Speak Out 10/4/09

Time to focus

I have the finest example yet of how terrible this administration is for the country. President Obama has spoken to the general in charge of the war in Afghanistan one time since the general took over the war in that country. Instead of paying attention to a war that has put tens of thousands of American soldiers' lives at risk and threatens our national security, President Obama continues to harp away about a national health care bill that 60 percent of the American people don't want. Drop your socialist health care plans, Mr. President, and focus on our country's security.

Stop the handouts

I can't believe someone suggested quitting the Tour of Missouri and spend that money on the unemployed. We should be cutting out the spending on the unemployed, which would force them to move to another area where there are jobs to be had. All you do when you give someone a handout is to encourage him to perpetuate a bad situation. The Tour of Missouri brings in money to the state and helps the image of Missouri, which might get companies who employ people to move here. The best things we could do for Missouri is to cut out unemployment benefits and other wasted spending, add more tax breaks for business so they come here to make their goods and employ Missourians, and promote Missouri as one of the more fiscally conservative states of the country. Stop the useless handouts.

Trash questions

IF the new trash system takes effect in Cape Girardeau, how long is it going to take to empty just one trash can, and how are they going to do both sides of the street in one pass?

Good column

CAL Thomas had a good column on Glen Beck. It talks about what the American people are feeling right now. I wish everybody would take time and read this column.

Puffing to death

I am upset with how the government is allowing millions of people to smoke cigarettes. They puff one after the other and end up getting cancer or some kind of lung disease. I feel sorry for the poor smokers, but I am upset with the government. Our government needs to outlaw cigarettes or put a high tax -- at least $10 to $20 for a pack -- on them. We're just puffing ourselves to death.

Low maintenance

MY neighbors can afford new cars but they can't seem to afford to maintain their property and their home. That irks me.

More vocabulary

I read with interest about students who cannot do cursive writing. I think one area that Jackson and other school districts are failing in is vocabulary. My son went through Jackson High School. He is an intelligent child, but he could not spell when he was done. Why? Because the schools don't stress vocabulary as hard as they need to. A vocabulary list should be given in the English curriculum. I got a letter from my niece recently, and she cannot spell either. She couldn't spell simple words. By the time you complete high school, you should be able to spell.