Apr 05

Cuba And Missouri: How Would Ending The Embargo Impact The Show Me State?

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April 5, 2015

by Mike Ferguson

(St. Charles, MO) – Is a half century long enough? Would a change to US foreign policy improve business options for farmers in the Show Me State?

The debate happening throughout the country could have a major impact on Missouri.

It’s been over 50 years since the embargo against Cuba began and now leaders in Washington DC and Havana are in talks to end it.

This week, retired US Air Force Lt. Col. Jaime Torres and Dr. Richard Millett of the Foreign Relations Council discuss what that could mean to the nation, to the state and to thousands of Cubans and Cuban-Americans in Missouri now. Because of political and human oppression, thousands of Cuban families have been separated over the years. Still, the island nation is run by a dictatorship and poverty remains widespread.

Many Cuban refugees settled in Missouri and even more Missourians are of Cuban heritage. What would changes mean to them?MWSnap077

Also, Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst explains why he hopes Cuba is fully opened up to the US as a market and why he thinks it will benefit Missouri Farmers. Hurst recently went to Cuba as part of a delegation from our state.

Hurst describes what he saw and why he hopes Cuba will open up as a market for agriculture. He also believes that if that happens, Missouri farmers could be at the front of the line to sell food to Cuba.

What do you think? Should the United States ease or end the embargo on Cuba? What do you think that could mean to Missouri?

We welcome your comments on the “Missouri Viewpoints” Facebook page.

Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/cuba-and-missouri-how-would-ending-the-embargo-impact-the-show-me-state/

Mar 29

Bullying: The Realities, The Myths And The Impact

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March 29, 2015

by Mike Ferguson

(St. Charles, MO) – She knows the loss and the pain that few parents have to experience and she’s working to stop others from suffering through it.

A recent case of violence in a Missouri school has her speaking out again.MWSnap076

Tina Meier, President of the Megan Meier Foundation, discusses the recent high profile case of bullying in Liberty, MO. That’s where a boy who is reportedly diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, was attacked and beaten so badly that he spent several days in a hospital. Among his injuries were a broken jaw, hearing loss and a fractured skull according to media reports.

Meier’s teenage daughter, Megan, took her own life after going through what we now know as “cyberbullying”.

Is there a difference between being a bully and just being rude or being a jerk? Yes. Knowing the difference matters, according to Meier. On this week’s “Missouri Viewpoints” she provides perspective on the realities and the misunderstandings of bullying and also discusses the impact it has on young people and communities. Find out why she believes there needs to be a chance in the law, a change in what school’s teach and a change in the hearts of many parents, classmates and others who are around victims every day.

Meier also offers suggestions for schools, parents and young people on how to deal with bullying when it’s suspected or witnessed.

On the web:

The Megan Meier Foundation: www.MeganMeierFoundation.org

 

 

Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/bullying-the-realities-the-myths-and-the-impact/

Mar 22

Financial Fraud: Protecting Missourians From Crooks

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March 22, 2015

by Mike Ferguson

(St. Charles, MO) – A call. An email. Maybe even a knock at the door.

They come to Missouri’s senior citizens and sometimes result in thousands of dollars lost. It’s a growing problem across the nation. Here in Missouri, both lawmakers and seniors’ advocates are working on ways to protect our older friends and relatives from thieves.MWSnap066

This week, Rep. Mark Parkinson (R) discusses his proposal to change Missouri law in hopes of stopping fraud against senior citizens and the disabled. His bill would give some financial agents more leeway in handling financial accounts and contacting family and authorities when fraud is suspected. If a broker suspects fraud, for instance, his bill would give them the ability to stop some transactions and contact either family or the courts to look into the request.

That idea doesn’t have the support of all advocates for seniors even though they may agree on the overall goal.

MWSnap067

Also, AARP Missouri’s Craig Eichelman describes today’s most common scams that target seniors. He also offers advice on how to spot a con artist and what to do if you think you or a loved one is a target of financial fraud.

AARP offers a free fraud prevention program to all Americans, regardless of age and AARP membership is not required.

Get the details on this week’s program.

On the web:

Rep. Mark Parkinson: http://www.markparkinson.com/

AARP Missouri: http://states.aarp.org/region/missouri/

 

Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/financial-fraud-protecting-missourians-from-crooks/

Mar 15

Should Missouri “Ban The Box”?

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March 15, 2015

by Mike Ferguson

How long should past crimes affect Missourians? Do employers have a right to know about a past criminal history before they decide to consider someone for a job?

Over a dozen states and three cities in Missouri have already changed the rules when it comes to hiring in an effort to help convicted felons who have completed their sentences get jobs.MWSnap062

State Representative Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) and former St. Louis Judge Lisl King Williams, now with the Fathers Support Center, offer two different perspectives on the effort to “ban the box”. That’s the proposal to make it illegal for employers to ask job applicants if they have felonies on their criminal record.

With some exceptions, the proposal filed in the State Senate would also bar employers from disqualifying applicants from a job based on a prior conviction. A Senate committee voted the bill down recently but supporters say they will continue to push the legislation.MWSnap063

The idea is not popular with business associations, who view the idea as government overreach into a business decision. Supporters of the concept say it’s good for the entire community and state. They believe “banning the box” will create more job opportunities for those with criminal records and that will result in fewer offenders returning to criminal activity.

What do you think? Tell us your opinion on the Missouri Viewpoints Facebook page (linked at the top of this page).

On the web:

Caleb Rowden: www.CalebRowden44.com

Fathers Support Center: www.FathersSupportCenter.org

Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/should-missouri-ban-the-box/

Mar 08

Taking “Missouri Made” Around The World

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March 8, 2015

by Mike Ferguson

(St. Charles, MO) – From the farm or the factory or your home office to the rest of the world. Growing your small business does not have to rely only on the customers around the block; it can prosper with customers around the globe.

That’s the message of MU Extension’s Small Business and Technology Development Center, which operates offices around Missouri.MWSnap061

This week, Ron Mueller explains what the program does to help Missouri small businesses sell to the international market, why it helps the state’s economy and how that can have a positive impact on each business’ local community.

The services are free to the businesses.

Mueller also explains why using a program like the SMTDC is a good business move due to potential pitfalls of US, foreign and international laws that must be understood.

On the web:

MU Extension: http://extension.missouri.edu/

Small Business & Technology Development Center: http://missouribusiness.net/sbtdc/

Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/taking-missouri-made-around-the-world/

Mar 01

Lighting Up Another Tobacco Tax Increase Effort In Missouri

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March 1, 2015

by Mike Ferguson

(St. Charles, MO) – It’s been tried before (three times) but supporters hope this time it doesn’t go up in smoke.

The effort is called the “Raise Your Hand For Kids” campaign and it’s designed to raise taxes on tobacco in order to pay for more early childhood education and health services.MWSnap059

Brian Schmidt from the campaign, which is an effort by the Alliance for Childhood Education, says the state would collect the additional 50 cents per pack of cigarettes in taxes and then distribute the money to counties. From there, Schmidt says, local governments can decide how best to spend the money – as long as it’s for education and/health for children up to five years old.

Missouri currently has the nation’s lowest state tax on cigarettes.

Former Republican State Representative Carl Bearden now runs United For Missouri, a conservative statewide advocacy organization. He’s not on board with the plan.MWSnap060

While Bearden agrees that most everyone wants better education and health services for children, he argues that another tax increase is not going to accomplish that. During this week’s “Missouri Viewpoints”, Bearden says the tax would actually do more harm than good in some instances because the tax would hit poor Missourians harder than others because, he contends, the poor are more likely to smoke and not likely to quit even when the cost goes up

What do you think? Tell us on the “Missouri Viewpoints” Facebook page.

The “Raise Your Hand For Kids” campaign hopes to put the idea on the statewide ballot in 2016.

On the web:

“Raise Your Hand For Kids” campaign: http://www.raiseyourhandforkids.org/

United For Missouri: www.UnitedForMissouri.org

Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/lighting-up-another-tobacco-tax-increase-effort-in-missouri/

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