Let’s spend $12B Trump has left to use before year-end to help foreign aid | Opinion
Honor, protect
After reading The Star’s story about the administration’s proposed pocket rescission of $5 billion on foreign assistance funding, I began reflecting on foreign aid over the past year. (Sept. 7, 6A, “Trump notifies Congress of plan to rescind billions in aid”)
The beginning of the year was riddled with irresponsible shutdowns and cuts to foreign funding. We are still reaping the harms of these cuts. And as if that wasn’t enough, we’ve seen rescission packages and the shutdown of the United States Agency for International Development. According to a Trump administration Supreme Court filing, there are $12 billion unobligated funds from fiscal year 2024 due to expire at the end of September. That could be $12 billion of appropriated foreign assistance funding going unused. But it is still possible to honor Congress’ appropriations for the year.
Here in the Midwest, we care about the Constitution. Yet time and time again, the administration oversteps its constitutional powers. The foreign aid suspensions, cuts and recissions are an infringement on congress’s power of the purse. Allowing these funds to go unused is equal to surrendering this power.
I urge Kansas Sens. Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran and Missouri Sens. Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt to support a continuing resolution for the $12 billion unobligated funds. Protect your constitutional powers. Protect our foreign aid.
- Morgan Peters, Lawrence
That’s love
A great leader unites this country.
No, I am not a radical left lunatic, a radical left maniac or a radical left disaster. No, I am not a terrorist. I love this country.
- Eva K. Foster, Lake Quivira
Kirk’s forgiveness
Like many Americans, I learned more about Charlie Kirk after he died than while he lived. Although I do not agree with much of what he stood for, I stand firmly on his side to express his views. The act of his assassin should be roundly condemned by all freedom-loving Americans.
I watched with interest his entire memorial service last Sunday. I was riveted to the television as one dignitary after another expressed heartfelt condolences. I was particularly moved by the eulogy delivered by his wife, Erika.
As President Donald Trump took the stage, I hoped he would deliver a somber, soft and well-deserved tribute. Rather, he reverted to themes so often used in campaign rallies, referring to the assassin as a “radicalized monster.” Onward he went ranting on tariffs, sending troops into Memphis and Chicago. “Fake news.” Extolling his 2024 election.
How did Trump respond after Erika said she forgave the assassin? By stating that he hates his opponents. This at a service to honor a good American.
Do I forgive Trump for his antics? Never. If only Charlie were still with us. While I would not, he would.
- Jerry Holmes, Lee’s Summit
Learn to grow
Jason Kander’s recent Star guest commentary suggesting national service as a solution to the radicalization of our young men is worth considering. (Sept. 21, 19A, “How to keep our young men from becoming radicalized online”) Countless individuals who served in the Civilian Conservation Corps, the military, the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps and Teach for America speak of having a more tolerant view of all Americans, even if they still hold sincerely different beliefs.
Although such a move at the national level seems unattainable at the moment, our great federal system allows for a range of experiments. I encourage individuals to take this idea from a conversation to some form of action at the state level.
Doing work for others, helping their communities, learning new skills and being given responsibility forces everyone to grow up — something we all must do to become contributing adults.
My final two cents: Limit the use of cellphones to while participants are enrolled in the programs. That just might multiply the impact.
- Dan O’Connell, Kansas City
Domestic target
Hey, Mr. President, why don’t you use those vast resources of our tax dollars you are expending to blow up supposed drug-running boats in the Caribbean and to guard our borders, and instead stop the manufacturing and sale of addictive drugs such 7-OH that are harming people right now in the US of A? (Sept. 24, 5A, “KC-based American Shaman hit with new lawsuit over ‘dangerous’ gas station drug”)
Surely, your heads of the Justice and Health and Human Services departments can figure out something so simple to keep us safe from this domestic threat.
- Larry Hamman, Kansas City
Live resource
If you enjoy great live theater, Kansas City has plenty. Unfortunately, unless you know all the companies or venues, it is difficult to find out what is playing. I’ve helped create a new website at KCLiveTheatre.org to provide a calendar or list view of almost all musicals and plays, and some other performances, in the Kansas City area. This includes many community theater and high school programs — in all, more than 2,000 now listed through summer 2026. If you know of performances that are not listed, please send email through the site and let me know.
We are a brand new site, and we welcome any and all constructive criticism to make it better.
- Don Pinkston, Overland Park