Readers discuss voting, CoverGirl, sexual assault
Loser vote
In more than 70 years of voting, with interruptions for wars and other crises, I cannot recall a more dismal choice of candidates for president than the one we face today.
If, in disgust, one decides not to vote, he or she will be open for the worst kind of criticism when the situation in government deteriorates, which it will, after the election.
Considering this, I believe it would be safe to vote for the loser based on accurate, up-to-date polling figures on Election Day. In this manner, one can avoid blame for future catastrophe.
William H. Finnegan
Independence
Obama’s legacy
I wonder whether detractors of President Barack Obama have ever looked at his record. He pulled us out of the Republicans’ Great Recession, saved thousands of jobs, pensions and health plans when he rescued the auto plants.
Obama’s Affordable Care Act with its Medicaid expansion provision put health care out there for any states smart enough to accept it. I would have to say he has done a great job for us.
Guyen Morrison
North Kansas City
Women must vote
The value of voting Nov. 8 cannot be overemphasized, because many vital issues are at stake for women of all ages and racial, ethnic and educational backgrounds.
Politicians and policymakers at all levels of government routinely make decisions about issues that directly affect us and our families. But more often than not, these conversations lack significant input from women.
Unmarried women, people of color and millennials — known as the “rising American electorate” — make up the majority of voting-eligible citizens. This same group was underregistered and underrepresented in 2014.
Women, let’s hold candidates accountable and ask them our tough questions: on pay equity, work-life balance policies, campus sexual assault, higher education and other issues affecting women. If candidates want our votes, they need to speak to our issues.
As members of the Missouri and Kansas City branches of the American Association of University Women, we have worked to advocate on issues affecting women and girls. We, along with every AAUW member in Missouri, plan to make our voices heard Nov. 8.
Karen Francis
and A. Patricia Shores
AAUW of Missouri
Carol Cowles
and Riva Capellari
AAUW-Kansas City
Election worries
I am very concerned about the upcoming election. Although Hillary Clinton has stated that she has come far from her Midwest, middle-class upbringing, she still remembers it. Donald Trump was born, and remains, wealthy.
I would prefer a president who has experienced a more modest lifestyle (at least once in his or her life), has an even temperament and behaves appropriately — not one with knee-jerk reactions, speaking off the cuff without considering the repercussions of such speech.
I adamantly believe the other candidates would act appropriately and responsibly as president. Trump scares the heck out of me, as a retired U.S. Air Force veteran.
I live 22 miles west of Whiteman Air Force Base (home of the B-2) and 245 miles east of McConnell Air Force Base (home of the B-1). It is evident that if Trump is elected and ticks off the wrong people or nations, we could all go down in flames.
As the Midwest goes, so go the U.S. and most of the world as we know it. Attack the Midwest and we lose all our long-range bombing capability, as well as most U.S. livestock and crop production.
I hope this gives people another perspective on the dangerous decisions we have to make Nov. 8. Vote.
Georgianna M.
Watkins-Richardson
Warrensburg
Cover boy
There’s a new “Easy, Breezy, Beautiful” CoverGirl, and it’s not the typical face.
James Charles, a 17-year-old male, recently became the first cover boy for the American cosmetics line, and since the debut there have been lots of critiques as well as praise.
This change will be sure to go down in American cosmetics history, and CoverGirl has made its mark. Unfortunately, with a big change in the social norm, there are critics as well as supporters on social media.
Most critics said the face of CoverGirl is supposed to be a girl, not a boy, because the company is called CoverGirl. Fortunately, others said CoverGirl is a cosmetics line that sells makeup, and that it should be advertised for all who wear makeup, girls or boys.
Unfortunately, for centuries, cosmetics brands have convinced female consumers that to feel beautiful, makeup is essential.
Beauty, in whatever form or purpose, should never be gender exclusive.
Karly Craig
Manhattan, Kan.
Trump as president
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is brash, cocky and arrogant. But I don’t see any reason a brash, cocky and arrogant person would not make a good president of the United States.
Brian Barkley
Overland Park
Vote Blunt
With the harsh reality of the world we face, we are naturally disgruntled with Washington. And oftentimes we find ease in attributing that disappointment to our leaders — a sentiment we have also shared.
Yet more than ever, we must not allow our frustrations to cause us to abandon the worth of those leaders; rather, we should embrace those leaders and the principles they have so diligently pursued.
Having had the opportunity to know Roy Blunt for 43 years, we can tell you with confidence he is a man of integrity, ability and good conscience. Without the experience and ability to lead in Washington, Jason Kander would prove to be an ineffective representative for Missouri.
Kander is seeking your vote based on a message born of fear that we must eliminate the leaders who have consistently embraced the beliefs of Missourians.
Although we may be unhappy with Washington, we should not disregard the leaders who have always made America great.
Kent and
Hillary Hyde
Springfield,
Kansas City
Sexual assault
So it’s explained
For political gain
Sexual assault
Is boy talk
Lies lies lies
It’s boy talk
Cry cry cry
It’s boy talk
The rich man’s girl
Told the world
Other man’s fault
For boy talk
Lie lies lies
It’s boy talk
Cry cry cry
Not my fault
Should be stronger
Cry no longer
Lie in shame
You’re to blame
Lie lie lie
It’s boy talk
Cry cry cry
It’s your fault
His standard cry
It’s all lies
Believe the rich man
Demonize the woman
Lie lie lie
It’s boy talk
Cry cry cry
It’s our fault
Larry Morris
Kansas City
This story was originally published October 23, 2016 at 5:05 PM with the headline "Readers discuss voting, CoverGirl, sexual assault."