Women in politics

I was talking recently to a young woman, who when we were discussing Sen. Claire McCaskill said, “I can’t stand that woman. She comes across too strong.”

I had to smile because this very same young woman is successful in her own career because she’s anything but a shrinking violet. She speaks her mind with authority, and, in general, respects other women who speak theirs.

Except for women in politics, of course. It seems everyone, including my young friend, expects women politicians and lawmakers to stay “ladylike,” as McCaskill’s Republican challenger, Todd Akins, apparently prefers regardless of the freedoms at stake — freedoms we claim today at least in part because generations of women were anything but wimpy.

It’s time women running for office in the Kansas City area such as Sen. McCaskill; Teresa Hensley, seeking a U.S. House seat; and Missouri state Senate candidate Sandra Reeves — Republican women, too — are allowed to speak what needs to be said without being called overbearing and without having to wear the dainty white gloves our mothers packed away without regret so many years ago.

Sue Wright

Liberty

Iraq, war Obama lost

When Barack Obama became president in 2008, this entailed the immense responsibility of becoming commander in chief, a tall order for a man who had never managed anything. President George W. Bush handed Obama a victory in Iraq, thanks to the surge that Obama had opposed.

All Obama and Vice President Joe Biden had to do was negotiate a Status of Force Agreement to ensure a continued presence of American forces to maintain order. Obama ignored the recommendations of senior officers to keep a force of around 16,000 and proposed a force of 6,000 people, something that Biden was unable to achieve.

To no surprise for people who know him and his pathetic record of being wrong on most international issues, Iraq is now descending into chaos, and our brave soldiers may have died in vain, to Obama and Biden’s everlasting shame.

When people go to the polls in November, the key questions they need to ask are: Do we want to keep these two inept politicians in charge of the best armed forces in the world, and do we trust them with our security? The obvious answer to both is a resounding no.

Claire Seem

Stanley

Scouting must change

It is with great feelings of sadness that I am shipping away my Eagle Scout insignia in protest of the Boy Scouts of America’s policy of “not granting membership to open or avowed homosexuals.”

I am, however, not returning the insignia to the national office of the Boy Scouts of America and instead sending it to Scouting For All at P.O. Box 2832, Petaluma, Calif. 94953-2832, where it will be held in trust until the Boy Scouts choose not to discriminate against my brothers in scouting.

I would, however, request to be removed from the Boy Scout rolls identifying me as obtaining my Eagle Scout from Troop 23 of Bartlesville, Okla., on Jan. 23, 1996, until such a time exists that the Boy Scouts organization recognizes the inherent worth of all people and does not actively or passively discriminate against any group.

Scouting played a central part in my adolescence and ultimately shaped me into the man I am today, a fact that until recently I held in high regard. As a youth, I took the teachings of scouting to heart, believing that the Scout Law provided appropriate guidance for life into adulthood. It is unfortunate that the National Council seems to have forgotten the Scout Law.

David Jackel

Independence

Star recommendations

For me, selecting a candidate to support is a very simple process. I look at who The Star’s editorial board recommends, and then I vote for the opponent.

Thomas J. Moran

Belton

Combating voter fraud?

I have to admit, at first I was skeptical. The effort to establish voter identification legislation in some 30 states did initially appear to be a Republican effort to suppress likely voters for President Barack Obama.

What else could justify this rush to restriction when voter fraud is extremely rare? Ah, but now we have it.

Several Florida counties have found evidence of suspicious voter registration. And the culprit? A firm hired by the state Republican Party to sign up new voters.

There really is no honor among thieves.

Jim Waltz

Kansas City

Indecisive Romney

Does Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney think people are stupid? He was interviewed recently talking about his “empathy” because he insured all people when he was governor of Massachusetts.

Just a few hours later at a campaign rally, he pledged to repeal Obamacare, therefore leaving millions of people uninsured.

Which is it? Romney cannot have it both ways.

Can Romney make up his mind on anything?

Stephen M Gordon, D.O.

Leawood

Political misdialing

Now I really have a reason to detest those automated political phone calls. I received a phone call from former Arkansas governor and current Fox News personality Mike Huckabee asking for my support for Missouri Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin.

Mr. Akin should be glad he could not hear my unladylike response. You see, I’ll never vote for Mr. Akin despite his calls to my home phone.

I live in Kansas.

Kathyrn Bach

Basehor

News media malarkey

If you look beyond the presidential candidates’ personalities, it’s clear the policies of each party have contrasting visions for our country’s future. This election has more to do with those policies than the candidates themselves.

President Barack Obama’s administration clearly demonstrates policies of larger government with tax-and-spend agendas that have had minimal effect, if any. Remember, this country was founded on a free-enterprise system — a government by the people, for the people.

It’s not bad to be rich. The laws provide tax breaks for the people who provide many of the jobs we so desperately need. Don’t condemn them for participating in their legal right to participate in these job-creating policies.

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, while not as eloquent a speaker as Mr. Obama, has visions of a reduced national debt, less government interference and fiscal responsibility. Look no further than his selection of Rep. Paul Ryan, a true fiscal conservative, as his running mate.

Open your eyes, people. Are you really better off than you were four years ago? If you think so, you must be watching the mainstream media and taking that malarkey hook, line and sinker.

Kurt Suchomel

Lee’s Summit

More cuts in Kansas

Earlier this year, Gov. Sam Brownback wanted everyone to know that his tax cuts have created a surplus and would create jobs. Now the story is more cuts to education, social services and other services.

We have also read that test scores have dropped in Kansas for the first time in years.

Brownback wants to hire a commission to try to figure this out. Let me save him some money.

Higher ratio of students to teachers, fewer support staff and a higher diversity in the classrooms. Not rocket science.

The last time you needed to call the state with an issue, how long did you wait for someone to answer your question? At least a half hour?

Haven’t they cut enough jobs?

Yep, folks, when they are looking to save money in the budget, jobs are cut.

If you are concerned about the high unemployment rate, maybe we need to start looking at the jobs that are being lost in the name of tax cuts and budget cuts.

Donna Sunderson

Olathe

GOP, birth control

I am continually amazed at the amount of political misinformation out there and distortion of facts. It is absurd to state that Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is out to take away women’s birth-control rights.

One may not agree with the GOP’s position, but let’s get it right. The issue is that an employer (such as a Catholic institution) should not be forced to have insurance that covers birth control if it violates its religious teachings.

An employee can still buy birth-control products. They just won’t be covered by insurance. If people don’t agree with this, they shouldn’t work for such an organization.

Toni Hutton

Lenexa

Diversity Diva column

Please look at The Star’s business section on Oct. 23 and read Michelle T. Johnson’s column, “Look inside for bias, stereotypes.” The truth about bias, discrimination and prejudice is clearly presented. They are in the heart and soul of each person.

Only one individual can change your heart. That is you.

Laws, rules, speeches and sermons are nice. But it is within you that change must take place.

Richard Blaisdell

Kansas City