SPEAKOUT

How it was then

I WOULD like to express my opinion on all of the comments on food stamps and minimum-wage jobs. When I was growing up, my mother died when I was four years old. Left me with two sisters, a brother and a father with only one arm, no tractors or any of the modern of conveniences younger people have today. I am sick and tired of wails and woes of hard times. We walked to school. I was janitor, also carried all the wood to keep the school warm, swept and dusted all the desks, the teachers' desks. I was there at the crack of dawn to get the stove going to be warm when the other students arrived. Walked home after school, milked 18 cows by hand, did many extra chores, fixed our supper and the next day, same routine. All we got was a living. We raised all our potatoes and so forth, on a rainy day or snow day, Grandpa brought us a gallon bucket of baked sweet potatoes. We did not get any welfare help. We didn't have a lot of things our neighbors had, but we survived by working and thanking God for the food we did have. So get off you duffs and quit griping about minimum wage. Be thankful that you get that. We didn't, and we all are still living and raised families of our own.

No religious TV

PLEASE GET rid of the Christian television station that is broadcast throughout Southeast Missouri. It is propaganda. It's sick and crazy. These people came on TV and try to imbed Christian ideas in our heads. I think they're sick. They are people who don't understand what life is all about. They don't understand inner cities, They don't understand crime. They just live this little pretty world. I think they should be banned from being on TV.

Central Inn

I WAS so sad to see the Central Inn close down in downtown Cape. That was the oldest bar in Cape Girardeau, and to see that place shut up is pretty depressing, because that was a good bar where us river workers could go. There aren't too many bars that open at 6 a.m. But the old Central Inn opened at 6 in the morning. I'm just real sad that the Central Inn has closed up. It's a Cape Girardeau landmark. I hope someone opens it back up.

Motor voting

I WOULD like to make a comment about the motor voter bill that everyone thought it was so wonderful that it got passed. Do these same people also know that this can be done at the welfare office where they can register to vote? And what are the chances of a caseworker saying if you vote for this person or this person, which ever one might determine which one might lose your food stamps and check. I didn't know that was in the bill.

Cable TV service

I'M CALLING about the cable system here in Cape Girardeau. You pay more than most any other place this size for basic cable. Basically, late at night all you get is a bunch of paid advertisements. But the worse part about it, I get this pay-per-view, and they're in and out, they blur in and out, the cable goes out. It's pitiful. Why don't some of these people that's got a little guts here in Cape raise heck and make this cable company update.

Third-world handouts

SOME OF you may gripe and complain about the welfare program all you want, but as long as we continue to elect officials in government who give handouts to the third world countries and allow Mexicans to cross the border to have their babies in U.S. hospitals then collect Medicaid and welfare and such, you're barking up the wrong tree. We can only make a real difference at the election polls. Yes, each of us can make a difference by first registering to vote then going to the polls and voting every time there's an election, local and national. Be there.

Big trade deficit

BILL CLINTON stated that the foreign aid that the United States gives out is only one percent of the national budget. He stated also, that by giving this foreign aid to these foreign countries it helps us on our trade with these people. Then I'd like to ask Bill Clinton, if they only give away one percent of the national budget, why is our trade deficit so high? The money they give away to these foreign countries is ridiculous and it's a giveaway. They never pay back. And the trade deficit keeps soaring every month. I don't think he's as smart as some people thinks he is. This foreign aid needs to be stopped before they cut any programs here in the United States.

Hot to reach Kinder

HOW CAN I get hold of Peter Kinder to comment on that OBE situation he's been writing about in the paper?

REPLY: Peter Kinder can be reached at the Southeast Missourian by calling 335-6611. If he is out of the office, callers may leave a message on his voice mail.

Nice young people

THERE ARE still lots of nice young people in our area. We just don't hear about them. Twice in the last month, my car has stalled in busy intersections. Both times young people have gotten my car out of traffic and refused any reward except my thanks. Thanks again.

No OBE opinions?

I WOULD just like to thank the American Business Women's Association and the Southeast Missourian for the attention that they've shown to education. I was particularly disappointed that two veteran Jackson School Board members could not give a opinion on Outcomes Based Education. I think it's very important to the future of education.

No flag at school

FIFTY YEARS ago at this time, this nation had many of our young men and women dying to defend our country. There's a state school for the retarded near Shawnee Park that has not flown the American flag for several months. You veterans should let the school know what you think about this.

Local shepherds

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS and sisters: Why do you flock out in droves to a self-proclaimed apostle of Christ, and yet you ignore those who have been called and placed as your shepherds, those who preach the word of God and his gospel to you every Sunday? Why flock after a new person when you have your spiritual care provided for you, all that you need, right at home?

Clinton's new history

IS HISTORY being rewritten by the Clinton administration? The allied victory over Japan in World War II traditionally known as V-J Day is being renamed the End of the Pacific War. My personal knowledge is we fought Japan, not a country named Pacific. President Clinton is tampering V-E day by sending Vice President Al Gore to represent our country with our World War II allies, England and France, while he snubs them and goes to Moscow to celebrate with our Cold War enemies. All veterans, present military and those courageous heroes who gave their lives are being demeaned by this sitting president. He owes this country an apology. Patriotic Americans should let him know their feelings.

SEMO's tuition

SOUTHEAST Missouri State University isn't good enough to be tops in tuition under Mizzou and Northeast. We are here to serve a rather poor section of the state. Under the present administration we have seen enrollment decline and productive staff decline while programs and non-productive staff increase. The university objective should be education, not every half-funded federal program that comes along. We should be promoting secondary education and higher learning in the counties we serve rather than giving a free ride to students from throughout the nation. We should ask students and potential students and their parents why they do not enroll and why they do not stay. Only then will our institution again begin to serve. Walhausen writes well, but he writes only what he is told.