Letters to the editor: teacher rights, diversity, politics

Education suffers

Remember that Bible story in which Moses went to Pharaoh and told him to let his people go? As the story goes, Pharaoh got mad at those demands and punished the people by requiring them to make bricks without the necessary brick-making ingredient of straw.

Well, that was sure unfair to expect them to meet the same expectations without the requisite materials. I’m sure we can all agree on that.

Well, except for the Kansas Legislature, which despite the added expectations from No Child Left Behind mandates, cut so much funding for schools that teachers were left with enormous expectations but with less manpower and support to reach those expectations. That was sure unfair.

But no, we can’t seem to agree on that. Oh, but then the courts stepped in all Moses-like and demanded that the Legislature increase funding for schools. And just like Pharaoh, the Legislature decided to punish the teachers by taking away their rights to due process.

I don’t suppose it would be possible for us all to agree that’s unfair, would it?

Annette S. Bright

Overland Park

Picture of diversity

I was looking at a cover picture last month for the Johnson County Neighborhood News. The picture featuring kindergartners engendered a few thoughts, all of them positive.

First, who could look at those faces without smiling? Next, talk about a melting pot.

When I hear of people physically or verbally attacking others who differ from themselves, whether here or afar, my heart swells with pride to be an American. Children such as these are being reared in an area where their parents and educators and, yes, politicians are fine with their playing together, going to school together and living in the same neighborhoods.

It reminds me of that once popular song, “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught.” Isn’t this the Neighborhood News picture one that we should send to the rest if the world?

Karen Booth

Roeland Park

Study before voting

Consider this political party’s voting record before you vote this November: They voted against embassy funding, and we know what happened in Benghazi.

They voted several times to decrease veterans benefits. They voted again Hurricane Sandy funding while accepting aid for their own states.

They voted against background checks that most Americans and National Rifle Association members favor. They voted to deny health care for children, vets, the sick and elderly, thus disallowing aid for their own constituents.

They voted against extending unemployment for those who lost jobs because of their own party’s past uncontrolled programs. They voted to cut food stamps for children, vets, the sick and elderly.

They voted not to remove tax-cuts for firms outsourcing jobs. They voted against equal pay for women and most voted against the Violence Against Women Act.

They voted to curtail programs to insure women’s health issues. They voted 109 times against environmental protection bills.

They are suing to give the Koch brothers more power to buy elections. They voted repeatedly against the president’s various jobs bills.

I could go on. If this is the America you’re proud of — vote for this party but remember — you and your family’s welfare will be negatively affected.

William R. Park Sr.

Shawnee

Voting motivations

In our representative form of government, what motivates our politicians to run and for us to vote for them? If we look deeply into them, we see, at first, a proclaimed goodness.

But so often it is pride, ambition, greed, revenge, hypocrisy, hatred and an ungoverned zeal that dictates their decisions while in office.

We might want to look deeply into our own hearts as to our reasons for voting for them. They must mirror our better natures and not our vices.

John Nelles

Shawnee

U.S. of division

I have always been an optimist but must admit that I am losing hope for our country’s future. Who would have believed five years ago where this country is today?

It is very disheartening and worrisome. In the past I could count on the next election cycle to put a rest to my fears and vote to elect a person or persons to right the ship.

This is where I get more concerned. I have always leaned right in my political views and looked to the candidates who represented them. When I look at our cast of potential nominees I get no relief.

Businessman Donald Trump, Rep. Paul Ryan; Sen. Rand Paul; Sen. Ted Cruz; New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio. Than you have the elders including Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham tearing everyone apart.

We are so divided that no one gets along. This group of candidates attack the tea party who in turn attack the moderates who turn around and attack the libertarians. My head is spinning due to all the infighting.

Unless someone comes along and bridges all these factions my fears will not be abated, and our country will continue to erode. Come on guys. Get it together.

David Gerrasch

Overland Park

This story was originally published June 17, 2014 at 1:01 PM with the headline "Letters to the editor: teacher rights, diversity, politics."