Letters: Readers discuss foreign aid, rural health care and punishing Michael Vick
Streamline system
Now is the time for Congress to form a special committee to start the move to progress.
I suggest that each party in both the Senate and the House appoint two members of the opposing party as voting members, with Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer in non-voting roles and Vice President Mike Pence as the chair.
The special committee’s purposes would be to fix the Affordable Care Act, revise income tax rules and implement shovel-ready infrastructure programs.
When it finishes — soon, I hope — it can draft an amendment to the Constitution defining term limits for Congress.
Make Congress viable again.
David J. Long
Kansas City
Foreign aid
As Congress debates another federal budget, I want to urge Missouri Sens. Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill to protect the world’s poorest people by voting to maintain funding for U.S. foreign aid.
I travel to Africa on a regular basis for my job. I’ve seen smart development programs such as PEPFAR (AIDS relief), Feed the Future (agricultural development) and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization work incredibly well.
These programs not only save lives, but they also encourage goodwill and even promote national security.
Foreign aid helps support American businesses and American jobs by expanding markets for U.S. goods around the world, improving the rule of law to fight corruption and leveling the playing field to help American companies compete.
Even now, as 14 African countries face drought and famine, these cuts would equate to millions of lives lost. For less than 1 percent of the federal budget, the foreign aid budget supports programs that are both the smart thing to do and the right thing to do.
Blunt and McCaskill should vote in favor of maintaining funding for the world’s poorest people.
Joe Mason
Nixa
Rural health care
I do not know about the other counties in the July article, “Use of opioids varies across 2 states.” (July 30, 1A) I do, however, know about Howell County.
The story failed to mention that there are no towns of any size for 50 miles in any direction. People in West Plains drive to Springfield for tests, medical care and decent shopping.
That trip is 100 miles each way. I made it just today to have an MRI. And I have to go back later this week to see the doctor who treats my diabetes. We do not have one in West Plains.
I am just saying statistics are not always what they seem. I am one of the statistics, because I cannot walk or function without pain medicine.
I would much rather be healthy instead of disabled.
Rose Holloway
West Plains, Mo.
Follow the money
It is interesting that one of the main reasons Rep. Vicky Hartzler gave for supporting the president on prohibiting transgender people from serving in the military is to save money.
She could support lower farm subsidies and save a lot more money — but since her family’s Hartzler Farms has taken federal farm subsidies, I’m sure she will not do this.
Bill Betteridge
Independence
Forced restraint?
I was thankful that President Donald Trump did not use the Medal of Honor ceremony to advance his agenda as he did during the Boy Scout speech. (Aug. 1, 12A, “Trump awards Medal of Honor to Vietnam medic”)
I am sure his new chief of staff was responsible.
John Nelles
Shawnee
No comparison
I’m on the fence a bit about the Chiefs hiring Michael Vick as a coaching intern, but my experience tells me that forgiveness is the best bet. If Vick disappoints, then that’s his loss.
What is more puzzling to me is that people compare the loss of a dog or pet to that of a child.
I realize that people love their pets, but comparing a dog’s loss to that of a child? These must be people who have never had a child of their own.
It is a sad commentary on values.
Herman Kirkpatrick
Leawood
Vick debate
Michael Vick has served his time and continues to do public relations work for animals rights and other civic endeavors. It is time to move on and allow him the opportunity to earn a living and continue to do good things for our society.
The Star’s negative editorial is wrong and unfortunate. (July 28, 14A, “Michael Vick as a Chiefs coach: No and no”)
Frank Young
Prairie Village
This story was originally published August 2, 2017 at 8:30 PM with the headline "Letters: Readers discuss foreign aid, rural health care and punishing Michael Vick."