LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

POLICE NOT INVOLVED IN TELEMARKETING

To the editor:

It was recently brought to my attention that a citizen expressed concern in Speak Out about telemarketing activities on behalf of the Cape Girardeau Police Department. I feel it is important for our citizens to know the Cape Girardeau Police Department does not support or endorse any form of telemarketing operations.

In those rare instances where the Cape Girardeau Police Department partners with community organizations, representatives will have in their possession a letter from the chief of police identifying the representative and outlining the partnership program. I would strong encourage any citizen who has questions regarding telemarketing activities to contact Cpl. Kevin Orr at the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

RICHARD L. HETZEL, Chief of Police

Cape Girardeau

SEEKING BEST POSSIBLE HEALTH CARE

To the editor:

Thanks for Gary Rust's commentary on the impact of HMOs. More articles like this might help people think. Most people, I believe, would settle for the best possible health care, because most people know that nothing is perfect. The problem is figuring out what is the best possible. Once we could establish the best possible through published standards, benchmarking and shared measurements of quality, we might be successful in educating people to make good choices. Educated consumers might then seek positive solutions through a welcomed process established by service providers. Although it is unrealistic to think that even the best possible can please everyone, successful entities try.

I'm personally not sure whether health care should be a right or not. What I am sure of is that many employers look at health care as a benefit for employment. Therefore, employers and employees are purchasing health care that they expect to be the best possible. Now, I do have concerns for those uninsured who cannot afford to purchase insurance, and I do have concerns for those providers of service that need to turn on the lights. Need I get into the growing number of senior citizens on fixed incomes? Health care is a commodity and a needed service. It is a community problem that needs to be addressed and fixed within our community, or the community will get the health care it deserves. Therefore, I think it behooves us to strive for the best possible, politics and egos aside.

If I paid $250 for needed work on my car, I'd expect to be please. If not, I'd complain. If not satisfied, I wouldn't go back. The same goes for health care.

MARY DUNN

Cape Girardeau

REMEMBER THE UNION MOVEMENT

To the editor:Labor Day is celebrated each year in honor of this countrys work force and the many accomplishments of working men and women, past and present, who have contributed so much to improving Americas working conditions.Todays work force should be grateful for the many sacrifices workers have made throughout this century to create and sustain a living wage, safe working conditions and the right to respect and dignity on the job.Many of the greatest benefits and conditions all workers enjoy today can be credited to organized labor and the union movement of this country.Unions have improved the lives of all workers. Thanks to those workers who were willing to stand up for their beliefs, even in the face of great opposition by employers who beat and even killed union supporters, conditions for every worker, union or not, have gotten better.The eight-hour day and the 40-hour workweek can be attributed to the labor movement as well as the minimum wage and the end of child labor. When the minimum wage was established in 1938, the rate was set at 25 cents an hour. Since then, organized labor has helped lead the fight to raise the minimum wage to its current rate and is currently working to make that rate even higher.More recently, the union movement can take credit for passage of the Family Medical Leave Act to allow families time away from work in the event of a newborn baby or other family crisis. Unions are also responsible for many other benefits that today are often taken for granted, benefits like maternity leave, overtime pay, paid holidays, pensions, paid vacations and sick leave and safer working conditions. Unions can even be thanked for the weekend.Union members won these benefits at the bargaining table and set the standard for all working Americans. There was a time in this country when these benefits were unheard of and the rights of collective bargaining were illegal. What a difference the labor movement has made in this country. This Labor Day, we need to pay homage to all those who helped brighten our paths.But the struggle of workers is far from over. Many unscrupulous employers still resist the legal efforts of their work forces to organize and form their own unions. While employers no longer hire goons to beat their employees, todays anti-union tactics include firing workers, threatening to move job sites and replacing workers legally exercising their right to strike. High insurance premiums, harmful legislation like Californias Proposition 226 and the increased market of imported goods and products also pose new threats to todays work force.Like the many workers before us who fought so hard to improve the working conditions for themselves, their co-workers and their families, it is now our responsibility to ensure that collective bargaining remains a tool for union members and all workers to improve their working conditions and their lives.The struggles and sacrifices of todays working men and women will help brighten the path for tomorrows workers and improve the lives of our children and this country.This Labor Day, take time to remember the efforts of those before us, and lets pledge ourselves to keep working together for the good of all working men and women, not only for our own benefit, but for those who will come after us.EDWARD M. SMITH, Vice President and Regional ManagerLaborers International Union of North AmericaSpringfield, Ill.