Religion, politics in U.S.

I tire of all the anti-government rants and religious pandering. Both Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan have publicly stated their belief that people’s rights are granted, not by the government, but by “The Creator.”

Accordingly, at one point in time God must have determined that the privileged among us had the right to own slaves and that women did not have the right to vote. Are we to assume that he subsequently changed his mind and granted “new” rights? What if he changes his mind back?

In all seriousness, yes, our government does sometimes overreach. But bear in mind that religion was used in a zealous attempt to prevent the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage and the civil rights reforms of the 1960s.

Despite determined opposition, those rights were eventually and compassionately granted by our government. Without government, every right we have is unenforceable.

I think it prudent to be wary of those who invoke the name of God to promote their agendas.

We can probably agree that God wants love and compassion. Beyond that, no politician has any better idea of what God wants than you or I.

Randy Kietzman

Kansas City

Overland Park and guns

The Overland Park City Council has offered yet another reason to study and appreciate history (9-25, A5, “Overland Park approves open carry of guns”).

The council members now allow any showoff from Kansas and Missouri to swagger around our city packing artificial courage. We go from a safe and sane town to Redneck Disneyland in one shot.

Think road rage is a problem now? Just wait.

Let’s hope the City Council will pay for the printing and distribution of “no guns inside” signs for every retail business in Overland Park.

The council members (minus Paul Lyons, the only one to vote no) feel they might be sued if they didn’t allow an open-carry law. They apparently consider the danger of a lawsuit to be more important than the safety of their constituents. One wonders whether they will allow holstered weapons in their own council chambers.

There was a reason the Kansas sheriffs of history made cowboys turn over their hog legs before going into town. Apparently a good lesson was lost on our City Council.

Ted Bell

Overland Park

Foreign policy failure

If I had one thing to say to President Barack Obama, it would be, shame on you (9-25, A2, “Foreign policy is criticized”). After concealing from America the real reason for the Muslim riots, Obama said they were just a “bump in the road.”

Four Americans were killed, and Obama considers it just a bump in the road toward bringing democracy to countries that don’t even want it. I wonder whether the families of the dead consider it just a “bump in the road.”

Stan Atkins

Raytown

Four difficult years

In 2008, our home was worth more than when we purchased it in 2000. My husband and I were employed.

Our son was a student at a major Midwest university, working a part-time job. We spent about $100 a week on groceries, and we owned three seven- to eight-year-old cars.

In 2012, our home is worth $60,000 less than when we purchased it based on the most recent sale in our neighborhood. My husband and I are still employed, but only one of us has received a single raise in four years.

Our son is a college graduate with four part-time jobs. Last year it was six part-time jobs. He cannot pay for his own place, car insurance or health insurance.

If I spend $150 a week on groceries, I’ve done well. We own three 11- to 12-year-old cars.

I’m having a hard time seeing how making do with less is better.

Barbara Dodson

Overland Park

Benefits of Curiosity

This is in response to the Sept. 23 letter about “Curiosity space waste.” To quote Adam Steltzner, NASA engineer: “It’s not 2½ billion (dollars) we stuffed in a trunk and blew into space. It’s thousands of high-tech jobs spread over 37 states.”

Mr. Steltzner didn’t mention the support staffs of those high-tech employees — administrative assistants, payroll clerks and custodians who used the money to pay mortgages, buy school shoes and shop for groceries. So you see the money was used to feed, clothe and educate.

The bottom line is the families of those workers, bankers, merchants and communities who benefited care. And it was a hand-up not a handout.

Deborah Owens

Lenexa

Yoder apologies needed

Yes, Rep. Kevin Yoder should apologize to the people of Kansas. But who cares if he swam naked the Sea of Galilee? It almost makes him seem “normal.”

He does owe Kansans an apology, though, several in fact:

Apologize for accepting a bribe from an Israeli lobbyist so that Yoder and his wife could vacation in the Middle East and swim free from the confines of clothing.

Apologize for sitting idly while Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and several other GOPers resurrected Jim Crow laws in an attempt to silence at the polls the poor, minorities, disabled and elderly.

Apologize for your attack on family values by supporting laws that make it illegal for some loving couples to marry and have families.

Apologize for not standing up to bigotry, hate and ignorance that the Michele Bachmanns, Todd Akins and so many others in your party so proudly voice.

There are so many things to apologize for, and Yoder chose to say he is sorry for jumping naked into the Sea of Galilee. A few uptight Kansans might be satisfied, but thinking, moral Kansans are still waiting.

Waiting for an apology of substance. An apology worth making.

Scott Kesterson

Overland Park

Romney not presidential

The majority of the 47 percent that Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney so disdains are elderly or disabled people living on Social Security. Romney apparently does not realize that Social Security and Medicare are programs that these people paid into all their working lives.

These are hard-working, honest people who are living on insurance they bought and paid for. This is not government money. It is theirs.

In addition, they are owed close to $3 trillion, currently part of the national debt, that belongs in the Social Security Trust Fund for future benefits. These people are not victims, but Romney would make them so by giving Social Security funding to Wall Street executives so they can gamble it in their hedge fund casinos.

Romney seems to be ignorant about these programs and is not equipped to be president.

Judith Dillon

Lee’s Summit

Royals coincidence?

Wasn’t it wonderful to hear from Royals owner David Glass in The Star, “Glass says he will spend on rotation” (9-25, B1)? Glass let everyone know: “Yes, we’ll do what we need to do. We are committed to improving our starting pitching.”

Now all season ticketholders are excited about next year. And, oh by the way, we got our 2013 season ticket contract in the mail the same day Glass made those comments.

I just wonder whether those comments had anything to do with the season ticket contract. Makes you wonder.

And, oh by the way, the cost of your tickets went up. And, oh by the way, we now want your money in five payments instead of six.

What a great deal for such a great product, Mr. Glass.

Dennis Blankinship

Paola, Kan.

Freedom misused

It galls me to hear the word freedom used in an attempt to deny it to others. The people talking about “health freedom” want the freedom to deny health care to much of our population.

The people speaking of “religious freedom” want the freedom to impose their religion on our government.

I strongly believe both groups are in the same camp.

Next we will hear about “economic freedom,” which will allow rich people to further avoid taxation.

Armand Way

Topeka

Tiger football coach

Dan Devine, Al Onofrio, Warren Powers and Larry Smith may not have been the greatest head coaches in NCAA history, but this old alum longs for the day of student body right and student body left sweeps and a pro offense. Coach Gary Pinkel’s offense may have worked in the MAC or Big 12, but not in the SEC or against the best teams in the country.

I’m surprised Pinkel hasn’t gone to the single wing. Pinkel’s mentor, Don James, the Washington Huskies’ great coach, must be cringing watching his former assistant playing such a Pop Warner offense.

To be fair, I must say, even though I have always been an MU Tiger fan and supporter, I’ve never liked head coach Pinkel. Aren’t there any coaches with an MU heritage?

John Koehler

Raytown