Letters to the Editor

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, Trump signed an Executive Order which strips long-held civil service protections from career Federal Employees whose work involves policymaking. His action allows them to be dismissed without recourse, similar to the political appointees of each administration...

On Election Day, we hope that many will join us in voting yes on Amendment 3. Amendment 3 seeks to right the wrongs of the Clean Missouri Amendment which misled voters in our last election. The 2018 amendment gave the Missouri State Auditor -- not the Secretary of State, who is the state's election authority, or the Attorney General, who enforces the laws of the state -- the power of appointing a state demographer. ...

In February, our family was blessed with its first grandchildren. Their arrival made it clear that it was time for me to seek public office to restore the true priorities of all Missourians. Missourians place high value on equality for everyone in our community. Policies and practices must apply fairly to all. Resources should be shared equitably. The hallmarks of public service should be professionalism and responsiveness to everyone...

We are just days away from the most important election of our lifetimes! We have the privilege of voting for the party that upholds the sanctity of ALL life and protects our God-given rights, our freedom to worship, lower taxation, etc. OR voting for death and destruction of life which accompanies the party of increased taxation, Green New Deal, making the earth our "god", socialism/communism, to name a few...

Domestic Violence Awareness month is observed each October as a way to bring attention to the problem of domestic violence and to support efforts to end domestic violence. Eighty-nine women were killed in 2019 in the state of Missouri by their domestic partners. ...

This year has been hard on us all. From working and attending school virtually to increased unemployment and business closures, the pandemic has compounded the economic challenges for our region. But there have been bright spots for Southeast Missouri. ...

I've worked at the polls several times over the last few years at different precincts in Cape Girardeau County, and I have nothing but praise for Kara Clark Summers, County Clerk, and Allen Seabaugh, Election Supervisor. Both work hard to make sure that poll workers are properly trained, that election laws are followed, and that voters are treated with respect...

As we locals know, Rush Limbaugh, "our hometown star," comes back frequently and especially during the holidays. A couple of billboards north of the Cape Girardeau Airport on I-55 are vacant. With the Drury influence and our love for our native son Rush, it is most fitting that a billboard saluting Rush would be most appropriate and would boost his positivity in his fight against cancer...

Voters know there's only one seriously contested local race in our county. They can't wait to hear when candidates for House District 147 will debate. They have many questions for my opponent, Sen. Wayne Wallingford. Voters are curious to know why Sen. ...

Please join us in celebrating the retirement and overturning the legacy of Sen. Wayne Wallingford. This event is happening now through 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3, at designated polling locations. Sen. Wallingford has earned his retirement from elected office through a variety of actions that put him at odds with the majority of voters he now seeks to represent in House District 147...

Winston Churchill said it best: "You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give." The citizens of Cape Girardeau County have a better life because of what our firefighters give. Their dedication and commitment to keeping us safe is both visible and measurable. For all they do we have five words: Thank you and stay safe...

In 1998, when I arrived in Cape Girardeau to go to work at KFVS12, I knew that I needed to find a dentist. At my previous position in North Carolina, I continued to drive to my long-term dentist in Ohio. Twelve hours one way by car wasn't working. A chance meeting with Dr. ...

We contend that Sen. Wayne Wallingford is the wrong person to represent the good people of Cape Girardeau in Missouri's House District 147. There is ample evidence to support this assertion. For us it boils down to his apparent inability to comply with the will of the people, which is to have a balanced, well-managed government working to meet their needs. ...

October is National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Month, a time to acknowledge the contributions many long-term care (LTC) residents have made to better our community and to call attention to the rights of residents in long-term care facilities. Across the country, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities along with family members, Ombudsmen, citizen advocates, facility staff and others will honor the individual rights of long-term care residents by celebrating Residents' Rights Month.. ...

Today, fear psychosis permeates America's democratic institutions such as CDC, FDA, EPA, FBI, DOJ, USPS, etc. There are police brutalities, racial strife, culture wars, chaos, division and disruptions. These are clearly products of Trump's malignant narcissism...

October 4 starts National Fire Prevention Week. For the Cape Girardeau Fire Department this means a week full of fire drills, poster contests, and fire safety demonstrations. While we spotlight the great message this brings to our community, it is important that we reflect on the tragic lessons that prompted change regarding fire safety. ...

Here we go again. Adrienne Ross has treatise of 9/29/20: "Mail-in ballots: Voter fraud made easy in New York". Suddenly there are attacks on integrity of our election system after centuries of acceptance. She does mention a factual incident of her ballot from New York arriving at a former address here in Missouri after six years. Since she had not received ballots for at least three prior elections, this is obviously not a systemic problem...

Recently there was a letter written to the editor about the disparaging remarks made by President Trump concerning veterans being losers. The writer made the remark that the president must not be reelected because of said remarks. I disagree. I don't believe he said that. Obviously, the writer believes in fake news. The fake news is relentless. The swamp is deep. The Kool-Aid is strong...

Gov. Mike Parson came through the area last Tuesday (again), this time to celebrate his failed special session of the General Assembly. Gov. Parson and my House District opponent, lame duck Sen. Wayne Wallingford, have provided a pitiful response to the epidemic of gun violence. ...

America's public health system is finally getting the attention it deserves; however, its importance stretches far beyond the urgency of the coronavirus pandemic. Good public health starts with prevention, including preventing one of America's deadliest diseases: cancer...

I am writing in support of the outstanding letters to the editor by Steve Essner and Will Richardson, published 9/24/20. Both wonderfully address what truly is the meaning of pro-life. Both writers speak of love, compassion, caring, and challenge the too often unexamined acceptance of current leadership...

It is with trepidation that I address the issue of abortion. It is a polarizing issue. Many people determine their vote only by a candidate's stated position on abortion. A pro-life position is more than just being anti-abortion. And one's vote should be determined by how well a candidate protects life, conception to death...

Some believe that instead of wearing masks and other mitigation measures to overcome the coronavirus outbreak, we should pursue herd immunity. They believe things would return to normal if we are willing to infect the herd with coronavirus and sacrifice the lives of an estimated 2 to 4 million herd members...

One thing that quickly becomes evident to people visiting our community is our high level of patriotism and our respect for those who served to defend our country. This shared value is easily observed, from displays like the amazing memorial at North County Park and the American flags flown at many businesses and homes...

David Limbaugh's latest apology for the president boggles the mind. Repeatedly referring to him as a patriot -- who dodged the draft with rich man deferments; who called our soldiers suckers or losers; who put down Gold Star families, and who has done nothing when our intelligence community has credible evidence of the Soviets putting bounties on our troops. Trump is like the emperor with no clothes -- and when anyone tries to tell him something he does not believe, he gets rid of them...

We are once again facing a presidential election with less than ideal candidates. Donald Trump is flawed beyond repair, and Joe Biden peaked in the last century. The voters in the party primaries gave us these candidates, so we must pick between the two...

Recently various news sources including a Fox correspondent have quoted anonymous individuals saying Mr. Trump called the members of the U.S. Armed Forces killed at the Battle of Belleau Wood and buried in France suckers and losers. As an individual who served in Vietnam and has done battle for this country, I take exception to his words...

I was recently insulted by President Trump's comments about members of the military being losers. Before people start saying not true, pay attention to the different times he referred to John McCain as a loser. My uncle was captured by the Japanese in 1942 on Corregidor. ...

I was deeply saddened by the news of Charles L. Drury's passing earlier this week. I first met CLD, as he is referred to within the Drury work climate, in December 1980. I've had the good fortune of crossing paths with him on numerous occasions during the course of 40 years employment with Drury Hotels...

On Aug. 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified giving women the right to vote. It had been a hard-fought victory begun years before, and it struggled to come to fruition as wars and a pandemic threatened to end it altogether. The March 1913 Women's Suffrage Parade held in Washington, D.C. ...

George Mason was an American patriot of the Revolution and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Mason's theory of inalienable rights influenced Thomas Jefferson's thinking on the Declaration of Independence, arguing for a strong local government and a weak central government. This led to our present Bill of Rights...

David Limbaugh in his opinion columns continues to use misinformation to paint Democrats as anti-American. In his August 31st column he alludes to Biden not denouncing, until recently, the violence in cities that has erupted alongside peaceful protests. ...

Parents are taking matters into their own hands this fall when it comes to their children's education, particularly those dissatisfied with what their public school district is offering. They are creating their own neighborhood schools, hiring tutors or using known education providers, such as Sylvan Learning Center or Mathnasium. Others are switching to private schools or home schooling...

During 48-44 B. C. E, Julius Caesar, a consummate demagogue, desired to be emperor. He played on fears and resentments of plebeians and created a rowdy Base. Roman Republic died with his assassination in 44 B.C.E. Hitler, a masterful demagogue, became a dictator by playing on resentments of his German Base. German Republic died in 1933...

To the belief by some that one party has God's backing while the other has Satan's; I make these points. First, I believe our actions begin as a thought. These thoughts have an origin. I think that is the point Paul is making to the Corinthians when he emphasizes the need to "bring every thought into captivity." Identify its source and let its source determine what you do with it...

Socialism, on the surface, looks compassionate. But it results in that your personal motivation to do your best is squelched. If you are a factory worker who works hard to produce much, you hope your wages reflect it. On payday your check is the same as all other workers who are not motivated to work hard. What will that do to your motivation to work hard the next week? Socialism kills motivation to do your best!...

I must strongly object to the Ramirez cartoon on page 9A of Saturday's weekend edition. To use the image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in such a way is disrespectful and divisive.

I am disappointed, and frankly, disgusted, that you and your editorial board would choose to publish the Ramirez cartoon depicting MLK Jr. scolding protesters along with ridiculing the idea of reparations.

I love football. I live, breathe, dress, scream, obsess over and generally schedule my life around football every fall. High school, college and/or pros: I'm in. All in. I hate Covid. I've been working from home since March, socially distanced from everything. I miss people. I miss hugs. I miss talking to strangers in the check out lane at Walmart. I miss ... life...

Many of us were taught to respect the American flag at an early age. We said the Pledge of Allegiance at the little country school I attended, and we saluted the flag and showed respect in other ways when I was in the Army. Therefore, I cringe when I see someone disrespecting the flag...

I am writing this letter on Aug 9. As of this date the United States has had 161,921 people die from COVID-19. This is almost double the 86,782 the country suffered as combat deaths in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and both wars in Iraq. Along with this sad statistic, the United States has seen its medical system stretched to the limit by the more than 5 million cases of COVID-19...

This past Tuesday I was given the honor of becoming my party's nominee for state representative for Missouri's House District 147. I wish to humbly thank my supporters and the voters who chose me and made our campaign possible. Clearly, our cause was strengthened by voter approval of our No. 1 priority, Medicaid expansion. However, the swift and complete implementation of Medicaid expansion is far from assured, and that is what is powering the last 90 days of our campaign...

Past performance is the best indicator of future behavior, is a quote often attributed to Mark Twain. I am sure he was thinking of our Cape Girardeau county clerk and the great team of folks she assembled to ensure a speedy and accurate count in our recent Primary Election. ...

My husband and I would like to thank the two guardian angels who stood by our son in the Lowes parking lot last Saturday afternoon until help arrived. GLORIA HASSEMER, Jackson

Covid-19 has now claimed more American lives than World War I, twice that of the Vietnam and Korean conflicts combined, and more than the bombing of Hiroshima. More than the combined populations of Cape Girardeau, Scott, Bollinger and Perry counties. That is the toll of this virus. Yet some still minimize it. Myths abound. It is a hoax, it will go away after the election, there is a miracle cure, it was created in a laboratory, and masks don't work...

The HEROES Act, a comprehensive COVID-19 relief package, has been sitting in Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's lap for more than two and a half months. Yet, as the virus spread and the economic situation got worse, McConnell opted to do nothing for working people in Missouri...

Why, when the rich people, corps. and financial groups need help, the bail-out is shared by the 98% outside that group. But if the overwhelming majority need help, it's wealth redistribution and socialism? A fair and decent society takes care of their own...