Letters to the editor: Danedri Herbert column, demand for Uber
Herbert column
I take great exception to Danedri Herbert’s 913 column on April 1, “Rudeness instead of debate.” She accuses all liberals of rudeness and uncivil discourse.
Such a broad brush belief is unwise, untrue, and frankly, is exactly the kind of irrational thinking that has brought politics to this moment. Many of my liberal friends are very polite in their criticism of Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, and I have seen and heard many conservatives be vile and offensive in comments about President Barack Obama.
Both sides have rude, boorish blowhards. You cannot point a finger at just one side as Ms. Herbert does.
Painting one side, or one color, or one sex as all bad is what has caused us to be very polarized in Kansas today. I try every day, like so many other liberal Kansans, to be polite and still use my voice, my talents and my money to elect like-minded politicians.
Please do not see me as the enemy. And before you point any more fingers, be sure to truly look at your own side.
Hate and ugliness grow in many hearts and minds, some liberal and some conservative. If we do not acknowledge this truth, nothing will change. Please work with me, not against me.
Dana Bartimus
Leawood
Liberalism redefined
Liberalism is returning. This is not the current “liberalism” of the intellectual heirs of the people who were so impressed with 19th century Prussian ideas.
They, having hijacked the name “liberal” from the actual liberals, have proceeded to impose massive government control on us, in the name of improving us. Neither is liberalism found in people who have adopted a conservative religion and are trying to use it as the answer to to the new liberalism, progressivism and socialism.
The reviving liberalism embraces the ideas of Thomas Jefferson and others who believe people should take responsibility for their lives. It advocates minimum government. John Stossel, Young Americans for Freedom and others are prominent advocates for the revival of what can be called classical liberalism.
Myles Salmon
Shawnee
Demand for Uber
Sharing has become a byword of our current generation. Ride-sharing, home-sharing, book-sharing and even Facebook have all encountered some sort of interference or regulation to impede its growth.
The current obstructions to curtail the competitive edge of Uber and Lyft ride-sharing in our market seems to be the current hot topic. While the safety of passengers should be the primary concern, there is much pressure from taxi companies to eliminate the competition.
Uber is a worldwide company having demonstrated that its ride-sharing concept fills a definite need in communities. Kansas City cannot afford to drive away such companies because of their competitive edge.
For years, communities have sought ways to drive Wal-Mart away because of its competitive edge. Uber is the Wal-Mart of ride-sharing.
Ensure the safety of its passengers and then let it compete.
Steve Katz
Leawood
Welfare restrictions
An April 5 article, “Kansas set to bar welfare card use at pools, psychics,” noted that Kansas is close to telling poor families by law that they can’t use cash assistance from the state to visit swimming pools, get tattoos or consult with psychics among a list of other things, leading critics to focus on whether tighter rules for social services will make life more unpleasant for the needy.
In principle, state spending of tax dollars is an efficient way for all state taxpayers to support those in need. As a taxpayer, I fully support spending for social services just as I support charitable organizations that provide help for the needy.
In choosing which charitable organizations I support, I look at how many dollars go to those in need compared to overhead expenses and how those dollars are spent such as providing food, clothing and shelter for the needy. I would not support an organization that provided funds to the needy to visit swimming pools, get tattoos or consult with psychics.
Just as with all state services, this is our money that we earned through our labor, and we expect it to be used wisely and efficiently and not on frivolous items. In this case Kansas got it right.
Steve McBride
Overland Park
Outrageous gun law
As the holder of a conceal-carry permit, I am appalled over the new law signed by the governor (4-3, A1, “Gun permits won’t be required”). No permit, no training, no background check.
I let my legislators know of my opposition prior to the vote, and of course got no response from either of them. I am afraid this country is moving a little too far to the right.
Just so you know, I am a conservative and used to be considered more conservative than President Ronald Reagan.
Robert Gjertson
Overland Park
Iran negotiations
Currently, we “appease” Saudi Arabia and the ultraconservative Wahhabi. We turn a blind eye to oppression — particularly of women. We tend to ignore sponsorship of Sunni terrorist groups.
Why? Oil.
They keep the price low, which hurts Russian President Vladimir Putin. The decline in crude prices has been more effective than any of our sanctions against a more aggressive Russia.
If we finalize a deal with Iran, more than a million more barrels of oil per day will be dumped on the world market. This will serve to further suppress prices even if Saudi Arabia decides to pump less.
In short, the pressure stays on Putin even if we show less deference to this oppressive regime. Isn’t Iran oppressive, too?
To an extent. But, it and Israel are most like the United States in many ways, including further enfranchisement of women and broader economies.
And, Iran has a long history of animosity toward Russia. While, in an old book I was reading I noticed, Iran (Persia) was a very early supporter of Israel. Perhaps it can be again.
Tom Stroud
Overland Park
This story was originally published April 14, 2015 at 6:45 PM with the headline "Letters to the editor: Danedri Herbert column, demand for Uber."