OpinionJune 16, 2007
Speak Out 6/16/07
For all citizens; Shoppers have had it; Enough taxes; Close the loophole; Regressive tax; Enforcement issue; Fewer voters; Willing to pay; Spending our money; Immigration bill; Sidewalk data; Running from police; Failed experiment; Wrong priority; Teachers benefit; Honest comments; In possession; Parking on Broadway
For all citizens
WHEN YOU'VE heard that "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty," you did realize that it was the vigilance of all citizens, didn't you?
Shoppers have had it
ABOUT THE proposed sales-tax increase in Cape Girardeau: I think it's time for the shoppers in the surrounding area to stand up and say enough is enough. Cape wants another half-cent sales tax to pay for parks and recreational areas. They say as many out-of-towners use them as residents. It's absurd. We already pay for their water, streets, fire and police protection and any other pet projects they may want. When are they going to start paying their own way? I think us out-of-towners need to start shopping locally or on the Internet to show them we are tired of taxation without representation.
Enough taxes
ONE TAX after another is being proposed in Cape Girardeau and Cape Girardeau County. Don't Cape residents understand that the sales-tax rate is 7.495 percent already? The tax on a meal or motel room is 8 percent. The sales tax on a $25,000 car is almost $1,900 without another tax increase. Due to voter apathy, we have approved a half-percent sales tax for county roads and a grandiose property tax for the library, all in the past few months. I live in town and paid for my own street. Enough already.
Close the loophole
GET OFF Morley Swingle's case. The Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney has performed a valuable service by showing us where the Missouri Legislature fell short, perhaps motivating the governor to call a special session to close a glaring loophole in the minor-in-possession law.
Regressive tax
A SALES tax is an immoral and regressive tax that takes a toll on the poor much more than on the middle class and upper class. That's why a proposed Cape Girardeau sales tax would pass.
Enforcement issue
IS THE government that can't get a passport out in three months going to be the same one that will be responsible for enforcing whatever regulations come from an immigration bill?
Fewer voters
CITY OFFICIALS will be sure to put the proposed sales-tax increase on the August ballot, because few people vote in August and the city would have a better chance of getting the tax passed with fewer voters. It happened last year with the half-cent sales tax for paving county roads, and it happened again in February with the library tax.
Willing to pay
I AM glad to see that Cape Girardeau is considering something for children to do. I would pay extra money for something to do in this town. Even as an adult I have a hard time finding entertainment.
Spending our money
NEW VEHICLES for the city parks and rec department: $1.2 million. New useless water park that will only attract sunburn: $6 million. A new mayor and city council: priceless.
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Immigration bill
CALL, WRITE, e-mail -- whatever it takes -- your U.S. senators and representatives and let them know that if they support the illegal alien amnesty bill currently in the Senate they will be fired. If this bill passes, it will be easier for a criminal to become a U.S. citizen than for a law-abiding citizen to purchase a legal firearm. Let Congress hear us again on this issue. I support President Bush on many things. This is not one of them. I welcome all people to our shores as long as they obey all our laws, including those pertaining to immigration.
Sidewalk data
BEFORE PUTTING in sidewalks on Cape Rock Drive from Perryville Road to Lexington Avenue, did any of the Cape Girardeau officials make a survey of just how many walkers and runners actually use this route?
Running from police
NOW WE have a third frivolous lawsuit for the chase in Chaffee. Why can't these people understand that it's not the city's fault, it was the fault of the people in the car? They should have been home instead of fleeing from the police. I hope the officer involved and Chaffee will be absolved of this. If you run from the police, you get what you deserve.
Failed experiment
OF ALL the president's failures in foreign policy, perhaps the most glaring is the failed experiment in democracy is in the Gaza Strip.
Wrong priority
THE NEED for a new tax based on storm-drainage problems sounds worthwhile at first glance. Of the money generated from the proposed tax, however, only 13 percent is going for those project's. The rest is for the parks department. If storm water is such a pressing concern to the city, it needs to readjust its priority.
Teachers benefit
TEACHERS AND retired teachers should be aware they are, or will be, the beneficiaries of the recently passed legislation providing state income-tax cuts. To quote Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder's letter: "When the cuts are fully phased in over the next six years, seniors with an adjusted gross income up to $85,000 or married taxpayers filing a combined return with an adjusted gross income up to $100,000 will pay no state income tax on their Social Security benefits, Social Security disability benefits and benefits received from a nonprivate retirement system for individuals 62 years of age or older." This returns teachers to the early days when one of the employment promises made to compensate for low teacher salaries ($1,600 a year) was the eventual retirement would be good and you would pay no state income tax. That disappeared for teachers when armed forces retirees complained they were paying state income tax when teacher retirees weren't. With no legislation in place, they were both taxed. Many Missouri teachers left the state and established residence in those states that do not collect income tax. The money they derive from their retirement originates in Missouri but is spent elsewhere. I hope the increased spending at home will benefit Missouri.
Honest comments
READING SPEAK Out comments and blogs reminds me of the word "Schadenfreude." The word means getting malicious pleasure in the misfortune of others. Many commentators used to preface their remarks by saying they weren't glad that this or that bad thing happened to a fellow and then went on to wallow in glee at another's troubles. We've progressed to the point that we feel no need to precede our expressions of happiness over the troublesome plight of other people with disclaimers that we really take no joy in it. I appreciate the honesty.
In possession
I UNDERSTAND anyone under 21 in possession of alcohol would be breaking the law. I also understand what possession means. If you have not consumed any alcohol or not holding any alcohol, then it was never in your possession. Correct? So what part of that do police officers not understand?
Parking on Broadway
I CAN'T understand why the police never issue tickets for cars parked on Broadway at the intersection of Broadway and Main Street. The signs clearly state "No parking from here to corner." Every day between noon and 1:30 p.m. there are cars parked all the way to the intersection.
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