Speak Out 7/8/11

Worst president

I would like to comment about a comment in Speak Out about Obama being among the five best presidents. Where have you had your head in the sand the last two years he has been in office? Look at the facts: Gas is up, unemployment up, the national debt is the highest in all of history. The way I see it, when he leaves office he will hold a record no one will ever break. He will be rated as the worst president this great country has ever known.

Where's the money?

I'M a cigarette smoker, and I pay taxes on cigarettes. If I remember, all these taxes started under Bill Clinton and he kept raising them 50 cents a pack every other month. Now I pay almost $7 a pack. Where's the money? The taxes that I'm paying on these cigarettes are supposed to be going to the health care of the children. The people who don't smoke won't pay more taxes, so they're attacking people like me and the alcoholics. Where is the money going that's going to pay for the health care of the children? What happened to the tax money from the cigarettes?

Obama, jets

I cannot believe Obama talking about people's corporate jets and the way he and his family have taken advantage of the taxpayers and flown at our expense all over the world. They do that at the drop of a hat. In fact, it's rare when they're not off somewhere in a jet, or two or three jets or more. This is ridiculous. He has it really put together for himself, not for us.

Afghanistan policy

IN regard to President Obama's policy in Afghanistan, he basically told the Taliban this: "You win. You have waited us out. We're going home." I feel sorry for all the women in Afghanistan who again will be second-class citizens once the Taliban comes down from the mountains and takes control.

Golf clubs

I was at the carwash at the corner of Bloomfield Road and Kingshighway there by Huck's. I was cleaning my car and left a set of golf clubs and a backpack by accident. Whoever picked them up and did not turn them in, I would really appreciate it if you would turn them back in. Or just take them to the police station or back to the gas station to the attendant. They have sentimental value and were just given to me, so I'd really like them back. I didn't leave them by the trash.

Missing cat

THIS is to the person who trapped and/or killed a feral cat in the vicinity of Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School around June 24. You have broken my heart. This large male cat had mixed gray and black coloring with his left ear missing. I named him Bode. I have fed him one year and eight months and never has he been gone this long. If for any reason you know of his whereabouts, please let me know through Speak Out.

Legion field

I'M calling about the need to upgrade the American Legion baseball field at Jackson. This used to be the best baseball field in Southeast Missouri, but it is in need of much repair now. The things that need to be done include: enclosing the field with a nice, eight-foot fence; sod the infield with Bermuda grass; build some permanent dugouts again; build much needed bleachers; and move the batting cage behind the right-field fence so it will give more room for the players to warm up on that side of the field. I would like to see the American Legion and the city of Jackson and the boys' league go in together and upgrade this and make our Legion field one of the best again.

Great fireworks display

JUST wanted to say thank you to the people or person who had the hourlong fireworks display in the Green Meadows subdivision in Jackson. It was absolutely beautiful. My family and several friends enjoyed it so much. It was so much better than any display we have ever seen. Good job. Can't wait until next year.

Driving rules

TO all of you drivers, here are the rules of the road. Signal before you need to brake for turning or lane change. The book I read says 100 feet in the city and 300 feet in rural areas. Red means "stop now." It's a law, not a suggestion. A red light does not mean one more car through the intersection.

Romneycare

SOMEONE said Mitt Romney will bring reasonableness to the White House. I think so too. I particularly like the health care plan he adopted in Massachusetts because it became President Obama's blueprint for the Affordable Health Care Act.

Sullivan cat

I'M glad to know there is a new cat in the Sullivan household. I look forward to the stories that will no doubt be coming. Thanks for sharing them with us, Joe.

Wheelchair use

ONLY in America are there wheelchairs for people at Walmart for no other reason other than they are too fat to walk around. It's ridiculous that someone can get out of their car, walk into Walmart and have to sit in a wheelchair because they're too fat. Being fat is your own fault.

Tax loopholes

CLOSING tax loopholes is not raising taxes. It's called paying your fair share.

'Mr. Doggy'

IF Joe Sullivan were to adopt a puppy some day, would he call him "Mr. Doggy?"

David Hitt

CONGRATULATIONS to David Hitt for winning the Spirit of America Award. That's a great selection!

'Empty suit'

DOES anyone doubt that Obama is in way over his head? All he has proved positively in the past four years is that he knows how to run a campaign while keeping his intentions hidden. He's an empty suit.

Limbaugh doozy

DAVID Limbaugh writes some real doozies, but his "What if Obama had said this" column was one of the weirdest yet. I'm a conservative and no fan of the president, but Limbaugh is living in a fantasy land if he thinks Obama should deliver the political suicide note that Limbaugh suggests. Personally, I think it would be good for the country, as well as good for Obama politically, if he were to deal with the debt and entitlements in a responsible way and stop demagoguing Republicans. But the way Limbaugh wrote his column just makes Limbaugh look like a vindictive, small-minded zealot and not a serious thinker. If you want to put words in Obama's mouth and encourage responsible rhetoric about the country's challenges, do it in a way that's productive rather than suggesting some sort of mea culpa for every ill. Such writing actually hurts Limbaugh's cause.