Speak Out 10/29/08

Distributing wealth

THE FEDERAL income tax has been used to redistribute the wealth in various and sundry ways since its inception in the second decade of the 20th century. The thing that gets David Limbaugh's goat is that Barack Obama wants to redistribute some riches by repealing the Bush tax cuts for fat cats like some of those obscene corporate CEOs and use that money in ways to benefit the backbone of this country, the beaten and battered middle class.

Not a communist

WOULD SOMEONE please buy David Limbaugh a dictionary? Barack Obama is no more a communist than he is a helicopter. Communism and socialism are not systems of government. They are social systems. Our government for many years has been to some degree socialist. The government already decides how much we pay in taxes and what that money is spent on. I know I wasn't given the opportunity to vote on the war that President Bush started.

Band pride

AS A first-year band parent of a daughter who plays flute at Central High School for the Marching Tigers Band, I stand in amazement at the musical talent of this fine group of young people. Their commitment to excellence and their discipline are unmatched. Winning the Greater St. Louis Marching Band Competition (placing first for the first time in 11 years) is the result of many hours of practice as students perfected their talent one note and step at a time. Watching the competition at the dome this past weekend is a highlight I will never forget. There was no limit to the excitement and anticipation that resonated throughout the stadium. Of course, the kids and band parents know that behind every great high school band are talented and dedicated band directors and teachers. Thanks so much to Mr. Casey, Mr. Keys and Mr. LaMar for inspiring and leading our kids all the way to first place in every competition this season. Thank you, band parents, especially to our band parent leaders who served tirelessly with smiles. Thank you, Dr. Cowan, for your support. May the winning spirit of the Marching Tigers live on and on. I am one proud parent.

Anthem anguish

I WOULD like to make a comment about the desecration of the national anthem at sporting events. There should be a law against singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" any way except the way it was written and was meant to be sung. Patti LaBelle butchered it before the World Series Game on Sunday. How can anyone believe that Francis Scott Key meant for it to be sung (and I use the term loosely) the way she did? It was horrible. She certainly didn't get a favorable response from the crowd. Is there nothing legislators can do to stop this? It is painful to listen to.

Winning band

CONGRATULATIONS TO the Central High School Marching Tigers for winning first place in St. Louis. This is a great achievement for the band and for the wonderful band instructors. Keep up the great work, Mr. Casey, Mr. Keys, Mr. LaMar and Ms. Strickert.

Voting logic

GARY RUST'S ambiguous attitude about increased voter registration reveals a truism that the larger the turnout of voters, the less the chance for a GOP victory. In simpler terms, Mr. Rust tried to make the case that the larger the turnout, the dumber the collective wisdom of the electorate. Taken to its logical conclusion, Mr. Rust must have lost his faith in the great wisdom and common sense of the American people that he seemed to say was so evident during the era of Reagan.