Speak Out 7/28/09

Raise Social Security

WHY can the minimum wage be raised again, but folks on Social Security are not getting a raise next year? My bills are going up. Do they want to do away with senior citizens? If they can raise minimum wage, surely there's somebody out there who can fight for us to have a small raise in our Social Security.

Transit drivers

I'M a concerned citizen. I'm glad we have Cape County Transit, which I and my friends use several times a week. Most of the drivers are courteous and helpful. But I'm appalled these people have all this responsibility yet only make a little over minimum wage without benefits. It is a county-run organization. Why not the same benefits for them as for the other county workers?

There's a limit

HOW long will the American people continue to tolerate what is going on in Washington? Democrats have such a hold on the government that any other opinion is ignored. This is a far cry from the bipartisanship Barack Obama promised. Congress is rife with members who have no common sense and their only concern is holding on to power. We are being told what cars to drive and what light bulbs to use, and if this health-care proposal passes, we will not have a choice of insurance or doctors.

Unhealthy products

AUTHORITIES say tobacco is detrimental to our health. But what about the music and television programs being sold to our youths?

Can't afford it

I just read Dr. Russ Felker's column on health care. I agree that we have the best health care in the world, if you can afford it. Having the best health care does no good if you cannot afford health insurance, and that's the problem. Medical costs and insurance have increased until 47 million people cannot get it. We have become a nation of the haves and the have-nots.

Team Spirit

I attended the Team Spirit Conference in Cape Girardeau this past week and would like to add that, along with Chaffee High School, there were nine other Southeast Missouri schools in attendance. The Cape Girardeau Safe Communities and Missouri Department of Transportation Highway Safety Division have funded this program for the past 15 years and have taught hundreds of students across Missouri how to work together as a team to reduce substance use and impaired driving by teens in their communities. During the training the teams meet to create an action plan for a project to be carried out during the upcoming year. The Team Spirit program is a leadership training conference that provides numerous resources for our areas students, and we should thank Sharee Galnore and Lynn Ware for the countless years of service to protect and educate our area teens.

Eyes on Jesus

THIS is for the woman who received stares and the cold shoulder when visiting a church for the first time: How sad this happened to you. Keep in mind, Jesus does not care what kind of clothes you wear or what you look like. It does not matter to him how much money you have or what material things you possess. His love and grace are abundant for everyone, no matter what you have in your past. Focus on what God thinks of you, not these churchgoers that passed judgment on you. Keep your chin up, and keep your eyes on Jesus.

Strains on U.S.

IF the president wants my support for Obamacare, he'll have to do something about the 20 million illegals in the country straining our legal system and health care system. Without illegals, the number of uninsured drops by nearly half. That still leaves a lot of uninsured people, but at least we'll be helping American citizens, not criminals who came to our country illegally.

Two lies?

DO two lies make a truth? David Limbaugh said arguments that the quality of socialized medicine is good is a lie, but Limbaugh's argument that the health-care reform proposal is socialism is also a lie.

Better building

Cape Girardeau County needs the old federal building as it has more room, would be better for courts and would provide more security.

Morning smile

I am a regular customer at a fast-food restaurant on Broadway. I want to thank the assistant manager. I come through every morning, and she always has a smile on her face and such a positive attitude. I want to thank her for helping me start my morning out right. It isn't easy to be positive at 6:45 a.m., and she always is. Thank you. It's the small things like a smile that help start a day out on the good side.