Readers share views on ‘Star-Spangled Banner,’ Kansas taxes, mass transit
National anthem
I am a veteran, our son is a veteran, my father was a World War II veteran, my grandfather was a World War I veteran, my great-great grandfather was a Civil War veteran and I am working on documentation of my family’s qualification for Sons of the Revolution.
Many in my family gave the U.S. government a blank check to protect our country, our way of life and the oppressed of the world.
All in my family came home. Many did not, and some were wounded and are no longer able to serve.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has probably angered a number of veterans by choosing to sit during the playing of the national anthem as a protest for racial injustice.
If he really believes in what he is saying, he should retire from the National Football League and enlist in the military and volunteer for service in the oppressed areas of the world.
Of course, his actions could be just lip-service because helping the oppressed is not just a game like professional football.
Oh, yes, the military does not pay quite as much as what Kaepernick earns and requires 20 years to retire.
Al Mason
Overland Park
Kansas taxes
It seems that James P. Zakoura and others in his situation could remedy their ill feelings about the limited liability companies by writing checks to the Kansas treasurer for the balance of what they think they owe (8-28, A1, “Hundreds of thousands of Kansas business owners are exempt from state income taxes. But many, feeling like ‘freeloaders,’ want the tax break to end”).
Ostensibly, Mr. Zakoura does not need to pay just for 2015 but could clear his obligation by paying for years 2012 through 2015.
I did not create an LLC and paid my fair share, which he and similar folks did not.
John Doane
Fairway
Public transit need
KCK Street Blues Fest, the Urban Farm & Garden Tour, Boulevardia, the KC Fringe Festival, Symphony in Flint Hills, the state fairs, the Kansas City Marathon and First Fridays — these are just some of the events that public/shared transport would make a difference in my participation.
Good, dependable public transit would eliminate thousands of cars and parking spaces (as well as time and effort walking to venues).
I would love to share or give up my car and the insurance, maintenance, taxes and fees, gas, etc. I would have more disposable income to spend on local events, business, services or medical care.
My compromise would be more organized trip-planning, walking a mile — 20 minutes for me to a car-free Westport or Country Club Plaza.
You have the millennials and baby boomers as well as the opportunity to develop the urban mindset of the children of today.
I just spent $300 filling up my gas tank and paying a semiannual auto insurance premium, with a repair bill of more than $1,000 coming.
Beth Ciperson
Kansas City, Kan.
EpiPen expense
I was very glad to see your investigative journalism regarding the increase and prohibitive cost of the EpiPen (8-24, A1, “For lifesaving EpiPen, rising cost is alarming”).
As a school nurse, I care for several students with life-threatening allergies that require prescription EpiPens to be on hand for an emergency.
Four years ago, when I began school nursing, the cost of an EpiPen was $70. Now, parents tell me the cost is $650 for a prescription of two EpiPens.
A single dose of epinephrine given in an emergency will buy about 15 minutes of relief until another injection is necessary. In a good-case scenario, an emergency-response team will arrive before a second dose is needed.
Because of the prohibitive cost, I am seeing a trend where parents are providing me with one pen instead of two. Some parents have been unable to pay for even a single dose.
I sincerely hope some needed pressure on Mylan Pharmaceuticals will provide relief and a large adjustment to the price-gouging cost of this lifesaving medication. Perhaps Mylan’s announcement of a generic EpiPen is a start.
Trish Philyaw, RN
Lee’s Summit
This story was originally published August 30, 2016 at 3:00 PM with the headline "Readers share views on ‘Star-Spangled Banner,’ Kansas taxes, mass transit."