Speak Out 9/9/06

Not a success

A RECENT comment said President Bush is doing a great job and is a successful president. Based on the latest polls, the majority of people disagree. A few reasons why: $319 billion has been earmarked for the war in Iraq. There is no plan for success and no end in sight. There has been $1 billion lost to fraud and waste after Hurricane Katrina. One in five American children are below the poverty line. This is a 12 percent increase under Bush. The projected 2006 deficit under Bush is $300 billion. The Bush administration has reneged on No Child Left Behind by $40 billion. Six million American families have lost their health insurance. And under Bush there has not been an increase in minimum wage. Yet he fights for special tax breaks for the wealthy. How can you call this a successful president? I don't think so.

Thanks, meth users

I'D LIKE to thank all the meth users and makers for making it harder to get decongestants. It's not enough that you rob and steal and commit acts of violence to support your habit, but now you're made it a little harder for us at the pharmacy. So, thank you very much.

Sneak a little extra

WE HAVE the second worst roads in the country. If somebody's trying to sneak a little extra money, I see nothing wrong with it. We've got to have roads and we're not going to get them by jumping up and down about trying to get a little more money for the roads.

Attack prevention

SOME PEOPLE enjoy criticizing the United States and the president for going to war against terrorism. They like to criticize our involvement in Iraq. I would like for these people to tell us what reactions they would be having if we had done nothing and we had another 9-11 in the United States. Would they go around patting the president on the back and telling him he did the right thing by doing nothing? I think not.

School visit

I AM a former teacher. I decided to visit an elementary school. My understanding was that discipline, school attire and general school principles have drastically changed. However, I was not prepared for what I encountered. I could not believe the disrespect shown by the students toward each other and the teachers. Talking, running and refusing to listen to authority occurred after being treated to a breakfast prepared by the school. Do these students have parents who feed them at home and teach respect at home? I was also appalled by the appearance of many of the teachers. The men dress like teachers. The women were dressed like college students. I thought there must be a school picnic scheduled. Wrong. Apparently this was their everyday dress code. Come on, schools. Taxpayers are paying for these schools. Be firm with the students from the time they enter the building until they leave. If students refuse, expel them and let their parents educate them. And teachers, dress like the professionals you claim to be. Community members, take time to see what's going on in your local school. You will probably be surprised.

Littering with signs

I BELIEVE that people who leave garage-sale signs and political signs up for an extended period of time should be fined. They make our town and countryside look trashy. I love living in the country where the creeks gurgle and the wildflowers bloom in the field. Then you see a political sign that has been up for months. Isn't this the same as littering?

Signs stay too long

THE FAILURE of Cape Girardeau government is not enacting the sign ordinance and rescinding it, but the fact that the city hasn't put a heavy fine on leaving signs up. As I understand it that's been the objection: not that they put them up, but that they leave them up too long. If the city would make the same effort into enforcing how long signs are left up as it did in limiting the placement of signs, there wouldn't be any problem.

School advertising

I AM a grandmother who has been helping her elementary-school grandchildren with their homework for four years. I think this year it's finally happened. The junk mail in their folders that they bring home from school outnumbers their academic progress in the class that day and their homework papers. It is ridiculous. We have a pizza advertisement that says that this school will get a certain percentage of sales. We have an advertisement that says there will be animal races at a pet store. We have announcements of sports events you can sign up for that have nothing to do with the school. It goes on and on. If these places want to advertise, I don't think it should be through our schools.

School solicitation

I WAS amazed that Alma Schrader Elementary School sent a letter home to parents asking for contributions for a family with a handicapped child. I don't think it was appropriate.

Handy post office

I'M TICKLED to death that the post office has moved back to Frederick Street. It's closer to my end of town, So it's handy for me.

Possible cancellation

IF THE county and the special road district insist on double taxation for roads, I would be in favor of petitioning for a referendum to cancel the half-cent sales tax that was just passed.

Lend a hand

REGARDING THE Capaha Park rose garden: The rose garden is taken care of by volunteers. If you care about the rose garden, get out there and do some work on it.

Doesn't make sense

AS A licensed motorcycle rider, I think it is odd that I can climb on 1,000-pound machine with no protection around me and cruise 70 mph down the interstate. But in my car, I'd be breaking the law without putting on my seat belt. This sounds nuts. Seat belts are the way to go, but making it against the law if you choose not to is nuts.

Designer, not painter

MARGARET DEMENT did not paint the Wall of Fame mural. She designed it. If she had painted it, it would not have turned out as it did. It was not up to the quality of what she would have painted.

It's a disease

DRUG ADDICTION is a disease. It has been clinically termed as a diagnosis. There are genes which carry the potential cause for addiction. It should not belittle others who have diseases such as cancer. Many people do not understand unless they are an addict or know someone in their family who is. You must do your research and open your mind to gain a full understanding.

It's not a disease

I'M GLAD I'm not the only one who believes that alcoholism is not a disease. If it were, I could blame all of my habits on diseases. That would take the responsibility off me.

School pride

AFTER PASSING the school bond issue in Jackson last year, I expected the exterior of our schools to be maintained this year. How hard is it to mow and cut weeds? Let's set the example and show our children what pride in appearance means.

Learning to be thin

OBESITY IS a matter of education, and not the kind found in schools. Poor or rich, thin people are thinner because they are taught to eat better and exercise. You don't need a lot of money to go to the discount grocery store and buy basic nutritious food. Rice, chicken, fish, fruit, and plenty of greens can be found there. The store will also sell you a nice set of walking shoes for $30. The problem occurs when people prefer unhealthy food. Are taxpayers aware that persons can use their welfare cards to purchase soda, potato chips and chocolate? These are luxury items by anyone's standards, and they make you fat.