a statewide Public Defender system to provide representation to indigent clients. This system can only work where the public defenders are provided adequate resources and staffing to allow them to properly defend their clients. Of late, the Public Defender's Office has been severely underfunded to the point that there is a genuine issue as to the ability of the attorneys in the office to meet the ethical obligations of providing adequate assistance of counsel to their appointed clients. This is certainly not a comment on the abilities of the attorneys working in the office. Rather, it is the fact that the level of staffing and hours in the day when compared to the number of indigent clients makes it impossible to give the time and attention required to provide the appropriate representation.

I was talking with a friend the other day, when the conversation turned to the water resources issue that has been prevalent in the news lately. He presented a seemingly simple enough question, but the answer is considerably more complex. My friend is on a well in Greene County and asked, "With all the rain we have had in the last few days, with streets and streams flooding, wouldn't all this rain refill the underground aquifer?" Good question. The short answer is no, but I would like to take a moment to elaborate on the long answer.

Willard High School officials can take great pride in the actions of a vocal group of students.

A THORN: To the News-Leader for finally covering local boy's swimming, when visiting Rockhurst wins. Where are the headlines and stories and pictures of all our outstanding local prep swimmers, who have competed since early September? They have been in the water since August and wrap up the season at State November 13th and 14th. We're lucky to have even made the box scores. You think you might be able to follow them the next two weeks, and give some credit where credit is due?

We wish to express our confidence and support for the job Congressman Roy Blunt is doing representing us in Washington, D.C. He is intelligent, definitely listens to his constituents and makes decisions based upon sound judgment. Our citizens should stop and think about how much we have benefited in Springfield and the whole 7th District since Congressman Blunt has held office. His office is open to all and keeps in touch with the people he represents. Plus, he maintains the respect of those he works with in Washington. With these qualifications we fell Roy Blunt will be the best choice to represent us and the state of Missouri in the U.S. Senate.

The "Outdoors" section of the Oct. 29 edition of "News- Leader" was very disturbing to me. On the front page, I was at first attracted to the picture of a handsome crow, but then read how to go about killing crows for a tasty treat.

Adapt, change and focus. A new Springfield mantra? We like it.

Do CBO estimates provide cover for political power brokers? Don't agree? Well, I wouldn't have either until I found out how this "non-partisan" government agency -- commonly knows as the CBO -- is designed to work.

Thousands of Missouri seniors, like my mother Betty Anne, rely on Medicare for their health care. However, if Medicare remains on the same course as it is today, it will run out of money by 2017 and seniors may be without coverage.