Speak Out 4/13/09

State payouts

OUR Missouri tax refunds are being delayed. Officials say they need the money to run the government. But the state is paying bonuses to government employees who have not done the work to earn them. How interesting.

Playing in street

ANOTHER beautiful spring day is starting, and we'll have more happy days. And the children are playing in the street. Parents need to understand that the streets are not for children to play in. We live on an ordinary residential street with a cul-de-sac at the end. None of this is for children to play, it's meant for cars to drive on. The parents get upset if I mention to them that children shouldn't be in the street. They act as though the street is the proper place for children to play. It isn't. Parents, take your children to the park.

It's happening

IT doesn't matter whether humans are responsible for global warming nor how influential we are in the matter. The fact is, our planet is getting warmer, and that does not bode well for our species. Are we smart enough to survive? Perhaps we should start working on it now, rather than wait until our water and air reach the point where they are toxic.

Government health

IT is imperative that everyone fight against government-run health care. Those in the government and affluent liberals don't have a problem with nationalized health care because they can pay out of pocket for appropriate and good care. Those of us who are low to middle class will be the ones affected. Under such a plan we will not be able to choose our physicians, treatments and hospitals and will be on waiting lists for any type of procedure. We will get bottom-of-the-barrel care. We don't need government-run health care We need a cap on costs of private health care.

Economic survival

DRIVEN by nothing but simple common sense and a ruthless desire to keep my house, I have figured out the cause of our economic woes. We, the people, and our government lead the world in spending money we don't have on things we don't need. The good news is we can fix that ourselves by not buying what we don't need. Being more responsible with our resources doesn't just apply to the environment. It is also a big part of common-sense household maintenance and economic survival in any economy.

Crashing sound

WHEN are people going to realize that using coal and oil is like pulling cash out of the ground? These products create millions of jobs for coal miners, oil drillers and all the people who build the equipment and supplies used in these industries. If it were possible to go completely solar, which it isn't, what would all the miners, drillers and people they buy from do for a living? There would be a giant crashing sound of our country falling to its knees.

Humor and love

IF crying babies are a problem in church, the best solution is saying at the beginning of the sermon, "Babies are like good intentions, and they should be carried out. And if they're crying, please do so." I think if it's done with humor and love, most parents wouldn't be offended. Jesus loved the little children, and so we do. Everyone should love the children, but parents also have a responsibility.

A mature view

RECREATION and leisure are something we all need, but a life of nothing but fun is a juvenile attitude. When one matures, he realizes that he has responsibilities, that most aspects of life require discipline and that there are consequences for shirking our duties. Education is a serious endeavor. We should regard our work as a necessary obligation. Romance, affairs of the heart can hurt if untended. The cultivation of the spirit should be solemn and with reverence. Humor is needed, but please tailor your humor to lightheartedness, not belittling.

Beauty trip

I just wanted to thank all the women, regardless of their age, who take the time to dress up and make themselves attractive when they go out.

Torn flags

TORN flags are fitting for a ravaged country. We have been ravaged by everything from the ACLU to the banking system, our federal government and corrupt politicians and citizens, illegal immigration. These flags are appropriate, and I hope they stay out to symbolize the condition of our country.

HD and scrolling

I paid hard-earned money for a nice HD television set and for HD television service, but stations take that from me when they scroll something at the bottom of the screen. Why can't they give me my HD back?