Inflation is a worldwide problem. Journalists, don’t let politicians pin it on Biden
Complex inflation
The June 14 “Short take: You, not journalists, have the power” (7A) explained how journalism can provide information but only the public can take action. I agree, but I think journalism has failed to provide necessary information on the worldwide nature of inflation.
The media talk about inflation in the United States as though we were isolated from the rest of the world. Other nations are also suffering from acute inflation. The reasons are complex but include the COVID-19 rebound, shortages of workers in both production and supply chains, climate change and, of course, the war in Ukraine.
Most critical appears to be the Ukraine situation, which has helped fuel prices skyrocket around the word. This affects the costs to transport goods and services by plane, ship, rail and truck. These costs are passed to the consumer. The war is also having a massive impact on grain exports from Russia and Ukraine. The heat wave in India and the drought in the western United States prevent making up this shortage, leading to higher food prices.
Journalists need to tie this together. Otherwise, demagoguing politicians will be elected saying this is President Joe Biden’s fault, ignoring the true causes of inflation and failing to offer responsible solutions.
- Bond Faulwell, Overland Park
Lucas’ myopia
I write to express my dismay concerning Mayor Quinton Lucas’ recent tweet concerning the (in)significance of Congress’ Jan. 6 hearings, in which he stated, “Can’t we stay focused on gun violence solutions, reproductive rights, and the like?”
Is he serious? Our democracy — the vehicle through which laws about gun violence, reproductive rights or any other legislation is enacted — came within a whisker of being overthrown on Jan. 6, 2021. Many people, including myself, think our democracy continues to exist in fragility.
I expect our leaders to a) possess the ability to simultaneously walk (address gun violence) and chew gum (reckon with the Washington coup attempt) and b) recognize and act upon existential crises, such as insurrections and global climate change.
Your tweet makes me fear that you can do neither, Mayor.
- Bill Kriege, Kansas City
Mizzou mistake
I was distressed to learn last year about a plan to tear down several historic buildings on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia. More recently, I learned that the university has added Crowder Hall, the home of all armed services Reserve Officer Training Corps programs, to the list.
This decision apparently was made last November by a “dark of the night” maneuver in a document called the Quarterly Update 12 to the MU Space Reduction and Strategic Relocation Plan. To my knowledge, the decision was never publicly announced. Unless it is reversed, Crowder Hall could fall to the wrecking ball in the not-too-distant future.
This decision is a slap in the face for tens of thousands of my fellow Mizzou alums who received military training in Crowder Hall and consider that building as much a symbol of the university as Jesse Hall or the columns.
I urge university alums and ROTC veterans to make their feelings known about this terrible decision. Please write or call the university administrators, the MU Board of Curators and state officials and ask them to spare this historic building.
- David Smith, Alexandria, Virginia
A child’s worth
A brief online search of AR-15 sales shows them to be worth $700 to $1,100. How much are the lives of 19 children worth? I couldn’t find that number, but obviously it’s less than that.
All members of Congress should be willing to state publicly if they are for or against a total ban on these types of weapons. If not, what is their plan? Not a plan to save their jobs but to save more lives.
- Dan Cram, Overland Park
Jesus’ wishes?
Based on news reports, the turnout for the national March for our Lives demonstrations on June 11 was paltry. Interestingly, more than 250 million people in the U.S. are over 18 years old, and 65% of U.S. adults — more than 160 million — profess to a Christian faith.
We’ve seen more than 250 mass shootings — at least 13 since Uvalde, Texas — and more than 19,000 U.S. victims to gun violence in 2022 so far. Firearms became the leading cause of death for children and young people in the U.S. in 2020, and nearly 8 in 10 murders in the U.S. involve guns.
Is it a loss of hope due to lack of legislative response? Is it fear? Some 30% of Americans own guns, and 40% of evangelical Christians do. Are they concerned about the threat to life, their freedoms being taken, saving the nation and so on? For Christians, none of these have their foundations in Jesus’ sermons.
I find it compelling that the more than 160 million Americans who profess Christian beliefs weren’t out in hordes last weekend to defend the innocents and call loudly for gun reform and increased funding for mental health and other support services. Is this what modeling Jesus’ message to our communities looks like? God help us.
- Martin J. Dressman, Prairie Village
Eye off the ball
The perception is that the Royals’ owners are concentrating more on moving the team downtown than spending money on a team that can win games. As a fan, I’m embarrassed by the Royals’ record. Doesn’t everyone want to be a winner?
- Dave Ross, Lenexa