Letters: KC readers discuss fighting propaganda, problematic protests and needed PPP
Out of control
On Wednesday, the federal government designated Missouri as a COVID-19 “red zone,” along with 20 other states. Also on Wednesday, Missouri set a record for COVID-19 infections with 1,927 new cases.
Kansas added almost 700 new cases Wednesday. More than 155,000 Americans have now lost their lives to COVID-19.
Where was this information found? Not in the Thursday edition of The Kansas City Star.
The public needs to be updated with this information every day. News organizations such as yours are the only way the Trump administration can be held accountable for the propaganda it churns out to the American people.
The coronavirus pandemic is not under control, as we are being led to believe by President Donald Trump and his minions.
- Dell Anderson, Blue Springs
The GOP’s America
Federal agents in the streets of U.S. cities, pepper-spraying nurses and Vietnam vets.
An expanded wall around the White House.
Still no national testing plan or framework for the virus that has killed more than 150,000 and will kill so many more.
President Donald Trump golfs with Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre.
Fear and division.
This is the Republicans’ America. The GOP built this, and American voters will take it back in fewer than 100 days.
When Missouri Sens. Roy Blunt’s and Josh Hawley’s terms are up, we’ll vote them out, too.
They’ve sat by and watched as Trump has turned our country into what it is today. Disgraceful.
History is watching, and they’ve sat by, worthless. They need to strongly reconsider the values for which they stand and get back to politics.
America can do better.
America will do better.
- Shawn Harrel, Greenwood
Better use of time
OK, enough with the demonstrations. I get it that they served their purpose as a call to action when the Black Lives Matter issue suddenly sprang to life in the public’s consciousness.
But the country would be much better served if those still participating in demonstrations used their time and energy for political action. They could be helping get candidates elected at the local, state and national levels who support an agenda for change in racial and sexual equality, health care, equal educational opportunities and a host of other pressing concerns.
Going door to door to get voters registered, present their party’s agenda and acquaint voters with candidates would have much more effect than standing in the street with signs.
- Carrol L. Fry, Maryville, Missouri
Health savings
Upon reading differing views about Medicaid expansion in Missouri through Amendment 2 on the Aug. 4 ballot, I ask: Where’s the money to come from if expansion happens? It will come from where it always has come from with or without expansion of Medicaid — from us, the fortunately insured. Us, the taxpayers.
If you’ve never known someone who needs Medicaid expansion, who falls between the cracks of care, then I suppose you’d find comfort in calling him or her “able-bodied.” If you know someone who needs Medicaid expansion, you can see the cost effectiveness of said person receiving health care.
Consistent health care saves money. If health care were truly affordable, we would not be having this debate.
- Jennifer Chapin, Independence
Help businesses
Last month, instead of semi-retiring as planned, I had to tap into my retirement savings to pay my five employees.
As the COVID-19 pandemic causes unemployment rates to rise nationally, small businesses like mine are doing everything we can to keep our employees on payroll so they can continue to support their families. However, with limited support from the federal government, doing so is becoming more and more difficult.
I received a Paycheck Protection Program loan, but despite having followed the program’s rules closely and using 100% of the loan on payroll, I have still had to tap into my savings and have stopped taking a salary to keep up. The money from my retirement should cover payroll for six months, but without additional funding from the government, I don’t know what we’ll do after that.
As many states pause and reverse reopening plans, it’s evident that eight weeks’ of payroll funding isn’t enough to survive this crisis. Many of us are experiencing extreme decreases in business, and with so much money left in the PPP fund, Congress must act to allow small-business owners struggling to make ends meet to take a second PPP loan.
- Robert Showalter, Kansas City