Speak Out 4/15/07

Looking to the future

I THINK there should be a congressional committee whose sole purpose is not to wrestle with contemporary issues and problems, but a small group with vision to identify problems our country will encounter in the future. Perhaps there are great cataclysms waiting for us in the future -- education, illegal drugs, military or some other aspect of our lives. Certainly technology and discoveries in medical technology need to be contemplated from all sides to allow our transition as a society into the new age that is here. Some time and effort to dispel problems now would be wise for us as well as very cost-effective. Attempts to predict our problems in the future is a concept we have needed many times throughout our history. Let us learn this lesson and turn toward the horizon with confidence and eagerness.

Farmers' prices

I JUST saw that the price for eggs is going to go up because the price of corn is going up. This is the first time I've ever heard that the expense to a farmer dictated what he got for a product. Most all the time farmers are the last ones to get anything. Just because retailers see a chance to get more money for a product, they use this as an excuse.

Below average

I'M SURE sorry for the people of Southeast Missouri. When you have an area like this where the children are below average, it's so sad to see schools like Pemiscot County with 58.4 percent high school graduation. And then to have these people be part of the group that says Gov. Matt Blunt is doing a good job. What's the matter you? If you're aren't smart enough to get through high school, how can you have an opinion that amounts to anything regarding your politicians?

Helpful drivers

THANK YOU to the drivers of the new transportation system. They are extremely polite and helpful to those who need assistance, and I really appreciate them being here for us when we need them.

Injury compensation

I HAD a career-ending on-the-job accident in 2004. I retained an attorney in October 2005. We finally settled with workers' comp insurance company in February 2007. Since I had arthritis, that was classed as second injury for the state, and the maximum lump sum settlement for total disability is $60,000. The state changed lawyers three times that I know of in my case over a period of 19 months. We settled for $58,000. The state could have settled right off for $2,000 more and saved the state a lot of money in lawyer fees. My lawyer will get 25 percent plus expenses. The settlement with the workers' comp insurance company was about two years of premiums for my former employer, so I guess the winners here are the insurance company and the state's lawyers.

Plenty of trash cans

THIS IS in regards to the person who said there aren't enough trash containers along the roadways and you have to stop some place and get out of your vehicle, which is why so many things are tossed out on the road. There are trash containers at every type of business in this city. If you can't find a trash container to put your stuff in because you have to get out of your car and you throw it on our roadways, shame on you.

Sheriff's actions

I APPLAUD Sheriff John Jordan on the stance he has taken on a tough situation involving the security breach. Jordan made some tough decisions in order to do what was best for the jail and Cape Girardeau County. The sheriff did what he thought was best and took immediate action to fix what went wrong by adding extra security cameras and increased cell checks. Good job, Sheriff.

Who's the enemy?

PRESIDENT BUSH and the hawks of this country keep saying we are fighting "them" there so we don't have to fight "them" here. Who are they talking about? The Sunnis and Shias? Or have their delusions manifested into people who don't exist? We created the terrorists in Iraq.

Double standard

WHY IS Don Imus taking so much heat for his comments? Much worse is exhibited daily in the rap community and show's such as "The Mind of Mencia." Why can minorities use slurs or make fun of people all they want with no repercussions, yet a white male says one thing and the media blows up? This sounds like a double standard to me. We should pick a standard and hold all people accountable for it, no matter the color of their skin.

Sikeston's prisoners

SIKESTON WANTS to take care of itself and not worry about the rest of the county. If you want your tax money for your own police department. Sikeston, stop sending the Scott County Jail all the prisoners that you don't want to house.

Too many taxes

I BELIEVE the people in Sikeston were smart to vote against the Scott County law-enforcement sales tax. That tax was passed to build the Scott County Jail and was not designed to carry on for the next two decades. If we would add up all the sales tax, restaurant tax, property tax, school tax, library tax, fuel tax, bridge tax, ambulance tax, Johnson grass tax, transportation tax, Social Security tax, Medicare tax, state income tax and federal income tax we pay annually, you would say, "No wonder I don't have any money." Every time you turn around some city, county or state wants a tax of some kind. They must work with what they have for now until times get better.

In debt to China

GARY RUST needs to do an editorial explaining how President Bush is financing his war with funding from Communist China. Does Rust not realize that massive deficits eventually lead to tax increases?

School changes

KNOWING THAT Frank Ellis and Debbie Followell won't be at Central Middle School anymore is music to my ears. Finally the school board is taking charge of the situation. I hope their replacements can turn that school around before my youngest child starts there in two years.

Much-needed changes

THE LOSS of both principals at Central Middle School comes as no surprise to me. Maybe Dr. David Scala, our superintendent, really will make some much-needed changes after all. Perhaps it's time for the do-nothingness in our public schools to end.

Taking control

IT IS about time Cape Girardeau wakes up and controls what is going on in the public schools. Kudos to the board members for finally doing something about the Central Middle School situation. Our children need guidance from people who have backbones and who will stand up to right and wrong in this district.

Jackson chamber

JACKSON SHOULD stop funding the Jackson Chamber of Commerce for economic development based solely on the basis of the director's most recent comments to the Southeast Missourian regarding the zoning at the new East Main interchange. I refuse to be a member of the chamber until a new director is hired. Jackson needs a chamber to bring in business and industry, not to plan bake sales, beauty pageants and bunking parties.

Buried by committee

ONCE YOU read that a school committee will study district boundaries, you can rest assured that there is hope that the issue will simply go away.