Readers share views on communism, Kris Kobach and wet mail
Truth kept hidden
The question of how America can regain its post-Cold War and post-Soviet Union prowess looms in the hearts of true Americans. The state of our democracy will also jolt those in America who will suffer the consequences of our failed democracy.
Already we see the results of a failed Congress, the weak-kneed actions of a denuded executive branch and the misdirected Supreme Court. With failed leadership like that, Russia has claimed lands not rightfully hers, and China has been busy behind the scenes building a navy carrier and threatening Taiwan and Vietnam, overstepping its boundaries in the Sea of Japan and elsewhere.
Russia does not need Ukraine and Crimea for its safety, and neither does China have to fear other countries beyond its shores. But the communistic state still exists, and we’re helping.
The news media have not kept up their watch on those events. They are busy helping the enemy keep the truth from Americans.
William A. Ingram
Kansas City
Kobach’s actions
My heartfelt thanks for Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and his followers. While the Democrats use government to assist those needing help, the Republicans oppose any government help at all.
They believe the government should be used only to hurt people. Examples are restrictions on voting, where no problem exists, and continued attacks on immigrants, many of whom serve us daily and cause no problems.
This pretty much describes the two parties. You can talk about all this righteousness, but your actions betray you.
Ralph Moore
Leavenworth
Wet mail solution
Regarding the March 10 letter writer who complained about receiving sopping wet mail, the solution is simple. Use weather- and water-resistant envelopes. They are readily available at many retailers and probably can be ordered online.
To ask that the U.S. Postal Service take the responsibility of wrapping the mail individually when the weather turns damp is completely ridiculous when precautions can be taken easily by the sender of any mail considered important or valuable.
Most reputable retailers already use these weather-resistant envelopes, and it’s not uncommon for shippers to use weather-resistant packaging.
This letter writer needs to take the responsibility for the important and valuable mail being sent, not the Postal Service.
I shudder to think how late my deliveries would be if the Postal Service were instructed to wrap each unprotected piece of mail just because of the weather.
Let’s all hope that our members of Congress don’t adopt such faulty and disruptive advice for our Postal Service.
Bill Eltzholtz
Lee’s Summit
Obama like Truman
Before the tea partiers and their Republican cohorts get apoplectic over President Barack Obama resorting to an executive order on immigration reform, let us remember what happened in July 1948.
Harry Truman was president, and he knew the Senate Republicans would not pass bills to desegregate the armed forces and provide equal employment opportunities for all Americans in the federal government.
So he did the next best thing. He issued executive orders to implement these two policies. The country has been better for it.
More than a year ago, the Senate passed an immigration-reform bill, and it was blocked in the House. Truman had the obstructive 80th Congress to deal with, which he called the “do-nothing, good-for-nothing Congress.”
But that Congress’ negative record on domestic policies backfired and was an important reason for Truman’s surprise victory in the 1948 election. The new Congress was not all that liberal, but it managed to expand Social Security coverage, raise the minimum wage by almost double and enlarge federal aid for public housing.
Before allowing the rage of the right wing to confuse the less-informed among us, we need to get the perspective on the issue of executive orders.
Niel Johnson
Independence
Immigration reform
Like millions of immigrants, I came to this country in search of the American dream.
As an entrepreneur, I can say I have realized part of that dream, but I still imagine a better future for not only myself and my family, but the many other migrants who come to this country. This is what motivates me to continue working and why I am in favor of comprehensive immigration reform.
My fellow entrepreneurs seem to agree. According to scientific polling released in May 2014 by Small Business Majority, nearly nine in 10 small-business owners recognize that our current immigration system isn’t working. What’s more, 84 percent of entrepreneurs support a bipartisan Senate proposal aimed at reforming our broken immigration system.
I think immediate action on immigration reform is important because millions of immigrants working in this country have uncertain futures. Their work bolsters our nation’s economy, but they have no voice or vote of their own.
We must secure a better future for these immigrants who are trying to realize the American dream but who live in constant fear of the unknown.
That future starts with reform.
Luis Hernandez
Kansas City
Execution unjust
Missouri officials on Tuesday plan to execute Cecil Clayton, a 74-year-old with an IQ of 71, a fourth-grade reading level and severe damage to his brain’s frontal lobe. This case raises grave civil rights concerns about the death penalty for persons with disabilities.
In 1972, while Clayton was working at a sawmill, a piece of log pierced his skull. Twenty percent of his frontal lobe was surgically removed, and he experienced marked behavioral changes and was medically eligible for disability. He spent years in and out of mental health facilities.
In 1996, Clayton fatally shot Barry County Deputy Christopher Castetter, and Castetter’s grieving loved ones deserve our deepest condolences.
Clayton clearly requires a secure setting. However, he is unable to check impulsivity, deliberate or appreciate fully the consequences of his actions — all necessary for legal execution. One psychologist said “his impairment … reported for 38 years, continues to be sufficiently profound and sustained so as to render him incompetent to be executed.”
Please call 573-751-3222 to urge Gov. Jay Nixon to stay the execution, commute to life without parole or convene a board of inquiry to assess competency.
To execute this elderly brain-injured man would undermine Missourians’ right to a fair justice system.
Laura Schopp, Ph.D.
Professor
University of Missouri
Department
of Health Psychology
Columbia
Republican missteps
What in the world did the Republicans expect to accomplish by their open letter to Iran?
Was their plan to embarrass themselves?
Was it to show that the system of politics in this country is so broken that politicians don’t even realize the depth of their own stupidity?
Were they trying to impress the citizens of this country?
Were they trying to impress the citizens of the world with their bold, unprecedented move?
Or were they just trying to disrespect the president of the United States?
Their gambit was both successful and unsuccessful.
They did succeed in embarrassing themselves by disrespecting the most powerful position in the world.
They succeeded in making us the laughingstock of world politics, and they succeeded in showing that the stupidity of politicians has no depth that it can’t reach.
And, yes, they succeeded in humiliating President Barack Obama, something I am sure Republicans are immensely proud of.
They were unsuccessful in showing that the GOP has even a modicum of intelligence, integrity or respect left.
They have had one goal since 2008, and that has been to undermine President Obama and his administration. They have done nothing to help the people of his country.
Karen Bonner
Kansas City
This story was originally published March 14, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Readers share views on communism, Kris Kobach and wet mail."