Health lawsuits

IT'S too early to tell how much taxpayer money will be wasted on frivolous lawsuits challenging health care reform.

Taxing drugs

LAWS prohibiting the use of illicit drugs are bad laws. They can't be enforced. Thirty-five million Americans use illegal drugs. Just think: If it were legalized and taxed, how much we could put toward the deficit?

Government help

IN response to some people complaining about government's interfering with their freedom and not being able to administer programs, I would like to remind them about who we call on for help when there are floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, bank failures and unemployment. And then there are subsidies for the milk industry, farm subsidies and a host of others. Plus a No. 1 military, VA clinics, Social Security and Medicare. And now health care reform where you can't get kicked out for pre-existing conditions. Stop bellyaching about government interference.

Where's the ramp?

THERE'S not much chance of getting a riverboat casino here in Cape Girardeau. We can't even get a decent boat dock at the Red Star ramp.

Cat talk

I can answer Joe Sullivan's questions pertaining to cats. I have nine cats. The more you talk to your cats, the more they understand. They do understand words. I talk to my cats all the time. They know their words.

Oak pollution

HERE we go again. The EPA is finding high levels of ozone in the Mark Twain National Forest. You have to ask yourself, why are they finding ozone in a national forest? There aren't very many cars and trucks there. There aren't any factories. There aren't any big cities. It turns out that during certain times of the year, oak trees make ozone. We might be in nonattainment for pollution because of oak trees. This is crazy. We should leave it alone.

Making children pay

IN every state, schools are being forced to lay off teachers and staff. Why do our children have to pay the price for fiscal irresponsibility of government? In this day, when our representatives have accepted pay raises and do nothing except spend, spend, spend, schools are forced to deal with financial shortfalls in a way that will hurt children. Our representatives should be ashamed of themselves. They don't deserve pay for anything they think they have done. They should give back the money they have stolen and let the children receive the education they need for a better tomorrow.

Whose profit?

KUDOS for the bailout? The taxpayers bailed out Citibank. Now the government is going to sell Citibank and make a profit of $8 billion for the taxpayers.

Business damper

WE are living in a period of high unemployment, and the government should do all it can to encourage business growth. Instead, it is increasing costs and taxes through the health care bill. AT&T is reporting this bill will increase its costs by $1 billion. Do you think that will encourage AT&T to hire more workers? It will cause businesses to fire workers, increasing unemployment. Why doesn't our government understand simple ideas?