OpinionMay 5, 2005
Speak Out 5/5/05
Prescription waste; Surreptitious funding; Crying toddler on logo; It's not your money; Stop at red lights; Protesting too much; Stolen basketball; Demand truth; Better doughnuts; Time to make peace; SEMO's standards; Chilling climate; Bigger problem; Object lesson; Reducing competition; Prefers football field; Food, not woodpeckers; Doesn't make sense
Prescription waste
I THINK it is ironic how the Republicans are complaining about too much waste and abuse of our Medicaid program. I went to fill a prescription for an allergy medication. Due to other health conditions, I can't use any over-the-counter medicine. Because this medication costs more then an over-the-counter one, it could not be filled until I fill a prescription the doctor gave me for a over-the-counter drug. The government would rather pay more in the long run. To me, that is waste.
Surreptitious funding
UPON ASSUMING his position, the new head of the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents said one of his goals was to increase funding for athletics. One way to surreptitiously increase funding for sports programs was justify a fee increases by building an aquatic center that is ostensibly for students. Like the River Campus, the next step is the easiest part, which is to identify an expert on campus willing to perform a cost-benefit analysis or a focus-group study to arrive at a pre-ordained conclusion. A simple fee increase for sports wouldn't work, since most SEMO students do not attend athletic events.
Crying toddler on logo
I THOUGHT R. Joe Sullivan's column about his son fighting the war on litter was just precious. The Southeast Missourian's new logo for the litter campaign should be a rendering of a crying Sullivan toddler, not unlike the crying Indian from the litter campaign from long ago.
It's not your money
IT'S NICE to hear how well the AARP has done in scaring people and bringing misinformation. If only I could convince people that I should have my name on their checkbooks and be able to spend their money for my own purposes. Those same individuals still do not understand that there is no savings account that your Social Security taxes are going into, so you are drawing your own money. The only way you get back the money you pay is to put it in a private account.
Stop at red lights
RUNNING YELLOW and red lights in Cape Girardeau needs to stop. It doesn't take but one minute or slightly more for the lights to change.
Protesting too much
IN RESPONSE to the story "Prosecutor warns prom parents on teens, liquor": This was an excellent story. Concerning the complaints from some parents about Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle interfering in their parenting, I am reminded of an old observation: "Me thinketh thou protesteth too much."
Stolen basketball
IT'S SAD when kids have to steal a basketball. To the kids who stole the basketball at Capaha Park on Sunday afternoon with all the signatures on it, shame on you.
Demand truth
IF ANYONE deserves anything, it is truth. During the Clinton years, Social Security needed to be reformed, yet the politicians knew the uproar that would come with reform. The elderly deserve a better life then Social Security provides. Those who truly need Medicaid help should get it, but the abusers have to be flushed out first. Those in power are forced to deal with the issues now or the blame for collapse later. Government is not the one to be trusted with your future but that power should be in the hands of the individuals who have to live that future. Social welfare should not be a way of life but a helping hand when you need it. Even then it should not be demanded as if it were earned. If you want something, demand truth and listen to it.
Better doughnuts
I JUST read in the paper where Krispy Kreme doughnuts are coming to the area. I'm just wondering when will we see some good doughnuts, meaning Dunkin' Donuts.
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Time to make peace
I UNDERSTAND the bitterness and hatred Vietnam veterans feel toward Jane Fonda. However, I would urge the veterans, for their own health, peace of mind and well-being, to forgive Fonda so that they can come to terms with the matter and achieve reconciliation.
SEMO's standards
I AM curious that the move by Southeast Missouri State University to charge students at Kennett, Malden and Sikeston only $110 per credit hour as compared to the on-campus $160-plus per credit hour and no additional fees has not stirred greater debate. No wonder so many of Cape Girardeau County students are flocking to Sikeston as well as out-of-state community colleges. In addition, Southeast has announced it will fund A+ eligible students with A+ scholarships from institutional funds at the remote sites, but not at Cape. Furthermore, SEMO announced that students who do not meet admissions standards at the moderately selective university can attend the three sites and take fewer than 12 hours. Will SEMO become a no-standards university?
Chilling climate
I'VE GOT to admit to a lot of disappointment in Missouri if Speak Out is any indication of the current political climate of the citizenry. This weeping about cigarette smoke, this gulag-applauding of new police equipment and video surveillance, this subtle cry for prohibition which we've already proven fails and has only served to generate organized crime is really discouraging. Add to this demand that somehow the government is responsible for providing health care for the health that we abuse daily and we've got a climate where personal dignity and independence doesn't have a chance. The Russian writer Dostoevsky said: "Those who would trade freedom for safety deserve neither freedom nor safety." This maxim stands untarnished. All I'm seeing in Speak Out, on the political front, is that the proud history of Missouri that was built on the "show me" concept has all but vanished. Perhaps we should just call ourselves the "Tell Me" State instead. I'm sure the government would be happy to tell us through the laws for which we seem to be joyfully willing to trade our freedom and personal dignity.
Bigger problem
I THINK the pools of water that develop and stay on the walking trail for weeks at a time should be a bigger concern than lighting the trail. These pools can produce disease-carrying mosquitoes. Placing lights on the trail is a waste of money for the few people who use it after dark. The city would be better off buying flashlights for everybody.
Object lesson
JACKSON'S GRADUATION ceremony should be held in the overcrowded football stadium in order to show taxpayers the crippling effect of being unable to forge the consensus necessary to pass the school bond proposal.
Reducing competition
REQUIRING GOVERNMENT certification for day-care centers only reduces competition among the centers and choices for the consumer.
Prefers football field
WHY IN the world would anyone want to move Jackson's graduation from the football field to the Show Me Center? I am a junior at Jackson High School, and I want to graduate on the football field.
Food, not woodpeckers
I SAW on TV where bird watchers are going to ask for millions of dollars for the woodpeckers they found in Arkansas that were thought to be extinct. Surely they know our government money is needed for food and health care for the needy much more urgently than for this project.
Doesn't make sense
HOW IS it that we are not allowed to take children at school to doctors' offices without having something from a parent it's OK, but it's OK for your child to have an abortion without your knowledge? I don't understand these laws.
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