Speak Out 10/25/10

GOP plan

I am curious how the Republicans plan to cut federal spending by giving tax breaks to the rich. The only way to do this is to cut federal programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, funding to schools and unemployment benefits.

Land for farming

It appears that a lot of farm land is being cleared for new homes or business. That's great, but we must remember we need our farm land for growing crops.

Legislating morality

You cannot legislate morality. No matter how hard a group tries, it cannot be done. You can't stop people from drinking, smoking or gambling just because you don't think it is right. We all have freedom of choice, and no one can take that away from us.

Meth and gambling

The Southeast Missourian had a story on Oct. 19 regarding the Cape Girardeau City Council considering further restrictions on medications that contain the ingredients used to make meth and another story on gambling addictions. I believe it is right to keep meth as far away from us as possible. However, should Cape Girardeau vote yes on gambling, the proposed Isle of Capri casino will bring another damaging addiction into our beloved city.

Punishing everyone

Cape Girardeau is joining several other communities in the area that are considering making pseudoephedrine-based products only available with a prescription. This is one more sign of what is wrong with our country today. Instead of punishing those who use it illegally, we punish the honest people who use it appropriately.

Dogs in the country

To the people who left the pair of Dalmatian/Labrador retrievers in the country: We tried to take them home twice to give them a home. They kept going back to where, I can only assume, you dumped them to wait for you.

Constitutional

I'm frightened that so many people claim something has to be written word-for-word in the U.S. Constitution in order for it to be valid. "Separation of church and state" isn't found in the Constitution in that condensed phrase, but the meaning is extrapolated from the longer sentence about how Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment nor limiting the exercise of a particular religion.

No on Prop B

The Missouri Veterinary Medical Association opposes Proposition B. These are the people that know animals best. Vote no on Proposition B.

Gambling immoral

I think that gambling, in any form, is immoral and should be outlawed. We shouldn't have bingo, and we definitely shouldn't have a casino. We should also outlaw raffles and lotteries, including state lotteries. How many people spend money gambling that they would otherwise spend on food?

Congressional raise

The cost of living adjustment for Congress is automatic each year. They must vote against the increase to prevent it from happening. If they take no action, they get the raise. However, they can refuse to accept it. This is the back-door way of getting a raise and not having to vote for it. Now we wait and watch to see if they get the undeserved raise this coming year or if they take responsibility by voting it down.

Great performance

The performance of "Fiddler on the Roof" at the River Campus was amazing. It is wonderful for Cape Girardeau and the surrounding area to have such wonderful fine arts entertainment. Great job, Southeast.

Obama didn't try

Just because President Obama didn't have a filibuster Congress didn't mean he had to forget some of his promises. He could have tried to get things passed by working with the other side and brokering deals. Other presidents have tried and been successful. He didn't even try.

Cut spending

There are numerous areas where Southeast Missouri State University could make budget cuts. For example, last year all employees were invited by president Ken Dobbins to a meeting to discuss ways to cut spending. Included in the meeting was a free lunch for all attendees that was paid for by the university. Another example is the president's annual speech on the state of the university. The speech, which is highly attended by faculty and staff, includes refreshments such as shrimp cocktail.