Kander’s courage, driving age and Yoder versus Davids

Help is available

Since reading Jason Kander’s announcement ending his mayoral campaign, I have come to see his decision as an act of public service carrying a crucial message for thousands in Kansas City and millions across America. (Oct. 5, 11A, “Jason Kander has made it OK for vets, others to ask for help”)

It is OK to have mental illness. It is OK to need help. It is OK to prioritize your health before your career. After all, your health affects your friends and family, too. Most important, illness is not your fault, and you deserve to feel better.

This message, coming from a high-profile and respected figure, has given me much-needed encouragement as I am struggling with depression, which I am not ashamed to admit has led me to suicidal thoughts. I reveal this in the hope that others who are struggling get the message.

I am particularly hopeful that more men will get the message. After all, men are much less likely to seek mental health treatment, which perhaps contributes to their suicide rate being more than three times higher than among women.

I hope Kander’s decision helps people of all kinds find the strength to seek treatment.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255.

Eric Schumacher

Kansas City

Take it down

Missouri’s Graduated Driver License Law states that an individual can get a driver’s permit at 15 and an intermediate license allowing almost full driving privileges at 16. It would greatly benefit Missourians if the laws were lowered to a younger age.

I am not saying there should be an 8-year-old in the driver’s seat. However, lowering the age for a permit at 14, a restricted license at 15 (allowing young people to drive to school and work) and a regular license at 16 would help individuals, their families and the community.

Many people have overloaded schedules. Sometimes, Mom can’t pick up Billy from school. Stress could be prevented if Billy could just drive himself home.

Also, many families are struggling financially. Giving kids the opportunity to get jobs at a younger age could increase families’ stability. This law would teach kids responsibility and accountability.

However, I’m sure many will still think 14 is too young to be driving. We currently don’t have required driver’s education, so that another change in the law would be needed.

But overall, lowering the driving age would enhance the way of life of all Missourians.

Ella Weir

Blue Springs

About leadership

I am neither for nor against either Christine Blasey Ford or Judge Brett Kavanaugh, because I don’t know enough.

I am for justice and democracy, and those principles should be guided by truth, not by party loyalty.

Truth might require more than a week. Our elected officials have given us a leaderless society.

Anne Lesser

Overland Park

Behind the times

I received a presidential alert on my phone Wednesday afternoon. I don’t think it was a test. I do think it was 23 months too late.

Steve Porter

Cleveland, Mo.

Deep pockets

Sharice Davids, Democratic candidate for Congress in Kansas, can’t have it both ways. The story “Yoder criticizes opponent Davids for skipping JoCo debate,” (Oct. 4, 4A) states that Davids has outraised incumbent Rep. Kevin Yoder by $1.6 million.

Later in the article, Davids’ spokeswoman, Allison Teixeira Sulier, accuses Yoder of selling out voters to help his big-money donors.

It seems to me Davids has her own big-money donors to have outraised Yoder by so much.

Dick Horn

Overland Park

Speed demons

We read Friday that fatal crashes involving semi trucks continue to rise even as overall highway deaths dipped in 2017. (1A, “Fatal crashes continue to spike”)

You know why? Excessive speed.

I have driven Interstate 470 and I-435 every day for the last 15-plus years, and people keep driving faster and faster.

I have called the Lee’s Summit Police to ask them to put someone with radar on the road to slow down the trucks and cars. I quizzed a Highway Patrol officer about lack of patrols, and he said, “We are so short-staffed that we only work the crashes.” What a comforting thought.

Police enforcement needs to beef up on the roads in general. What happened to triple fines in work zones? It seems speed limits are only a suggestion, not law.

If you drive through the road construction on I-435 now, you will see what I mean. God help us commuters.

Melody DaMour

Grain Valley