SPEAK OUT

Talks big, sounds good

DICK GEPHARDT talks big, sounds good. We're going to give money back to all Americans. It will be a cold day before I ever give my money back to somebody who does not pay one cent to the federal government in taxes or to the state government. That's what the Democrats want to do.

Tax cuts for all

THE BOBBSEY Twins, Tom Daschle and Dick Gephart are just a couple of good old boys from the old school of politics who don't want to change for the better. They want money in their pockets instead of ours. Anyone who understands economics knows that even the wealthy need a tax break so that they can use the money to invest and create more jobs for those who are less fortunate. Please get behind President Bush and insist we get across-the-board tax cuts for everybody.

Disappointing decision

AFTER READING your article on Randie Fidler being let go by our school board, I'm very disappointed. I believe they're going to let go the best administrator they have in this system. And they think they're going to pass a tax? I think not.

Get rid of the kink

I HAD the misfortune of meeting with the city's new roundabout. This is hilarious. It's almost as hilarious as the clock they put in the middle of Main Street in downtown Cape Girardeau. For one thing, this roundabout is not wide enough. For the money they spent building this play-pretty they could have taken the curve out of North Main Street at Middle Street. But, no, Red Star does not get any of the taxpayer money to get streets fixed. The city was supposed to have straightened out North Main years ago. Why hasn't this been done? We pay our taxes here in the north end of town same as anyone else.

Let players pay

WHY IS the St. Louis Cardinals baseball organization traveling throughout the state begging taxpayers to pay for a new stadium? If it is needed, why don't they simply ask for donations from the players and the corporate season-ticket holders? In addition, they could cut salaries just a little bit, and soon the stadium would be paid for. Like other people, I was once an avid fan. Then the infamous strike, free agency and plain old greed crept in and spoiled the sport. This is one taxpayer who will never vote to build a stadium for a group of prima-donna players and corporate fat cats. And any politician or political party that does can kiss my vote goodbye forever. I am sick and tired of picking up the tab for people in St. Louis and Kansas City.

Won't play games

THE CAPE Girardeau School District's apparent last-minute attempt to get principal Randie Fidler to resign seems to indicate a desperate recognition that members of the board knew if Fidler didn't play ball, they might be held up to public ridicule. The board has learned the hard way that, unlike their own members, Fidler doesn't play games.

Vote to fire them

LET'S SEE now. Cape's school board is said to have given principal Randie Fidler the chance to resign. Knowing there was no reason to quit, Fidler courageously and correctly refused. The board then summarily fired him. OK. As a community, I say we give the school board members who wronged Randie the opportunity to resign. If they don't, and choose to run again, we can use the voting booth to fire them.

Outraged public

THE LATE-NIGHT putsch of principal Randie Fidler is being met with a counteroffensive characterized by an almost revolutionary fervor and fever pitch of opposition from a deservedly outraged public. Reinstate Randie Fidler.

Put them on TV

SENATOR KINDER, I'll pay whatever I have to just to keep the Cardinals happy and in St. Louis. All I want to do is watch them on TV. I don't care about going to the games. As far as I'm concerned, the seats can be filled with corporate fat cats and their political servants. Taking me out to the Cards ball game via TV is good enough for me.