Readers react to presidential candidates, technology and dangerous roads
Candidates’ appeal
None of us knows whether Democrat Bernie Sanders or Republican Donald Trump would make a good president, and it is unlikely we will learn.
Neither enjoys much support from his respective party leadership. Therein lies much of their appeal.
It seems that an increasing portion of the electorate is dissatisfied with the political establishment.
Despite the primary process, it is unlikely a candidate will be chosen who does not follow the dictates of the power brokers and big-money interests who control both parties.
It is virtually impossible to win national political office without being “good little boys and girls” and following the party line. Independent thought seems to be discouraged unless it meets the approval of big campaign contributors.
Agree with them or not, it is refreshing to see candidates willing to speak their minds and stand up to the political establishment.
Their campaigns are opening the door to legitimate input from those of us who feel increasingly ignored by the party leadership.
Perhaps it is time for strong leadership, not subservience to the influential few.
Mike Hanrahan
Cameron, Mo.
High-tech trap
Citizens of industrialized countries are becoming slaves to modern technology.
Despite its many advantages, technology increasingly distracts us, and we lose the ability to focus.
With increased social media, texting and a 24-hour news cycle, thoughts are fragmented, affecting the brain’s ability to think deeply.
Flipping through websites, watching multiple TV shows on Netflix and participating in several group chats at once create fragmented thinking.
With so much information and entertainment a click or swipe away, there is a constant motion of opening and closing websites.
Multitasking to quickly browse the web and save time limits the brain’s ability to absorb information and put full effort into schooling or a career.
Instead of concentrating on one activity, the brain is trained to actively maneuver back and forth on thoughts, never settling too long on a topic. Priorities no longer take hold; focus on dreams and goals are lost.
Even though technology has solved some of society’s problems, it also creates many challenges, acting like a double-edged sword.
With as much information as technology provides us, the ability to absorb and focus on that information continuously decreases.
Danielle Hotalling
Lee’s Summit
Dangerous roads
Blue Springs has a diverging diamond interchange at Woods Chapel Road and Interstate 70. One evening, I encountered a wrong-way driver while crossing this bridge.
The lane to my left was unoccupied so the errant vehicle had a place to pass me, and as far as I know no collision occurred. But it was a very unsettling experience.
Area drivers need to be extra vigilant at these potentially confusing interchanges.
Lee Kirchhoff
Blue Springs
This story was originally published January 2, 2016 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Readers react to presidential candidates, technology and dangerous roads."