I'M JUST CALLING to say I thank God for my good friends. They mean a lot to me.

I'D LIKE TO comment on the thing I saw in the paper about smoking in grocery stores. I think that smoking should be banned from all the retail stores, not just grocery stores.

PRESIDENT BUSH HAS stated that we need to trade with China morally. But the way I feel about this, I feel he is morally wrong in even thinking of trading with China after Tiananmen Square. What is the matter with our country that we go around begging people to send imports into this country and putting people out of work? I simply cannot understand it. It seems that all politicians are interested in is getting elected. Thank you.

COULD SOMEONE ANSWER a question, please? I had a school counselor tell me that it was child abuse if you spanked your child. But, on the other hand, the public school system is able to paddle a child at school. What's the difference? Thank you.

I JUST WANT TO SAY how lucky Cape is to have people like Councilman Doug Richards and Mrs. Julia Cowsert as residents. It isn't very often that you find folks who let the love of God shine by helping those in need. On numerous occasions Mr. Richards has helped very competent people find work and has worked very hard for the homeless and low-income families. He'll go out of his way to help a person in need and so will Mrs. Cowsert. I've seen her open her home to countless teenagers who are without a place to live. She's fed and clothed them and she's helped them live more productive lives and shown them more love than anybody else ever has. Thank God there are still people like Mr. Richards and Mrs. Cowsert. Too many folks around here think only of themselves. Wise up, people. Stop being so selfish and do God's work like he expects you to. Thank you.

I BELIEVE THE Scott City school board was looking out for the best interests of the students when they voted against the coach, and I still respect the three who voted for the coach. All six school board members know their conscious and I have no problem with that. Remember, there are six seats on the school board. Maybe you would prefer just one. Thank you.

I HAVE KEPT close tabs on this fast track, the free trade with Mexico. I remember after World War II we made a deal with Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and what happened? Our auto industry is dead, our clothing-garment and shoe industries are dead. Now the Japanese have invaded and bought our farms, our banks, and our big buildings all have become big condominiums. Now Mexico will take over what's left. I just hope that some country puts up a statue of liberty so that the American citizens can migrate to some other country after they all get through with this one. Thank you.

I'M CALLING IN response to the person in Sunday's Speak Out who warned students to not tell us how to run our town and stay out of our city government. I think your attitude is pathetic. Life is not fair: we all have to put up with things we don't like; it doesn't matter if you're young or old. But the most detrimental thing we can do is forbid one another from expressing our individual opinions. Freedom of speech may well be the only truly sacred thing we have left in our government. As an added note, being a taxpayer does not make you a saint; it makes you a citizen just like the rest of us. Thank you.

THERE IS NO hope for the stupid and there is no hope for Missourians. Example: front page, May 15, 1991, "Legislators approve SEMO budget." In a gray area, they mention $240,000 for planning work for a new business school. That would pay six people $40,000 a year for one year to plan a building. After planning work, an architect will plan a building, draw plans and oversee the construction, and he'll charge a percentage of the total cost of the building, which is his fee. We're stupid for spending this $240,000. Make that part of the architect's job. What's wrong with saving a little money even when you get less? Thank you.

I'M CALLING ABOUT the lady that lives in Jackson who cannot pay her insurance. Well, you should listen to my problems. I'm diabetic, I have a heart condition, I've lost part of my hearing, I'm now losing my eyes, and I have totally no insurance whatsoever. No one will insure me at any price. Thank you.

AS AN AMERICAN taxpayer and voter in these United States, it is shocking to me to know that the veterans are the forgotten ones but the gutter snipes can receive about everything that they want.

I WANT TO express my thanks to Speak Out for the opportunity to reply to the person who wrote complaining about the students that want to ban smoking in food stores. How many places can anyone light up a cigarette? Not in department stores, movies or state or federal buildings and so forth. I smoke but I don't want to be standing in line anywhere and get burned by a cigarette or match. I think it's disgusting to see cigarettes put out on the floor in grocery stores or anyplace people attend. When I came to the fine city of Cape Girardeau, I also was a visitor like the students.

NOW THAT DIOXIN has publicly been proclaimed not to be the most toxic, cancer contributor of all chemical substances, will we, the taxpayers, be forced to pay for a cleanup job at Times Beach?

I HEARD A candidate I believe he was from Kentucky campaigning. He remarked about deadbeat fathers. My thinking is every father should support his child, but, as I see it, men and women who are in higher offices should see that the father's money is spent as it should be. I think the support check should go to the family services or someone who sees that the child gets it. I know a case where the mother called the father and told him they needed the money. He borrowed the money to pay for the child because he thought she needed it. She went with her boyfriend and another guy, stayed a week at the lake, and left the child behind with his grandparents. Also, while the father was in the Army, the mother got his money to support the child and lived with another fellow and became pregnant. There was nothing said; in fact, her family upheld her. The money should go to the child's mother, not for other men. I hope some time family services will have the money sent to them. Thank you. I believe down in my heart that every father should support his child, but I think every mother should see it is used for good use.

NOW THAT PRESIDENT Bush has more leeway to negotiate free trade with Mexico, I am really concerned with the attitude of our politicians. If these politicians don't wake up in the very near future and smell the coffee, we're not going to have a country. I love the United States but I am getting to the point that I do not like to pay taxes because of the way they are giving the American taxpayers' money away. These are not loans; they are giveaways. People in our country are homeless and hungry and lacking medical care, but our government can find millions of dollars to send overseas. Now, I do not believe in handouts to people who are able and willing to work. What I am speaking of is stop these imports, open these American factories like they used to be, put the American people back to work and we would not have a recession. The more people that lose their jobs, the less taxes that go to Washington. Where they are coming up with all these millions of dollars, I do not know. We are now spending the money for the Persian Gulf Desert Storm for the people in Bangladesh and the Kurds. I'm not against helping people in need, but if they are spending the money that was set aside for the Persian Gulf war, then where is this money going to come from to replace the money for the war?

IN REGARDS TO Doonesbury Sunday, May 26, I hate to think I'll have to be sure to read the comics before the children to censor the bad words. We do not use words like that in our home. I do not appreciate having them delivered to my door. The media has the misconception that the public's morals have disappeared. Not so. Please keep that trash out of my newspaper or it may not be my newspaper long. Thank you.

I HOPE THE Cape Girardeau public school system gets their head on straight next year and does not make our children sit in 100-degree temperature rooms in June. No one can learn or teach anything under these conditions. Thank you. A concerned parent.

REGARDING A RECENT comment in Speak Out on the Cape athletic program sent in by a soon-to-be Cape Girardeau Central graduate and a letter written by Chaffee Coach Mangels' wife: They hit the nail on the head. If the public only knew how these athletic programs were run, they would be in for a big, big surprise. These schools are just two of many in the area that have to put up with athletic directors, the school boards, and the irate parents, to name a few. One could check out others and find the same situation. Yes, a coach is a friend, is caring, is a role model, and is loyal provided he's given the support needed and the best talent available. Makes one wonder why the coaches want to coach. Thank you.

THERE'S OFTEN FLAK about TCI Cablevision and undoubtedly some is justified. I want to say a tremendous thanks for the prompt repair service I received over the Memorial Day holiday. Thanks for a super job. Hope you enjoyed your barbecue when you returned after taking care of my problem.

TO THE RETIRED caller of Sunday, May 26: We are always in need of volunteers and would appreciate any help given. There are a variety of duties for volunteers and we are sure you will find it a rewarding experience. Call the Cape Nutrition Center between 8 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday. The number is 335-1352. Thank you.

WHY IS IT when Congress needs more money the first thing they do is tax the middleman? They ask workers to take a pay cut and they cut Medicare and are trying to cut Social Security. Have you ever heard any one of them mention that Congress should take a pay cut? When they do get a tax raise, the first thing they do is give themselves a raise. Then there's nothing left, so they ask for another tax increase. Why can't they drive their own cars instead of riding around in a chauffeur-driven limo? Why do they have to have such a great retirement fund? Why can't they live on Social Security like we do? We all know they sure don't earn it. How long would teachers last in a school if they went in, answered the roll call, and then took the rest of the day off to play?