So Missourians ‘don’t care’ about Jan. 6, Josh Hawley? I care — and I’ll never forget
I won’t forget
Lead insurrectionist, Sen. Josh Hawley, says “voters don’t care” about the congressional hearings on the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol? (June 10, 1A, “Jan. 6 hearings already being downplayed in Kan., Mo.”) I’m sure he hopes we voters aren’t paying attention and that we forget how close his lies about the election brought our democracy to the brink.
I was riveted by the congressional hearings so far. I’ll be watching every one. I certainly care.
In her introductory statement Thursday night, Rep. Liz Cheney said, “To my Republican colleagues who are defending the indefensible, there will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain.” Sen. Hawley and his raised fist (the one emblazoned on camouflage beer koozies he’s selling) immediately came to my mind.
I will never forget his traitorous lies that day.
- Brenda Allison, Parkville
Issues ignored
Missourians ought to be embarrassed by the unbelievably poor performance of the Missouri legislature this year. Instead of acting like adults who promised to help residents of the state, they were more like 8-year-olds fighting for attention.
The state Senate was completely ineffective and unproductive. Some days senators could not even agree on what happened the day before. The members were so busy running for their next office or reelection that they had no time to look for solutions to the state’s needs. The appalling lack of professionalism, responsibility and accountability was shameful.
A small group of lawmakers used their opposition to abortion to derail attempts to help current state residents. No matter which side you are on, abortion is just one of the issues that need attention. Legislators ought to represent those who are already here.
Every Missourian should be up in arms and vote these incompetent and selfish legislators out of office.
The only thing that would be more shameful than this legislature’s failure is if we elect a lying, disgraced and alleged family-abusing ex-governor to represent us in the U.S. Senate. Surely we can find someone with more character. Please tell me we can do better for our state.
- Constance Brennan, Columbia
Not their lane
In their June 12 guest commentary, “Missouri keeps interfering with doctors,” (20A) Liz Chiarello and Jeff Little gave examples of the problems that can arise when elected officials make laws about physicians’ and pharmacists’ professional duties. The danger with government control of medicine is that it become political medicine. We must keep politicians out of the pharmacies.
- Richard E. Ralston, Executive director, Americans for Free Choice in Medicine, Marina del Rey, California
Imported trash
We live on Armour Boulevard a few blocks west of Troost Avenue, and my husband picks up litter all along Armour and Charlotte Street. Every day.
But the litter is not from area residents’ trash bags. It seems to be coming from passing cars or pedestrians. Maybe placing trash cans along major streets would help. Or maybe drivers could give a gentle honk when someone in the car in front of them tosses out trash.
Illegal dumping is a separate problem.
- Mary Arney, Kansas City
Help wanted
We are told by leaders in the construction industry that they have a skilled workforce shortage of 650,000 jobs and that they are willing to train those needed. The trucking industry tells us that there is a shortage of more than 80,000 truck drivers and that the shortage is only growing. The Federal Reserve tells us that there are more than 11 million unfilled jobs in the United States as a whole. We see help-wanted signs throughout the metropolitan area for businesses large and small.
Meanwhile, we have hundreds of thousands of men and women at our southern border who, with a bit of training, would probably love to fill many of these jobs. But conservatives want to send them away for fear that they may become citizens and vote for Democrats. Does anyone else see the folly in all of this?
- William R. Lenz, Kansas City
One question
All candidates for Missouri’s U.S. Senate seat should respond to the question: “What changes would you recommend to restore faith and confidence in our democratic voting system?” A house divided against itself cannot stand, nor can our democracy.
- Kenneth Lee, Raytown
This story was originally published June 15, 2022 at 5:00 AM.