Letters to the editor

Danedri Herbert’s Jan. 1 column, “Dining at the public trough?” is a slight against federal employees, and her analysis lacks merit. She ignores the conclusions of highly educated university professors determining they have no clue what they report, and she knows the real truth.

She is a clueless citizen who has no idea what government does for her on a daily basis or what those jobs require. That university study had facts beyond her comprehension.

Those facts, that 60 percent of the federal workforce has a college degree, and 40 percent have advanced degrees. And yes, those jobs do require a college degree.

Another ignored fact is only 29 percent of the private sector has a college degree. But also consider the federal government does not have several million minimum wage workers.

The federal government doesn’t hire illegal immigrants to do manual labor jobs that many legal citizens many won’t do or to avoid union wages. The government also does not pay multimillion-dollar salaries to top bureaucrats.

You want really bad government? A bunch of people with only a high school education can give it to you. You get what you pay for.

I read Deandri Herbert's Jan. 1bitter hate-filled column, “Dining at the public trough?” regarding government employees. I have read that one in seven employees work at what Herbert calls the public trough in Kansas City.

Being one of those employees at the trough I respect various opinions of what work we do, but Herbert's opinion is so bitter and negative.

Obamacare is a Frankenstein monster created at the White House. Obamacare must be destroyed before it harms any more citizens.

We need to meet at the White House with pitchforks and torches, demanding that the monster be put to death.

My daughter wanted to take me to a good movie for my birthday on Dec. 27, and we both thought “The Wolf on Wall Street” sounded like just what we wanted for an afternoon of entertainment. We left after 10 minutes of disgusting porn and constant badgering by vulgarity.

She got her money back, and theater supervisor said we weren't the first. I appreciate The Kansas City Star giving us a venue to protest this outrageous affront on decency.

Although I go often with friends, I will not attend my neighborhood theater as long as this movie is playing there.

Based on the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah (Christ) that Jesus fulfilled in the New Testament it is mathematically impossible for Jesus not to have been the Messiah. Here are a few of these prophecies he fulfilled: born in Bethlehem of a virgin, a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, King David, came from Egypt, proceeded by a forerunner (John the Baptist), declared to be the son of God, spoke in parables, a prophet, triumphal entry into Jerusalem, accused by false witnesses, scorned and mocked, pierced through hands and feet, no bones broken, prayer for his enemies, rejected by his people (the Jews), betrayed by a friend, sold for 30 pieces of silver, beaten and spat upon, crucified, soldiers gambled for his coat, no bones broken, side pierced, forsaken by God (temporarily), buried with the rich, resurrected, etc.

Based on this evidence you should study the Bible and become a believer in and follower of Jesus, trusting him for your salvation.

Last week, my son and I went to healthcare.gov to sign him up for health insurance. It took 20 minutes, and he was covered on Jan. 1.

It was easy. I don't know what all the continuing fuss is about.

I am so relieved that he has health insurance. I accept that the Affordable Care Act is imperfect, but so is our existing health care system.

Someday we'll vaguely remember Obamacare’s rocky start for the first two months as we praise our nation's decision to not leave our neighbors at risk for catastrophic health care costs.

The only way “The Wolf of Wall Street” could be the best movie of the year is if it was the only movie released Jan. 1.

I cannot understand why some writers call conservatives vile and foul names. I was taught that resorting to attacks and name-calling were signs that my arguments were weak.

Are Republicans waging a war on women? All Republicans have mothers. Why would Republicans hate their mothers?

Do Republicans hate immigrants? Republicans want people who live in the United States to be here legally. Does that mean they hate immigrants?

Do Republicans hate the poor? Republicans insist on personal responsibility, not government handouts. President Barack Obama is a 1 percenter. I doubt if he hates the poor.

Democrats are willing to spend any amount of money to assist somebody in need. Republicans are willing to spend any amount of money to solve a problem.

So why do Democrats resort to vile name-calling? It could be because the last elections were won using these low-level tactics.

It could be because the Democratic solutions have been tried for the last five years and haven’t worked. It could be because Democrats are out of fresh ideas.

Maybe it is time we realize that both sides want what is best for America. There are no devils or saints, just people with different opinions.

This story was originally published January 7, 2014 at 4:32 PM with the headline "Letters to the editor."