Letters: Readers discuss being sick of the shutdown, youth sports, ‘fine’ elections
Open it up now
Kansas City’s stay-at-home order has been extended to May 15. Our Ivy League mayor doesn’t have a clue about the damage he’s doing to this city. Much of the city’s economy will not recover, and many will be out of jobs. This city should be reopened now.
This is a dream come true for all liberal wannabe-dictators.
They get to tell us where we can go and when we can go there. They decide who can work and who cannot. They can close streets for bike and pedestrian use only. And they can close our churches.
The only thing missing is a tax increase, but that will come soon. They cannot believe how easy it has been to scare the public into compliance.
We conservatives are usually too busy working to stage protests, so I don’t know how to organize one. I wish I did, because I sure would. I’m ready to join in if someone does organize one.
Remember, Mr. Mayor, protests don’t have to be against President Donald Trump to be protected by the Constitution. Open up the city before you find us protesting you.
- Ross Balano, Kansas City
Hidden costs
Part of the American spirit is not backing down and looking for creative solutions to our problems. Last week, officials of the city of Manhattan, Kansas, chose to close all youth sports programs and swimming pools for the summer.
Their efforts were presented as solutions to the foreseen budget crisis trailing COVID-19. Although the decision will save the city money, there will be accrued costs our children have to pay.
Nationwide, we have acknowledged the physical and emotional benefits of youth sports programs. Children are able to exercise and make friends. Our children deserve an outlet to overcome any depression or anxiety this pandemic has caused.
Let us also remember that every child does not have a stable home environment. By canceling youth programs, the city has also canceled some of the only positive interactions these children would have experienced for the next six months.
Our children’s safety and overall health are more valuable than the money the city of Manhattan is saving.
Americans do not encounter a problem and then retreat. Now is our time to help the city adopt creative solutions in support of our children and communities.
- Kimberlee Schick, Manhattan, Kansas
Big runaround
Congress recently passed the CARES Act. Contained in the act is a temporary provision for a new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program to supply unemployment benefits for the self-employed.
On April 3, I applied to Kansas for unemployment benefits. I have been self-employed for 20 years as a health care consultant. On April 6, I received a letter from the Kansas Department of Labor stating, “No wages found. You do not qualify for benefits.” Well, duh — there are none. I work on a contractor basis. I receive a Form 1099-MISC at the end of the year.
To date, there has been no guidance on how to determine the benefit for self-employed individuals. I included with my letter copies of the 1099s for the fourth quarter 2018 through the third quarter 2019.
The federal government needs to provide guidance to the states’ labor departments about which documents to request, such as 1099s and tax returns that can substantiate reported income and help determine benefits based on contracts or sales rather than on an hourly wage or salary.
Congress is very good at passing bills to spend money but not so good at distributing it.
- Patti Frank, Lenexa
No, it’s not ‘fine’
American citizens being able to vote absentee should be a nonpartisan issue. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson was quoted in The Star article “Missouri governor opposes expanding mail-in voting” (April 16, 4A) saying “our system is fine.” That is not true.
If one wants to arrange to vote absentee in person in Kansas City, one must go to Union Station, pay $5 to park (or park illegally), locate the small elevator hidden in the northeast corner of the huge lobby and go to the basement office of the Kansas City Election Board. That is a barrier.
If one applies for a mail-in absentee ballot, one must find a notary and have a postage stamp in order to vote. That is a barrier.
If one is concerned about the contagious COVID-19 and cannot go to the polling place on June 2, Aug. 4, or Nov. 3, that is a barrier.
Our system in Missouri is not “fine.” These barriers prevent voters of all ages and every political party from voting. I hope Parson (and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft) will reconsider this position and support legislation, as soon as possible, that will enable all of us to vote without any barriers in 2020.
- Margie Richcreek, Kansas City