Open Question: Which one of these US state motto's best sums up your views of what America stands for?

I think these are the best motto's out of all the states. Alabama "We dare defend our rights" Arizona "God enriches us" Arkansas "The people rule" California "I have found it" Delaware "Liberty and Independence" Georgia "Wisdom, justice and moderation" Iowa "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain" Massachusetts "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty" Missouri "Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law" Nevada "All for our country" New Hampshire "Live Free or Die" South Carolina "While I breath, I hope" South Dakota "Under God the people rule" Virginia "Thus always to Tyrants" Wisconsin "Forward" I like New Hampshire's its straight to the point. more

Open Question: For journalism major: University of Illinois (champaign urbana) or University of Missouri?

U of I is a better overall school, Mizzou is best for Journalism. It is possible I will go take prelaw, go to law school... Opinions? more

Resolved Question: Are our children really safe?

3 years ago I married a sex offender. Now, before you go off the handle, let me explain. He was 26 and she was 16. It was consensual and her parents let her move in with him. Mom agreed because the girl was causing problems. Apparently, her soon to be step-dad had been molesting her and mom wouldn't believe her. Her parents wanted her to come home after a time and when she refused they reported her as a runaway. My husband was convicted of 2nd degree statutory rape and according to Missouri law, has to register as a sex offender. When I was 16 I dated a 24 year old guy, so I can hardly be a hypocrite. That doesn't excuse the 'adult' male from his responsibilities, but it does bring up some concerns. The sex offender laws are so vague that people who have simply urinated in public or made off color remarks to someone under age can be tagged as a sex offender and they are all mashed up in the same group with violent rapist and child molesters. My husband isn't a predator. He was planning on marrying this girl. I have 2 small children and the thought of not being able to weed out the real threats from people like my husband scares me. Instead of targeting the real issues, Missouri seems hell bent on causing more problems. Now my husband can't go with us on Halloween night. He has to stay in the house with the porch light off and a sign on the door proclaiming "No candy here!" How is keeping my husband in the house on October 31 and not letting him near the park keeping anyone safe? Shouldn't you be with your children anyway? I understand that it is a blanket rule to help cover the ones who are a threat, but I just don't see it working. I fully believe that the ones you really must be on the lookout for are the ones who have violent convictions and are more than likely noncompliant with the registry. Should I help push for sex offender reform, or does everyone out there really believe that my husband's bad decision makes him a child molester? A 16 year old can operate a motor vehicle, but they can't have consensual sex? I don't agree. I know there has to be a line but I'll be damned if I know where it is. more

Open Question: Help!! Haven't seen my children in almost 2 years!!?

I will break this story down as quick as possible. I got divorced 2004 of July and of course I got a shitty lawyer that just wanted to get through the case and the worst is he's a man hater. Got divorced and stuck with back child support even when I was married!!! Everyone I talked to told me I got screwed over big time and at the beginning i was already almost $1000 in the hole. I have a divorce decree that states I have joint custody and half the decision making for the children. Over the past 6 years I have dealt with arguing, attacks, threats, and the calling woman like to call " Dead Beat Dad ". I use to spend every weekend with my children till I got behind again on child support. Let's fast forward to now, I am in college with full aid paying for it and getting ready to graduate plus getting my Diploma online also so yes I am making something of myself so my children do see daddy as someone like their mom says I am " Loser". I had a huge argument with my ex-wife a year in a half ago and I mean big but it was over the dumbest thing ever. She called after the kids were picked up and said why does the kids have bites on them? I stated well we had a bad summer with fleas and I mean so bad I had to dip my dogs 2 times and clean all the bed cloths. No big deal hey animals get fleas and I took care of it very easy but not cheap lol. Well after that I didn't see the kids and I said Ill wait and let her cool down so at least we can try to talk it out but nothing. I would call and she changed her telephone number, I talked to my lawyer and this ass had the nerve to tell me she could hold them from me if I was in the rears of child support and I stated No she can't and it's not ok for 2 wrongs to make it right. Also I have a court order stating they see me every other weekend. I will admit over the past 6 years I haven't done my best by not being able to let her back me down. Now let's look at this year, My fiance and me are moving into our own home on land so no rent (Yay!!) thanks to my parents for saying that they wanna help me get back on my feet so I am not beat down by child support and get my rears paid off. Then I got a job im starting soon so the child support will be regular every month and I am extremely happy about that. I do want to note no matter what MONEY doesn't make you a good father and I am sick what people say well if your behind then your a dead beat dad. NO!!! I love my children so much and it hurts me every single day that I let this woman tell my children all these lies on how im a bum, looser, dead beat dad and make fun of my fiance to my kids!! I know I have made mistakes, Hey were are all human and make them so I am being responsible and owning up and paying because I want to take care of my children. Now some questions and please do respond on how to proceed: 1. I found out that in Missouri were I live its a state law that I can put child support on hold, not stop so she don't get no payments till I start to have access to my children. Yes I am paying child support now. How do I file this and do I need a lawyer? 2. This woman has done nothing but alienated me from my children. What can I do to stop her from acting like God and those are only her kids? Remember I have joint custody and equal rights to everything she does but they just live with her. What can I do? I heard I should take her back to court for incontemp of court for breaking the court order numerous of times. 3. She has also alienated me from their school and poisoned the principle that she is the only guardian. I have repeatedly talked to this person and everytime she says I have to call your ex first before I can talk to you about anything as I show her the decree and I have every right and no need for my ex's consent. What can I do about this? Please help!! 4. And 4, As I stated we all make mistakes and wow 1 1/2 years is too long from my babies. I want them back but everytime I do something I hit a dam road block!! Please someone or alot of people guide me through what you have done in these situations. Thanks all and like I said money doesn't make you a bad dad and todays society thinks when you loose your job and can't pay fora year or so that I am a bad dad when all I did every week when my kids came over was laugh, play, and love them every week. PLEASE HELP!! Also I am divorced with a decree that states everything what must happen. Also please don't respond that as a guy I am screw because I believe its a state of mind how you go into any situation. I am not trying to get back at my ex-wife but to see my children. Thank's if you all could guide me through this difficult process.I do know I went back to the same crappy lawyer and I am in the process of researching a better one that works for me and not for them self. Give me a process and oh BTW please don't respond like woah Dude I see why she left you. MONEY doesn't make you a great Dad or person and second I am paying my child support now so please just only respond with useful advise. We all make mistakes and fix them as best as possible. Thanks and I am looking forward to some great answers.I just wanted to say also that please don't Man bash here. I want honest responses and not let's feel sorry for the Mom that is always innocent. Again I see in one answer that me being the guy just because i got behind I am the bad person. I guess life is worth money in some peoples eyes but its not in mine. Respond with what to do and not what I am currently doing because I have a court order with joint. more

Open Question: Uniform transfer to minors, MO, law question.?

Hello, I don't even know if I know exactly what I am asking. Recently I have found out that my father has left me some Wal-mart stock in the form of direct share ownership through ComputerShare's direct stock plan. ComputerShare is Wal-Mart's transfer agent. I have just checked the account, and on the listed owners of the account it looks like: (Father's name) CUST (My name) UNIF TRFS MIN LAW MO What exactly does this mean? I am 23 years old, and these assets are in Missouri. I would like to have the account completely in my name without my father listed at all. I am assuming that I need to fill out some paperwork to transfer the assets from custodial to individual. Where do I need to start? more

Open Question: In the state of Missouri how many continuances are you allowed?

So my friend is accused of domestic abuse, but is innocent of the charge. He went before the judge and asked for a continuance in order to obtain a lawyer, but the judge told him they are scheduling a pretrial. He has only seen the judge that one time, he was not read his charges, and the mother of the girl that is accusing him works as a county clerk in the same court. The girls mother told him that she was going to have his ass hung for it and she will see to it that it happens. BACKGROUND: The girl was hitting, kicking, slapping, and beating him with a curtain rod. He told her to stop, she didn't and he hit her with an open hand. She did not call the cops her sister did and her mom was the one that pressed the charges 3 weeks after the incident. I know all of the details because i stood there and watched in awe. Is there anything that he can do about this? I feel that there is a conflict of interest and that he is being f*cked over bad. We live in Lamar, Missouri(a very small town). It is a good Ole Boy kind of justice here. Any lawyers or law official please help.can he do anything about the charge? more

Open Question: I need a list of laws. Help me!?

I'm turning 18 soon and I want to do all the things that I couldn't do before. So can you please help me come up with a list of things that are legal for 18 year olds to do in missouri? more

Open Question: do you get points on your record for no plates ( missouri law )?

i paied my 60 bucks without going to my lawyer just stragiht want to teh office and paid for it? is it going on my record more

Resolved Question: What do you think about SPLC calls Americans who want laws enforced extremist”?

After the rather slanderous report came out, Dexter told the Virginian-Pilot: “I’m real surprised that they used those terms so loosely with people who care about their state and the nation. That’s unfortunate that they would publish something that sounds more like hatred related scare tactics.” Dexter continued: “It’s funny they should refer to us that way. It is absolutely not true. There’s no extremism.” Help Save Hampton Roads, lists the following political goals on their website (helpsavehamptonroads.net): “-Enforce a statewide ban on the use of illegal alien workers by licensed Virginia businesses (“The right of state and local governments to sanction business entities that employ unauthorized alien workers, by suspending their business licenses, have received two major endorsements from federal courts. These recent decisions in Missouri & Arizona confirm important legal doctrines that favor state and local enforcement in employment, contracting, public services, and related areas” ~ Immigration Reform Law Institute). -Bar state and local contracts to firms found to employ illegal aliens and prohibiting illegal aliens from receiving public benefits. -Mandate that the Governor shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Homeland Security for a cooperative agreement or 287(g) agreement. -Prohibit in-state tuition for illegal aliens. -Prohibit any form of state funding to Virginia counties, cities or town providing sanctuary policies to illegal aliens. -City Councils request that all contractors and vendors certify that their employees are legal hires. -City Councils enter into a 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” Does any of that sound “extreme?” The SPLC lists a total of 137 groups in their “Nativist Extremist” report. Among those on the list are every Minuteman group across the country, and basically every organization, both large and small which simply calls for the enforcement of already-existing immigration laws, as well as for the meaningful defense of our borders. Unfortunately, for the SPLC, this report does not reveal the extreme position of Americans justifiably fed up with soaring crime and rising unemployment fueled by illegal immigration. However, it does reveal the extreme and rather senseless position of the Southern Poverty Law Center. http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-35821-Immigration-Reform-Examiner~y2010m3d11-Southern-Poverty-Law-Center-calls-Americans-who-want-laws-enforced-extremist more

Voting Question: I'm 16 and my work gave me a manager position is that illegal?

Okay so im 16 years old, and i work at Mr.Goodcents. My boss has went back to his country for a while, he has been gone for 3 months. and not sure when he is coming back, Well his father is running the place, & he barely knows what to do. So he gave me a key and i lock up with a 17 year old boy at night. same age as me pretty much and we close at night alone, i use the slicer and the law is to use the slicer you need to be 18. and im not. to close you need to be 18. and on top of all that. I only am getting $7.15 and hour, when minimum wage is $7.25 in Missouri. And now that i have all these adult jobs should i be getting paid more? or could i file something to get money back for doing all this work when im not even getting paid how i should? please help me!!! Thanks -Alexis more

Voting Question: what are the laws in Missouri on float trips and drinking?

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Resolved Question: Marriage laws in Missouri?

I am from Kansas and my fiancee is from Oklahoma. The wedding site we want to use is in Missouri. Question 1: How easy is it for us to get a marriage license in Missouri (I don't think this will be a problem.) Question 2: According to Missouri law, can I have a Kansas pastor officiate?? Thank you! more

Voting Question: In your state, does the child support order terminate with the death of the obligor parent?

Missouri and Minnesota State Laws Unless otherwise agreed to in writing or expressly provided in the order, provisions for child support are not terminated by the death of a parent obligated to pay child support.In Missouri, they can attach the potential estate of any living grandparents. In a case in Springfield (MO), a father long his leg in a hunting accident, preventing him for working his regular job. He was forced to take a lower paying job, but the judge denied him a reduction in child support, so he went into arrears and was jailed. He was not allowed to have his artificial leg in jail, and when a fire broke out, he couldn't get out, so he died. Two years later his parents were served with an enforcement action attaching their estate so none of it could go to his oldest children from his first wife who died from cancer. Thereafter, they had to notify the court every two years as to whether they had passed away or not. When the grandmother called me, she was ready to drown a certain judge. more

Voting Question: The State of Missouri is nullifying ObamaCare. Is your state going to follow its lead?

http://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2010/03/missouri-house-passes-health-care-freedom-act/ The House in Missouri passed the Health Care Freedom Act, which includes a state constitutional amendment nullifying ObamaCare. By the way, I already know the arguments that the apologists for forcing people to purchase health insurance are going to make against nullification and I will pre-emptively rebut them: 1: Nullification is "racist." The problem with this argument is that it ignores the use of nullification against the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 (Personal Liberty laws). Nullification was actually first used by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in 1798 to protect free speech against the Alien and Sedition Acts of the Federalist Party. Furthermore, nullification is a tactic, which would be used in this circumstance against a cynical attack on the poor and the young. 2: The Supremacy Clause of the Federal Constitution. This clause reads: "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding." Notice that it says that only laws "which shall be made in Pursuance" of the Constitution are the "supreme Law of the Land." ObamaCare is not authorized by any enumerated power in the Constitution (Article One, Section 8), nor by any constitutional amendment, so it would NOT be the "supreme Law of the Land" were it passed, but rather would be invalid. This "interpretation" (although it isn't valid to call this an "interpretation," as that term is best reserved for the perversions of the Constitution by activist judges) was implicit when the Constitution was initially ratified, but was made explicit by the 10th Amendment ("The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."). 3.Abe Lincoln's Invasion of the South and murder of 600,000 Americans "proved" that nullification and secession are invalid. This is utter nonsense, as all Lincoln's actions "proved" is that a president who is unrestrained by the Constitution can wage War on the American people at his whim. Might does NOT make right. 4.Nobody has used nullification since Lincoln's War. Wrong, again. Nullification was successfully used in recent years to stop Real ID (which was opposed by a broad consensus across the political spectrum from the ACLU to the John Birch Society) from becoming law. The Democrats are going to hold a vote in the House on forced health insurance without the next few weeks. Besides the fact that the contents of the bill are clearly unconstitutional per se, there are other irregularities with the Senate version. The federal Constitution says that bills increasing taxes (which Senate ObamaCare does) have to originate in the House. The Senate Democrats took some piece of legislation that the Democrats previously passed in the House, put it through a cloture vote, and then passed a substitute "amendment" (Senate ObamaCare). This tactic is clearly unconstitutional. It is well known that the Democrats intend to ignore the Senate rules and use "reconciliation" (which is for budgets only and has only ever been used for that purpose; during the 90s, Democrats in the Senate refused to pass HillaryCare via this process when Clinton wanted them to do that) to pass amendments to this program. Has any legislation ever been more flagrantly unconstitutional and thus worthy of nullification than ObamaCare? more

Resolved Question: What to do if you're in the left turn lane and an emergency vehicle is coming from behind?

For example, you are stopped at a red light in the left turn lane. What do you do? Also, if they're coming in the other direction? I need answers that pertain to Missouri laws, btw. Thank you in advance. more

Resolved Question: Can cops in the US work as bounty hunters/fugitive recovery agents.?

I am a police officer in Missouri but I can not find any laws on this. Please no rude or sarcastic reesponces. Thank you in advance. more

Voting Question: Is it legal or will i be breaking a law?

ok so i am 14 and my bf is 17 he will turn 18 in a few months and i will turn 15 a week after we dont have sex and i already told him im waiting till marriage we have ben dating for 9 months. can we get in trouble for being together btw i live in missouri plz answerwe are not having sex btw i am waiting till i am married more

Resolved Question: u.s history question plz help?

Which of these resolutions was included in the Compromise of 1850 to satisfy the South? a.agreement that the slave trade was to be banned in Washington, DC b.admission of Texas to the Union as a slave state c.a stricter Fugitive Slave Law d. Admission of California as a free state to balance Missouri more

Voting Question: missouri laws about marrage?

my boyfriend and i plan on geting married on the 11 of march in the state of missouri. i read i need a wedding lic. but do i have to have one to go to the court house? i dont know what to im 20 yrs old and im soo losted please helpp more

Resolved Question: Where can we buy an organic bed in the Kansas City area?

My husband and I just bought a Tempur-Pedic mattress. After sleeping on the mattress for one night, my husband woke up with a severe headache, dizziness, fatigue, nauseousness and other flu-like symptoms. Thinking it was just the flu, we continued sleeping on the mattress. After 10 nights my husband was very ill. We did research on the internet and found hundreds of other people with the same symptoms after sleeping on a conventional mattress. There is even talk of a class action law suit. We switched to the guest bedroom and after 2 nights my husband started feeling much better. This mattress is made with toxic materials! We are desperate to find a place that sells organic mattresses made primarily with cotten and wool. We are willing to travel within Missouri or Kansas but would prefer to find a store near Kansas City, where we live. Does anyone know where we can purchase an organic bed in the Kansas City area?? Please help! more

Voting Question: How can I raise money for a good cause?

I want to raise some money to help my mother-in-law to go to St. Louis to see a doctor. She has a very rare disease called RPF (retroperitineal fibrosis) and the only place that might be able to help her in the state of Missouri is in St. Louis which is 5 hours away. She would have to stay there for a few days and they do not have a lot of money to stay at a hotel and not to mention that the costs would come along with seeing the doctor. We have asked some family and friends to help but I do not think that will be enough to cover the costs? Any ideas, because I really would like to help??? more

Resolved Question: Suing someone for car repairs?

Has anyone ever won a small claims case when the seller did not disclose mechanical problems? This would be a private seller in the state of Missouri. I have researched a bit and understand the Lemon Law does not apply in this case, but am wondering about personal experiences. Thanks.Don't make assumptions that I did not do this or did not do that, without having all the facts. The question was if anyone had any experience in small claims courts with this type of situation. You don't have to be an ass when you answer the question, there is a real person on the other end of this computer. more

Resolved Question: i think i know the answers, but im not sure.. if i get these right i'll have a 100, pleasee help:)?

In United States history, the phrase ”a government of laws, not of men“ has been used to express the idea that 1.sexism should legally be ended 2.all laws should apply equally to all persons 3.government should interfere as little as possible in people's lives 4.newly elected government leaders should not be allowed to initiate changes in the law In the early 1800’s, the need for a water route to help farmers ship their products to market was one reason for the 1.Gadsden Purchase 2.Louisiana Purchase 3.Mexican Cession 4.Missouri Compromise ”The merchants will manage commerce the better, the more they are left free to manage for themselves.“ – Thomas Jefferson Which theory is best described in this quotation? 1.social Darwinism 2.laissez-faire capitalism 3.socialism 4.mercantilism more

Voting Question: I'm dating a 14 year old and I'm 17?

now I live in missouri and there is a law that states that it is not satitory rape as long as I'm not 21 years of age but I'm not sure I it's tottaly correct her father dislikes me and wants to charge me even though we haven't done anything. someor clear this up for me. more

Voting Question: helppp!!! please, its very important to me!?

my sister moved from my moms house in missouri, which was ok according to missouri state laws. the legal age to move out is 17. BUT, she moved to arkansas with her boyfriend and his family. they cant properly support her. in arkansas((where she *now* is)) the legal moving out age is 18. is it possible for me to legally go get her? please help me out! more

Resolved Question: what are the sex offender laws in missouri?

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Resolved Question: Why are illegals receiving more than $13 an hour while Americans skilled local workers are without jobs?

State Senator Kevin Engler (R-Farmington) has filed a complaint with the attorney general's office, accusing an Osage Beach construction firm of hiring illegal immigrants. According to a news release from his office, Engler's complaint against Thomas Construction and a subcontractor stems from the Feb. 13 arrest of 14 persons suspected of being in the United States illegally. “The unemployment rate in St. Francois County is at 11.1 percent,” Engler said. “It is outrageous that illegal aliens were receiving more than $13 an hour when there are so many skilled local workers without jobs.” The operation conducted by the St. Francois County sheriff's office took place at the construction site of a Hampton Inn in Farmington. All but one person were later released after background checks with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Thomas Construction's vice president Jim Nugent responded to the Feb. 13 raid and subsequent public outcry by saying that his company also shares in that outrage. In a letter published in today's issue of the Farmington Daily Journal, Nugent writes the company has since removed the subcontractor from the project and is taking steps to ensure that all its construction projects are not using illegal workers. Engler cited a law passed by the General Assembly in 2008, where firms found to be hiring undocumented workers face civil penalties and could lose their business licenses. Following its passage, the attorney general's office set up a Web page where such complaints could be filed. http://www.examiner.com/x-39242-Missouri… more

Resolved Question: can i move out at 17 in mo without consent ?

well when i graduate i will be 17 ( my birthday is late so thats why ill be 17 when i graduate js) and i plan on moving out with 3 other friends. I wanted to know if i would get in trouble with the law if my parents didn't want me to leave because i know they will do anything to make me stay at home but i just don't want to i want to experience life on my own without someone breathing down my neck and telling me right from wrong. Im asking because in Missouri the whole legal age and crap is so vague they consider 17 adult in like crimes in stuff but idk. help please. and btw no im not some teen is like i hate my parents and doesn't have a plan i actually do have a realistic plan in my future so no crap k {:2 of my friends would be 18 and one person would actually be adult she is 24 btw. more

Resolved Question: Wanting to rent a house but have a question!?

My husband and I are wanting to rent a home with my husband's brother in Missouri. My husband and I have bad credit. My brother-in-law has very little credit...but he's in the army (if that makes a difference?) If we were to try to rent a nicer home (aprox $1000/mo), would they see it as 3 people making the rent.....or disreguard it due to our credit? Any idea's to getting into a rental home? more

Resolved Question: Wanting to rent a home but have a question!?

My husband and I are wanting to rent a home with my husband's brother in Missouri. My husband and I have bad credit. My brother-in-law has very little credit...but he's in the army (if that makes a difference?) If we were to try to rent a nicer home (aprox $1000/mo), would they see it as 3 people making the rent.....or disreguard it due to our credit? Any idea's to getting into a rental home? more

Resolved Question: What the heck is this question asking on my homework?????HELP?

Okay so I had to read an article here it is: The World's Columbian Exposition — also known as The Chicago World's Fair — was a World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. Chicago bested New York City; Washington, D.C.; and St. Louis, Missouri, for the honor of hosting the fair. The fair had a profound effect on architecture, the arts, Chicago's self-image, and American industrial optimism. The Chicago Columbian Exposition was, in large part, designed by Daniel Burnham and Frederick Law Olmsted. It was the prototype of what Burnham and his colleagues thought a city should be. It was designed to follow Beaux Arts principles of design, namely, European Classical Architecture principles based on symmetry and balance. The exposition covered more than 600 acres (2.4 km2), featuring nearly 200 new buildings of classical architecture, canals and lagoons, and people and cultures from around the world. Over 27 million people (equivalent to about half the U.S. population) attended the exposition during its six-month run. Its scale and grandeur far exceeded the other world fairs, and it became a symbol of the emerging American Exceptionalism, much in the same way that the Great Exhibition became a symbol of the Victorian era United Kingdom. Dedication ceremonies for the fair were held on October 21, 1892, but the fairgrounds were not actually opened to the public until May 1, 1893. The fair continued until October 30, 1893. In addition to recognizing the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the New World, the fair also served to show the world that Chicago had risen from the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire, which had destroyed much of the city in 1871. On October 9, 1893, the day designated as Chicago Day, the fair set a record for outdoor event attendance, drawing 716,881 persons to the fair. and then it asked a question like Who is the author's intended audience for this essay? What makes you think that? What on earth is this asking and if you know....what on earth is the answer? xoxoxo more

Resolved Question: Is this guy crazy: Wisconsin dad drives all the way to Kansas each week to hang on to a job in tough times?

JANESVILLE, Wis. – In the early dawn, after another week building cars, Michael Hanley leaves his job in Kansas. He quickly zips into Missouri, then heads up a ribbon of highway past grain silos and grazing deer, across the frozen fields of Iowa, over the Mississippi River and into the rolling hills of Wisconsin. Finally, he pulls into his driveway — 530 miles later. It's one heck of a haul: more than 1,000 miles roundtrip, 16-plus hours of driving, every week. "I like to say I gave up an eight-minute commute for an eight-hour commute," he says wearily, running a hand though salt-and-pepper hair as he watches his two sons play basketball for the first time this season. After the aging General Motors plant where he worked for 23 years was idled about a year ago, Hanley faced a Hobson's choice: Stay with his family and search for an autoworker's salary ($28 an hour) in a county where more than 40 percent of its manufacturing jobs disappeared from 2006 to 2009. Or hang on to his GM paycheck and health insurance and follow the job, no matter where it leads. In his case, it led to Fairfax, Kan., the same place his brother and two brothers-in-law — also GM workers, and now his roommates — landed. For others, it has been Indiana or Texas. The long commute is not just a story of hard times, tough choices and a shrinking American auto industry. It's also a case study of what happens when an aging industrial town loses an anchor, when workers too old to start over and too young to retire are caught in a squeeze and when economic survival means one family, but two far-flung ZIP codes. ___ Hanley is not one to complain. "GM has been good for us," he says. "This whole town knows that." For 90 years, the sprawling plant — it started out building tractors — became a different kind of family business. Through the decades, sons followed fathers onto the line, sometimes rubbing shoulders as they built Chevy Cavaliers, Caprices, Tahoes, Suburbans and more. Hanley's father and brother worked there. So did his father-in-law, two brothers-in-law and an assortment of uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. But as GM's financial troubles mounted, car and SUV sales fell and gas prices climbed, the automaker closed several plants, eliminating thousands of jobs. Janesville — then the oldest of GM assembly plants — ended production of SUVs in December 2008, months before the automaker received billions of dollars in government loans and filed for bankruptcy. (The factory is on standby status; some hold out hope it will reopen one day.) Some of about 1,200 remaining workers took buyouts or retired; some began new careers. Hundreds more stayed with GM, relocating, commuting or just waiting for an opening. The automaker has about 6,500 laid-off workers nationwide. Even before the doors closed, Hanley began preparing for life after GM. He returned to college to complete two credits he needed for an accounting degree, but an offer in Kansas came first. He didn't hesitate. Auto work these days is like playing musical chairs. You grab an opening where you can. Hanley didn't want to lose his health insurance while his wife, Laura, was receiving costly chemotherapy treatments for a blood disease that will likely lead to cancer. The medical bills last year, she says, were in the tens of thousands of dollars. "There's no way I could possibly go through one treatment without him having insurance," she says. Like many other divided GM families, the Hanleys decided even though the job was important, there were reasons not to uproot everyone: Laura works at their sons' Catholic school, the boys are immersed in band, Scouts, basketball and church, and the sale of a house was an iffy and perhaps money-losing proposition. Hanley knew it would be a trade-off — financial security for a lonely existence. His eyes mist as he talks about what he misses: dinner with his family, coaching basketball, going to the YMCA with his boys, wrestling with them at night, attending their concerts and games, watching them grow up. "It's an adjustment, not being home," he says. "I probably sounded cruel because I said I wouldn't miss my wife as much because she's going to be there when I come back, when I retire. But those years with the kids aren't going to be there. That's the hard part, not being able to be around them. ... I don't know if I really appreciated it before." Hanley plans to commute another 18 months, until he turns 50, hoping for a retirement package then — something, he says, he "prays about every night." Laura, meanwhile, does double duty as a single parent. It's all overwhelming — working, shuttling her sons around, keeping an eye on her elderly mother and worrying about her husband's long commutes. "The kids are tired of seeing mom cry because she's stressed and seeing dad cry when he needs to go back to work," she says. "We're really close — the four of us. You can't talk to more

Resolved Question: Why do we have speed limits on limited access interstate highways in the United States when Germany does not?

Seriously, the United States is supposedly the "land of the free". Well, I for one ain't buying it. For example, how in the h*ll do law enforcement officers figure that driving 85 MPH on the interstate in middle of nowhere Kansas is somehow "unsafe"? Why can't we Americans be sensible like the Germans and have no speed limits on the interstate highways where it can be safely done? I can understand having speed limits on the interstates that go through major cities and whatnot, but having a 70 MPH speed limit through Kansas or Missouri is just plain stupid in my opinion. The only downside to not having rural interstate speed limits would be the fact that alot of state troopers would be out of jobs and the individual states would lose alot of money in "speeding" ticket revenue. Furthermore, the car insurance industry would be PO'd because they wouldn't have an excuse to raise someone's rates due to these "speeding" tickets and would lose revenue. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for common sense laws such as laws against DUI, robbery, etc., but I don't understand how a supposedly "free" country like the U.S. interferes so much with its citizens on the pettiest of issues. I think that Americans need to learn to lighten up and not be so uptight. BTW, you can even buy and own firearms in Germany contrary to the belief of many Americans. more

Resolved Question: I'm so utterly tired that I'm going to ask my question than go straight to bed: how does the gov decide Order?

I have to get up for school tomorrow. I'm a pregnant Math Major so need my rest for classes tomorrow plus I'm starting to feel pregnant lol. Anyway my hubby is currently in Basic Training and eventually he will be assigned to the Infantry when he finishes his training. Howdo they decide where to send him. I think I would prefer the midwest because I intend to join him where ever he is assigned (including the baby too!!). I've doing some research on where Army Posts are located and do not want Korea, or Germany, or Alaska. My first choice is Hawaii. Iwouldn't mind the base in Kansas or the one in Missouri. I also would like the one in the California desert on the way to Las Vegas. My parents and in laws could come all the time to visit us and maybe babysit now and than so we could take in a movie. I definitely don't want that Army base in New York because I would prefer only seeing the snow when we go on an outing in the Winter. Also I noticed that they seem to be always deployed so I don't want my husband there. Finally lets say he gets assigned somewhere in the June-July time frame and I could join him after the baby is a few months old so we can start living together in August or September. Is he guaranteed 12 months of rest before being deployed? I noticed that soldiers are given 12 months of rest time between deployments. more

Resolved Question: I need help finding an obituary?

I am looking for an obituary of my father-in-law. After my father-in-law passed away we received a copy of his obituary,however not long after we had moved and as things do it was lost along the way. I have searched so called "free websites" to find it again but came up with nothing. If there is someone who could help me I would greatly appreciate it. His name : Maurice Harold Smith Jr Date of Birth: April 3,1943 Date of Death : November 1988 Place of birth: Santa Clara,Ca Place of Death: Missouri I have even tried Missouri newspapers to no avail.Any information would be greatly appreciated more

Resolved Question: Did you know that two thirds of the States are trying to ban health insurance mandate?

Why is our federal government still trying to pass something that most people clearly don't want? Do you think eventually they will hear us? Thanks. http://ts-si.org/government/22623-va-senate-bans-health-insurance-mandate.html Richmond, VA, USA. The Democratic-led state Senate in Virginia sent a very strong message about health care reform efforts in Washington, D.C., on Monday (Feb. 1), passing a bill that makes it illegal for Virginians to be required to buy health insurance. With Republicans in control of the state’s House of Delegates and governor’s mansion, the bill could become law, The Washington Post reported. The effort throws a wrench into congressional Democrats’ plans to revamp the nation’s health care system following the Massachusetts special election that stripped the party of its 60-vote, filibuster-proof majority in the U.S. Senate. An “individual mandate” that requires Americans to buy health insurance is a centerpiece of federal health care legislation. Virginia’s move could suggest that President Obama — who reiterated his support for reform during his State of the Union address last week — “is failing to reassure members of his own party that current reform efforts remain worthwhile,” The Post said. A groundswell of opposition to the federal effort is emerging in statehouses around the country, The Associated Press reported today. * Bills similar to the legislation cleared by the Virginia Senate are being considered in 35 states, with some lawmakers seeking constitutional amendments to prohibit mandatory health insurance. * An Idaho legislative committee has approved a bill similar to Virginia’s. * In Missouri, an overflow crowd showed up at a hearing room when that state’s constitutional amendment was being debated. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1958121,00.html Lawmakers in 34 states have filed or proposed amendments to their state constitutions or statutes rejecting health insurance mandates, according to the American Legislative Exchange Council, a nonprofit group that promotes limited government that is helping to coordinate the efforts. Many of those proposals are targeted for the November ballot, assuring that health care remains a hot topic as hundreds of federal and state lawmakers face re-election. more

Resolved Question: Texas Laws On Signing over Rights of a child..?

Hello. I am wondering if anyone knows If you can sign over rights of a child when you live in missouri and the child lives with the mother in texas? My Husband Has never seen this child and the child is 9 years old. She will not answer the phone or even allow anyone in the family even him to even see the child.. He had found out she was pregnant after he left her in texas to move back to missouri ... My husband is paying child support and is a little behind at the moment ... But my husband and I are hardly making ends meet because of the child support and he has been wanting to sign over right for a long time because she refuses to even talk or let him see the child. He doesnt even know what he looks like (i know kinda sad). The mother is married and has been married for a long time and collecting LOTS of child support from my husband and going on vacation with the money she gets,, She even takes My husband FULL tax returns.. My husband and I do have 2 children together and trying to make it ... Basically i want to know what can be done? Someone please helpWe do not mind paying the back child support we just dont think this is fair that he cant see the child or even knows where he lives now ... we tried to call her and she hangs up that is all that happens ..He has not taken it to court because he cant afford for one to go to texas anymore and two he cant afford a lawyer at the moment. He is a damn good father and always has been to my children ... The only reason and i have talked to one of his ex wifes about this and his ex wife who is now my friend told me that they tried and tried to see and contact the child and even tried to get help with everything but everytime they did something feel back on them. She is fighting this and fighting not to let him see the child from what I understand is that him and his childs mother had a horrible falling out and it did not end well and she just doesnt want nothing to do with the father of the child but does want the money. more

Voting Question: UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI dorm: LAWS question?

how old is this dorm, and how is it to live in... like is it dirty smelly ect. it'd be great if i found someone on here who would know! more

Resolved Question: Why are illegals above the law illegal workers were arrested and then set free after caught working illegally?

Farmington, MO) -- People in one Missouri county are speaking out after a group of illegal workers were arrested and then set free. It happened in Farmington, which is located in St. Francois County. This past weekend, the sheriff says he arrested 14 illegal immigrants. The men were hired to help build a new hotel. The sheriff says he hoped the arrests would help restore jobs to legal citizens. The unemployment rate in St. Francois County is more than 11 percent. But when the sheriff called the Office of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he was told the case was not a priority and he had no authority to continue holding the men. The explanation isn't sitting well with some residents. "They're taking jobs away from people that need jobs right now that are US citizens," says Gerald Bowyer, an unemployed glass worker. "To me, it seems like the illegals in this country got more rights than what the Americans do." For his part, the sheriff says he'll continue to investigate complaints of illegal workers, but fears the arrests will end with more releases. http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=236801 more

Voting Question: Some states, such as Missouri, have laws requiring gas to contain 10% ethanol. Is it all 89 octane?

I once heard that whether you press the 87 or 89 button it is all now 89 because it contains ethanol. A lot of places sell both the 87 and 89 for the same price.Here is a response for an oil company I e-mailed. Thanks for the email. You are correct. The way the fuel regulations read the 87 octane label is the minimum octane rating, so you are getting an 89 octane at our locations. That is why we have priced it the same because it is the same product. We have to keep the flexibility open in gas for some reason unblended gasoline becomes cheaper or as is the most likely case refineries start pushing out an 85 octane gasoline that when blended becomes an 87 octane. That has not happened in Missouri yet but in some places in the US that is what is happening. Also, the EPA is actually testing to see if the minimum ethanol blend can be moved up to 15%. We will know the results of their findings by mid summer. The other thing that is happening is that more blender pumps are starting to pop up and offering 20 and 30 percent blends as well as E85. That is supposed to be used in flex-fuel vehicles only but it allows for higher blend usage withwithout sacrificing the mileage loss that happens with E85. There are 2 of those locations in the state and we are going to be putting one in Columbia in the next few months. There is no doubt that ethanol has helped keep Missouri as one of the cheapest places in the country to buy gasoline for the last few years. Once again, thanks for the question. more

Resolved Question: I'm 14 and looking for a job. Any tips?

I'd like to work in a restaurant, something NOT McDonalds like. I'd rather work in a real restaurant, not a fast food joint. If it helps you give me an answer, I live in Springfield Missouri and I have already read all of the state laws etc., and I'd like to know if you, the wonderful people on the world wide web, could give me suggestions. I'd prefer answers/suggestions from fellow teens who have gotten a job. Thank you in advance! --MTChaz.... That isn't exactly answering my question. Haha! =p thanks anyway though! I might go ahead and do that though. It depends. Haha --MT more

Resolved Question: How to sign over a shotgun.?

I have a friend that is wanting to sell me his shotgun. Mind you this is completely legal shotgun. He bought it from a gun show. We live in Missouri and are not sure on how the gun laws work when It comes to sign over a gun. Should he just right up a bill of sale or do we have to go to the local armory and have a background check. more

Resolved Question: Under the Missouri 17 law?

When a 17 year old leaves a single parent, what becomes of the child support paid by the other parent? Does it just stop or does it go directly to the 17 year old? more

Resolved Question: Can an employer fire an employee based on illegally obtained documents?

In Missouri, even though it's a right to work state, this has a union involved and an employee violated their contract with the employer and the union, however this was found out due to some paperwork that turned up belonging to the employee, but was not legally obtained(it was dropped in mailbox). I know illegally obtained info can't be used to convict someone in a court of law to convict someone of a crime, but I'm not sure if that applies to firing a person. more

Resolved Question: plz help us history question?

Which of the following best describes the provisions of the Missouri Compromise? A. It called for a better national transportation system B. It established a protective tariff of foreign goods C. It called for popular sovereignty in the Utah and New Mexico territories D. It upheld the balance between free and slaves states and established a law concerning the spead of slavery into the territories more

Resolved Question: I need a lawyer in missouri that can handle family law in kansas and missouri for a visitation case?

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Voting Question: is there any low income lawyers out there wanna help, we cant afford a lawyer?

your right kasey c and im lookin for someone to direct me to the right place so again anyone who acually wants to help, we live in missouri so we need law help in this state more

Resolved Question: is there any law students out there that study criminal law or involved in pro bono program?

is there any missouri law students who study criminal law or in probono programs more

Voting Question: What are the Occupancy Laws in the state of Missouri?

Hello! I am trying to find out what the Missouri Occupancy Laws are. In other words, I want to know how many persons are allowed to live in houses/apartments per the number of bedrooms. I moved to Missouri from California, and as far as I can remember, the CA law states: 2 persons per bedroom plus one. Does anyone know if this same law applies in Missouri? Or where I can obtain this information. Thanks so much for your help!! more

Resolved Question: I am 16 and pregnant. I need some info. and advice. Help?

So first off let me state that in no way was I trying to have a baby. I was with an 18 year old for 3 months, and we became sexually active. I lost my virginity to him, and one of the first times that we had sex, I became pregnant. We did use a condom every single time, and evidently, it broke. This was an accidental pregnancy, and I will not even consider the alternatives other than keeping the baby. Okay, so I haven't told anyone other than my sister in law, who took me to the doctor to confirm this. I completely trust her, and she hasn't told anyone about this. So I should be having this baby around July of next Summer. I won't be in school at that time, of course, and I honestly don't plan on going back after this year. I will finish up my Sophmore year, and that'll be it, other than getting my GED and going to community college when I am 18-20 years old. My Mother got pregnant when she was sixteen, and she kept the baby, and has no regrets. I am sure that when I tell her, she will be upset at first, but be totally understanding because she was once in the same situation. When she had my brother, she didn't have a job, and my grandmother paid for almost everything, until she moved out with her boyfriend. I am no longer with the guy that got me pregnant. I honestly don't even plan on telling him. This guy has treated me badly, and I don't want him to ever even see his baby. Is this wrong of me? I don't expect the father to pay anything whatsoever, I will do it with the help of my family. I know that my grandma will let me live with her if I need to, and I think that it is a good idea because my house is small, my family is in bankruptsy, and we have 3 dogs. We don't have the room for a baby. My grandma, on the other hand, has plenty of room for me to live in her finished basement (which also has it's own bathroom). She is a very generous person, and has let all of my siblings and almost every single person in my family has lived with her at one time or another. This seems like the best option for me, but at the same time, I would like my mothers guidance to help me raise my child. I'm torn. What should I do? What would you do? Also, I think that I might apply for government assistance for like WIC, so I can get formula and stuff. i don't need foodstamps or anything, so that isn't an issue. Can a 16 year old get WIC in the state of Missouri? Also, I have recently had Pacemaker surgery. It is permanent. Will this effect my baby at all? Please give me any advice tha tyou feel is necessary. Do not tell me to consider adoption or abortion or to continue going to school. I am not interested in hearing any of that. Also, I do have a part time job at a grocery store. Would it be smart to save for baby items, or for a car, to get the baby to and from the doctors office etc.? Thanks.Wow, I am very suprised to have positive answers. I didn't even think about breast feeding, but that is a good idea. How long do I breast feed before it is time to start using whole milk? more