Dear Editor,
Eric Schmitt has spent his career in politics making life harder for everyday Missouri families. He turned his back on family farms when he voted to let Communist China oligarchs buy up Missouri farmlands. He has continually attacked our unions and during his time as a representative, repeatedly voted to gut collective bargaining protections.
He’s on board with the published National GOP 2023 Budget which 1. Makes retirees ineligible for Social Security who have a pension, a 401K, IRA’s or collect veterans’ disability benefits. They consider it “double dipping” (never mind that we paid into it our entire working lives); 2. Raising the Medicare age to 70 and ending it when we reach 90; 3. Tax Disabled Veterans Benefits; 4. Tax employer sponsored health care plans (that YOU will pay for). All this is justified by saying “It’s a path for a bright future for our children and grandchildren.” That’s it – no facts – no figures. And let us not forget Schmitt filed a lawsuit to let health insurance companies charge Missouri women and seniors more for healthcare.
When Roe v. Wade was overturned, it took him six minutes to make Missouri the first state in the country to enforce an extreme, out-of-touch trigger ban on abortion with no exceptions and yet, per MO Statute 211.447, a rapist can file for parental rights if his victim becomes pregnant. Schmitt will protect the rapist's right to do so. He’s also on board with restricting hysterectomies, women’s contraceptives, and treatment of miscarriages. I’d like to see the law that says a man must practically bleed out before a doctor can lawfully treat him.
Schmitt has taken thousands in gifts from lobbyists and campaign contributions from out of state special interests. He went to Florida twice using Missouri donations for out-of-state fundraisers. Schmitt sold out Missouri schools, Missouri unions, Missouri working families and Missouri's most vulnerable. He sold out the people he swore to represent.
Jacqueline Farr
Chair
Benton County
Democratic Party
* * *
Dear Editor,
Let’s applaud our City Manager, Randy Pogue.
Most citizens don’t realize how much planning, time, boots on the ground, and money it takes to position any community to the top of the state. Grants we have received over these 23 years are because of Randy; when others go home, he has been writing grants on his kitchen table AFTER work, and quite successfully!
These grants are one difference, then he utilizes our hard working city employees to do things that other cities hire out and say they can’t afford.
Appreciate our Christmas lights downtown on Main Street and the Drake Harbor community effort.
FYI: The MO chapter of the American Planning Association named Warsaw’s downtown and Drake Harbor Recreation Area Trails as one of the Great Places in MO” in 2020.
In addition Warsaw was named one of the 12 best communities in the nation by the National Complete Streets Coalition and the 2019 Governor. Did you know we were awarded $3.25 million in financial assistance to the city for upgrades to the city’s drinking water system. ‘Eat your heart out’ you in the Western U.S. struggling with having any water while we have the Harry Truman Dam separating 2 of the largest and most beautiful MO lakes with Lost Valley Fish Hatchery, the largest state owned fish hatchery to fill them.
Next time you are visiting with a city employee, Mayor Eddie Simons, Chamber Executive Director Mac Vorce or Randy Pogue; give them a standing ovation for finished projects you get to enjoy every day.
We live all year while others take off a week or two to vacation here, and now you know whom to thank.
Maybe he deserves a raise?
Don Grove
RPh
