SPEAKOUT

We always hear about Social Security going broke, no money in the funds, but you never hear anything about the welfare funds. Welfare has broke this country. People on welfare are getting all the benefits you could receive. They get Medicaid, food stamps, rent paid for in Section 8 but you never hear anything about that going broke. People who are on Social Security and Medicare know that Medicare don't pay for anything. But Medicaid pays for everything. I think it's time the government quit threatening the people who are on Social Security and start taking some of these people off welfare so we can get more police on the police force. Take that money and use it as it should be used. People on welfare are there for life and their income is never threatened; it's just the Social Security. The government should investigate. Some of the people on welfare are using their welfare checks on drugs, alcohol, children are being abused, but our government doesn't seem to be concerned about it but they're always coming out on Social Security. I hope you print this.

Another landmark in Sikeston is gone. Along with the Bulldog Drive-In, the skating rink and corner grocery, much to our regret. Playtime Miniature Golf on Broadway was a gathering place for families in Southeast Missouri for 35 years. It was closed in 1998 due to the owner's failing health. I miss these places of entertainment for the entire family.

The Democrats just lie, lie, lie - they don't all lie. They're like the rest of them, we've got some good Democrats. But most of them holler that the Republicans have all the money. The Republicans work, they try to save their money, they don't ask for handouts. The Democrats who have money have it hidden and they're getting all this free stuff, and if they don't get it, then they holler the Republicans have all the money. Think about the lies they had about JoAnn Emerson. She has helped so many people. Her first husband helped so many people. And to get up there and tell all that stuff about her and accuse her of this? Lie, lie. She can't help it her husband got in a wreck and was drinking a little. But I don't imagine he's the only one. But he won't get out like Clinton's brother did. He was pardoned and then turned around, got drunk and had a wreck and everything. But they just slapped his little hands.

It seems like our government and state encourage people to commit crimes. I can't believe the inmates at the prison have better benefits than working people. They have medical, they have dental, three square meals a day and then lay around and get fat. I'm a taxpayer. I don't have dental, I don't have medical insurance and I don't get three square meals a day. But these people who are in prison could do hard labor. If they can do hard labor, they should work. Years ago they'd say, "Crime doesn't pay," but I have my doubts about this.

Why should people who live in Sikeston have to call a long distance number when they miss their paper at no fault of their own? It's now getting where you have to make a long distance call if you don't get your paper.

"If I knew your address, I could give you a cell phone number that is not long distance. Please call our Circulation Department at 471-4141."

If you can't kick them from the nest, mortgage everything you have and buy them a one-way ticket to a far, far away school.