Letters: Readers discuss Kansas Republicans, Churchill’s wisdom and mail-in ballots
Irresponsible
I have been a registered Republican all my adult life. I no longer understand why anyone would vote Republican in Kansas. It seems that the Republicans want to spread the coronavirus by revoking Gov. Laura Kelly’s order to limit church gatherings. (April 9, 1A, “Kansas lawmakers revoke limit on church gatherings”)
- Michael Hyde, Overland Park
Let’s see IDs
Why does your story about Kansas Republican lawmakers voting to revoke the governor’s order to limit religious gatherings to 10 people not list the names of these so-called “leaders”?
- Sharon King, Overland Park
Others’ interests
In the midst of a world pandemic, it is difficult to tell whether those who appear to act in dangerous ways are moved by an urgent moral need to demonstrate faithfulness or by emotional and rhetorical opportunism that takes the sufferings of others as an occasion for personal gain and national publicity.
It is hard not to suspect special ignorance and callousness on the part of politicians who feel compelled to leap into the breach and proclaim with righteous indignation that Kansas church congregations should be allowed to gather.
Listening to Republicans’ perorations can be exhausting as they pretentiously claim the banner of religious liberty and insist we have the freedom to go to church.
The Legislature has embraced a particularly noxious pathology: a cavalier dismissal of health concerns and bellowing about religious freedom. This exhibits a depraved nonchalance in the face of the tragedies developing by the hour.
When the Legislature wants to open the doors to a virus we are trying to shut down, I recommend its members spend time with Philippians 2:4: “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.”
- Rodney Kennedy, senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Ottawa, Kansas
Target the help
After I read Wednesday’s front-page story, “Coronavirus hitting black residents in KC hardest,” my first thought was that this is a great place to focus the city’s energies to fight the spread of the virus.
The city should set up drive-thru testing and create mobile health centers to distribute masks, hand sanitizer and other supplies. The mayor’s and the health department’s focus should be to educate and support the most vulnerable.
We have a targeted area that we know statistically is going to be hit the hardest. It seems like common sense to focus Kansas City’s resources on the people most susceptible to the virus.
I hope the city and health department have this foresight.
- Jan Howard, Overland Park
Our new war
To all the health care workers across the globe, as well as all the people in ancillary positions, I reiterate what Winston Churchill stated 80 years ago: ”Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” Those words are just as appropriate today.
- Thomas Foley, Prairie Village
Working for all
Whenever we Americans face a crisis, we pull together. Neighbors help neighbors, friends reach out to friends and families get closer.
It’s also a time when ordinary folks put aside their fears and personal difficulties to punch that clock every day so the rest of us get what we need to make it through the week.
You see that everywhere here in Missouri. Plant workers, farm workers and truckers are on the job night and day to get us our groceries. Stock workers are hustling to put items on the shelves. Cashiers, counter people, assistant managers and managers are working double-time.
Some of these workers never get much notice, but they are critical to helping us maintain a sense of normalcy while our medical professionals and first responders work the front lines of this unprecedented pandemic.
We at Missouri Beverage Association salute these men and women who show up to work every day without fail so we can have food and beverages for our families. Let’s all give a thank you to one of these people the next time we see them.
William Gamble, executive director, Missouri Beverage Association, Jefferson City
Let us vote
After witnessing Wisconsinites voting this week, I concluded that vote-by-mail has to be mandatory. (April 8, 1A, “Wisconsin goes to the polls) I say this as a 69-year-old with pre-existing conditions.
Please contact your elected officials and ask them if holding onto power is more important than a human life.
- Robert Cayton, Kansas City