Speak Out 7/26/06

Focus on drugs

INSTEAD OF being so worried about yard-sale signs, someone needs to focus on the ever-growing drug problem. Drugs are being run up and down every city street and county road in Cape Girardeau County. You'd think our leaders would want our police officers busting dopeheads instead of writing a ticket for a sign. Elected officials need to start paying attention to real issues.

More protection

I AM wondering where our police officers are. Within two days I was almost in three accidents due to people not following traffic laws. I know that making sure that yard-sale signs are taken down is of utmost priority, but something has to give. I have seen people fly through red lights, change lanes without signaling and fly through intersections. The best was when making a left turn onto Seimers Drive the person in the left lane decided he wanted in my lane. This caused me to slam on my brakes. We need to focus more on protecting those of us who follow the law.

Weedy roads

I AM not surprised that weeds along Cape Girardeau County roads are taller than the vehicles that drive on them. I spend hours detailing my car, and then it gets scratches because someone forgot to mow the grass. Some county roads have become too narrow because the weeds are growing over the road.

Boost in sales

DO WE suspect that companies who manufacture booster seats had anything to do with the recent law requiring them for children who weigh less than 80 pounds? Seems like this will be a nice boost to their sales and income.

No-smoking jitters

I APPLAUD Southeast Missouri Hospital for trying to deter smoking and promote a healthier lifestyle for all. However, a comment about a lack of performance due to not having a smoke caused me to wonder: Should I worry that I'll get the wrong treatment or procedure because someone has no-cigarette jitters?

Pay it yourself

I LIVE on a gravel county road, so I understand what folks are living with as far as the dust is concerned. But that's all we have in common on this issue. Like me, these people chose to purchase property on a gravel road. Once again, someone makes a decision and then expects the government to fix something for them. Pay to have the road paved yourself. When it's coming out of your pocket instead of the taxpayers' pockets, maybe you'll think a bit differently.

Dusty decision

I CAN'T believe people living on dusty county roads are complaining. These roads have been dusty for 130 years. That's what you get when you build your house close to a dusty road. Stop trying to have the rest of us pay for your mistakes.

Too much noise

WOW, JOE Sullivan, you hit a nerve with your column "Silence. Please." I recently commended my dentist for having a TV-free waiting room and muted background music. I recently walked out of a movie because the previews and film were so loud I felt overwhelmed. So many restaurants in Cape Girardeau have such high noise levels that my husband and I rarely eat out. We can't hear each other across a table for two. When we do go out, we head for one of the quiet spots. Waiting room, theater and restaurant managers: Please pay attention to Joe (and me) and reduce the noise pollution. Thank you.

Let's act first-class

CONCERNING THE proposed sales-tax increase: It will only add 50 cents more on a $100 purchase. To the person who said it is not tax-deductible, look at form 1040 Schedule A, item 5b (general sales tax). We need to pave our county roads. These are the same roads that our school buses ride on to pick up our children. This is a first-class county. Let's act like one.

Democratic comeback

AS POINTED out in an Atlantic Monthly essay, the Republican Party has for decades been able to balance the demand for government-enforced social conservatism by Southerners (God, gays and guns) with the Libertarian mindset of the Western states. However, the fact that the Bush administration has cast its lot with big-government conservatism means that states like Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming are within reach of Democratic candidates for national office. Changing demographics also bode well for the Democrats. It may not occur in this year's elections, but the return of Democratic dominance is virtually inevitable.

Extremist attitude

AS PERTAINS to the potential benefits of stem-cell research, a Speak Out caller said he had several people in his family who might benefit from said research, "but some of us are able to keep hold of our moral and ethical grounding despite personal advantage." Besides being a condescending, judgmental, holier-than-thou and moralistic comment, this extremist attitude reflects a dilemma for the Republican Party, which desperately wants to hold on to such voters without alienating those who would rebel if they felt the party or its candidates had lapsed into zealous fanaticism.

All for show

IT DOESN'T matter whether or not people actually ride Cape Girardeau County's transit system. The system creates the impression that the county is better attempting to meet all the needs of its residents and is growing and thriving. That will, in turn, make the county more attractive to prospective businesses and corporate concerns considering locating in the county. That will, of course, generate jobs. You get the picture. It's all about perception. Whether the transit system is used or not is irrelevant.