Economy

Ruth McPherson of Danville and Linda Damrell of Junction City are regular customers at the Salvation Army Thrift Store and the Goodwill Industries store in Danville. They shop there for slightly different reasons but reasons that are linked to the economy. McPherson, a homemaker as well as factory worker, is a thrift store shopper mainly because she likes to look for bargains. But with the downturn in the economy and growing expenses at home, she now is looking for ways to cut costs while still providing her two children the clothing they need.

Dear Editor, I find it trite that Roger Bowman included "former pain killer addict" in his remarks regarding Rush Limbaugh. To mention it is obviously an attempt to denigrate Mr. Limbaugh as well as to those who listen and enjoy his entertaining radio show. But let's look at the whole picture. President Obama is a former drug user, including cocaine. President Bush II is a former alcoholic. President Clinton is a former stoner. And how many of President Obama's suggested cabinet members are former taxpayers?

The questions: 1. Who are you supporting in the upcoming presidential election? 2. What is the single most important issue facing the country today? 3. Which issue matters most to you personally? 4. If you were given the opportunity to say anything to all of the candidates, what would you say? The students: Alonda Calder 18/Senior Lincoln County High School Democrat Calder: 1. McCain, because he is against abortion and raising taxes.

Dear Editor, I would like to address a letter written by L.C. Brown in The Advocate-Messenger on April 16. It needs to be remembered that when the Japanese automakers were putting the hurt on the American automakers, President Reagan let them know they would either start making their product in America, and create jobs here in America, or he would tariff the dickens out of their product. So, for all of those who like to shout "Reagan" when thinking of free trade, keep in mind he knew we had to keep jobs in America.

Any proposal in Congress labeled "bipartisan" in an election year should send a wise person running to lock up the house, the kids and the wallet. In the middle of a tightly drawn presidential campaign with the most diverse range of candidates in the nation's history, finding something they all agree on is, well, unbelievable. And so it is that almost all of the candidates believe that it is incumbent on government to fight off the chance of a recession by "injecting cash into the economy.

WASHINGTON - Early in George W. Bush's presidency, liberal critics said: The economy is not growing. Which was true. He inherited the debris of the 1990s' irrational exuberances. A brief (eight months) and mild (the mildest since World War II) recession began in March 2001, before any of his policies were implemented. It ended in November 2001.In 2002, when his tax cuts kicked in and the economy began 65 months - so far - of uninterrupted growth, critics said: But it is a "jobless recovery.

Aug. 20, 1985 Mr. and Mrs. David Rogers and John Tabor, all of Clark County, have been approved for certification in the America Tree Farm System. They were presented Tree Farm signs for display on their lands and received and received certification for contributing to a better economy through tree farming. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Alan Martin and children Curtis and Cameron have returned to their home in Sidell, La., following a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Willis Martin and Mr. and Mrs. Glenn C. Hatton at their homes here.

Steve Becker of Danville and his wife, Mimi, have three kids in college, which can put a strain on any family's budget. But Becker says he and his wife are getting their own "personal stimulus package" by the beginning of summer. Two of their children are graduating this spring, leaving only one, a freshman, still in college. So the Beckers feel they now have a little more room in their budget to pay for their vacation plans. "We are taking a trip overseas, and we are able to do so by taking advantage of some very big bargains and by budgeting carefully," Becker said.

Dear Editor, I too am glad to see the era of George W. Bush ending, if for no other reason than to put an end to the ridiculous writings of Roger Bowman. I am 100 percent in favor of dissent. However, when comments such as criminal activity, violating the Constitution, and an illegal war are constantly written, one eventually tends to wonder about the intelligence of the writer. Of course, I guess we will get to read what a wonderful job President-elect Obama is doing after Jan. 20. Unlike the Bush bashers, who would prefer a war go bad as well as the economy, purely for political reasons, I hope that President Obama succeeds in bringing the economy back to where it was during the first six years of the Bush administration and creating world peace.

Dear Editor, In her letter to the editor, in The Advocate-Messenger on April 29, Kristy Bean of Liberty is absolutely correct. We keep seeking newer sources of oil when we should be seeking replacements for it. No matter how many finds we make, we will use it up and run out eventually. Even Kentucky coal is not limitless - but it may well be a better alternative than oil for many energy needs. If we had established a real program to become oil-independent back in the 1970s, we'd be there now. As it is, we will have gas at $4 a gallon (and that's if we're lucky)