Speak Out 12/22/06

Stolen decorations

FOR YEARS, my husband decorated a beautiful outdoor holiday display. He won the decorating contest two times in a row. Every year we had things stolen. Quite frankly, we have had it. This may be a nice town, but there are some not-do-nice people in it. They're thieves. It's such a pleasure not to worry about what's going to get stolen this year.

Repair existing roads

WHEN I voted for the half-cent county sales-tax increase to improve roads, I and many others were led to believe it would be used to repair and upgrade existing roads, not build a new one to the interstate. We need to take care of what we have in need of repair first.

Subdivision bypass

I LIVE in the new subdivision behind Pioneer Orchard in Jackson. I moved back there because I thought it was a quiet place to live. It's a subdivision, but motorists are using it as a bypass to get around town. If you don't live in Pioneer Orchard subdivision or if you're not visiting somebody there, you've got no business going through there. Quit using our subdivision as a bypass.

Government control

I READ another comment in Speak Out about government control of people's lives. You never hear anybody complain about people wanting too much from the government. It's always the government interfering with the things they want to do or don't want to do. That's the problem. Either cut down your greed, or expect the government to continue to control your life.

Doing God's work

THE PERSON who commented about the homeless shelter in Jackson said a neighborhood vehicle was stolen and there was a peeping Tom. This person failed to mention that it was never proven the people came from the homeless shelter. The work Joyce Hungate at the Revival Center does for these people is God's work. People need to leave her alone.

Helping hundreds

I HAVE been attending church at the Revival Center for nine years. It is not an evil church. Joyce Hungate is a good preacher. She helps hundreds of people every month by giving out food. God's work is being done there, not the devil's work.

Voters understood

I AM tired of politicians treating us like we are stupid and unable to understand a proposed amendment. I voted for Amendment 2, I read it, researched it and knew exactly what I voted for. Just because the vote did not go the way some politicians wanted does not mean that Missouri is full of people who can be so fooled by wording that we need it explained to us. Give the citizens of Missouri a little credit.

God made it all

GOD MADE the entire earth. He made every living thing, which means he made the American soil you stand on. I am not a Bible expert, However, I believe we are one nation under God. The Bible tells you that God made the heavens and the earth.

Thanks, caregivers

I WOULD like to thank all the health-care workers, nurses, doctors and nurse assistants who give up the holidays to take care of our loved ones who may be in nursing homes or hospitals during this season. These people go into these professions because they care about people and want to help them. All too often they don't get the gratitude they deserve for giving of themselves in these incredibly important positions. From someone who will rest easier knowing that my loved one is in capable hands so that I can enjoy my Christmas: Thank you, and know that you are appreciated.

Health questions

I SYMPATHIZE with the city workers who barely get by and have to pay half their paycheck for their family's health premiums, deductibles and co-pays. It also happened in my industry. Where will this all end? Will doctors lower their fees? Will their liability insurance premiums be lowered? Will patients quit suing when something goes wrong? Will hospitals in the same city cooperate and not duplicate services? Will they try to save money by not overbuilding? Will insurance companies assume more of the costs and not pass them all on to their customers? Will citizens expect the government to pay part of their health-care costs? Will this huge payout bring down our form of government?

Fix the problems

I'VE LIVED in Thebes, Ill., for three years and didn't know there was a mayor or any type of city board. Perhaps that is my fault for not investing more time in my community. But in my defense, I've not seen or heard any information regarding city meetings. So I'm not sure what problems the board members have with each other. They should be adult enough to conduct themselves properly during a public meeting. Playing the blame game doesn't solve anything. Fixing the problems, old and new, should be No. 1 on their priority lists.

Moving to Mexico

ANOTHER COMPANY is moving to Mexico, but this time it hits home. Dana Corp. told its employees that if they voted in a union it would close the factory here. They voted to unionize, and the factory is closing. Why Mexico? It is the North American Free Trade Agreement signed by President Clinton. Ross Perot said it best: If Clinton signs NAFTA, all we will hear is a huge sucking sound with all our jobs moving to Mexico.

Missing enzyme

LUNG DISEASE causes: Family history; exposure to tobacco fumes, asbestos, radon gas; air pollution; workplace toxins. My sister developed emphysema at a rather early age. It was caused by the lack of an enzyme most of us are born with. Doctors seldom look for this when a person has the disease. It's easier for everyone to attribute it to smoking or secondhand smoke. Her doctor advised her to have all her children checked for this missing enzyme, since it is genetically inherited.

DWI drivers

I WORK at a convenience store. I see people smelling like weed and have bloodshot eyes who get into the driver's seat on a daily basis. I support charging them with a DWI.

It's our money

THE COMMENT about some Cape Girardeau County commissioners counting every penny as if it were theirs to spend should have made us chuckle. If all our elected officials, from the federal to the city level, would budget money like it was ours, it would be a day for rejoicing.

Drugs in your system

DRUGS DO not stay in your system for months, and being around somebody smoking marijuana will not yield positive results. Only smoking it will.

Starting over

IT'S BACK to square one. In seeming desperation, columnist Jonah Goldberg has offered as a solution to the Iraqi quagmire: a left-wing, kinder and gentler Saddam Hussein.