LETTERS 09/01/08

American dream is up to you

What’s wrong with America?

Many people in this country blame the government for the high unemployment. Every person who buys a new car, TV, cell phone or other electronics made and owned by foreign companies sends dollars overseas and puts thousands of American workers out of a job.

The people who made America a great nation came from other countries because America offered them the opportunity and freedom to attain what we call “the American dream.” Our government was not created to guarantee every American their dream. It is the responsibility of each of us to strive and work for our own success in this country.

During the last 28 years of Barack Obama’s life (his whole adult life) he has become a very wealthy person under 20 years of Republican presidential administrations. And now he wants to “change” things in Washington.

Paul Clum

Lone Jack

The time is coming soon for us to vote for the good of the country.

Here are some dos:

•Do vote for Obama if you want to save these United States.

•Do vote for democracy, so we can get out of our economic crisis and this phony, deceitful war and bring our troops home.

•Do listen to both sides, think and make up and speak your own mind.

•Do vote for the good of America.

Here are some don’ts:

•Don’t be like sheep and be easily misled.

•Don’t listen to the negative, mudslinging campaigns, namely by the Republicans.

•Don’t let scare tactics influence you. Think for yourselves.

God bless America.

K.J. Huff

Overland Park

Regarding the political conventions, we have to somehow separate substance from show-biz.

John Couture Sr.

Kansas City

Barack Obama advises us to inflate our tires properly to save gas. He also could advise us to inflate them with nitrogen, which would maintain pressure longer, be safer and get better gas mileage.

Bob Friskel

Kansas City, Kan.

I agree with Russell Means (8/24, Letters). One of the biggest things plaguing the people of this country is the oil “crisis.” However, I guess I fail to see the “crisis.” We have enough oil reserves off of our own coasts to last Americans for several years. Why not start drilling the oil and stop draining the pockets of millions of Americans to benefit the booming oil companies?

Somehow it doesn’t seem fair that the oil companies seem to be making a considerable sum of money while most people have to make huge cutbacks in their lives to accommodate the greediness of a few people.

And why don’t politicians finally step up and start saying what they feel about the situation and stop skating around the issue?

Peter Higbie

Lenexa

I am surprised at the massive amount of space The Star gave E. Thomas McClanahan for his comments on the exaggeration of wind energy (8/24, Opinion).

The U.S. is still at least 10 years behind Europe when it comes to efficiently using wind energy. Western Kansas already is producing 100-plus megawatts of electrical power from wind from several of its wind farms.

So before McClanahan goes “blowing wind up my skirt” about wind exaggeration, why doesn’t he get on the latest renewable energy awareness bus, because it is painfully obvious that he and much of American business missed the first one.

The baby steps the U.S. is taking now should have been taken when I was just in high school, actually listening to my science teacher and not laughing at Jimmy Carter’s energy ideas.

Karen Horstman

Raytown

When the chief justice of Pakistan’s Supreme Court did not bow to the pressure of Gen. Pervez Musharraf (8/20, A9, “Issue of judges tests Pakistan coalition”), the military dictator fired him and put him and 60 other judges under house arrest.

This led to an unprecedented movement by the lawyers, civil society and the media to try to restore him and the rest of the judiciary. That ultimately led to Musharraf’s resignation. The majority of Pakistani people hope that Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudry will be restored to his post and rule of law will prevail in the country.

It is high time the United States promoted the cause of democracy in Pakistan and helped the newly elected government establish a sovereign judiciary.

Usman Haleem

Leawood

With the papers and news full of people being sent to prison for as long as life for abuse and rape, why are the priests above the law?

To me they are as much or more accountable. Is a mere apology by the Catholic Diocese sufficient? Let them do time.

Mae Miller

Kansas City

Kansas City is becoming the “dead zone” for competitive, professional sports franchises. It’s not about money. With the Royals and Chiefs, it’s about the management of two sports organizations, which has let two once-proud teams slide into mediocrity. And mediocrity, in this case, is an overstatement.

Ultimately, it’s the athletes on the diamond and playing field who make the plays or not, but it’s the front office of the Chiefs and Royals that put these players there. In recent years, neither franchise has had the ability to recognize the quality of athletes it will take to rebuild these programs.

The Royals’ owner and front office have let their farm system slide to the point where it’s no longer a good source for new players to bring along to help this ball club. The result is evident with every losing year that goes by.

As for Chiefs fans this season, their progress will likely be measured in TV blackouts. A new general manager might help, but right now any playoff chances in the near future look as grim as the current defensive line.

Larry Bowser

Kansas City

The situation regarding parking in the Power & Light District is exasperating.

After driving around and around for nearly a half an hour, I finally found what I thought was a parking spot on 11th and Walnut.

There was not a no-parking sign, but when I came back, I had a ticket for $38.50.

I should fight this, but it is not monetarily feasible since I work in Kansas and would have to take time off to come to court.

This parking fiasco is going to make the district suffer, because I have heard the same complaint from several of my friends.

I will not be coming back to the Power & Light District.

I will spend my time and money in places that are more accessible.

Larry Hoover

Baldwin City, Kan.

I recently took a trip to St. Louis via train. It was the first time I had ridden in a train, and I found it enjoyable. My advance-purchase ticket was less than the cost of fuel a car would have used.

It was really relaxing. I could sleep or read on my own time.

This mode of transportation offers many benefits and should be used more often by the traveling public.

Traveling by train is safe, environmentally friendly, helps reduce road congestion and is much less stressful than a crowded highway filled with one person per car.

I think public transportation should be promoted more in this country instead of focusing only on building more roads.

Brett Bergman

Overland Park

The thrill of sneaking around those who forbid alcohol is a major reason why minors drink, but it’s not the only one. The drinking habits of the parents, when under stress or celebrating, teach children to use alcohol the same way. So whether drinking is legal or not, youths will mimic their parents.

While lowering the drinking age may prevent instances of alcoholism, it can bring forth more problems. By lowering the age by two years, teenagers drinking for the first time are driving for the first time. Together, alcohol and driving are sure ways to cause harm and even death. So while lowering the age may have positive effects, it may not beat the negatives unless other solutions can be reached.

Ben Schario

Overland Park

Kansas City is cleaning up the city, trying to make it a prettier. But instead of “thinking green” and making it more of a pollution-free environment, we are creating more roads that stretch farther.

Why not take what we already have abandoned and build over it? Why don’t we spend money to reuse resources? We could easily create rain catchers or more gardens.

Adam Ungashick

Kansas City

We also use the Bannister recycling center (8/25, Letters, “Recycling center cutbacks”) and were dismayed to find out that they are no longer allowed to set out used glass Mason jars for people to pick up and reuse. Why? The same reason: It doesn’t produce revenue.

What happened to the motto reduce, reuse, recycle? I guess now it’s recycle, rebate, revenue.

Chuck Smith

Raytown

People are always telling me not to smoke. I never respond. I have told a few to come back when they are 76 and tell me about it. Some of them are 300-pounders.

I am courteous enough not to tell them they should start smoking or quit eating and get off their can. Seeing them is sickening and, yes, they have disability cards.

M. Wayne Sheddrick

Blue Springs

Refreshing story, (8/25, A1, “5 times 50: A wedding band of brothers; The Wheatons share something besides kinship: Each has been married at least half a century”).

Nice going, Wheatons. Nice going, Wheaton wives. Bravo! This is much of what makes America a great country. People who are faithful and stick to a commitment. They work out problems and go on with life. Well done.

D. Bruce Stahl

Overland Park

On a recent Saturday, I pulled into a filling station on Blackbob. My tank was dangerously low. I kept putting it off because I didn’t know how to fill it up myself.

Well, there was no service for the helpless, so I went into the station to ask for some. Two little ladies were in charge, but neither could help. Silence. Then a young man said, “I’ll help her.”

We went to the pump by my car and he said, “Which gas do you want?”

“Middle price,” I said.

“That’s what I use, too. Now how do you want to pay?”

“My credit card.”

“Now check here and the machine will tell you what to do.” We went through each step. He made sure I was the one doing what was being instructed.

When the task was completed he said, “Now show me what to do.” While I was doing the routine I asked, “Are you a teacher?” He did not answer me because I did something wrong and had to start over.

Just wanted you to know how wonderful some people are. And, sir, if you are reading this, thank you again for helping me and for my lesson.

Marilynn Armacost

Olathe