Speak Out 3/8/10

Entitlements

My least favorite word in the English language has become "entitlements." Growing up, I was taught that I was entitled to a free public education and that if I worked hard it would help give me opportunities to succeed. That was all I was "entitled" to. Now we provide free breakfast, free lunch, free after-school programs, free tutors, free food stamps, free transportation vouchers and many other programs. None of these is free. If you are getting money from the government, you are what is wrong with this country. I am tired of paying for you.

Giving money

I am quite upset at the large sums of our money being given to Haiti and Chile when there are plenty of Americans suffering and we have a national debt of $13 trillion.

Ineffective laws

IT is a felony to posses a firearm while intoxicated. Allowing firearms in parks does not provide any new exception to allow the intoxicated to be armed. However, the law has and never will stop those with criminal intent. Gun laws don't work.

Undefeated team

THIS is the 50th anniversary of Central High School's undefeated JV basketball team. The team was 18-0 and was coached by the late, great Jack "Pug" Russell.

Taxing everything

I was reading an article that said Missouri is considering doing away with the state income tax and instead having a sales tax on everything. I cannot believe this. How can you tax rent? Would someone please explain this?

Scary thought

IF the tea party evolves into an official third party nationwide and nominates candidates all over the country, the consequences are unknown. One thing is for sure. It will frighten the Democrats and Republicans worse than I was scared when I saw "The Crazies."

Street riots

SO, the Greek government had too many giveaways of tax money and the recipients are rioting in the streets because the government is out of money. Fortunately, we don't have to worry about that since by far the largest recipients of tax money in the U.S. are huge corporations.

Gambling image

SCHOOLS in Missouri rely on funding from riverboat gambling. What message does this send our youths? It's not a positive image. I would vote against riverboat gambling. It's not a positive influence on the community.

Band lottery

I think any child in the Jackson School District who wants to learn to play a saxophone should be allowed. There should be tryouts for the band. We felt slighted because band members are picked by lottery. We got a letter inviting our son to be in the band, but he wasn't picked during the lottery. Only so many students get to be in the band, and that's upsetting.

Get out

IT seems lately every time I pick up the newspaper there's an article where some guy who has been arrested for abusing his fiance. Don't these girls know they deserve better than what these guys are dishing out? Please get counseling if you need it. Get into a church and realize that God created you to be better than taking abuse from a guy who professes to love you. He does not. He does not love himself, and he can't possibly love you or your children. Get out of that situation.

Do what's needed

THIS is a message for Republicans on Capitol Hill: We need to do what needs to be done.

No cuts

SOME officials want more Medicaid cuts for special-needs and handicapped persons. We all need to write our congresswoman, Jo Ann Emerson, and beg her. Please, no Medicaid cuts concerning the handicapped and special needs. Kick the drug addicts and the alcoholics off the welfare rolls.

Moderate party

I think another political party would be a good thing. The existing third parties are not getting the votes. We need a moderate party. Many people are fed up with the extremes on either side.

Right to sue

AN arbitration board sounds good for medical disputes, but I don't think you should have to sign a form saying you would not sue. There should be some exceptions. It's important that you can sue in the most horrendous of cases.

Football field

I'VE been reading all this stuff about the new bond issue for the Cape Girardeau School District and how important it is that we have our own football stadium. I asked one of the football coaches, "What is the big deal about having a football stadium on your campus?" He kept saying it would be our own field. I asked what the advantage of that is. He couldn't say. I asked if the team would practice on the field. He said no, because you don't want to tear up the surface. Why do we need to spend millions of dollars to create a field that's used for a few games a season?