SPEAKOUT

Recycling fairness

I CAN'T understand why the city council continues to do nothing about some people not recycling. I'm sick and tired of paying the same as those residents who do not recycle. The taxpayers of this city are having to pay thousands of dollars more in tipping fees because of it. God gave us this earth, and we should take care of it better. Filling the landfills is not taking care of it. The whole matter could be solved one easy way. The city could have bags printed and charge a modest $2 each for them, and you would see a dramatic change for the first week pickup. Those who still don't want to recycle could put out as many as they choose, and it would not be too excessive for the less fortunate. I know that the Southeast Missourian recycles, and I say thanks to them for doing so.

Library boundaries

THIS IS regarding the library boundaries. Why don't the residents who live in Cape Girardeau north of Lexington get up a petition to have the 30-year-old library boundary law changed. Or does Cape just want that part to be called Jackson and pay their city taxes over there too? Send your petitions to Peter Kinder. He could help. It's time for a change. After 30 years, it isn't fair to the people to have to go all the way over to Jackson.

Future of Commerce

I DON'T know if you understand that Commerce is supposed that to be the oldest city in Southeast Missouri. I think that it's a shame that the old town like that is going to be destroyed. Hopefully, there are enough people who will build it back up.

REPLY: What about Ste. Genevieve? As for building back in Commerce, wouldn't that simply create more of the same problem? The next time it floods, owners of the new structures would want another government bailout. A buyout is intended to put a stop to this cycle.

Income statistics

MEDIAN FAMILY income in this country doubled between 1947 and 1973 but has been stagnant for the past 20 years. But that's the good news, because median income disguises the fact that the rich have gotten much richer while the rest of the population has been pushed way down. The latest Census Bureau figures show that almost 40 million Americans now live below the poverty level. It is not longer to speak of America as an essentially middle-class society when wealthiest 20 percent receive an amount of income nearly equal to the total of the rest of income earners.

REPLY: Statistics must be handled carefully. The figures cited here would put something like 15 percent of the American population below the poverty level. Also, if 20 percent of the population has total income equal to the rest of population, it also stands to reason the upper 20 percent pays most of the taxes.

Start with Congress

THE REPUBLICANS want to cut Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and welfare. Members of Congress have huge salaries, enormous pensions and the best medical care in the world, which they voted to give themselves, all paid for by the taxpayers. I've heard none of them suggest cuts in any of these. They say they're working for us. In fact, when they let lobbyists input their vote for special privileges, they are working for themselves. I started voting during Franklin D. Roosevelt's second term. I can think of nothing the Republicans have done for the poor or the middle class to this day. They are and always have been a rich man's party.

Take back the pay

I AM so sick and tired of our government acting like a bunch of kids playing games. Congress wants to the balance the budget on the backs of the poor and the elderly, at least that's how it seems to me. If these so-called representatives are really sincere, why don't they rescind their pay raises that they voted themselves?

Flag tribute

I WANT to thank John Wilhite (who sent in the anonymously written "Honoring the flag" in Saturday's letters to the editor). It was superb.

More on Whitewater

I HOPE the Republicans pick up on Whitewater, because there's more in there than what's been going on. Let's get on with Whitewater and Vince Foster, because I hope the Republicans don't do a Colin Powell on me.

Sports credentials

JAY EASTLICK says in his column that ex-football players make good political leaders. I wonder what political position he would recommend O.J. Simpson run for.