Editorial: Marriage equality, Brownback’s tax increases, Kobach’s hunt, school cuts

Herbert column

Having read several columns by Danedri Herbert in which her conservative views seemed (to me) to lack compassion and empathy for those with a different political slant, I was pleasantly surprised with her spirited defense of marriage equality in the June 3 issue of 913, “Marriage matters — to us all.” Although she never stated that specifically, I can't believe she would write with such passion about a topic (marriage) and then deny it to any part of the population.

If marriage has made her more thoughtful and a better person, why would she want to deny anyone that same opportunity? And her recognition that two-parent families are not only desired but needed, is something all gay parents I know agree with.

Danedri, marriage has made you (in your own words) less selfish, healthier, happier and more thrifty. I know you want all of your friends and readers to feel exactly the same way. So, when the Supreme Court rules that two gay adults who love each other can get legally married, I will gladly dance at their wedding, and I'm sure you will do the same.

Jeffrey Nessel

Leawood

Governor’s Kansas

In the aftermath of the Kansas budget mess, many of us are disgusted with what we witnessed. But we shouldn’t be because, after all, we elected Sam Brownback as our governor — twice.

We’ve enabled him to move quickly to build his legacy of lower taxes and smaller government. He’s not concerned with maintaining great public schools, hospitals and roads or adding jobs and drawing new business.

And he’s certainly not concerned with helping fellow Kansans, regardless of what Matthew 25:40 has to say. Brownback didn’t really care how the budget got balanced.

Either raise taxes in a manner that most affects the disenfranchised or cut all services to everyone — the outcome is the same as far as he is concerned.

Welcome to the great state of Kansas. Per our state motto, “Ad Astra per Aspera,” A Rough Road Leads To The Stars.

With Sam’s help, we are certainly enjoying some rough roads and many of us are seeing stars.

Scott Roby

Lenexa

Focus on Kansas

Our elected officials in the the state of Kansas have had difficulty coming to a consensus on a budget. Instead of making sure our schools have money they would rather be on overtime and argue.

I have an idea that would be beneficial to our kids and state workers. All elected officials, including our governor, who by the way wrote me and said he was proud to say that our schools have more money than they have ever had, should have their salaries frozen.

Those salaries, especially the overtime, should then be given to the schools, and any state agencies that have to put employees on furlough. There is no way that lawmakers should be paid overtime to cancel meetings and argue over the budget.

They need to get their act together and do what is best for the people who live in the state of Kansas.

Nancy Roos

Olathe

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Drive-by shootings

If you read the paper or watch any TV news, it would seem that the tragic deaths of children in drive-by shootings are the results of random acts of violence. My question is why are these particular houses targeted?

What connection do the residents have to the shooters and would it not be better that these associations be brought to light that we can all better ascertain the situations to more easily bring these criminals to justice?

Innocence is the state of the children, not the adults.

John Nelles

Shawnee

Kobach’s hunt

I visited Johnson County Election Commissioner Brian Newby's office in 2011 and reviewed all records relating to alleged voter fraud in the 2008 and 2010 Johnson County elections. I concluded that two instances of voter fraud had occurred, or one case per Johnson County election.

I therefore predict that Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach will not successfully prosecute more than one case of voter fraud in the 2014 Johnson County election. October 14, 2014, was the last date to register to vote for a Kansas citizen desiring to vote in the 2014 elections.

On that date, the Johnson County Election office held 4,781 voter applications in suspense for lack of documentation. Does it make sense to jeopardize the vote of almost 5,000 to catch one case of voter fraud?

Frank T. McCarthy

Leawood

Riding the rails

I have ridden Amtrak three times in the last two years and found the experience good overall. Yes, passenger rail is beneficial, and Congress should increase funding while looking at more large cities being connected.

Large cities up to 500 miles apart need to be connected, but extreme long-distance travel should not continue. Rail travel might survive on its own.

If trains were allowed extra revenue from mail and express freight. I support all rail travel and not just coastal operations.

Tom Spath

Lenexa

Road widening project

I have stated to Overland Park officials that my professional opinion is that not widening 143rd Street, Pflumm to Quivira roads, to a standard four-lane, divided thoroughfare is shortsighted and based on an overly conservative traffic projection. A study using alternative methodology and making different assumptions could probably make a case for a four-lane facility being needed by the 2040 design year.

Only time will tell if another multimillion-dollar widening (from two to four lanes) project will have to be mulled over by the two cities someday. As a taxpayer, I hope I'm wrong about the two-lane plan.

Garry Metcalf

Overland Park

This story was originally published June 16, 2015 at 9:05 PM with the headline "Editorial: Marriage equality, Brownback’s tax increases, Kobach’s hunt, school cuts."