Voter says Kansas Democrats repeat failed tax incentives, ignoring people’s needs | Opinion
Democrats stuck
I got into politics around 2014, at the height of then-Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s unpopularity. The Kansas Democratic Party was energized against the administration that had failed to expand Medicaid and offered enormous tax incentives for companies, widely recognized to have failed.
In 2024, the Democrats’ focus on Medicaid expansion remains the same. A commercial from the party today sounds the same as it did in 2014. The difference is that now they don’t talk about failed tax breaks, because they are doing the same thing.
It is unfortunate to see that several legislators who built their careers opposing such disastrous tax breaks are now among the biggest proponents of the APEX Program tax break. Working people are subsidizing the new Panasonic plant in several ways — having to reopen a coal-fired plant, footing the corporation’s tax bill and increased electrical rates. All of this without a job or living wage guarantee.
Brownback governed during a time of economic despair, when one could reasonably believe he actually wanted to attract businesses to our state. Why are Kansas Democrats following the same policy we know failed? When will they stand up for working people and not just beg for crumbs at the feet of Republicans?
- Ethan Riscovallez, Prairie Village
With age, wisdom
My mother-in-law is 96 years old, and I admire and respect her dearly. She is my hero. For nearly 50 years, I have watched her do amazing things for our family. She has grown old gracefully, has become wiser with time and, although she has slowed down, her morals remain intact.
President Joe Biden is old, too, and being old is not a crime. It is a blessing. He has spent much of his life in the service of this country, and he is highly qualified to hold the office of the presidency. Biden has consistently made decisions that have been in the best interests of our country, and his decisions have not been self-serving.
Biden’s predecessor’s deficient reaction to COVID-19 allowed hundreds of thousands of Americans to die from the disease in the last year of his term. He was impeached twice by the House of Representatives, has been found civilly liable for millions of dollars for sexual abuse and business fraud, and is currently facing several criminal indictments.
Biden was old when he was elected in 2020, and his age and experience have benefited America. He demonstrated at Thursday evening’s State of the Union address that he is strong and sharp.
When employers hire someone, they should strive to find the most qualified person for the job and someone who has his or her morals intact.
- Jeffery R. Dysart, Overland Park
Christian message
Thank you to Baptist pastor Stephen D. Jones for his Star guest commentary, “White Christian nationalists disobey Jesus.” (March 5, 7A)
This column should be read by every Christian who may be drawn to this movement that seeks domination in the guise of true Christian beliefs. He lays out their falsehoods eloquently.
- Julie Buckman, Shawnee
Detail missing
I appreciated the substance of Melinda Henneberger’s column on the commercial she’d like to see Kansas City Chiefs players make. (March 7, 12A, “Here’s the TV commercial the Chiefs really need to make”) Addressing gun violence would be a powerful message coming from these players.
However, she did not mention the reason these commercials will never be made. The Hunt family has donated vast sums through the years to Republican causes and candidates, who almost universally support lax gun laws and gun manufacturers. The Hunts are part of the problem.
- Sam Bennett, Kansas City
Show them all
What are the criteria for local TV stations to broadcast the funerals of people killed by gunfire? They often show processions and funerals of police officers killed in the line of duty. And recently others have been deemed worthy of having their memorials on TV as well.
Who deserves these special broadcasts? Are we going to start televising the memorial services for others killed on the job? Would that include the night cashier at a convenience store killed in a robbery? Would that include a teacher killed in a school shooting?
What if we show the services for everyone killed by gun violence? Then maybe we would see the humanity behind the numbers.
Maybe if our “regularly scheduled broadcasts” were consistently interrupted by funerals, we would get a better picture of just how prolific gun violence is in our metropolitan area.
- C.J. Shelly, Lenexa
Right to live
For too many, the “right to life” extends only to the right to be born. After that, gun laws supersede it with the “right to kill.” Making it legal to carry a gun implies the right to use it. After all, what else is a gun good for?
If you really mean “right to life,” why not stop laws on the books that let deranged people with guns go out and start shooting children? Children as young as 5 and 6, 9 and 10, and teenagers. You march and rally against abortion. Why not march against AK-47s in the hands of teenagers? You fight against even one abortion. Do the math. For every one you think you stop, a gun is killing a person, maybe more.
Killing one is against the law, but killing thousands is allowed. Not legal but allowed, because there are so many laws protecting the right to carry a gun.
It’s said that the problem is people. Well, we can’t get rid of people, but we can get rid of guns.
It’s time to fight for the “right to live.” Time to fight the gun laws.
- Barbara Young, Independence
