Readers share thoughts on Rep. Kevin Yoder, Gov. Sam Brownback and President Barack Obama
Yoder’s actions
Remember when the economy was brought to its knees in part because of extremely risky lending by too-big-to-fail banks? Remember how Congress, through Dodd-Frank legislation, removed government liability for those risky investments?
Thanks to our own Rep. Kevin Yoder, the government has been placed back on the hook for those risky investments.
When large banks invest in risky ventures, they won’t have to worry about losses now because they are being covered by federal insurance.
Working with lobbyists from the banking industry, Rep. Yoder attached language to the newly passed spending bill that weakened the Dodd-Frank legislation.
Larry Clark
Bonner Springs
Kansas policies
My adult, disabled daughter recently received a notification that she will be receiving a $12 per month Social Security cost-of-living increase for 2015.
One day later she received a notification from Kansas that because of her Social Security increase the state is reducing her food stamps by $7 per month.
Two days later she received another notification from Kansas that because of her Social Security increase the state is reducing her home-based care services by $12 per month.
So now her net adjustment for the cost-of-living is negative $7 per month.
My wife and I fortunately can continue to care for our daughter, but some disabled friends of my daughter do not have such a support system and therefore just get to eat less and have fewer services.
I sure hope Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback is proud of his accomplishments for the poor and disabled of Kansas. At least I can take great comfort in the fact that the wealthy are being cared for under his leadership.
Dave DiPasquale
Overland Park
Disrespecting Obama
It has bothered me for the past six years that the legislative branch of the U.S. government has done almost nothing but find fault with every plan President Barack Obama has presented.
The Republican Party has found fault with every idea presented.
The Republican leadership has tried to discredit the president from the day that he was sworn in.
As I observe the politicians in Washington, D.C., it is clear that this is a racial problem.
The Affordable Care Act is called Obamacare. Many legislators and a lot of members of the news media refer to the president as Obama instead of President Obama.
Never has there been so much disrespect for a sitting president.
The haves are taking more away from the have-nots and oppressing them further.
It is time for the problem of race to be addressed. It is not going away by just leaving it alone and saying nothing.
The election of a new president in two years is not going to change anything. We need to address this problem before it gets too big.
Everyone in the Kansas City area is familiar with this problem because Kansas City is full of racism.
Rev. Gary R. Charles
Independence
Health care for all
Health care is a basic human right. All other Western industrialized countries accept this tenet.
Bombasts from various sources tout our nation as a Christian nation, founded on Christian doctrines, with one of those being love thy neighbor. However, if practicing that doctrine should result in increased taxes to help pay for the health care of the poor, then, whoa Nellie, suddenly this humanitarian doctrine becomes dark and evil and not so Christian.
Never mind that the basis for the Affordable Care Act was a product of a right-wing think tank (the Heritage Foundation) and placed into law in Massachusetts, where it has been very popular.
When Barack Obama became president, my wife and I cried because we thought our country had finally turned the race corner. In retrospect, even though more than 150 years have now passed since the Emancipation Proclamation, our country was still not ready for a black president.
From day one, our GOP leaders were determined that he would fail.
Of course, universal health care is the humanitarian and Christian thing to do. But, in our Christian society, helping those less fortunate obtain health care has been trumped by the overwhelming worship of the dollar.
Robert Stuber
St. Joseph
Pollution reduction
The metro’s air-pollution problem will soon be cut in half thanks to the welcome announcement that Rush Limbaugh will now be heard on just one station rather than two (12-27, C3, “KMBZ to split into two radio stations”).
Mike Brown
Kansas City
Kudos to police
After witnessing two police cars rushing into the Wal-Mart entrance on 39th Street recently, I proceeded to the Independence Center. Spending just minutes shopping, I then headed home via Crackerneck Road.
Numerous sirens were wailing, but I couldn’t see a thing until I topped the railroad track and saw a car being chased toward me. It stopped about 20 feet in front of me, followed by no fewer than 10 law-enforcement vehicles.
Terrified, yet mesmerized, I watched as officers from what appeared to be the Independence Police Department, the Missouri Highway Patrol and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office jumped from their cars, guns drawn, and approached the suspects.
Kudos to everyone involved. No shots were fired, the suspects surrendered peacefully, and after about 10 minutes it was all over, and I was allowed to drive home.
One question remains unanswered. Who flew the unmarked bright red helicopter over the scene just after I arrived home?
Sharla Ashmore
Independence
Light rail for KC
While attending a conference in Chicago, I was able to quickly purchase a $5 rail ticket and ride to within two blocks of my downtown hotel in about 40 minutes.
Kansas City does not want or need a new airport or a streetcar. That money and energy could build light-rail from Kansas City International Airport with stops in Zona Rosa, City Market, Power & Light, Union Station, Westport, the Plaza and possibly the Overland Park Convention Center.
The Metro and taxis could fill in for short off-rail rides until lateral routes can be built.
Light rail would save our roads, save our environment and reduce fatalities. Most of all, the citizens of the Kansas City area could have a safer and more efficient transportation alternative, where they could safely text, read and do all the other things you see drivers doing, but without putting the public at risk.
Light rail would benefit Kansas City more in terms of public good and economic development than either a new airport or a streetcar.
All aboard, KC.
Michael Dieker
Lee’s Summit
This story was originally published January 3, 2015 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Readers share thoughts on Rep. Kevin Yoder, Gov. Sam Brownback and President Barack Obama."