Unfettered Letters

Obama merits respect

The letters from ultraconservatives about President Obama often are expressed as vitriolic rantings. That’s commonplace

President Obama is a cautious man. He has not blindly involved the United States in wars we can’t justify or afford.

It took the previous administration eight long years to bring this country to the brink of a major depression, and it will take at least eight years to reverse the situation.

The first step in healing our country is to stop the poisonous, racist trash talk and give this president the respect he deserves and has earned.

Linda Gleason

Liberty

 

Vanishing hope, change

Let’s take a look at President Barack Obama’s economic record, for example:

Real unemployment (including “marginally displaced workers”) is 15.9 percent. Before he took office, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics: 10.5 percent. Average weeks unemployed: 40.8. Before, it was 19.8. Number of unemployed 27-plus weeks: 5.6 million. Before: 2.6 million. Number of jobs, nonfarm, seasonally adjusted: 131,900,000. Before: 134,383,000.

According to the U.S. Census: Poverty rate: 15.1 percent (46.2 million). Before: 13.2 percent (39.8 million).

According to the U.S. Treasury: National debt: $15.5 trillion. Before: $10.7 trillion.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation: Average annual insurance premium for employer-sponsored family coverage: $15,073. Before: $12,680.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food stamp recipients: 46.3 million. Before: 31.7 million.

After three years, it’s time to admit Obama has failed. In 2008, he had no real record to run on. Now in 2012, he has a very clear record of disappointment and stagnation, not hope and change.

Jim Collier

Kansas City

 

 

Candidates’ records

All candidates — national, state and local, Democrats and Republicans — should submit the following to the other party: birth certificate, baptism certificate, grade school grades, middle school grades, senior high school grades, old flames’ names, traffic violations, draft status, discharge papers and income taxes for the last umpteen years.

Perhaps then, and only then, they could participate in an honest debate on current issues. Will this ever happen?

Jack L. Hatchitt

Lee’s Summit

 

 

Trial by polling place

Is it a candidate’s actions of 20, 30, 40 years ago, or what he will do now, tomorrow and tomorrow’s tomorrow?

Is it his ability to raise a company, raze a company and then recoup his gains for making a part more important than the whole?

Is it a candidate’s ability to be cautious, able to see the results of actions yet to be done?

What better arena for candidates to prove themselves than that of a democracy of the people, by the people, for the people and not their own egos?

William Pitchford

Kansas City

 

 

Kobach’s voter focus

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s voter fraud drive first started by requiring a picture identification and now will require a birth certificate as well. I believe his motives are voter suppression.

To rob a line from Rush Limbaugh, “Where are they going to draw the line?” Are we going to have to carry some type of form that shows we are indeed citizens just to enjoy the most basic right of living in a democracy?

Will Gov. Sam Brownback’s office begin issuing special cards that we will be required to carry, and just where will all of this lead?

I’ve listened to those supporters who compare voter ID to that of being required to show a photo ID when checking into a hotel, or going to the casinos in Reno, Nev., or Las Vegas. How ludicrous.

It is one thing for businesses to require a photo ID and quite another thing for government to do so, particularly when a constitutional right hangs in the balance.

Michal Betz

Wichita

 

 

Tax editorial flawed

In the March 23 editorial “Reject Independence police tax,” The Star’s editorial board chose to question the integrity of the Independence Police Department and its supporters.

It questioned the integrity of the conclusions of a city pamphlet without an analysis of all the indicators, or the apparent recognition of the displacement of crime from other jurisdictions that have increased police protection.

The editorial omitted critical indicators of rising crime and disorder such as increases in police involved shootings, drive-by shootings, dramatic increases in gang activity, one of the highest property crime rates in Jackson County, increases in disturbances and disorderly houses, increases in priority-one calls and the need for quicker response times.

There was no mention of the Strategic Policing Plan, involving a new policing model with essential involvement of the community, and proactive policing.

Through intelligence-led policing we have had success in affecting some crimes, but an inability to sustain the impacts due to limited resources.

In the last two weeks we have had three separate shooting incidents, firing over 30 rounds into cars and houses.

I stand by our assertion that more resources are needed to lower crime and disorder and give our citizens the protection and service they deserve.

Chief Tom Dailey

Independence Police Department

Independence

 

Vote for tax for police

Our family has lived in Independence more than 40 years. We have supported many wonderful improvements to our community in the last few years, which I believe makes Independence a great city and one in which I am very proud to raise my children and grandchildren.

We are, however, experiencing a new challenge, and that is increasing crime in our community. We have an excellent police department, but we need more officers to keep our community safe.

On Tuesday, we have an opportunity to make a difference by voting for a small property tax that will provide dedicated funds for our police department to hire more officers and provide them with equipment to strategically stop this growing wave of crime. I believe we can trust our concerned, responsible citizens appointed to an oversight committee to ensure these funds are spent as promised.

I implore you to join me in voting yes on Tuesday. Our community will be grateful for your courage and support.

Shirley Baker

Independence

 

 

Tax equity needed

With the state of Missouri in a revenue crunch as all states are experiencing, why not raise the tax on tobacco? Missouri has the lowest tax at 17 cents a pack. The money raised would help support our nonprofit hospitals.

How about taxing farm land at its market value? Tax farmers a grain surplus tax at 20 percent a bushel market value to offset the killing they are getting to support our higher education.

There is no farm land inside the city, yet the assessors say there is and tax it accordingly.

We need equality in our taxes now.

Ed Hennessy

Kansas City

 

 

Discover nature in the city

The Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center is celebrating 10 years connecting people with nature in our classrooms and outdoor garden at 4750 Troost Ave.

As a person who grew up in Chicago, I understand barriers that can separate urban dwellers from the outdoors. The Discovery Center is unique because of its location in Kansas City’s urban core. For many visitors, it’s their first introduction to nature.

My goal is to help them find an “a-ha” moment, an instant when nature triggers wonder. Maybe it’s when they plant a wildflower, or perhaps it’s when they see a black bear, a mountain lion or an elk on display in our lobby. Our programs for school children and the general public are free. We’re mentoring the next generation.

I’m proud that each summer our staff takes teenage boys from urban neighborhoods on a three-day float trip on the Current River in the Ozarks. They overcome fears and develop a new appreciation for the outdoors.

Join us as the Missouri Department of Conservation celebrates Discovery Center’s first decade by offering nature activities 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on April 7. Maybe you’ll find your “a-ha” moment.

Brandon Pope

MDC Education Specialist

Kansas City

 

 

New weather radar

We look forward to a newer Doppler radar with phased array and dual polarization, which may allow quicker detection of tornados like the one that struck Harveyville, Kan. The WSR-88D radars, which are now used by the National Weather Service, have mechanically operated antenna that take longer (about 4 minutes) to complete sets of scans.

Newer phased array radars can help the National Weather Service warn us about tornadoes that sometimes develop so quickly that the old WSR-88D radars are a little late in warning us.

Ed Yeater

Raymore