Readers react to Donald Trump, help for disabled people and a downtown ballpark
Trump for president
After watching part of a recent interview with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, and being aware of the decisions/no-decisions on this nation’s issues, I have been forced to seriously consider voting for him.
I believe he has what it takes to look you right in the face and tell you how it is and how and what he would change. And he cannot be bought by blackmail or lobbyists.
Sandra Hay
Lone Jack
ABLE Act
While 16-year-old Rachel Mast dreams of a pink house, her mother, Jawanda, dreams of a savings account that will enable Rachel to make that a reality. Starting next year, that dream of a tax-free savings account for people with disabilities like Rachel will come true, after state and federal lawmakers approved the ABLE Act.
Rachel, who has Down syndrome, will be empowered to save money for expenses such as housing accommodations, medical bills, transportation and education. People with disabilities will be able to save up to $14,000 per year and accumulate a balance of up to $100,000 by opening an account with the Kansas State Treasurer’s office.
The most significant change is that the money saved won’t affect their eligibility for Medicaid or other federal disability payments. Previously, people with disabilities were limited to assets of $2,000 before their benefits were reduced or eliminated. That policy increased government dependency by preventing families from saving for expenses not covered by Medicaid.
Using these tax-free savings accounts will enable Rachel and others to look to the future and make plans to be independent and self-sufficient.
It’s not often that lawmakers get to work on ideas that help make dreams come true.
State Rep. Erin Davis (R-Olathe) worked tirelessly around multiple roadblocks and challenges to push the ABLE Act for approval on the state level. Nationally, Rep. Kevin Yoder, Sen. Jerry Moran, Rep. Mike Pompeo and Sen. Pat Roberts helped champion the bill through the process.
The ABLE accounts will be available next summer, and Rachel and her mom can finally start saving for that pink house and maybe college, too.
Ray Merrick
Kansas House Speaker
Stilwell
Gov. Sam Brownback
I was relieved earlier this year to hear Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback tell us that we didn’t really receive a tax increase. There was a minute I thought things might get worse for the poor, the students, the sick and the mentally ill.
The sun continues to shine in Kansas. We are all “Brownbaking” in it, with no hope for sunscreen.
Armand Way
Topeka
Guns, cigarettes, cars
It’s amazing that the National Rifle Association appears to have more clout, money and lobbyists than all the cigarette corporations. What if the government faced a campaign opposing guns like it does banning smokers?
There is almost no place left in or around the city where a person can smoke. The only places close are one’s home and car.
I would be happy if those were the only places people could have a gun. I don’t know how many people die from smoking or being around smokers, but more than 30,000 people die from guns each year.
About the same number die from roadway accidents. We have one gun for every person — more than 300 million guns and people. We have about 250 million cars.
It would be great if we had the same laws for guns as we do for cars and for smokers. We keep crying for people killed by guns, but we don’t do anything to stop it.
It’s time. How can we put up with cowardly thugs shooting up schools, churches and theaters? We are no longer a civilized country.
Joe Purcell
Kansas City
Downtown ballpark
Well, I never thought I would see this day, but I actually agree with a message from Yael T. Abouhalkah (8-6, Opinion, “Downtown ballpark isn’t crucial to KC’s future”).
In fact, I actually applaud his opinion piece about a downtown ballpark. I cannot imagine any reason that would make me drive downtown to watch a ballgame. Why on earth would I do that?
I like the current ballpark. I don’t think I would enjoy searching all over for a place to park, the long trek to the stadium, watching a game and then repeating the process.
I don’t think I would be able to walk all over looking for a place to buy a $6 beer and a $14 hamburger and then tromp around getting back to my car and drive home. Why would I put myself through all of that?
There has to be a more intelligent way to enhance the downtown experience.
Props to my old buddy, Yael.
Jim Brown
Pleasant Hill
Minimum wage raise
What is all this nonsense about waiting until 2020 for wages to be $15 an hour?
Hey, we are talking about people being able to afford food, shelter, transportation and clothes on their backs and supporting our future generation that needs education and all of the aforementioned amenities as well.
Sure is amazing how patient we can be when we are not the ones in need or on the wrong end of the food chain.
Seriously, the minimum wage at the current level is just another page proving slavery still exists throughout the United States of America. Taking advantage of those with little or no leverage is slavery no matter how you try to sell it.
The bottom line is if you do not want to pay a living wage, do it yourself. When others are doing your bidding, you owe them a share of the wealth.
It is just too easy to think you need a hundred grand to live. But your employees can do with a fraction of that.
Val Pfannenstiel
Mission
End death penalty
Nebraska, a solidly red state, repealed the death penalty, showing strong bipartisan support for ending capital punishment.
People across the political spectrum are recognizing that the death penalty is broken beyond repair.
Kansas lawmakers ought to follow suit and end this waste of taxpayers’ money that makes us no safer and can take innocent lives.
Barbara Mayer
Atchison, Kan.
This story was originally published August 8, 2015 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Readers react to Donald Trump, help for disabled people and a downtown ballpark."