Speak Out A 07/03/03

A great choice

I WAS surprised and happy to see the choice for the Spirit of America Award. Doc Yallaly has helped a lot of people in his life. This is a great choice.

Political panhandlers

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS are a God-given right? What sort of lunacy is this? I'm sorry that anyone has trouble affording prescription drugs. However, I am more upset that the free-spending politicians have agreed to a plan that will bankrupt our country. I'm also disappointed that the generation that helped us win World War II has become a generation of political panhandlers.

Senseless ritual

A HOME in Jackson catches fire because of fireworks. The fireworks were shot off during the approved times. Tell that to the family that lost its home. Fireworks have gotten out of hand. If they really are supposed to represent the Fourth of July, they should be legal only on July 4. Give your neighbors and their homes a break. There are many cities and states that get along fine, with only sanctioned firework displays. Do we have to wait until a few more houses burn before we put a stop to this senseless ritual of noise and nuisance?

Conceal-carry cuts crime

GUN CRIME has gone up in states where conceal-carry laws have passed? Guess again. It passed in Kentucky, and crime was reduced by half. It's the same in other states. Statistics have shown that the states with the strictest gun laws are the ones with the highest crime rates. In Australia and England, guns were banned altogether, and crime increased by 98 percent.

Keeps getting better

CONGRATULATIONS TO Gary Rust for being named to the Missouri Newspaper Hall of Fame. I've followed Gary for more than 30 years since he entered the newspaper business. The Southeast Missourian just keeps getting better.

Beneath contempt

I THINK it is beneath contempt to use praise for America's Greatest Generation as an opportunity for immigrant-bashing.

Merging frustration

I'VE READ a few comments about the merging problems on highways. Too many times I have had to slow down after reaching merging speed to enter the highway. People already on the highway move to the left lane if possible. Let's try not passing other cars in these areas as well. If your passing somebody, then the car in the right lane can't get out of the way. I'm surprised there aren't more accidents.

It's my money

I AM a 28-year-old mother of two. My husband and I work very hard to take care of our family. Now I'm being told that I also have to take care of prescriptions for the elderly. I find that ridiculous. It's bad enough that my money goes to support tax cuts and people who live on welfare. Now I have to take care of the elderly. The Republicans need to wake up and quit trying to act like Democrats. Let me keep my money.

Getting the message

I RESPECT Jack Stapleton a lot, but his last column went a bit overboard. His final comment was, "If the price of liberty is eternal vigilance, than the price of successful leadership is paying attention to the voices of the silent, unheard majority." How can you know what a silent, unheard voice might be telling you? Stapleton must have ESP or his own grand vision that circumvents the spoken will of the people. I think the GOP is very aware that it represents the majority of Missourians. Republicans have a clear mandate as a result of the last elections. Their message then is the same now: Government is getting too big and costing too much.

Three little words

I ONLY have three words to say about Jackson youth summer sports: politics, politics, politics.