Local Columnists

A combination of rising consumer debt and a bleak economic future is creating a growing perception that America is at risk of losing its superpower status. But America is not necessarily worse than in the 1950s. The media over time has created a false sense of a normal socioeconomic status.

With voting rights legislation making headlines once again, we cannot forget the struggle it took to get us where we are.

All celebrations — Christmas, Easter, Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday  — are more economic vehicles than they are substantive celebrations of the intended occasion.

The Missourian's From Readers section will have its first birthday this weekend. To help celebrate, the Missourian will randomly pick people who have contributed to the section to win prizes next week.

Until the April election, the City Council will have a Chamber-supported majority. That could mean that downtown demolition and the Grasslands entanglement will be handled differently soon.

Gender equality cannot and should not be applied to the military — the idea is an irrational dream.

Reducing or eliminating the Missouri tax base with no plan to replace the money will hurt Missouri.

There should be an expanded Department of Labor. It would be a place where all matters involving work issues could be handled. There are probably more issues related to job unfairness that go undetected than in any other area of human endeavor.

Reflecting the wider public debate, many students mentioned debt, both public and private, as a major cause of America’s stagnating economy and loss of confidence in government.

Two separate incidents regarding open records this week showed that journalists are not the only citizens using the Missouri Sunshine Law.

While House Speaker Tim Jones set the majority against nearly everything Gov. Nixon supported, there is reason to find optimism — but tread with caution.

Missouri's proposed Missouri Standard Science Act, which would require intelligent design to be taught in schools, would only hurt America's science education.

Two sisters differed for a long time on their opinions about having pets, but eventually, they found the animals were a source of comfort.

While American heroes can come from sports, movies, the military, single acts of uncommon feats and public service, it's hard to imagine another person gaining similar sustained mythical status as Stan Musial.

The Missourian expects to hold chats around town and invites the public to attend. Editors want to hear your ideas and complaints about the Missourian, and you might want to air them.

How do we want our city to grow – up or out? What’s the proper balance between preservation and development?

Our right to own and bear arms cannot be taken away until either the Court again changes its ruling or when “We the People” ratify a new amendment to the Constitution.

People have their own lives and are not so closely associated with other family members these days.

Wrapped around almost all policy debates is debt — governmental and personal.

President Barack Obama has failed to improve life for underrepresented communities in America.