GOP wrongly blamed

Constant commentary in newspapers and on airwaves places blame for everything wrong in our country on Republicans, whether rich or poor, congressman, rancher or baker.

Not only that, but these Republicans are cantankerous, obstinate, greedy and self-serving.

By their actions and attitudes, they have kept our president, who lacks leadership and negotiating skills but not salesmanship, from being the transparent leader for which he was elected. George W. Bush, being a Republican, must take responsibility.

It’s quite obvious Democrats are as pure as the driven snow. They are of the poor and downtrodden and have the professed interest of the American people solely at heart.

Unlike the Republicans, they have taken the high ground by distancing themselves from, and refusing, any financial support or influence from the financial, automotive or pharmaceutical industries, as well as special-interest groups, whether foreign or domestic.

By taking the “high ground,” they maintain purity of actions, thoughts and benevolent practices.

It’s evident Democrats are not captains of industry or mega-rich or live in mansions. They never violate moral codes and principled living.

I guess the talking heads are right. Democrats do place the interest of the U.S. above all else.

Charley Green

Overland Park

Firearms and cigarettes

When the full scope of the Newtown, Conn., Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings became known, millions of Americans were horrified and sickened by the fact that children were slaughtered, some of them shot several times with an assault rifle.

Millions of other Americans’ first thought was that the government is going to take their guns away.

They then proceeded to rush out to their local gun shops and purchase all of the AR-15s and extended ammunition clips that they could. And these are the folks who we should have a conversation with about gun control?

Let’s treat guns just like we did tobacco.

We didn’t outlaw cigarettes.

They’re still widely available but banned in most public places and cigarettes are socially unacceptable everywhere.

And no one’s constitutional rights have been violated.

Thomas Hogan

Kansas City

Swearing in Republicans

Upon being invited by Congressman Kevin Yoder of Kansas to the swearing in of the 113th Congress of the United States of America, I wrote:

Dear Congressman Yoder:

Thank you for your invitation to the swearing-in.

I wish that I could have been there because I would certainly join in on the swearing, encouraging you and your GOP (and some Democratic colleagues), via every expletive I know (and I know them all), to get down to governing versus obstructing.

Although I am not entirely unhappy with you as my congressman, I believe the Republican Party of which I used to be an affiliate has gone over to the dark side with extreme viewpoints and an unwillingness to compromise.

Republicans are more interested in governing people’s social lives than their economic lives. Please encourage your associates to get to work. As all the polls suggest, the citizens of this country are sick of Congress’ inability to legislate and govern.

There will come a day of reckoning. Let me know how I can help.

Ted Steinmeyer Jr.

Leawood

Democratic chutzpah

I have found a new definition for chutzpah: Run up the deficit, refuse to talk about spending cuts, and blame the Republicans for endangering the economy for not supporting the increase in the debt ceiling.

Joseph Levin

Fairway

Righting cruise ship

The raising of the Costa Concordia ship has become a financial dream for the salvage companies.

They are making millions of dollars on a project that could have been done in just one month.

All they had to do was pump ping-pong balls into any enclosed spaces, and the cruise ship would have righted itself and floated. In 2002, “Myth Busters” showed how easy it was.

It might have created a short-term shortage of ping-pong balls, but the ship would have been raised by the end of last spring and without any further damage to the local environment.

George R. McCasland

Overland Park

School food for thought

At my high school, I have observed the implementation of several federally mandated school lunch restrictions designed to address childhood obesity. Our school now must serve more whole grains, low-fat or nonfat milk, both fruits and vegetables, and less sugar and salt.

In addition, federal guidelines for school lunches set caloric maximums.

These steps are part of a movement touted by first lady Michelle Obama and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s revised Dietary Guidelines.

Although attempting to address obesity would seem to be a sensible goal, these federal directives have had unintended consequences.

For example, many kids now bring lunches from home or supplement the school lunch with junk food.

Many others simply throw unwanted fruit and vegetables in the trash. Other students refuse to eat school-served vegetables because salt shakers are now banned in the lunch room. I could go on.

Yet, one positive byproduct of the program is that it has fostered lively discussion. I remember a girl who stirred everyone up by complaining that her “right” to decide what to eat had been violated.

She said, “I can get an abortion next semester when I turn 18, but I won’t be able to eat what I want.”

Food for thought?

Haley Brown

Liberty

Joy in life not forgotten

I believe in that one note. You know that one note that causes goose bumps to race up your arms.

It takes your breath away and makes you think of all that is pure in the world. Amid turmoil, there’s always that one note, conveying that which is right.

What makes that note great is the buildup — the drama of a minor chord.

Americans last month experienced the minor chords in the Newtown, Conn., shootings.

This tragic event was the D minor chord, yielding an ever-present feeling of pain and sorrow with many asking, “When will it end?”

I believe the joy and relief of that one note is coming. It’s taking root in parents hugging their children a bit tighter, strangers offering support with a greater sense of camaraderie.

The major chord is coming.

It’s unfortunate the goose bumps from the beauty of that one note of love and kindness among people has to follow the sorrow of the minor chords.

But that one note keeps us listening and hoping and the survivors continuing on.

When that note comes remains a mystery. But when it sounds, everyone will feel those goose bumps.

Rickey Adger

Kansas City