Speak Out 4/23/08

Lots of family fun

LOOKING FOR something for youngsters to do in Cape Girardeau? Navigate through the cityofcapegirardeau.org Web site to locate descriptions of the 20 or so parks available for a variety of family activities (picnics, swimming, fishing, walks, swings, tennis, hikes). Get involved in youth sports programs available all spring and summer for boys and girls ages 6-19. Consider becoming active in one of the local churches of your choice that has an exciting children's and youth program. We've lived in several communities of this size in the South and Midwest. Cape is the most family-friendly that we've enjoyed. It's clean and safe and offers a tremendous variety of settings for family fun. Our community can't be beaten.

State depression

WE ARE not in a recession in Missouri. We are in a depression.

Dealing with a lemon

I USED to buy only American-made cars until I bought one only to find out that most of the parts were made overseas and then shipped here to be put together. I bought a few foreign cars and loved them. Two years ago, feeling guilty, I bought an American-made car again. It's been a nightmare with one problem after another. Worse yet, the dealership can't fix it and the company is giving me the runaround on adhering to Missouri's Lemon Law.

Locating the park

I'M EXCITED that Cape Girardeau is getting a water park. My concern is how big (or small) it is going to be if it's going to be next to the Osage Community Centre. There's not much room there. Put it connecting to Cape County Park on the north side. It's easy access for those coming from out of town and there would be more room. Another place could be the area of the high school.

The way we think

THE CONTINUING controversy between Cape Girardeau and Sikeston makes clear a stark contrast in the thought processes of the movers and shakers in the respective communities. Cape's tend to be Aristotelian, calm, logical, rational and empirical. Sikeston's movers and shakers go with their gut feelings, are often enraged, subjective, shoot from the hip and are much more influenced by the Romantic tradition in literature and philosophy. That's why I put so much more stock in the points of view expressed by powermesiters living in Sikeston.

Rounding up

SEMO ELECTRIC Cooperative in Sikeston, Mo., has decided to automatically enroll everyone in its new roundup program, which rounds your bill up to the next dollar. I should be given the opportunity to decide for myself if I wish to participate in this or any of their programs.

Respect for life

WHEN PEOPLE learn to respect all life and learn that all life has a value, we will have no more problems with the saving of animals or humans. I doubt people will ever evolve that far before creating their own destruction. Ego, greed and the love and idolizing of money is what you all should be against.

We are employees

A UNION is the collective voice of employees, not some third-party entity. Let's replace the word "union" with "employees" and see how it sounds. I have to buy used vehicles because the employees have too many benefits and wages put into new cars. The consumer pays for the employee benefits. The employees are like a leech on a company that a person with vision started. We are all employees. That throws a different perspective on the issue, doesn't it?