Speak Out 9/20/10

Rove's worry

OF all people, Karl Rove, the so-called architect of the two Bush election victories, now worries that tea party Republicans like Christine O'Donnell, the tea party-backed GOP winner in Delaware, can't win the general election and are going to cost the Republicans a chance at controlling the U.S. Senate. Poor Karl.

Location, location

I am a resident of Fruitland. I have been reading the comments regarding the possibility of rock quarries being developed in our area. I am not opposed to the generation of jobs in our area or even to the development of a rock quarry, as I know many who make a living hauling rock or gravel. But I am opposed to the damaging effects to the livelihood of established farmers. When the rock business is over with, the farmers will still be without income. The effects will be there for us long after the quarry has closed and moved on. I think this is more about finding a better location.

Dose of hot tea

LOOKS like Beltway regulars from both major parties need some tea and sympathy. The people are short on sympathy, but do they want sugar, cream or lemon with the dose of hot tea we are dishing out?

Jensen's dotage

AT the very time the Republican Party is being taken over by certified nuts, columnist Mike Jensen is risking being purged from the party by having the audacity to suggest that the solution to the structural deficit and debt is a combination of cutting spending and increasing taxes. Thus, after being an outspoken Republican firebrand for decades, Jensen has, in his dotage, sadly rendered himself irrelevant to the tea party takeover of the Republicans.

GOP takeover

IF you think things are going to change if Republicans get control of Congress again, you must have a short memory. The Republican Party had control 12 long years from 1994 to 2006. The Republicans had total control over both houses of Congress and the executive branch for six long years from 2000 to 2006. During those six years, the size government grew to be the largest since the Reagan years. Our national debt grew to be the largest in the last 60 years. Let the Republicans get control again and let them shut down Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, WIC and food stamps. Let the churches feed and clothe the needy and poor. Let the hospitals turn away sick people if they do not have enough money to pay the high cost of health care. This is the "Christian" way of handling these political and moral issues. Let us all think with the brains that God gave us.

Quarry opposition

REGARDING the proposed quarry in Fruitland: Everyone needs to oppose this. This would change our way of life and put at risk our children, homes and livestock. This will take a property that could be used to add something to the Fruitland area. A quarry would ruin the prospects of our growing in any way. I can't believe anyone would put at risk this little town and its children.

Unfair performance

I'D like to comment about the Merle Haggard concert. I bought tickets to the Merle Haggard concert expecting to see Merle Haggard. He couldn't make it because of illness. I understand that happens. But I don't feel I should be stuck with the price of the tickets. I thought the fair board handled that very poorly.

Making change

IT is September. How many high school students working in retail can make change without a machine telling them the amount? In May how many will leave the school system still unable to make change? Parents, do not leave all the teaching up to the schools.

Great parade

REGARDING the SEMO District Fair parade: The Grand Old Flag marching troops, firetrucks and firemen started a glow in our hearts. City police were working hard to keep everything moving along. All the bands performed well with the sun in their eyes. The Advance band was stepping high in style. Drummers in Scott City band didn't miss a beat. We cheered loudly for the Cape Central band. The Jackson Chiefs were impressive in number. Thanks to all the students. Little Miss SEMO was pretty and cute when she waved. The floats were first on my list, especially the Ferris wheel float, the cancer survivors' flag and the pipe fitters float, but I enjoyed all of them. The 4-H and Scouts made a good show. The roller girls were colorful as they rolled by. The top two hardest workers of the parade was a little boy with a little John Deere tractor powered by peddles and tripod, the dog with three legs. If we all worked that hard, we would make a big difference in our world. The short bus was a blast. The Teen Challenge guys did a good job. All the equipment, tractors and trucks helped us remember how our food gets to the table. The horses were beautiful. It was a delightful evening. Thanks so much to all.

Need sidewalk

A sidewalk is needed on the east side of West End Boulevard south of Highway 74 near the sports fields to Southern Expressway. You see lots of people walking there, sometimes in groups of 12 or more. A street light is out on South West End Boulevard at Brenda Kay. The other night I saw a family walking there trying to make their way home. You see bicycles, scooters, skateboards, baby strollers, grocery carts, lawn mowers and people with dogs on leashes. Please get this job done before someone is hurt. This is a busy street with big trucks, city workers, trash trucks, tractors and service equipment plus all the cars.

Lessons of life

THANKS to Gary Rust for the excellent article titled, "Four lessons of life" in the Sept. 14 issue of the Southeast Missourian. If these lessons were practiced by everyone, especially those in upper management, this world would be a much better place to live. I have clipped the article and will keep it in a prominent place as a reminder.

One ringy-dingy

I know what is responsible for the downfall of America: voice mail. I've just called the bank. I've just called the phone company. I can't get through to a person. All I can get is menu after menu of voice mail. Businesses: If you want my money and you want my business, have a person answering that phone. It would be a great way to bring jobs back to America. I want someone at the business answering my phone, not a call center, not a menu, not a computer -- a person that I can talk to.

Taxing benefits

IN a recent column, Gary Rust wrote about some tax changes that were coming. I've never understood why health insurance and employment are connected. If an employer pays for your insurance, why isn't that a benefit to you? So why shouldn't it be taxed? That's not a very popular idea, I'm sure.

Money back

MERLE Haggard was unable to appear at the SEMO District Fair. I understand things like that come up, but I was astounded to find that the fair board does not refund money for tickets. Mel Tillis and Ray Price are good performers, but it's the fair board's responsibility to give people their money back if they don't want to see a replacement performer.

Quarry beautification

WHAT are the plans for beautification of the rock quarry that's proposed for the Fruitland area? After a strip mine is closed, the owners are required to beautify it in some way.

Legendary performer

MEL Tillis was wonderful. I like all the country singers. If you have an opportunity to see a legend, you should see that legend.

School pickups

ONCE again, I'm sitting dead still on Hopper Road waiting for a student at Clippard Elementary School to be picked up at the front of the line so we can all inch up one more space. God help us if we ever have an accident or an emergency in this area at the time school lets out. Please, Clippard, make some other arrangements. Surely you can figure out a better way.