Letters: Readers discuss Archbishop Joseph Naumann, dirty politics and gun violence

Health needs

The recent announcement of bipartisan legislation to help stabilize the health insurance markets, while also providing protection for pre-existing conditions, is an important step forward in the ongoing health care debate.

We applaud Sens. Lamar Alexander and Patty Murray for their leadership on the issue and strongly encourage Sens. Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran to co-sponsor this bill.

It is imperative that the health insurance markets are stabilized while also ensuring that quality health insurance is affordable and available to all. Additionally, as the proposal makes its way through the legislative process, we call on our senators to protect the hundreds of thousands of Kansans suffering from lung disease by protecting pre-existing condition coverage.

The American Lung Association supports this effort and looks forward to working with Sens. Roberts and Moran to ensure that all Kansans have affordable, quality health insurance.

Linda Crider

Executive Director

American Lung

Association in

Kansas and Greater

Kansas City

Thanks, voters

As Thanksgiving approaches, I would like to express my thanks to the millions of voters who put Donald Trump in the White House. These voters proved to all of us what our civics teachers tried to teach us: Every vote counts.

Those who did not vote, for whatever reason, let others make the choice for them.

Hopefully, we can all learn from this lesson and never again take our responsibilities as citizens for granted.

Timothy Roush

Kansas City

Please reconsider

It is extremely disappointing that Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kan., was recently nominated and then elected head of the pro-life committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. His handling of sexual abuse cases in the archdiocese should have disqualified him for any leadership position.

Rather than nominating him for a position of leadership, the Conference of Catholic Bishops should be consulting with Rome on his replacement.

David Mertz

Lenexa

Phone fight

I was glad to see The Star speak out on the editorial page against the very common practice of lying during elections. (Nov. 9, 14A, “Dirty politics rewarded in Missouri race”) The Star questioned TV ads that were full of untruthful statements.

It would be great if the media would report that some of the claims from third-party interests are also very untrue.

Turning to the Kansas City, Kan., mayoral race: I received a call that asked if I would take a survey about the election. I said yes, of course.

Then every question was about things that Mayor Mark Holland had allegedly done. The pollster would then ask if I thought that was good for the city.

I knew these statements about Holland were not true, but the interviewer would not take that answer.

Example: “Mayor Holland stated that police in Kansas City, Kan., shot people all the time.” I said that is not true, and the pollster then argued with me, telling me to answer either “I agree” or “I disagree.” After several prejudiced statements, I hung up.

These tactics were shady at best, but very effective.

I would like to see the free press expose these techniques before the next election.

Dick Tatro

Kansas City, Kan.

Come together

Violence in the United States has become a daily ritual. It occurs in Texas, Las Vegas, Newtown, concert gatherings, churches and more.

We pray, memorialize and forget, but we are fearful.

Twenty-six more lives, many of them children, are sacrificed. Another 58 in Las Vegas, with more than 500 injured. All just numbers, because of our love for guns.

Our culture of violence combined with guns and conflict is a major human rights issue that disregards human freedom. We fear to sit on our porches on a summer day or to send our children to school or sporting events.

Talking and lighting candles are not enough. Media outlets need to take an active role in finding a solution. Former presidents and vice presidents need to join in the effort of finding solutions.

Violence in America has destroyed our credibility in human rights around the globe. Democracy, in contrast to anarchy, requires laws that protect human life, harmony and peaceful living.

Let us join hands in solidarity on this issue.

Manny Pedram

Kansas City

This story was originally published November 16, 2017 at 8:30 PM with the headline "Letters: Readers discuss Archbishop Joseph Naumann, dirty politics and gun violence."