SPEAKOUT

Democrats did it

IN RESPONSE to the person who phrased us Democrats as yellow-dog die-hard Democrats: Die-hard Democrats and the forefathers of the Democratic Party during the New Deal, the ones who are no longer with us, brought in Franklin Delano Roosevelt, which left us in real good shape with Social Security, unemployment insurance, worker's comp, the WPA. I just wonder how many of these people who call us die-hard, yellow-dog Democrats use their Medicare cards that were brought in by Democrat John F. Kennedy. Or I wonder how many of them use Social Security that was brought in by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Sure, they say they paid into it, but they wouldn't have got the chance to pay into it if it wasn't for the Democratic Party. Everything we've got in this country for the poor man was brought to us by the Democratic Party. I can't think of one thing the Republican Party has done after Abraham Lincoln. All they've done is nix everything from national health care to minimum wage. They're the rich man's party. They always will be. It's worse now, because we have the extreme right wing of the Gingrichs and the Armeys and the Archers. We have some really terrible men in there who would really hurt the poor and disabled.

Kingshighway speed limit

TODAY THERE was another accident at Lexington and North Kingshighway. The speed limit should not be 50 mph on North Kingshighway because of the heavy traffic. It's just an invitation for accidents to have a 50 mph in this heavily trafficked area. Please reconsider the speed limit.

Can't hide our heads

WE CAN hide our heads in the sand and say it doesn't matter regarding this Clinton mess, but what does that tell our children? That anything goes? That adultery, sexual perversion, lying under oath, using others to shield your life are acceptable? That attitude does not give any hope for their future and will be the ruination of our country. Congress, impeach Clinton.

How hospitals get paid

LET'S TALK about the merger of Southeast Missouri Hospital with St. Francis Medical Center. If they merge, are they going to be courteous and nice and wait on your insurance company to pay the bill? Or are they going rude, cross and irritable and call you on the phone? Frankly, I do not want the two to merge. No way. Southeast has always been nice to me because they know I'm very well covered with insurance. I didn't have the same experience with St. Francis. The day I left the hospital, they wanted me to pay up front and wait and get the money back from my insurance company. Well, that's not what it's all about. I carry insurance so they can pay, and I don't have to use my own money. I will never go to the hospital again in Cape if those two merge together.

Let healing begin

I READ Speak Out quite often, and I read about where the Republican Party is dictating stuff in the paper. You know, the Republican Party has taken Jesus Christ's place in the world. I think it's time that they need to read the Bible and forgive and let the healing begin as Christ did. I know that's going to be hard for the Republican Party, because they've been dictators and they like to tell other people what to do. I think it's time to bring a halt to it. And all you Republicans who hear this word, you need to start praying and try to ask for forgiveness for yourself.

Here's what he's done

ONE OF the callers this past week wanted his friends who support the president to name one thing he has done. One big thing that he did was approve an economic package in 1993 with not one single Republican vote that has carried this country and prospered and give us a first surplus in 29 years of over $70 million. He struck peace in Haiti, stopped the refugees from coming in from Cuba, helped in the peace efforts in Ireland which they give him great credit for. These are just a few of the things. Let's give the facts where they are. He's still has been a good president.

Pay attention to us

I JUST wanted to say that it is no wonder that the American people have lost faith in the political system. I have contacted Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson on several occasions, and each time I do I get back a very polite form letter saying what she thinks she's doing, but there's never any action. I know several of my friends have contacted her over similar issues and gotten the same responses. It's like, yes, we're doing something, now go away. Congress is not responsive to our requests. They do whatever they want. They pay no attention to the people. We're the little people back home.

Perks for loyal subscribers

WHEN SOMEONE subscribes to the Missourian for the first time, they get all sorts of free McGwire items. But when you've been a subscriber for 40 years, it's like you're just forgotten.

REPLY: Longtime subscribers who would like to extend their subscriptions for a year can get the McGwire items too. Call the circulation department.

Information on amendments

I WOULD like to applaud Jack Stapleton's column on the upcoming election amendments. I would like the Southeast Missourian to provide more information on these amendments, and I hope that Jack can write more detailed information for an informed decision.

Nausea isn't political

I CAN'T believe the reference to President Bush's illness in China (in a recent letter to the editor) as if it were some kind of Republican fault that made the president sick. What a ridiculous point. Now I'm nauseous. It's so difficult to be Democratic when people take it upon themselves to speak for the entire party. Get real. Let the process take it's course. The less the public continues to harp about it, the sooner it will be over.

He's not my pilot

I KEPT hoping some other intelligent being would phone in to challenge Bill Coomer's analogy of Bill Clinton piloting the airplane and if it crashes we all die. All I've seen are people talking about how wonderful the comment was. If we look at it that way, Bill Clinton is not piloting my airplane. I don't have to follow Bill Clinton anyplace, although he is president. And I did very well before Bill Clinton was elected president, and I'll be fine after Bill Clinton leaves office. We're not going to die. Wake up, people, read and figure out what's going on for yourself.

Trouble with honesty

THE PRESIDENT and liberal Democrats are the first ones to complain about separation of church and state. Now they are talking about the president and quoting the Bible and saying the people should forgive him. As a conservative Christian, I agree 100 percent. However, the Bible in Luke 16:10 says, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much. And whoever is dishonest with very little with also be dishonest with much." I rest my case. He should resign.

They know what she is

YOUR SUNDAY editorial wondered why women's groups hadn't come to Monica's defense. I thought it was very plain. These women recognize her for exactly what she is, and I surely don't have to tell you what that is, do I?

Protecting the president?

I BELIEVE the report on the deaths of people who were associated with Bill Clinton is on the Internet. The Democrats are calling and whining about this. Do they know it's not true, or are they just trying to protect the president again?

Short and sweet

I HAVE a comment for all the politicians and the preachers out here who I keep reading in Speak Out. It's very simple, short, sweet and to the point. To the politicians: innocent until proven guilty. To the preachers: Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Vote for change

IF YOU'RE tired of the president lying to us and have all his Cabinet lie to us and having his advisers lie to us, if you're tired of all the lying, it's almost time to vote. Get your friends ready to vote. Get your neighbors ready to vote. Find some honest people to vote for and get out and vote.

Who is pro-life?

I WAS looking at the blurb about the pro-life prayer chain, and it began to depress and nearly disgust me at how ignorant the Christian right is. I think these people should look a little deeper into their Bibles and find out that if anybody was pro-choice, it was God himself. No more deaths have taken place by any one person's hand than by God himself if you look at that entire Noah experience. I think that will show us who's pro-choice and who's pro-life.

The mood of the times

I JUST read Sam Blackwell's article on "The Lynching of Cleo Wright." Since I lived through that era, I'd like to add something to it, please. There was at that time a great deal of hysteria and fear in this country because it was so soon after the attack of Pearl Harbor. I understand the husbands of both of these women had been called with the Missouri National Guard to the West Coast. They had just arrived there by troop train when this happened. The National Guard was sent there because the Japanese were at our back door. This was another fearful thing. You can imagine the anger that this man, who attempted to assault the wives of these two soldiers who were gone, had. This in no way excuses the lynch-mob action, but I hope it will help to explain the mood of the country at that time.