Speak Out 2/13/08

More than luck

IT'S TIME for Social Security recipients to quit whining. And stop claiming that those who planned for their retirement were lucky. Luck has nothing to do with it. It has to do with educating yourself and deciding whether or not you want to be comfortable in your retirement or live in near poverty. Everyone can plan, even those earning minimum wage. Yes, people have disasters, but retirement does not have to be a disaster.

Delta school

I AGREE that the Delta School District needs to do something with the elementary school. But the district needs to decide which would be more cost-efficient: to repair the old building or to build a new one. The asbestos in the old building is a danger to all of our children. But nobody seems to want to admit that. Tutoring may be the parents' responsibility, but if the teachers were as well qualified as they say, the parents shouldn't need to pay tutors. Parents try to help their children with homework, but if parents don't understand it, how are we supposed to help? When students bring homework back to school not finished, they get punished by sitting in the hallway the majority of the day. Teachers need to explain to students, not punish them.

County responsibility

CAPE GIRARDEAU County Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones mentioned in the Southeast Missourian that he has never used eminent domain and says he would not use it. That is obvious from the condition of the roads he is in charge of. They have never been improved to any safety standard or upgraded. The second someone opposes a proposed improvement, he immediately backs away from the project. Your presiding commissioner continues to avoid improving the county. Of course, this is outside his famous chip and seal. Maybe someday we will have a presiding commissioner who will do what is in the best interest of the public instead of always telling us what he can't or won't do.

A Winter Cold

Huckabee

or not to be.

That is not

the question.

Rather, will

the GOP

end all of

this congestion?

Jumping the gun

I'M GETTING tired of the national news media telling me who the winner is before the votes are counted. Perhaps they'll start telling me how to spend my rebate check before it leaves the building so I can do that responsibly, too.

All for seven cents

I WOKE up in my quiet little neighborhood to find my car window broken and my wallet missing. The person who stole my wallet left a trail of gift cards, IDs and bank cards down several blocks. I want to thank my wonderful neighbors who found my belongings and went out of their way to find me and return every last item. All I was missing in the end was seven pennies and a car window. I wish the people who committed this crime could be caught. At the same time I will pray for them. Taking advantage of another human being and feeling the need to break into a vehicle and steal personal property for a seven cents must make them feel horrible.

Community investment

CONGRATULATIONS TO Jim Welker as the new superintendent of the Cape Girardeau School District. It is wonderful to see a local individual hired into the district in this position of leadership. Seeking out and finding those individuals who are invested in our community is a step in the right direction to instilling pride and ownership in our school system. Good Luck to you, Mr. Welker. We are honored to have you.