GOP devolved
While I basically agree with Charles Hammer’s June 28 column, “Radical tax-cutters for rich are not true Republicans,” (913, Page 20), I have to take exception to his use of “true Republicans.”
Saying that the current crop isn’t true to Republicanism is similar to the current Republican canard, “The Democrats were the founders of the KKK.” Both of these are “true” only of old, traditional Republicans and Democrats (and Southern Democrats at that, who converted to Republicans under the auspices of Richard Nixon).
Both parties have evolved over time. Actually, it would be more in accord with the facts to state that Republicans have devolved over time.
In the late 1970s, my younger daughter was fond of a rock group known as Devo, as in deevolved. Its first studio album was titled “Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!” Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan could be forgiven for announcing, “Are We Not Republicans? We Are Devo!”
Ralph Hile
Merriam
Simple finance
In Dan Danford’s article, “America is full of people who need help making financial decisions,” (June 28, Page 9) he asks, “how many people have the knowledge, inclination and time to perform such a complicated and potentially hazardous task” of tackling complex financial issues?
This is the basic tactic of investment advisers: Imply that it’s too complicated and instill fear that you’ll make mistakes.
Investing is not that complicated. If you have at least a 10-year horizon, dollar cost average into a broad-based index fund such as the S&P 500 and keep adding to it. If the market goes down, buy more. When you get within 10 years of needing the money, add a bond fund. That’s it.
Most of the “complex” matters that Danford refers to are related to taxes. Pay an accountant for an hour of his or her time and shelter what you can from the government.
The truth is that index funds outperform most of the experts most of the time, and the experts know this to be true.
Do-it-yourself is not “antiquated,” as Danford writes. It’s appropriate. Start by reading and listening to John Bogle and keep it simple.
Bryan Cahoone
De Soto
Intrusive info
As vice chairman of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, Kris Kobach is asking secretaries of all states to submit publicly available voter-roll data, including the full names of registered voters, their addresses, dates of birth, the last four digits of their Social Security numbers and their voting histories. (17A, “Kansas needs a governor who will tackle issues”)
I did not know my voting history is publicly available. This is disturbing.
How can we get this nosy creep out of our lives?
Mary Hodges
Mission
A Vanguard great
Your article about the Summer of Love and Danny Cox brought back wonderful memories of my time at the Vanguard. (June 25, 1E, “‘Summer of Love’ in KC”)
It was the summer of 1969. I had just graduated from college and was working as an intern in the Psychology Department at Osawatomie State Hospital. A group of us — fellow interns from various departments — would pile in a car and drive to the city to drink coffee and listen to music at the Vanguard.
We made several trips that summer. I particularly recall Danny Cox’s rendition of The Beatles “A Day in the Life.” It was mesmerizing. His deep, rich voice coupled with his guitar skills and accompanied by a strobe-light display captured the emotional core of the song.
Thank you, Danny Cox, for all the brilliant performances. You left a lasting and lovely impression.
Linda Marcusen
Prairie Village
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