Speak Out 12/23/10

Were tax cuts good?

The Bush tax cuts were first enacted in 2001. Eight years later, the national debt had increased by more than $1 trillion and the economy was in shambles. If the cuts are such a positive thing for our economy, they would not have led to such catastrophic results.

Not all the presidents

A few weeks ago someone in the Speak Out column condemned President Obama for not thanking God on Thanksgiving, citing that all presidents back to George Washington addressed the nation and thanked God for our blessings on Thanksgiving Day. The problem with this is that Thanksgiving Day wasn't an observed national holiday until the Lincoln presidency in 1863.

Pill policy in place

In order to stock up on cold pills before our new pseudoephedrine law goes into effect, I bought a box of 10 at a store, then went to another store to buy another box. At the second store I was not allowed to buy another box because it was too soon. How is the new law better than that?

Council vs. public vote

Everyone agrees that meth is bad. Why is it that Mayor Rediger thinks that voters should decide on the smoking ban since it affects everyone but the city council was good enough to decided on pseudoephedrine? They both have a considerable effect on the people of Cape Girardeau, widely debated and financially costly. Smoking and secondhand smoke probably have a greater effect on health care expenditures and killed more people than Meth. Why is a vote good for one, but not the other?

Smoking ban

I think there should be a smoking ban in restaurants only. Any other establishment such as a pub or sports bar should be smoking. It is crazy to think that people will not smoke when they are in that atmosphere. I know many people who do not smoke during the day but will have a cigarette or two when drinking. Cigarettes and drinking go hand in hand. If there is such a great need for a nonsmoking bar or restaurant then why is there not someone who has developed one?

No new field turf

As a Southeast graduate, I am totally disgusted that they're discussing the replacement of the synthetic turf at Houck Stadium. This should not even be considered in a time of supposed financial shortages. This turf was installed 10 years ago at an estimated cost of $1.45 million (Southeast Missourian; June 28, 1999). It was touted as lasting much longer than this and would be safer for the players. I hope this serves as a wake-up call to all boosters and supporters of the foundation.

Shopping gone awry

Christmas shopping is spending money you can't afford on people you don't like buying them useless stuff they don't need. Where did it all go so very wrong? Happy holidays.

A Christmas haiku

Gift shopping today

with Obama's Chinese yen

to buy Chinese junk

Smoking, business

I can assure you, restaurants and bars that currently allow smoking have already lost more business than they will by banning smoking. People that don't smoke do not patronize businesses with obtrusive smoke odors or that allow their employees to smoke while at work, especially in view of customers. Nonsmokers have already made that choice without an ordinance against smoking. Businesses should not ignore the growing number of nonsmokers. We can however ignore them.

Spending is the issue

Our problem is not taxes. It is the out of control government spending. Without the spending, the taxes are not needed. The current tax revenue at all levels is more than sufficient to support our real needs if spending was managed properly.