Speak Out 7/22/11

Federal spending

SOMEONE once said that in criticizing your neighbor, you should take the log out of your own eye before you take the speck out of their eye. I want to comment about Washington, how they're talking about balancing the budget and how they may have to cut the seniors off Social Security and Medicare. I have an idea -- why not cut all federal employees 25 to 50 percent and do away with all the big pensions? Ninety percent of them are overpaid. Let's cut back on government, like the Department of Education. Here in Missouri we've got people that have a Ph.D., they're supposed to be highly educated. Why do we need the Department of Education? And all these limousines in Washington, get rid of them. He who would be greatest among you must be the servant for the others. Put those people in little economic cars like they want us to drive.

Building Fruitland

I was disappointed the way the Fruitland representatives were treated by the Jackson Board of Aldermen. Jim Roach, you had our request since back in December. You may be busy now, but that's been seven months. You don't have time for Fruitland. You're too busy with Jackson. Why don't you just give us a no answer so we can go ahead and start getting incorporated and start building Fruitland?

Foreign aid

I cannot understand why our government sends millions and billions of dollars overseas to countries that don't give a rip about us. They're fighting among themselves and yet here in our country they can't seem to find enough money to pay for veterans' pensions or Social Security or anything that we as taxpayers need. I can't understand people so meekly accepting this. It's terrible, and we should do something about it.

Local talent

THE article on Blake Smith long jumping for Southeast was interesting. The head track coach said they like taking good, local athletes whenever they can get them. However, Cape Girardeau Central High School had one of the best track teams in the area this year and they took none of the boys from Central on their team.

Champagne party

I don't have so little to do in my life that I care whether lawyers have a Champagne party after a trial because that's what lawyers do, they celebrate their victories. It's not like they're happy that the little girl was killed or that they even played part in it.