End of political ads

Today I am going to pop open a bottle of champagne and celebrate. No more political ads!

Frances Keating

Kansas City

Theocracy of Kansas

I had a dream that Kansas became the first theocratic state in the union. Gov. Sam Brownback declared himself “Pop of Kansas” and appointed Kris Kobach his grand inquisitor.

All of the people who were “incorrect” were rounded up and dunked in a pool of holy water.

Those who didn’t drown were exiled to California near the edge of the earth. I was so scared I woke up.

Armand Way

Topeka

An average guy?

A recent letter writer opined that Todd Akin was just an “average guy.” Statistically, that would mean that 50 percent of the world is smarter than Mr. Akin and 50 percent is dumber.

Is that even possible?

Sandy Maxwell

Independence

Obama, storm aid

I believe New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie saw the face of God in last week’s superstorm Sandy, which devastated the East Coast, doing billions of dollars in damage.

The face of calm and help that followed was President Barack Obama.

The Republican governor appropriately and respectfully praised the Obama administration’s effective response in the storm’s aftermath.

Just maybe a superstorm has a way a calming political storms and discourse.

Sharon Cheers

Kansas City

Gusewelle’s career

A neighbor of Star columnist Charles Gusewelle wrote (10-26, Letters) that he spoke angrily at a Mitt Romney-for-president rally on Ward Parkway and that Gusewelle circled in his Smart Car, making “gestures.”

Gusewelle has done enough for this city to be excused. In 1963, he traversed a dangerous South reporting on the civil rights struggle. Many died. Gusewelle filled The Star with reporting.

He journeyed through Africa, including the Sahara and the slave coast, where he caught malaria and dysentery. In apartheid South Africa he was confined to the airport. Still, he telegraphed a defiant story about racist abuses.

He arrived in Moscow just as communist oligarchs battled to overthrow Mikhail Gorbachev’s reforms. It was another dangerous moment Gusewelle chronicled. He was foremost among those who transformed the racist Kansas City Star of the 1950s into today’s prize-winning newspaper.

Often, I myself want to “gesture” about Republicans who, unlike any other party in my lifetime, vote 100 percent against compromise. Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell says their top priority is — not reviving the economy — but stopping President Barack Obama.

Gusewelle’s neighbor said she values freedom of speech. His “gestures” from the Smart Car amount to that very thing.

Charles Hammer

Shawnee

Tax cuts are wrong fix

Republicans have lured voters with tax cuts for more than 30 years. President Ronald Reagan got tax cuts going, and the public debt tripled in his eight years.

President George W. Bush got more tax cuts, and the public debt doubled during his presidency.

Mitt Romney had expressed his contempt and disdain for those who do not pay federal income taxes. He also wanted a 20 percent income tax cut.

Had Republicans not pushed for so many tax cuts, our public debt would be much lower and more people would be paying federal income taxes.

Bryce Kresie

Lenexa

Bush, Cheney silence

The silence of former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney during this presidential election and the last one speaks volumes.

Janet Duncan

Kansas City

Enjoy whimsical statue

So, the statue at the Overland Park Arboretum says, “Hey, my eyes are up here.”

Oh-oh! I don’t have any eyes and, oh my, I’ve misplaced my head, too.

Richard C. Lumpkin

Prairie Village

Kansas Turnpike hikes

I wonder how many fewer people use the Kansas Turnpike when they keep raising rates (11-5, A1, “Rule change could pump up fuel prices on Kansas Turnpike”). Local people are sure to use other roads.

Is it just to have outsiders pay?

Leonard Hachinsky

Kansas City

Obama’s leadership

Well, now we have heard it from his own lips. During a recent interview in New Jersey at the scene of the storm devastation, President Barack Obama told the group, “I am behind you.”

That’s where Obama has been since he took office, leading from behind. He could have said “beside you” or “with you.”

But those are not comfortable positions for Obama.

Don Brandes

Sedalia, Mo.

Overwhelming U.S. debt

You and I as Americans primarily are broke and in debt so far we are not able to know how desperate we are. Trillions and trillions of dollars in debt.

How much is this?

Seriously, too much for anyone in this country, too much for all the billionaires to pay us off.

We hear about the payday loans. The interest is so high, especially when you can’t pay off the amount when it is due.

We have passed this period so far in this country.

If the Chinese demand payment (this can happen), they know they could start making demands. China has more than a billion people and could easily fill up our United States.

It doesn’t matter who borrowed the money or why. Everyone who votes for a party, Republican or Democrat, more than 40 percent of what we all pay is interest.

Duane Hubble

Riverside

Poor election cycle

I’ve lived my entire life in Missouri, as did my forefathers dating back to the 1800s. It saddens me that Missouri these past few years has become a political joke on a national level.

Elected officials continue to pass ridiculous laws, and voters continue to elect inept people to state and federal offices. These are people whose first choice is to a political party not to the voters they promised to represent.

One inept, stupid, ill-informed person is scary. A group of them making laws is a disaster we have all been witnessing.

Penny Magers

Kansas City

Protecting gun rights

Some letter writers mistakenly think the National Rifle Association is a branch of the Republican Party. The truth is the NRA is an advocate of the Second Amendment and our right to keep and bear arms.

If people were to do a little research, they would find that the NRA has endorsed candidates from both parties in the past. I’m sure the NRA will do the same in the future.

If people don’t like guns, that is their prerogative. But people shouldn’t tell half-truths about an organization that only strives to protect one of our constitutional rights.

Bob Berry

Oak Grove

Chiefs drop games, fans

This year, I do not have to struggle with the question of whether to renew my Kansas City Chiefs season tickets.

The ineptness of owner Clark Hunt and general manager Scott Pioli has made decision very easy.

Other than a few years with coaches Hank Stram and Marty Schottenheimer, the Kansas City Chiefs have been losers. The only constant is the Hunt family.

Apparently, the Hunts are more interested in making a buck than having a winning football team, regardless of what is said publicly.

James Stanley

Kansas City

Prayers for McGovern

I had the privilege of helping to run the Independence George McGovern for President headquarters in 1971 through 1972. I made phone calls and went door to door handing out flyers, and, at age 18, I attempted to educate the people of Raytown about McGovern’s record in the Senate.

I quit the door-to-door actions after a much older man, someone my age today, 56, threw a roll of toilet paper at me. He called McGovern a communist and threatened me with physical harm if he ever saw me on his street again.

I am again witnessing that kind of rage and hatred in our political system today.

George McGovern was a true patriot, having flown bomber runs over Germany. He was a liberal, and if that makes him a communist, then so am I.

The election was extremely depressing, but no one knew about Watergate or the transferring of secret funds at the time, either.

If you believe that energy connects us all, then Sen. McGovern has become part of that energy. If you pray, say a prayer for the McGovern family.

Steven Addison

Kansas City