SPEAKOUT

Looking for votes

IT IS obvious President Clinton is fast going after votes as he pushes forward his liberal giveaway program and threatening his veto power. Naturally, if he would agree to welfare reform, he'd lose some popularity. Why doesn't he put what is best for our country ahead of vote-getting ideas? We believe it is our place to help our fellow man, but let's correct the welfare system before our country goes down the drain. And all you politicians: Put your country before your vote-getting ideas.

Elderly parking

I THOUGHT that these handicapped-parking signs were for disabled people only. But I see now that the doctors are authorizing disabled plates to senior citizens whether they're disabled or not. I know this for a fact, because I've asked some people what kind of diseases they had, figuring I might find out if they have a disease like me. And they said they didn't have any disease. They were just senior citizens, and the doctors authorized disabled plates. I think that is a shame and disgrace. I've seen senior citizens drive right up there, crawl out and be able to walk. And I've seen people in wheelchairs have to park way off and get out of the car on crutches and wheelchairs and go into stores. I think these doctors need to think twice about what they're doing to the people who are disabled and can't walk.

Number ID

THIS IS regarding an article in the Nov. 11 Missourian. It states the Social Security number is a form of identification that every United States citizen's required to have. That's not true. Only people who are salaried individuals are required to have them. People who are self-employed or have any kind of dividend income are not required to have one.

REPLY: The Internal Revenue Service says anyone who is required to file a tax return or who is claimed as a dependent on a tax return is required to have a Social Security number.

Gossipy stuff

I JUST wanted to compliment the paper on moving Speak Out, People Talk and a little bit of gossipy stuff to page 3A. It's so convenient, because I'm usually following an article from the front page into the inside cover. I really like it not having to hunt for things on separate pages, because I always read them. I really appreciate it, and I hope you keep up the work.

Gas prices

WELL, IT'S about time the Southeast Missourian had an article on the gas-price ripoffs. If the people of Cape would just buy gas from these individuals and not the other things such as snacks and let the manager of each store know, this would be quickly corrected.

A warmer Scott

I'D JUST like to comment on your columnist, Scott Moyers. I was just about fed up with him after the last couple of weeks. I thought he was cynical, snide and petty. His Nov. 12 column I just really enjoyed, and it makes me feel like he might have a little human being in him after all. There aren't too many us cynics out here in Southeast Missouri, Scott. Keep up the warmer, softer side of Scott Moyers.

Changing schools

I, TOO, was in the education field for more than 25 years, and I agree with Peter Kinder and Kentucky's candidate for governor. The schools need to make changes. When the government spends money to teach adults to read and establish vocational schools to teach adults to do ordinary jobs and pay them to boot, something is wrong. We have had compulsory education in Missouri since 1927. Why not have a course which includes discipline, social graces, how not to dress like a hobo, the golden rule and your rights? And teachers, your mind is your own. What you do with it is the framework of your life. I think the Opinion section of the Southeast Missourian is excellent, and we are fortunate to have young men like Peter Kinder and Rush Limbaugh who are good examples and who express the background of our area of our country and our American freedom.

GOP is building

I WANT to comment about the person who said there was a Democratic comeback because of victories in Virginia and Kentucky. Now just what are those victories? In Kentucky, the Democrats won the governor's race by 15,000 votes, which was less than they've ever won before. It was the closest race they've had in over 100 years. The Republicans are building. In Virginia, the Republicans won enough seat in the Senate to have a 50-50 break. They both have 20, but the Republicans used to only have 14 in the Senate. What about New Jersey? Republicans won seats there. They won in New Hampshire. And in Louisiana they won by a landslide and they may even take over the state legislature there. I think that Republicans should continue and go for more. It's obvious that they're building from this election. More and more people plus some Democratic officeholders have switched over to the Republican party.

Reality in Jackson

I WOULD like to say that some recent comments in Speak Out are apparently the work of some very narrow-minded people who apparently share little pride in Jackson. I must remind people that the city of Jackson got a steal when it purchased the old Jackson Exchange Bank building. I guess it's also necessary to remind some close-minded people that whether the building had been remodeled within the last five years is rather immaterial. It was remodeled for a bank and not for city hall. It only stands to reason that they are totally different operations and could not share the same physical facilities. Another point that some should be reminded of is that it may be far cheaper to have bought the bank and remodeled it than to have purchased some land and started building a new similarly sized city hall from scratch. Come on, people, quit using you head for a hat rack. Start using it to think and get out of the dunce's corner.

Saving money

SO THE federal government is shutting down. That will save the taxpayers a lot of money. I just wish the legislators' and the president's and his cronies' salaries would also cease along with the other federal employees.