Readers share thoughts on Donald Trump’s tax returns, Star mental health coverage, Bagnal Dam
Trump’s tax returns
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump says he can’t release his tax returns because they are under audit. Everyone knows that’s a ruse to hide politically damaging facts.
Trump figures that the political cost of not releasing his taxes is less than the cost of doing so. But Trump’s refusal also makes him a national security risk.
All it takes is a hack of the Internal Revenue Service or a hack of his tax firm or even someone inside his tax firm being forced to provide information to a person or government entity. Once that information is in the wrong hands, they own Trump.
Trump’s ego and sociopathic behavior guarantee he’ll never admit to being extorted. That’s why he’s the perfect target. And he’ll remain a national security risk as long as his tax returns remain unreleased.
David Bryant
Overland Park
Great coverage
The Kansas City Star has done an exemplary job keeping its readers informed about the mental health struggles of citizens in Missouri and Kansas (8-1, Commentary, “Community mental health safety net is at risk in Kansas”).
In the Sunflower State, many citizens are aware of the political destruction of mental health programs that have been denied adequate funding thanks to the worst governor in 50 states and his political lackeys in the Kansas Legislature.
One solution to this skullduggery requires voting Nov. 8. Unless the voters turn out to cast ballots in sufficient numbers to rid the state of these selfish politicians and their insidious influence, the citizens, including those who stay at home on Election Day, will be condemned to more of the same.
It’s your choice, citizens.
Ken Kerle
Topeka
Dam trouble
As a farm family on the lower Osage River (below Bagnall Dam), we have had to battle Ameren UE, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Army Corps of Engineers in order to farm our land.
We have been denied access to our property, we have lost acres of farm land, and we have lost hay crops and had to re-seed for the past three years because of flooding with contaminated river water.
There are 80 miles of river below Bagnall Dam where the banks are being destroyed because of the negligence of the state and federal agencies as well as Ameren UE. In Miller County alone, more than 700 acres are gone.
For more on the destruction, view the Facebook page of the Osage River Flood Control Association.
Gary W. Kempker
Henley, Mo.
God bless America
So how do supporters of the Republican Party feel about House Speaker Paul Ryan advocating for insurance companies to reinstate denial for care for pre-existing conditions?
Someone recently chided me for being a Democrat saying, “The party is not the same as when you joined. It has left you behind.”
There is some truth there, but our country has changed, and the world has changed. We cannot be as we were in the safe 1950s, or as one bigot stated “all white.”
If a party has left its supporters behind, its the Republicans. They have become hard, uncaring, unproductive and extremely biased.
They now pay homage to the wealthiest 1 percent and the National Rifle Association and have reached bottom with billionaire Donald Trump as their nominee. He is a vulgar, crude person not fit to lead this country.
I shall remain a Democrat and hope they will change where change is needed and keep what should be kept and continue to care for all people.
Thank you, President Barack Obama and your lovely family, for being examples of graciousness and calm intelligence.
Please vote blue.
God bless America.
Camille Buccero
Independence
Chiefs’ parking fee
Kansas City Chiefs President Mark Donovan recently announced that game-day cash parking will increase to $40 to encourage fans to purchase advance passes, offered for $30.
He said the increase wasn’t about the money but to increase fans’ ability to enter the stadium more quickly.
If that’s true, then the Chiefs should donate the extra $10 to local charities. I’d like to suggest Operation Breakthrough, Harvesters — The Community Food Network or Great Plains SPCA.
If not to charity, then the money should be used to increase bus service to Arrowhead Stadium.
William Schubert
Merriam
This story was originally published August 3, 2016 at 3:00 PM with the headline "Readers share thoughts on Donald Trump’s tax returns, Star mental health coverage, Bagnal Dam."