Readers share views on Republicans, Democrats, hate speech, Cerner tax breaks

RINOs and DINOs

How could anyone vote Republican again knowing the GOP candidate is a RINO, or Republican in name only?

How can anyone vote for Hillary Clinton knowing she is a DINO, or Democrat in name only?

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is the real choice. The senator from Vermont reminds me of a fiscally conservative, socially responsible moderate.

Richard Heckler

Lawrence

Hate resurrected

I am 80 years old and have seen a lot in that time. My home town is Appleton, Wis., near the birthplace of Sen. Joseph McCarthy.

In the early 1950s, Sen. McCarthy thought that behind every tree and under every bush and rock lurked a communist just waiting to take over our country. Using lies, innuendo, character assassination and outrageous proclamations, he destroyed the careers and reputations of countless Americans.

Eventually, his fellow legislators censured Sen. McCarthy. I thought then that the days of such despicable behavior by an elected official were over.

I could not have been more wrong. Today, the targets for fear mongering are Muslim Americans, Mexican-Americans, refugees from war-torn countries, poor women seeking prenatal care and millions of Americans who now have health insurance.

The chief proponent of ignorance, bigotry, racism, fear and xenophobia now wants us to elect him to the highest office in our land. The inflammatory rhetoric, outrageous statements, character assassination and gutter brawl tactics have appeared once again in my lifetime.

Senator Joe has gone on to his final reward and must be smiling now. And I naively thought I had seen it all.

Peter Kersten

Olathe

Cerner tax breaks

Kansas City’s Tax Increment Financing Commission gave Cerner Corp. a deal with $1.1 billion in tax breaks. I go to work every day, pay my taxes and still owe taxes when I file each year.

Wouldn’t it be nice to be a corporation?

Sandy Parr

Leavenworth

Beyond pie in sky

Let me say up front that I like Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders’ ideas. However, I also think most of the Vermont senator’s ideas are pie in the sky. Even if he had a Democratic majority in Congress, I don’t think he could get most of his programs enacted.

And that’s why I’m for former Secretary of State and U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton. She’s practical and pragmatic. She knows just how much she’ll be able to accomplish.

I heard a college student say she’s for Sanders because he’ll get her free college with no college debt. I’ve got news for her: Even if he could get free college passed, which is highly unlikely, the student debt she has now would not go away. Any new law would not be retroactive.

So, voters, especially young voters, as you cast ballots ask yourselves not whom you like best but who can actually accomplish something if elected. I believe that person is Hillary Clinton.

Suzanne Conaway

Kansas City

High court hostage

The U.S. Supreme Court belongs to everyone — those who live on a beach or under a bridge, the ever-dwindling middle class and people who live in high-rise apartments on Wall Street.

It belongs to all legal Americans and those who are not. The high court belongs to all from sea to shining sea.

So how dare those in the Senate hold the Supreme Court hostage. The question that begs to be asked: “Does the bell toll for thee?”

Susan Young

Blue Springs

Grade-school rules

I spent more than 40 years teaching elementary school. Much of what we did was helping with things such as anger management, bully-free zones, accepting people for who they are and finding everyone’s special skill.

Now that I am retired, I can watch the morning programs. Things I see Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump doing every day are the antithesis of what is being taught in schools across this country.

I am embarrassed that this is an example of someone we want to place in a position of authority. Do we really want someone who will anger the rest of the world with his insults and bullying?

Every day I think someone will call him on this, but it just rolls on, and of course the media cover it because it is like watching a train wreck. You can’t take your eyes off it.

When he builds his wall, I hope I am on the other side of it.

Anne Worth