Speak out 4/7/08

Spiritual churches

Just because a church is growing doesn't mean that it is spiritual. It could be that the people are being entertained. If a church is spiritual, there will be a life-changing transformation in the lives of the people attending that church. When Christ comes back, he is not coming for people who go to church, He is coming back for people who have been changed by his power.

Need dog park

I am a 60-year-old woman living in a small apartment with a high-energy dog. Cape Girardeau needs a dog park so these small animals with lots of energy can safely burn off some of it, a park with a fenced area. I try to walk my dog for 30 minutes three times a day, but there are days when I simply can't do it. Let's make sure Cape Girardeau gets a dog park so older folks and people living in apartments can make sure their dogs get the exercise they need.

Teacher evaluation

I AM also a Cape Girardeau teacher, and at our school we are evaluated yearly. Our administrator is visible in our school and consistently evaluates our teachers.

Worst road

THE WORST road in Cape Girardeau to travel on is Lexington Avenue from Highway 177 to the Cape Rock Drive intersection. If your car does not rattle now, drive that road every day and it will.

Our fair share

THE PIG Book (about all congressional earmarks) has been published. I haven't read it yet. While we must continue to publicly denounce earmarks, we also need to know if we got our fair share of pork. Did we?

Higher ground

IF THE residents of Dutchtown are offered a buyout, they better take it. The village's failure to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program means there will be no more construction in Dutchtown. It can't participate because the buildings can't be raised out of the floodplain. The community must participate in the NFIP in order for the citizens to buy flood insurance. You cannot qualify for loans from a federally insured lending agency without flood insurance. Another aspect is the cost of the levee versus the value of the homes. I doubt if the value of the affected homes exceeded $750,000 before the flood. Now they are worth much less. There is talk of a levee with a price tag of $3 million and still climbing. I don't see that as cost-efficient solution. I agree that for most of the time Dutchtown is a nice village, but it is time to pack up and seek higher ground.

Wrong villains

I SUPPORTED Wal-Mart's decision to recoup the medical expenses it paid for Debbie Shank, as the company has a self-funded plan. Not getting the money means higher medical costs for all employees in the future. It would have been nice if the media would have convicted the right villain instead of the big bad business. The lawyers that took more than 40 percent of the settlement for damages and medical bills would have been a good place to start.

Paying it back

REIMBURSING HEALTH plans isn't new. I was involved in an accident more than 15 years ago and had to reimburse my health insurance company for what it paid on my medical expenses, after I received my settlement that also reimbursed me for the medical expenses. It would benefit everyone to check with their insurance company and not wait until something happens. That way you would know how much to request in your settlement if you know you have to pay some back to the insurance company. I was lucky and had a good lawyer who checked with both my insurance companies and their rules.

Abusing the system

REGARDING THE story about the high cost of food and the increased use of food banks: The story was one-sided. Yes, the cost of food has gone up. But there is an even bigger problem. It is the abuse of food programs. This was illustrated during a recent trip to the supermarket. I am a taxpaying, hard-working citizen. I donate canned goods to the Scout food drive and others. But I am fed up with abusers of the support system. My grocery cart contained items like eggs, milk, hamburger and bread. The family in front of me looked like it was getting ready for a party. Their cart was filled with chips, candy, breakfast snacks and soda, all junk food. Here's the kicker: They paid with a food stamp card. I felt bad for the hard-working taxpaying cashier who stands on her feet all day and has to watch people like this steal her taxes and spend it on things she can't afford. This same family also goes to food banks for eggs, canned goods, milk and bread that the food stamp program was designed for. This theft has to stop. Taxpayers are going to revolt. If there is a revolution, I am ready to sign up.

Amazing job

THANKS TO Jackson Junior High School's Support Our School students and THRIVE for providing a family-friendly night of games, food and prizes. The students did an amazing job, and the event was enjoyed by people of all ages. I hope you raise all of the money you need to go to your conference.

Column clue

AT LEAST columnist Michael Jensen gave us the courtesy to admit that he doesn't have a clue about the subprime mortgage crisis before his column proved it. The Southeast Missourian, again, proves that much of their editorial writing requires no research of fact and no coherent logic to be printed. Better quality writers are available locally, so please ask for them.

Thanks, levee crew

I'D LIKE to express my appreciation for the levee crew that makes sure downtown Cape Girardeau stays dry.