Opinion

The fact that these companies have gotten away for years with raising interest rates and treating their customers like criminals when they fall behind in their payments has given us a fair idea of whose side the government is on.

Gloom and doom economic forecasts overlook the fact that the economy corrects itself - without government interference, too.

Medvedev appointed former president Vladimir Putin as his prime minister, but Medvedev has a different ruling style than Putin did.

Compete Missouri is a three-year deal that calls for the state government to increase university appropriations, and for the campuses to generate matching funds by cutting the payroll. But, it appears that the faculty raise pool for next year will be between 5.5 percent and 7 percent — a bonanza by recent standards.

The Sherlocks get an early start on their 2-month-old daughter Audrianna's college expenses.

The addition of a new downtown bike corral leaves Columbians wondering where the rest of the $21.5 million PedNet federal grant money is going.

While those who run for office are only human, they still need to think before they speak — and start focusing on real issues.

The easy political act of sending checks to taxpayers to buy products made in China will do little to stimulate our economy.

Staying busy and staying positive — as well as simple ways to save money — can be helpful during trying financial times.

The increase in food prices, specifically rice, has resulted in some panic buying in the United States. Some countries, including Brazil, have temporarily stopped the export of rice.

It isn’t every day — or even every decade — that Columbia gets a new attraction, so when I saw in the paper that the long-awaited YouZeum would open May 1, I decided I’d better get there early.

Exercise stimulates the mind and body and makes people happy and healthy.

Propaganda is no longer just a government-sanctined tool, but not open to the citizen zealots.

Both the U.S. and Russia still have nuclear missiles despite their agreement to reverse the arms race.

Environmentalism and conservation are admirable qualities, but they shouldn’t be practiced for the sake of being cool.

Prevention, including contraception education, would help prevent more abortions.

The author says she misses the friendly people and warm memories she had in her old hometown before progress caught up with the place.

President Bush’s meetings with Middle East leaders is one way of trying to leave a mark at the end of his presidency.

Citizen complaints against police officers are 10 times more likely to be found valid if filed by a white resident than by a black resident.

Missourian readers contributed to the community conversation via e-mail and Web site comments after a trembler in Illinois was felt nearly 300 miles away in Boone County.