Speak Out 10/15/13

'Legally' marvelous

My daughter and I loved "Legally Blonde." We love all the shows presented by the Theatre and Dance Department. The cast and crew did a marvelous job. The dancing and movement were fabulous, as was the setting. The only problem we had was the sound. It was so difficult to understand the words of the women.

Foliage on Broadway

I do agree that the foliage should have some roses since Cape is sometimes referred to as the "City of Roses." However, the plants that are along the Broadway corridor reflect native plants to the area, when Southeast Missouri was more of a swampy area.

Fiscal priorities

I don't understand it; Obama is on target to easily double or more the national debt. His agenda has added $7-plus trillion to the government debt, plus $3.4 trillion to the Federal Reserve debt. This is more debt than the total of all the presidents before him. Yet a decision on how to stop it has been repeatedly derailed by Democrats and the media. During the discussion on the budget in 2011 it was derailed. During the discussion on the debt ceiling in 2012 it was derailed. During the discussion on the budget in 2012 it was derailed. And the same people are again derailing the discussion. Somehow $17-plus trillion in debt is less important than Mingo Swamp being closed for a few days. Somehow $17-plus trillion in debt is less important than White House tours being stopped for a couple days.

Stilson's expertise

The Delta Chi fraternity is so proud of its alumnus, Dr. Kenneth L. Stilson, for his work as director of "Legally Blonde." His talent and hard work were on full display in this musical and in everything he has done to help build the reputation of the River Campus. Congratulations to everyone involved with this terrific show.

Disgrace

This country is a disgrace. The president and Congress need to pick up their toys and leave. The military benefits which were denied is horrible. The president doesn't care as long as he gets his way. Instead of letting this stupidity go on, put people back to work and withhold the paychecks of the president and Congress; see how they enjoy trying to pay bills on nothing. But they wouldn't understand; they were millionaires to begin with.

Leaf pickup

About the early start to leaf collection. It seems most areas are still mowing yards, which takes care of the leaves that have fallen. To save time and money for the city, maybe a phone number could be posted to report areas that really do need the service at this time.

Insurance coverage

The Affordable Care Act was never necessarily meant to be superior to any existing health-insurance plan. It is meant to be an affordable option for low-income and self-employed people. No one has to sign up for it, all of us and politicians included. I like my insurance. It is better than Obamacare, just like the coverage our politicians receive. Just like our politicians, I will be keeping my existing coverage.

Noonan's world

And all along I have thought I was a well-informed voter. But I guess I'm not because columnist Peggy Noonan says, in effect, that I'm not well-informed if I don't blame the government shutdown and looming debt default on President Obama.

Lives at stake

Harry Reid and his Democratic caucus would rather watch children die from cancer than provide funding to the National Institutes of Health. It is impossible to fathom the terror in the hearts of these children's parents.

Pragmatic president

David Limbaugh has stunningly conceded the fact that the president is a pragmatist and not an ideological purist. He likened the president to a chemist, continually experimenting with what works and doesn't work, adopting the successes and discarding the failures. Thankfully, I assume this means Limbaugh is leaving behind his previous allegations that President Obama is a manifestation of radical, revolutionary Marxist ideology and is in reality a common-sense pragmatist.

Constitutional authority

Funny, the politicians keep arguing saying the House does not have the right to decide what to fund. Specifically, that is what the Constitution charges them to do. If only the things both parties agreed to were funded, we wouldn't be $18 trillion in debt and government wouldn't be intrusive.

Purple

This is the third year that I have written to this forum, hoping that sometime it will change. Every October, the city of Cape always displays the pink ribbons all over town for Breast Cancer Awareness. As a survivor of cancer and losing my husband to cancer, I would love to see the city change the color to purple, that represents all cancers. There is more than one type of cancer, and they all need more awareness and funding. I would love to see the day that all cancers have the percentage of survival rate of breast cancer, and the only way is to support all types of cancer research and funding. I am no way trying to take away the awareness to breast cancer. We should just show the rest of cancer patients and survivors the support and importance that they all deserve.

GOP caving?

No more than five minutes after I read a diatribe by David Limbaugh, reassuring me that House Republicans will not cave on Obamacare, I found out that it appears that House Republicans are, well, caving on Obamacare.