Letters: Readers discuss Sharice Davids’ omission, dying for the economy and KC crime
Stave off pain
During the Great Recession of 2008, the federal government gave hundreds of billions of dollars to banks and businesses while doing little for consumers, who are the driving force of the economy. The result was that millions of Americans lost their homes and, with them, their life savings.
Now that we’re likely headed toward the coronavirus recession of 2020, the Federal Reserve could help everyone by providing major loans to banks that could be used only for letting homeowners and small-business owners take six- to 12-month breaks from paying their mortgages and business loans.
The consumers and business owners would have to pay back the loans, maybe even at a slightly higher interest rate, but the payments should be added to the end of their loans rather than being due immediately, when they can’t be paid. That way, people could keep their houses and small businesses going.
- Gregg Lombardi, Kansas City
No to extras
Rep. Sharice Davids’ Tuesday column does not honestly talk to her constituents. (9A, “Every one of us has a role to play in fighting the coronavirus”) She states we will overcome the coronavirus outbreak “by working together.” The farce is that the economic solutions we need are being blocked by Davids and her Democratic colleagues in Congress.
Instead of immediate action, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi put forth a 1,100-page bill, which Davids supports, that deals with issues unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic: carbon emission regulations, early voting, same-day voter registration and more.
If Davids actually wants to help us, she should stand up to such foolishness and say no to the Democratic add-ons that have nothing to do with the virus crisis. We need action now — not political games.
- Rich Delaney, Overland Park
A check-in
Hey, is America great again yet? Asking for a friend.
- Elaine Hines, Kansas City
Do it up right
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick suggested to Tucker Carlson on Fox News that many older Americans, himself included, would be willing to die from COVID-19 to help the nation’s economy. (March 24, KansasCity.com, “Texas’ lieutenant governor says US should get ‘back to work’”)
I have a modest proposal: How about a television game show, “Dying for Dollars,” on which senior citizens could compete for the honor of dying in front of an audience to perk up a depressed and endangered economy? Sponsors could pledge dollars to the honorees each day, with the money going into the national treasury to be disbursed to businesses.
An added incentive for viewers might be the drama of watching the elderly contestants choose from among a series of doors the means of their demise (poison, gunshot, stabbing, even COVID-19). What an honor for those grandparents chosen for this patriotic display of selflessness. Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.
Of course, it would mean eliminating social distancing, which could have unforeseen adverse effects. But, hey, think about the boost to the economy.
And if contestants are to be selected from nominations, I hereby nominate Lt. Gov. Patrick.
- Dennis Okerstrom, Independence
Stop and frisk
The Star recently quoted Mayor Quinton Lucas saying, “The solution may be for police and other officials to engage with those who may become part of violent crime before it happens.” Great idea, Mayor — it’s called “stop and frisk.”
New York, with its 8 million residents, reduced annual murders from more than 2,000 in the early 1990s to about 300 today, largely because of stop and frisk. Only white liberals and political activists seem opposed to this idea. Gun grabbers like to say, “If it saves just one life, isn’t it worth it?” Well, stop and frisk saved nearly 2,000 lives a year in New York.
Kansas City had more than 200 homicides the past two years. If guns were the problem, they would affect all levels of society equally. Guns are not the problem. Certain segments of society are the problem.
Before you cry “racism,” think “culture” instead. Or, since it’s concentrated in certain areas, “geography.” Before the mayor disarms all those who never commit crimes, he should focus on the criminals.
New York took thousands of illegal guns off the street after police discovered as many as 3% of the people stopped and frisked were carrying some form of contraband. Imagine if the TSA had a record like that.
If my neighborhood experienced similar levels of violence, I would welcome stop and frisk with enthusiasm.
- Glenn Duncan, Kansas City