The people of America DO NOT NEED ANOTHER STIMULUS PACKAGE! Americans need to go back to work and get our economy thriving again as President Trump had it before the nasty COVID-19 pandemic that originated in China. By staying at or very close to home, Americans have done their part to help flatten the curve of the contagious virus.

But we can't stay home forever. People are losing their businesses, their jobs, their livelihoods. Which is worse? Contracting and perhaps fighting a bad virus (like some do every year, a small percentage dies) or in some cases losing everything you've worked for most of your adult life in a possible bankruptcy?

I agree the FIRST stimulus package was needed as is the PPP (paycheck protection program), SBA loans for small businesses, help to farmers as the markets (of course the DOW and NASDAQ, but especially cattle market for ranchers and other agriculture product markets) have tanked in the chaos of shutting down the U.S. economy, etc. But the key to the country's survival and resurgence is companies being in business producing goods or services; individuals working to generate an income and making purchases (at stores and restaurants, etc.) and yes, even paying reasonable taxes so tax-supported entities can survive.

Barber County, Kansas, EMS Director Mike Loreg confirmed Monday there were zero positive cases of COVID-19 in Barber County, Kansas. He said there had been only one confirmed case of COVID-19 in the county and that elderly man recovered.

Everything I'm seeing in the news, both on television and reading, is politicians like Pelosi and Schumer proposing even a larger stimulus in addition to the original $2 plus trillion plan. In my opinion that is NOT the answer as it will help bankrupt our country. And by the way, where are these trillions of dollars coming from? Is our U.S. Treasury just printing more money or are we borrowing more from China? Either scenario frightens me beyond words.

A famous quote from the late President Ronald Reagan said, “The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.” Reagan's words have never been truer than they are today with the government's intervention during COVID-19.

Watching the national and state news, it's apparent some states' governors are using their role as a real power trip in my opinion. They keep extending the stay-at-home order, not allowing certain businesses to open. For example, the Michigan governor wouldn't allow people who were shopping in a Wal-Mart or similar store to purchase lawn supplies like grass seed or even paint to do a project in their home (allowed to purchase groceries only) while abiding by the stay-at-home order. The county commissioners in Routt County, Colorado, imposed a $5,000 fine and up to 18 months imprisonment for not wearing a mask into a grocery store, according to my sister who lives there.

Salon owners offer some of the safest services because of the strict health guidelines they practice daily anyway as they are closely monitored by the state, yet Kansas salons are now closed until May 18, thanks to Gov. Laura Kelly. A salon owner said they were originally told they could start taking clients again May 3.

If people can shop in grocery/liquor stores, hardware stores, etc., why can't they shop in retail clothing stores and attend church services with the required social distancing (six feet apart)? How can they tell me religion is “non-essential?” Oh yeah, some of those politicians want to take away “In God We Trust” from our currency and anything where God appears. His name must stay – faith in God and freedom of religion is an integral part of what our founders built America upon.

All these governor extensions lead me to believe the far left loves to see American capitalism threatened and government giving handouts the norm. I don't know about you but I don't want the government having control of my life. That far-left U.S. Representative for New York's 14th District Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez actually tweeted how happy she was when oil prices traded in the negative numbers for the first time ever during this crisis because she wants to see the U.S. oil industry stopped. The only way to get their controlling hands out of our lives is to vote them out of office – at least the ones in your state.

South Barber's Outdoor Graduation Canceled at Last Minute Due to Governor 's Order

The final straw for me was when Kansas Governor Kelly sent out a letter to school superintendents Friday, dated for Saturday, May 9, that graduations could not happen until May 18, according to HER (another) extension of the pandemic orders. Of course, South Barber High School administrators and others had planned to the last detail an outdoor graduation for the afternoon last Saturday, May 9, on Main Street in Kiowa, Kansas, with social distancing for graduates and guests (as explained two times in the Newsgram). Grade 7-12 Principal Brent Shaffer said when USD255 had their outdoor graduation planned they requested and received approval from the Kansas State Department of Education. Wednesday the school received another okay from the education department to hold the outdoor graduation.

The school complied and did not hold graduation Saturday. The news was another devastating disappointment for this senior class of 14. Administrators explained two members from the SB Class of 2020 have joined the military and are to report for their service May 19. The goal is for these two students to get to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Shaffer said it was “like a death” when he got the word Friday that this class, like other graduates across the nation, were again being cheated of their senior year events. Decorated cakes, cookies and snacks were already prepared for drive-by outdoor receptions in graduate's yards.