Speak Out 6/26/05

Misplaced help

I THINK it is pathetic how the system works here. There is more opportunity for help for those who decide to sit around and watch TV all day. They hide behind their children and use the excuse that they do not have to work until their youngest child turns a certain age. What about single parents like me? I attend college, hold down a job and try to raise my children. Where is my help? I don't receive very much. Either the programs want you to change to their religion, or they want to prejudge your way of life. There is no acceptance for any life outside of theirs. It is highly disappointing for me to make a daily struggle to succeed and not get any child support or when I truly and sincerely need the help, I get the door slammed in my face. This town is more concerned with sidewalks and helping those who refuse to help themselves than with trying to help those who are striving for more and want a better way of life.

Floodwall pleasure

WORKING DOWNTOWN, I have the opportunity to see the floodwall every day. I appreciate that I no longer have to look at a bland, blank wall and that Water Street is having work done to enhance the wall. To gripe about the sections of floodwall between the painted sections is absurd.

Fighting in the war

WE ARE a Democratic family with a son fighting in Iraq. It is frustrating and discouraging for us when we read criticisms in Speak Out that claim Democrats "will do anything to destroy American policy and weaken our military for political gain." How ignorant can you be? Do you think that there are only Republican soldiers fighting and dying for our country? There are just as many Democrats in harm's way as there are Republicans. This lack of gratitude is appalling.

Implied rights

THE RIGHT to call Speak Out is not specifically listed in the U.S. Constitution, but it is implied by the First Amendment. In addition, the entitlement programs are not specifically guaranteed by the Constitution but have been judged to be reasonably implied by it. It's time for those who argue that things are constitutional only if they are specifically listed in the Constitution to give up the ghost and publicly admit the error of their ways.

Waiting for close-ups

IF THEY are so common that you can shoot one and bring it to the office, then getting some pictures of a mountain lion should not be much of a stretch. No need to deliver a carcass. Simply snap a few good clear photos and perhaps some conclusive video footage and drop that by. I'm sure the newspaper would be interested. I can't wait to see the pictures.

Fuzzy figures

IT WAS clever, but it didn't fool everyone. Gary Rust wrote that the low state ranking (46th) of Missouri state employee pay is suspect because the study doesn't take into account fringe benefits, a classic example of changing the subject in order to cast doubt. Having said that, it would now seem incumbent on Mr. Rust to inform his avid readership as to where Missouri state employees rank in comparison to other states when it comes to fringe benefits. As far as take-home pay goes, it seems indisputable that Missouri state employees do indeed rank 46th.

Power of prayer

I WAS ecstatic when I hear that the missing boy in Utah was found. However, I was a little put off by the mother of the child, who proclaimed something to the effect of, "Who says that God does not answer our prayers?" I'm sure the parents of missing children who were found dead prayed equally as hard.

Cutting too close

I'D LIKE to ask the police why they don't put a stop to motorists who pull out in front of you. It happens all the time. Isn't that against the law?