Speak Out 2/8/05

They deserve it

AS A baby boomer approaching geezerhood, I'm getting on board for President Bush's Social Security reform proposal. After all, he promised I'd get no cuts. I feel kind of guilty, because the proposal seems to dictate that my grandkids might get the shaft. Frankly, some of the little rascals deserve it.

Crowd control

WHEN MY husband was dying, a large group of adults took over the waiting room with food, telephones and loud talking and laughing. Hospitals should control these things.

Bad for this family

I VOTED for Matt Blunt thinking he was going to do some good for Missouri. I understand he has proposed doing away with the First Steps program. Not only is that bad for the children, it's also bad for my household in particular, because my wife would lose her job.

Early signs

CLIPPARD ELEMENTARY School puts its stop signs in the middle of the street at 7:15 a.m. when the speed zone signs say to slow down at 7:30 a.m.

Placing blame

A STORY in the paper said a woman's family is getting $20 million because she died after smoking for 30 years. This is ridiculous. I never have smoked. People nowadays know smoking is dangerous. It's ridiculous for a family to blame somebody else. I think we should put a stop to this.

Teenagers choose

MAYBE TEENAGERS need to find a different act of love if they claim to be burdened for nine months following that love, because killing that baby would be self-centered. Choosing to give that baby life would be the greatest love possible.

Money problem

THE MORE people watch the Republican Party in charge, the more they're going to learn that money is more important to conservative Republicans than people. The governor says some of the people on Medicaid should go to private insurance companies. What private insurance company is anxious to issue insurance to people who already have a problem? How are some these people who are poor going to pay the premium? Money is next to godliness, I guess.

Care for the young

I TOO am a single mom of three. My ex-husband deserted us and cannot be found. I work full-time for $6 an hour. If it weren't for Medicaid, one of my children would be sleeping with God right now, and my middle child would be blind. What Gov. Matt Blunt is proposing is a shame. We send thousands of our tax dollars to other countries, but we can't take care of our own people here. Our children need medical care too. On top of Blunt's proposals, the schools are trying to make it where it's mandatory for every child to have a thorough eye exam. How are poor parents going to do that? Please stop the insanity. Make cuts other ways. Let our children have medical coverage too.

Touch of reality

AN ARTICLE about President Bush's Social Security plan mentions that two House Republicans offered an alternate plan. They say Bush's plan is too politically risky. They suggest, instead, that they would boost the program with money from general revenue rather than from payroll taxes. How disconnected can anyone be? General revenue is spending all the excess Social Security money now. These people need to quit panicking and get real and think about actually what's going on.

Health-care crisis

THE HEALTH-CARE situation in this great country of ours is one big mess. It should be a top priority. It should have been solved long ago. There are too many hard-working, talented American who cannot afford health insurance. This is shameful. Wake up and start taking better care of Americans instead of playing savior of the world. Only Jesus can do that.

Displays of faith

WHY IS it that those in favor of vulgarity and pornography on television those who are offended by such things to tune to another channel? Why aren't those who don't like our Nativity scene advised to look away? If you don't like my Bible on my desk, just look away. If you don't like the Ten Commandments on the courthouse lawn, look away. If you don't like the pastor's sermon on homosexuality, don't listen. We Christians are told to look the other way. But when others are offended by our displays of faith, we are told we must take down the Nativity scene and the Ten Commandments and leave our Bible at home. If you are allowed to display your sleaze, then I should be allowed to display my faith.

A great program

I WOULD like everyone in Missouri to understand what the First Steps program is about. I have a 1 1/2-year-old son who was premature with a grade III brain bleed and several developmental problems. First Steps came into our home when he was released from the hospital to give him the therapy he needed to retrain his brain. He has some physical problems, but he has done great mentally, thanks to First Steps. Parents as Teachers is also a great program, but it is not for therapy services. I can't imagine what my son would not have accomplished without the First Steps Program. So before the governor cuts the program, become involved and see the great work these people do. Thank you to all the great people who give their services to us from First Steps.

Quality of life

MEDICARE PAYS for Viagra. So what? That's good. It also pays for other quality-of-life drugs like those for pain and indigestion.

Need all the facts

I CANNOT believe Gov. Matt Blunt would make such decisions regarding children with disabilities without having his facts straight. He completely cut First Steps funding. What a tragedy for children based on adult ignorance.

Questionable luxury

HOW WONDERFUL it made me feel to read that Medicare would cover Viagra. I was denied coverage for a shower chair, walker and wheelchair because those were considered luxury items, even though I am a recovering quadriplegic. I guess some items are more of a luxury than others. Does this mean I can expect my birth-control pills to be covered?