Speak Out 5/7/06

Thanks to angel

I WANT to thank God for an angel who came to me when my right rear wheel went off the road and I lost control on busy Highway 72. I did not get his name, but I want to say thank you and may God bless you always.

Board accountability

THANK YOU, Charles Bertrand, for finally speaking up to a school board that has run rampant without anyone questioning the members. Again, I commend you for doing that. It is unbelievable that the board president would say a closed meeting to discuss a salary plan was kind of illegal and that our superintendent didn't even realize it was illegal.

Bad idea

WITH THE second worst roads in the United States -- roads that are paid for from fuel taxes, to talk about cutting the gas tax in Missouri is a sin.

Socialized medicine

I WANT to thank the Southeast Missourian for putting the "Bloody health!" article on Page 1. The English are healthier than Americans despite the U.S. spending double the amount on health care. This article proves exactly what I have been trying to say for years. The British are healthier and live longer, but we pay over twice as much for health care as they do. People who say they don't want socialized medicine ought to bang their heads against the wall until they change their minds. That's what the rest of the world has, and they live longer and pay less.

Supper or dinner?

WHAT HAPPENED to supper? When I was a kid, we had supper. Now it's breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Low turnout

SOMEONE SAID the Cape Girardeau mayor and city council are not accountable to anyone. I beg to differ. They are accountable to the voters who elected them. Of the entire Cape Girardeau citizenry, that total would make up a whopping 10 percent.

Rusty walkway

WE SPEND thousands of dollars for a nice entrance to our city on I-55 at Route K but have an eyesore for visitors coming in from the east. What's the deal with the pedestrian walkway over Highway 74 near Sprigg Street? It appears that a small part of it has been painted black, but the rest is rusting metal. This situation has existed for months. Surely highway officials don't intend to leave it in this rusty condition.

Political pricing

THIS IS how false fear and speculation about an oil shortage falsely increase our prices and cause higher profits for oil companies. Oil is a commodity and traded on our stock market. If a politician says there is a shortage, people will buy oil throughout the market, because they know more and more people will buy oil and drive the price per barrel up. This is the buy low-sell high principle. When the price is higher than what it should be, gas stations have to buy at that price, but the oil companies make the difference in profit. Some gas stations have to sell gas lower than what it cost them. The next time you pay too much for gas, thank the politician for saying there is a shortage or those who have limited where we can drill for our own U.S. oil.

Dumey is big asset

MIKE DUMEY has been a wonderful addition to the Cape Girardeau School District. He has gotten so many kids interested in not only vocal music, but acting. I always enjoy seeing his productions. There has never been a bad one. Bravo, Mr. Dumey.