Rod Jetton: Lazy Missourians!
NEWS
Speaker Rod Jetton
156th District State Representative
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 6, 2008 CONTACT:Barry Bennett
573-424-1548
STATEMENT
“My comments concerning some lazy Missourians and hardworking immigrants have received lots of debate and discussion. I want to clear up any misconceptions that Missourians might have about what I said.”
“In no way do I support illegal immigration and in fact I am supporting several bills that would help Missouri detain and deport illegal immigrants. Missouri has a well educated and strong workforce and nothing I said should be taken as me supporting illegal immigration.”
“It was a mistake to single out Wayne County. Most residents are hard working citizens and it is a great place to live and raise a family. Yes, they have folks who have developed a dependency on welfare just like almost every other county in Missouri.
“The example I used about the company coming to Wayne County was wrong. I have now learned there were 300, not three, people who applied for the jobs from Fine Labs. I had heard about the new company years before, and should have checked my facts before retelling it to a reporter. My singling out of Wayne County and having my example wrong have put Wayne County in a bad light. I want all Missourians to know that Wayne County is a great place to live, raise and family, and work. ”
“However, my comments were pointed at those who have developed a dependency on welfare and not those who truly need assistance. For many in our area and around our state, welfare and unnecessary medical claims have become a lifestyle. These are the people I was describing. Many of us get up each day and go to work and pay our taxes, while they wait by the mailbox to get a check. I think we all get tired of supporting some of these “Lazy Missourians.”
“We all support government programs that help folks through the hard times. Healthcare problems or job layoffs are real, and sometimes families need help getting back on their feet. State government should be there to lend a hand up, but we shouldn’t allow a onetime need to turn into a lifetime dependency on other taxpayers.”
“I stand by my original comments concerning the poor work ethic of some of our citizens and I feel many of them could learn a thing or two from some of the hardworking immigrants who have come to America for a better life. I am thankful we have so many hard workers in Missouri and will continue to find ways to get able bodied Missourians off of government assistance and taking care of themselves.”
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Jetton Sorry? "I don't think so"!
To say that Rep. Jetton is sorry for his remarks is going a bit far. I don't believe that Rod had, has, or will ever have, any true remorse for what he said. The Bible tells us that from the "abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh". I think it's clear that anyone can read from his statement where his true feelings are at.
Mr. Jetton, continues to speak before he thinks or checks out any information. He has totally let down the counties he was elected to represent.
I hope if Mr. Jetton ever runs for office again that Missourians will remember what he stands for!
Dennis Brown