Speak Out A 06/22/03

Sounds too high

REGARDING THE cuts in the school budgets going across all the state: Cape Girardeau, Scott City and Jackson were recently featured in the paper as to how they were going to handle the cuts. I read that $700,000 in salary and benefits will be saved in Jackson by eliminating 15 teaching positions. Fifteen divided into $700,000 sure seems like a lot of money. I can't believe teachers are being paid this much money.

Too many bureaucrats

I WANT to comment about the governor's campaign to raise taxes. He says he's going to have to lay off teachers, cut health care for senior citizens and take food out of children's mouths if we don't raise taxes. Illinois has fewer state employees than Missouri. That's what's wrong. It's too many chiefs and not enough Indians. I'm tired of paying taxes for these bureaucrats. Before we need a tax, we need an accounting of where all this money's coming from.

Special interest in guns

THE REASON those areas with the highest crime rates are opposed to concealed weapons is because they've seen what tragedies gangs of drug dealers and thugs carrying guns and using them have caused in their neighborhoods, and they think opposing concealed weapons laws will cure the problem. The biggest special-interest group in the state includes the law-abiding citizens who need to protect themselves and their families from drug dealers and thug killers that are roaming our streets and neighborhoods.

Pit bulls running loose

CONCERNING THE pit bull dogs running loose at Bertling and North West End Boulevard: I am sure owners of these dogs are well aware they are running loose. They have been told to keep them in a pen or on a leash to no avail. I wish the police could cruise this area a little bit more.

A nice service

I WOULD just like to thank the people at the mall for the great service they provide with the free strollers and wheelchairs. That's such a great service, and we really appreciate it.

Support the police

THIS IS to the person on Ellis Street who is angry because there are people selling drugs right in front of her house and the police aren't doing anything about it. This issue comes up every once in a while. What's ironic people in that area complain when the police aren't there, but when the police make arrests, there are people complaining because the police are targeting that part of town. You know who the drug dealers are. Go to their landlords. Do whatever you can to get them to stop. Call the police when you see drug dealing. The main thing you can do is support the police.

Perils in the park

I WANT to make a comment about the walking trail on the south side of the Cape County Park. I've been on that trail twice in one week with my kids. Both times there has been a condom either on the path or on a limb of a tree. This is nasty. What is going to happen if a child thinks that it is a balloon and picks it up? This is a public park and there is no excuse for this. Something needs to be done about this.

Listen to employees

EVERYONE HAS an opinion and the right to express it. I wish city employees could do the same without fear of losing their jobs. There are several employees who do not give a full day's work for which they are compensated. There are others that get dumped on because they are dependable and motivated and they end up taking up the slack. The city council could get rid of a few more department heads as well as several lazy employees. If the mayor and city council want to do the right thing, they should interview city employees and give each them the opportunity to voice their opinions on what is going on. They would have a legitimate reason for making changes.

Amusing Republicans

I GET very amused by reading Republican comments. The Republicans are in control of Congress. They can't blame the Democrats for the deficit, unemployment and everything else that is wrong with the economy. So they blame it on the terrorist attacks. President Bush is good at one thing: starting wars with other countries.

Get the job done

Someone is WORRIED ABOUT THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BEING SPENT IN IRAQ. THIS IS GOING TO BE A SMALL PROBLEM COMPARED TO THE COST IF WE HAVE TO SEND OUR TROOPS BACK OVER AGAIN. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL OF TURNING INTO ANOTHER VIETNAM.

A matter of rights

To the PERSON SAYING YOU SHOULD HONOR THE U.S. FLAG, I AGREE COMPLETELY. BUT WOULD YOU RATHER LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE THAT RIGHT?

Obeying the law

I am READING A SPEAK OUT COMMENT ABOUT SPEED TRAPS. A SPEED TRAP WILL NOT CATCH ANYONE WHO IS OBEYING THE LAW. HOW PEOPLE CAN GET UPSET ABOUT THE POLICE ENFORCING LAWS IS BEYOND ME. WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE ARE THEY? THEY ARE NOT VERY ACCOUNTABLE, THAT IS FOR SURE.