The world’s sins, Mahomes’ money and statues’ lifespans

Christ and Trump

The United States of America, where God is front and center, is about jobs, the military, secure borders, lower taxes, smaller government, strong law enforcement and our flag. Most Democrats want to eliminate these good things.

We are not a perfect country, but we are the best in the world. Otherwise, why would so many people want to come here, legally and illegally?

The problems in our country are not about what we are hearing in the media, such as issues of race and our history. God created one race — the human race. The world and our country have turned our backs on God and are trying to do things our own way. Sin is the problem in our fallen world. We have a heart problem, and only one person can fix it. His name is Jesus Christ

Only by turning to God and away from sin will our country be united. Our politicians do not have the answers. To preserve our constitutional republic, vote conservative Republican and reelect President Donald Trump.

- Greg Krips, Waterville, Kansas

We matter

There is too much negativity being written and talked about regarding older people. We are not all senile or in poor health.

I just turned 86 and read The Star daily. I drive safely and tend to business. I have moderate and rational views on political matters and tire of political comment on both Fox News and CNN, whose moderators don’t allow a guest to finish a sentence if the narrative does not fit their viewpoints.

Yes, fewer of us are left on a daily basis, as attested by the numerous obituaries published daily in my beloved Star.

- David McIntyre, Leawood

No man an island

Thank you to the Thursday letter writer who expressed so eloquently what is in the hearts of many Kansas City Chiefs fans. (8A) How far would Patrick Mahomes’ expertise go without the talents of his teammates?

Mahomes did not win the Super Bowl — our Chiefs won the Super Bowl. At least, I think I saw some other guys on the field. There are several on this team who do not get the recognition they deserve.

I love the Chiefs and I love Patrick Mahomes, but what’s fair is fair.

- Janice Meyers, Bucyrus, Kansas

Monuments to ...

Here’s a solution to the question of what to do with the statues of Confederate generals and other historical figures who do not reflect American values: Let the government remove and secure the statues until the Donald Trump Presidential Library is built, then place the statues on its grounds. Make sure to display the Confederate flag in a prominent location.

The statues and flag would serve as symbols of the division, nativism and racism of this presidency. When Trump is laid to rest on the grounds of the library, he would be surrounded by the symbols that he “very strongly” seeks to preserve.

Trump’s supporters would be free to visit his library, though many of us would not. Future generations would see Trump for who he is.

- Wayne D. Smith, Lenexa

Clock is ticking

There have been considerable discussion and controversy in the news lately about removing certain statues and how doing so rewrites history. The broader question is what should determine the lifespan of a piece of public statuary.

Should it be the passage of time? Natural decay? New historical perspectives and eras? Destruction by “acts of God,” war or vandalism? Periodic public voting? Protests? Editorials? Costs of maintenance? Limitations on public space and a desire to honor new heroes?

Should statues even be intended as permanent? Perhaps such public honors should evolve just as most everything else on our planet does — which does not require that history be rewritten. Books and the written word are where history truly resides, and even they update and reflect on one another. I know I wouldn’t want my history textbook from 1968 taught to my grandchild today.

Maybe our focus on statues of bronze and concrete is misplaced or short-sighted when our own soft shells face existential vulnerabilities on an increasingly inhospitable and divided planet. Any legacy requires humanity’s survival, after all.

- Mark L. Willens, Overland Park

Camp warning

I read that a summer camp in Missouri had at least 82 children and counselors infected with COVID-19. (July 7, 2A, “Summer camp closes site as virus cases soar”) Some are from Missouri, and some from other states. Now they will go home and infect how many more people?

Is it really a good idea to open schools next month?

- Rebecca Leith, Raytown