Speak Out A 12/28/02

Follow the rules

I'VE BEEN hearing lots of talk and reading lots of articles about how all of a sudden people are debating whether or not the immigration and naturalization boards should be following the rules so strictly. The boards are saying they should because of what happened on Sept. 11, W001, and the debate goes on and on. I disagree with both groups. They should be enforcing the rules and adhering to the regulations not because of Sept. 11, but because those rules were put into place for certain reasons. If the laws require certain documentation, then that's what they should have. We are going to have to follow the rules. We've seen what happens when we don't.

Shrewd president

WE HAVE a very shrewd president. I don't know how he managed to do it. Times are bad. George W. Bush managed a patriot act, and everything has been with him. Like him or not, you've got to hand it to him.

Costly perspective

AN ARTICLE compares the high cost of medicine to what people spend for alcohol and gas and oil. The average American spends 59 cents a day on prescription drugs, compared to 61 cents a day on alcohol and $1.26 a day on gas and oil. I agree that medications are very expensive, but you've got to put it in perspective.

Money for politicians

I WAS reading the article that said charities in Kansas City and St. Louis aren't reaching their fund-raising goals. Right across the page, another article said legislative candidates raised nearly $16.7 million, and there's some left over. There's no shortage of money when it comes to the politicians.

Another Bush in 2008?

BUSH IN 2008? Pundits say it's possible. Not George W., but Jeb.

Shortchanging libraries

IT IS really sad when you see news stories about all the homeless people and unemployment being so high. Then you see where our state government is shortchanging our library funds. Those responsible should be arrested. Also, please quit asking for taxes regarding the police and fire equipment and the water park. There are worse things in this world than cramped working conditions and a leaky roof.

Groundless whining

A SPEAK Out comment claimed there is fraud by the government against Social Security recipients. Fraud is when you receive benefits after what you've paid into Social Security is gone. Fraud is when you pay no taxes and receive government benefits such as Medicare and Medicaid. Griping about the cost-of-living increase is ludicrous. That's when you don't appreciate what someone else and your country does for you.

In defense of morals

THE RECENT elections indicate that the majority of informed Americans are tired of the liberals who are politically correct, don't say anything to offend anyone and are tolerant of everything no matter how offensive it may be. We need to get back to making decisions that utilize common sense and stop giving the homosexuals, abortion advocates and anti-government groups an audience. Conservative, moral, hard-working people are in the vast majority, but we give these other groups so much publicity that it seems like they are in the majority at times. But when we speak out, we are considered racist, homophobic, cruel, intolerant and probably Republican. That's just fine with me.

Making good decisions

GEORGE W. Bush is being called a warmonger by the liberal left. They must have very short memories. Ronald Reagan was accused of the same thing as he built our nuclear arsenal during the height of the Cold War. The result: collapse of the Soviet Union, no nuclear holocaust and improved relations with the former Soviet Union. Peace through strength worked for President Reagan, and it will work for President Bush. He doesn't need a bunch of armchair liberal quarterbacks critiquing his every move. He is our commander in chief, and we have to have faith that he will make the right decisions for the nation.