SPEAKOUT

DST all the time

I THINK they should have daylight-saving time all year long. So there, Mr. Thad Bullock supporter.

End welfare system

THIS IS a reply to the person who was talking about all the wonderful things the Democrats, those caring people, have done for us. What they have done since FDR is saddle us with a $4.6 trillion debt. Not million, not billion, but trillion. They have created a class of totally dependent people. Look at our welfare system. Are we really helping these people by paying them year after year to do nothing? Think what the communities are like where these people live. Drugs, violence, out of wedlock children. Americans, we can do better. Let's stop these ridiculous handouts to so many and encourage people to achieve on their own.

DST is a good thing

I MUST disagree with the editor's column on daylight-saving time. This is very good for the working man. It gives him a chance to do things around the home, fish, things like that in daylight hours that he wouldn't have daylight time to do. It also saves energy, taking advantage of the daylight time. I'm very much in favor of it.

REPLY: The editor agrees. What he doesn't like is switching back and forth. If it's such a good idea, why not do what other readers are suggesting: Keep DST year around.

Enjoyed Sam's column

I JUST wanted to say I enjoyed Sam Blackwell's column in Thursday's paper, especially about the nieces sleeping over. His column was very nice.

Personal considerations

CONCERNING CLINTON'S veto of the late-term abortion bill. I wonder if Bob Dole would have been so outspoken if his wife's or daughter's life was endangered and could be saved by this procedure.

Like the Roman Empire

THE CONTRIBUTING factors to the fall of the Roman Empire were their troops stationed in other countries, lawyers running amuck, lawmakers on the take and morals in the gutter. We have the same symptoms in our country. Scary, isn't it.

'Other 34" important too

I REALIZE the secretary of commerce, Ron Brown, was an important person, but I thought it was a little much to have articles on him every day in the newspaper and not to mention the other 34 people who were also killed in the plane crash. These people were also important, especially to their families. Even the president had nothing to say about them. There was not one word of sympathy for the families of the other 34. So, I therefore, think you missed the boat on this article.

Gas prices have limits

REGARDING THE gas increase. When it goes to $1.19 for a gallon, which will be a 10-cent increase from the $1.09 it was before this last seven-cent raise, I'll be doing a lot more healthy walking, and I won't be buying anything from these service stations or taking any trips.

When crimes pays off

ONLY IN America can a politician be convicted of stealing $700,000, be fined $100,000, get to keep the rest, serve a few months in prison and then get a retirement check of $100,000 a year for life. Crime does pay, doesn't it?

Long drive for gas

I KNOW where you can get gasoline quite reasonably compared with today's prices here in Cape Girardeau. You can go to St. Louis. There are quite a few gas stations up there at 99 cents a gallon. So get going.

Great loss for America

I THINK America has suffered a great loss by the fatal crash that killed Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown. I'm a little disappointed in Dick Armey's attitude and the attitude of some of the Republicans, saying that our president was using it for political advantage. I was greatly appalled by those attitudes, and the only thing I could think was that they just don't trust anybody because they're such heartless characters themselves, particularly Dick Armey and Newt Gingrich. I think we lost a great American regardless of what his politics were. He was a good secretary of commerce and I think he led to the victory of the president. I think we'll have a great president.

Long-term street woes

THIS IS in regard to the article in the Southeast Missourian entitled "Gravel street dwellers set to reap reward." We have lived on Melody Lane since the mid-1950s. We have been choked from the dust from automobiles, trucks, tractors and school buses that would rival the dust bowl of the 1920s and 1930s. Now they are constructing a new arterial street soon to be Lexington. Our cost is $25 a foot. We reap no benefits at all from the new half-cent transportation tax. We were annexed into the city in 1958. We still have no city water. We petitioned the city to put water at the same time the new street was being constructed, but the city manager said that it was an unusual request even though it is in the city bylaws and state bylaws that all utilities would be put in at the time of construction of an arterial street. So good luck to the residents of Bucher Street and other gravel streets of Cape. You must live in a different city than I do.

Great Easter pageant

I WOULD like to thank the members of the First Baptist Church in Jackson for the beautiful Easter pageant. I've gone to all their pageants during the past 10 years, but this was by far the best that they've had, and it was great. I hope they continue doing this for the public in the next years to come.

How about exchanging?

TO THE person who thinks that the new $100 bill looks like Monopoly money, I'll be happy to take their money and give them real Monopoly money.

Why no age limits?

I'D LIKE to know why is it OK with the FAA for children to fly a plane. They can't get a driver's license until 16. You cannot drive a vehicle that's going down the road.

Gravel to start with

TO THE people who are complaining about living on gravel streets. What's the matter, didn't you know that street was gravel when you moved in?

So much for thank you

ABOUT THESE huge gasoline price increase: What the U.S. needs to do is go over and fight the Arabs' war for them again and spend billions of dollars doing it. This is the thanks we get for going over there and getting these people out of trouble.

Character is important

MRS. DOLE says the character of the candidates should play a big part in the presidential election. That's why I favor President Bill Clinton. Dole's a friend of people like Ollie North, Reagan and Bush. They lied to the American people all during the Iran-Contra mess. Well, I don't support people with that kind of character.

Sharing hard-earned money

THIS IS to the Democrat who thinks people making $300,000 per year should contribute to Social Security but not receive any benefits. Why don't you just move to Cuba or China? Their communist governments would be more to your liking. You're just another jealous wannabe who thinks successful people should be punished by giving part of their hard earned money to you.

Too much inconvenience

OVER 80 percent of partial birth abortions are done not to save the mother's life but for convenience purposes only. How can any logical person possibly think there is nothing wrong with collapsing the skull of fully formed baby? I'll tell you how. These people are not logical. These sick, disgusting individuals led by Bill Clinton are all aghast when a bunch of illegal aliens are worked over by police after a high-speed chase but think there's nothing wrong with killing a healthy baby. It takes a selfish, spoiled and repulsive human being to kill a baby rather than be inconvenienced.

Environmental extremists

THE ENVIRONMENTAL extremists now have a national hero in the Unabomber. He has carried out their message in violence and death to innocent people. Instead of spiking trees, he sent mail bombs. What and who is next?

More gasoline taxes

TO ALL you people complaining about the monopoly on the gas prices in the area, let me hit you with a new one. I've never heard it yet in Speak Out, but the next phase of Clinton's tax at the pumps is gearing in. Just remember every time you fill your tank. We may have a monopoly here in Cape Girardeau which we should do something about, but also remember when you go to pay your bill that the Democrat raised you gas taxes at the pump.

REPLY: Actually, the latest two-cent increase in the Missouri fuel tax that went into effect April 1 was approved by voters across the state a few years ago.

Pets allowed to roam

I'M A resident of Northfield Subdivision and I guess you would think that people who could afford these lovely houses would have common sense, but I guess money does not common sense make. These people have pets, and they do not keep them tied up, they do not keep them fenced in, they're just running loose. Dogs do not have common sense not to go in the road and not to get hit. So you would think these people would take responsibility for their animals. These are living creatures who deserve kindness, compassion and responsibility.

Democrats passed the taxes

THE AVERAGE working person pays almost half of his or her wages in federal, state and local taxes, most of these taxes enacted by Democrats. That's why I can't understand the logic used by these callers who claim the Democrats protect the working person. These people have to be either the brainwashed union type of Democrat who would vote for Saddam Hussein if he was running as a Democrat or on the receiving end of our tax rather than on the paying end or just plain ignorant.

Focus on the customers

TO THE people who work in the insurance office of a major medical office in Cape. You said your pet peeve was people reply "I don't know if you can or not," to your question of "Can I help you?" Did you ever think that some of the people who irritate you are not questioning your ability? They are just not sure if they are in the right place to deal with their situation. Some of the people have probably talked to several other people before getting to you, each time telling their whole story before being told they are talking to the wrong person. Maybe you need to focus less on yourself and you feelings and more on those of your customers.

Thanks to the good guys

TO THE good-deeds person who changed my tire Saturday evening, thanks. To the city of Cape Girardeau, thanks for the spring cleanup.

Not very much trust

THE INSURANCE office worker at the major medical office wants respect. She's upset because someone answers her question of "Can I help you?" by saying "I hope so" or "I don't know you can or not." Just what makes these answers rude? After facing the high cost of medical treatment and the double-talk insurance companies, it is hard for a patient to feel anyone is out to help them.

Try another approach

I HAVE the answer to the medical insurance office personnel. Don't ask the patient "Can I help you?" It leaves the patient in doubt. Say "May I help you?" They can reply either yes, no or maybe. They will probably say yes.

The will is a mystery

THERE IS this question on everyone's mind sometime or another. Do you need a will or what is the purpose of a will and then when is a will read? Who is there when the will is read? Recently there was a death in a family, and we know there was a will to be read, but we never heard of anything to this day. What's the purpose of a will if the immediate family doesn't even know when it is being read? There are too many things nowadays that can cause more hardship in a family. Some people get it all, and the rest can sit and just look, but sometimes the ones who sit and look might be who did the work.