Speak Out 09/12/04

Negative income tax

IN THIS country, some live in a utilitarian utopia while many are not so lucky. What needs to be addressed is the disparity in earnings between the differing economic echelons. I would like Congress to consider re-establishing the negative income tax. The health of our society is dependent on the well-being of each economic level. Remember: United we stand, divided we fall. The general welfare of the populace is guaranteed by the Constitution. A political totalitarian government is a democratic government, period.

How we behave

EVIL AS defined by Webster is something that causes injury. Of course we should respect ourselves as well as others, but who is the authority of what is right? Some choose to sin. I smoke tobacco. Some drink alcohol or use illicit drugs. These habits may injure the user in some way. It is wise that those who use these substances should understand the pros and cons of their use. If the behavior of the user effects the well-being of others, this is offensive and consideration of others is in order.

School combination

I THINK it's time the school board considered hiring a businessman as superintendent. His assistant should be a man schooled in education to work with the teachers and the classroom. This would be a good combination.

Toilets in the park

IT'S DUMB to put a toilet next to the picnic tables in Arena Park. Restrooms at parks are smelly, dirty and used by perverts. They tried this same thing in Dennis Scivally Park a few years ago. The neighbors said no. Dennis Scivally Park has had not trouble with perverts.

Planning to retire

I BELIEVE the author of "Your own fault" meant that so many people have come to rely on Social Security that they felt no need to save for their retirement. Social Security was intended to be a supplement, not their sole means of retirement. For many, we find money for the things we want but then say we can't afford to save for retirement. Then we complain about living on a fixed income. We can all sacrifice some of the extras in our lives in order to provide for our own retirement and not rely on the government to do it for us.

View with a clock

LEAVE THE clock where it is. There is not a prettier view than looking up the hill from Water Street past the clock and all the way to the top of the old courthouse. It just seems to all tie together. I have taken several pictures of it.

Making ends meet

I WANT to say bravo to the widow living on a fixed income and her reply to "It's your own fault." I'm only in my 30s and I agree with her. You shouldn't judge anyone, especially when you don't know what you are talking about. I watch my grandmother live on a fixed income. Her medications get more expensive. Elderly people shouldn't have to pay those ridiculous prices. What good is Medicare when it's not much of a help to them? Then there's the cost of food. She is able to get commodities every month. And she pays utilities and rent. On a rare occasion she gets to buy something to wear. Everything goes up in price when her income doesn't. I dread the time to retire. I won't be able to afford it.

Act of kindness

TALK ABOUT a random act of kindness: I believe that is the same girl who paid for my gas at Boomland about two weeks ago because the automatic checking wouldn't take my check. I told the worker I could run to my home and get the cash. The worker didn't know what to tell me. She was calling her manager, and the young woman paid for my gas. I felt bad for accepting it, but then I was delighted to see a young teen help out her elders.

Give them parking

IF CAPE Girardeau, Jackson and other towns want people to come to their old downtown areas, they had better get some parking places. We attended the open house for the Marquette Towers and could hardly find a place to park. What are tourists supposed to do?