Did Ya Know... The Eminence Chapter #93 order of the Eastern Star meets today at 7:30 p.m. at the Masonic Temple on 7th and Maple.

Did Ya Know... A gift certificate book is being offered by MGCB Company on behalf of the Carthage Chamber. For details, call 358-4850.

Did Ya Know... Storytime will be at 6:30 p.m. today at the Carthage Library. Wednesday storytime begins at 10:30 a.m.

Professor: Why the quotation marks all over this paper?

Student: Courtesy to the man on my right, professor.

The best thing about telling the truth is that you don’t have to remember what you said.

I had a terrible fight with my wife. I said, "You know, you’re going to drive me to my grave." In two minutes she had the car in front of the house.

1st Man: A big crab bit off one of my toes.

2nd Man: Really, which one?

1st Man: How do I know? All them crabs look alike.

Thieves In West Carthage.

Residents of That Quarter Are Waiting for Them With Loaded Guns.

Sneak thieves have been having things all their own way in that section of Carthage west of the Missouri Pacific railroad, according to reports. Two attempts have been made to force an entrance into Harvey Castor’s grocery store on West Chestnut street, but the thieves have been frightened away both times. Several barns, cellars, etc., have also been entered and various supplies taken. One house was entered in broad daylight when the family was away and a pocketbook containing a small amount of change taken. The residents of that section are now keeping a sharp lookout and it is highly probable that some nocturnal prowler will get a load of shot in his anatomy if the thieving continues.

Commentary

Martin "Bubs" Hohulin

State Representative, District 26

Hang on everyone, the General Assembly is back in session! We went back in on the 7th of Jan. and will be here until mid-May. There have been a variety of issues emerge and I will do my best to keep you up to date on what is happening. There are some issues, which can expect broad, bipartisan support. Others may find the going a little tougher. One such issue is the Governor’s proposed Medicaid waiver.

Regular readers of this column remember me saying that the best way to pass a bad piece of legislation is to say it is "for the kids." Whether it is of any real benefit to Missouri’s children or not is of no real importance. Just by saying it is, is sure to label anyone that opposes it as a troll, ogre, obstructionist, or right-wing extremist. This proposed Medicaid waiver is a perfect example.

As you know, Medicaid is the health care arm of the welfare system. It is originated by the Federal government and administered by the states. For years, taxpaying citizens have been pleading with Congress to reform welfare. That is, to spend less and quit giving handouts to people that can, but won’t work. Unfortunately, under forty years of Democrat rule in Congress, the spending just kept ballooning with no end in sight. Finally, with the Republican majority, Congress has managed to at least start the long road toward true reform. Don’t misunderstand me; I don’t know of anyone that wants to cut off aid to those that really need it. The problem is the benefits going to those that just choose to sponge off the system. One of the cornerstones of the new system is the reduction and elimination of money to those that can work. What a concept; work or don’t eat! Unfortunately, Gov. Carnahan, the man who raised your taxes more than any governor in the history of Missouri, all in the name of the children, has other ideas.

Recently he has applied for a waiver from the Medicaid rules so that kids in homes with an income of THREE TIMES the poverty level may be extended Medicaid. Now how can anyone argue against health care for kids. I’m telling you right now that I can and will. Under his plan a family of three, living in Missouri can earn $39,000.00 annually and qualify for Medicaid. Folks, as legislators, we earn $28,000.00. We would qualify for welfare under Gov. Carnahan’s proposal! This is just another part of Bill’s, Hillary’s, and Mel’s womb to tomb government entitlement mentality. But wait, it gets worse. If you live in certain school districts in the state where average incomes are low, it doesn’t matter how much you earn, you would still qualify. It doesn’t matter how you look at this. From a moral, ethical, fiscal, you name it, angle, this is just wrong. Haven’t these people ever heard of personal responsibility? Or do they have so little faith in the citizens of this great state that they don’t think they can survive without the kindness and generosity of Jefferson City? I happen to have more faith in the people of Missouri than that. When the day comes that people have to wake up and face east to Washington D. C. or look to the middle of the state to Jefferson City for their happiness and reason for living is the day that I know I’ve been beaten. I happen to think, no, I KNOW, the people of Missouri are better than that. If we in Jefferson City will get out of their way, stop taxing them to death, quit regulating every aspect of their lives, and give them some credit for being able to think for themselves, that this state and its people will prosper beyond our wildest imaginations. Was this country founded and made into the greatest nation in the world by people that sat around and waited for the government to take care of their every need? Somewhere Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin and many others must be shaking their heads and asking themselves, ‘Tell me again how they got so far away from the principles that we founded the country on.’

I guess I kind of went over my usual length of my column, but I get downright irate when I see anyone, especially those in power trying to undermine this great state and country with a proposal that isn’t in anyone’s interest except the government’s. I will not stand quietly by while the Governor tries to drag everyone down to the level of the lowest and least when we can just as easily strive to reach our brightest and best.

As usual, I can be reached at House Post Office, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101, or 1-800-878-7126, or mhohulin@services.state.mo.us for your questions, comments, or advice.

As the ice began to settle in last Saturday, there seemed ta be a mad rush for necessities at the local merchants. I heard from one clerk that there seemed ta be a fear of runnin’ out of toilet tissue. I’m sure other commodities were stocked up on also, that one just seemed ta be most apparent.

The days of stockin’ up the root cellar or the pantry for the winter have long past. With taday’s movement toward "just in time" delivery of products, most stores are critically dependent on trucks movin’ in on a daily basis to keep stock on the shelves.

I’m sure there are still some who have the security of a few day’s provisions tucked away, but if last weekend’s little ice storm is any indication, we’ve all learned the just in time management style.

‘Course the some folks in the northeast part of the country got a real shutdown. Losin’ power and such. At least here folks could spend a few warm hours inside watchin’ the playoff games.

This is some fact, but mostly, Just Jake Talkin’.

by McCune Brooks Hospital

Health Notes

In many societies, a new mother is never left alone to deal with these new demands on her. At any given time, one or two of her female relatives will be with her until she can handle things on her own. And even then, they’re always on call when needed.

Most women in this country no longer can count on a female relative to drop everything and help her adjust to her new situation. Some medical authorities claim that being thrust into a new and demanding environment causes some women to escape the harsh reality by withdrawing into post-partum depression.

In the United States, hospitals are encouraged to send patients home early because insurers have put a cap on hospital stays, barring unforeseen emergencies. In England, the shorter hospital stay is also based on saving money; in this case, keeping costs as low as possible under the National Health Service.

However, in England, new mothers can depend on a daily visit from midwives. These visits continue for the first 10 days after giving birth. The midwives will return later in response to a request from the new mother.

Studies have shown that the support and care given to these new mothers by the midwives has helped reduce anxieties, which may often be caused by sheer, simple, exhaustion.

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