THANKS TO DEMOCRATS WITH CONSCIENCES

Anyone who has watched the partisan divide grow wider and wider in Congress understands how far removed the nation's lawmakers have become from leadership and compromise. Maybe that's why it was so refreshing to see 13 Democrats in the Missouri House bolt from the party line -- and stern warnings from the governor's office -- over the issue of collective bargaining for public employees.

Collective bargaining was one of Mel Carnahan's top priorities this year. But the 13 Democrats voted the way their constituents were urging them to vote. Six of the those Democrats -- Phillip Britt, Marilyn Williams, Don Koller, Mark Hampton, Jerry McBride and Kelly Parker -- are from Southeast Missouri.

Folks in these parts, regardless of political affiliation, owe those courageous legislators a word of thanks.