Speak Out 6/9/10

School cuts

WHY are there so many school cuts when there is more money from the lottery? I thought money from the lottery was going to the schools. Who is responsible for dropping the ball on this one? I would like to know why teachers are feeling the cuts. Why not cut sports? I bet if schools changed things, more money would be available and fewer people would be without jobs. How many more people are wondering the same thing?

D-Day

AS I write this it is Sunday, June 6, 2010, the 66th anniversary of one of the most important dates in U.S. history. You remember, don't you? If you don't, you should. In 1944 it was called D-Day, the day the Allies landed on the beaches at Normandy. But you know what? The only reference in Sunday's Southeast Missourian to today being the anniversary of that infamous day could only be found in the comics section in a cartoon by Charles Schultz of "Peanuts" fame. I say the newspaper should be ashamed of itself. The front page covered such inane things as some festival at Stooges and more drivel about the casino situation, with no mention of the significance of this date in history. Many a soldier died 66 years ago today on that beach, and we owe them more than cartoon mention. Here's to the World War II veterans who died and those who still survive, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your sacrifice. This country would not be what it is without what you and thousands of others did that day.

Money solution

THE problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money to spend. Our government is out of money. Even if we took all of the income from big income earners, we would still be out of money. We need a news article to explain plans that would make our federal government work for years into the future. Let's look at real ways to solve the problem.

Cleaning marshes

IN those marshes in Louisiana that have oil on the grass, I wonder if you could take a flat-bottom air boat and put some oil-absorbent material on the front and go over the grass like you're mowing. Would that wipe up that oil off the grass?

Casino in Cape

I live in Chaffee. We travel to a casino at least twice a month. We would love to see a casino in Cape Girardeau. We know people from Jackson, Scott City, Chaffee and other towns who travel to casinos. They would spend their money in Cape Girardeau if it had a casino. We shop in Cape Girardeau too. Surrounding towns should have a say in this.

Bring it on

I am an old person. I play bingo and the lottery. I go to casinos. Why should I save money for my children or grandchildren to inherit? I'm going to enjoy life while I'm old. Bring the casino on.

Trash and garbage

I live in a trailer park that I am ashamed of because we have people with trash and junk all in their yards. Do you know how unsafe that is? Do you know how ashamed I am to tell people where I live?

Being American

I have a little quote from Ronald Reagan that I thought would be good to put in the paper. He said, "You can go to Japan to live but, you cannot become Japanese. You can go to France to live and not become a Frenchman. You can live in Germany or Turkey, and you won't become a German or a Turk." But they he added, "Anybody from any corner of the world can come to America to live and become an American."

Our entertainment

MY husband and I have worked hard for our money. We love going to the casinos. That's our entertainment. We didn't work all our lives to read and plant flowers so our children could have our money when we're gone.

Chaffee observance

I want to say thank you to the Chaffee VFW, which presented the most awesome Memorial Day program I have ever seen. It was well-attended. There were several speakers and prayers, and taps was played on the hill. This was very moving. Thank you.

Doing good things

IF we vote against a casino in Cape Girardeau, it would not stop people from gambling. They will go somewhere else, and that money spent somewhere else will not help the Cape Girardeau people. We need jobs here, and a casino and projects related to it would create thousands of jobs, and not low-paying jobs. It is not a sin to gamble. The Bible says the love of money is a sin. When people do good things with money, do you really think that God is mad at them? Those who help the needy are going to be rewarded on Judgment Day.

Enough voting

TO everyone who is for another vote on an issue already approved by a vote in their effort to stop a casino in Cape Girardeau, have you ever heard the saying "Enough is enough"? You are being childish. We don't need a new vote. Where does it end?

Terrible example

IT seems like President Obama slept while the oil was seeping into the Gulf of Mexico. The government could have done something. He ignored D-Day, when tens of thousands of our men died when they hit the beaches at Normandy. I think this is ridiculous and a terrible example for a president.