OpinionJune 21, 2007
Speak Out 6/21/07
Outsiders pay; No payroll tax; Convenient swimming; Making pieces fit; Good study idea; Not a good idea; Heavy metal; Budget priorities; Taxing workers; Rural response; Oran vandalism; Two-tiered education; Current laws; No payroll tax
Outsiders pay
I SEE where Cape Girardeau is looking at a earnings-tax option. What this means is everyone who lives outside the city and works inside the city would have to pay the earning tax, which would be another deduction out of these people's paychecks. A majority of the retail sales-tax revenue is contributed by people who live outside the city. The mayor said we use his streets and then go home. He must realize that, if it were not for the outside people coming to his city each day and spending money, his city would not have the revenue it enjoys today. The earnings tax is a bad option. We who live outside the city fuel the engines for Cape Girardeau.
No payroll tax
IF THE mayor and city council try to push a payroll tax on the people working in Cape Girardeau, they will never get another tax passed. The people of Cape Girardeau have been fairly good about passing taxes (library, fire), but please do not try a payroll tax. The mayor and council must have no respect for the citizens.
Convenient swimming
CAPE GIRARDEAU needs a new swimming pool. It should be in Capaha Park because of its central location. There are people who do not have transportation to Osage Community Centre or out by I-55. There are teenagers who have no other way to go swimming except to ride their bikes or walk, and it would be too far and too dangerous for them to get to Osage or I-55. If you do something, do it for the children and their families in Cape Girardeau, not out-of-towners. If the water park is too expensive, let some private business put one in. I would say it's not too lucrative or someone would have already done so.
Making pieces fit
OF ALL those who labor tirelessly for the Southeast Missourian, no one deserves more credit for promoting the success of Tool's concert than Matt Sanders. Some were skeptical of the ability of a hard-core heavy-metal band to mesh with the tastes of Southeast Missourians, but I knew Sanders would make the pieces fit.
Good study idea
I WISH for once our city council would hold a work session to try to figure out how not to raise taxes.
Not a good idea
A PAYROLL tax is not an appropriate alternative to a sales tax. An economic downturn would affect a sales tax and a payroll tax. What in the world is the deal with all this tax stuff?
Heavy metal
THE STUNNING success of the Tool concert could and should make the Show Me Center a mecca for heavy-metal performances. I suggest Megadeth, Metallica and Mudvayne for starters. However, I don't think we're quite ready for Marilyn Manson.
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Budget priorities
MANY COMMENTS on a Cape Girardeau payroll tax suggest the city should learn to live within its budget. From city up to federal governments, this is a problem. In real life we have to set priorities. Unlike government, we cannot go to our employers and insist upon raises because we have spent too much. Our governments are out of control when it comes to spending. We have allowed it, because there are always special-interest groups wanting something that benefits the few. If one adds together all the taxes the average American pays in a year's time, it would amount to more than 50 percent of your income. As long as our governments view us as their money trees, to be shaken every time they have mismanaged our resources, they will never be inclined to budget as the rest of us must.
Taxing workers
A TAX on payroll is ludicrous. That means we who are working are in Cape Girardeau would be taxed again and take a hit that those who do not work don't get hit with. How in the world is that fair? Thank goodness the state doesn't allow this -- yet. Give the bureaucrats time, and it will come to pass. I would never vote for this in any way, shape or form. Workers take heed.
Rural response
FARMERS AND the rural community have been slow to acknowledge that climate change is a serious problem. Indeed, many have argued that they cannot afford to apply measures to reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions. Maybe the drought that Southeast Missouri is currently suffering -- quite possibly itself a consequence of climate change since regional drought has long been a predicted consequence -- will urge folks to recognize that, compared to the cost of addressing climate change, the cost of doing nothing could be immense. It's time for Missourians to wake up and vote out state and federal office representatives who are unwilling to act to address the greatest threat humanity faces.
Oran vandalism
MY COMMENT is regarding the constant vandalism and destruction of property at the Oran City Park. Day after day there is property damage, spray painting and destruction of expensive signs. How long must this go on before the authorities begin to take this seriously? I know they are aware of the problem. Why don't they do something about it?
Two-tiered education
IF WE had a two-tiered education system like the Germans, some students would be steered into academic and others into vocational education at the secondary level. This would give us a better idea of whether or not a community college would fly in Cape Girardeau. This will never happen, of course. Because of America's Pollyannaish idealism, we have been misled into believing that all of our little darlings are suited for rigorous academic colleges or universities.
Current laws
WE WANT comprehensive enforcement of all current immigration laws instead of the comprehensive bill festering in the Senate.
No payroll tax
COUNCILWOMAN Loretta Schneider: Please, go ahead and pursue the idea of a payroll tax in Cape Girardeau. There are elections coming up, and we're all watching. Rest assured anyone in favor of a payroll tax in Cape will not be an elected member of our city government.
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