Readers tell us their presidential preferences
In recent days we solicited letters from readers in support of their favorite presidential candidates. Here’s a sample of their responses, though so far no one has written in favor of Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio.
Pragmatic appeal
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is a pragmatic business person. He does what works and is not a liberal, conservative or any other ideologue. He is not beholden to any contributor, unlike his opponents who are indebted to others for financial support.
Trump will bring into government pragmatic business people who know how to get results for tax dollars spent. This is unlike the current group who squander tax dollars through waste and corruption.
Trump will stop businesses from fleeing the U.S. and give businesses incentives to grow their U.S. businesses and corresponding U.S. employment. He will put an end to illegal immigrants who are taking jobs from Americans and lowering U.S. wage rates. He will make legal immigration much easier for those who want to adopt the U.S. culture.
Trump will truly make America great again.
Albert E. Cinelli
Overland Park
Clinton experience
A presidential candidate should have a record of public service (preferably as an elected official), grasp the limitations of presidential authority and respect the checks and balances of our democracy.
Candidates’ platforms should include protecting Social Security and Medicare, developing a universal health-care system, simplifying the income-tax system, seeking alternate sources of energy while making America energy independent and developing a plan to repair the nation’s aging and crumbling infrastructure.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has an extensive work history in the public and private sectors. She was a first lady, was elected U.S. senator from New York and served with distinction as the secretary of state.
I believe that Mrs. Clinton is well suited to continue those policies that lead to peace and prosperity.
Clinton is my choice for president.
Kenneth Lee
Raytown
Work for justice
If we are to have a livable planet and a future for our children, some crucial issues must be addressed now. This will take a president with courage and vision. We cannot wait decades for business as usual.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders has a strong environmental record and a grasp of the effect of climate change on health and society. He has drawn up clear proposals to create green energy jobs, reduce pollution and transform our transportation system.
Bernie understands urgent economic concerns. He supports a minimum wage of $15 an hour. He wants to stop jobs from moving overseas. Medicare for all would save money for families and small businesses.
Polls show Sanders with the strongest lead against all potential GOP opponents. A candidate of integrity, he would work for racial justice, for women’s rights and to return the government to the people.
Amrita Burdick
Kansas City
Presidential timbre
My husband and I use the phrase "presidential timber" to describe a candidate who has the character, integrity, experience, success in governing and follows through with plans and promises to be the next leader our country.
This person does not demean himself by demeaning others. This individual is intelligent enough not to need to resort to inappropriate vocabulary to get his point across.
He does not resort to lies to cover up bad leadership. He is the one whom I think I can rely on to keep his word and feel safe with at the helm of my beloved country, the United States of America.
That candidate for me is Republican presidential hopeful Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
Deana Petty
Leawood
Popular ideas
The main argument I hear against Democratic presidential contender Sen. Bernie Sanders is that his ideas, including free college, would never get past the Republicans in Congress.
The reality is that nothing will get done in Congress, regardless of who wins, and we’re all assuming there is no way the GOP wins the White House, right?
So I might as well choose a candidate with great ideas rather than one who has merely achievable ideas.
Sanders’ best idea is to bolster demand-side economics by taxing the 1 percent and putting that money in the hands of workers. I believe Sanders is the only candidate who will work to get more money in the hands of workers. Everyone else is afraid of the corporate bosses.
Well, everyone but Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump.
Frank Schloegel
Kansas City
Race for president
Why is Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump so popular? He’s egotistical, overbearing, insulting and lacking in specifics, yet his extreme confidence is inspiring to many Americans who have become dispirited and uncomfortable.
He also uses his combative style to grab headlines and remain in the forefront of the media news. He has no real competition from anti-establishment candidates.
This speaks graphically to the country as a whole. It’s no longer President John Kennedy’s Jan. 20, 1961, inaugural address in which he said, “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
Now we want more and more handouts. The poor, the ethnic groups, the sexes all want attention paid to their plights and lobby for government assistance.
We don’t think about handling tough situations with our own initiatives. If Trump is the best of the rest, in both parties, then so be it.
He’ll get my vote.
Calvin Day
Kansas City
Kasich for top job
Republican presidential contender John Kasich is the best candidate. He is the adult in the mix.
He doesn’t make personal attacks on the other candidates. He has a background in Congress and is the governor of Ohio.
John Kasich is ready to be president now. He is the best candidate to bring the Republican Party together and to salvage what’s left of it.
Ellen Moore
Raymore
Dream ticket
Without a doubt, this is dreaming. But imagine former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton winning the Democratic nomination, then convincing former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to run as vice president on the same ticket?
It would be historic.
Let’s look at some history. The Clintons and Bushes have truly bonded. Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush have worked together and accomplished so very much for so many people and good causes.
We all know it is almost impossible for Congress to even show up, let alone pass a bill. If Hillary and Jeb teamed up, it could pave a path for progress and hopefully get this country back on track.
Hillary and Jeb have friends on both sides of the aisle. Together they might be able to get something done.
It does not hurt to dream.
Ronnie Murray
Fair Play, Mo.
Richard Kesler
Dunnegan, Mo.
Horn-tooting
I never imagined there would be the strong personal urge to share with people sure-fire, winning thoughts that would bring folks honest excitement and wonderful confidence. Let your mind dwell on this.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is sharing for everyone to see and hear his successful, winning actions of tooting his own horn. Anyone who has an honest belief and message — one that others ought to have — then that individual should toot his horn, and then be amazed at what happens.
People should stop wondering how Trump is gaining support. He is tooting his horn and sharing with people what they want and need to hear. There is the mark and feeling of success.
Share your honest belief. Be courageous. Enjoy speaking up. Toot your horn. It could make you a winner.
Doug Sutherland
Raymore
Seeking inclusion
We are at another critical crossroad in the United States. Compassion is missing in so many things we do, and hate has replaced common sense with many citizens.
On the Statue of Liberty, it says in part, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” We need a someone as president who remembers those words and can help this country heal.
Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton comes closest to being that person in today’s field of angry, disrespectful, divisive and, yes, bigoted candidates.
I am genuinely scared of what could happen if one of the bullies in the campaign for president were elected. The United States should stand for inclusion, not exclusion.
In this election, my wife and I will proudly support Hillary Clinton for president.
John Clabaugh
Lee’s Summit
Return equality
I am supporting Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders because he is the only candidate who I believe fully understands the damage that the past 30 years of trickle-down economics has done.
It’s no accident that since the 1980s real wages have failed to grow substantially and income inequality has skyrocketed. It is thanks to the tax breaks that the richest Americans have received while the middle class has paid more.
Sanders would reverse this trend by getting the top 1 percent to pay their fair share and providing relief for the lower wage earners. Only then would we see the rebirth of a prosperous America that is full of equality and opportunity for all.
Brendan McGraw
Overland Park
Sanders’ integrity
Bernie Sanders has served in the U.S. House (1991-2006) and the U.S. Senate (2007 to date) as an independent. Now he is a very experienced candidate for the Democratic nomination for U.S. president.
The reasons I cite here for supporting him focus on areas where I perceive him to differ significantly from the other Democratic candidate, including:
▪ Honesty.
▪ Strong support for getting big money out of politics and restoring our democracy.
▪ Strong support for economic fairness, with the wealthy, Wall Street and large corporations paying their fair share.
▪ Strong support for a foreign policy emphasizing diplomacy and avoiding senseless wars (he voted against the Iraq war).
It is time for us to take back our democracy and send a clear message that everyone counts and we all deserve respect.
Dave Pack
Lenexa
This story was originally published March 10, 2016 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Readers tell us their presidential preferences."