I have read so many news releases about North Dakota being such a good steward of our finances and about all our surplus money, so I have to wonder why are we getting in line for the government bailout?

Shouldn't that be for the states that need it? Is this greed? What is socialism? If we do take money, let's make sure it is used for made-in-America products when possible. So, you want to make it against the law to sell foreign-made U.S. flags in North Dakota? What patriot American would buy a foreign-made U.S. flag, unless they couldn't afford a U.S.-made one and still felt the need to be patriotic?

Why stop there, if you made it illegal to buy any foreign-made products, the country would be in a lot better shape. How many foreign-made cars are sitting in the Capitol parking lot?

Senate Bill 2192, to make March 29 Vietnam Veterans Day, was presented as a feel-good bill because of the way we were treated when we came back. I think North Dakota treated us pretty good. We served because it was our duty, we are honored to have worn the uniform and we're proud to be called veterans. We have our day, it's called Veterans Day.

If there must be another day for us, then I propose we share it with POW-MIA Awareness Day. That way at least I could be riding my motorcycle and thinking about the 2,400 POW-MIA brothers my government abandoned in Southeast Asia.

On another note, I feel that the intentions of the Civil Air Patrol were noble to promote Wreaths Across America here in North Dakota, but to see $38,000 worth of wreaths buried in the snow, days after they were placed at the All Veterans Cemetery was just a waste of money.

We need to direct this money toward something that can be seen for several weeks or more and can be reused annually.

There, I feel better. Have a nice day.