SPEAKOUT

Trickle-down plan worked

I'D LIKE to comment about the good economy we're enjoying now. Many people think this is Clinton's economy. Name one thing that Clinton has done to help the economy. He agreed to a balanced budget, but after that he vetoed four of them, and the Republicans finally forced him to pass the balanced budget. In reality, what's caused this balanced budget is when Reagan was elected. Two years afterwards, he cut the top rate of taxes from 90 percent to 38 percent. From then on the economy picked up. George Bush raised taxes, and the economy took a bobble. But from then on, the economy has gone wild. This shows that trickle-down economics does work.

Request to soccer parents

THE SPRING outdoor soccer season is about to begin. We have coaches clinics and referees clinics going on to raise the quality of both. Most parents are great, but many could use a soccer parents clinic. In the absence of one, the following is a request for all parents, especially the many first-time soccer parents. First, before you begin screaming at the referees, the coaches or the kids on the field, learn the game and its rules. The library is full of books and references so you can learn what is a foul, a handball, offsides or what constitutes a goal. Second, before you criticize the coaches for their skill, know that they are all volunteers without whom our league would never function. Many of them have never played themselves and could use your help more than your criticism. Third, our referees have invested time to be qualified, but they are human beings who will miss calls on occasion. I've found over the past five years of coaching that once parents and coaches learn the rules, they will leave the referees alone and focus on their team. Fourth, in pre-kindergarten, first-grade and second-grade groups, it's more about fun and learning the game. Temper your bloodthirstiness for winning at these early ages. And lastly, learn to root for your child and their team. So many parents immediately pounce on their kids for every mistake they make. This teaches them nothing except for a few things about you.

Shoo-in for an award

I'M CERTAINLY glad that Jerry Falwell is one of the leaders and is known for his leadership of the Christian Coalition. His thinking is certainly exactly what you would expect out of a leader of this group. His whining about the perversion of Tinky Winky is exactly what you would expect of a man who thinks as clearly as Jerry Falwell. Those Teletubbies must be exposed. He is also looking around for the Antichrist too. If he really wants to expose adulterers, perjurers and perverts, he should work with Larry Flynt who has enough evidence to expose a dozen more congressmen. Otherwise, if he goes on his merry way, he will be a shoo-in for the equine posterior award of 1999. The poor man needs help. He's off his rocker.

Just sue everybody

I THINK we should outlaw all automobiles. They kill millions of people, a lot more than guns. I think maybe we could sue the manufacturers of vehicles of death for the accidents and injuries. I don't think it's the operator's fault he chose to drive. I think we should sue the people who make food products that make people who get fat and die. Maybe the restaurants that serve fattening foods should be sued. Sue all the people who make boats, motorcycles and sporting equipment that somebody's been killed on. Maybe we could sue the people who build highways and bridges. Where's the choice, the common sense, the responsibility?

Citing wrong statistics

WHEN LAW enforcement officials want to make a point, they cite statistics from colleagues and other cities and states. There are 43 states in the nation that allow the carrying of concealed weapons. Chief Hetzel is especially well-qualified to discuss the effect of a concealed weapons law in Missouri. He came from a suburb of Atlanta, Ga. I don't think he came here to escape a bloodbath in his former jurisdiction. Under the proposed law being voted on, stadiums, banks and saloons would be allowed to post the premises. Anyone with a permit taking a weapon into a posted property would be subject to prosecution and loss of the permit.

Concerned about dog safety

WELL, I would like to say that you had a photo in your paper of some people with dog up in the rear window of their car.. Let me say this: They are endangering their lives. We had a friend whose little child got up in the rear window like the dog. When you have a sudden stop, that throws whatever it is, child or dog, right straight towards the people in the front seat and through the windshield. My gracious, if children have to be put in restraining seats and adults have to be in restraining belts, then either keep your pet in a restraining seat or keep it at home to save your life as well as other people's.

What about the innocent?

I WAS reading where U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft said everyone death row should to be put to death. I was reading a couple pages over in your paper that in Illinois they found 11 innocent people on death row who were ready to be put to death. I wonder how Ashcroft can say that all people on death row need to be killed right away, because then they found 11 innocent. The blood would have been on his hands from the standpoint of innocent people.

I CAN'T believe anyone could expect our president to pay $40 million for something he was not convicted for. The Republican Party wanted impeachment and an expensive trial. Clinton didn't want it, and neither did the Democratic Party. He was declared not guilty. If you don't like it, just dry your crocodile tears and get the people out of office who couldn't make your case for you.