Speak Out 5/15/11

False connection

LEAVE it to a Speak Out caller to draw a connection between the blowing of the levee at Bird's Point and the passage of the Affordable Health Care Act.

Speech and debate

THIS should be a no-brainer. Every area board needs to offer students the opportunity to participate in a speech and debate club at the high school level. For those who take advantage of it, the experience is invaluable.

Deficit plan

THE Republicans can't forget that Reagan won big by cutting taxes. They have played the same tune ever since. Today's tax rate is the lowest in more than 30 years. The U.S. has the lowest tax burden of all but one of the most developed G20 countries. To fight the deficit we must raise taxes as well as curb spending increases.

Voter photo I.D.

IF they are going to require voters to have a photo I.D., then they should be prepared to go into to the homes of the elderly and take the pictures that are required since the elderly do not have all the means of getting around. That would not be any problem with all the cameras and computers now. However, it is going to be costly. But the Republicans are going to do all this with less government, as they claim needs to be done.

Bin Laden's picture

I don't have to see bin Laden's picture to know he is dead, but you can bet there are Republicans that will say it is needed to show the world, which may cause more of our young men and women in the military to be killed.

Death panel

THE Republicans claimed that the new health plan by the Democrats was going to cause a death panel. However, that is far from the truth. The Republicans are the ones making the death panel. They want to take away Medicare, Medicaid and anything else that is helping the poor and middle class.

Bin Laden death

PEOPLE shouldn't worry about Osama bin Laden's death. John McCain was a prisoner of the Vietnamese for five-and-a-half years, and the treatment he received was worse than death. Just read the book, "Faith of my Father." And we worry about a man like Osama bin Laden.

No photo

THE death photos of bin Laden should under no circumstances be released to the public. We've seen enough of him.

Thanks, Ameren

I would like to thank the Ameren crews for manning the water pumps at the substation by the Diversion Channel. They have been going 24/7 to keep power to Cape Girardeau citizens. Again, I for one greatly appreciate your efforts.