Speak Out 10/6/06

Minimum wage

THE MINIMUM wage needs to go higher. It's hard to make a living on minimum wage.

Affordable dog

THIS IS response to the comment that the Humane Society says it costs $500 a year to keep an animal and that people who can't afford prescriptions shouldn't have dogs. I take great exception to that. I pay far less than $500 a year to keep my dog. My dog eats one 20-pound bag of dog food a month -- 12 times $8 a bag. I go to the rabies clinic for the shots. I only have to come up with a little money to get the rest of the shots. My dog protects me.

Dog or medicine

I CAN'T believe someone would suggest that an elderly person give up his companion pet in order to buy medicine. It is a proven fact that pets can improve your health and help combat loneliness.

They still do it

I RESENT the comment that if parents were teaching their girls, they wouldn't be sexually active until marriage. I don't care how good you are at trying to control and teach your daughters, some girls are sexually active anyway.

Wealthy socialism

WE DO have socialism, as a comment suggested. But it's a unique brand. Our socialism comes in the form of direct or indirect taxpayer subsidies and is designed to benefit the wealthy.

Get a grip

I CAN'T get over the priorities of this area. Bans on smoking, garage-sale signs and candy at school are signs of impending fascist rule. But let the Bush administration trample the Bill of Rights through illegal torture, wiretapping and detentions, and he's a national hero. I hope for the sake of our nation people can get a grip on reality.

Double taxation

I RECEIVED the new Cape Girardeau city sales-tax form. The city is taxing the state sales tax collected as though sales tax is income to restaurants. This is double taxation. Remember this when it comes time to vote for mayor and city council members. Double taxation should be illegal. I can't imagine how the city gets by with doing this.

Kissinger redux

DEJA VU. He's back. Henry Kissinger, the architect of the Vietnam debauchery, is advising President Bush on how to carry out the war in Iraq. As Gomer used to say, "Gol-ly!"

Health benefit

HOW WOULD the Humane Society come up with an average figure of $500 a year to keep one animal? Even for owners who get their pets' annual shots at a vet, plus heartworm medicines and food, wouldn't normally spend that much. Maybe that estimate factored in those who buy pet toys and pay for obedience classes. At any rate, a pet is considered a health benefit in many studies.

Good activity

I SEE no problem with fund raising at school. PTOs and PTAs have been doing this for ages. Perhaps the school should send home a form saying "I wish my child to participate in fund raising" or "I don't wish my child to participate in fund raising." All children should be treated the same whether they sell one thing or 50 things. My child enjoyed fund raising.

Foggy celebration

TO CELEBRATE our 25th wedding anniversary, my wife and I made our very first trip to the riverboat. Let's just say that our good time ended at the front door. I see now why California has banned smoking in all public places.

Turn it off

I GET tired of hearing about how "low-income" families can't afford to pay their electric bills. I would like someone to define "low-income" for me. It's tossed around a lot in the media, but I am sure politicians are not referring to me. I assure you I have trouble paying bills too. It's called life. If you can't afford it, don't buy it. If you can't afford to pay $250 for an electric bill, try turning off the TV, lights and air conditioner. That's what I do.

No time left

I AM the mother of two school-aged children, one in junior high. There are a lot of people upset about the recent changes in the policy on snack foods and sodas at school. I have a different problem: homework projects. It is bad enough that my children have two to three hours of homework a night, but the detailed projects on top of the homework is silly. I feel I should have an education degree by now. I help my children every night with their work and do the best I can, but my husband and I both work full-time jobs and do not always have three hours a night to spend doing homework. How are we supposed to spend any kind of quality time with out children if all we are doing is schoolwork? Isn't it possible for the children to do these projects during school hours like art classes? Teachers should teach my children at school so I can be a parent at home.

No tax increase

THE CAPE Girardeau Public Library is asking for tax rate increase to build a fancy building. The library gets more revenue from its current tax every year because more expensive houses are built in the community and people pay more property taxes. Every time you tax assessment goes up, the library gets more tax money. The library doesn't need to increase its tax rate.