Letters: Readers discuss McCaskill’s town halls, voting laws and the opioid epidemic
Town halls
Political courage seems to be in short supply these days. One example: the number of members of Congress refusing to hold town halls to meet directly with their constituents. (July 7, 1A, “Senators show path to health compromise”)
Sen. Claire McCaskill deserves applause for her political courage in bucking this trend by holding 10 town halls in two days this week — most in parts of Missouri that voted strongly Republican during November’s election.
She focused on conservative areas of the state to show respect to those who did not vote for her. This is in addition to several town halls she held earlier this year, also in conservative parts of the state.
McCaskill understands she represents all Missouri residents and that it is part of her job to listen to our concerns, answer our questions and explain her policy positions.
Thank you, Sen. McCaskill, for not being afraid to meet with your constituents and for understanding that that is part of your job as an elected official.
It would be gratifying if Sen. Roy Blunt followed your example.
Laura O’Brien
Kansas City
Motor-voter law
The Star’s editorial criticizing the president’s Advisory Commission on Election Integrity requesting information on voters revealed the real reason behind the opposition — fear the national motor-voter law will be scrapped. (July 6, 12A, “Kobach’s quest for voter data deserves bipartisan backlash”)
The issue of protecting the privacy of voter information is a mere smoke screen covering the fact that liberals want and need as many votes as can be mustered to win elections — legally cast or not.
The motor-voter law is an open invitation for voter fraud, especially in the 12 states and the District of Columbia that allow non-citizens to obtain driver’s licenses.
The left (and apparently RINO Republicans) will do everything possible to throw a monkey wrench into the election commission’s fact-finding responsibilities to protect their interests, not those of American citizens.
Michael Kalny
Shawnee
Opioid epidemic
The United States is in an opioid epidemic as described by the Centers for Disease Control. Current data show that in the last 18 years our country has seen deaths from prescription opioids quadruple.
The American Public Health Association states narcotic prescription drugs account for about 40 deaths a day. Both the CDC and APHA recommend prescription drug-monitoring programs to help combat further abuse. Missouri is the only state that has not implemented this type of program, but it is in the state House of Representatives to review. As a practicing registered nurse and nurse practitioner student, I am in full support of this legislation.
Another potential life-saving treatment for opioid overdose is the administration of naloxone. Often, family members and peers are the first to find overdose victims, but this drug is currently used only by medical professionals. Pilot programs show success making naloxone available for laypeople to administer while waiting for medical help.
According to the National Institutes of Health, naloxone is safe and easy to administer, and by increasing availability and the public’s knowledge, we may increase survival rates in the critical window after an overdose.
Julie Zukaitis, R.N.
Overland Park
Whiner in chief
If you look up the word “bully” in the dictionary, there must be a picture of Donald Trump. Remember “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen”? Or “The buck stops here”?
The buck stops anywhere but in Trump’s lap.
Poor Mr. Trump is being critcized and investigated. To hear him tell it, he is being treated poorly. His spokeswoman said when he is hit, he will hit back 10 times harder. Apparently, our president has the maturity of a 6-year-old.
This man has a strategy behind his madness. He will continue to vilify the media until his base listens only to him. Maybe this is why he only smiles when he is shaking the hands of despots.
This man’s problems are of his own making. He is a mean, spiteful, insecure embarrassment to our country.
What a low-class group of people occupies the people’s house. The new motto is “When they go low, we have no limit to how low we go.”
As The Donald would say ... sad.
Linda Christian
Greenwood
Nuclear weapons
Until recently, we could justify the necessity of keeping nuclear weapons out of the hands of a country with an insane leader. (July 1, A14, “Trump dresses down South Korean leader”)
Richard Whitehouse
Olathe
This story was originally published July 7, 2017 at 3:00 PM with the headline "Letters: Readers discuss McCaskill’s town halls, voting laws and the opioid epidemic."