Speak Out A 08/12/02

Attack plans

I AM tired of hearing every day about U.S. plans to attack Iraq. Our leaders right now in the White House do some of the dumbest things concerning Iraq. Our leaders are telling the whole world that we are going to attack Iraq and get rid of its leader. I think that is stupid to tell everyone what you are planning to do. Does our country really think Iraq is going to sit back and let us land 100,000 soldiers, surround them and kill their leader without putting up a fight? They are not going to make the mistake they did when we invaded during Desert Storm. The United States should not be broadcasting worldwide when, where and how we are going to invade another country. We should just go over there and handle our business. Don't let the enemy know.

Take all students

NOW WE hear talk about how vouchers may take money away from good public schools. The idea of vouchers allowing low-income families to get away from bad inner-city public schools was the big promotion. Vouchers for a select group will probably be challenged as discrimination. Vouchers for all with no limits would get out of hand. Why would anyone leave a good public school? If public schools supported by our tax dollars have to accept all students and meet state and federal requirements, then voucher-supported schools should too.

Peasant fashions

IT SEEMS appropriate for the times that fashion designers say the in look these days is that of the medieval peasantry.

Earning our trust

HENRY HUNGERBEELER, MoDOT director, has to know that not delivering on plans for our highway tax dollars was the main reason for the failure of Proposition B. Many of us do not trust MoDOT to complete plans they present. The 15-year plan was supposed to be in place. After they got the money they did not do the job. It will take time for MoDOT to earn the voters' trust and respect. Future plans and programs will have to be completed to regain and retain our trust and respect.

No new taxes

IT SEEMS amazing to me that politicians can come up with so many reasons for why we need a new tax. Do they not get the meaning of "No new taxes"? I believe that the voting citizens of our area are starting to realize that just because they say a tax increase is for one thing, they really mean they want a pay raise. Did anyone notice that in the recent election the only proposal that voters passed were labeled bonds. I hope Missouri politicians can find a more useful way to spend our money.