Speak Out 7/29/09

Voting advice

REGARDING having an impact on doctors: Call your federal legislators and let them know how you want them to vote.

City mandate

IN the last issue of SHE magazine there was an article about two city of Cape Girardeau employees. I found the piece interesting and informative. One item caught my attention. It stated that neither of the two employees lived in the city and that one did not live in Missouri. I thought of two possible remedies: a city payroll tax or a residency mandate for city employees.

Bumper sticker

IN response to Ted LeGrand's comment regarding Sarah Palin: As a person who endorses Barack Obama's governing policies, I truly am hoping that Palin will be the Republican candidate in 2012. I believe there are many people who wouldn't fear facing off with her, especially those who are more than just another pretty face. I've already got a bumper sticker in mind: Palin for President: 2012-2014 1/2.

Great Scout camp

I would like to thank Sarah and Marcia and all the other volunteers at the Boy Scout camp this past week. All the boys had such a fun time. It was well-organized, and everyone put so much effort into making it a wonderful experience. Thanks, guys. You do a great job.

Costly increase

I don't know about the rest of you, but AmerenUE's proposed 18 percent rate increase will add $48.57 per month to our current utility bill. It would add $16.07 to the lowest bill we have received in the last 24 months. We are a family of two who tries to live frugally in our well-insulated home. Do the math. Less than 50 cents per day? Yeah, right. In a one-room apartment maybe.

Costs add up

ANYONE who has had a major medical expense knows it can take its toll on finances. For six months we lived on two-thirds of our income, and the regular bills kept coming in, plus the medical bills. Yes, we had good insurance, but the 20 percent we were required to cover adds up when the total cost is well over $500,000.

Dead and buried

IF Ted LeGrand deems that Sarah Palin is the last, best hope for conservatism, then conservatism is dead and buried.

Political balderdash

I read Ted LeGrand's lament. One question he posed: "How long will we suffer because the first black man elected to sit in the Oval Office is also the least prepared for the job?" I would say that we will continue to suffer as long as there are those like LeGrand who continue to believe in such balderdash.

Honest burglar

DEFINITION of an honest burglar: One who has committed more than 100 burglaries, car theft and receiving stolen good, listed as a prior and persistent offender and is charged with only two of the burglaries.