Readers share views on the death penalty, wind energy and Brownback

Death penalty

Nebraska, a solidly red state, repealing the death penalty shows the strong bipartisan support for ending capital punishment (5-28, A2, “Nebraska abolishes the death penalty”).

People across the political spectrum are recognizing that the death penalty is broken beyond repair. Kansas lawmakers ought to follow suit and end this waste of taxpayers’ money that makes us no safer and sometimes takes innocent lives.

Barbara Mayer

Atchison, Kan.

Back wind energy

Kansans are proud and pragmatic, and our state is rich in wind — a plentiful, homegrown source of energy.

Rather than remain dependent upon Wyoming coal, why wouldn’t we want to diversify our energy portfolio with what we can gather in our own backyard? Why not harvest wind from our land as well as crops and cattle?

Yet for the fourth year in a row some of our legislators partnered with outside interest groups such as the American Legislative Exchange Council in an attempt to repeal the Renewable Portfolio Standard that propels growth in our renewable energy businesses.

By any reasonable definition, the Renewable Portfolio Standard is a remarkable success.

Legislators must stand with rural, agricultural and economic development voices from around the state and support the development of plentiful, cost-effective, clean, safe, homegrown sources of energy.

Sharon Ashworth

Lawrence

Brownback bashing

A lot of letters have been diatribes against Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback. The writers express dissatisfaction with the way the governor is running the state.

Only a few have acknowledged that Brownback received a majority support in one election (but not the two Brownback actually won) before launching into their whine.

A common theme was how irresponsible Brownback has been to allow revenues to fall below the level of spending. Yet none found fault with the fact that the previous governor allowed spending to exceed revenues. Same results, different path. One’s good. The other evil. Why is this?

I believe it is simply because the prior governor was a Democrat. The current governor is Republican.

Nothing else really seems to matter, suggesting that the writers really have no argument based in reason and logic to offer. Further, the writers suggest that to disagree constitutes evidence that the majority consists of troglodytes whose opinions need not be taken seriously.

Only the elites (such as themselves) should be allowed to dictate what is good for the majority. That The Star chose only these perspectives to publish demonstrates its own elitist proclivities and sympathies.

Vincent Dittrich

Prairie Village

Restaurant workers

I was all for restaurant workers getting a pay increase, but I have changed my mind. Why?

Because they cannot ever get an order correct. It does not matter whether it is a fast-food restaurant, medium-priced scale restaurant or high-end restaurant.

I have been noticing for the last few months that I can never get my full order when food is delivered to the table.

Part of my meal is always missing.

Then after dropping off my half-order they go on to clean tables, yak with other waitresses, etc., while I sit and sit for up to 15 minutes without the other part of my order and an empty glass.

What is going on with restaurants these days?

No training? No people skills? Or do they not care? Or all three?

Elaine Carpenter

Kansas City

Voting matters

I think that voting is something people in our society don’t take seriously enough. Many people feel as if their voices aren’t going to be heard.

I think it’s important to use our right to vote regardless of our age and what we stand for. I think many people forget that there are many countries where people don’t have the right to vote, let alone freedom of speech or religion and other civil liberties.

We are privileged to live in the United States. Regardless of what people think, everyone’s vote counts in any election.

If you as a taxpaying citizen think there should be a change in the local, state or federal government, it’s up to you to vote so that the change can occur.

Politicians can’t read our minds, but they can read our votes.

Lauren Spears

Liberty

Repeating past woes

I lived through the Great Depression and Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Edward R. Ellis, a noted journalist of that era, summarizes the cause of the Great Depression in these words:

“What caused the crash? Greedy people wanted more than they needed. Foolish people thought they could get something for nothing. Impulsive people bought now in the hope of paying later. Income and wealth were distributed unfairly and dangerously.

“The rich regarded themselves as an all-knowing elite. The masses were not paid enough money to consume all the goods they produced. The economy was unsound. The corporate structure was sick.

“The banking system was weak. Foreign trade was out of balance. Business data were inadequate and often faulty.

“This constellation of conditions left the economy a flawed and loaded gun, and when the stock market crashed, the gun did not merely fire — it exploded in everyone’s face.”

This sounds a lot like what is going on today. We either learn from our past experiences or we are condemned to repeat them.

Bill Stephens

Overland Park

Good meat-free diet

My favorite fast-food company replied to my letter in which I asked for more vegetarian menu selections with, “Thanks but no thanks.” I thought a veggie burger was a good idea.

But apparently that company is so closely connected to the meat industry that it would be heresy for it to begin to offer a veggie burger alongside its cheeseburgers. In January, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee issued its report, saying a plant-based diet is healthiest.

The committee also recommended that we consider the effect our food is having on the environment.

The facts:

▪ The standard American diet is the reason for the obesity epidemic, rising diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

▪ The military is warning that our national security is at risk because our young people are too fat and unfit to serve.

Now the big food lobbyists are organizing to fight the new dietary guidelines just as the tobacco lobby fought against medical science several decades ago. But facts are stubborn things.

Here’s a word of caution to the lobbyists: Never bet against science. In the meantime, I’ll be voting with my feet and eating healthier meals at home.

Bernadine Kline

Liberty

Student loan bite

Two of my children graduated in 2008 and 2009. Their combined debt is a bit more than $200,000. Their monthly loan payments resemble my house payment.

These kids and many, many more across the United States are going to start their lives with debt equaling their first homes. That will take this generation out of the housing market for quite some time.

If they’re not buying homes, they probably won’t be purchasing many appliances, much furniture or all the other components that go along with home ownership.

Real estate agents, retailers and bankers might want to sit up and take notice of this fact.

Supposedly, our economy is based on spending. There won’t be much of that for the next few decades.

Leasa Caron