Speak Out 12/13/10

Ordinance needed

I'VE been working as a waitress in Cape for three years and have never smoked, but I have to serve people in the smoking section all the time and am forced to breathe smoke-filled air. Even when I was pregnant, our shift manager scheduled me to work the smoking section. This ordinance is not about hurting smokers, it's about helping the rest of us.

Poetry

THE Isle of Capri is coming to Cape,

In that many folks do revel;

However, there are many mouths agape,

Saying we've made a pact with the devil.

Smoking rights

YOU do not have a "right" to a smoke-free or smoke-friendly restaurant. Patronize the restaurants you like and accept them the way they are or simply don't go. Your smoking preference does not trump the proprietor's right to property.

Inflation

TO those of you who believe the government when they say there is no inflation: Are you really so naive? Are you paying the same for groceries, energy, clothing and other living essentials as you were a year or two ago? The Federal Reserve and government cannot stimulate the economy. They can only decide to what extent they will be a drain on it.

Unconstitutional

I am a nonsmoker and am very anti-smoking. I think all smokers should quit. However, any law that forces businesses to be nonsmoking is unconstitutional and unjust. It should be up to proprietors to decide how their property is used, not nanny groups.

Smoke-free state

I recently moved from a smoke-free state. Managers complained they would lose revenue until the ban went into effect. Then at such time their revenue was not affected and customer complaints were reduced. Smoke knows no boundaries, and it effects workers and customers alike. Customers' health should be considered no matter where they are.

Wrong information

JACK Knowlan Sr. wrote in his column "The collapse of capitalism" that Exxon Mobil paid no income taxes. He's wrong. A quick Google search finds that the Forbes story saying this was wrong. Forbes apologized for this. Exxon Mobil recorded no U.S. income taxes, which means the tax bills are not settled. They've paid more than $7.7 billion in other taxes in the U.S.

Whose fault?

WITH the gas prices continuing to rise, are we allowed to blame President Obama for this or is it still George Bush's fault?

Tax bill

THE Republicans have just shown their true colors. They voted against a tax break for the middle class but still want a tax break for the wealthy.

Event fees

THE Southeast athletic director said students are admitted to games at no charge. That is really an incorrect statement. Students do pay student fees in order to attend athletic events, and that fee goes to the athletic department.

Football revenue

I'M so glad to read that Southeast has a profit from football of more than $50,000. That's great news. Hopefully they can give raises to the football coaches and be able to keep the staff together that's provided so much success for the university.