Speak Out 10/19/04

Religious principles

TO THE person who said religion should keep its nose out of government, this country was founded on Christian principles. It was founded by our forefathers who didn't want our country to support only one religion like some countries. We are free to worship God in any way we want to. In the U.S. House of Representatives, "In God we trust" is written in marble. The metal cap at the top of the Washington Monument is engraved with the words "Praise be to God." In the Library of Congress, many quotations from the Bible are engraved. On the Supreme Court building, Moses is holding the Ten Commandments, and the court always closes with "God save the United States and this honorable court." The Capitol has a small room for prayer for members of Congress. The stained-glass window there has George Washington kneeling in prayer with the word "Preserve me, O God, for in thee I put my trust." On our coins is engraved "In God we trust." There are many more quotations written in marble in our nation's capital. Don't tell me our country was not founded on religious principles.

Keeping the peace

IN RESPONSE to "Too many assaults": You're right. My daughter was given a ticket for being a designated driver because she is 18. When I said, "Why don't you go inside and get the person who is actually drinking?" I was forcibly removed because the officer didn't want to hear the truth. The police are supposed to keep the peace, not try to bully everybody in town.

It all costs money

ONE THING people should keep in mind when they're listening to these politicians talk about all the things they're going to do for everybody is this: The federal government has no money until it takes it away from someone. You can read between the lines. If a lot of these great things are done, you taxes are going to go up. If you enjoy paying taxes, then you need to make sure you vote for the person who promises you the most.

Treasurer's complaints

I FIND it disgusting to read the county treasurer's complaints about his salary. For the amount of work required, he was well paid. A secretary can do most of the work. It is a position the county should be allowed to outsource to another office. In the end, he ran repeatedly for the job. He asked for your vote and mine. He needs to be thankful for having a job he asked for.

Comparing departments

IF YOU want to compare Cape Girardeau Police Department to the Jackson Police Department or the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department, you first need to look at how many calls Cape PD responds to. I guarantee Jackson PD or the sheriff's department doesn't have anything on Cape PD's 50,000 calls a year. Both of those departments combined don't come close. And you don't hear of many assaults on officers in St. Louis because it happens so frequently it's not news.

Party stranglehold

WHY DON'T the Republicans and Democrats allow third parties in the debates? They are scared that their dualopoly is threatened. Scared they might actually have to debate. Scared that the fraud these two parties are will be exposed, that they essentially are the same. I use to be Republican. Now I am a Libertarian, a real conservative-freedom loving-constitutional protecting party. Wake up, people. You are being played. I know we are smarter than this. Don't fall for their tricks, keeping us divided and keeping us in fear. America will only be safer when it is more free, not less free.

President was wrong

THE DAY after the Oct. 13 debate, on the front page you quoted President Bush, "I just don't think I ever said I'm not worried about Osama bin Laden. It's kind of one of those exaggerations." You failed to mention anywhere in the article that this was a lie. Immediately after the debate it was known that the president was wrong. I think this is unfair. I am sorry there is only one newspaper in Cape Girardeau. You want your readers to believe that John Kerry was lying instead of the president. Shame on you.