Body cameras for police, government spending, letter writers

Run, Angus, run

The lovely dog Angus, a 3-year-old wire-haired Vizsla, attempted to run for Kansas governor, only to be denied the right by Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s office and Director of Elections Bryan Caskey. (Feb. 14, 4A, “Kansas says ‘Down, boy!’ to dog candidate”)

There is no law against having a dog of Angus’ caliber run for office. If Kobach’s office wants to deny pets the right to run, then the Legislature should pass strict requirements.

Until then, let’s allow Angus the justice he is due. Let Angus, and all our furry friends, run for governor if they please.

Renee Zwahl

Atchison

Officers’ say

State legislatures often pass bills involving guns that don’t seem to make much sense. There is one particular group that is affected by such legislation: our law-enforcement officers.

Since the number of gun-related murders of these officers has grown over the years, their input should be welcomed by the Kansas and Missouri legislatures. This could be easily accomplished by establishing a panel of active police officers (urban and rural), sheriff’s deputies and highway patrol officers and asking their opinions of proposed gun-related legislation.

Since many law-enforcement officers are members of the National Rifle Association, the overall response would likely provide input from both sides of the argument and be mostly based on whether such legislation is needed and whether it would increase the risks to them and to the public.

We owe this to those who put their lives on the line every day.

Edward Duffe

Olathe

No eyes on debt

Last week, Republicans in Washington colluded with Democrats to blow through the sequester spending caps by $300 billion in a bipartisan deal. This is the worst kind of compromise, where big spenders from both political parties get what they want but our children get stuck with a less prosperous, debt-laden future and the growing risk of a sovereign debt crisis.

The recent tax cuts leave more dollars in most Americans’ pockets and make our businesses more competitive in the global market. Fiscal conservatism dictates that those tax cuts be coupled with corresponding spending cuts, but that appears to be an impossible task for career politicians.

Anti-tax advocate Grover Norquist’s pledge, which most congressional Republicans have signed, has failed to slow, let alone halt, the growth in government.

We cannot starve the beast of the federal government, because we have become desensitized to debt and deficit spending, and expenditures are no longer moored to revenues. The political courage to rein in spending and reform entitlements is the critical, missing component in Washington.

Deficit reduction may have proved a useful political weapon over the last eight years, but it should also be embraced as a governing principle. The looming fiscal threat to our nation requires it.

Grant Moody

Eureka, Kan.

Not decoration

It certainly is easy to shop in Kansas City. Just drive around until you see the plastic bags hanging from the trees, and you know you’re close to the mall.

Tony Bradley

Parkville

Excellent care

Thank you to all the doctors, nurses and staff at the Kansas City VA Medical Center. It did not matter whether I was staying in progressive care, intensive care or a room on the eighth floor — attention to my comfort was always first. No matter how busy things were, I was made to feel as if I was the only one there.

Yes, this is their job, but they approached my needs as if I were family. I noticed, my family noticed and those who visited me noticed.

In a time when many are being critical of these professionals, I felt it important to say thank you for treating me with honor and respect. Semper fi.

Gene Winslow

Independence

Opinion fairness

In the past several months, I have noticed a preponderance of letters from men in the letters to the editor. In fact, on some days, there have been no letters from women.

I can think of two reasons that may be the case:

First, women in our area may be backing away from public discourse. If that is so, then, sisters, it is time to raise your voices. Share your opinions, your wisdom, your ideas. Our community needs you.

And second, the letters editor at The Star may be choosing not to print letters from women. If that is the case, then it lets down the readers.

This is the age of #MeToo and #TimesUp. Sidelining women’s views is out of step with the times. The Star should be part of the conversation, not part of the problem.

Marie Lerner-Sexton