Speak Out 12/27/03

Wall of separation

THE UNITED States is a secular state. The Founding Fathers were greatly influenced by the French Enlightenment. They were generally religious only in a token sense. However, they respected protecting religious freedom immensely and constructed what they hoped would be an unbreakable wall of separation between government and religious practice.

Two-part harmony

I DON'T agree with the caller who believes state Rep. Jason Crowell and state Rep. Rod Jetton need to worry about becoming irrelevant. People in Cape Girardeau gripe a lot about roads, useless signs in their city and high taxes, but when they vote, they vote their prejudices first. Crowell and Jetton are speaking to the choir, and they know it.

Prayer of thanks

THANK YOU, Lord Jesus Christ, for all that thou has given me this year. Please bless me with those things that I need to be more like thee.

Foot the bill

IF WE need a new fire truck, we need to be willing to pay for it. People in Cape Girardeau need to realize that the tooth fairy isn't going to put a shiny red fire truck under the city's pillow. The residents of Cape Girardeau pay some of the lowest taxes in the country. It's time for people to wake up and realize that taxes aren't all that bad.