First came the banks looking for a federal rescue plan to stay afloat. Next it was the automakers seeking a bailout. And now state governments say they, too, need emergency federal assistance to remain solvent. ...more

November 17, 2008

First of all, although I voted Republican, I give my full support to President-elect Barack Obama. We will see. A man is judged by his deeds. It will help if we understand the problem. First of all there was 9-11, the three wars, tornadoes, earth quakes, floods and hurricanes (aid to tsunami victims, aid for malaria, AIDS and famine,) two years of Democrats saying how bad things are (how things are perceived becomes reality.) Add crooked Wall Street executives, crooked Congress involved in Fanny Mae-Freddie Mac (their directors also,) greedy people speculating on properties, filling the market with bad paper and you see it is no easy task. It will take the effort of all of us. Citizenship comes with certain responsibilities: you must vote, keep working in spite of all hurdles, and pay your share of taxes, no exceptions. We cannot get free stuff, it all comes at a cost. The more the government pays our way or does stuff for us, the more power it gives the government over us. Was your vote dependent on a tax break or cash stimulus? ...more

November 14, 2008

The scrub habitat that runs down much of the center of Highlands County is home to 26 animal and plant species listed by the federal and state governments as endangered, threatened or species of special concern. ...more

November 12, 2008

In this day of tight budgets, we genealogists have to be selective in the online database subscriptions we can buy. ...more

November 9, 2008

With Congress considering a new spending package to get the economy moving, think tanks and lawmakers are tossing out stimulus proposals faster than their aides can pump out news releases. Here are some outside-the-Beltway ideas to supercharge the nation's economy. ...more

November 4, 2008

Gov. Jeb Bush sold his "Medicaid Reform" plan by convincing lawmakers the managed care program would make it easier for patients to receive care while allowing the state to better control Medicaid's budget. ...more

October 27, 2008

Scott Thompson of Winter Haven has deep roots in Florida citrus and ranching. He is from the third generation citrus growers, cattle ranchers and farmers. ...more

October 12, 2008

As the economy has weakened and citizens have become weary of increased taxes, more pressure is being put on state governments to find "painless" alternatives to fund education, which accounts for the largest category of state expenditures. ...more

October 4, 2008

A. Viston of Port Richey says Suncoast News op-ed page columnist James Hibbs is the fool, not people who support Gov. Sarah Palin. ...more

September 17, 2008

Genealogists are likely to pick up a newspaper in any town where they are paying a visit, conducting business or just passing through. We're after the obituary section, a standard feature in newspapers. ...more

September 14, 2008