Unfettered Letters

Next time you vote …

I suspect that millions of voters in November did not really know whom to vote for until the last minute and then made a decision at their polling station. I have a perfect solution to use if a voter is in a similar quandary in future:

Vote for a person who has never initiated an earmark.

Vote for a person who has never voted for a bill that has earmarks, even if the main bill was worthy of a positive vote.

Vote for a person who has denounced earmarks before his party and before the House and Senate.

Vote for a person that declares there will never be earmarks.

Vote for a person who demands before his party and before the House and Senate that individuals running for office do not accept money from lobbyists.

Vote for a person who declares that lobbying is illegal and punishable by a harsh jail sentence. (Help put 18,000 lobbyists out of work!)

Tim Lesley
Independence

Local elections important

We live in the greatest nation ever known to man, with freedoms that most who come to this earth will never experience or dream of.

One of those freedoms is to select those who serve on our school boards and lead us in our cities, states and country. While the national elections seem to get all the attention, those elected at that level seem to give little attention to those who put them there. On the other hand, the local elections that receive little attention are where you can be assured that you’ll receive the most attention.

With that in mind, I encourage all to become involved in your communities. And with local elections around the corner, you can begin by exercising your freedom to vote by selecting good men and women to serve.

Freedoms not exercised are freedoms lost. See you at the polls on April 7.
 
David C. Fowles
Lansing

Ramseyer served JoCo voters

Bob Ramseyer’s obituary (3/8, Local) did not mention his involvement with Johnson County elections. He was, by far, one of the most dedicated citizens serving the residents of Johnson County on election days. He served many years as a supervising judge for every election until last year when he began chemo treatments. He deeply regretted missing the recent presidential election.

Jokingly, Bob was the “self-appointed” president of the nonexistent JCEWU (Jo Co Election Workers Union).

Johnson County is extremely fortunate to have many devoted election workers following the example set forth by Bob. We hope his legacy will continue to thrive as voters continue to express their democratic freedom at the polls.

Whether appropriate or ironic, Bob died on Tuesday, March 3 — Election Day in Johnson County. We will definitely miss him and will always remember his fun-loving personality.

Tom Ray
Election director of voting locations and staffing
Johnson County Election Office
Olathe

Allow ex-felons to vote

Ex-felons should have full citizenship rights restored, including voting, after they are released from incarceration. Having served their time, it would benefit their re-integration into society, which is in society’s interest.

In some cases, they may still have legal and financial debts to repay. But these obligations should not stand in the way of the restoration of full citizenship rights, including voting. Just because someone is a debtor, that’s not cause for the withholding of voting rights.

Studies have shown that ex-felons with voting rights are 50 percent less likely to re-enter the criminal justice system than those without voting rights. We need more participation in democratic processes, including voting. When people have ownership in society, they are less likely to behave in a deviant way.

Ken Gates
Overland Park

Fighting annexation

Did you know Kansans can vote on swimming pools and soccer fields, but they cannot vote if a city wants to take over their homes and land? Did you know only a handful of states in the U.S. do not allow homeowners this right to vote?

Recently my neighbors and I ended up fighting for our property and way of life as Overland Park swooped in with a land grab of 8.4 square miles. An overwhelming majority of affected homeowners opposed the annexation and were astonished to find we had no right to vote.

Kansas laws allowing for annexation without representation are wrong and must change. State lawmakers have drafted House Bill 2029 to correct outdated statutes. This bill would require a vote by landowners on involuntary annexation proposals. It would also require landowner approval for annexation of agricultural land of 21 acres or more. Please contact your state lawmakers and ask them to support HB 2029.

To find contact information, learn more about our fight, and see how you can get more involved in this important issue, go to www.noannexation .org

Norman Pishny
Bucyrus, Kan.

What’s wrong with secret ballots?

I wish Bob Kanatzar (1/14, Letters) would explain how it would infringe on the rights of workers to have them vote by secret ballot on whether to have a union represent them in negotiations with their employer.

It’s a secret ballot, Bob. Having the person vote for a union by having a card thrust in his or her face by a co-worker or union organizer and being told, “Everybody wants a union — you do too, don’t you?” is not secret. Pressure can be brought to bear by the union organizer or the co-worker who hopes to become the new union shop steward.

Having that signed card now take the place of the secret ballot is not attempting to level a playing field. It’s an attempt to railroad and pressure workers into joining a union.

Unions that want to organize a workplace make a lot of promises. The only one I guarantee they will keep is their promise to collect dues.

Mike Thompson
Sibley, Mo.

Update Missouri voting procedures

Last month’s election exit polls predicted the presidential winner quite well, for the most part. States came in quite quickly with predictions, except for Missouri. It was an extremely close race within the state, and it took several days to declare who won Missouri.

I have heard of many complications within the voting system. Many recently registered voters didn’t show up on the lists, and their votes were crucial to the race. Missouri needs to put aside money to update its voting system and decrease ballot confusion. Early voting should be permitted for the elderly or those who don’t have transportation. Also, the ballot needs to be presented more clearly, and we need a universal method throughout the entire state to speed up counting.

Missouri usually has a huge role in presidential elections, so it is essential to increase the efficiency of our system.

Katie Gassman
Belton

Save secret ballot for workers

Why would anyone want to take away a worker’s right to a secret ballot regarding unionization? I am a small-business owner who knows that good employees are the backbone of any successful company. The old “us against them” mentality went out decades ago.

Unions have the “closed shop” legislation locking in membership, as well as “forced dues,” regardless of workers’ beliefs and wishes.

I have been involved in two unionization attempts. Cards were easily signed during home visits and a big free drink session at the corner tavern. When the secret ballot voting was completed, the union was rejected on both occasions. Each employee spoke without fear of intimidation.

I suggest we support our free enterprise system by all pulling in the same direction before there is nothing left to unionize. We must save the secret ballot for our workers.

Bob Cook
Mission Hills

Politically, it’s a small world

When I read the “As I See It” column by Jenny Lumpkin (11/7, Opinion, “A ballot heard round the world”), I had tears in my eyes.

My husband and I traveled in England in late September, and we had similar experiences. Everyone wanted to talk about the election, and I was struck by the fact that everyone we spoke to knew far more about the issues than many people in own country. And they definitely knew more about the world in general than Americans know about the rest of the world.

There is much work to be done, by the media and by our schools, to educate Americans about the world. It is growing smaller day by day.

Karen Brown
Kearney

Shorter shift for poll workers?

In Johnson County, we enjoy advance voting and an election office that cares about its workers and the voters. Thanks to all for a smooth and effective election.

I am aware of one election worker who had to quit this year. He has worked in the polls for many elections since he retired, and loved it. Mature workers enjoy that interaction with the public. On a presidential election, the polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Add to that an hour on each end to open and close the polls and you have a 15-hour work day. My friend was unable to do that this year, age and stamina being factors. I suspect we lost other valuable workers for similar reasons.

How about considering a half day of work for those who would select it? Workers who might not be able to spend a very long day could participate. It might also allow younger members of the workforce to help if they did not have to take an entire day off work.

It might mean extra paperwork to accommodate more workers, but being able to include more people would seem a benefit for the county.

Lee Biard
Lenexa