Readers share their thoughts on politics near and far

Twitter, Trump

So far, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump beats up anyone who questions him with a ranting Twitter blizzard of insults and promises of revenge. His Twitter wars are the stuff of schoolyard bullies.

Just wait until he has both the FBI and Internal Revenue Service at his disposal.

Tom Davis

Merriam

Republican platform

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s work on the GOP platform included the same old Republican sacred cows:

▪ The border wall — not a metaphor but a real wall — to keep immigrants from stealing our jobs. Never mind that Americans won’t work the jobs in question.

▪ Same-sex marriage? Forget it. And forget about other lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender rights. If you choose to be gay, don’t blame us.

▪ Defund Planned Parenthood. Women don’t need reproductive care.

▪ Use religion as a guide to legislation because history teaches us that has never led to trouble. And let’s teach the Bible in public schools, never mind that a large portion of the population isn’t Christian.

▪ Trickle-down economics, tax breaks for rich, white, job creators at everyone else’s expense.

▪ Spend more on the military and less for education and social issues.

▪ Be pro-life. Well, except for those who are killed as a result of unrestricted gun access and those criminals who get the death penalty. An eye for an eye, you know?

▪ Eliminate Obamacare. Health care is only for those who can afford it.

▪ Support Citizens United. Corporations are really just people like you and me.

I could go on but I have to stop now, I feel sick.

Scott Roby

Lenexa

Bizarre election

Recently on “Meet the Press,” Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump was interviewed by Chuck Todd. Honestly as a registered Republican, I can tell you that Dwight David Eisenhower is rolling in his grave.

When queried about a repudiation of white supremacist David Duke, Trump said when asked before about said individual: “I was the first to say I disavow/repudiate his endorsement.”

Oh yeah? I distinctly remember Trump saying a few months ago: “I would have to know more, I don’t know David Duke.” The moderator of the show on CNN said OK, “What about the KKK?” Trump blew it off and let it slide. A picture subsequently appeared with Donald Trump and David Duke from 15 or so years before.

How could anyone pay so little attention to their environs? I don’t know that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton would have a coherent campaign strategy to confront this?

In hindsight between her staff, President Barack Obama’s, Sen. Tim Kaine’s, first lady Michelle Obama’s, Bill Clinton’s and Bernie Sanders, who will be stumping for her, I think the lies and half-truths will be identified.

This I anticipate will be one of the most entertaining campaigns ever.

David Davis

Overland Park

Echoes of past

Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany in 1932 based on a nationalistic message that played to the anger and fears of the voters. I’m sure German voters never intended for the country to turn into the monster it became between 1932-1945, but that’s what can happen when you give the reins of power to a fascist fanatic.

Not to compare America to Nazi Germany, but any rational person who listened to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s acceptance speech last month heard similar themes of hatred, anger and fear. We all should be afraid, very afraid of what could happen to America if this man were ever elected president.

Mike McCord

Olathe

Centering America

Based upon a clear display of disunity at the Republican National Convention and more of the same in Philadelphia, our political future is indeed murky and in disarray. Consider, for example, as voters we have been captivated by one of two political parties who for some time have been driving in the ditch, one on the right and the other on the left side of the road instead of in the middle, where the ride is much smoother, more comfortable and far more economically beneficial for all.

This rigid ideological “madness,” if allowed to continue, ultimately will convert us from the United States to the Banana Republic of America for lack of legislation necessary to ensure our continued economic dominance.

How do we get either one of our presidential nominees and more importantly our two parties more in the middle of the road to end the unrestrained ideological gridlock debilitating us all with non-compromising rigidity?

Jim Kudlinski

Overland Park

Democrats’ game

Every Democrat could fit into one or more of the following categories:

1) In it for power and prays to the altar of deceit.

2) In it for a useless nonproductive job.

3) Is a horribly low-information uneducated voter.

There are no other options.

Del Hoge Smith

Overland Park

Future debates?

From the nominated Libertarian candidate seeking the U.S. congressional seat of the 3rd District of Kansas, this is a congratulation to the selected Democrat and Republican elected in the primary.

May I propose that we start working toward scheduling several debates in the 3rd District to inform interact and engage the voters on our platforms and position.

Steve Hohe

Shawnee

This story was originally published August 2, 2016 at 10:02 AM with the headline "Readers share their thoughts on politics near and far."