Readers share thoughts on climate change, political endorsements and the Nazarene Publishing House
Greatest challenge
My generation, the World War II group, had huge problems, and we stood up to them. Now we face another problem — we must convince Congress to take action on climate change.
I know people love their children and grandchildren and believe they deserve a fighting chance to have a livable planet.
People refer to our nation as the leader of the free world. Let’s show some leadership on this issue.
Our carbon emissions must come down, and one way to do this is to place a tax on carbon at the source, or port of entry. Check out citizensclimatelobby.org. This national nonprofit advocates a tax on carbon emissions. That fee would go back to the American people.
It is now time for all generations to emulate the Greatest Generation and rise to this challenge.
Eloise Weatherford
Kansas City
Star endorsements
The real loser on Nov. 4 was the editorial board of The Kansas City Star. Voters largely rejected its choices, in repudiation that would be embarrassing to most people.
As a lifelong Kansas City resident, it is sad to see the decline in circulation, civic influence and intellectual depth of what was once a fine newspaper.
However, The Star’s editorial response to the Kansas senate and gubernatorial results showed a breathtaking bitterness and lack of balance. The losers in those races were more gracious.
Normal persons and people of traditional values are leaving urban America for many reasons, including an unwelcome environment created by the left-leaning straitjacket that grips declining institutions such as The Star. Media devotion to destroying the innocent unborn and natural marriage poisons all of their evaluations along with their preference for government uber alles.
The extinction of this dinosaur cannot come too soon.
Ray S. James
Kansas City
Political pledge
I pledge allegiance to the dollar
of the United States of America
and to the republic which it controls,
One nation under Koch, gridlocked,
With income inequality for all.
Stephen DeHart
Olathe
Drive-through free
At our last meeting, we in Oil-aholics Anonymous decided to declare Nov. 26 Don’t Use the Drive-Through Day.
We ask that all Americans consider not using drive-through lanes for one day and help abate air pollution while conserving fuel.
Our experts calculate that in one day America would save enough energy to send three elephants and a hippopotamus to Mars and back, barring unforeseen circumstances.
So please, on Nov. 26, park your car and walk in instead of using drive-throughs.
You can put names to faces in businesses and get exercise, which will help in our nation’s struggle against the obesity epidemic.
It will be a win-win, happy, fun day for all those who care about future generations and the planet we all share.
Armand Way
Topeka
Troost landmark
It was with sadness that I read of the December closing of the Nazarene Publishing House (10-2, A3, “Closing down amid crisis”).
For 102 years it has faithfully stood as a beacon of light. For us, it was much more of a loss. My late husband retired after working there for 30 years as a proofreader/editor.
Three of our four daughters enjoyed summer employment there, and one of our sons-in-law also worked there for a while. The Nazarene family was warm and friendly, and the work facilities were top-notch.
Kansas City has lost a great landmark. Nazarene Publishing House, we’ll miss your presence on Troost Avenue.
Jackie James
Prairie Village
Obamacare pluses
This is our family’s recent experience with the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Our daughter left her job and was entitled to Cobra coverage for health insurance, the cost of which would be $407 a month.
By logging onto healthcare.gov, we found a high-deductible ($6,350) policy for $83 a month, which suits her needs as a person in her mid-20s. It provides preventive care and three office visits a year, with no exclusions for pre-existing conditions. She can also keep her doctor.
A high-deductible policy she had five years ago cost $120 a month, had no preventive care or no office visits and disallowed coverage for pre-existing conditions.
It is obvious to us that the Affordable Care Act has provided positive benefits.
Murlin Merrill
Lenexa
Defining beauty
I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about “beauty image” and what it means to be “beautiful.”
We live in a society that looks to the media on everything. However, the way beauty is portrayed in the media really upsets me. People are portrayed as having perfect teeth and hair and natural darkened skin tone and as being thin with curves.
This puts an image into people’s minds that someone is not beautiful unless that person fits under this criteria. I see it differently.
Beauty is from the inside out and is based on feelings and emotions. It isn’t about who is “prettier,” and it sickens me when the media give “beauty tips.” It is like: “Hey, you aren’t pretty enough. Here is an idea on how to make yourself look.”
This summer, I went to a dance intensive in Decorah, Iowa, and I was told every day that I was beautiful in all ways. It felt really good to be called beautiful for once and not be judged from the outside.
Stop and think before you judge based on the outer layer.
Courtney Hoover
St. George, Kan.
Light rail dreams
Kemper Arena should be converted into the hub for an elevated commuter line. Trains would enter from one side and exit the other.
Develop the interior into a large retail and entertainment center. Enclosed gondolas similar to a ski lift could transport people to the Power & Light District.
I would also suggest a monorail that would run from the River Market to Waldo and back. Stops would include the Power & Light District, a new downtown baseball stadium, Union Station, Westport, the Country Club Plaza and Brookside, with possible future expansion east and west.
Also, build a state-of-the-art football stadium with retractable roof just west of Kansas Speedway, with commuter lines to Lawrence and Kansas City International Airport.
Todd Miller
Independence
Benefits of taxes
Can taxes be good? Aside from the fact that most major religions agree on the concept “To whom much is given, much is required,” paying taxes is a way Americans can give to others and to themselves at the same time.
Excellent schools? Preschool education for low-income kids? Safe cities and highways? Fire and police departments? State and federal court systems?
Clean air, pure water and uncontaminated food and soil? Safe hospitals and medicines?
Basic public health, mental health and social services professionally provided to children, elderly and less-fortunate adults in times of need, in a timely manner?
This is not only altruistic, it protects society from persons who become desperate when this help is not available.
Paying taxes makes a higher quality of life available for all of us. We cannot afford to not pay taxes.
Rosanne Stoneking
Prairie Village
Couple’s kindness
We recently had an excellent dinner at a Prairie Village restaurant. But coming out of the parking lot, we, alas, hit a curb and ruined the right front tire.
A wonderful couple celebrating their new home in Brookside left their dinner, changed the tire and sent us on our way.
Brookside, you are blessed to have these two thoughtful young people as part of your neighborhood.
Dorothy and
Hugh Brown
Westwood Hills
This story was originally published November 8, 2014 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Readers share thoughts on climate change, political endorsements and the Nazarene Publishing House."