E-Newsletters

Thomas Jefferson is best remembered as the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence. He also served as third President of the United States, the second Vice President of the United States, the first Secretary of State and the Governor of Virginia. He knew a thing or two about how government works.

Many of us had a teacher in our life that made a difference. Someone who took the extra time to make sure we understood the lesson or someone who helped us find a hidden talent. A good teacher can make all the difference in a child's life.

Another school year has begun in Missouri and around the nation. We should be proud that our state has set some of the toughest standards for teachers and students to meet.

In 2001, Congress passed landmark education legislation that put an emphasis on accountability. It was a way to measure our schools and make sure that our children were learning. It also allowed states to pinpoint schools and curriculums that were not meeting the challenge of effectively educating our children.

In Northwest Missouri, the water continues its retreat back to the banks of the Missouri River. This past summer will be remembered both for the devastation of this flood and for its duration. It's important that we act now to prevent a repeat of this disaster.

I've often said that Washington, D.C., is 17-square miles of logic free environment. Even so, it's hard to imagine the federal government telling the private sector where it can and cannot create jobs. Yet, that is exactly what the National Labor Relations Board is trying to do.

A Pony Express rider could leave St. Joseph and make it to Sacramento in less than 10 days. Later, the completion of the Pacific Telegraph line ended the need for the express.

In the same way, the United States Postal Service is facing challenging times because technology has evolved. Communication is now instantaneous.

This week we will mark the ten-year anniversary of September 11th. Many of us remember exactly where we were on that day when we heard the terrible news. Like all Americans, I was horrified as I watched television coverage of commercial airliners being turned into missiles and flown into the World Trade Center.