SPEAKOUT

Why all the hunger?

I JUST heard that so many people are going hungry. This is something I can't understand. If they are eligible for food stamps and if they have food stamps, they should have food. Why are so many people going hungry, and why are meals having to be supplied to school children in the summertime? They should have enough groceries to pack a lunch.

Patrol the neighborhoods

THIS IS in regards to crime in Jackson. If the police would spend more time patrolling the neighborhoods and less time running radar for speeders, their might be less crime in Jackson.

It's a spoof, not disrespect

TO THE person who didn't like the ad where the young girl is being disrespectful to the older gentleman about a car phone. That is my family's favorite commercial, they love it. Doesn't the lady get that it's a spoof of the Grey Poupon commercial? It's all a big joke, and I don't really think she's being disrespectful. It's not because he's an older gentleman. It's because he's the rich guy and poor people didn't use to be able to afford a car phone and now they can. We love that commercial. We think the girl should have her own show. We love her laugh. We think it's hilarious.

More people, more revenue

EVERY YEAR they do this in Jackson. They come out with this big campaign showing overcrowded schools, students in the hallways and all this blah, blah, blah. If they've got so many more people in there, there's bound to be a whole lot more taxes coming in to the revenue just from the families and homes in the district, because I can certainly tell you for sure that the assessor's office is not slack on their job on taxing people. So why do they need all this new money coming in and increase everybody else's taxes accordingly? It seems kind of ridiculous to me. Somewhere the people's going to have quit paying taxes.

Quickly forgotten

THIS IS in reply to the caller who implied that President Reagan and the Republican-controlled Senate were responsible for the deficit because he called for more than the Congress wanted to spend. Have you forgotten why Reagan called for more money? At that time, our defense system was very low and needed a buildup because the Cold War was getting hot. Looked what happened: The wall came down and threat was gone. My, my, how quickly we forget.

No support for lake

AFTER TWO public meetings, I think it should be quite clear that there is little if any support by the landowners for the lake no matter what changes in the bill are proposed. By a show of hands, the landowners have overwhelmingly said no twice, and the county commissioners should take note of this.

Angered over cat slaying

I AM so angry right now, I can't even see straight. I just read the article on the three people who were convicted of slaying a cat. What has our world come to when three adult people, apparently of very low intelligence, would think that was fun and something to do? To skin, marinate and barbecue a living, breathing helpless creature. I tell you what, I hope someone barbecues and skins them. In my opinion, they're absolute trash that should just be taken out to a field and shot. If they're going to do that to a helpless, defenseless animal, what are they going to do to human beings?

Exceeding the speed limit

WHAT happened to the Missouri State Highway Patrol's no-tolerance policy on breaking the 70-mph speed limit? I swear, I can go 70 mph and people just zip, zip, zip around me. What has happened to no tolerance?

They kept electing him

I'M CALLING in response to the person who indicated that people in Arkansas hate President Clinton. I think that's a peculiar way to punish a man to continually re-elect him governor of your state.

On judging people

I'VE LIVED in Cape Girardeau for two years now, and I try to read the Southeast Missourian every day. One section I never miss is Speak Out. For the last two years, I've learned that most of the people who call Speak Out are closed-minded, have nothing better to do than complain about grass clippings on their sidewalk or wanting a new license plate because the red ones are boring or griping about President Clinton smoking pot when he was young. You know he's not doing it now, so who cares? And please leave the man's hair alone. I think the piece titled "No pierced body parts" is the worse one I've ever seen. This person is going to judge a man because he has an earring and looks different than himself. If the person who wrote this article was ever hurt or needed help on the interstate, if a man with an earring pulled up to him, I'm sure he'd say thanks but since you have an earring, no thanks. Wake up. Judge people for who they are and not what they look like.

Experience counts

BOB DOLE is right when he said experience is the most important thing in the coming presidential election. Bill Clinton now has 3 1/2 years experience as president. and Bob Dole has none.

Other considerations

THIS IS in response to the comment on no pierced body parts. The person in the article is talking Carl Lewis, a man who dominated his sport for virtually two decades, a man who has won nine Olympic medals, and all they can talk about is how many body parts he may or may not have pierced. This is a pretty poor commentary on our world today. I hope this person can take the time to appreciate that there is more to a man than how many body parts he does or does not have pierced.

Tax plan is an insult

BOB DOLE'S tax cut is an insult to millions of Americans. He lives in a different room than most of us. He seems to think that middle income is $60,000 a year or more. How many people in Missouri make $60,000, which is approximately $28 an hour? Certainly not the majority. The average Missouri wage is around $7 an hour which is poverty level for a family of four. How stupid does he think we are? As far as Medicare reform goes, Missouri is statistically one of the most unhealthy states to live in America. We need more health-care spending, not less. Maybe Bob should look at his cronies and big business as America's problems. And poor people. He just hopes they'll go away in five years. I think there will be more than ever, then what will we do?

Wonderful young people

TO THE Decatur Park Singers and their sponsors: Fantastic show Sunday evening in the park. We absolutely loved it. Why can't we have a group like that here in Cape? We have lots of wonderful, talented young people working in our Parks and Recreation Department also.

Welcome back to Kansas

SO THEY think the people of Arkansas don't want Bill and Hillary back. Well, not everybody in Kansas likes Bob Dole and Elizabeth, but they're going to get them back after November.