SPEAKOUT

Earnings tax idea

I HAVE a novel idea on how to pay for our street improvements in the city of Cape Girardeau. Why not put an earnings tax on everyone who works and earns a salary inside the city limits of Cape Girardeau. I'm talking about these people who live in Scott City, Chaffee, Oran, Delta, Gordonville, Dutchtown, Jackson, Perryville, Egypt Mills and Fruitland. Those people use our streets as much as we do. I am sick and tired of paying for everything that comes up being a resident of Cape Girardeau. I'm not the only one who uses these streets. Why not let some of these other people who come in here to earn their money help pay for the streets? It's worked for other communities, and I think it would work here, and it's only fair. Thank you for allowing me to comment.

REPLY: A sales tax does essentially what this caller proposes. All the out-of-town people who work in Cape Girardeau also shop here, which means they would pay a substantial part of the revenue to be generated by the proposed sales tax increase.

Thanks for power help

I JUST want to thank all of the people who came from St. Louis with Union Electric during this problem that we had with the storm. We were without power for two days, and they came down on Saturday after they had been working 60 hours straight from Thursday night to come and fix our power. I'm real happy that they think about us like that. I offered the foreman that was here a note to his supervisor, and he wouldn't take it. He told me to just thank Union Electric and all the employees who came down from St. Louis, so I just wanted to do that.

Appreciates Republicans

I'M CALLING in regards to the man who commented last week that he would never vote Republican again because of the Social Security. I just read a fine article by a former liberal Democratic senator, Tom Eagleton, in the Southeast Missourian about Social Security. I hope the caller reads that. I am a man 70 years old and under $20,000 a year income. I would tell you right now, if it were me and I were a young person, I would be very, very upset about the way the older people are doing the younger generation to come along. The caller needs to get with it. He needs to read the article and see what's going on and appreciate what the Republicans are trying to do.

Zero tolerance for all

ACCORDING TO the Southeast Missourian Sunday, Clinton called on Congress to push every state toward zero tolerance laws for people under 21 who drink and drive. Seems to me if that is his reasoning, it should certainly apply also to those over 21.

Thanks for Riverfest

TO TOM and Nancy Ross and all of the organizers and workers at Riverfest: a big thank you from the people of Cape Girardeau and surrounding area. These unselfish individuals voluntarily contribute hundreds of hours every year to produce good, wholesome activities and entertainment. They receive no compensation for all of their efforts and hard work and sweat that they put into this event. Most of them, like Mr. and Mrs. Ross, have been working multiple years to bring the event to a successful end. Tom and Nancy have generously contributed over 10 years of service. The people of Cape Girardeau are so fortunate to have individuals who contribute so much of themselves and their personal time for the good of this community. When you're out and see these people, express you appreciation and tell them thank you for the work they do. There will never be an over abundance of people who genuinely care.