Readers react to Kansas school funding, Democrats and Jeb Bush

Eliminate sports

I believe my 34 years in Kansas City Public Schools give me some insight. The quick answer to the Kansas education money situation is easy to see.

All you have to do is eliminate all sports. There is no requirement for sports to graduate (physical education, yes) from high school. There is no benefit for students from sports. There is no carryover for students involved in sports after they graduate.

It is a win-win equation. Trust me on this.

As an administrator, I have seen it all. Just think of the money saved when you do not need coaches, uniforms, equipment, advertising, playing fields and bleachers.

No more trips to play another school. No cheerleaders required. That’s not a graduation requirement either.

You get the idea. What a wonderful new concept to go to school to learn.

Dwight N. Heath

Independence

Vote Democratic

For the first time in my proud Republican stance in presidential elections, I am strongly considering voting for a Democrat if Donald Trump gets our party’s nomination.

How he continues to gain followers is baffling. He is an arrogant, self-serving megalomaniac who would lead us into World War III faster than you can ask, “What just happened?”

His insolence, hostility and bravado would add fuel to the fire of our enemies. Lord help us.

Mary Scherzer

Prairie Village

John Ellis, not Jeb

The name of the former governor of Florida who is running for president on the Republican ticket is John Ellis Bush, not Jeb Bush.

No other politician is referred to by a nickname. Why do the media consistently refer to him by a nickname? His name is John. Let’s get it correct.

Leo Schell

Manhattan, Kan.

Biden’s good move

Thank you, Vice President Joe Biden, for stepping aside Wednesday and deciding not to run for president.

I did not think I would live to see the day we would elect a woman president. Now, we can look forward to that possibility.

Mr. Biden has given new meaning to the title of all elected officials: honorable.

Sandra Rosalia

Kansas City

Conservative voice

Good explanation on editorial boards generally, and The Star’s specifically, by Derek Donovan, “How does The Star’s editorial board work?” My only wish is that someday (soon) the board will again have a conservative member.

I truly miss E. Thomas McClanahan.

Jim Laufenberg

Leawood

Bergdahl questions

I don’t understand what the Army is doing with Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.

A soldier who leaves his post in a military conflict is a deserter. For the Army to call him anything else is ludicrous.

Even if you believe his story about wanting to talk to a general on another post about abuses he witnessed, he is still a deserter.

The Army seems to be using semantics to rationalize its decision. The statement “that there were no soldiers killed who were deliberately looking for Sgt. Bergdahl” leaves a lot to interpretation.

I tend to believe the statements by his fellow soldiers. They were willing to die for Bergdahl. Their testimony should not be suspect.

I am not sure why the Obama administration traded five Taliban members for Sgt. Bergdahl when it wouldn’t insist on the release of the five Americans being held by Iran as part of the Iran nuclear deal. What is clear is that the administration is covering its tracks by painting Sgt. Bergdahl as a hero.

Somebody needs to ask why.

William Gray

Overland Park

Warren backer

I watched Sen. Elizabeth Warren on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” recently. My interest was piqued by what she had to say regarding big business and the tax system’s effect on major corporations versus the regular Joe.

Then there are student loans for our children and how the U.S. government is making money off them.

She needs to run for president. She is a feisty gal who is ready to take on Wall Street and big business.

She talked about trickle-down Reaganomics. It’s not going to work in the U.S. economy in the 21st century.

Debbie Nguyen