Speak Out 3/6/07

Paying taxes

I THINK it's wrong to begrudge taxes. It's not about being liberal. It's about being a caring human being. It's way off base to complain about the wealthy paying their taxes. They should pay their taxes and help the poor while they're at it.

High-speed chase

IN CAPE Girardeau, police pursued a car at speeds up to 80 mph. When speeds reached what the officers considered to be unsafe, they discontinued the pursuit. But in Chaffee a 100-mph chase on a gravel road was considered to be OK.

Thinking of Alvie

I WANT Sam Blackwell and DC to know that our hearts go out to you on the loss of your beloved Alvie. We lost a four-legged member of our family, and I understand what you're going through. Keep up the good work and know that other people are thinking of you. Just remember that Alvie is out there now playing with those who need him.

A good life

I'M SO sorry to hear of Alvie's passing. The Blackwells gave that little fellow a new life. When he came to live with them he had a tough beginning. I enjoyed the stories about him, Hank and Lucy. I will always remember them. You gave him love and a good life, and the favor was returned, I'm sure.

Neighborhood lights

SOMEONE SUGGESTED that Cape Girardeau should bring back parking meters to help pay for street improvements and more street lights. When they do that, I will trade somewhere else. If the city needs lights anywhere, it's on the streets where people live, not by the businesses.

Library planning

WHEN THEY draw up plans for the new library, they should keep two things in mind. With the library being a public facility, it would be nice if it could be tornado resistant. Second, keep in mind that it could be used in case of emergency for the public.

Costly generators

IT MAKES sense to have backup power for the water treatment plant. But to spend $300,000 for three fire stations to have generators is ridiculous. This town doesn't care if we have no place to go in a disaster. I guess as long as the fire personnel keep warm and have hot meals, that's all that matters.

Get rich driving

I'M DRIVING home from work on the interstate. If I had a penny for every time someone didn't use his blinker I would be a millionaire.

Fountain is an asset

I TIRE of those who want bare-bones administration of colleges. The fountain on Broadway is a beautiful thing and an asset to the Southeast Missouri State University campus. It might make others desire to go there. Beautification of campuses is not a new thing. I deplore people who are so cheap that they begrudge the college a water fountain.

Black-white ratio

A RECENT caller claimed that an equal number of black and white students drop out of high school. According to the Department of Education, 79 percent of 19-year-old Caucasians have a high school diploma versus 63 percent of their black peers. Sometimes facts must be reported even when those facts aren't politically correct.

ACT is the answer

YOUR EDITORIAL says the final word on statewide high school testing has not been heard. I sincerely hope not, because I still believe with other educators that the ACT is the answer.

Paying for coverage

IF YOU are on Medicaid, everyone's employer and employees are paying for your health care. If employers would not have to pay so much tax for benefits for those not willing to work for what they get, the ones working hard could afford better insurance through their employer.

What should be done

DEMOCRATS ARE doing the same thing with Iran that they did in Iraq. They sit back and offer no other alternative for dealing with the situation, but whatever the outcome they can say the efforts didn't work. Absolutely no one in the Democratic Party is saying what should be done.

Trash talk

THE PERSON who commented that the local Keep America Beautiful affiliate wants to harass citizens to get grants funded by tax money is misinformed in a serious way. Keep America Beautiful grants are privately based, resulting from partnerships with major companies across the United States who seek to help in the fight against litter. Yes, some of these companies may have a vested interest beyond community beautification in fighting litter, as their products sometimes make up the litter when improperly disposed. But their funds are certainly not made up of your tax money. You are correct, though, that harassing local citizens is part of the Keep America Beautiful plan if you are one of those local citizens who throws trash out your car window, fails to cover loads in your pickup or disposes your cigarette butts on the street. Many of us are tired of cleaning up after you. We don't want your money. All we want you to do is use a trash can. It's that simple. In the end, that will save us all a lot of money.

Judicial system

CORRECT ME if I am wrong, but it isn't the police who keep drug dealers in jail. It is the judicial system. Either judges need to be replaced, or the law needs teeth. The police are blamed enough. Let's put the "get out of jail free" passes at the feet of those who are responsible.

Getting attention

THE BUSINESS at Walter Reed Army Medical Center got a lot of attention when it broke -- attention it should have received in 2003 when the memos first started flowing in the Pentagon. It looks like the liberal media do some good after all.

More adept crooks

TERM LIMITS have hurt our state. I am an old codger and can remember when this state was in pretty good shape. Roads were good. Taxes were below national averages. The people in our legislative branches wanted what was good for the state. They were as crooked as today, but they were better at it and didn't flaunt it or try to make themselves and their friends rich in one session. Throw the bums out.