Speak Out 2/27/05

Food from farmers

SOMEONE SAID it makes him angry when he sees the bumper stickers "No farmers, no food." How else are we going to get food besides the farmer? Can you tell me other ways we get it? If we don't have farmers, we don't have food producers.

Reason to go to ER

THE REASON most people on Medicaid go to the emergency room is because most private doctors don't accept Medicaid and most hospitals have non-emergency care with fees and service like a doctor's office. I don't see any welfare kids wearing brand-name clothes, eating steak and riding in late-model cars. Those are probably the drug dealers' kids.

It sounds good

JUST A few months ago, our neighbors and friends in the blue states were complaining about the red states and decided we lived in Jesus Land. I like that concept. I'm surprised they quit using it. I like the idea that we live in Jesus Land and, more specifically, that Cape Girardeau is the heart of Jesus Land.

Thanks for the help

I WANT to thank the Jackson Wal-Mart's manager, department manager and the young employee who graciously lifted the heavy boxes for the demo ladies and making everything so easy and successful for the Healthy Heart day. Thanks, guys.

Out of the past

I WOULD like Sharon K. Sanders to know how much I enjoy her "Out of the Past" column that is in the Missourian. I'm not the only person who reads it regularly. Others have mentioned that they feel the same way. Thanks, Sharon, for reminding us of the interesting things that have happened in this area in the past years.

Happy for the royals

I DID not care for the mean-spirited political cartoon. I'm happy that Prince Charles will have someone to go through his senior years with. It's nice to see an older couple who appears to have true love. I wish Prince Charles and Camilla all the happiness in the world.

Thanks for help

I WANT to thank all the wonderful people in Cape Girardeau who helped me when I ran out of gas at the corner of Mount Auburn Road and New Hopper Road. A young lady from Fruitland named Carrie stopped and called AAA for me. Then a gentleman pushed me over to the curb. Another gentleman from Advanced Pest Control put gasoline in my car. I don't think there's any place in the world where the people are nicer than the people in Cape Girardeau.

List of offenders

THIS IS for people who might want to be aware who lives in their community. Go to the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department Web site, www.capecountysheriff.org, and go to under "Citizens resources" to the sex offenders registry. I think you'll be shocked to see how many sexual offenders, rapists, child molesters and so on are in our community.

Raise the qualifications

THERE IS a simple, statistically verifiable, biological answer to the alleged Social Security crisis: Raise the retirement age.

The tot solution

I TOO have found an effective way to annoy telemarketers. I put my 3-year-old on the phone. My child loves to chat.

Slow down and live

The left lane is for faster traffic and passing. Faster traffic does not mean speeding. If someone is driving over the limit in the left lane, do not get bent out of shape because you want to go faster. If you are in a hurry, leave earlier. Many times people get in the left lane early because they have to make a left turn and are experienced enough to know that many selfish drivers will not let them into the flow of traffic. Those who want to travel faster than the speed limit should slow down. It might save them money or, most importantly, their lives.

Public transportation

I AM a social worker here in Cape Girardeau. I always hear we need to get unemployed individuals employed. How am I supposes to get them to work? Taxi coupons? What if the taxi is late? What if they don't make enough money to afford taxi coupons? Do city council members walk to and from work? What if they live in a dangerous neighborhood? By not providing public transportation, we are telling these individuals to stay at home. If our city council members aren't worried about the majority of Cape Girardeau's population, then they are in the wrong job.

Grateful for the help

I REALIZE there are people abusing Medicaid and similar services. Some people choose to go to the ER because it is open to fit their schedule. Some people go to the ER because there are a limited number of doctors willing to accept Medicaid. I go to school full-time and work as many hours as possible while raising my son. In a few more years I will have a master's degree and will no longer need the assistance of Medicaid. I am very appreciative to be receiving these state benefits now. However, when I graduate and start working in my field, I will be paying all of those tax dollars back.

Making an impression

DOES ANYONE teach work ethics anymore? I learned mine at home first and then from school. I honestly don't think anyone teaches children today about work ethics. You don't show up to apply for a job wearing blue jeans or shorts and a rock band T-shirt. You don't show up with spiked hair and flip-flops and your underwear showing. To look for a job, you dress up. Take all your facial piercings and tongue piercings out. First impressions go a long way with employers. The way you speak plays a factor. You don't go to a job interview talking street talk. How you present yourself says a lot about you. Teach your children the right way to do things, and maybe one day they will listen.

Highway tag

SOMEONE WAS playing tag with me at 70 mph on the interstate. They would slow down and I'd have to pass. I'd get up to my speed, and the other car would speed up and get in front of me and slow down again. Grow up. You don't play with a 4,000-pound vehicle. If you want to go play, go find a matchbox car.