Letters: Readers discuss liberal crybabies, fuel taxes and unsigned legislation

They can’t take it

I am consistently amused by the constant whining on this page by liberal crybabies. You didn’t see this from the other side while Barack Obama was president. Perhaps conservatives respect the election and the presidency more than liberals.

The minimal number of negative commentaries during the Obama administration could also be due to the fact that conservatives remain silent because of the belligerent nature and vengeful actions of people on the left.

I am also amused at how the liberal media highlight polls showing that college-educated whites vote liberal. This is a racist attempt to imply that college-educated whites are superior.

It couldn’t be further from the truth.

Please keep sending in your mindless expressions of Trump derangement syndrome, and I will continue to subscribe to this left-wing newspaper. I laugh out loud at your whining every single day.

J.D. Bever

Overland Park

Pay by the mile

I think we should increase fuel taxes to fix the roads. (Jan. 10, 12A, “Higher taxes for fixing roads and bridges? Let Missourians decide”) We have no other option, in the short term, to complete this important work.

But we need to find a long-term solution to build and maintain roads — a solution where all users, including electric vehicles, pay their fair share.

But what would a truly fair solution look like?

Each vehicle should be assessed a user fee based on miles driven, based on odometer readings. Any vehicle licensed to travel on our roads would have a tabulating odometer, and the same for trailers.

Ideally, this would be required in all states, so a federal statute would be involved. Once this program is in place, all gasoline taxes should be eliminated in favor of a new mileage-use tax.

Getting this idea a fair hearing would require a champion with a big voice. Perhaps The Kansas City Star would consider being this champion.

Bill Naylor

Independence

Protect pensions

As a member of the Missouri-Kansas City Committee to Protect Pensions, I understand the Butch Lewis Act may be presented to the U.S. House and Senate at any time.

This act would save up to 10 million retirees from losing their pensions.

My now-deceased husband earned his pension from Central States Pension Fund, and I now receive half as his surviving spouse.

But in December 2014, a bill was snuck into passage by Congress that now allows certain pension funds to lower or eliminate the pensions of the trucking industry in the Midwest, as well as other pensions across the country.

If we lose our pensions, I think it would be a serious blow to our Missouri economy.

Some of our representatives and senators seem to be inaccessible right now. I am concerned they may not realize the importance of passing this bill.

About 60 to 65 percent of our committee is made up of veterans, who served to protect us. I would not want to see them lose their pensions either.

I implore all of our elected officials to get the Butch Lewis Act brought to a vote and passed.

Karen Adams

Pleasant Hill

Names not needed

The Star’s editorial on anonymous bills in Topeka couldn’t be more wrong to insist that our representatives should have to attach their names to proposed pieces of legislation. (Jan. 16, 8A, Anonymous bills, amendments have no place in Topeka)

Members of the Legislature should vote on a bill solely based on its merits. What does it matter who requests or sponsors a piece of legislation?

It’s either good for the legislators’ constituents in particular and the state in general, or it isn’t. If a bill draws my concern, all I need to know is how my representative voted.

To personalize the bill only serves to promote animosity and more division. Perhaps that serves the interests of The Star’s editorial writers.

Charlie Wheeler

Overland Park

This story was originally published January 19, 2018 at 8:30 PM with the headline "Letters: Readers discuss liberal crybabies, fuel taxes and unsigned legislation."