Speak Out 7/23/07

Video from Akron

I LOVE your reporter's video stories from the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron. They are hilarious! I don't think he meant them to be that way, but I love them. Keep them coming. What a fascinating perspective on Americana. And what a cool family. The kids should have their own reality TV show.

Thanks for kindness

GREETINGS FROM California to all the nice people in Jackson who were so kind to Gramma Kathy Burnett during my recent visit to your city. Numerous people helped me in many ways. Specifically, I commend the lovely lady in line at the post office who left her place in line to help me photo copy my mailer. Thank you all for taking care of Gramma.

Sinking ship

AMONG PRESIDENT Bush's most stubborn supporters has been syndicated columnist Mona Charen. Yet, in a recent installment, Charen took the president to task for being too stubborn. It is obvious that Charen recognizes President Bush's ship of state is rapidly sinking and she does not want to be on board.

Economy is too good

I WISH people would look at what's happened to the economy. The market has went through 14,000 for the first time in history. The economy's roaring. This is bad. We need the Democrats in. These tax cuts for the rich, of course, are helping everybody, especially people who have their pensions in the stock market. But we need to get the Democrats in to get this stock market down. These Bush tax cuts have caused this. As soon as Hillary Clinton and the Democrats get in, they'll raise the taxes, and the stock market will be down to 500 again.

Worst in Missouri

SOMEONE SAID the best town in America was a little town in Wisconsin. They say it has beautiful homes and streets. They've got it all. Let me tell the truth about Cape Girardeau. We've got the worst town in Missouri. You can't turn around twice without our city council and mayor wanting to raise taxes.

Beautiful yard

AGAIN THIS year Ken Grigsby, who lives on the corner of Valley Forge Lane and Cambridge Drive, has one of the prettiest yards in Cape Girardeau. Drive by and see the beautiful flowers. It will be worth your time. The neighbors appreciate Ken and Myrna's hard work for our enjoyment.

Lights burn all day

I WISH an AmerenUE official could explain why the electric company doesn't fix the street lights that are burning all day. The on-off electric cells are bad, and the lights burn 24/7, using a lot of electricity. There's a lot in San Dangaro subsdivision. It's been like this for two months or longer.

Job well done

I WOULD like to thank U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's office. My son applied for his passport in March for his mission trip to El Salvador. After contacting Emerson's office at the end of June, he received it three days later. Keep up the good work. God bless you and your staff.

Cost savings

DON'T BLAME ethanol for high milk prices. Blame yourself. Sell your car and carpool or ride a bike to work. Recycle your garbage instead of paying someone else to haul it away. Turn the TV and lights off and go to bed when it gets dark. Plant a garden and eat at home instead of eating out. Get rid of your cable or Internet service or telephone and consolidate these services. The money you will save by doing just a few of the things will more than offset the cost of milk.

Trash along road

FOR THOSE of you who think it's acceptable to litter on the small portion of gravel road on Old Cape Road in Jackson, think again. I am tired of seeing all kinds of trash, debris and even old small appliances dumped on the side of the road and by the creek that runs alongside it. I recently spent an afternoon cleaning up the area only to find it trashed again not long after. You should be ashamed of yourselves for doing this to the environment, especially when it's one easy way to protect it.

Finish the job

THE TIME to get out of Iraq is when the job is done, whether that takes one year or 10. Let our soldiers finish the job they were sent there to do.

Democrat dollars

SO OFTEN the Republicans are referred to the party of the rich. Therefore, everything they do is always for the wealthy. Those people should read Mona Freedman's Wednesday column. She reveals that the Democrats are now the party of the rich. In 2002, those who gave $1 million or more gave $36 million to the Democratic Party and only $3 million to the Republicans. Over the past three months this year, the top three Democratic candidates have raised $68.5 million, compared only with $48.7 million for the top three Republicans. The Democratic House and Senate candidates are out stripping their rival Republicans. It looks like the wealthy are supporting the Democratic Party.

Certificate to failure

WHEN YOU take a child away from a responsible father and give that child to an irresponsible mother living on welfare, you are giving that child a certificate to failure. Do you wonder what's wrong with today's children? Try looking at changing custodial rights. Children are a product of their environment. Certificate to success? Or certificate to failure?

Another Roman empire

THE ANCIENT Roman culture failed to recognize the beauty of marriage, the importance of family, the dignity of sex or the sanctity of human life. Instead the Romans embraced a variety of depraved lifestyles from sexualizing young children and honoring homosexuality to reveling in obscenities and the slaughter of their most vulnerable citizens. This archaic philosophy should sound familiar. It is faithfully promoted by modern-day antics. The Roman empire fell because of that kind of culture, and the United States is following it exactly.

Resurfaced road

I CAN never thank the county enough for resurfacing County Road 318. It is so wonderful. Thank you.