Speak Out 3/27/09

Too many distractions

WITH all this talk about texting while driving, what about shutting restaurants with drive-throughs? People are eating and driving and having wrecks. What about people who smoke? CB users? People putting on makeup? There are numerous things that distract you while you're driving. Maybe you shouldn't allow screaming children to ride in your car with you. We can't outlaw all of the distractions.

Thanks, Cape police

I would just like to thank the Cape Girardeau Police Department. We had to call them, and they responded immediately. They were professional. We are proud of them and want to say thank you for their help.

Right choices

SOME folks seem to have a hard time keeping all the government spending straight these days. But Rep. Jo Ann Emerson is making the right votes in Congress. She voted against the stimulus bill and $350 billion in tort money, and she has vowed to oppose the budget and its $3.6 trillion in spending. She voted for our law enforcement grant programs, Missouri drug task forces and border patrol. Instead of saying no to everything, Emerson takes the time to learn the difference between busting the budget and keeping us safe at home.

TV programs

WHY do we have to sacrifice our TV programs for basketball that not everybody cares about? Can't they put that on a sports channel so that we don't have to miss our programs?

Country living

ONE of the reasons our family moved to the country was to enjoy the quiet views with the choice of having animals that wouldn't bother the neighbors. We've lived in our home for about three years. In that time we've lost two cats and two dogs to the road. Living on Route B is like living on the Indy 500 racetrack. All we have left is our two kids. We would like to keep both of them. I've just been to another doggie funeral. Our children, 7 and 3, have been to four in their lives. If you drive on Route B, please use a little sense.

Paying taxes

A recent comment said 95 percent of Americans are receiving a tax cut under the Obama administration. Assuming the caller meant income tax: Less than 95 percent of Americans actually pay income taxes. Those who do pay taxes are essentially contributing to those who don't by funding the earned income credit.

Weathering the storm

SPREADING fear about President Obama is getting tiresome for the majority of us. Give the man a chance. He won the election not because of false comments about ACORN and others paying him and his great ability to write speeches. He won the election fair and square because of he understands what the majority of the American people want: change. Constant bashing of President Obama reminds us of why we like him. We are tired of all the negativity that so-called negative conservatives try to spread. He cannot fix everything. He never said he could. Many of you are not giving him a chance. President Obama is strong and will succeed because of his ability to handle pressure. He has weathered the storm before. He will weather the storm now.

Divvy up the revenue

SO-CALLED earmarks should be eliminated. Certainly states should be allowed to receive at least a portion of the federal taxes paid by their citizens. However, there is no fair balance within the current system. A handful of states receive more in pork than they have paid in federal taxes. The only fair way for the federal government to handle this would be to allocate a certain percentage of the tax revenue to go to each state.

Sending troops

IT'S a little confusing to read that while our country seems willing to send our military forces into various foreign countries for reasons that really aren't very clear, we seem reluctant to send National Guard troops to our own southern border states that have requested them.

No real tax cut

I got a real laugh when I saw the comment that 95 percent of Americans would get a tax cut under President Obama's plan. What they are getting, if anything, is a tax break, not a permanent reduction in taxes. Even that will evaporate once the effects of all this spending kick in. You simply cannot lower taxes on 95 percent of people, raise them for the wealthiest 2 percent and expect to pay for everything. Unfortunately, all hard-working Americans will likely see their taxes go up in time.

Litter dilemma

I am sitting here in my office looking out the window on this beautiful day. I just saw a young woman throw a cigarette butt out the window of her vehicle. I'm torn. Should I go out and say something like "If your going to destroy your lungs, please try not to destroy the environment," or should I not bother because it may start an argument?