Speak Out A 06/20/03

RETIRED SENIOR citizens have to pay extremely high premiums for health insurance and Medicare. Why is it that working people can't pay for their health insurance?

Changing directions

WE NEED to move to public funding of elections so the candidates are no longer dependent on the wealthy and large corporations for their contributions. We have to understand that the recently highlighted corporate financial scandals are only one manifestation of the overall culture of greed that is plaguing our nation. This culture which loudly proclaims that the goal of human existence is the personal gain of the individual at the expense of everyone and everything else permeates every aspect of our society. If we are going to reroute our American democracy and draw public policy that creates a different standard of living for all Americans, every part of corporate America's overall ideology and behavior has got to be challenged and defeated.

Time-honored drinking

I READ where drinking is prohibited in the Jackson City Park. This ordinance should have been changed long ago. For generations it has been OK to drink a beer while watching or participating in an activity in the park. It's been OK to have a company party, family reunion or a chamber of commerce activity while enjoying the beverage of your choice. It's very upsetting for me to see the new police chief taking such a stand against tradition. I'm hoping the mayor and board of aldermen will step in on this one before this goes any further.

Tax tobacco, alcohol

TOBACCO AND alcohol are for the benefit of two classes of people: The ones who make it, and the ones who sell it. They are the ones who get rich off of it. It ruins their pocketbooks of those who buy it. It ruins their health of those who use it. We should tax them 100 percent.

Tax the casinos

I AM all for Gov. Bob Holden's plan to raise taxes on casinos. The wealthy can afford to pay more taxes. Everything should be done to keep the American family intact.

The job will be done

WHEN TERRORISTS attacked America, that sealed all terrorists' doom and set a domino action in motion. It won't stop until the job of terrorist elimination is done.

Exceptional president

I RECEIVED a beautiful letter from President Bush thanking me for my support of his agenda and acknowledging his intent to seek a second term as our president. President Bush is a loyal and strong leader, who is committed to making our country, and the world, more peaceful and compassionate. Waging and winning the war on terrorism has been his top priority since the terrorists' attack on America. He and the coalition have succeeded in Iraq, and a murderous tyrant has been removed. Bush is working to change our culture to a society responsible and accountable for their actions and that has love for one's fellow citizens. We are becoming a country that will become more compassionate and prosperous, one where everyone has an opportunity to work and succeed and to realize the promise of America. Bush is exceptional.

Praying for our troops

ALL OUR brave and loyal soldiers are valiantly fighting to bring peace, stability and hope to the Iraqi people. Our prayers are with them until they get the job done and the Iraqi people no longer have to live in fear of torture.

Extending health care

PRESIDENT BUSH'S plan to extend health coverage to the nation's 41 million uninsured is compassionate legislation. Democrats oppose the plan. I guess they would rather that 41 million people not have health coverage.

Parody was a hoot

THOMAS EAGLETON'S parody about a conversation in the White House was a hoot. However, I fear a substantial number of readers will have found nothing humorous about it, will blame the Southeast Missourian for putting President Bush in a bad light.

Beyond our means

TAXPAYERS WHO want Cape Girardeau and Missouri to live within their means unhesitatingly support the Bush tax cuts, thus forcing the federal government to live even further outside its means.

Costly insurance

I READ where the state insurance coordinator said that "we don't make money" by charging for accident reports. Does he think we are all stupid? Insurance carriers need to tone it down a bit. They already charge customers too much for coverage.

Need more cash

DEFLATION IS lurking. A long-term bout of it would be devastating to our economy. Missouri's governor and legislature must figure out a way to inject much-needed cash into the economy by borrowing and spending.

Sealing their doom

SOME SAY the threshold of going to war to stop terrorist supporters who attacked America, killing 3,000 civilians and wreaking havoc on our economy, should be increased. What should it take then? A much larger, devastating, mass loss of life or a nuclear bomb attack before America responds? When terrorists wreak devastation throughout the world, they seal their doom.