OpinionMarch 14, 2001
SPEAK OUT
I AGREE with the Southeast Missourian editorial that stated it was wise to repeal a state law requiring students to be held back if they don't read on grade level. I would be furious if my child was retained because she read several steps above grade level...
Reading levels
I AGREE with the Southeast Missourian editorial that stated it was wise to repeal a state law requiring students to be held back if they don't read on grade level. I would be furious if my child was retained because she read several steps above grade level.
Matter of fairness
HOORAY FOR the tax break President Bush is trying to secure for us. Why shouldn't the people who pay the taxes get a break? Every day I hear liberals whining about the high achievers getting the most benefit. The fact of the matter is the top 15 percent of wage earners pay 80 percent of the taxes. The top 50 percent pay over 95.2 percent of the taxes. That only leaves 4.8 percent of the taxes paid by the people who are screaming about it being unfair. Now who is being unfair?
Convenient roundabout
CONCERNING THE new roundabout, I find it to be pretty convenient. I admit it takes a bit of getting used to and requires a bit of thinking by first-time users, but most people with average intelligence will get the hang of it pretty fast. There will be those who have a bit tougher time of it and will complain until they get accustomed. Roundabouts are everywhere in Australia, and I find them easy and handy even though they make you drive on the wrong side of the road there. Good job, Cape.
Parents' business
I WOULD like to make a comment about the new policy at Jackson schools. I believe in keeping control on school grounds, but when those students leave the school grounds, it is no one's business but the kids' parents as to what they are doing, and it's the parents' place to do the punishing.
Insensitive doctors
MY FAMILY cannot afford insurance. My 1-year-old daughter has MC+ state insurance. I called every doctor in Cape Girardeau whose name was on the provider list, and every one no longer accepts MC+ patients. I hope there are doctors who read this and realize they aren't helping children who are the victims. It sickens me that these doctors are so shallow and insensitive and very greedy.
Republican answers
WORRIED ABOUT the stock market? Don't be. The Republicans always have all the answers, especially when they are out of office. They are the experts and can handle everything. Aren't they wonderful? So upright, honest, moral, good and Christian.
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Majority wanted Gore
LET ME remind the caller who said "We didn't want four more years of Clinton" that he is overlooking a most important fact. We, as the country's majority, did want four more years, and that's the very reason Al Gore received more popular votes. Now The Associated Press is telling us that Gore probably did win Florida, a fact that most of us already knew.
Need hugs, advice
MY SON is a victim of being bullied. He is kind and loving and doesn't want to be mean to any of the other kids. He does not want someone hitting him and calling him names. He's been told by his teachers he's immature compared to his peers. His peers won't throw him the ball because he holds his hands a certain way. You counselors who come into classes to give advice, why don't you go outside at recess, because that is when most of it happens? I volunteer and give a lot of hugs and advice to those victims, and I don't even get paid for it.
The real drug war
THERE IS too much money being circulated on both sides to stop the drug war. The drug war is very similar to prohibition of early last century. It is ill-focused and failing grossly. Instead of going after the vicious criminals attracted to the very profitable government-created market of illegal drug trafficking, we are jailing our good kids and citizens. I am talking about the otherwise law-abiding citizens who make the personal choice to use marijuana. I do not condone the use of marijuana by minors, nor do I condone parents leaving the job of parenting for government, schools or the legal system. If there were a sincere effort to eradicate the dangerous drug problem in America today, the tobacco industry would've been out of business years ago.
Not an error
THE PEOPLE writing in about the roundabout who find it beautiful and easy to maneuver must be driving small cars. They certainly are not driving fire trucks, 18-wheelers or concrete trucks. I doubt the city council will do anything about this monstrosity because it would be an admission of an error. And we all know that government does not err.
Fitting centerpiece
A CYNICAL Speak Out caller has suggested a mulberry bush as the centerpiece for the controversial roundabout. I think we need to grace it with more dignity than that and show it off with the center occupied by a mangled monster truck.
Need something new
WHEN I saw a Cardinals game last year, I didn't think "Golly, they need a new stadium." It seemed to serve its purpose. I just think it's a shame that everybody thinks they need something new all the time.
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