Speak Out 4/7/06

Outside concerns

WHY ARE people who don't live in East Cape Girardeau griping about the Big Blue Martini? They need to think more about what happens in their own towns.

Win-win club

THE OPENING of the gentlemen's club in East Cape Girardeau, Ill., should be a concern of Cape Girardeau more then a concern for East Cape. Just think of how much money will be spent by all of the college men at the club. That's money that would be spent in Missouri. However, it might get filtered back to Missouri if the girls at the club go to school in Cape. So it's a win-win situation for all.

Pushed to sign up

AS MORE seniors sign up for Medicare Part D prescription plan, we will be undoubtedly be reading how successful this plan is. The problem with using sign-up numbers as an indicator of success is that, regardless of whether it is a good program, many seniors are feeling forced to sign up because of the penalties associated with waiting until after the May deadline. For many, the raise in Medicare premiums plus new Part D premiums means less essential income, amounting to more than this year's cost-of-living increase to their Social Security.

Saving lives

WHILE USING a booster seat may be inconvenient for some, consider that motor vehicle crashes are the No. 1 cause of death and injury for children in the country. Using a booster seat will save you thousands of dollars of health-care costs when your child is involved in a crash. The simple device can be purchased at your local retailer cheaper than a family of four can eat at a fast food restaurant. Why wouldn't parents want to choose safety rather than risk the health and well-being of their child over convenience?

Little freedoms

CAPE GIRARDEAU is headed down the wrong road with regulations on signs and burning. This is a small, Midwestern city where people appreciate many of the little freedoms that they can't find in suburbia. Let's face it: Much of the native population of Cape enjoys burning a pile of leaves on a cool fall day and putting up signs to advertise their annual garage sale. These are the things that make a small town great. One of my favorite things about Cape is that it isn't filled with picky yuppies who want to live in a city with rows of homogenous houses and manicured lawns.