Scabby hands vs. handouts
Years ago, when my company and my children were in their infancy, I was in line at the local grocery buying some beans and rice. The woman in front of me had steaks, chops and cheese — luxuries for us at that time. She promptly whipped out $80 in food stamps and then purchased two cartons of cigarettes with the $40 in cash from another pocket.
As I drove away in my rusty $200 truck, noting the scars and scabs on my hands, I made the decision that this was not fair.
Sixteen years later, as I write this, there are two scabs on my hands from working last week. The only difference is that I now drive a new truck and live a fairly comfortable life.
I wonder if after the election I will need to have bleeding fingers daily to maintain my standard of living for both myself and that woman.
Dan Yates
Bonner Springs
Helping weak strengthens all
Recent letter writers on the topic of socialism obviously have not listened to a single thing Barack Obama has preached about.
Obama’s main message has always been about personal responsibility. He thinks the best way for the poorest of Americans to improve their lives starts with the parents. He wants parents to take responsibility for raising their kids properly. He preaches for parents to take a role in their kids’ educations.
Denying these people health care and other basic privileges the rest of us enjoy to survive is inhumane. Yes, Obama wants to take a small bit from the super wealthy to help make sure the poor can get their feet on the ground and help turn bad communities into good ones. I don’t see a problem with that.
Obama preaches that we should rebuild this country from the bottom up. A chain is as strong as its weakest link. If America can improve its weakest link, the poor and disenfranchised, then the whole country gets stronger.
Jon Stone
Fairway
Socialism: Another definition
I’m always amazed and amused by the way the word “socialism” gets slung around in a political campaign. Jim Lullie (10/27, Letters) correctly notes that when Republicans shout it, they are in trouble.
I’m reminded of a tongue-in-cheek definition I heard years ago: “When the government does something for me, that’s social progress. When it does something for you, that’s socialism.”
Will Adams
Liberty
Giving shouldn’t be mandated
I’m perplexed by a phrase in the Obama campaign, “spread the wealth,” as if it were new. Seems to me we’ve been doing that since the beginning of time, when the first caveman divided his fish with another, and nobody had to tell him to do it.
In our town, sharing the wealth would include those who provide food, clothing and shelter to those in need, out of their own pockets, and the many churches and civic programs that do the same. Many prosperous, well-known families in Kansas City generously share their wealth. On the world stage, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Oprah Winfrey are among those who share their tremendous wealth.
We call this benevolent service to our human family charity, which is also love, and on a grander scale, philanthropy. The giants in the field are called philanthropists, and God bless them. If we start mandating such activity by the government, one way or the other, do we not kill the human spirit of giving?
In this country, we have always operated on the saying that “to whom much is given, much is expected.” May it always be so without government intrusion.
M.P. Miller
Overland Park
Government already intrudes
I keep reading how people are so afraid of our country becoming socialist. Many fear our government will not only be planning and controlling the economy, but also taking over our lives and freedoms.
Three years ago, there was the Terri Schiavo case where a husband, with approval from medical professionals, wanted to allow his wife to die. She had been in a vegetative state for 15 years. President Bush flew back to Washington from Crawford, Texas, to sign a document prohibiting the doctors from following through on the husband’s request.
This act is an example of government intrusion far more serious than any socialist government would be. It appears to me that socialism could be closer to Democracy than what we have now.
Pat Lanser
Olathe
“You do realize that most of the people you play to have consigned you to Perdition.” – solomon
Solomon has also expressed the opinion that God will not pass judgement on non-Christians. Since I’m not a believer of solomon’s god complex I’m not losing any sleep over his pontifications.
Posted by: GCYL | October 31, 2008 at 05:16 AM
“You enjoy starting confrontations with me almost daily, just as I enjoy starting them with BuddyT.” – solomon
A self confessed stalker is having issues with his “stalker”. This. Is. Pure. Comedy.
As I said to marctnts earlier, I do like to push buttons and don't apologize for it. - Posted by: solomon | Oct 21, 2008 2:22:37 PM
Solomon is having issues with his “buttons being pushed”. This. Is. Pure. Comedy.
Posted by: GCYL | Oct 30, 2008 2:24:44 PM
“Its not too late for you to quit stalking me.” - solomon
He's pure comedy and self loathing at the same time.
Posted by: GCYL | October 31, 2008 at 04:59 AM
jenny,
You do realize that most of the people you play to have consigned you to Perdition.
....and speaking of....what in Perditions flame is a "band" word? Tuba, Clarinet or Triangle???
Its not too late for you to quit stalking me. Peace, to all of Gods creatures.
Posted by: solomon | October 30, 2008 at 07:56 PM
“I’d like to claim originality but I can’t. Hee Hawing, SDNC, and other various examples of hate, oh, wait, I did start the thread by lashing out at The Star for not keeping stupid, typical name calling in my letter.” - Posted by: stone | Oct 30, 2008 5:36:29 PM
For the fourth time. You should really thank The Star. Apparently their editorial board had nearly the same opinion as I do. Unfortunately, their act said nothing you didn’t want to consider. It just made you angry. Anger is a main ingredient of SDNC.
Posted by: GCYL | October 30, 2008 at 07:47 PM
“I’d like to claim originality but I can’t. Hee Hawing, SDNC, and other various examples of hate, oh, wait, I did start the thread by lashing out at The Star for not keeping stupid, typical name calling in my letter.” - Posted by: stone | Oct 30, 2008 5:36:29 PM
For the fourth time. You should really thank The Star. Apparently their editorial board had nearly the same opinion as I do. Unfortunately, their act said nothing you didn’t want to consider. It just made you angry. Anger is a main ingredient of SDNC.
Posted by: GCYL | October 30, 2008 at 07:47 PM
“Again, I do so like to weasel around band words. I’m addicted to SDNC and I can’t control myself”- Posted by: solomon | Oct 30, 2008 5:05:21 PM
Posted by: GCYL | October 30, 2008 at 07:35 PM
"Stupid comments by Rogue and I are the reason why partisan politics exist. Our words make moderates jump to the extreme. If the country was lacking people like myself and Rogue, then the government might actually get something done"
Posted by: GCYL | Oct 30, 2008 4:53:04 PM
Posted by: stone | October 30, 2008 at 05:36 PM
"eehaw, eehaw"-jenny
Posted by: solomon | October 30, 2008 at 05:05 PM
“I do so like to weasel around band words. I’m addicted to SDNC and I can’t control myself” - Posted by: solomon | Oct 30, 2008 3:09:15 PM
Poor solomon, it’s not your fault so rationalize away.
Posted by: GCYL | October 30, 2008 at 04:53 PM
Posted by: stone | Oct 30, 2008 2:55:12 PM
It’s worth repeating: You use words such as asinine because it’s a clear indicator of how closed your mind is. Plus you actually get to call people and their opinions names while feigning innocence.
For the third time. You should really thank The Star. Apparently their editorial board had nearly the same opinion as I do. Unfortunately, their act said nothing you didn’t want to consider. It just made you angry. Anger is a main ingredient of SDNC.
Posted by: GCYL | October 30, 2008 at 04:44 PM
“I prefer liberal interpretations of quotes done by my fellow consumers of SDNC” - Posted by: stone | Oct 30, 2008 2:52:48 PM
Of course you would stone. I doubt slamming back cases of Shout Down Name Calling will work any better for you than it has for solomon. Good luck mimicking that class act.
Posted by: GCYL | October 30, 2008 at 04:35 PM
...when she see herself mentioned in the Bible she thinks the Book is about her.......
Posted by: solomon | October 30, 2008 at 03:09 PM
there is a difference between saying someones letter was utterly foolish and calling the person an ass.
Dorothy's letter was utterly foolish, if not downright stupid. I in no way called her an ass for writing her letter.
Not being able to tell the difference between the two says a lot about you... unfortunately, it is nothing we already didn't know
Posted by: stone | October 30, 2008 at 02:55 PM
“I use words such as asinine because it’s a clear indicator of how closed my mind is. Plus I actually get to call people and their opinions names while feigning innocence. Sure it’s passive aggressive but I can always step my game up. For example, you, GCYL, are asinine, in the second definition” - Posted by: stone | Oct 30, 2008 9:29:15 AM
The distributors of Shout Down Name Calling wish to remind our consumers to never drink our product responsibily."
gcyl
wow... you like to make up quotes for people. You are a true class act.
eeehaw eeeehaw is all i hear coming out of your mouth
Posted by: stone | October 30, 2008 at 02:52 PM
“You enjoy starting confrontations with me almost daily, just as I enjoy starting them with BuddyT.” – solomon
A self confessed stalker is having issues with his “stalker”. This. Is. Pure. Comedy.
As I said to marctnts earlier, I do like to push buttons and don't apologize for it. - Posted by: solomon | Oct 21, 2008 2:22:37 PM
Solomon is having issues with his “buttons being pushed”. This. Is. Pure. Comedy.
Posted by: GCYL | October 30, 2008 at 02:24 PM
“I falsely accuse others of attacking. I get angry when confronted by the reality of my own actual, documented, verbal attacks. My only response to them is another false accusation of going off topic and another six pack of SDNC.” - Posted by: solomon | Oct 30, 2008 1:11:27 PM
“(sneer)
(index finger back up)
glad that suits you, as it is the comment you deserve. I promise to ignore your prattle in the future.” - Posted by: solomon | Dec 5, 2007 2:32:42 PM
You’ll never accept personal responsibility for your actual verbal attacks solomon. You just waste our time rationalizing your attacks as acceptable responses/behavior.
[Snicker]
Please, cool off. Failing that then by all means keep your promise and exit stage left.
Posted by: GCYL | October 30, 2008 at 01:55 PM
jenny,
it amazing what excites some animals.........
Feel free to post complete threads rather than the instances you cherrypick. You enjoy starting confrontations with me almost daily, just as I enjoy starting them with BuddyT. As far as calling you an ass, I'm sure I made that determination prior to May. As far as extending my middle finger, it was in response to your ridiculous stage directions and negative comments.
Please, stay on thread, as braying is always irrelevant, as you must realize.
Posted by: solomon | October 30, 2008 at 01:11 PM
“Her attack in her first post to you is an excellent example.” - solomon
Thank all that is good a just we don’t have REAL examples of what an attack is.
ass. - Posted by: solomon | May 29, 2008 2:11:08 PM
(extending my middle finger) - Posted by: solomon | Dec 5, 2007 1:28:36 PM
Oooops. My bad. We do have REAL examples.
Posted by: GCYL | October 30, 2008 at 12:15 PM
stone,
You must remember that our barnyard friend hasn't grasped that she does not have editorial control of this page. If you've noticed her self appointed task is to decide what is right, wrong or appropriate. Her attack in her first post to you is an excellent example.
Pity her stablemate.
Posted by: solomon | October 30, 2008 at 11:21 AM
“I use words such as asinine because it’s a clear indicator of how closed my mind is. Plus I actually get to call people and their opinions names while feigning innocence. Sure it’s passive aggressive but I can always step my game up. For example, you, GCYL, are asinine, in the second definition” - Posted by: stone | Oct 30, 2008 9:29:15 AM
The distributors of Shout Down Name Calling wish to remind our consumers to never drink our product responsibily.
Posted by: GCYL | October 30, 2008 at 10:46 AM