Speak Out 8/19/09

Infant mortality

USING infant mortality rates to promote President Obama's health-care plan is ironic with the number of abortions in this country, don't you think?

Selling cars

HAS anybody else noticed how Jackson is letting vacant parking lots be turned into used car lots? Look in front of the new library. What I don't understand is the cars with no plates that sell there. You can also see other cars with the same phone number posted in other parts of Jackson. It appears someone is trying to be a dealer without the proper license, and the city is letting him get away with it.

Neglected crisis

AFTER World War I, President Woodrow Wilson traversed the country trying to sell Americans on the need for the U.S. to become a member of the League of Nations. Wilson's efforts failed as the U.S. Senate rejected the treaty that would have made us a member. As a result, the League of Nations was crippled from the beginning. Some historians believe that if the U.S. had become a member World War II may have been avoided. President Obama is now traveling the country trying to convince Americans of the need for comprehensive health-care reform. Unlike President Wilson, President Obama will succeed, and America will begin to address a crisis that has been neglected for over half a century.

Missourian freed

BURMA'S capture of an American man from Missouri has come to a good end. John Yettaw of Falcon, Mo., has been freed by U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, Democrat from Virginia. Webb, a Vietnam War hero, is owed a debt of gratitude by all Americans in general and Missourians specifically.

Sizing up

I don't believe that our president is an idiot, but I do think he believes that we are.

Political squirming

I love politicians squirming when they denounce socialism but shy away from condemning the popular socialist programs known as Social Security and Medicare. Maybe their creed is "Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds" or, more likely, they don't want to risk their chances of being re-elected.

Health stats

SINCE 2002, the percentage change in yearly premium's paid to large health insurance companies is up 82 percent. The percentage of change in the profits of the top 10 insurance companies is up 428 percent. The chances that an American who has health insurance but has been bankrupted by medical bills are seven in 10. You doubt these statistics? Check the Harper's Index, September issue. Don't tell me no one comes between you and your doctor.

Column messages

I love what I believe are the subtle messages sent by the Southeast Missourian. Eugene Lyons recently had a scathing column justifiably excoriating the once proud and common-sense Republican Party for allowing itself be hijacked by crazies and kooks. The title was, "Lunatics no longer on the fringe." And, whose column was published right above Lyons' column, clearly reinforcing his point? None other than David Limbaugh. Great job, Southeast Missourian.

Government help

I have lived in Missouri all my life. This is the first time I've ever seen the government pay people for their vehicles to be traded in for a better vehicle. I have driven around a lot of parts Cape Girardeau and surrounding areas and noticed that there are a lot of rundown houses that people still live in because they have no other choice. Why doesn't the government give these people a grant to get a better house or make repairs? I want to thank rural development out of Dexter for giving out loans to the people who need a better place to live. I would rather raise a family in a house, not a car. Wouldn't you?

More bashing

NOW that America is rejecting President Obama's version of socialized medicine and standing up to his ultraleft vision for America, the Democrats must come up with some distraction to divert attention from Obama's policies and try and prop up his plummeting approval numbers. What's their plan? More Rush Limbaugh bashing. How original.

Too many people

IN 1915 the world's population was 1.8 billion people. In 2009 the world's population is 6.8 billion people. In the past 94 years the world's population has increased by 5 billion people. That's only one lifetime. In 500 years that will be 25 billion people. If there is poverty, starvation, global warming and a hole in the ozone layer now, what do you think it will be like in 500 years? Man is literally destroying the Earth and himself by overpopulating. Save your generations from suffering a miserable and horrible end. Stop creating. If you have children, tell them when they grow up not to create. Please help spread this message to the entire world.

Who will pay?

THE health-care reform proponents seem to be forgetting that nothing is free. They tout the idea that everyone is entitled to health coverage but don't explain how we'll pay for it. They claim that no pre-existing conditions will exclude you from coverage but don't explain who will pay for it.

Indecent details

I'M disappointed that your paper has joined others in the slow but consistent decline in use of civil and decent language. Your story "Cape County man accused of exploitation in Internet sting" could have been written without the detail you presented. It is inevitable that the public will be fed more and more lewd language in today's modern media. Unfortunately, you are contributing to that effort.

Learn from mistakes

REGARDING the story "Suspect in gunfire incident turns himself in": May this young man learn from this and move forward to be a viable and decent man. Everyone makes bad choices. In black America we are treated and punished more severely. He will be OK, as he has a fine family and circle of friends to support him.

This is change?

POLLING results for Aug 17: 68 percent say President Obama's stimulus package is having no effect now and will have no effect in the future on our economy. And 13 percent say it is making it worse and will have a long-term effect of making our economy worse. Only 8 percent say it's working. As usual, 13 percent are totally clueless with no opinion at all. 2.5 million private-sector jobs lost since February under Obama, while government taxpayer-funded make-work jobs have increased by more than 100,000. Is that the hope and change you believe in? Had enough yet?