One of the leading controversies on the Sunday TV talk shows was the appropriateness of the government imposing limits on the executive compensation packages of those corporations which have been bailed out with tax funds. A moment's reflection on the fact that the taxpayer now stands in the place of the stockholder as the owner of these companies should be a sufficient justification for these limits. Stockholders, as the owners of a corporation, originally set the compensation of its officers and employees, but over the years, the officers and boards of directors, through a series of strategies, wrested control from the stockholders and, treating the companies as their own, set their own compensations without regard for the wishes of the true owners, the stockholders. Their view? If you don't like it, sell you stock. A board room "coup de corps!" ...more

October 27, 2009

While it was interesting to read the article on the first page of the Business section concerning Morris Funeral Chapel becoming a certified "veterans provider," it seems to lead readers to believe that this site might be the only such organization in Highlands County to provide such services to veterans and their families. ...more

October 26, 2009

Like many of you, I drive around the county seven days a week. Traffic lights are everywhere. ...more

October 24, 2009

President Obama campaigned on much-needed job creation, which should be his top priority given the several million good-paying jobs that were off-shored during the Clinton and Bush years, as well as the United States' trade deficit and debt. ...more

October 8, 2009

How nice that our president met with the king of Saudi Arabia. However, it's a good thing he didn't have to show his passport because if he'd been to Israel, he wouldn't have been allowed to enter the country. ...more

June 9, 2009

Well folks, if you were non-believers before March 7, surely you have been converted. I'm referring to the front page of this paper on the above mentioned date. The headline? "Operation Hot Milk." It reported illegals stealing canned baby formula from merchants here in Florida and sending it out of the state for resale. This little operation was costing the merchants here in this state some $2,500 per year. ...more

March 12, 2009

A teenager who pleaded guilty to mugging a blind man was sentenced today to five years in prison and five years of probation. ...more

March 11, 2009

Delmon Young and the Minnesota Twins have agreed to terms on a $1,152,000, one-year contract. ...more

February 13, 2009

In reference to Leonard Pitts's column: Eagerly Awaiting History's Verdict" on Jan. 18: Mr. Pitts, you once again amaze me. Your poison pen strikes again, another liberal left point of view without regard to truth or fairness. ...more

January 21, 2009

While it may be comforting to know that our elected officials in Tallahassee are very concerned regarding the morality of its citizens in regard to gambling, I am at a loss to understand the following: Isn't the Florida Lottery gambling? It is the most easily accessible of all. Every store and gas station, etc. sells them and boy do they sell them! Where is the outrage regarding this? If you seek other forms of gambling most of us have to travel by bus, boat, plane or train out of the state or beyond the three mile limit. Now I certainly have nothing against the Florida Lottery but if the Seminole Casino in Tampa can benefit our state with millions of dollars of needed revenue, why lose it to other states? Of course, we all know that gambling can be abused just like overeating, drinking and buying things we cannot afford, etc. But some things are just plain fun and enjoyed by many, so I say let it be. Also, as you know the Powerball was just introduced to the lottery; I heard no objections to that. ...more

January 10, 2009