Speak Out 11/15/06

Not a mandate

THIS COMMENT goes to the gleeful Democrats who worked tirelessly to demonize Republicans in the election. You had the help of universities, Hollywood, all the networks except Fox and urban political machines. Democrats were able to win in many races only by the slimmest of margins. This was not a mandate, and conservatives are not going away.

Not unusual

BEFORE LIBERALS crow about their victory, they should check the history of elections in this country. Nothing unusual or trend-setting happened. Since 1900, every two-term president has suffered the same fate. His party always loses seats in the six-year midterm elections. You can't be president for six years and not make many people mad. Of course, facts mean nothing to liberals. They will act like everybody's on their side now.

Police aren't lazy

YOU CANNOT judge a town or its police by one neighborhood. I know several police officers. They are not lazy. I lived in the bad part of town for six years and watched it go from several square blocks to a small area. It is sad when one lacks the money to live in a better part of town, but blame the landlords who let these scum in the first place instead of assuming it is the fault of our dedicated police department.

Keep cats indoors

THE PERSON who said "It is almost impossible to keep a cat from roaming" is right. That is why cats do not belong outside. Those who insist on having inside-outside cats are exposing their pets to many dangers, including diseases from the mice they catch and eat and attacks by other roaming cats. Cat-claw scratches on the hood or trunk of one's car, cat offal in one's yard and being wakened after midnight by cat fights might encourage one to attempt eliminating outside cats. If you truly love a cat pet, keep it inside where it is safe.

Accountability time

VOTING IS just one part of your duty as a citizen. Now comes the most important part: holding elected officials accountable.

Urban votes

AFTER ANY election in Missouri that ends favorably for the Democrats, we inevitably have to hear about how this is the fault of St. Louis and Kansas City. Did I miss something~ Do the votes of residents of these areas count for more~ No. All votes are equal. This is the basis of our system. There also happen to be more voters in our metropolitan areas than there are in the outstate regions. Most importantly, Missouri is known as a swing state, not a conservative stronghold.

Imperiled democracy~

DAVID LIMBAUGH'S humble-pie piece fell short and ended with an apparently bitter disillusionment with one of the underlying principles of our sacred Constitution; namely, popular sovereignty or government by the people. In fact, Limbaugh's "we simply cannot continue to have our heads planted so firmly in the sand" seemed not only a repudiation of the wisdom of the American people, but a tacit endorsement of doing whatever it takes to get our country back on the course he prefers. I fear that if many Americans are of the same mindset, representative democracy itself may be imperiled.

Need answers

NOW THAT the votes are in, the Democrats have won many local and state offices, plus the governance of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, I would like it written in black and white: Exactly what they are going to do to improve the medical and financial issues facing our military women and men both active and prior military~ They have two months to come up with some good answers to their campaign posturing.

Not about Iraq

IF YOU believe David Limbaugh is only "mildly depressed" over the election results, then I've got some swampland to sell you. Republicans lost because the logic that "we must win in Iraq lest we embolden the terrorists and become more vulnerable at home" is tragically flawed. There's little or no evidence that we can win this hit-and-run guerrilla war. Do you seriously believe that losing in Iraq would demoralize the enemy to the point that they would not attempt another 9-11-style attack on our country~ To suggest that Americans overwhelming elected Democrats to Congress to be soft on terrorism is ludicrous. When are Limbaugh and others going to understand that winning the global war on terror is not all about Iraq~

Homeschool achievers

THESE ARE facts: The average homeschool eighth-grade student performs four grade levels above the national average (Rudner study). One in four homeschool students (24.5 percent) are enrolled one or more grades above age level. Students who have been homeschooled their entire lives have the highest scholastic achievement. In every subject and at every grade level of the ITBS and TAP batteries, homeschool students scored significantly higher than their counterparts in public and private schools.

Showing too much

I DO not appreciate going to a restaurant, being seated and then having to look at the navel of the waitress which is almost at eye level. If you want to know what appeals to the public, look at the aprons at Grace Cafe and the matching T-shirts at Broussard's. Allowing a waitress to wear whatever she wants is in bad taste if she allows her midriff to show.

Limit computer use

THE PUBLIC library should limit the number of minutes patrons use the computers. I waited over an hour the other night waiting to get on one.

Up-close look

I VOLUNTEER at Clippard Elementary School. If you want to see firsthand what is good about our schools, volunteer. It will make you appreciate teachers and principals. These young children are the ones who will be taking care of us and our country. We need to invest in them.

Clean the street

THE RESIDENTS who live on Rose Street pay taxes just like everyone else, but we don't get our leaves picked up or the street cleaned off when it snows. When I called the city about this, I was told our street is too narrow. Why not have special no-parking days like they do in St. Louis where I used to live~

Taking turns

THE RULES of a stop sign are simple: First come, first served. You don't have to sit and look around, waiting for someone to wave you on. The sign is not going to turn green. What is it about people in this town~ Just take your turn.