Speak Out A 02/27/03

North Korea's future

THE IMPASSIONED plea by Hu Hyuk Lee about North Korea mentioned that its government holds its own people hostage but that negotiations with North Korea are a better alternative than war. True enough, but North Korea had better stop trying to hold America hostage to its economic demands, or it will face non-negotiable nuclear annihilation.

Designated taxes

I AGREE we need to pass the proposed tax for police and fire protection in Cape Girardeau. The only problem is the city council will take the money and put it on the aquatic center or wherever it wants, just like it did when we voted against the arts campus. I will not vote for another tax until the city gets completely out of the arts campus and promises to put the new taxes where the residents vote them for.

Worthy TV viewing

REGARDING THE content of today's TV programs: For 14 years "The Simpsons" has provided America hours of quality TV. The show is a satire of the world around us. The town is cleverly named Springfield because there is one in nearly every state. The topics that are addressed on the show -- racism, religion, tolerance and ethics -- allow the writers to speak candidly about sensitive matters. We have been watching the show for many years and have no qualms about letting our grandchildren watch it with us. "The Simpsons" poses no threat of creating children void of morals and decency. Tune in to see for yourself.

CEOs get the big pay

IN RESPONSE to "Be the Solution": Don't you think if people in the community could earn more money they would? The only people making more money are the CEOs of large corporations. I work for a very large company. I've been there for 18 years. Every day they replace our jobs with contract labor for a third of the cost. They keep preaching costs are too high, but they rake in billions of dollars in profit each year. The top CEO received a $4 million raise this past year, while we received 32 cents an hour.

Pay taxes ... again

I UNDERSTAND Cape Girar-deau residents' concerns about city taxes. City sales taxes not only affect the people within the city, but also those of us outside the city who shop in Cape Girardeau. If you really want to get upset about sales taxes, pay attention to your personal property tax form when you fill it out. What a rip-off. I paid taxes when I bought the items listed on the form. And every year I own that vehicle, I have to pay taxes on the same items again.

No tax incentive

I FOUND Heidi Hall's column about reaching into her wallet each year to grab a wad of money for the IRS to be very interesting. What most people don't seem to realize is that someone is grabbing a wad of money from every paycheck through withholding. Most people feel any refund is a gift rather than a return of their own money. I am a senior citizen who decided to keep working after age 65. As a self-employed person in a business I worked many years to build, I pay 28 percent in federal income tax, 6 percent in state income tax and 13 percent in Social Security tax. Because of my income and the Clinton tax reform, I have to pay taxes on 85 percent of my Social Security benefits. What a way to treat a senior citizen. There doesn't seem to be too much incentive to get ahead.

Speaking contest

CONGRATULATIONS to Notre Dame Regional High School students who won and participated in the Noon Optimist Club's oratorical contest. Your school and community are very proud of you.

A big winner

WHO SAYS our culture is in decline? It is an awe-inspiring accomplishment and tribute to mainstream American values that no less than eight Grammys were amassed by anti-diva Nora Jones.

Which path?

IF CAPE Girardeau supports use of TIF to develop a top-of-the-line real estate subdivision, then we will be on a course that will make a trip down the road to perdition seem like a casual stroll down tulip lane.

Do something

TO THOSE disgusted with TV content: Turn the TV off. Write a letter to the sponsors. Then you can do something worthwhile: read, play Scrabble, talk, play cards or any other event that will nurture and encourage the very growth in your family that you say TV is destroying. In short, do something about it instead of just complaining.

Winning the game

IF preparation is not a good defense, then how can a football team win a game with its offense if the offense does not prepare though practice?