Speak Out 1/31/08

Let's walk

I BELIEVE people are made for walking. We all know that we need exercise, but where should we start? If people were made for swimming, we would have a nose in the back of our heads to breath while swimming. If people were made for bicycling, we would have one attached at birth. People are made for walking, and teenagers are made for running. Now let's get some exercise.

Happy teacher

I AM a teacher who is tired of the bickering about whether or not we're underpaid. I have the privilege of being home when my children are home. I don't stay at work until 5 p.m. unless I want to. I can get dinner started. My children come home to my supervision and start their homework, leaving us to have the entire time after dinner as family. My husband makes a decent salary, but not high-end. Each driver in our family has a car, none over four years old. We take nice vacations. Each child is in one type of private lesson or sport. Neither my husband nor I have a second job. Each and every single teacher friend and acquaintance I have, and that's a lot, are in the same situation. I'd love to make more money. Anyone in any job would. But I don't think I'm underpaid. Nor am I stupid. I knew when I went to college I wouldn't make loads of money, I know now that if I want to make loads of money I'm going to have to get a different degree and work at least 9 to 5 for 50 weeks out of the year. No thanks. I'll keep the job I love, the lifestyle I love and my mouth shut about how bad off I am, because it's not true. I wish others would be honest and do the same.

Cut the spending

THE ALTERNATIVE to not appropriating federal money for earmarked projects is not to turn the money over to the federal government for spending. It is to cut the spending on earmarked projects out of the federal budget. Rather than turning it over to the feds to squander, return it to the taxpayers.

And no tax increase

I ENJOYED the editorial thanking Gov. Matt Blunt for his many accomplishments as Missouri's chief executive. What was not noted in the litany of campaign promises fulfilled was the fact that it was accomplished without a tax increase. That is remarkable in this day and age.

Don't say no

THIS IS a response to the individual who doesn't believe the $600 rebate checks are a solution to our current economic problem. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure if the rebate checks are an answer to the problem either. But I am sure of one thing. I'm sure as heck not going to say no to a $600 check.

Subject matter

THE PERSON who thinks the slight sexual content of "Grease" is wrong for the high school students to perform needs to wake up. The sexual content of the 1970s musical is not anything close to what high school students or even junior high school students are faced with every day. If students that age are not able to make good decisions for themselves, then the parents have not done their job of teaching their children how to handle sexual situations. What play would be appropriate? "Bambi" deals with his own mother's death. Central Junior High School did "Annie," and that deals with child abuse. How about a religious play about Mary and Joseph? He is in his 30s and she is a young girl and pregnant.

Arab reaction

I WILL watch with interest how the Arab state of Egypt reacts to Arab Palestinians crossing the border and, possibly, establishing settlements along the border in Egypt. Let's see if other Arab states are willing to do what they have been insisting Israel must do for decades, especially since the militant group Hamas is in charge in Palestine.