POV: Power, protests and threats to the democracy of the United States | Opinion

Do-nothing

The most powerful man in the world is ruling unrestrained by direct threat and shakedown. Whether CEO, foreign leader or anyone, all he has to do is utter a threat and all yield in fear. Elected to office under the rules of our Constitution, he and his appointees are now striving to dismantle it piece by piece.

To solve our affordability crisis at home, MAGA’s leader claims we must build an empire by force if necessary and says he will run those countries. He threatens to invade Iran because it is harming citizens protesting that government. But who stands up for our own protesters?

The leaderless, visionless Democratic Party uselessly complains and begs for more money, and Donald Trump has rendered the do-nothing GOP-led Congress obsolete. Protest here and you may face masked gunmen carrying badges. You risk incarceration without due process, injury or tragically death. You’re labeled a domestic terrorist, your injury or death your fault.

Trump met the No Kings demonstrations last year with an artificial intelligence video of himself dropping feces on his fellow Americans. Unfortunately, his latest response to demonstrations is no longer fake but has become reality.

- Steve Cox, Overland Park

Tax reality

David Mastio wrote that his dad fled Missouri because of the state income tax that he hated. (Jan. 15, 11A, “My dad was right, the Missouri income tax is awful. He voted with his feet”)

Well, Mr. Mastio, your dad would really hate what’s coming if this idea passes. The state would have to impose a double -digit sales tax not only on goods, but also services. Like those your father provided.

This idea is from Rex Sinquefield of St. Louis, who has paid millions to push it. Its effect would be to shift the tax burden onto the workers, who spend most of their paychecks on goods and services. The rich spend a dramatically smaller portion of their wealth this way.

Businesses on the borders would be hurt, as people would simply drive across the state line to avoid the tax.

All Missourians should vote no on this regressive tax — if they get the chance.

- Brian Marrs, Kansas City

No comparison

The Jan. 14 guest commentary “Missouri tax policy is a relic of the past. Gov. Kehoe’s right to update it” (11A) is wrong to compare the tax policies of Texas and Missouri. Texas collects billions in severance taxes from oil and gas extraction companies. This argument is too flawed to be published.

- Edwin Dexter, Leawood

Acrobat Hawley

Once again the famous acrobat, Sen. Josh Hawley, showed his agility by doing his encore flipping of his vote to please his one and only audience member, Donald J. Trump. (Jan. 15, 7A, “GOP moves to block bill to limit Trump’s power in Venezuela”)

Please, fellow Missourians, remember this. It was about a possible war with Venezuela. As our wannabe dictator often says, thank you for your attention to this matter.

- Larry Winterton, Grandview

Chiefs’ ball

Constructive conversations concerning the Chiefs relocating to Kansas have devolved into meaningless complaining and scare tactics. Unfortunately, some voices in The Star spread discontent by criticizing the Chiefs’ decision with doomsday scenarios.

We must face new realities and support the decision. Arrowhead stands as the third-oldest NFL stadium behind only Chicago’s Soldier Field and Green Bay’s Lambeau Field. Something had to change in Chiefs Kingdom before the current lease expires in January 2031. And since Jackson County voters said no in 2024, and our local and state politicians had provided only tepid proposals, the Chiefs made the only feasible decision: Accept the Kansas proposal.

So instead of arguments, shouldn’t we refocus our attention to support the best alternative that keeps our Chiefs in the metropolitan area? Rest assured, several other cities can and would quickly work to lure the Chiefs from Kansas City. Look to St. Louis for examples of what happened when its two NFL teams became disenfranchised and found new homes.

The alternatives to Kansas could be much worse.

- Bill McCollum, Lenexa

Whither Royals?

My husband and I are true blue loyal Kansas City Royals fans. We believe in our hometown baseball team.

However, we are discouraged by the years of the team’s and Missouri’s back-and-forth communications, indecision and lack of transparency in settling on the location of a new Royals stadium.

Are the Royals looking to move outside the Kansas City metropolitan area? That would be really discouraging.

- Rosalina Shoebrook, Prairie Village

Still waiting

Where are the Epstein files, Mr. President?

- Lorre’ Rhoades Dysart, Overland Park