Stream and Akin: Any Difference?

To the Editor:

On October 25, police in Belleville arrested a student for bringing a gun on campus of Southwestern Illinois College. Rick Stream voted to allow concealed weapons to be brought on college campuses in the state of Missouri. At the time, I was chair of the board of trustees for St. Louis Community College.

When I learned the Missouri House had passed that measure, I called every college president in our state. They collectively lobbied the state senate; the measure was stopped.

Stream endorsed Todd Akin. He voted against women having health care choices. He voted against teachers’ tenure, as well as stripping teachers of their seniority.

A St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial pointed out Steve Tilley former speaker of the house gave campaign contributions to Stream, who turned around and paid Tilley’s political consulting firm, Strategic Capital Consulting fees for various advice or services.

Stream’s positions are exactly the same as Todd Akin’s. It is time for a change.  Deb Lavender’s small business experience, her fiscal conservative philosophy, her health care background provides a sensible approach to those issues effecting men and women.

--Bob Nelson, Past Chair of the St. Louis Community College Board of Trustees

Email letters to the editor to owen.skoler@patch.com.