Save the lives of bikers, pedestrians in traffic with more planning, hardware | Opinion

Get around

I read Asia Dunmore’s Star guest commentary on motorists speeding, and I agree with her. (April 29, 11A, “Missouri has a deadly speeding problem. Here’s the right solution”) I, was the victim of a similar incident while riding a bike in 2018 but lived to tell the story.

In addition to the legislation Dunmore suggested, I would add two ideas. My husband and I rented a car that displayed the ongoing speed limit next to the speedometer. This might not modify everyone’s behavior, but surely some would make the choice to comply.

The second suggestion is more difficult to achieve. We need to enable people to get from one location to another without needing a car. Much of the metropolitan area is engaged in the Vision Zero plan, which is a strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. We should do what we can to support it.

- Susan King-Kostelac, Mission

Who cares

Based on public information, Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner has increased his net worth by $200 million since Trump’s second inauguration. Don Jr. went from $50 million to $300 million, and Eric from $40 million to $400 million. The United Arab Emirates is asking for a $20 billion “financial lifeline” from the U.S. after investing $200 million in Kushner’s private equity firm. When asked about conflicts of interest in business dealings, the president replied, “I found out that nobody cared.”

Kansas Sens. Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran, and Reps. Derek Schmidt, Ron Estes and Tracey Mann don’t appear to care. They don’t care about any of this. They don’t care about the Spirit Airlines bailout. They don’t care about Steve Witkoff and Kushner negotiating the Ukraine-Russia war without going to Kyiv, while going to Moscow multiple times. They don’t care about these same two negotiating with Iran without any nuclear knowledge. They don’t care about tenant Trump destroying the White House East Wing. They don’t care about his contracting for Luxembourg steel for the new construction.

What happened to “Buy American”? And what happened to the Epstein files?

Show you care. Vote them out.

- Ronnie Svaty, Ellsworth

Way forward

America’s immigration system is way too focused on locking people up and sending them back home, even if they’re not dangerous. This messes up families, makes people scared and wastes taxpayers a ton of money every year.

Studies show that community-based programs are far more effective and way cheaper. They offer case management and legal support, so people can go to court without getting locked up. But the system keeps focusing on punishment instead of finding real solutions.

Racial disparities show how urgent it is to make changes. Black immigrants are hit harder by detention and deportation, which is not fair.

Policies such as the New Way Forward Act propose a more equitable approach by reducing unnecessary detention and empowering judges. Immigration enforcement should prioritize genuine safety concerns rather than broad and costly practices that hurt communities.

If we want a system that truly reflects American values, we must find solutions that are both kind and effective.

- Tyler Espinoza, Wichita

Rural needs

There’s been a lot of discussion about growth, infrastructure and community planning in Kansas. One issue that needs attention is access to specialty healthcare in rural areas.

As a nurse in Kansas City, I’ve seen how difficult it can be for patients to get the care they need when living outside larger cities. Rural Kansans must travel long distances to see an orthopedic specialist. For someone dealing with pain, an injury or limited mobility, that kind of travel can delay their care and worsen their condition.

Telehealth isn’t a perfect solution. However, it’s a realistic one. It can make a significant difference in consultations, follow-ups and the management of ongoing issues, without requiring patients to take time off work or travel for appointments. Expanding telehealth services and improving access to reliable internet in rural communities would help close some of these gaps.

State and local leaders should support policies that strengthen access to telehealth. It is a step that can improve care for many who are underserved.

Where you live shouldn’t determine how easily you can get care. Expanding telehealth is one way we can start making it more equitable across Kansas.

- Joseph Sugden, Olathe

My country?

A wealthy person, living in comfort and ease in the United States, made a decision about a poor person, struggling to sustain the basic necessities of life. One had power over the other and decided to send the poor person across an ocean instead of to their own native country which was close at hand.

Despite ongoing court cases regarding their right to remain in the U.S., the poor person was sent handcuffed, in chains to a country where they were not welcome. They did not know the language. They were not vaccinated against yellow fever nor malaria, both diseases endemic in the Congo.

There was not one drop of compassion in the soul of the person in power. That soul shriveled beyond recognition with savage, barbaric cruelty. This is one story of America, land that I love, land that I no longer recognize.

- Angela Schieferecke, Prairie Village