Speak Out 11/30/02

We both lose

THE FEDERAL government is telling us what to do again. The U.S. Mint didn't approve of Missouri's original quarter design because it threatened the mint's future plans. So the mint created a poorly drawn version, perhaps hoping the state would reject it. Well, we chose the design that most closely resembled the original design. So both Missouri and the mint loses. We get a shoddy design, and the mint still has to live with a Lewis and Clark theme.

A total win

I THINK an aquatic center would be a big boost to tourism in Cape Girardeau. By building an aquatic center, we would provide a fun sanctuary from the heat to our own families while drawing in thousands of people from throughout Southeast Missouri who would spend money here at restaurants and shopping. It's a total win for Cape Girardeau.

Razorback road kill

TO THE person complaining about the road conditions in Missouri being the worst they've ever seen. Apparently, you've never been to Arkansas.

Paying teachers

PUBLIC BEWARE. The article in Sunday's paper stated the average the teacher's salary in the nation is $44,495. I'm hoping the statistics include administrative pay. If not, Missouri ranks very low with South Dakota and Mississippi. I've been teaching 22 years and only make $22,000 at a local school district. Don't believe all those statistics. And thank the teachers for all the hard work that they do.

Parents are the key

I'VE WORKED in the Cape Girardeau School District for many years and find all the comments about the lack of performance at Jefferson Elementary School quite interesting. Race has absolutely nothing to do with student performance, one way or another. What does have a huge impact is socio-economic status, home life and parental participation and encouragement. Students who are taught at home that education is an important job, that they should respect their teachers and their peers and are helped and encouraged to do this are the students who will perform to their highest potential. Parental neglect is one of the leading indicators of a low-performing student. Teachers cannot be the parents, counselors, tutors, disciplinarians and nurses for every child in our community. Parents need to step up and do their children justice.

Try bus monitors

I'D LIKE to comment about the violence that's been reported on the Jackson school buses. Cape also has a problem with violence on school buses. I think we need to consider if one bus driver is enough to handle all the children that's on a bus. I think a monitor on the bus might be the answer.

Support for MAP tests

I'M CALLING in response to the negative comments concerning MAP testing. As a student who has been subject to these tests, I feel these tests do effect graduation. It is a requirement to have completed these tests before graduating from a Missouri high school. As far as getting into college, many Missouri universities take into account MAP scores. There are also benefits to be gained for students who score exceptionally high such as fee waivers for AP exams. The reason for testing is not to measure intelligence but to keep the school administration accountable. The MAP tests measure basic skills such as grammar, sentence structure and arithmetic to ensure that these basic but highly important skills are taught to your children, thus enabling them to succeed better in school.

Put mothers in jail

A MOTHER who gives birth to a drug-infected baby should be charged with child abuse in the highest form and given a prison term. That would stop a lot of these drug-addicted children from being born who can't learn. These addicted women would not want to give birth and go to prison. If you can't stop the drugs, this prison penalty might help stop the drug-addicted babies from being born.

Turkey giveaway

I'D LIKE to thank all the Jackson merchants that offered free turkeys to the individuals who turned in their sales slips. I appreciate that even though I didn't win. It's good advertisement. I can't understand how the merchants in Cape Girardeau and Jackson are complaining about how they had a week less this year for Christmas sales. A year is 52 weeks. So how could they have a week less. They started in September.

Investigate molds

WE READ about mold making high school students sick. What's the new deal about mold? Molds have been around for millions of years. All of a sudden, people are getting sick from mold. Has the mold changed and become more virulent, or have we changed? We need an investigation by the Southeast Missourian to tell us what's the new deal on molds.

Fight against taxes

I LOVE the headline "Tax officials see Net sales as an easy dodge." As usual, they just don't get it. It's not their money. As long as there's a legal way to circumvent taxes, any sane taxpayer will do so. And any sane taxpayer should write his representatives in Congress to fight to keep it that way.