Speak Out 7/6/06

Downtown beauty

THERE IS no disputing that Bent Creek and Dalhousie are absolutely beautiful golf courses, yet I think both pale in comparison to the aesthetic quality of the one in downtown Cape Girardeau.

Government feeding

IN REPLY to the person who wants our state tax dollars to be used for feeding people: It is not the job of our government to feed people. It is not the job of the government to house or pay utility bills for people. People have grown to comfortable with the government taking care of them. Then they complain when the government tells them what they have to do. I am far from rich, but my family has never asked for food stamps or anything else from the government. I am taking care of my mother and father because that is what we as kids are to do. It is not the federal, state or local government's job to make sure you or anyone else is fed. The government doesn't owe you.

Getting a raise

THE CURRENT push for a minimum-wage increase is the biggest farce I've ever seen. Less than 4 percent of the work force makes minimum wage. The only reason Senate Democrats are pushing for it is pressure from union leaders. Few people realize that most union contracts are tied to the minimum wage. If it goes up, union wages automatically go up by the same percentage. It's just a sneaky way of trying to get a raise without having to negotiate for it.

Be tolerant

I THINK it is a little unfair to say that all liberals spout opinions and suppress other people's opinions. I am a liberal, and I listen to what everyone has to say. We need to quit labeling people just because they have an opinion that does not agree with our own.

Making dust

NOW THAT in all your impressive wizardry you have established who is responsible for all the dust on three miles of County Road 316 by widening the road on a half-mile section, who do you think is the rebellious culprit responsible for the dust on the other 300 miles of Cape Girardeau County roads?

Thanks to Guard

THANK YOU to the National Guard for all you do. Without you, our country could not have fought the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan while simultaneously responding to Gulf Coast hurricanes, protecting the border, running anti-drug programs and continuing to perform the Bosnia and Sinai missions. You truly are America's first and last lines of defense.

Worthless ordinance

NICE SPIN on the garage sale-sign ban. It is a waste of taxpayer dollars to spend an entire weekend of patrol time chasing down these "criminals." Why not punish the serious offenders by waiting until Monday morning? Any signs that remain up, ticket that offender. As it is, the ordinance is another "feels like I'm doing something important" rule passed by council members who don't go to garage sales, don't associate with those who do and consider it a trailer-trash phenomenon. With worthless ordinances like this, it's easy to see why Jackson is growing so much faster than Cape Girardeau.

Runoff concerns

I WAS happy to see the county is considering a runoff ordinance. Too bad Cape Girardeau can't do the same. Development behind our home has caused several floods on our property that the city cannot be concerned about.

Take responsibility

I ENJOYED Harry Martin's op-ed column on recovery and drug addiction. He sounds like he would have a positive effect on those he comes into contact with. However, his opinion of how this country was developed is wrong. I cringed when I read "individual sacrifices for the good of the whole." On another note, addicts need to take personal responsibility for their actions. It's not the lack of nurturing by parents that forced them to take drugs and end up as an addict. Personal responsibility comes first.

War comparison

MUCH LIKE during World War II, we're fighting an ideology, not a country, in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Much like in WWII, we should not expect a quick exit. Much like in WWII, we're being led by a president with the vision to continue the fight. Much like in WWII, our military service members are serving with honor and distinction. And much like in WWII, we will win.

Stop and start

I TOO travel every morning through Cape Girardeau to get to work and usually go from Cape Rock Drive and Kingshighway and then the whole length of Kingshighway. I've also noticed that I have to stop for a red light at every intersection. I suggest that the lights get timed so traffic will move at a steady flow instead of start and stop.

The secret is out

I WISH superintendent David Fuemmeler hadn't written his letter to the editor. The Nell Holcomb School District is the best-kept secret in Southeast Missouri, and I don't want that to change. If word gets out about Nell Holcomb's quality, the district is going to be inundated with refugees from Cape Girardeau and Jackson trying to escape their overtaxing, underperforming public schools.

Bicycle rules

SOMETIMES WE forget about what great jobs the Cape Girardeau police do. Today I witnessed an officer giving a reprimand to a young man riding a bicycle on the sidewalk. The youngster also had run a red light with his bicycle. The officer explained the rules to the young man. I want to thank the policeman who had the courage to stop this young man and tell him the rules and the laws for bicycles.

Unconditional love

TO THE person who thinks the articles on Vision House were a waste of newsprint: In unconditional love, there is forgiveness. If not for the unconditional love of the God she serves, none of us would have a chance. And in this unconditional love, she and her child will be fine. I just pray that you find forgiveness in your mistakes.

County roads

WE HAVE 300 miles of gravel roads in Cape Girardeau County. They create major problems with dust and require continuing maintenance. Progress is hindered and the tax base for schools is kept low because few people want to build on gravel roads. The slight sales-tax increase would help to correct the situation and have absolutely no effect on retail sales. We will still be no higher than other shopping areas. Why not let visitors help pay for our progress? Other cities do. Support the tax proposal. It's a win-win for all of us.