SPEAKOUT

Wages and welfare

IF PROPOSITION A would have passed there would have been 30-40 percent less people on welfare because $7 an hour with two parties working in a family would have them above poverty level. So Missouri lost a lot of money by turning it down.

History of Commerce

IF YOU are interested in the history of Commerce, Mo., Edison Shrum of Scott City has just had a book published about Commerce. If interested, call him about it. It's a great book.

Other fish problems

I WANT to speak out on a Speak Out comment entitled "Let the fish breathe." I had a problem with my fish dying in my pond during the winter when it iced over, and I talked to the fisheries biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation. That kind fellow let me know what the real problem was. In fact, cutting a hole in the ice wouldn't help. It wouldn't hurt, but it wouldn't help. So there are some other things that need to be done there to let those fish live. So get the facts.

Thanks for the lift

I WANT to say thank you to the kind gentleman who picked up my daughter and my two grandchildren on County Route Y. Thank you very much for getting them safely home. You've done a very good deed.

In favor of unions

I WOULD like to praise the labor unions. They stood up to the big man, and they stood up to the Newt Gingriches and Dick Armeys and the Trent Lotts, who want one thing: From Reagan on, they want to kill the labor unions. That's the Republicans and the Big Business's main objective. I would say to the businesses in Cape Girardeau that voted not to have the union, I think you're signing your own death warrant. But that's the American way, and that's what you chose. But if it wouldn't be for the labor unions, we wouldn't have what we have now for the working men and women in this country. The labor unions have done wonders. All I have to say is I hope they keep on getting strong when political campaigns come on. That's the working man's only salvation, labor unions and the so-called liberal movement that Franklin Delano Roosevelt brought out.

Thanks for leadership

WITH PRESIDENT Clinton in place for another four years, I am at total peace. I will support him in every way and give thanks and praises for his leadership everyday.

Ultra-right newspaper

WHY WAS the caller surprised that you endorsed Jo Ann Emerson? This paper tries to push its ultra-right views down our throat every day of the world to the point that I sometimes gag. This county really does need an independent newspaper.

Outrageous language

I WAS reading today's paper, and I am absolutely appalled and furious that the Southeast Missourian put the article in here about David Brinkley and his salty opinions and printed the word "God damn" more than once, even if it is from the New York Associated Press, and then had the nerve to say what a good journalist he was. I am just absolutely outraged at this.

Support for Cape Central

I WOULD like to thank all the students who came out to the Cape Central bonfire and helped support the football team and showed that they're behind them and they're backing them every way. I wish Central had a little more school spirit.

Too much crime

I HAVE to disagree with the person who wrote "Don't leave you purse in the car." I personally don't leave my purse in my car but to tell the woman she has no sense leaving her purse in the car is silly. It's her purse and her car. We do not invite crime. If I was going shopping at the mall, took my package to the car and returned to the mall to shop some more, that should not invite crime. I am sick and tired of people getting away stealing and murder. I assure you if you ever try to steal from me or hurt my children, I will not waste my time by calling the police. The law protects the criminal, not the ones that are innocent.

Morality of aging

I HAVE a good moral question for the Christian community. For years people have condemned the welfare recipients for cheating to gain a few extra dollars for themselves. What about the senior citizens who turn over all their life savings and assets to family members in order to collect medicine and other state funds? I know of a lot of other folks who collect food stamps, all their medications are paid for and some also get in-home state care services. All because they supposedly have no money. They get tons of state money for medical bills and even nursing home care. Who is more guilty, the really poor or the rich poor?

Rats leave sinking ship

I WON'T call the people who are leaving Bill Clinton rats deserting a sinking ship, but I will call them sailors jumping ship. Could it be they know something that we don't know, or could it be that they simply don't want to be involved? There's some reason for it. I know what the reason is. They don't want to get involved in this. They know President Clinton has done something wrong, so they're trying to get out of it. So I guess in this case it might be rats deserting a sinking ship.

Majority can't always rule

I FIND it very interesting that because the majority of Americans favor school prayer, the Southeast Missourian is willing to come out in favor of it. It has been repeatedly found that the majority of Americans are pro-choice, but I have yet to see a pro-choice editorial in the Missourian. The bottom line is that the majority, even though this is a democracy, cannot rule all the time. I'm sure if we were to put on the ballot should the government provide each person with a brand new car every year, everybody would vote yes also. But the bottom line is that can't be done. I'm sure everybody, if you were to ask, would vote to abolish income taxes. There's no question about that, but that won't be done also. The unfortunate reality is the majority can't always rule, because society needs to function. And we need to function in accordance with our Constitution. The Constitution is what governs our country, first and foremost, and then a majority of the people, within reason, can make some exceptions or can change the Constitution. However, we have an ordered and structured society.