Readers share thoughts on truck drivers, political candidates, global economy

Rude truck drivers

They used to be the safest, most courteous drivers on the road. Things have changed.

I’m writing about trucks, and not just tractor-trailers.

Many truck drivers drive like they’re in a NASCAR race. They switch lanes as if they were driving a sports car. They drive in the left lane and the center lane. They get side by side, blocking other vehicles.

Truck drivers now are some of the worst, most unprofessional and rudest drivers on the road.

During winter rush hour, at the beginning of a long line of backed-up traffic there usually is a big truck jackknifed across a couple of lanes. They would save time and fuel by staying at the depot until rush hour is over.

A few states have laws restricting large trucks to the far right lane. That should be the law in all states.

Some truck-driving schools say that someone could be driving an 18-wheeler in a couple of weeks when the person should not be allowed behind the wheel of a car.

Blocking and tying up traffic, putting people at risk, they are out there constantly.

Unless the laws are changed, they will just not move over.

Dennis Nichols

Basehor, Kan.

Avoiding the draft

Back in the 1960s and 1970s, when the fear of a low Selective Service number caused many men to focus on their futures, some enlisted in the military during the Vietnam War, some joined the National Guard, some went to Canada and a few rich young men went shopping for deferrals from doctors.

Donald Trump has blathered on the airwaves about Sen. John McCain in a vain attempt to deflect the facts about his own choices.

Trump is like his brother in courage, former Vice President Dick Cheney. Cheney had his own multiple draft deferrals.

Both Cheney and Trump, in the privacy of their own thoughts, must rightfully consider themselves Vietnam War-era cowards, as I do.

Patrick Baker

Lone Jack

Global economy

When Sam Walton started Wal-Mart, the store’s slogan was “Made in the USA,” which meant quality merchandise. But that has gone by the wayside.

Now Wal-Mart sells mostly products made in other countries, lacking in the pride of having been produced in America, where superior products are built to last and by union people.

Much of the work in other countries is done by child labor. Children work for slave wages in unsafe conditions, which aids management in reaping a harvest fed by greed.

Today in stores, quantity surpasses quality, and the basic products are inferior and do not last.

If you call 800 telephone numbers, you may talk with someone from India, Pakistan or the Philippines.

I don’t believe entrepreneurs of Sam Walton’s generation would approve of the global economy and the way companies today are operating.

Terrance R. Hawbaker

Atchison, Kan.

Taking in Syrians

The Star’s Sept. 15 editorial, “U.S. must step up to help Syrian refugees,” said the United States should accept more Syrian refugees. The editorial notes that President Barack Obama wants at least 10,000 more Syrian refugees next year.

The editorial goes on to say that Republicans are worrying too much about the possibility of admitting Islamic terrorists. With that statement, I guess The Star thinks only Republicans worry about terrorists.

The editorial states that every refugee who enters the U.S. undergoes a rigorous screening process. To counter that, Rep. Peter King, a member of the Homeland Security Committee and chairman of the counterterrorism subcommittee, stated that for last year’s 1,500 Syrian refugees, it took more than a year to vet the immigrants.

Congressman King also stated that there is no way of vetting, to any extent, Syrian refugees; there are no government records because Syria is in total chaos.

Then the Star equates Syrian refugees with Vietnamese refugees.

That’s a false comparison. South Vietnamese did not go around chanting “Death to America.” They were allies, not state enemies.

Also the editorial claims that Syrians are educated and will quickly contribute to the U.S. economy. There are zero facts to back that up. It’s false and misleading.

A mass of people who grew up hating America and Israel spells disaster.

Polly Dodson

Kansas City

Climate-change truth

July was the hottest month on record. Whew.

Droughts and horrific fires in the West have cost lives and millions of dollars.

While 97 percent of climate scientists in the world concur that climate change is happening and largely caused by human activity, we still hear it is unsettled.

Hey, there is that whopping 3 percent, right?

Hey, Coca-Cola can have a study on obesity that points the finger at video games rather than high-calorie drinks. Big tobacco had a plethora of scientific studies that clouded the ultimate fact that tobacco is addictive and harmful to people’s health.

The next time a politician says that climate change is not settled, ask what donor, lobbyist or political action committee is paying for that assessment.

Ken Strange

Kansas City

Same-sex couples

I can’t believe we are still hearing and reading about the bumpkins who are confused about who is the husband and who is the wife in a same-sex marriage.

It’s so simple: Men are both husbands and women are both wives.

Put it to rest, people, and stop being so concerned with what goes on in the bedrooms.

Chuck Morris

Kansas City, Kan.

Missouri legislature

During Missouri’s recent legislative veto session, the Republican-controlled House and Senate claimed victory for their continued war on everyday Missourians.

Republicans were able to cut unemployment benefits to one of the shortest periods in the nation.

They also outlawed local minimum wage increases. Republicans continued their attacks on immigrants by eliminating access to college scholarship programs.

Continuing with the nation’s other Republican climate-change deniers, Missouri Republicans were able to stop local governments from banning or taxing plastic bags.

All told, the legislature was able to override 10 of Gov. Jay Nixon’s vetoes.

In his nearly seven years in office, Nixon has had 82 vetoes overturned, 10 times more than the previous 150 years. That gives Jay Nixon the distinction of being the most overridden governor in Missouri history.

As Missourians, we have to ask ourselves, where do the Republicans’ priorities, and for that matter their loyalties, lie?

Missouri Republicans continue their strategic attacks on low-income, unemployed, uninsured families.

They cater to big business and continue defunding of our schools. They attack the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion.

It’s time to stop being loyal to a party that has forgotten Missouri.

Richard G. Green

Ozark, Mo.

Homeless in park

Some pictures I took show current “residents” of Washington Square Park at Crown Center.

One man has been on the corner of Pershing and Main for six weeks. There is a lady who sleeps on a picnic table every night.

There is a bench that has had bedding on it for four weeks. A cooler rests under the bench. The pictures I took are of today’s “residents.” They have been in the park for some time.

Someone who is mentally stable and well would not live like this.

Passing out blankets and food might be nice, but it does not take care of them, keep them dry in wet weather, provide medical attention and medicine, and look after their welfare.

To allow sick persons to live in a public park is criminal.

Not to mention that it is potentially dangerous for a person wanting to walk a dog, have a picnic lunch with his or her children after visiting LegoLand and Sea Life nearby or sit outside enjoying a break from work and eating a picnic lunch.

Is there no way these people can be helped?

Victoria DeBlase

Kansas City

This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Readers share thoughts on truck drivers, political candidates, global economy."