Readers share views on Gov. Sam Brownback, jobs and Junior Achievement
Brownback win
Here is liberals’ favorite message for those who bash the policies of President Barack Obama: “Obama won not once but twice. Get over it.”
But apparently what is good for the goose is not good for the gander because liberal bashers of Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback continue to attack him day in and day out over his policies. I remind them because they don’t seem to have noticed: “Brownback won not once, but twice. Get over it.”
Thomas Hay
Lake Waukomis
Many job openings
The March 15 edition of The Kansas City Star listed 136 companies that have 1,784 job openings in the Kansas City area.
Surely, someone who wants to work could find employment at one of these companies. Yet we continue to hear from the left that we must not reduce welfare benefits or cut back on food stamps because there are no jobs available.
What am I missing?
Ralph McFillen
Overland Park
Osterheldt column
My hat’s off to Jeneé Osterheldt. I always enjoy the unique and interesting perspective she demonstrates in her writing and the talent she displays.
But a special thanks goes to her for recognizing and applauding the Junior Achievement of Middle America (3-14, C1, “Begin business basics early”). She recognizes that volunteers such as Mark Eagleton have powerful messages to share and are taking the time to do the job.
I was an elementary classroom teacher for almost 40 years, and the times I was able to have a Junior Achievement program in my classrooms were valuable and special. My students loved them.
But we were not able to have the class all the time. Not enough volunteers were available. Junior Achievement can use more volunteers. If you are a boss, let your people go or, even better, go yourself.
Take Jeneé’s advice; she was spot on this time. Thanks to all of you for sharing this article and your time.
Stephen Amthauer
Overland Park
Go ask Barbie
What an interesting new gadget for children to be able to converse with Mattel’s new interactive Barbie doll (3-12, A8, “New Barbie lets Mattel ‘listen in’”). I wonder how it would respond to these types of children’s questions?
▪ “My daddy beats my mother and threatens to kill her. I’m scared! What should I do?”
▪ “My father keeps molesting me. How do I get him to stop?”
Barbara Whited
Easton, Kan.
Citizens United
People of Kansas and Missouri, please study up on the Citizens United decision, now 5 years old. This is an issue for all of us who believe in democracy.
With Citizens United, we have allowed the super rich and corporations to decide who we get to vote for. With Citizens United, we have allowed the super rich and corporations to buy access to members of Congress through big campaign donations.
Could this wealthy campaign donor problem explain why there is a persistent budget shortfall in Kansas, even as the rich are getting more tax cuts?
We are becoming an oligarchy — a government by the rich — in America.
Please Google “contacting Congress.” Find out who your representatives are and what their phone numbers are.
Then use your insights about Citizens United to phone or email your opinion. Ask your lawmakers to initiate and support the repeal of the Citizens United decision.
Talk it up with your friends. Act now.
Suzann Geringer
Leawood
Effect of inaction
On May 31, the MAP-21 federal highway and transportation authorization expires.
State departments of transportation will again be left with great uncertainty about what federal funding will be available to them for the remainder of this year and future years. Additionally, the Highway Trust Fund will again have insufficient revenue to reimburse state transportation departments for ongoing highway projects.
Highway programs in Missouri and Kansas already face severe funding shortfalls. Shortsightedness by Congress not only affects the ability of the Missouri Department of Transportation and Kansas Department of Transportation to plan long term, it affects the ability of contractors to make long-term projections regarding every aspect of their businesses.
This is a travesty when our country needs to put more people to work in good-paying jobs.
Let’s urge our elected officials in Washington, D.C., to use common sense and match employment needs with infrastructure needs to improve transportation systems throughout our great country. They need to understand the effect their inaction has on the national economy, safety and the daily commutes of their constituents.
Joseph T. Fahey
Kansas City
‘Jitney’ is must-see
What a blessing it is to live in the Kansas City area and be able to enjoy the richness of its theaters. I had the great pleasure to see Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson’s “Jitney” mounted at the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre and directed by Karen Paisley.
I’ve seen several of Wilson’s plays over the years, but this production is one of the best. If you want to see nine actors at the top of their game and be enthralled for two-plus hours, get to the MET this week to see “Jitney.” It is worth every penny you’ll spend on a ticket and every moment you’ll spend in the theater.
Jennifer Randle
Overland Park
Loving America
We need a president who loves this country — not just himself or his party.
Jim Lockhart
Merriam
Star movie reviews
Thank goodness Robert Butler is back at the movies for The Star. I love to read his reviews — not only for his film savvy but also for the simple pleasure of his writing.
Where else in the current Kansas City Star could one see the word “folderol” so perfectly employed as March 13 review of “Cinderella”? Bravo Butler! Two thumbs up.
Jane Mobley
Fairway
Open government
Sunshine Week, March 15–21, marks an annual nationwide discussion about access to government information and the important role that the public has in keeping communities healthy, vibrant and strong.
It has been nearly 50 years since the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which grants any person the right to access information from our federal government, was signed into law. FOIA empowers citizens through access to information.
In turn, access to information strengthens and improves our government. Open and transparent government fosters public trust.
Members of the League of Women Voters of Kansas have been watchdogs of federal, state and local governments. We monitor lawmaking and budget decisions. We observe committee meetings. We encourage individual citizens to testify and we register voters.
Trust in government has declined. Transparency and accountability are essential ingredients if we are to reverse this trend.
For the 2016 election, we must inform Kansas voters about the changes in the election process as we get out the vote.
Dolores Furtado
President
League of Women
Voters of Kansas
Overland Park
Immigration, Obama
Sen. Claire McCaskill and the Democrats are playing political games with our country’s security and economy.
Our security alone is important enough for proper immigration enforcement, but President Barack Obama’s illegal executive order causes great harm to the U.S. economy as well as state and local economies.
It suppresses wages, which haven’t grown for years. It holds down wages because jobs are taken by illegal immigrants willing to work for less than a living wage. They are coming into the U.S. illegally because Democrats and Obama refuse to limit immigration and enforce immigration laws. In his recent executive order, Obama intends to add five million more job seekers to our ailing economy.
Do you or do you not understand the economics of this debacle the Democratic Party has created?
Steven Waller
Kansas City
This story was originally published March 17, 2015 at 4:37 PM with the headline "Readers share views on Gov. Sam Brownback, jobs and Junior Achievement."