Speak Out 01/14/04

Depend on Democrats

AS THE state legislative session warms up, it becomes clear that the Republicans in control place corporate profit ahead of human health and a clean environment. Our safety is in the hands of a Democratic minority. But we can change that at the next election.

Series of lies

CAL THOMAS misses his target. If evil exists, we have to acknowledge that Saddam Hussein surely was that as a dictator. But remember that he acquired and maintained power almost entirely as a result of the support of U.S. presidents from Ronald Reagan onwards. Meanwhile, he never had the ability to pose a threat to the U.S. There is a large dose of evil behind the series of lies perpetrated on the American people and the world by the Bush White House as they tried to justify an illegal and immoral invasion. I hope the truth finally comes out in the Hussein trial.

Support fire tax

CAPE GIRARDEAU has one of the best fire departments I have ever seen. Not only are they good, but they are very nice as well. If we need to raise taxes to help them save lives, then let's raise taxes. They put their lives on the line for all of us every day and raise money on their own to buy equipment to help save all of us in Cape Girardeau. Give them all a chance to stay alive and keep people who need help every day alive.

Sending a message

IN LIGHT of the Cape Girardeau School District's budget situation, here's a possible solution: Let go all employees who send their kids to private schools. The message they send is what they do is good enough for all kids except their own.

Start cutting the fat

THERE IS a lot of money being spent in Cape on maintaining the city parks. Our parks are beautiful, but is it really necessary for the city worker who picks up the litter in the park to drive in a city truck with his litter stick in one hand out the window and stopping every 10 inches or so to pick up a piece of paper? Why isn't this done on foot? Mayor Knudtson, start cutting the fat.

Don't cut band teacher

I AM a concerned parent of a Central High School band student. I do not feel comfortable about the idea of cutting the third band teacher. What people do not realize is that with only two band instructors, the ratio of students to teacher will become 67 to 1 for every band period of the day at both CHS and Central Junior High School. That means my child will only be entitled to 1/67th of that teacher's time during that specific period.

Focus on the students

PEOPLE WHO are upset over the fact that the Cape Girardeau School Board might raise taxes confuses me. The whole focus of the budget cuts should be on the students. If you complain about raising taxes to help ease the pain of the budget cuts, then you must be the type of person who takes candy from a baby. Let's do what's best for the children of Cape Girardeau, not what's best for those who have already had the chance to learn.

No urology coverage

I AM speaking on behalf of myself and my co-workers. We are state employed. This week we were informed by one of our co-workers who was being treated for a kidney stone that our insurance is not accepted by the urology doctors in Cape Girardeau. We feel a city of this size and covering such a large surrounding area should have at least one urology doctor who would accept state employees' insurance. The closest place that accepts our insurance is Anna, Ill., or St. Louis. What's the problem?