Speak Out 10/15/08

It doesn't exist

SINCE THE Cape Girardeau County Commission's taxpayer-funded lawyer says the commission is not a legal entity, everyone should refuse to do business with the commission. Don't sell it gravel, trucks, road graders or fuel. As a nonentity, the commission would not have legal authority to do business with you. You might not get paid since the commission is a nonentity.

Over the edge

INCREASINGLY hysterical in tone David Limbaugh gives me reason for concern. In just one column he questioned the "moral fiber" of those who support Barack Obama, claimed that Obama supporters "follow him in a cultlike trance" and that the Obama campaign is "inspiring certain youths to perform paramilitary drills in his honor (think Hitler)." Limbaugh is going over the edge. In a way I can understand why. After all, it was only a few short years ago that he wrote a book about the Democratic Party titled "Bankrupt," and now the shoe is on the other foot. The republic will survive and thrive under either a McCain or Obama presidency. What happened to the old days when Limbaugh consistently praised the American people for their intelligence and wisdom? Has the Bush presidency made us that dumb that fast?

Thanks, Europe

THE U.S. played a large role in preventing Europe from being completely overtaken by fascism and communism in the 20th century. As a result, I am happy and pleased that European nations have put together a $2 trillion-plus package to try to save the international banking system and unfreeze our credit markets. Thank you, Great Britain. Thank you, France. Thank you, Germany, and all other the other European nations.

Real emergencies

EMERGENCY ROOMS are intended for patients who have a life-threatening situation requiring immediate care. Your tummy ache may not be as important as the guy who just came in missing an arm or with a serious head injury. ER personnel have to decide which patients are in more immediate need. A tummy ache may be pretty low on the list. Ambulances always have priority. Their patients, by definition, are in emergency situations. The EMTs also have to get their patient out of the rig and get back into rotation as quickly as possible.

Septic system

THE PROPOSED Gordonville septic system -- not a sewer system -- would cost residents more than is being presented. The mayor uses the figure of 4,000 gallons of monthly use as an example. Look at your water bill and do the math. Do you really want another $75 to $100 in monthly expense? This is only the start. Your monthly bill would increase the next year and so on. The mayor also says new subdivisions (if they ever develop with today's economy) would bring down the cost. With more houses, there would be more expense. It would be a wash at best. If there is a power loss, would the system work? The mayor says this would increase your property value. Who would want to buy a house with a $100-a-month septic system expense? Ask questions before we are in it too deep. The project must stop before it starts.

Wacky economics

COLUMNIST WALTER E. Williams recently said that "we Americans get what we deserve." Williams continues to carp that the runaway free market is part of the solution instead of part of the problem. I suppose he favors even more excesses, higher CEO golden parachutes and an increase in corporate greed. Williams is wacky.

More important

TO THE people dealing with loud neighbors at night: That's enough. There are more important things to gripe about, like a recession, or fires killing people.

The supply side

IN A recent editorial you asked for suggestions as to how to balance tax revenue with the increased need for spending on local government entities. Cut taxes. It's called Reaganomics, or supply-side economics, and is based on the premise that cutting taxes will bring in more tax revenue. Don't tell me you are giving up on an idea you pushed for a quarter-century and now realize that the Laffer curve is laughable.

Smiley police

MY PUNISHMENT for agreeing with Bob and Callie Miller's comments about drivers in the school zone? I got stuck behind the people they were describing Monday at 7:58 a.m. with five other potentially tardy children in line behind us. I thought about knocking on their windows and asking if they knew they were sort of famous. But I restrained myself. Callie's smiley police must have seen me coming.