Readers sound off on immigration, Obamacare, Lenexa police
Immigration debate
Sadly, our new and old congressional leaders have again failed to recognize the true nature of the immigration problem.
The issue of the undocumented residents in our country can be easily resolved, but the real problem is the corrupt Mexican government’s willingness to allow their citizens to migrate to the United States and to not hinder the flow of Central and South American people as they pass through to enter the U.S.
If we are willing to risk sanctions on Iran and Vladimir Putin’s Russia — both major opponents — we should be willing to effect a solution for our illegal immigrants by imposing meaningful sanctions on the Mexican government. There are ways to close the border, confiscate assets, restrict flights to and from Mexican resorts, prevent sea shipments from leaving Mexican ports and prevent inbound ships from making Mexican ports.
It probably would make an inroad in the cartels’ business with the U.S. (clearly a bonus).
Lt. Col. James H. Tiller III
Olathe
Why do I think improving immigration is the right move for the United States? Because it would bring money to all of us.
More people would invest money, make money and circulate money. It’s simple.
I expend money in travel, restaurants, gas, airplane tickets and more. Immigrants would not be afraid of traveling around this beautiful country.
True immigration reform would help millions of families get out of the shadows. And the home of the brave and land of the free would become reality for everyone.
God bless America.
Martin Jimenez
Lenexa
ABLE Act
As the parent of a teenage daughter with Down syndrome and a National Down Syndrome Society ambassador, I want to urge the Senate to pass the ABLE Act. The House of Representatives passed the bill 404-17 Wednesday (12-4, A4 “Breakthrough for bill”).
The ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Act has bipartisan, bicameral support.
Currently, people with disabilities cannot have more than $2,000 in assets before putting much-needed benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income in jeopardy. The ABLE Act creates tax-free disability savings accounts to pay for essentials such as education, housing, health care, and transportation and fund expenses related only to the disability.
The ABLE Act would help individuals with disabilities reach their full potential, including holding full-time jobs, saving for their futures, paying taxes and being productive and welcomed members of society.
I would like to thank Sens. Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran and Rep. Kevin Yoder for supporting my daughter and others with disabilities and for doing the right thing and co-sponsoring the ABLE Act.
Jawanda B. Mast
Olathe
Shameful cartoon
Shame on The Kansas City Star for publishing the racist cartoon by Dana Summers on Dec. 2. I expect better.
Phil Langley
Lenexa
Kudos to Lenexa
I read the Dec. 2 article, “Body-camera use grows in KC area,” and as always my wife and I are impressed by the fact that Lenexa police started wearing these cameras in 2009. Yet, two of the area’s largest police forces do not.
My wife and I had the opportunity to attend the Citizens Police Academy in Lenexa, which was led by a great police officer, Dan Friesen. What really came home was the professionalism of all the police officers. All of them praised the video cameras because they help both the citizens and the officers.
My wife and I have ridden with officers, and even when there was an arrest or stop, politeness and professionalism echoed again and again.
During my ride with an officer, a young man was stopped for driving what seemed to be an improperly licensed car and a questionable driver’s license. The young man was given a ride back to his apartment because the car had to be towed.
The police and fire departments and emergency medical technicians are among the reasons we retired to Lenexa.
Jack Stultz
Lenexa
Ferguson hazards
Volumes have been written and spoken with little or no facts about the Ferguson, Mo., events and the need for changes to the justice system. The most professional, intellectual, factual, useful and perfect words were written in a Nov. 30 letter to the editor by Kathleen Butler of Wichita on teaching her son that you “get the respect you give to others.”
In fact, Kathleen Butler’s advice is just as applicable to whites and all other groups as it is to blacks. It resonates with my experience of 24 years in the Navy and 28 years of teaching at the University of Kansas. The president and others would do well to follow her advice.
Under the present climate, I would not be a police officer.
I was on board the USS Maryland on Dec 7, 1941, in Pearl Harbor. I became the executive officer (my predecessor was shot down) of Fighter Bomber Squadron 16, leading flights over Japan in the last months of the war. My roommate was also shot down.
In short, it is not the dangers; it is the climate. I would not want my life ruined for doing my job.
Vincent U. Muirhead
Lawrence
Marijuana rescue
As a former Kansan, I am saddened to see the status quo re-elect Sam Brownback as governor. His tax policies have left the state with serious challenges and on the brink of bankruptcy.
Probably, it was the drop in the price of gasoline before the election that put him and other incumbents back in office.
Oh well, to raise tax revenues to keep teachers and parents from marching to Topeka, I suspect that Brownback will become a champion for closet marijuana users and force the Kansas Legislature to place recreational use on the ballot in 2016. Why should Colorado get so rich?
Larry Tucker
Butler, Mo.
Defending values
A popular insult against those who defend traditional values is to call them “old white men.” It often comes from those who describe themselves as “tolerant” and “compassionate.”
They might want to pause and reconsider. Many of those “old men” served their country to defend freedom of speech. Many of their peers sacrificed their lives defending the right to point fingers and call names.
Those who survived worked and sacrificed to raise families, pay taxes and contribute to charities. You may disagree with them, but they have earned the right to voice their opinions without ridicule.
Perhaps because of their sacrifices, they recognize the sanctity of human life. Many witnessed enough bloodshed to last a lifetime.
They mourn their lost comrades. They understand what this nation represents and generally oppose those who would change it to something less.
Those hurling insults might reflect on their own sacrifices and contributions. It requires no risk and no skill to be critical.
Mike Hanrahan
Cameron, Mo.
Kindness matters
My family was running/walking in the Ward Parkway 5K on Thanksgiving Day when my son fell as he accelerated to cross the finish line.
A couple of my daughters went to help, and a stranger stopped to offer assistance and gave my son his red bandanna to try to stop the blood flow from the cuts on his forehead and his nose.
On a day when we ponder all those things we are grateful for, I was reminded of the inherent goodness in people. A sincere thank you to the man who aided my son.
Kindness really does matter.
Liz Donnelly
Kansas City
This story was originally published December 6, 2014 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Readers sound off on immigration, Obamacare, Lenexa police."