Unfettered Letters

Presidential politics

Obama passes presidential ‘test’

According to Republican Party statements. Barack Obama has not been “tested.” I am having difficulty understanding what test John McCain has passed that Sen. Obama has not passed.

Was it the financial crisis this past month, where Sen. Obama responded with a calm, executive response? Or was it Sen. McCain’s response, lurching all over the place and acting more like a yo-yo with different statements each day? Or was it back when they were in college, and Sen. McCain graduated near from the bottom of his class and Sen. Obama graduated at the top of his?

I’ve come to the conclusion that the test has to do with how each would respond as president. As neither has been president, we have to rely on how they have responded these past several months under the day-to-day pressures with very tight news coverage.

It appears that Sen. Obama passes the test. Sen. McCain talks a lot about the test but doesn’t demonstrate the leadership qualities, temperament and strategic understanding of the world to pass the test and be our president.

John Turner
Overland Park

Obama’s broken promises

CNN reported that Barack Obama has broken his promise by not accepting public financing. His 30-minute expensive buys on five TV networks were paid for by money he raised after he broke his promise.

I wonder what other promises he might break? He said he’d give tax breaks to everyone making under $250,000 but is now saying $200,000. Joe Biden is saying $150,000.

Americans need to pay attention. Are we ready to install a king instead of a president?

Susan Phillips
Kansas City

Obama tax plan bribes voters

We have come full circle on bribery. Few could doubt that campaign contributions by individuals or special interest groups are a form of legal bribery. Any candidate is guilty when they accept contributions knowing that their best judgment will be compromised when they vote on that project or issue being promoted by the contributor.

Agreeing to vote for a candidate because you will get paid when you do so is bribery — by the politicians.

Giving a refund to people who did not pay income taxes is bad policy. What is the incentive to work if you get paid when you don’t? Why should a person work harder when the compensation for the additional work is redistributed to someone only because that person has less?

By promising that they will get something in return for their vote, Obama is bribing a significant number of voters who are supporting him. The concept is not sustainable. It is bad tax policy. It amounts to welfare, and it causes voters to put their own self-interest ahead of having a sound policy to build a sustainable society that gives everyone the opportunity to succeed and the incentive to do so.

George J. Schlagel
Olathe

All should be proud of Obama

In 1960 a Lutheran deaconess told our youth group that if John F. Kennedy was elected president, “the pope will rule in Washington.” Kennedy won, but the pope missed the train to D.C.

It’s hard to believe that in 2008 the Republican Party is suggesting through its robo-calls and campaign stump speeches that if Sen. Barack Obama is elected president, domestic terrorists will have a friend in the White House, socialism will reign and taxes will skyrocket.

How can any American not take pride in his or her educational, social and political system when someone like Obama — a young boy of mixed racial origins raised mainly by his grandparents — could go to Harvard Law School, serve in the Illinois legislature and the U.S. Senate and run for president?

How can anyone ignore those accomplishments, the essence of the American dream, and let their fears of the unknown trump what’s in front of their eyes? Et tu, Brute?

Chuck Bishop
Kansas City

Abortion politics

GOP all talk on abortion

As this election approaches, we are inundated with advice on how we should vote. From the Catholic pulpit come cries that we should not vote for those who are “pro-choice.” The Bible is very clear (James 2:14-17) that it is not enough to talk the talk. We must walk the walk.

For the last eight years we have had a Republican president. For six of those years we had a Republican Congress. The party of life has not delivered on its pledge to ban abortion. How many times have George Bush and Dick Cheney participated in the March for Life rally in Washington? A recorded message does not count.

I submit that the reason for this inactivity is that if nothing is done, it can be recycled for the next election. There are other issues than abortion to consider as you vote. Let your conscience rule.

Also, John McCain has stated he is in favor of allowing abortion in cases or rape, incest and protecting the life of the mother. Therefore, we have two candidates who are pro-choice. You decide.

Francis “Bud” Hoak
Prairie Village

Could abortion ban be enforced?

Since Republicans are once again making abortion a key issue in the upcoming election, I would like to pose the following questions for those who are supporting John McCain and Sarah Palin based on this one issue.

If abortion were to be criminalized, would the police be required to investigate every miscarriage to be sure it was not intentional? Remember, abortion can now be chemically induced without the presence of a doctor.

If abortion were to be banned nationwide, would pregnant women be barred from leaving the country? Would the TSA have to screen women for pregnancy before they board an international flight?

If, as is more likely with the overturn of Roe v. Wade, states could pass their own abortion laws, could the state of Kansas, for example, prosecute a woman for obtaining a legal abortion in Las Vegas?

In short, could a ban on abortion — however nobly intentioned — be enforced without turning the U.S. into a police state?

S.A. Lewis
Prairie Village

Downside of socialized medicine

For 13 years I worked in foreign countries and was exposed to several health-care systems.

A young man was bedridden in England on a two-year waiting list for a back operation. He mortgaged his home, had his operation in Belgium and was soon back to work. Also, two elderly patients were denied medical eye treatment because they were both past the age cut-off limit.

During vacations in Florida, I talked to Canadians visiting for medical treatment because their universal medical care failed them.

In The Star, (9/2, Business), guest columnist Callom B. Jones V writes: “It’s no accident people of means come to the U.S. for medical attention from all over the world when their socialized medical systems fail them.”

Look over the candidates, and consider the type of health care you want to receive.

As P.J. O’Rourke said, “If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it’s free.”

Be careful what you wish (or vote) for.

Leo Sebelski
Blue Springs

Take back wealth from CEOs

Spreading the wealth is bad, says John McCain. Concentrating the wealth so fewer and fewer have it seems to be OK. The American Dream used to mean everyone had an opportunity to build some wealth. Now the rules of the game (or lack of rules on Wall Street) have stacked the deck to favor the already wealthy.

Obama wants to spread the opportunity by making sure we all have a fair chance at building some wealth. Obama is not taking it away from people like Joe the Plumber. He is actually trying to help Joe the Plumber.

Punish the CEOs by taking some of their wealth away. Take back some of those billions of dollars that the hedge fund managers and others won in betting that the mortgage industry would tank. Take back the bonuses given to the high rollers who made all those bets.

Vicki Asbury
Weatherby Lake

Weber for Missouri state rep

As a longtime resident of Brookside and an even longer time Democrat, one would think that I would automatically support Beth Low for re-election to the Missouri House of Representatives. However, I instead support Lance Weber, Low’s opponent, running on the Libertarian ticket.

While I am not in agreement with all Libertarian positions, and I support Barack Obama for president as well as other Democrats for various state offices, I find Mr. Weber to be a refreshingly forthright and enthusiastic young attorney, parent and neighbor.

Let’s get some fresh ideas and a new point of view from a family man who is willing to bring government to bear on behalf of his fellow citizens.

M. Corinne Corley
Kansas City

No on JoCo Research Triangle

An ad for Question 2 touts the voter-friendly benefits of a step toward a comprehensive cancer center designation, more cancer treatment options in Johnson County and access to $50 million in donations and grants.

Maybe so, but not in the context of Question 2 should they be realized. First, the sales tax proposed is a forever tax. We’ll be paying this tax indefinitely, whether these benefits are realized or not. We don’t need another addition to a sales tax in Johnson County that is now approaching 8 percent.

Second, if these benefits are for real, there’s a state budget process to address the Research Triangle project. The combined net assets, as reported in the 2007 annual reports, of the University of Kansas, Kansas State University and Johnson County Community College KU, KSU and JCCC exceed $1.4 billion dollars. Plenty of resources are available for the institutions involved to fund the triangle without imposing an additional tax in Johnson County.

The research triangle is a state issue and should be addressed in the budget cycle, not by burdening people who shop or live in Johnson County with more local tax. Vote No on Question 2.

Ron Ward
Lenexa

Kenny Hulshof for governor

“Change” may have been a factor in some of The Star’s candidate endorsements, but it certainly wasn’t in backing Jay Nixon for governor.

The Star calls Nixon “the best candidate to get Missouri moving again” (10/26, Opinion, “Nixon has good ideas, experience”). Only one candidate in the race for the state’s highest office will move Missouri forward, and that’s Kenny Hulshof.

Hulshof has worked to ensure government is responsive and responsible. He will do the same as our governor. Hulshof has a proven record of working across party lines to get real results.

Hulshof has shown integrity and the will to do what’s right, even when it has meant going against party leaders.

We need a leader with the courage to tackle today’s challenges and the vision to lead us forward. Kenny Hulshof is the man for the job.

Cody Gariss
Lamar, Mo.

Chris Koster for attorney general

I have spent my career as a prosecutor here in Jackson County. As such, I have had the opportunity to work side by side with Chris Koster, former Cass County prosecutor and state senator.

I would like to put to rest any confusion as to whether the position of attorney general requires law enforcement experience. The attorney general is unequivocally the chief law enforcement officer for the state. On a local level, the attorney general handles every appeal on the felony convictions my offices obtain here in Jackson County.

Missouri is fortunate to have an experienced prosecutor running for attorney general this year. Voters should not be misled ads that distort Koster’s record as a tough prosecutor.

Chris Koster is the only candidate qualified for the job of attorney general.

Jim Kanatzar
Jackson County prosecuting attorney
Kansas City

Non-Christians, vote wisely

As an atheist, I have a stake in a secular state, but I urge all non-Christians to consider this presidential election wisely. Do you Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, pagans and all other myriad religious persuasions truly wish to re-elect a party that wishes to continue to inflict Christian-based laws upon society?

The Republican Party is notorious for pandering to the fundamentalist Christian wing. Our only protection from Christian-inspired legislation and policies is a secular state, free from religious encumbrance. We must also protect the secular nature of the Supreme Court.

So please, vote wisely and with great thought. Your religious freedom depends upon it.

Katherine Schlem
Olathe

Civility, please as election nears

We have heard rumors of political behavior that goes beyond the usual mudslinging, name calling, and vandalizing of yard signs and approaches verbal and physical violence.

As we approach our national election, there is a great deal of excitement and increasingly intense feelings. We may not agree about the direction our country should take or who is best suited to lead us there. However, after the election, we will remain one nation.

Character assassination and hateful insinuation only breed more hate. Hatred, division, and polarization will not make our country healthier. They will make solving our national and global problems all that much harder.

We are better than this. We cannot and must not give in to hate.

Democracy is about debating issues, policies and the direction of our country. It is about voting for candidates who represent our hopes.

Those running for office are talented and capable people offering their lives for public service. We should be grateful to all of them. Hate has no place in a democracy. Our problems are too serious to allow incivility, hate and violence into our public discourse.

The Rev. Jim Eller
Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity (MORE2)
Kansas City

The Rev. Eric Williams
Concerned Clergy
Kansas City

Rabbi Jacques Cukierkorn
The New Reform Temple
Kansas City

Rabbi Arthur Nemitoff
The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah
Overland Park