Letters: KC readers discuss Trump’s taxes, MO Amendment 3 and a Jesus-loving stranger
Taxpayers? Suckers
The New York Times reports President Donald Trump paid $750 in federal income taxes in 2017. That year, first lady Melania Trump wore a $51,000 Dolce and Gabbana jacket — costing more than twice the poverty level for a family of four in the United States, while 12.3% of Americans lived under that poverty level.
I live on a pension and Social Security, wear a jacket from Target and happily paid more taxes every quarter than Trump paid in the entire year.
His message to the American public: “You make America great again while I, Donald J. Trump, stuff my pockets by cheating you and working the tax code.” And he wants me to vote for him.
- Una Creditor, Kansas City
Don’t be fooled
Because our legislators have decided they know better than us voters and want to overrule our wishes, they’ve put Amendment 3 on the November ballot.
Voters approved by a large margin the Clean Missouri initiative proposal to have a demographer oversee the state’s redistricting. Lawmakers didn’t like this, so we have this proposed amendment combining items that folks who voted for the demographer likely would support (banning gifts from lobbyists and campaign finance limits) with an item they don’t support (doing away with the demographer). So if voters truly want a demographer, they must vote no on this amendment.
This attempt to overrule the wishes of Missourians represents the worst of our political system. Legislators created a confusing amendment by combining these elements in an attempt to trick voters into doing away with a demographer.
Show the legislators we see through their shenanigans and vote no on Amendment 3.
- Dan Shaw, Kansas City
Eyes opening
A Sunday letter writer asked: “If America was established by old, white, racist slaveholders … why do so many people want to live here?” (18A)
My answer: Until now, it’s been hidden.
History books have ignored the truth of our past, and many of our present racial problems have been kept quiet. Until the events of the past 3 1/2 years, I had no idea of the prevalence of white supremacy groups such as the Proud Boys.
We are learning the truth that African Americans have been living with all along.
- Vicki Brown, Overland Park
Love shared
Feeling somewhat distressed of late (and a little depressed), I was nonetheless enjoying a walk on a beautiful morning. I approached a man walking his dog and singing “Jesus Loves Me.” He gave me a big thumbs up, and I returned it. A short interchange ensued, and we went on our ways, me with a little extra skip in my step. Thank you, sir. You really made my day. I truly believe you were a gift from God.
- Ann McLiney, Kansas City
Rank hypocrisy
In 2016, eight months out from the presidential election, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Sen. Lindsay Graham and congressional Republicans declared that it was too close to the election to allow President Barack Obama to execute his presidential privilege of appointing a Supreme Court justice. It was unprecedented.
Now, just weeks from the presidential election, those same Republicans are denying the dying wish of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an icon of women’s rights and equality, that her replacement not be named until the new president is installed.
Once again, hypocrisy reigns supreme in the GOP. It’s party before country with blatant disregard of established tradition, respect and dignity.
- Joe Zucht, Lenexa
This story was originally published September 29, 2020 at 5:00 AM.