SPEAKOUT

Parents are heroes

IF YOU'RE looking to Magic Johnson or Tommy Morrison as a role model or a hero, honey, you're looking in the wrong place. We need Godly parents to look to as our role models and heroes, and we can look to their example, no one else.

Sex in commercials

I WISH that those who buy commercials on television who are so educated and so talented would try to sell their products by more magically means than sex. I'm so sick of sexual words, explicit, suggestive things and trying to sell a product. It's no wonder our children get on the wrong track.

Not our fault

IT'S NOT the seniors who are causing problems with Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Seniors are not getting interest on their own money back. It is all after benefits that are being paid to people who have never paid one cent into Social Security, such as disability, welfare or more. That is the problem. Many doctors, hospitals and nursing homes are padding the bills by thousands of dollars. Many seniors, especially when they are sick, don't understand enough medical terms to know if they are receiving the things they are charged for. Our elected government officials are trying to tell the public that seniors are to blame for national debt, but they fail to mention the money they rob out of the Social Security Fund.

Helping Bill win

I WAS very much encouraged over the Republican debate which confirms one thing: Bill Clinton certainly has nothing to worry about. Their contention is that the American people are tired of their payroll tax being deducted so high. The only ones I hear cry are the wealthy. People say there is too much government, but I notice those people in Oregon and the other states, when they have a major flood or a major earthquake, they don't holler too much government then. Isn't that ironic? Let's get real. The only ones who are crying about too much government really are the ones who are agitated by the NRA and these millionaires and these wealthy corporations. The Democratic Party has a platform that will help the poor and will help the working poor. That's the issue: minimum wage and national health care.

City support needed

I THINK the most logical and economic place for the new federal building is at the old St. Francis Hospital, and the city council should be in support of this.

Lots of good folks

ON SATURDAY I was shopping at Schnucks with my young son and apparently my bank deposit envelope with deposit slip and some cash fell out of the car when we were getting out. I did not realize it was missing until I was almost home. Of course, I went back and looked in the parking lot and called the store when I got home. I even called the dry cleaners I had been on my way to Schnucks to see if I had lost it there. Imagine my surprise when my doorbell rang and Sheila from Boatmen's Bank had my bank envelope with cash and deposit slip intact. Apparently, a man found this envelope in the Schnucks parking lot and drove it to the bank so they could determine whose account number it was. I wish I knew the man's name so I could thank him personally, but hopefully he will read this and know how thankful I am to him and also to the Boatmen's employees, and especially Sheila, who delivered this to my house. It made my day.

Watching the limit

THIS IS to the young lady who was following me on Mount Auburn Road Monday about 9:20 a.m. I was driving 35 mph, which by the way is the speed limit on Mount Auburn Road, and I do know what you mean when you flashed your lights up at me. Mount Auburn Road is not a four lane street, it is only a two lane street and as you tried to pass me on the wrong side, which is illegal.

Nice win

CONGRATULATIONS, Nathan Norman, on winning your state championship. It was 10 years ago this month that I won my state championship for Scott City. Even though Scott City does not have a team any longer, I enjoy seeing someone from our part of the state win, especially a heavyweight. Once again, congratulations.

Trashy yard

I WOULD just like to speak out about people not picking up trash in their own yard. One good example is a house in a nice subdivision north of Teen Challenge. The house has trash all over the yard, and it looks like a dump. I hope the owners see this and, for the sake of themselves and everyone around them, will pick up the trash and take a little pride in themselves.

Clinton on a roll

BILL Clinton is so far ahead now that the economy is rolling good. He's making peace in the foreign countries. He's just one of the most brilliant presidents we ever had. The Democrats are coming back, and they're coming back hard. You guys might grab a ladder and hold on because you're in for a ride.

Tie votes

I WAS reading about the teacher that was fired up in the school district for turning the school district in for filing false names for students to collect money for the state. What is wrong with those people in that area there? They voted, according to the paper, a 3-3 tie and fired the man or did not renew his contract. How can they fire a man when three were for it and three were against it? I don't understand how they can do that. Plus if the man was telling the truth, looks they're telling their students it's OK to lie.

REPLY: IN school board voting, any motion that doesn't receive a majority doesn't pass. The motion was to renew the principal's contract, and there weren't enough votes to approve it.

Academic excellence

I ATTENDED the school board meeting, and I think it is a shame that the bickering overshadowed the fact that some deserving young men and women were honored for their academic achievement. Sensationalism and negativism obviously take precedence over academic excellence. No wonder students are discouraged today. Even though the local news media chose to ignore them, I salute these fine students for their hard work and achievement.

REPLY: Perhaps this caller missed the story about the academic pep rally at Central High School where about half the school's students were recognized for their grades, good attendance and other activities that make good students. An editorial also praise the students for their achievements.

Too much power

AT A time when citizens are asking for less government, the Cape Girardeau City Council sees fit to give us more government with the licensing of electricians. Everyone knows this will give city hall more authority that is not needed, because we now pay a large city staff of inspectors. It is a simple story of power greed by the city council and staff.

Keep the money

I THINK the best location for the new federal building is in the taxpayers' back pocket, where there is a real need.

GOP support

AS FAR as NAFTA's concerned, it was Newt Gingrich and Bob Dole and all those good Republicans that supported it. It went right along with Bill Clinton. So don't just blame the poor people who voted for old Clinton. How about you?

On the issues

THE THREE columns on the Feb. 20 Opinion page were very excellent. First, we had Bernard Goldberg admitting that CBS News is biased against conservative values in this country, and he gave an excellent example of how they distorted the flat tax. Cal Thomas said the secret was out, which was no secret at all, that the television media is biased and unfair in presenting the news. Paul Greenberg, in a column about Pat Buchanan points out that Buchanan is riding the crest for discontent from voters that have not been heard, who have been ignored by both political parties. Pat Buchanan is speaking to issues that we as common people in this country are worried about: our jobs, our families, our moral values, the right to life. Pat Buchanan is just speaking to the heart of the nation, issues the rest of the candidates are ignoring, and I think he's doing a very good job at it. Go, Pat, go.

Go, freshmen

WE MUST absolutely re-elect these freshmen congressmen and also many more like them, because it is a freshman congressman who is leading the battle to abolish the Department of Education. It is a freshman congressman who is championing the case of the brave U.S. soldier, Michael New, who refuses to wear a United Nations' uniform. It's a freshman congressman who dared to push for a vote on the Mexican bailout. It's a freshman congressman who stopped the totalitarian anti-terrorism bill to give Janet Reno to wiretap all our telephones. It was a freshman congressman who was against Clinton's unconstitutional sending of U.S. troops in Bosnia. It is a freshman congressman who is working for a campaign spending reforms and term limits. These are the congressmen you will hear the media complaining about as obstructionists and extremists. That's because they are daring to challenge business as usual. They are men and women who have a real dedication to do what the voters sent them to Washington to do. We must re-elect them and more like them this year.