Readers react to circus animals, marijuana and Syrian refugees

Circus animals

It is a heartless, pitiful, godless individual who gets pleasure from the brutal suffering of another living creature. I have seen many videos of how circus animals are treated. I am begging everyone to not attend an animal circus.

Susanne Carpenter

Kansas City

Legalize marijuana

Through reading articles and hearing talks from a Drug Enforcement Administration agent, I have formed an opinion that legalizing marijuana isn’t a bad idea.

Death by overdose of hard narcotics has been lowered because of the availability of weed. The DEA agent, however, stated that grass is one of the worst drugs for high school kids.

I think the legalization is OK along with monitoring and regulations.

Luke Koeppen

Leawood

Israel, refugees

I recently saw a map showing where and how many refugees from Syria and other countries were being sheltered by countries in the Middle East and Europe. The map indicated none was sheltered in Israel.

In my opinion, a step in the direction of de-escalating Middle Eastern tension would be for Israel to announce that it would welcome a portion of the displaced persons from the region.

William King

Spring Hill

Easier on the eyes

I read The Kansas City Star on a daily basis and ask the following as a small but effective means of improving reading experience for me and perhaps many.

Although the prose in some places may be inconsequential, it would certainly improve the reading ease if the print were not white on gray. It’s just a suggestion that editors might consider.

Linda Tessar

Harrisonville

Government debt

There seems to be a general belief that governmental borrowing is bad. This can lead to higher-than-necessary taxes.

A study to set out the parameters of a program that would minimize long-term stable tax rates is not simple, but I can assure you it is more than one of just avoiding debt. Those opposed to governmental debt should remember that existing debt goes down each year as debt matures while the need for new or replacement capital improvements remains high or increases.

I wonder how many of those in opposition to governmental debt paid cash for their houses or cars. Using debt for the construction of governmental capital improvements:

▪ Allows taxpapers to keep more of their money in the year of construction.

▪ Levels out the payments for the items over a period nearer to their useful lives, thus allowing future taxpayers (users of the items) to help pay for them.

▪ Provides a solid investment opportunity for those who desire safe investments.

The objective of U.S. debt policy should be to provide the lowest long-term stable tax rates consistent with sound business practices.

Hugh Taylor

Overland Park

Clinton-Bush race?

Since I was a little girl, I have grown up being told it is possible for any citizen of the United States to become president.

But if this were true, how is it possible that our next presidential election might very well offer a choice between a Clinton and a Bush?

Do the 320 million people in the United States lack confidence, creativity and common sense? Apparently many do.

Amy W. Thompson

Kansas City

Diversity at work

There was a truck parked behind my driveway for three months. I called the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, which sent an officer.

I said the truck probably belonged to the house across the street but I was nervous about approaching. The officer went to the house. The owners promised to find somewhere else to park it.

Early on a recent morning, a tow truck loaded the truck. The officer then knocked on my door. He told me that the owners had been trying to sell the truck and that he hooked them up with a buyer.

This officer cared enough to go an extra mile, make a few calls and serve his community.

The police officer is my hero.

An old white lady, a young Hispanic family and a caring black police officer. We truly can live together in harmony.

Martha Bradshaw

Kansas City, Kan.

This story was originally published October 7, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Readers react to circus animals, marijuana and Syrian refugees."