THE PUBLIC MIND: FUNNY, ISN'T IT? THOSE THAT TAKE MORE THAN THEY GIVE MAY BECOME NEW `HEROES'

To the Editor:

The separation of church/state issues always seem to surface in any discussion of issues that concern the morality of an act. The very idea that church/state issues exist imply that there is a role of both the church and the state. If the only purpose of the church is to provide a physical structure in which to conduct wedding ceremonies and funeral services, then clearly the role of the church no longer has any influence on our culture, and any church/state debate is moot. If the church exists to provide guidance to its members regarding moral values and principles, then it clearly should have an influence on the thoughts and principles that its members develop. The idea that these citizen voters are then to ignore their values and principles when they walk into a voting booth is absurd.

The role of our state in our present society appears to be self-serving and expanding. The state can determine the legality or illegality of an act or practice; it relies on information from informed voters to reflect their values when they vote for politicians or for or against referendum. If civil and criminal law is not inspired by some moral standard, then we create a moral vacuum that can only be filled with more law. Our attention is thus focused on only what is legal or illegal, and thus law itself becomes our new religion.

We then become obsessed with rights and ignore responsibility. We search for wealth but forget thrift. We seek rewards but ignore the commitment from which they come.

Do you think our socioeconomic problems during the last two decades have been the increased influence of the Judeo-Christian ethic, or the increasing role of the government?

We belittle those who truly worship, and we turn to worship the latest Supreme Court decisions. We ignore Judeo-Christian principles, but carefully pay homage to the slickest politician who promises prosperity. We sacrifice relationships, and strive for more intimacy and meaning to life. We then wonder why our society is so changed and just can't understand why the politicians seem to have so much influence in our lives. We search for answers before we really understand the questions. Our problems haven't just happened; they are a product of culture that we have created by our previous decisions in our daily lives and our voting patterns.

The issue of concern is not growth and development of Cape. I don't know of anyone who is not for growth and development of our community. No one questions the need for investment. Why aren't local investors willing to invest money into the development of downtown? Has the Boyd Group been necessary for any of the development west of Kingshighway?

What people need to understand is that the Boyd Group is not investing in Cape; Cape is investing in the Boyd Group. We are selling ourselves to an organization that will take much, much more from our community than what it will provide. True jobs provide a product or a service, not a "game," where by necessity the Boyd Group must take more than it gives.

Funny, isn't it? Those that take more than they give may become our new "heroes". The true heroes always give more than what they take.

Walt Schroeder

Cape Girardeau