Letters: Readers discuss deluded Democrats, Russia’s intent and Sharice Davids

It’s not Trump

The Democratic candidates just don’t get it. They talk constantly of beating President Donald Trump. Do that and we will save this country, they claim. Wrong.

Our country is broken. Democracy is broken. Capitalism is broken. The urban-rural chasm has existed in this country since its inception — but never like today. Anger over race, gender and class issues is inflamed. Trump’s election is testament to the dissatisfaction and rage among so many Americans. Many of his supporters see his election as a deal with the devil. They don’t care. Playing fair doesn’t get results.

Everyone disagrees on how to fix and unite America. Do we need more or less religion? What do we fund and what do we slash? What are our rights and responsibilities as citizens? How do we attain the order, stability and prosperity that everyone wants? How do we make the United States of America the country it needs to be?

Trump is a symptom of the anger, frustration and fear of a large percentage of Americans. It is not dissatisfaction. It is rage. That rage will not dissipate when Trump leaves the White House. It will germinate and build — until the government and the wealthy elite start to get it.

- Jeff Forker, Overland Park

Exemption needed

The Star’s Monday editorial arguing that religious schools should be required to pay workers the minimum wage overlooked one important fact: People who work for religious schools sometime work for less than they could earn elsewhere as a means of supporting the school. (7A, “Religious schools should pay minimum wage”)

The Constitution guarantees the right to practice our religious beliefs. Some choose to donate their labor to religious organizations. Requiring that they be paid a minimum wage would infringe on that practice.

Religious and secular organizations have different purposes and those who work for them have different reasons for doing so. It is not feasible to apply the same rules to both of them.

- Clyde Herrin, Bonner Springs

Hardly impartial

“We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges,’‘ Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts said in 2018. Just who is he kidding? I did not hear a word from Roberts about impartiality when the Republican Senate majority stole President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court selection and replaced him with what turned out to be an appointee from President Donald Trump.

Based on the number of 5-4 court rulings in favor of Trump’s far-right agenda, this conservative majority is making it crystal clear that it will not be impartial. It’s easy to understand why Justice Sonia Sotomayor was so frustrated with the court’s pro-Trump rulings that she felt compelled to speak out. (Feb. 26, 1A, “Trump demands recusals for two liberal justices”)

Sam Donaldson said last year that Trump supporters will “follow him to hell.” For our country’s sake, I hope he was not including the conservative Supreme Court justices in with that group.

- Eddie L. Clay, Grandview

Russian bets

I believe the Russians think President Donald Trump can easily beat Sen. Bernie Sanders, so that is why they are helping Sanders. (Feb. 27, 7A, “Sparks fly as stakes rise for SC, Super Tuesday”) I pray I am wrong.

- Russell Taylor, Blue Springs

Real responses

I don’t attempt to contact my elected representatives often. However, with several weighty issues facing our nation, I emailed Sens. Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran and Rep. Sharice Davids recently about separate issues — Roberts and Moran about their impeachment vote, and Davids about climate change.

I received no response from Roberts. Moran’s response was boilerplate “thank you for contacting us ... your opinions are very important,” and contained no substance. Davids’ response was timely and specific. I felt she shared my concern that climate change is the most critical issue we face.

Shortly thereafter, I received an invitation from Davids’ office to attend a roundtable about infrastructure and the environment at Johnson County Community College. Davids serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The event was open to the public, well attended, and the audience, esteemed panel and Davids were all very engaged.

She reports that while we don’t see a lot of the committee’s work, it is moving important environmental initiatives forward, and much of it is being done in a bipartisan way.

Thanks, Rep. Davids, for elevating climate change, the environment and infrastructure to the high level of priority they deserve. And thanks for being responsive to this constituent.

- Jim Iliff, Olathe