The people have a chance to fix the Missouri Constitution Nov. 8. They should take it

Yes, convene

The most important vote Missourians will cast on Nov. 8 will not be for any candidate or party, but in response to one question: “Shall there be a convention to revise and amend the (state) constitution?”

If the majority of the voters say yes, the people of Missouri will have an opportunity to say yes to democracy in 2023 by holding a constitutional convention where we can create laws needed to make Missouri a more perfect democracy.

Say Yes To Democracy is a nonpartisan group organized by Missourians to encourage voters to take advantage of the opportunity to change the state constitution. This opportunity to hold a convention occurs only every 20 years, and this is that year. The process, as outlined in our state constitution, is bipartisan and controlled by the people, not politicians. Only Missourians would be able to participate in the convention.

Vote yes and make Missouri a more perfect democracy. Please join us at sayyestodemocracy.org

- Annette LePique, Kansas City

School preaching

The Washington Post recently reported on an atheist Oklahoma woman whose daughter converted to Christianity after her third-grade public school teacher led the class in prayer. More states need laws to ensure teachers do not force their personal beliefs onto their students.

The Supreme Court’s recent decision affirming a Washington state coach’s right to lead students in prayer at school functions is just an attempt at mass indoctrination — when it comes to Christianity.

Whatever religion or faith you are, please do your best to keep your children from falling victim to what their public school teachers preach. Also, advocate for keeping prayer out of public schools, because your child’s teacher may not believe what you believe.

- Niall E. Stallings, Kansas City

Graham’s error

In the Aug. 30 story “Sen. Graham: ‘Riots in the street’ if Trump is prosecuted,” (2D) Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina is quoted saying, “There is a double standard when it comes to (Donald) Trump.”

How is this possible? Trump has no standards.

- T.J. Snyder, Mission Hills

Poor decisions

In the Aug. 26 “Short take: Biden plan neglects older borrowers,” (7A) Alexis Leondis of Bloomberg Opinion laments that retirees and others who are “smothered by student debt in their senior years” will not benefit from President Joe Biden’s proposed student debt forgiveness plan.

Some people invest in an education, while others invest in a small business. Both incur debt in the expectation of receiving income sufficient to support their livelihood and repay the debt. Some businesses fail. And, from Leondis’ comment, some have invested in education for a career that did not provide sufficient income to repay the debt.

We assume all parties are competent and informed. We don’t offer to relieve the debt burden for poor business decisions, so why do so for poor education decisions? Why can’t these former students, and their debt holders, live with their decisions like us other mortals? I don’t support forgiveness of student loans any more than I do for business loans.

Is a college education not a good investment? That appears to be the case for some careers.

- Edward Richards, Marshall, Missouri

Another planet

After listening to Ryan Lefebvre, Joel Goldberg and especially Rex Hudler on the Royals’ TV broadcast the other evening, I was convinced the Royals were headed to the World Series. Imagine my surprise when I checked the standings and found out they are 25 games below .500.

- Gary Groninger, Olathe

In for Schmitt

We don’t need a U.S. senator who will be part of the billionaires’ club in Washington. We need a senator who has put in the work to get to where he is today and is not afraid of his blue-collar roots.

Eric Schmitt gets it and understands the struggle many families face. We need him in the Senate for those of us forgotten by our bloated federal government that seeks to reward those with billions and political connections. Eric Schmitt will fight for all Missourians, especially those of us whom the billionaires look down on.

- Mark Anthony Jones, Kansas City

This story was originally published September 1, 2022 at 5:00 AM.