SPEAKOUT

Enough golf aid

CITY taxpayers have paid out to the golf course enough money already to buy it three or four times. Mayor Spradling is all wrong.

No more GOP

BLESS THAT person who called in and saw the light and said they'd never vote for the Republican ticket again. They want to hack Medicare. They want to hack the benefits for the poor. They're against everything. The Republican party is really showing its true colors. God help us if we get a Republican president to go with that Congress.

Giving feedback

I'M CALLING about the proposed I-55 interchange in Jackson. Gerald Jones says he has heard from several Oak Ridge residents but hasn't had much feedback from Jackson residents. I live in Jackson and make two trips a day to Cape and back. I called the county commission office to tell Mr. Jones how I thought an interchange in Jackson might relieve the congestion at the 61 and I-55 interchange. Mr. Jones was not in, and the lady took my name and phone number and said she would give him the message. I have not heard from Mr. Jones, so I assume he is not interested in feedback from Jackson residents.

Toxic family

I WAS touched by the lady who had been raised in an abusive family. It never quits until they get the help they need and see the pain they inflict on others. It's known as a toxic family. I was raised in one myself, and when I went through counseling and realized what it was, I had to distance myself from my family, as cruel as it may seem, but they were crueler. Hang in there. It will get better. Let them come to see you on your turf, and maybe things will start to change. God bless you and good luck.

Feminist definition

THIS IS to the lady who wants to know what a feminist is. A feminist is the term applied to a woman who stands up for her own rights, given to her by people who think she should sit down and shut up.

TO THE woman who asked what a feminist is. A feminist is a pit bull dog with a permanent case of PMS.

Oak Ridge growth

THIS IS concerning the Interstate 55 interchange. So Jackson wants to grow and develop commercial and residential property near its proposed interchange. Maybe Oak Ridge wants to do that too. Growth can help the Oak Ridge school and the area all around it. Oak Ridge has asked for this long before Jackson, which now has two interchanges and Oak Ridge none. Let's support the small communities for a while and let them grow for a change.

Midweek graduation?

I'M CALLING in reference to the high school scheduling. There is no problem with holding graduation during the middle of the week, since our neighboring county school, Jackson, held its graduation in the middle of the week to offset the state events. It should not have been brought to attention of the administration that there was a scheduling problem. They're getting paid to schedule these things, not for parents to bring this to their attention.

Friendly Schnucks

HOW NICE that Schnucks offered to store people's food during this extended power outage for so many people. Incidentally, I'm just a pleased customer.

Civil War issue

I WISH somebody would tell the whole truth about the Civil War. Slavery was not a major issue. The cotton industry was one of the major industries, and the river boats were a major issue. But they even had slaves in the North. The South did not argue about slavery, and I wish someone would set the record straight.

Thanks for help

I WOULD like to take this opportunity to thank all the neighbors who helped me during this terrible storm and its aftermath. I never knew I lived in such a fine and wonderful neighborhood until now. Thank you so much. You're the best folks on earth.

Northeast projects

REGARDING the half-cent transportation tax that we are going to be asked to vote on in August: Once again the northeast section of Cape Girardeau is not included in this plan. I think North Main Street should be realigned at the old shoe factory. If I'm not mistaken, this was talked about a couple of years back. And also Big Bend Road should be raised at the levee, because every time it floods water gets over the road. These two were not included in the five-year plan with the proposed sales tax. I will not vote for this tax unless we people in the northeast section of Cape see some benefits from it in our part of town. We pay taxes too.

Taxing concerns

OUR TAX-and-spend mayor along with his allies on the city council have voted for raise recreation fees over the five percent limit that they had previously promised. This comes at a time when they are asking us to vote to increase taxes for road improvements. I'm sure good roads are vital to the growth of Cape Girardeau, but by golly then cut something else that is less important to pay for them. Forty cents out of every dollar we earn goes to pay state, federal and local taxes. Until our local, state and federal governments get their acts together, I'll be voting no, a thousand times no, to tax increases.

Let golfers pay

I'D LIKE the city council to know that there's way on earth I will ever vote a tax increase until that golf course is self-supporting. There's nothing wrong with playing golf. If people want to, let them pay for their own golf course. While I'm at it, I have another axe to grind. People are charged unfairly for trash pickup. I put out one small bag each week, and I pay the same amount as people who put out three large bags. Now it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that is not fair.