This is to "No Griping"
Its true in the last 2 years we have had an increase in our ssi and ss checks. It was $20 each year, also those years-when we got the $20 raise, $40 in foodstamps was taking away each year and our 'spend down' went up. So actually, when we do get a raise the state government takes more away. So - i am not complaining much, because i can eat and buy my medication all next year!

To the editor
Yes we received a public education, however, not everyone was bused, we did not have "school security with cars", we did not have air conditioning, computers, and the excessive non essentials that todays "students" must have as deemed by there over indulged parents. Prudent use of public money has been done away with now as the current "empty suit " in the white house extols, the government cannot take care of us and redistribution of wealth is not democracy or the American way.

Fooled once ....There are many things that could have affected the mans decision to leave the same day ....did you ever think that possibly the man hadent eaten in a couple days, hunger makes the mind work in strange ways sometimes... or maybe he is trying to save up a little more money to give someone for a ride as 7 dollars is only 3 gallons of gas and a person going that distance is more likely to get a ride if they can give like 25or 30 dollars ..you may have helped him in more ways than you think ,,it was nice of you ,and I commend you for your thoughtfull gesture no matter how he spent it... To bad there arent more folks like you in this world!!

77cod - Tell me how a computer is non-essential...

Hey Fool Me once,

God saw what you done for that man. Please do not be discouraged in doing good. You have a good heart! The world needs people like you! What he did with the money you gave him is on him. God sees all. We reap what we sew, and it seems like you will have a great harvest!

As time passes society progresses. Certainly in 1935 the educational standards had risen significantly from the standards of say 1840. Sciences, mathematics, models of business, and home management, all progressed greatly in those 75 years and schools adapted to that progress by changing curriculum and methods of teaching new ideas and new technologies. By the same token schools today, in the 75 years since 1935 must deal with and prepare children for the progression society has made. To say at this point in civilization that computers are excessive non essentials is surely from someone who's head has been buried in the sand for decades. Air conditioning? Our schools are not air conditioned. Perhaps a portion of each building is thanks to the capital improvements made to each school a few years ago, certainly not all. These essential computers require an air conditioned area to run efficiently.
I am tired of "it was good enough for me." Sir or Madam, was Polio good enough for you also? Was an automobile running on leaded gasoline good enough for you? Was debilitating hip and other joint ailments good enough for you? Strides that have improved the quality of life have been made thanks to schools continually moving forward with the developments and progression of civilization. They should, and they will.

AMEN MUSIC4602!!!! The selfishness of some in this town can be very discouraging. In my opinion this is one of the reasons why this levy will fail. We have too many seniors who are unwilling to adequately support our school system. I understand times are tough, they are tough on everyone. This no excuse to punish the children of this community. This mentality of "it was good enough for me" has got to stop. Many, if not all, took advantage of all the services offered by the district when they were in school or had school aged children. But now it is not worthy of their financial support?

The same people being called selfish are the reason the schools have moved forward over the years. What..you paid for anything the schools have by yourself? Alot of the "selfish" people were told in 1985 if they vote for the lottery..it will be all good. Schools will look like palaces, all state of the art and no worries about money for them. Last year , lottery sales were at an all time high (go to a local convienient store and see for yourself), but here we are once more ,bickering over the schools desperately needing money. Guess they lied huh? And I would back off the "think of the chidren" crap, that is what they used, and it is getting old. People voted this down the first time and are tired of the money "THEY" provide because the Lottery doesn't, being used for things they don't agree with. Calling people selfish for voting against something is lame. At least they are discussing thier views and concerns which are answered with..your selfish, child haters, dumb..etc...now who is really holding the schools back??

Your State Government lied as to how they would appropriate the funds gained from the lottery, not the district, nor the taxpayers.

I completely agree that the lottery was a farce from day 1. IF 'They" had followed through on what "They" said the lottery monies would go towards then "They" (us taxpayers and the schoold districts of the state of Missouri, would indeed be in better financial condition than "They" are.

Really? The newspress from 1985 is not available online. But I remember reading the same crap I am reading now. Think of the children, this is a great idea. If you catch the Library on an open day, see if they have an archive. Then you can burst out laughing at what was promoted, and what the funds from the lottery would do for our schools.

77cod, yup back in the day they had luxuries like paper because slate boards got old fashioned. Of course, they were a great improvement over stone tablets.

Rk- In 1985 I was not old enough to vote, I am sorry someone pulled the wool over your eyes and tricked you into voting for something that was not real. What is real is the financial strain on our district if we do not pass a levy. You can talk about all the things that you perceive are wrong with our district and the people that operate our district, all valid opinions. But to force our schools into a financially stressed district is inexcusable. You cannot deny that our operating levy is one of the lowest in the state. You cannot deny that our school district has been a good steward of our tax dollars. I have spent hours looking at the financials and there are no glaring indiscretions. What the financials tell you and the district will not tell you is that in 5 years the district is going to have to increase the $.63 levy to $2.85. Are we voting for the correct levy – absolutely not – however, every day without the levy we loose revenue that will take increases in future levies to catch up (In looking at the numbers I agree the levy should be $1.08 without a sunset clause).

I also get tired of the slant that voting against the levy is voting against our children because it is so much more than that, it is a vote against everyone in our city and a vote against the future of our community.

Editor....in broad sweeping language, what you conclude is of course absolutely correct.

But, I would suggest that different times produced significantly different "rights". Todays children indeed have sisgnificantly greater "entitlements" A matter of intepretation.

I would concede we (senior citizens) did have certain significant "entitlements" that todays children are depreived of.......

For instance, we had Christmas programs....real ones. You now they were actually based on Christmas. We sang Christmas carols....real ones. We had Christmas scenes...Jesus, Mary & Joseph and all the Wisemen.

And the Jewish kids were part of it all and there was no bickering and it was all wholesome. In the end they were the lucky ones...they got more holidays that the others.

We got to say God bless this nation without a law suit.

And, we started the day with the pledge of Allegiance and actually said "under God".

We were blessed that there was no ACLU and if there had been , at that time, they would have been more appropriately dealt with.

We didn't have such foolishness as "hate crimes"....we were all equal so hurting any of us was all the same.

Later when we grew up and went in the service we were allowed to defend our country.....there were no "rules of engagement" to protect the people trying to hurt our country. And the Germans and Japs that were captured were put in crummy prisions and left to rot. No one was concerned about their rights.

There were probably pedohiles around and if there were they were handled promptly and summarily. Don't bother to register...you won't be around long.

Most folks earned there keep then.....there wasn't 50% or more who didn't pay any taxes.

And, scum bags who cheated on their income tax went to jail not to Washington to head up the IRS.

Sorry Mr. Editor, rights were a little different when todays seniors were growing up....and it was a better world and it sure wasn't "Politically Correct"

boz. you know the actual date that funding will be restored to the district if this levy passes.

you know that this levy will not even expire before the district's reserves are below the acceptable level.

i completely agree with you that the district is doing a good job of managing the finances and have publicly complimented ms pullen on her expertise.

this is why the NO in NOvember vote is not only acceptable.... it is vital to restoring the Correct Amount in a Permanent levy.

Fully Fund our schools.

77cod....times change andso do the needs. Indulgent parents have computers because it's a standard. Teachers require typed pages, internet has more informational services that any libiary in any of our times, the use of computers and their programs is standard for 80% of jobs now. If you don't want to pay the tax, tha's fine but don't cop out by saying the schools don't need what they have. Times change, so must your thinking.

EVERYONE should get after their state legislators for the lottery funds deal. While it is true they put gaming revenue in public education is is also true that like amounts have been cut from the education budget from the general revenue pool. Every school district and taxpayer in the state should be up in arms over this. It wasn't the school districts or taxpayers that pulled the wool over our eyes, it's the politicians.

I was barely old enough to vote..and had no kids. But the Lottery sounded like a win/win. We get to enjoy gambling while our schools would be top notch without constant taxes. How is it working out? And trust me...that wasn't the only wool pulling going on in the last 25 years, or now.

And you want to berate local business that is against the tax, how about KCPL giving 5k to the pro tax group? KCPL says we need a rate increase..we need another..your light bill will be more this year..and now , we are supporting a tax with the money we got from the increase to make sure you pay more in taxes. This crap will never end unless people stand up and say enough is enough!!

The school issue is just a small part of people being sick and tired of being tapped from taxes that go up every year or new ones imposed. This one will pass, and new ones imposed this year. Next year will be more taxes and bond issues and give us more and more while we make sure one group has what they want and to hell with the others, and we piss away money at will.

I don't know what you think you were sold on the lottery but the numbers just don't add up to support your assertions. For Fiscal Year 2010 elementary and secondary schools get about 194,00,000 which about 1.5 times the SJSD budget. And this amount is spread across the entire state. There is about 40 million going to higher education. The reality is that if you took every single dollar bet it would be nowhere near enough.

lbc...so if I am reading your words right, you do not disagree with your granschildren in school participating in a Muslim, Jewish or Satanic holiday program in school, or having to at least sit through a program. If we give one religion we must allow the same for each established and represented religion in our schools.
I should also think the ACLU is bad because as you said "we are all equal". I see that in your day not allowing someone the same rights and privlidges based upon skin color was common pratice. The "evil" ACLU helped to end black voters being turned away from polling stations because they could not pass certain "tests"; the same "tests" many whites could not pass, yet were still able to vote. The same era the said blacks and whites could not drink from the same water fountians. Tell me how exactly how they should be delt with?
How we have treated POW's in past wars has not always lived up to the values this nation claims to hold dear. In one stentence you claim to love you God and support your religion, yet in the next you condone and express your fondness to treat others with less than humane treatment. You have your values and religion on the same level which places your morality on the line. The bible you read from preaches love, forgivness, and good will. However the words you speak are full of hate, violence, murder, conduct unbecomming and less than godly.

***don't know what you think you were sold on the lottery but the numbers just don't add up to support your assertions. ***

My assertions? I know what I was told in 86 and what the Newspress printed.I just didn't pull that out of my butt. There was no mention of all the money going to the general fund for the legislature to piss away. That is why Amendment 11 was passed in 1992.So it would soley go for education..the problem is, the politicians still see fit to do what they want with it. And helping the SJSD sure as hell isn't a priority. Buildings for higher education? You mean like sports arenas at MU?

When Missouri passed its lottery in
1985, it required that at least 45 percent of all proceeds go to the state, and the number went as high as 52
percent. Legislators revised the law, and now the state gets about 30 percent of proceeds. (more like 20 percent)

Total sales so far in 2009?? 958 million. Will easily reach 1 BILLION by January. Following the original BS of 50 percent going to schools, That would be 500 million a year. You could select 100 districts with the most pressing needs and give them 5 million...each. And repeat the next year. Instead..we get to argue over bonds, close schools, and money going to some scholarships, or some college. You add up those assertions.

77Cod
thats like saying you shouldnt of been able to use a calculater because not all of the kids who went to school before you got to have one. you are way out of touch if you do not see how a computer is important when it comes to education.

as for the small print call in i find it a little funny that everyone is so upset that seniors didnt get a cost of living raise but when the teachers lost there's everyone thought it was for the best. my guess would be most of those teachers have more dependents than any senior and while i do understand there are costs that come along with being a senior (medications and such) i also know that there is just as much cost with having a family.

tyde......you do have a way of twisting my words and thoughts but like most liberals, you end up the same place....name calling and ssserting "hate".

I will clarify a couple distortions....

Our Christmas plays were pretty solid. They espoused primarily Christian values and I noticed the Jewish folks had no problem with Christian values (just like I certainly respect Jewish values) We didn't have Muslims and I have to tell you I find your reference to satanic practices in a religious context offensive.

I'm sure the ACLU would like to take credit for civil rights. Query....did they even exist then. They sure didn't have any visibility and I would say they were a non-factor. It was substantially effected by the same folks who like the Christmas programs.

My personal view is that the Muslim program (Sihira law from the Koran) is totally inconsistent with Christian values. It is simply stupid to attempt to compromise and "Live together". I find the Muslims I know that are fine upstanding folks don't seem to practice that religion. They are somewhat apathic. If they pursued their religion with the fervor of those in the middle east we would have the same violence...and you see that happening throughout Europe. Personally I would prefer they simply stay in their world and allow us to live as we choose. Comming to our Country to partake of our prosperity doesn't sit well with me.

On POWs I'm not the least bit uncomfortable with what we did and incidentally you'll notice that is when we won wars and protected our values. You can't have it both ways...please choose one.

Slavery was indeed wrong. Remember it was initiated by BLACK slave traders in Africa and got a foothold in the US for a time but ultimately that mistake (like many others) was indeed corrected by good people We all make mistakes and we did. It has now been over corrected. We have the race card, affirmative action, inferred quotas and many other prejudicial actions that are nothing other than discriminatin, abit "reverse discrimination". That too will change.

Your conclusions that my preferences and my religious values are conflicting are simply wrong. I assure you I am not a Teddy Kennedy (and his relatives) that espouse killing children (calling it abortion) and then buying a big Catholic funeral.

"Make them Pay" is not worth this long debate. Those who argue that public funding should not pay for schools, yet are waiting at the mail box for their social security check has lost all basis of argumment. Again, those who wish less goverment are those who recieve the most from goverment - one last comment - the schools for the most part are still not air conditioned.

lbc... I was not twisting your words just givig you my understanding of tem. While I understand you displesure with some let me first say, I have reread my words and do notsee where I did any bit of naecalling. I did not hit below the belt in anyway nor did I say hateful words and I surly did not cll you out of your name. Something alsodid not do was bring up the argument o salvry. Salvery was and is wrong yes. I don't understand why you had to drag hat in this converstaion?
I may seem liberal to you but that goes to others besides myself. I belve in fair treatment for all and inclusion on of all. While you may say you find my referene t a santaic cult as a religion to be offenive; it proves a point that I pointed out in my first comment. If we allow one to do something with their religion we must allow. I am not in favor of satanic worships in school as religion has it's own place, wheras I feel the same about, christian, muslim, and jewish religious events in school. We ae a diverse country and ye that menas attimes we have to realise there are other views than our own and yes sometimes that means we hve o take a step back and look fromt he other side.
As a vet I understand your views on POW's but if you knowyur UCMJ and pay attention to the treatmet of POW's in the Geniva COntact you willsee your views violate the law. It is illegalto mistreat a POW. NO IF's and BUTT's about it. Yes I know it's war and I know things have to be done towin a war but it's still not right and those who commit such acts should be delt with. If your son or daughter was in the military, captured by the enemy and treated the same as you support; I wonder how you would feel about it then? And no that was not me wishing harm on your child, it's that whole step ack thing I mentioned.

I looked up he informationadn teh ACLU was started in 1920.

Sorry I can't help but to say this, to seniors who complain about what the young now have and how the world was better back when. Keep in mind without "advancement of medicine, most likly half of you would have never seen your grandchildren. We at times forget positive advancements as we romance days gone by, keep in mind many of those days were hard.

I proposed a secular humanism winter program at my school... it didn't work out so well. It was going to be a really good program covering the basic tenants of secular humanism:

* Need to test beliefs – A conviction that dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious, political or social, must be weighed and tested by each individual and not simply accepted on faith.
* Reason, evidence, scientific method – A commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence and scientific methods of inquiry, rather than faith and mysticism, in seeking solutions to human problems and answers to important human questions.
* Fulfillment, growth, creativity – A primary concern with fulfillment, growth and creativity for both the individual and humankind in general.
* Search for truth – A constant search for objective truth, with the understanding that new knowledge and experience constantly alter our imperfect perception of it.
* This life – A concern for this life and a commitment to making it meaningful through better understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual and artistic achievements, and the outlooks of those who differ from us.
* Ethics – A search for viable individual, social and political principles of ethical conduct, judging them on their ability to enhance human well-being and individual responsibility.
* Building a better world – A conviction that with reason, an open exchange of ideas, good will, and tolerance, progress can be made in building a better world for ourselves and our children.

"Under God" added in 1954.

Entitlement of today...hmmm. Kind of like how the population that is on it now believed that was the only retirement plan they would ever need.

Racism and slavery,
You could beat the hell out of your wife,
smack your kids around...
yep those were the good old days.

Really, the good old days aren't nearly as good as you remember. Senility always seems to soften the edges, doesn't it.

I am still fascinated by this blame game. The young blame the old. They're cheap. The old blame the young. They're soft. But nobody seems to want to deal with reality. Here are a few for you.... There are around ll00 staff members in SJSD. If all were registered in St. Joseph, Mo., and voted for this, it is reasonable to assume there should be at least l800 votes for it. Now the fact that [as of last school year] roughly 20% to l/3 of them did not live in St. Joseph, does seem to make it a problem. With over ll,000 children in this school district, if the parents of these children thought that these schools were doing a good job, I would think that the school district ought to be able to garner at least 5,000 more votes. From other comment sections, it has been stated that Heartland has a rather large presence on the Task Force. I don't know how many employees Heartland has, who have homes in the city limits or who can legally vote for the levy, but if Heartland Health is truly behind this levy, I would think there should be enough votes for this issue to pass. I assume there are SJSD personnel who are posting now. My suggestion to you would be to talk to those in your buildings. Ask them how they are voting, and if they tell you no, ask THEM why not. If they have the courage to be honest, you may learn a lot of important things. If you do not get positive responses to that question, how can you expect the voters to support you?

tyde......well at least your nick-picking, You clearly accuse me of "hate, violence, murder, conduct unbecomming and less than godly. Ok so there's no noun. But the adjectives speak to your intent.

To cut through it, I am not in favor of "diversity". I am not one of those who thinks this nation is about welcoming folks in and turning it over to them. I would welcome them in and welcome them to enjoy our culture.....not change it

And, along that line we have a serious problem with Muslims. Those who buy the Koran hook, line and sinker frankly have no place in the United States. Their beliefs , culture and intent is totally inconsistent with what I consider ours to be. I don't think women are second class citizens....that have to cover their skin (eyeballs excepted), etc. etc. It's silly to think you can reconcile those differences....Israel is a good example. all they do is fight all the time. Why not just say thanks but no thanks. If you want Sihria law, stay where you are.

And, as far as I'm concerned Satanic practices have no place around here. Period. I flatass don't respect those practices and see no possible value in our society.

I believe we are a Judeo-Christian nation like Thomas Jefferson and the others clearly spell out in every document and carved into every building in Washington. Lets quit dancing around and playing games.

I don't think those folks have the right to come to the US....enjoy our prosperity and change our way of thinking, of believing and of living..

It sounds like you approve of those who (if they happen to be cictizens) took the Oath....were disingenous and when it came time to be Americans they decided to scream "diversity"

On POWs I guess I happen to agree with FDR...Harry Truman...General McArthur, General Eisenhower, General Patton....not with the patsys we have re-intepreting all the guidelines. If all those folks were violating the Geneva Convention, so be it....I will to (but I obviously don't agree with the current intepretation) I think I'm keeping better company than agreeing with John Kerry, Obama and Eric HOlder

In case you haven't noticed every American son and daughter that has been captured by an enemy....starting with the Germans in WWI have indeed been mistreated. Tell me how kind and gentle the Bataan death march was. tell Daniel Pearl's parents how we should respect the Geneva Convention. Does reality have a place in this world.

You probably wouldn't like my partial answer for pedofiles....a big tatoo on their forehead...to protect our children and make is reaaaal easy to identify them while still in running distance away from their grasp.

Lastly, you brough up the ACLU & black voters....not me. I stand by my observations. They seem quite reasonable and logical.

Our founding fathers were deist, not christians.

I find your opinion about muslims to be far from the truth. I lived with quite a few muslims in my college dorm. They were very devoted to their religion and very peaceful, respectful people. They would pray at various times during the day, without becoming a nuisance to those around them, as opposed to the christians on campus that would shove pamplets in your face about how you are going to burn in hell without christ and rant about damnation for all non believers at speaker circle. Not once in my four years there did I see a muslim shoving their religion in other people's face.

lbc...while I did bring up ACLU and some of the things they have done I never mentioed slavery. AS far as the name calling, please go back and once again read my words what I said was "However the words you speak are full of hate, violence, murder, conduct unbecomming and less than godly." I do not see how that is name calling. I feel that that two wrongs do not make a right. If we expect others in the word to treat us the same if we aare POW we must show the same respect to other when they are our POW's. Once again I bring you back to religion, we live in a free counrty and we need to allow all religions to enjoy freedom of religion, weather you like their religion or not. I may not care for some of the religions out there but I am not going to say that they can not preatice their religion., Don't forget that this is how our country was founded; on the FREEDOM of religion. So may times we do not take a step back and look at this from another side. In responce to your remark of our nation not changing what do you think has happened from day one that imigrants started comming here. SOme of the best things our country has has come fromt eh countless individuals that have decide to call America their home. Each of us brings a little of who we are into this world, into this country and it has made it what it is today. If we forget who we are as a people from where we came from what roots do we really have in the long run, each religion nd cultrue intoducted to America has brough a peice fo who they are to make us who we as a collective nation have become.