Unfettered Letters

Federal economic stimulus

Americans are being told that the government must spend borrowed money to solve our economic problems. Will someone tell me why the desired economic “stimulus” could not be accomplished by simply permitting taxpayers to keep what they earn in the form of an income and payroll tax “holiday?” After all, 70 percent of the U.S. domestic economy is consumer spending.

The logic behind many items on the proposed spending list escapes me. They seem to imply that the cause of the current economic crisis was some sinister combination of the high school drop-out rate and potholes on I-70.

I’m pretty sure my overly simplistic characterization of our economic crisis will prompt someone to say I really do need the stimulus plan explained to me by someone more qualified than I am. I would have to tell a person like that: I’m waiting.

Tony Baker
Lawrence

We have given money to the auto companies, Wall Street and banks. Why not give money to the people who will spend it? It could be in the form of a prepaid card so that we would have to spend it, not save it like the last stimulus check. We could spend it on durable goods such as washers, dryers, computers and home services.

Why improve sidewalks and roads when the sidewalk is there but no houses?

Charles Weems
Gladstone

Anyone who states that the “stimulus” presently being debated in Congress would add 4.5 million jobs is either naive, stupid or a deliberate liar. The way to stimulate the economy immediately is to give every head of household in America who has a gross income from all sources of under $150,000 (might not be fair, but what is these days?) a check for $3,000. Or a check for $2,500 to all heads of households. The effect would be more immediate and cheaper than the $800 billion currently being discussed.

This would also completely avoid the pork-barrel campaign contributions that the Democrats are so much in favor of in this Congress. This bill is loaded with them.

In a separate, stand-alone bill, Congress must pass, quickly, an extension of unemployment insurance benefits. The stand-alone bill would be assured of quick passage and signing by President Obama.

Charles Burright
Lenexa

President Obama tried to work with Republicans, and they have shown they have no intention of cooperating. He showed his bipartisanship by allowing Republicans to include tax breaks in the stimulus package even though we all know tax breaks have done nothing to stimulate our economy. Since Republicans are not supporting the package, even with their tax breaks, these tax breaks should be taken out of the package.

Jobs, not tax breaks, stimulate the economy. Put more projects that stimulate jobs in the package.

Linda Lockwood
Kansas City, Kan.

Obama’s stance on abortion

Much has been written about the Lincoln connection to President Obama’s inauguration. Abraham Lincoln said: “Nothing stamped in the divine image and likeness was sent into the world to be trodden on.” Aren’t the most defenseless among us, the innocent unborn, stamped for the pursuit of life?

I fear that Obama will shackle us to a culture of death, enslave us by using our tax money to fund abortion on demand and erase the freedom of conscientious objectors to the procedure. During his campaign appearances, he promised “the first thing I’d do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice act.” FOCA overturns pro-life laws in all 50 states, strips away parental involvement rights and nullifies laws on partial-birth abortions.

Many of us are praying that he does not keep that campaign promise, or else a vast pro-life underground railroad will be set in motion. The Lincoln I’ve studied would be horrified at the civil war we continue to fight against the unmitigated slaughter of future generations because we are selfishly enslaved to “choice.”

Martha Couric
Olathe

I have no idea why Tim Geithner chose not to pay $30,000-plus in taxes, but as the newly appointed Treasury secretary, he apparently thinks that was no big deal.

Well, maybe what’s good for the goose should be good for the gander. I think I will conveniently deduct the same amount from my taxable income. Only, I will have a very definite reason for doing so. I do not want my tax dollars spent overseas (or here, either) for family planning (abortion) purposes.

Peggy Fry
Olathe

Geithner’s confirmation

I am disappointed that so many senators voted to confirm Tim Geithner to be secretary of the Treasury. The person who is in charge of the Internal Revenue Service should not be someone who didn’t pay his taxes, no matter how brilliant he might be on other economic issues.

I commend Democratic Sens. Robert Byrd, Russ Feingold and Tom Harkin, who voted “no” on the nomination and had the independence not to vote along party lines.

Penny Moeller
Mission Hills

If the current tax code is so complicated that the secretary of the Treasury can’t figure it out, maybe it’s time to simplify the tax code. Could this be the “change” we need?

Lisa Benge
Leawood

I think Geithner should be our new secretary of the Treasury on the basis of “it takes a thief to catch a thief.”

W. Waite Welker Jr.
Overland Park

‘We’ must pick ourselves up

I agree with Charles Krauthammer’s commentary (1/27, Opinion, “Mediocre speech could usher in post-racial era”). As I listened to President Obama’s inauguration speech with great expectation for some defining statement, it seemed rather low-key. But then I heard his words, “We must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again.”

That’s it! He didn’t say “you,” he didn’t say “the government will.” He said “we” must pick ourselves up. That’s what we do when we meet setbacks, when we meet failure.

That’s where our nation is today. We are experiencing tremendous setbacks and failures. But we — working together and praying together, doing whatever we can to improve the well-being of our neighbors and communities — are picking ourselves up and beginning again.

Remember that Barack Obama began his campaign with the intention of bringing our troops home. He wanted to divert our nation’s economy from war machinery to rebuilding our country. He did not anticipate the present catastrophes that have landed squarely on his shoulders. No wonder his inaugural speech carried a more cautionary tone.

Ida Mayor Clayton
Lake Waukomis

Bush is gone, so move on

In his column “Millions reclaim faith in America, each other” (1/24, Opinion), Garrison Keillor describes the events he witnessed on Inauguration Day. He mentions “a low and heartfelt rumble of booing,” and that “old black ladies around me tried to shush them,” when “the Current Occupant” and Mr. Cheney came out of the Capitol. Mr. Keillor seems to think the booing was justified on this auspicious day, saying, “how will those men know how we feel if we don’t tell them?”

There is nothing to say to or about Mr. Bush that hasn’t already been said, and there is nothing to be gained by booing the man on his way out the door. Those folks who did boo, and those like Mr. Keillor who applauded it, acted childishly. Their behavior, as well as the behavior of those respectful ladies who shushed them, says more about them and their manners than it does about Mr. Bush.

It was Inauguration Day, and we have a new president. Now let’s get on with it.

Charmaine Ward
Prairie Village

What caused KC’s financial mess?

The city of Kansas City is experiencing a financial crisis, An $80-plus million budget shortfall for 2009 is projected. What caused this financial mess?

While all of this is being discussed and digested, the city manager hires a chief of staff at a salary of $140,000 per year. In addition to hiring his chief of staff, the city manager is proposing that the city hire a finance czar to manage the city money and budgets. What will the city manager be doing?

Since 1960 the Kansas City population has declined approximately 15 percent. I wonder how many more city employees we have in 2009 compared with 1960. Sales tax in Kansas City is close to 8 percent. What was the sales tax in 1960?

The size of government just keeps growing — local, state and federal. We need to stop all this waste and hold the politicians accountable. Cut the size and cost of government or be voted out of office.

Jim Callahan
Kansas City

Thanks for returning purse

On Jan. 23, I went to the Wal-Mart at the Blue Ridge Mall to do my shopping. I drove home and discovered I had left my purse in the cart. I rushed back to Wal-Mart and checked the carts — no purse.

I went to the customer service counter and asked if anyone had turned in my purse. To my surprise someone had, and everything was still in the purse. It’s so nice that even in a recession there are honest people out there.

To whoever found my purse, thank you.

Maxine Friederichs
Kansas City

How I hope Obama fails

I would not presume to understand the motivation or context of Rush Limbaugh’s statement “I hope he fails” (1/27, Opinion, “Disloyal opposition’s big fear: Clown time is over”). However, in many respects I, too, hope for failure of Barack Obama’s agenda.

If success means single-payer, universal health care. That would be bad for America, so I hope he fails.

If success means imposing cap and trade on our economy. That would mean billions of dollars of cost burden on our taxpayers, diminishing our standard of living with marginal if any environmental improvement. I hope he fails.

If success means continuing to bail out failing industries, not divesting from Freddie Mac or Fannie May and perpetuating the Community Reinvestment Act, I hope he fails.

Not all change is good. Not all of Obama’s proposals are best for America. Wishing for these programs to not become law does not make someone disloyal or unpatriotic.

Jim Wagner
Lenexa

They’re ‘rich’ in many ways

Capt. Chesley Sullenberger, hero of Flight 1549, is a prime example of how we all benefit from the brightest, most productive individuals among us. His intelligence, focus and training resulted in a contribution to society that few of us can ever hope to equal.

What is the value of 155 lives? To their families? To society? What is the value of a stable, well-managed business to its employees and customers?

Another attribute our most productive citizens share is that they are generally considered “rich.” There are exceptions, of course, but the so called “rich” usually make better decisions, work harder and create more shareable “wealth” than the rest of us. Their productions (safe flights, successful operations, well-run businesses, award-winning movies), enrich myriad numbers of us.

Instead of begrudging these unusually talented individuals their monetary rewards, we should thank them for sharing their exceptional talents in exchange for the small amount of money we each end up paying for their services. We are extremely lucky to have individuals such as Capt. Sullenberger in our midst.

Jim Smith
Kansas City

SOS to a former CEO …

Why doesn’t the Sprint board of directors or the stockholders ask Gary Forsee for a loan?

Sam Jacobson
North Kansas City