Speak Out 1/20/09

Humbled, inspired

I work out at a health facility in Cape Girardeau. All the older people and those with disabilities who work out there are an inspiration to me. I am trying to lose weight and get in shape and have a pity party for myself some days. Then I see someone lifting weights or walking the track or on the treadmill who is older and moving slower but smiling. I saw an older man who was obviously recovering from a stroke. He was by himself working out with such determination and cheerfulness, I wanted to hug him. You make those of us who are not facing so many challenges, other than our own insecurity, feel humbled and inspired at the same time.

Police cooperation

I was recently able to provide some assistance to the Cape Girardeau Police Department regarding an investigation. Subsequently I found my cell phone would be confiscated for evidence. This left me without cell phone service and minus a $400 phone. This has gone on for two weeks now. As a result, I've missed out on work and my child was stranded at school for two hours. I'm a hard-working single mother. That was the reward I got for cooperating with police. They wonder why people in the community aren't willing to come forward with evidence.

Hire the assistant

WHY hire a new city manager to replace Doug Leslie? Why not just promote his assistant and hire someone to fill that position? Either I just don't get it, or common sense does not apply in this situation.

Stretching the oil

IT'S disgusting to see people who made the smart choice to upgrade to economy cars or downsize from large vehicles now choosing to hop back into their 4x4 pickups and SUVs because gasoline is "cheap" again. Oil is a finite, nonrenewable commodity that will run out. It needs to be stretched out as long as possible. If you thought $4 a gallon was bad, just wait until countries are at war, pumping trillions of dollars into the cause and taking over one another in an effort to position themselves to scoop up the last remaining productive oil fields to satisfy their unquenchable thirst. That scenario sounds hauntingly familiar.

Road maintenance

I would like to know whether MoDOT or Jackson is supposed to take care of Old Orchard Road. The south end is a wide concrete street. Farther north there is a well-maintained gravel stretch. The north end between the gravel and Bainbridge there is patchy asphalt with large potholes. As bad as it sounds, I would even welcome some of that chip and seal. It has to be better than what is there now.

Try an upgrade

FOR all those who are complaining about the digital TV receivers: Why not upgrade to cable? It's not the government's job to make sure you can watch TV.

Balance the budget

NONE of us would buy a $100,000 car and expect our children to pay for it when they start working. We know that spending trillions and adding to the federal deficit will be a burden on our children. It is wrong to spend money today that we have no way to pay back. We are in tough times, but it is up to us to live through tough times and not spend more than can be repaid. It is time to balance the federal budget.

Do it yourself

STOP being a couch-potato. Exercise. We mow our yards as the grass grows. Why can't people mow their leaves as they fall? If you are unable to do the work, call on a church group, youth group, family or neighbor to help.

For starters ...

FDR kept us in a depression for a decade by spending lots of money growing government and throttling free enterprise. Barack Obama and the Democrats are setting us up for years of financial ruin if they follow the example of FDR. Stop throwing around bailout money and lower the corporate tax rate. That's a start.