US, KC trade leaders: Rising shipping, fuel costs threaten small business | Opinion

Trickle down

As the owner of The Fiddly Fig floral shop, I understand that prices rise. But with rising inflation, rising shipping costs, rising fuel costs and previous tariffs, small businesses are running out of room to absorb additional increases and remain viable. The U.S. trade representative is seeking public input on proposed tariff actions, including potential new duties on imported products. I hope policymakers consider what another 10% to 15% would mean for businesses already operating on thin margins. Our shop depends on imported flowers and supplies, because the climate in the U.S. is unable to grow enough to supply the demand. Baskets, containers and supplies are imported because we do not produce them in our country. Increased shipping costs have added to the cost of products. At some point, businesses can no longer absorb these increases. When costs continue to rise, prices rise, too. That means higher costs for families already struggling with inflation and fewer opportunities for small businesses to invest, hire and grow. Before imposing new tariffs, policymakers should consider whether businesses and consumers can afford another round of price increases.

- Sheryl White, Kansas City

Door open

Thank you for publishing the thoughtful guest commentary Sunday by Austin Sarat. (19A, “Kelly’s death penalty decision will echo far beyond Kansas”) As a Christian, I believe in the dignity of all human life. The death penalty is fundamentally irreconcilable with that belief. Executions also foreclose the possibility of transformation and redemption, yet the Bible teaches us that Christ always holds open the door to salvation for those who choose to enter.

I have long appreciated Gov. Laura Kelly’s clear expression of her opposition to capital punishment and was dismayed to see her cursory denial of clemency to one of the men on death row earlier this month. A grant of clemency would only have reduced his death sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. He would remain accountable for his crimes and answerable to God. Yet the act of granting clemency would reflect our collective rejection of violence in favor of mercy and humanity.

Perhaps there is still time for the governor to reconsider her approach to capital clemency and act in accordance with her long-stated views. Such a decision would better align with the Christian values so many of us in Kansas hold dear.

- Rev. Michael Poage, Wichita

Reflect reality

Austin Sarat is right that Kansas should reconsider the death penalty. Actually, the state has already moved away from capital punishment. We haven’t had an execution in more than 60 years, and no Kansas jury has imposed a death sentence in more than a decade. Prosecutors seldom seek death sentences, recognizing their expense, waste of time and failure to deliver the finality of life sentences.

Sentences of life without parole are resolved, while death-penalty cases often remain tied up in litigation for decades. And with the very real risk of executing an innocent person — given that since 1976 more than 200 innocent people have been exonerated after being sentenced to death in America — those lengthy appeals are necessary to prevent irreparable errors. Supporters and opponents of the death penalty alike acknowledge that capital punishment exists largely on paper, with no realistic prospect of implementation.

The last 32 years have proved that the Kansas death penalty is a failed policy that does not function as the Legislature may have intended in 1994. Life without parole protects public safety, ensures accountability and avoids the extraordinary costs and delays that accompany capital punishment.

Gov. Laura Kelly should commute death sentences, reflecting the reality Kansans already know.

- Ron Wurtz, Board member, Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty, Topeka

City crush

I recently had an experience in Cleveland that was quite frustrating. We were there to visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It was a Saturday, and when we got there, we found the area totally congested with parking at a premium. All the outdoor lots required a special pass, and police directed us out of the immediate area.

Upon circling back, we found ourselves immersed in even more congestion. Private lots were employing dynamic pricing and farther away than I was willing to walk. After much annoyance with traffic, both pedestrian and vehicles, we decided to cut our losses and considered our ticket as a donation.

The moral to this story: Be aware of what is going on in the community. We found out later that there were three major events scheduled in downtown Cleveland that day: a concert, a Guardians game and a Cavaliers game.

So Kansas City, learn from my experience and check what else is going on when the Royals have their stadium downtown. Parking downtown will be quite different from Kauffman Stadium.

- Richard Moore, Liberty