Letter to the Editor

Your View 2/10: Holden backer

Monday, February 10, 2003

I am a former resident of Sikeston, and I have recently started to read your columns online. It seems that you are doing a good job of getting your right-wing ideology out to the readers; however, there is a different viewpoint that you are not giving your readers during your Democrat-bashing opinions.

First of all, Gov. Holden did not propose to cut education; he proposed to borrow from the tobacco settlement fund. The threat to cut from education was a negotiating tool with the Republican-controlled general Assembly who was dragging their feet on dealing with the budget crisis. The Republican's plan is the first alternative to the governor's plan since the Assembly has been in session. All of the rest of their statements have been criticisms without a single suggestion. The Republican plan is a decent start, but where will they get the funds for the remainder of the$1 billion budget deficit. I am sure Republicans have a lot of suggestions for more government programs helping the poor and elderly to be cut, but I am happy we have a governor who would rather take other steps before reducing beneficial government programs.

Kenneth King Columbia, Mo.