Speak Out A 09/12/01

Spend less, not more

ABOUT A decade ago, Tennessee started a health care plan called Tenncare. It has bankrupted the state. Tennessee is having to defund universities and schools because it has to put more money into Tenncare. Now Missouri is short on money, and what does Gov. Bob Holden want to do? He wants to start diverting money to senior medicine. That will eventually become medicine for all, and Missouri will be completely bankrupt like Tennessee. We need to try to spend less money when we are out of money instead of finding ways to spend more money.

Legal channels

THE PRESIDENT of Mexico, Vincente Fox, came to the United States demanding that we take in and give legal status to those who came illegally to the United States. People wait for years and go through proper channels to come in legally. I don't think the illegals should be given legal status when they have committed a crime by entering the United States without going through normal channels. We don't want the riffraff of any country.

Taking action

THE PAPER mentioned the neighborhood by the Taste Lounge had put up with a lot of bad stuff for 11 years. It took two years to close it down after the altercation with the police. Does this mean if you do something personally to a police officer things get done sooner? I guess the people who pay their salaries don't count.

Government's hands

THIS USED to be a free world, but the way it is now it is not. Just like the tinted windows on a car. Seat belts should be the driver's responsibility if he wants. This is not a free country anymore. There are so many things the government has got its hands in, I don't know what will happen 10 years from now.

Disgraceful scores

I CANNOT believe Speak Out isn't overflowing with comments regarding the Missouri Assessment Program scores that were published on the front page. These results state that only 16 percent of Cape 10th graders scored at the proficient level in math, only 10 percent of 10th graders scored at proficient level in science and only 26 percent of 11th graders scored at the proficient level in social studies. What a disgrace. Why aren't these scores higher? Why isn't the community upset about this?

Always leave a tip

IFYOU receive good service, leave a good tip. Let the servers know you appreciate it. If you receive bad service, leave a tip of maybe 10 to 25 cents. That way they know you didn't forget. You are just tipping commensurate with the service. Always leave something, good or bad.

Big flag, pretty flowers

A BIG thank you to the St. Francis Medical Center for the humongous flag flying in the breeze. What a beautiful sight to behold. Also we appreciate the flowers at the roundabout. We appreciate you, St. Francis.