Speak Out 2/17/05

It's our responsibility

I VOTED for Gov. Matt Blunt. I wanted him to get in office. I knew by his campaign promises that there would be cuts in services. There had to be. Nobody could do the things he wanted to do without cutting the budget. Some of those budget cuts have affected me, my job and my family. But I still support him and still think the cuts need to be made. Folks are going to have to realize that when change happens and when things improve, sometimes we have to take the bad with the good. We've become a country that believes in entitlements. This has to end. We're responsible. If that means tightening our belts and cutting our own expenses, so be it. Then maybe we can pay for our responsibilities and quit expecting the government to do it.

Offer some help

ALL ANYONE has to do is read the Christmas for the Elderly profiles in the Southeast Missourian every year to know there are people, our neighbors, living in poverty. This is a truly lifesaving program. Perhaps instead of denying this problem exists, one should offer help.

Preparing teens

I AM a Catholic and believe in sexual abstinence before marriage. However, parents need to wake up and see that our teenagers live in an X-rated world. We need to give our teens all the information they can use. We want to inform our children not only about abstinence, but how to handle situations brought on by peer pressure and that moment of passion. Our teen pregnancy rate is high. Apparently what we have been doing isn't working. Let's give teens the information and direction they need.

Dress professionally

IT IS said students don't respect teachers anymore. After seeing how teachers dress coming out of schools in sweats, tennis shoes and looking slouchy, I can understand why. I feel teachers need a dress code so they look like professionals. Maybe they would get more respect. Think about it.

Education is better

THANK YOU, Joan Ryan, for your column on abortion rights and educating young people on the consequences of sex. Education is definitely the answer.

Showing spirit

AS A season-ticket holder at the Southeast Missouri State University basketball games since 1972, I would like to say that was the best crowd and the best cheerleading last night with the Central High School fans there. I wish the SEMO fans and students would get into the spirit like those Central kids did last night. It was wonderful. Thanks a lot to all the kids from Central High School.

It hurts the rest

CHANGING SOUTHWEST Missouri State University's name to Missouri State University only helps Springfield at the expense of Cape Girardeau, Warrensburg and Maryville. Is it really worth it? The legislature shouldn't support a name chance that helps one region while hurting all the rest.