Reader has some why, how and what questions about one political party and candidate | Opinion

Some questions

Why can an American political party endorse a candidate who used 1930s German rhetoric?

How can citizens endorse such a candidate?

What does the voter need to do to ensure this candidate is not elected?

Why are some people in Washington, D.C., supporting a candidate using 1930s German rhetoric?

How can such a person be elected in America?

What can be done to ensure no vote is cast out of fear?

Why is a candidate allowed to trash other people publicly and not face censure?

How can we allow this sort of behavior?

What can an individual do? Vote, vote and vote these people out of office.

- James Bradfield, Chanute, Kansas

Senior care

Doctors want to get effective treatment as soon as possible for seniors dealing with painful, sometimes life-altering diseases. Unfortunately, health insurers’ prior-authorization policies often get in the way and end up delaying needed care.

In fact, according to a study by the American Medical Association, 93% of patients face delays in necessary care waiting for prior authorization. Worse, medical professionals like me spend an average of two full business days a week dealing with prior-authorization paperwork. Worst of all, these delays can cause severe harm and worsen health outcomes.

Thankfully, Sen. Roger Marshall, a doctor himself, recognizes the problem and has introduced the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act to help streamline the prior-authorization process in Medicare Advantage plans. I hope others in Congress will join him in passing this important, timely and very much-needed legislation.

- Kwas Huston, Leawood

Show honor

Ewing Kauffman is largely responsible for bringing Major League Baseball to Kansas City. He is honored at Kauffman Stadium. Lamar Hunt brought the National League Football (and Major League Soccer) to Kansas City. He named Arrowhead Stadium and is honored there. History and tradition exist in both venues. Too many times, we tear down our history and tradition is lost.

Fenway Park opened in 1912, and Wrigley Field in 1914. Soldier Field opened in 1924 and Lambeau Field in 1957. All have been renovated but are still in use.

Stadiums are part of teams’ traditions, but more important, all teams need to compete at a high level to sustain fans’ interest.

We are fortunate to have sport-specific twin stadiums that opened in 1972-73. They put Kansas City on the map of big-time sports towns. They have the advantage of massive parking lots — hard to replicate in the city center. Tailgating is almost as popular with fans as the games, and new stadiums have billion-dollar price tags.

Go Chiefs! Go Royals! Let’s win another Super Bowl and World Series in newly renovated stadiums that we already enjoy with pride, history and tradition.

- Mo Childers, Overland Park

Bona fide Boyda

I am pleased to learn that Nancy Boyda is running to return to represent Kansas in Congress. (July 2, 2A, “Republicans have held Kansas’ 2nd District for nearly 30 years. Can Democrats win it back?”) During her first term, I served on the U.S. Army General Staff and briefed her regarding military matters because she was on the House Armed Services Committee. Unlike many members of Congress, Rep. Boyda met with me in person while accompanied by her military liaison assistant. I was greatly impressed by her eager engagement and grasp of the subject.

I do not live in her district, but I am confident that she would be a valuable legislator.

- Michael W. Symanski, Overland Park

Abe’s wisdom

President Abraham Lincoln was right when he warned that “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” He would offer the same warning today in viewing American politics.

Functioning democracies require at least two political parties that agree on basic constitutional practices and trust the voting system, regardless of which party is in office, so that a peaceful transfer of power occurs and both parties play by the same rules. Jan. 6, 2021, dare not be our model.

Today, we have one political party competing with MAGA followers loyal only to their leader, Donald Trump, who plays by different rules and promises to govern as he sees fit if elected. Trump has made it clear that he is an admirer of his “friend,” the Hungarian autocrat Viktor Orban, and would like to rule in the same manner.

A democracy is never perfect, but there has to be a consensus on how it operates and a trust that the practices of democracy continue no matter who is in power. That can no longer be assured. .

The next few years will be critical to see if the America we knew can long endure. Can common sense and facts, not falsehoods and fantasy, prevail by election time?

- Harold J. Schultz, Kansas City

History’s watch

For your 2024 ruling on presidential immunity, compromising 235 years of U.S. democracy — overturning the tenet that no one is above the law — may your names go down indelibly in historical infamy:

• Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts Jr.

• Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.

• Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett

• Associate Justice Neil M. Gorsuch

• Associate Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh

• Associate Justice Clarence Thomas

- Christopher Hanch, Kansas City