OpinionApril 16, 2005
Speak Out 4/16/05
Ethanol makes sense; Taxes don't go down; Learning a lesson; The no-tax defense; Set the example; Make a better future; Presidential proclamation; Too fancy; Big tax increases; Hogging the lane; Opportunity to serve; Looking for help; Loss of income; Extra trash; Teachers most important; Implosion ahead; Enough taxes; Opinion is clear
Ethanol makes sense
THERE HAVE been some comments lately about ethanol, and I think it's important to note its prevalence as a fuel source outside the United States. Countries such as Brazil and South Africa are using up to 100 percent ethanol fuels in American-made cars in their countries at a significant savings, both environmentally and dollar-wise. This is an important renewable fuel source that Americans can produce at home.
Taxes don't go down
REMEMBER WHEN our taxes went up the last time? Did they go back down? Maybe that is why the voters of Jackson School District did not vote yes.
Learning a lesson
OUR TEACHERS take a lot of abuse from pushy parents, but it's partially their own fault. Just last month a principal at a Cape Girardeau school told me that it was not her fault my children did not have a two-parent family and that I needed to care more about that situation -- all because I asked to have my son ride the bus to day care so I could work. Teachers, principals and staff members need a few classes of their own.
The no-tax defense
SORRY, BUT state Rep. Rod Jetton has lost the support of many who supported him. Perhaps Jetton feels lucky that he received Medicaid before it became such a financial burden. Perhaps he, like so many, does not know that Americans spend more per student than any other country, yet we are far down the list in educational success. Perhaps Jetton has little regard for the unfortunate handicapped or the citizens living on less than poverty level incomes. But he is intelligent enough to realize that all a politician has to do to justify terrible cuts is to cry, "You'll have tax increases." That's true -- if politicians keep getting raises, keep their retirement plans, financial perks and health benefits and spend money recklessly in areas that are not as crucial as health care.
Set the example
CONCERNING THE Jackson School District bond issue: When I have a major repair to be done in my home, I can't keep asking my boss for a raise to cover it. I have to budget my money wisely and cut back on some things to save for the expense. Maybe the school board needs to show the community that it is doing its share to budget wisely and keep costs and waste down. Then when it asks for money, people can see they are doing their share also.
Make a better future
ANYONE WHO thinks that it is cost effective to remodel an old school building is not thinking clearly. I understand sentimental value, but I also thought older citizens understood the value of money. When it costs double the amount of money to renovate an old building instead of constructing a new one, what sense does that make? Standards for safety in this day and age are different than they were 50 years ago, and to make a building handicapped-accessible is costly. If these towns, not just Jackson, love their old school buildings so much, buy them from the school districts and turn them into whatever you want. Don't make students of today suffer because that building was good enough for you. I thought we should always want better for the next generations.
Presidential proclamation
IT IS appropriate to fly the flag at half-mast for Pope John Paul II. The president of the United States can make a proclamation to fly the flag at half -mast for certain circumstances. President Bush did, in fact, make a proclamation that flags are to be flown at half-mast for the death of the pope.
Too fancy
I AGREE that Jackson needs a new high school, but it does not need one that costs that much money with that much glamor. Maybe if the people in charge would design one that was more modest, then the people would vote yes. The way it is now our children's grandchildren will be paying for it. It is a school. It doesn't have to be that fancy.
Big tax increases
I WANT to congratulate the people of the Jackson School District for voting with their pocket books and heads instead of their emotions. I live in Cape Girardeau in a house that recently was appraised at $108,000. Before all the school bonds and reassessments, I was paying $394 a year for real estate taxes. Now it's a whopping $1,680. We're always told, "It will only cost the average homeowner around $50 a year. If you believe that, I have some oceanfront property to sell you in Cape Girardeau County.
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Hogging the lane
TO THE poky drivers who say it's their right to drive slowly in the left lane: They are rude and selfish to hog the passing lane.
Opportunity to serve
MANY VIETNAM veterans were would-be inmates who were given a choice when they committed a crime of either joining the armed services or going to jail. They turned out OK and served our country admirably. A lot of men in our jails, especially for minor offenses, could be turned around by serving in the military, especially since the armed services are having problems with enlistments.
Looking for help
TEENS INHALE stuff to get high. This is so true. I kicked my teen out for this. I tried to get help from the Division of Family Services and law enforcement, but they didn't seem to care. He got into trouble for this, and all the court is going to do is slap his hand. I had to lock my room at night because he would steal and do stupid things. He needs to go to a rehab for this problem.
Loss of income
I'VE SEEN what happens when a spouse on Social Security dies. My 80-year-old father died last summer. My mother's income from Social Security was reduced drastically. Daddy's Army pension stopped. She has the same house payments, utility bills, Medicare supplement payments and the care of my 45-year-old disabled brother who contributes by working in a handicapped workshop for an average of $20 a week. America should be ashamed and embarrassed by our treatment of the elderly and the handicapped.
Extra trash
I ORDERED a special trash pickup from the city. I was happy to pay for the fee as I didn't want to wait for my free one. When I left for work the morning after putting my items on the curb, I was surprised to see twice the amount I had put out, including some items not accepted by the city. Come on, pay for your own pickup. It's very reasonable.
Teachers most important
THE JACKSON School District has an administration making hiring and firing decisions in a careless manner without regard at all for our kids. Last year, it was Mike Kiehne who was let go as basketball coach. This year it's an outstanding high school social studies teacher who was let go. The kids are devastated. This was a tough teacher who had high expectations and who did a great job in the classroom. We've got a district hiring and firing people on the strangest criteria. People are being hired from outside the district when we have qualified people within the district to fill spots. We have people who are being let go because the principal doesn't like them or the athletic director doesn't like them or they tick off one parent. Our kids are being hurt more by the lack of quality teachers in the classroom and by letting good people go than it is by the poor conditions of the buildings.
Implosion ahead
WHEN THE Soviet Union became completely corrupt, it imploded. That is what will happen to America unless government oversight and thorough investigations across the nation are successful in stopping the corrupt destroyers of our country.
Enough taxes
TWICE NOW, the voters of the Jackson School District have voted no on an exorbitant tax increase. Now we've got all the crybabies coming out. Some of us feel like we are taxed enough already. Can anyone explain to me how the parochial schools, which get no tax dollars, are able to educate a student and do a darn fine job of it for just over half what it takes to put a student through public schools? Could it possibly be that the public school system is out of control as far as expenses go?
Opinion is clear
I THINK Jackson voters have expressed their opinion on the bond issue. The school board needs to deal in reality. People in this area don't make the kind of money to support such a big idea.
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