Speak Out 03/07/03

Unfair competition

A WATER park or any other business should be built by private investors, not taxpayers. It is not fair for a taxpayer-supported business to compete against a private business. If a water park is such a good economic development, then let private investors build it instead of the taxpayers. It is not a proven fact that a water park will generate revenue to cover its operating expenses. That's just a hopeful guess to persuade taxpayers to vote for a tax increase.

Money not the issue

FOR THE thousandth time, there is no proven correlation between student achievement and the amount of money spent per pupil.

Tough times are good

WHEN BILL Clinton was president, the economy was not good, so says a Speak out caller. Apparently, this comment came from one devoted to the school of thought that the worst of times brings out the best in people. Thus, a bad economy is good for us, and the unprecedented prosperity we experienced while Clinton was president was bad for us. I happen to agree with this view and think it would toughen us up if we again experienced times similar to those of the Great Depression and World War II. I'm optimistic because as I write this we're on the verge of that.

Moving forward

TO THOSE who are opposed to a tax increase: This is not the 1940s, 1950s or 1960s. This is 2003. Wake up. You can no longer buy a pack of gum for a nickel or get your car filled with gas and have someone clean your windshield at the same time. Things change and move forward whether you like it or not. There is a reason Cape Girardeau's population has stayed steady at 35,000 people while other towns such as Jackson have had increases. It's because these areas are not afraid of progress. These proposed tax increases in Cape are meant to improve the city as a whole. We can't allow ourselves to become complacent.

Sun never sets

WHEN VOTING on the tax issues in April, all residents of Cape Girardeau need to know these taxes will go on and on. There is no sunset provision.

Sales-tax revenue

RESIDENTS OF Cape Girar-deau: Before going to the polls to vote for a sales-tax increase, you need to ask your city council members, "How much revenue was generated in 2002 from sales tax, and what increase was this over 2001?" We will see many people not coming to Cape Girardeau to do business if there is a sales-tax increase. What will this mean to the economy in Cape Girardeau?

They don't mix

GAMBLING AND church attendance don't go together. Let all the towns have their gambling boats. If you can't stop gambling, then it's your choice to drive to the boats. You could save yourself a lot of money and maybe give it to your church if you stopped visiting the boats.

Plenty of money

I AGREE with the "Missed the casino boat" comment. Look at what Metropolis, Ill., is doing with the money. It's sharing with the county. Sorry, Cape Girardeau County. You need to talk to your voters.

Deserve a break

I'D LIKE to comment on the person who thinks that earned income credit should be taken away from low-income families. That always seems to be the answer to budget problems: Take away from the poor as long as it doesn't affect their paychecks. Some of them only make a little more than minimum wage, but they still work hard and deserve some kind of a break.

Not in control

JIM DRURY has done nothing but impede the progress of our future River Campus. While some people have always opposed this project, the majority of our voters passed it at the election. Drury obviously is angry because he, for once, is not in control of a small portion of the taxes.

Water park needed

A NEW pool would not bring the revenue into the area like a water park. Take it from someone who takes her kids to Farmington several times during the summer. We usually eat before or after going and almost always make a stop at Wal-Mart before leaving. If all I wanted to do was swim in a pool, I'd go to Jackson.