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OpinionFebruary 2, 2008

True American; Planning ahead; Musical message; Warm smiles; Working in the storm; Sales-tax plan; Test recipients

True American

THIS IS to the David and Rush Limbaugh. I am ashamed you are running John McCain down. He is a true American. He is a Vietnam veteran. McCain is great.

Planning ahead

I FEEL for the elderly who depend solely on Social Security for their retirement. And I understand why, because my parents were almost in that boat also. The government sold you a bill of goods, and you bought it. I am sorry that so many of you are on a fixed retirement income. I will be 50 in a couple of months, but I figured out many years ago that Social Security offered no real retirement benefit. I'm sorry you did not. I know you feel you paid your fair share, but the sad fact is that every time you get an increase, I get a decrease because more of my tax money goes to pay your retirement. Adjusted for the rate of inflation, no one has paid into Social Security anything even remotely close to what they are drawing. I'm not wealthy. Twenty years ago, my wife and I began to save and invest a bit at a time instead of buying large houses and new cars we did not need. We will both retire and be pretty much able to enjoy our retirement without Social Security.

Musical message

I WAS in the shoes of Central High School students just a few years ago. I graduated in 2001. I realize that many teenagers are engaging in sexual activity and that teenage pregnancy is an issue for today's high-schoolers. I do not feel, however, that teenage pregnancy and adolescent sexual behavior should be glorified, encouraged, overlooked or dismissed as funny. It seems to me that the high school putting on a production of "Grease" sends students the message that teenage sex and pregnancy are all right, something that happens sometimes. A musical production is hardly the appropriate venue for helping teens address the issue of teen sex.

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Warm smiles

THANKS TO the man who responded to me with such warm smiles at a restaurant. I wish I would have said a "Hello" and "Thank you" for the gesture. You brightened my day more than you could imagine. I was working with a child and didn't take the time away from her, but wanted to say thank you as best I could.

Working in the storm

I WANT to thank the Ameren workers, police officers and firefighters who worked so hard during the storm Tuesday. My house was one of the few without power until after 10 p.m. I know you were cold, tired and hungry, but you kept working. Thank you.

Sales-tax plan

TWENTY-FIVE percent of the proposed half-cent sales tax increase in Cape Girardeau does not sunset after 10 years. It saddens me to think a taxpayer would vote the proposed increase solely to support one pet project. Please review the entire proposed budget and vote intelligently. I will vote no.

Test recipients

LIKE A lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work. My employer pays me. I pay taxes. The government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test. I have no problem with that. But I do have a problem with the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check? Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do have a problem with helping someone using drugs while I work. Can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?

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