Brownback flip-flop

Now that Gov. Sam Brownback has declared all Kansas counties to be drought disaster areas, does the small-government, conservative governor expect some of those tainted liberal federal emergency funds to be sent his way? And will he accept the funds?

Nobody likes taxes or appreciates what they provide — until they need the help that only the federal government can provide.

Jerry Hall

Holt, Mo.

Left’s double standard

Singer Mariah Carey is offered $18 million to sit as a judge on a television show. America seems to love this.

After all, Mariah Carey is a super talent.

Yet, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is “evil” because he was smart and savvy and took risks with his money to amass his fortune.

Wealthy members of Congress sit on their tax returns and point to evil Mitt Romney (7-19, A1, “Few in Congress disclose returns”). He must have something to hide because he has so much money.

Are we to believe that our millionaire Congress people do not have offshore accounts and do not have their “people” search for loopholes?

We idolized the Kennedys in the 1960s. Did we ever question their wealth? We respected and admired them because they grabbed hold of the American dream.

Jackie Kennedy rode expensive horses. We adored her.

Ann Romney rides horses — out of love for them and need for therapy — but evil Romney bought that flagrant lifestyle.

The left seems to worship the excesses of their celebrities and politicians.

But hide your bank account if you do not adhere to their philosophy.

Fran Burkhart

Cleveland, Mo.

Wealth, money, control

I wonder what Henry Bloch meant when he said in his interview; “Wealthy people don’t need that kind of money (7-29, A7, “A series of fortunate events? Bloch credits success to luck”).” What is “that kind of money”?

How much is enough? Who decides how much is enough?

Who put restrictions on his earnings when he was amassing his fortune?

This statement is a chilling reminder that there are forces in this country that want to control us, and there are wealthy, powerful people willing to aid and abet in this control.

Rob Morris

Olathe

Lieutenant governor

Sometimes I think that I must have been in church one day and asked God to surround me with beautiful, talented, smart people, because the next thing I knew I was running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.

The Star on July 28 endorsed Susan Montee and mentioned two others as excellent candidates.

No quibbles there. But I believe I’m an excellent candidate, too, currently third in the polls (with 43 percent undecided), and I intend to swim hard into the wall, so I’m writing to protest the unfairly short shrift I was given in the editorial.

I’m 10 years in public service (St. Louis elected school board), Yale and Harvard Law and was the 2nd District Democratic nominee for Congress in 2008.

I will make an aggressive and successful lieutenant governor and have the best chance to beat the Republican in November because I’m best on the issues that will appeal to independents voters (judge for yourself at www.votehaas.com).

I only seek fair consideration, and I promise to always put people ahead of politics.

William (Bill) Haas

St. Louis

Service out at DMV

Thanks to Katy Bergen and her July 30 article, “Get a clue about the queue.” I found the article’s insight and information on how to reduce the time spent trying to give the Division of Motor Vehicles money beneficial.

In fact, I will use this in other facets of my life going forward. Whether a monetary debt owed to me or simply the return of a tool borrowed by a neighbor, I’ll make the person wait for a long period of time unless he or she calls first.

Here’s another “clue,” DMV. Cease the workarounds and fix your pathetic system.

There is an acceptable level of customer service, a term clearly foreign to all levels of government, but in particular the DMV for decades.

David Donahue

Stilwell

Olympics uniforms

Why were congressmen and senators surprised to see that the blazers donated by Ralph Lauren (with his huge logo on the front) were made in China?

In 1972, we made the Winter Olympic ski team warm-ups right here in Kansas City. We were on the cover of Life magazine.

No logos were permitted to be shown on TV. It might help if these elected leaders would spend more time replacing the 4,000 jobs that were lost in the Kansas City garment industry, instead of being so surprised that the “Made in China” label is on the USA Olympic blazer.

Ann Brownfield

Overland Park

Hard times hit couple

My husband and I have worked for years, paying tax dollars into the public assistance system, and guess what? When you need assistance in return, you can’t get it unless you know how to lie and work the system.

I got hurt a year ago at work and can’t work. On April 5, my husband went to the hospital with chest pains. Major open-heart surgery followed, and then he had a stroke.

He was at the hospital for 47 days. We no longer have any income and have been trying to get assistance everywhere. We’ve been on food stamps since May 30.

We are getting disconnect notices from utilities. We’ve called for assistance in the Northland, but one woman was so rude to me. All she could repeatedly say is we need proof of income to help you.

Hello! What part of no income do you not understand? We’ve had to ask for help from our parents, who are on Social Security.

I’ve sent letters to all political offices, including President Barack Obama, and the only one that called to help was Debbie from Gov. Jay Nixon’s office. She was very nice and is trying to help.

Lorie Green

Kansas City

Neighborhood oasis

I have found an oasis.

Where can you experience a street with a canopy of trees sheltering you from this summer’s heat, a library, grocery, plethora eating delights, gym and all in your back yard?

But the best part of the neighborhood is the people. Anyone up for taco Tuesday? Meet at one of our homes, and off we go.

Take the dog for a walk, pick up mail/papers, check on your home.

Whatever is needed is just a text or phone call away.

This oasis is Red Bridge, a bit of heaven on Earth.

Jerry Featherston

Kansas City