Letters to the Editor

The writer of "Perspective of illegal immigration" is regurgitating worn out talking points from those who believe in open borders. What he will not tell the public is the Democrats, while blocking funding for a physical border barrier, are also blocking $5.7 billion in essential border security operations. ...

It's time to reform the election system for president so that our votes here in Missouri would matter. Under our current Electoral College system, all the attention now goes to about eight or nine battleground states. Missouri should join in with other states that have already passed the National Popular Vote law (HB1921). ...

A recent reader wrote that our population is decreasing, will this have an effect on our government programs such as Social security? We would not have a shortage of taxpayers if we had not killed 55 million babies, future citizens, through abortion...

While president Trump is flagrantly spreading horrible lies about immigrants seeking asylum at the southern border, and separating thousands of innocent children from their parents, his Republican minions in Congress and Senate are busy praising, condoning and enabling his misdeeds...

As a veteran, I just wanted to share how much I appreciate the wonderful people and care I receive at the Poplar Bluff VAMC and the John J. Pershing VA Clinic in Cape Girardeau. Dr. Tipton, Kelly and Jim are outstanding. Bria, the Nutritionist. Dragon in respiratory. ...

I am beyond concerned that our newspapers and libraries, including the Library of Congress, are in jeopardy and not just by ignorance, but by plan. Please read Nicholson Baker's book, "Double Fold," winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction. It's sole purpose is to preserve the printed word...

Based on the latest data released by the Census Bureau, the national rate of population growth for the USA is the lowest since 1937. This is due to declines in the number of births, gains in the number of deaths, and the fact that the nation's under age 18 population has declined since 2010...

A letter to the editor lamented that Missourians were "misled" after they overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment that placed limits on lobbyists, changed how we redistrict or reapportion our voting districts, and placed limits on campaign contributions. ...

Recently there have been some thoughts expressed that our government isn't listening to the voters. Sometimes that is true, but I would beg to differ with the Clean Missouri Amendment. The Missouri governor has floated the idea of a re-vote, which I fully endorse. ...

In the last election, Missouri voters approved the use of medical marijuana, but the state says it will take over a year to make it available. This provides an example of how the government and the private sector differ. If the private sector was given such a directive, especially one that would bring in big bucks, sales would begin quickly...

Hadrian's wall, the great wall, the Berlin wall, and the Maginot Line all had something in common. They failed. We are told a wall on our southern border would stop drug trafficking, reduce crime, and a host of other falsehoods. Near Tucson, Arizona airport is what appears to be an air museum. ...

A few days ago, George Herbert Walker Bush, 41st President of the United States of America and patriarch of the Bush dynasty, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends. While I did not agree with many of his political views, I did admire him as a man of deep conviction and integrity. His long life of public service, adorn the pages of history with exemplary examples of statesmanship and bipartisanship...

On Dec. 3, the Southeast Missourian reprinted an op-ed piece from the Investor's Business Daily which advocates the continued use of fossil fuels. It takes the position that the reporting of global warming is so politicized that it doesn't qualify as science. The report says that past climate change is no evidence about future climate change, and it calls the recent Fourth National Climate Assessment fake science...

On Dec. 4, two historic events took place in Washington D.C. First, Michael Flynn, former National Security Advisor of Trump, pleaded guilty of lying to the FBI, and Mueller recommended no prison time for him in return for his full cooperation in the investigation of Trump Team's alleged 'Collusion with Russians.' To his credit, Trump did not directly condemn Flynn for fully cooperating with Mueller Team, perhaps because he was an ex-Army General...

Why didn't the gasoline tax pass? The state sponsored initiative to raise gasoline tax failed, and I've heard many politicians and other state officials wonder why. I'm sure there are many reasons, but for me the proposal was disingenuous. Proposition D sought to channel needed funds for road maintenance through the Highway Patrol. ...

The holiday season has officially begun as we finish off our Thanksgiving turkeys and head to the stores for those Black Friday Bargains! The Cape Jaycees are busy preparing for the 2018 Christmas projects -- Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly. In the spirit of the holiday, they are joining forces this year with the Marines and Toys for Tots to bring joy to children across Cape Girardeau County. ...

Constitutional Amendment 2 to the Missouri Constitution, Missouri and Veterans Healthcare Initiative (2018), was passed by the people of the state. Over 65 percent of voters in Missouri approved this amendment. How does the medical use of marijuana impact a person's Second Amendment guarantee?...

How great it was! More than 32,000 votes successfully cast and properly recorded! No hanging chads were discovered, no uncounted votes found in a storage closet, no boxes of provisional votes discovered, no reported problems of any kind, anywhere! Kara Summers, her staff, and some 300 volunteers worked tirelessly to bring to our voters an election that maintains a foundation of integrity, trust and dependability. ...

Donald Trump is unchristian, immoral and a liar and you should take a stand against him. Sure, economic issues are important; I am a fiscal conservative, but at the loss of our soul? He is flying by the seat of his pant and it's all going to come to a bad ending...

I write to congratulate Cape Girardeau’s reimagining of Common Pleas Courthouse Square as Ivers Square, through the leadership of Dr. Steven Hoffman. As a faculty member at Southeast Missouri State University and a nationally recognized authority on African-American history, historic preservation, and downtown revitalization, Hoffman is uniquely qualified as this project’s champion...

On behalf of the clients, staff and board of directors of the Safe House for Women, I would like to convey my sincere appreciation and gratitude for our community’s tremendous support of VintageNOW 9: The Big Show held Oct. 20 at the Show Me Center. The success of VintageNOW is credited to our generous and supportive sponsors and donors, our amazing and dedicated volunteers, and to the event-planning committee, a group of remarkable individuals who spent countless hours in planning and organizing the event. ...

I am so proud of President Donald Trump and his visible and measurable love for America! He's not ashamed of it! He's not apologetic for it! Totally dedicated to our American way of life. President Trump says things that desperately need to be said, things that no other leader has shown the fortitude to stand up and say...

Since FDR took office, the President's party has gained seats in both houses of Congress in a midterm election only twice. Typically, the president's party loses seats, an average loss of about 30 House seats and four Senate seats. Democrats hope this trend continues Tuesday, but Missouri's Senate race is a potential wrinkle to their plans...

After the 2016 election, I hoped that Trump would grow into the presidency. I was wrong. He has only become dishonorable on the world stage. He is polarizing, proudly so, and embarrassing. I cringe at the thought that he will use Cape as his stage. I cringe at what he might say or do to make his pit-stop here memorable...

Prominently displayed on my office wall is a picture of me with former President Barack Obama on a campaign stop in Cape Girardeau. While I may have had policy and leadership differences with the 44th President of the United States, this picture remains on my wall because, well, he went on to become the President of the United States of America...

Plenty of excitement vibrates through town as Cape Girardeau welcomes our first presidential visit since President Bill Clinton in August 1996, which followed eight years after President Ronald Reagan arrived in September 1988. Mr. Clinton chose an outdoor rally in Capaha Park, while President Donald J. ...

As reported, President Trump will be visiting town next week, and I am sure the Show Me Center will be filled to the brim with his supporters. As our community begins preparation for a presidential visit, we must ask if Trump values are Cape Girardeau values. The answer is no...

Amendment 1 offers voters a chance to clean up corruption in Jefferson City, taking power from party insiders and special interests and giving it back to the people. Since 90 percent of legislators are in safe seats, they win and attain leadership positions by keeping party leaders and major donors happy, while ignoring voters at home. That's not how our republic was designed to work...

It is essential for the entire state of Missouri to vote "No" on this very deceptive amendment to our Constitution entitled "Clean Missouri." After all, almost everyone would feel that a vote for a cleaner Missouri is a vote for a better Missouri. That is just what the leftists would have us to believe. It is what is buried beneath the surface of this amendment is what frightens me the most...

After following "Missouri Proposition D, the Gas Tax Increase, Olympic Prize Tax Exemption, and Traffic Reduction Fund Measure," in the news and in some Letter to the Editor sections across the state, it appears there has been some confusion on how it relates to Special Olympics athletes and the medals they win at their competitions...

On Nov. 6 Missourians will vote on Proposition D which, if enacted would increase the gasoline tax by 2 1/2 cents per gallon annually for four years beginning July 1, 2019. Estimates say this will generate $288 million annually for state law enforcement and $123 million annually to local governments for road construction and maintenance...

Where's the leadership We have many choices to make on election day, and I think some of them should have been made by our lawmakers. But since they didn't act on certain issues, initiative petitions were used to put them on the ballot, and some are confusing, conflicting, or poorly worded...

On Nov. 6, Missouri voters can make our roads and bridges safer by voting "Yes" on Proposition D. A "Yes" vote allows us to recapture lost purchasing power since the last gas tax increase in 1996. Steel, concrete and asphalt prices have doubled, and in some cases tripled, since 1996. The 17-cent gas tax of 22 years ago has 7 cents of purchasing power today...

Cape Girardeau's inaugural Citizen Academy recently ended, and as a participant, I'd dub it an incredible success. The roughly 20 people who participated attended eight two-hour sessions held on consecutive Wednesday nights. After three initial sessions at city hall, the remaining "classes" were held at featured city departments, such as public works, parks & rec, police department and fire department...

I write this letter in response to the guest column concerning Clean Missouri written by Rick Francis. I write because I believe in Missourians and I believe they are entitled to the facts and the truth. Clean Missouri is a proposed amendment with the goals of providing a more partisan balance in Missouri's legislative districts and limiting campaign contributions and lobbyists' gifts. The amendment would prevent lawmakers from becoming lobbyists for two years after their legislative term(s)...