Speak Out A 01/17/02

Another con job

THE GOOD old boys in Jefferson City have been in session just a few days, but they already want to raise our taxes to support the Missouri Department of Transportation. What will these new taxes actually pay for? We are not told the details, but one use would be "to offset the diversion of existing fuel-tax revenue away from the other state agencies to the Department of Transportation." Let's see if I got this straight: We need new taxes for MoDOT because the increased fuel taxes we voted in a few years ago are not going to MoDOT. Folks, get ready for another con job by the pols.

Gambling on tobacco

I HAPPENED to see where "Missouri receives tobacco money." It stated that Missouri received a $44.2 million installment payment which brought the total received to date to $389 million. Remember, this money is to cover costs of treating tobacco-related illnesses. Want to bet this money will indeed go for this cause?

Too foggy to see

I WAS just wondering how foggy it has to be before Cape Girardeau School District holds off on classes. If you can't see well enough to know if kids are walking on crosswalks, I think that's the time.

Keeps going up

THE COUNTY is not supposed to raise assessed values every year. Ours has been raised every year. We have not changed a thing. Maybe we need to check in to this practice. School taxes are outrageous.

Showing allegiance

I THINK that this Tennessee senator who won't stand up for the pledge of allegiance is a traitor. Anyone who is an elected leader should have to stand. She was placed in there by God himself to legislate over this country and to govern. If she doesn't want to govern over a country she cares about, maybe she should go somewhere else.

No total protection

I THINK people home school their kids because they think they are making a moral choice. There is no way to totally protect your children and isolate them. When someone wants to be too close to your kids, there's a good chance they want to prey on them in some form.

Our condolences

I WOULD personally like to give my condolences to Daniel McCollum's family. I think it was really good that he served our country, and it's a shame what happened. I just want his family and his wife and everyone else to know that we will keep him in our prayers.

Thanks for the help

I FAILED to get the name of the young man who helped me get my stalled car off the middle of Hopper Road. I just wanted to thank him.

Donated funding

REGARDING the construction of the new alumni center at Southeast: No university funds are being used. The funds are from restricted gifts from donors who specifically asked that their dollars go for that purpose. Why should we complain about a gift given out of generosity and with a love for Southeast? The university is a wonderful re-source for this community. We should be proud that we have this find institution. We should speak well of those who support it.

A valuable asset

I GRADUATED from Southeast in the early 1980s, and I'm grateful for the education I received. Instead of putting down this institution, we should be thanking God it's here in this community and that is has made an excellent education accessible to people. It's clear that Southeast continues to be a wonderful resource and deserving of our support. Southeast pumps millions of dollars into the local economy. The River Campus is going to make a cultural experience accessible to young people of this community so that they grow up with an appreciation of classical and sacred music and the arts. We need the River Campus as much as we need Southeast Missouri State University.

Bargain education

PEOPLE AROUND here still complain about university tuition being too high. It's one of the lowest in the state, but SEMO offers one of the best educations around. The alumni center that Southeast wants to build has already been paid for by donors who wanted their money to go for that.

Enjoyed the cartoon

I REALLY enjoyed Taylor Crowe's cartoon last week. It should be interesting to see what he comes up with for a particular day, week or month. I look forward to seeing more of his work.

Let them do more

ABOUT THE article on the widening of Seimers Drive by Drury Southwest: I think it's great. Maybe we should get these guys to do a few jobs for MoDOT, particularly the Diversion Channel bridge and the very slow progress on the Mississippi River bridge.