Kitty Conley’s Scratching Post, Feb. 9

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Happy Birthday

Feb. 9: Ann Fletcher

Feb. 10 Fish Frys:

American Legion in Crown Point

Knights of Columbus at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Porter County.

Just in case you missed it, 2012 is going to see 1,800 new jobs at the Chrysler plant in Belvedere, Ill. That is just over 90 miles from Indiana. How could that possibly happen? They are all union jobs. That will help reduce the number of unemployed for this year too. I guess Mitch was wrong. In case you are wondering, Belvedere is a community just about the size of Crown Point, and is also a county seat. Those 1,800 good-paying jobs will put more money into the local economy and that will help the so-called trickle down effect, creating more jobs in that community.

Just think, if the U.S. Congress really wanted to take care of the economy, the work started by war hero and former Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower would be continued and updated today. Fix the roads with our country’s union labor force. They would be glad to spend that new income in their own neighborhoods. How come the Republican dominated House is fighting the Democratic President because they want to bring in the pipeline from Canada to create jobs and at the same time denying the building and repair of our over 50-year-old roads, highways and bridges?

If the union members across the state remember their pledge of the week before the Super Bowl, the state House of Representative and state Senate seats up for election this fall may see a change in the party depending on how the current people voted on the “right to work” legislation that just passed. The governor doesn’t have to worry. He is term limited anyway. His party might, though.

Congratulations to all the people in the Indianapolis area for a superb hosting of the big game. No one has done it better. What a way to show off the state capital. One person that I know that had never been to Indy before was very surprised. He expected farm fields and cows, not sidewalks and tall buildings. The state’s image has forever been changed.

A major breakthrough has happened. People that list themselves as Democrats, Independents and Republicans all agree on something! Giving tax breaks to U.S. corporations that bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. from overseas. Let’s see if Congress can do something about this together to make it happen now! A Gallup poll also shows that all three groups support pressuring China to allow fairer trade between the U.S. and China. The Gallup poll was taken Jan. 23. U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky must be jumping for joy.

Congratulations to Jerry A. Clemons and Jessica R. Clemons. Both have been named to the Dean’s List at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

Special Olympics of Lake County is looking at starting a corn hole toss team. The state finals will be on Sunday, Sept. 16. That way athletes could compete in a sport on Saturday and Sunday of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Games this year, said Margot Sabato. Sabato is calling for volunteers and athletes. If you would like to coach this sport call 663-0627 to volunteer. Dates to mark your calendar: Water park party, July 11; Special Olympics Day at RailCats Stadium, Aug. 12.

Senator Dick Lugar’s challenger Richard Mourdock in the upcoming Republican primary said that he advocates term limits for the U.S. House and the Senate. House members would be limited to three two-year terms, or six years, and senators would be limited to two six-year terms, or 12 years. So if you run the table in the House with six years and then in the Senate with 12 years, then that person could still spend 18 years on the public payroll and away from the state. Interesting. There is something to say for both sides in this issue. Longevity brings knowledge as to how to get thing done. Especially for our little state of Indiana. Term limits keep someone from becoming a career politician, at least at that level. Why not change it to one six-year term in the house and, say, one 10-year term in the Senate? Lots of thought is needed on this one.