Speak Out 2/25/08

Saving money

IF CAPE Girardeau and Jackson want to save money on storm cleanup, they should do what the Cape Girardeau County Highway Department does: push the limbs in the nearest creek to be someone else's problem. What a way to save money.

Viewing the damage

I DROVE around to see the ice damage in Cape Girardeau and Jackson. Despite what other callers have angrily said, I am not ashamed of that. I did not get in anyone's way, and I didn't stop to help because I'm totally useless for that type of thing. However, I did take food and blankets to a couple of families in need. This ice storm was like nothing I had seen, and I knew the pictures probably couldn't do it justice. I wanted to see the devastation. That's not a crime, and it's not insensitive.

Managing well

I AM a fairly young man with a wife, two children and two cars. I have close to $30,000 in savings and several nice antiques. Our money is well-managed. Mercedes, BMWs and other high-end cars don't interest us. I once owned a Jaguar. It was the worst car I've ever seen. I've owned two 40-year-old Mustangs that were mechanically superior, more aesthetically pleasing, cheaper to work on and faster. The biggest difference between irresponsible youngsters and all-knowing financial wizards of the mature set is that we youngsters don't need Viagra with wheels.

Paper delivered

THANKS TO the Southeast Missourian carrier who managed to deliver our newspapers every day on Bertling Street during the ice storm. With no power for two days, the newspaper was a ray of sunshine each morning.

Profit for us

IT'S TRUE that the new federal building has had some problems, but the people complaining about their tax dollars being wasted are misinformed. For at least a decade, Missouri has had a positive balance of payments with the federal government. In 2005, the most recent year I could find data for, Missouri took in $1.32 in federal spending for every $1 we paid in federal taxes. Those federal dollars are being spent on construction here and going into the local economy at the expense of states like New Jersey, Nevada and California. Sure, the money should be spent wisely -- for the sake of taxpayers in those states. Wise or not, it's a net profit to us.

Thanks in Bollinger Co.

A BIG thank you to Black River Electric Co-op and all the emergency workings who assisted in the ice storm in Bollinger County. Also a big thank you to the First Baptist Church of Marble Hill for opening its doors to anyone needing a place to stay and food to eat.

Debt problems

I JUST read that the Air Force budget is short of what's needed. Then on the radio I heard Paul Harvey say President Bush promised Rwanda $100 million. Where's Bush going to get the $100 million? We're borrowing everything now from China. When we have needs here in the United States we're told we don't have the money. Our government is taking care of everyone but the American people. Politicians tell us not to overspend, but the U.S. is so far in debt that we will never get out.

Landlord's stuff

IF YOU rent a house, does the landlord have the right to bring stuff and park it in your yard? I thought if you rented a house, the yard went with the house. The landlord should have no right to bring old cars and stuff and put it in your yard just because he owns the house. He doesn't want his own home to look bad, but he brings eyesores to make your yard look bad.

Ordinary people

I ENJOYED the article about the Bucket Brigade women from Altenburg who do the cleaning. I wish the paper would publish more stories like this about ordinary people from around this area. That's really what makes the Missourian interesting.

Thanks for help

THANK YOU to all the out-of-town workers who came to help Jackson in our time of crisis during the ice storm. It's appreciated. God bless you all.

Disgraceful expense

IT IS a disgrace that we would pay James Carville and his wife $64,000 to speak in Cape Girardeau. Whoever is responsible for bringing them here should have to pay that $64,000 out of their own pockets. I cannot believe we're doing stuff like this.

Wake-up call

DURING THE ice storm we received a wake-up call. This was nothing close to a real catastrophe. We witnessed so many doing outstanding jobs, including neighbor helping neighbor. I sense an uneasiness when I think of the what-ifs. Let's say we have a major earthquake. Would we have stable facilities with temporary power, food, water and bedding for a large number of people? This is an enormous concern that would be hard to address. Spring will come soon. As things become warm and beautiful, we will forget. If we do, then it really wasn't a wake-up call at all.

Keep it affordable

WHY DO schools like Southeast Missouri State University compare room and board and tuition to other schools? Just make it as cheap as you can so you can get by. Don't worry what the other schools charge. Do it as cheaply as you can so our students can get an education.

Chaffee workers

I WOULD like to thank the Chaffee Public Works Department. They were wonderful with all the ice. They got up at 2 a.m. and sometimes worked around the clock clearing off the streets and picking up limbs. I don't think they get enough appreciation.

Plant pecan trees

I KNOW the ice storm did a lot of damage to a lot of trees. I've got about 65 pecan trees, and not one of them was damaged. They make good shade. If everybody would plant a couple pecan trees, ice wouldn't break the limbs off.

Safe and feasible

I JUST read where our trade deficit with China is $1 billion a day. China is our second-leading trade partner behind Canada. We know that China uses child and elderly labor to make the cheap products we buy. China also is spying on the U.S. at an alarming rate. It recently refused two U.S. ships safe haven from a hurricane. This is the same China that was training Iraqis to shoot down our planes just before we invaded. All of this, and we have sanctions against Cuba. Sadly we show our might only when we know that it's safe or economically feasible.

School selling

I HAVE had it with schools and their fundraising. Family and friends can only be hit up so many times. When is it going to stop? Now we are being told we have to sell overpriced chocolates, cookie dough and cheesecake to raise money to buy new sewing machines, dishes and other things for an elective class. Where does all our tax money go? If the district can't afford these items, they do not need to offer these classes. I have had enough.