Electric KC shuttles

Smith Electric, a new Kansas City company, needs capital investment for its production of electric vehicles.

Could we not adapt these “trucks” so they could carry passengers?

If I walk one block, I am at State Line Road, three short blocks to Rainbow Boulevard and three to Westport Road. Put vehicles along these routes with charging stations at the many parking lots and public buildings to keep these vehicles running.

I could get to downtown Kansas City, Kan., for Unified Government meetings, the Rosedale Farmers Market, Westport for the shops and Tivoli and 39th Street for some favorite eating stops. A Main Street at Westport Road line could take me to the Unicorn, MET and Costco and near enough to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, where I volunteer.

All this could be done without my having to use my car. Think of the good blue (green?) collar jobs that the growth and development of Smith Electric could provide.

Beth Ciperson

Kansas City

Western Civ at KU

In regard to the discontinuance of Western Civilization course work at KU (11-28, Opinion, “A thoughtless, self-inflicted wound”), I would think Dean Danny Anderson and his faculty, being liberal arts people, would mourn the loss of the Western canon.

But they have to obey the realities of a state government and governor who seemingly go along with anti-evolution teachings as well as lower taxes.

They generally do not seem to care about the future of their state and its higher education except as it pertains to business and profits.

Good luck with that.

Melissa Smith

Overland Park

U.S. election conflict

For those who long for the civility of our Founding Fathers, does that include the mud-throwing in the presidential campaign of 1800?

Many were alarmed at the country’s decline.

Our nation was deeply divided over the scope of government. In this setting, Thomas Jefferson’s campaign said John Adams was a traitor, a hermaphrodite without any good traits of either a man or woman.

John Adams said that a Jefferson presidency would openly teach and practice murder, robbery and rape. It was not Jefferson but Vice President Aaron Burr who killed someone.

Moreover, while Vice President Burr was under indictment for killing Alexander Hamilton, he presided over the impeachment of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase. In most courts, the killer would have been arraigned by the judge.

Here the judge was arraigned by the killer.

Does this justify today’s idiotic, endless campaigns for president that now cost more than a billion dollars or all the incoherent, conflicting promises (lies)?

No.

It is meant to remind us that ours is not the first generation to face crises nor will we be the last, and reading a history book might be worthwhile.

Clyde Waltermate

Raytown

Glenn McCoy cartoons

Is editorial cartoonist Glenn McCoy the equally addled first cousin of Glenn Beck? So much for the famous liberal media bias.

Bob Burns

Leavenworth

Fixing the debt problem

The United States is trillions of dollars in debt, and it is rising.

We cannot continue to borrow.

We must reduce our deficit.

Let’s begin by closing all our embassies abroad in countries that have not and are not protecting our ambassadors, our personnel and our compounds. This action should begin with Libya and Egypt.

Saudi Arabia is the world leader in sponsored terrorism. All Americans should leave, and we should not give such countries as Libya, Egypt or Pakistan any foreign aid.

As an American taxpayer, I do not want any of my money supporting these countries. I agree with former presidential candidate Ron Paul — all countries that want U.S. aid should have to apply yearly for our Congress to approve it.

Congress should also have a budget in place yearly by April 15.

If not, we, the American people, should not have to pay our federal taxes until Congress has passed that year’s balanced budget.

Betty Lusby

Loch Lloyd

Restoring middle class

The question to be asked is “Where is the American middle class?”

This class of people is not mentioned by either party or the administration.

The divide between the middle class and the economic elite started more than three decades ago. This separation includes both Republican and Democrat administrations and continues today.

The economic elite are undercutting America’s greatest asset — its middle class. This phenomenon is indicated by unemployment, insecurity and people being employed at the bottom of wage scales.

The U.S. is heading toward a two-class society dramatically imbalanced in favor of the wealthy.

What’s happening to the U.S. middle class is not inevitable.

It’s a direct result of government policy, and it can be changed by government action.

Congress, supported by the administration, should revise the tax code. Remove tax breaks and enforce trade policies, including duties. This and other actions would restore the United States’ greatest asset — the middle class.

I believe the playing field should be level for everyone.

Carl Antrim

Independence

Chiefs need clean sweep

Lay off the criticism of Kansas City Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel when he says he does not know what is wrong with the Chiefs.

He is not being dishonest. He really does not have a clue.

Check out his sideline emotions. The Gatorade container shows more emotion than Crennel does.

It is no wonder the players are ineffective. They are just playing follow the leader. And, really, all the inspiration is a sign that says, “Eliminate bad football.”

Wow, how profound was that? Chiefs owner Clark Hunt best take a broom to that mess and have a clean sweep from top to bottom.

Wayne Miller

Lone Jack

Burden of abortions

When men allowed women to have abortions by law, there were some objections. But because women were paying for them, there wasn’t the strong objection that there is today.

This changed when the government decided that women who couldn’t afford abortions should have the same rights and therefore they would start paying for those who couldn’t afford them.

That is when things really heated up. The idea that a person who objected to abortion was having tax money go to pay for this was unacceptable.

Because it does take two to create a pregnancy, the simple solution is that every male over age 15 must have a reversible vasectomy.

This puts the responsibility upon the male and not the female.

Of course, this would upset the pill companies, certain churches and who knows what other government agencies because they would be losing money. But it would stop abortions and companions from having to provide insurance for women.

Because men are making most of the decisions, let them bear the responsibility of preventing abortions and not place the burden on women.

Verna Campbell

Mission

Chiefs’ fishy smell

Our son Joe has always been a diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan.

He now lives in the Springfield, Mo., area and tries to watch the Chiefs every time they’re on television.

He has a tropical fish tank in his TV room that contains three angel fish. He’s had these angel fish for a long time, and when he watches TV, they all face the TV and seem to be watching also.

During a recent Chiefs game, he noticed that all three of the angel fish were facing away from the television and couldn’t bear to watch anymore.

Smart fish.

Frank Gunja

Kansas City

Safety for runners

I am a cross country and track runner for Liberty High School, and often we have the privilege of running around the neighborhoods in town to get our miles in.

In my community, something that interests me is the quality of the sidewalks. Many are uneven and have large cracks or bumps in them that are dangerous not just for runners, but also for other citizens who use the sidewalks for walking and biking.

There have been many occasions in which I have run at 5:30 in the morning and a fellow runner has fallen and gotten severe scrapes and bruises because of the bumpiness of the sidewalk.

We try to call out when there is an uneven section and sometimes even run in the road, which also is not safe because of cars.

I think the best course of action would be to fix the areas that need it the most.

It would take some concrete and hard work. But it would make the sidewalks a lot safer for the runners and for my community as a whole.

Jennifer Myers

Liberty