I didn’t serve 34 years in armed forces for the military to ban transgender troops | Opinion
Wrong decision
The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the ban on transgender personnel from serving in our military is deeply foolish, arrogant and ignorant of all Americans’ right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. (May 7, 2A, “Supreme Court lets Trump enforce transgender troop ban”)
After 34 years in military uniform, I say without a doubt that all members of our armed forces — regardless of race, ethnicity or gender — bleed red and render quality service to our country.
- Rick Marien, Overland Park
Good DOGE
The Department of Government Efficiency was established to save taxpayers money. It was tasked to investigate waste, fraud and corruption in the runaway government spending. DOGE has no authority to cut any spending or to eliminate any departments. It can only advise the president regarding wasteful expenditures.
The department has been led by Elon Musk, who has enlisted several patriotic, successful businesspeople, as well as a cadre of information technology specialists to assist him finding waste and corruption in our government. DOGE cannot eliminate Social Security, Medicaid or Medicare.
Sadly, many of our elite elected officials have attempted to cancel Musk and the entire program by scaring the voters with propaganda. This fear has led to protests that include destruction of property and intimidation of Tesla owners.
Why would anyone attempt to stop a program designed to save taxpayers money and stop fraud? What are they afraid of? What do they have to hide?
- Nick Prinster, Auxvasse, Missouri
Set right
Set designer R. Keith Brumley deserves an award for the spectacular features in the Kansas City Lyric Opera’s recent production of “Turandot” at the Kauffman Center. I hope he gets regional, state or even broader recognition. The dimensions at the Kauffman Center allows for his vision compared to the company’s previous venue. Bravo!
- Shirley Fessel, Kansas City
Vital work
I am concerned about the plans to cut the Environmental Protection Agency’s funding and staff by 65%, and to eliminate or weaken at least 31 critical environmental regulations. They include:
Much higher levels of air and water pollutant emissions will be allowed from many industries.
The critical PM2.5 air standard will be increased.
Standards for cars and trucks will allow for more pollutant emissions.
Emission standards and reporting requirements will be eliminated for greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane.
Environmental justice studies that examine the disproportionate effect of pollution in poor and minority communities will be eliminated.
The health and economic benefits of environmental regulations have been large. In 2020, it was estimated that the Clean Air Act regulations annually save about 230,000 lives, prevent 200,000 heart attacks, prevent 2.4 million asthma attacks, save 22.4 million days of lost school and work and save $2 trillion in health and lost productivity costs. The economic benefits of reducing air pollution are estimated to return more than $30 for every $1 spent on pollution abatement.
I urge Congress to restore funding for this lifesaving EPA work.
- Luke Curtis, Jefferson City
Zoned out
As a lifelong Kansas Citian, I’ve seen how our outdated zoning laws are holding us back. If we want to address our growing housing crisis, we need to stop treating every project like an exception and start making development routine.
Right now, much of Kansas City is zoned exclusively for single-family homes, making it illegal to build more affordable options such as duplexes, townhomes or small apartments — the kinds of modest, low-rise buildings often called “missing middle” housing. These are not high-rises or massive apartment complexes. They’re the brick walk-ups and courtyard buildings that help teachers, nurses and working families live near their work.
Builders today face a maze of rezoning hearings, legal fees and unpredictable delays, often just to construct a small duplex. These barriers make it nearly impossible for smaller developers to build at scale. By legalizing missing middle housing without requiring special permits, we could lower costs, reduce uncertainty and unlock new homes.
If Kansas City is serious about increasing housing supply and affordability, it’s time we updated our zoning laws to reflect the city we are and prepare for the city we want to be.
- Sam Brook, Kansas City
Parade shame
Make no mistake. The military parade President Donald Trump wants for his birthday has nothing to do with an appreciation for those who serve our country — the ones our president called “losers.” It has nothing to do with a show of military might, when every other country is aware we wield the most prepared, best trained fighting force in the world. It has everything to do with an overweening draft dodger wanting to pose as a strongman and promote his image as someone to be feared.
That this could happen is an embarrassment to us all as Americans. We have always been better than this.
- Bob Roberts, Leawood