Reject hatred

I grieve for America. I do not understand why many people worship and follow hateful, arrogant leaders. I fear that our democracy is being destroyed, not by foreign powers, but by its citizens.

I propose these questions to all Americans: Why do some Christians support and elect anyone who defies the scriptures of love, kindness, forgiveness, compassion and truth? Why do many Republicans refuse to accept the results of our last election, when more than 60 lawsuits alleging fraud were thrown out of court? Why are elected Republicans doing everything they can to limit the voting rights of many Americans? Why do many of their voters refuse to be vaccinated, even while COVID-19 death rates are much higher in red counties? Why do we vote for politicians who are neither experienced nor honest, but simply get elected because they use powerful words and look good?

History has shown us the stories of people voting for evil and corrupt leaders. I remember the saying, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” I pray that one day, truth, compassion and wisdom will matter for those we elect, and that hatred and ignorance will not become the norm.

– Mark W. Johnson, Trimble, Missouri

Not their job

As a retired union painter, I have some advice for the city of Independence. The Star recently reported that one of its police officers made more than $160,000 in overtime pay last year for construction and maintenance work on the police headquarters. Other officers did similar work. (Feb. 18, 1A, “KC-area city allows workers to double dip OT, vacation”)

If the city is so union friendly, why doesn’t it hire union tradespeople — carpenters, electricians, painters — to do its renovation and remodeling work? These people would work straight time, and the city would not have to pay policemen overtime or extra vacation hours for work that is not in their area of expertise.

I’m sure the city would save the taxpayers money and policemen could be doing what they do best, while the remodel work would be done by union construction workers, who would be doing what they do best. Overtime pay of $160,000 seems a little steep to me.

Story continues

– Neal Zentz, Raymore

Then be pro-life

Thanks to The Kansas City Star Editorial Board for the Feb. 18 editorial “Medicaid expansion is what rural hospitals need” (8A) concerning Medicaid expansion in Kansas.

Someone needs to expound on the fact that people who claim to be pro-life but are against Medicaid expansion (in both Kansas and Missouri) are nothing but hypocrites. The mantra of pro-lifers is that all human life should be protected, from conception through natural death. How better to protect life than to make sure all people have access to quality, affordable health care?

– Christopher Dusil, Kansas City, Kansas

Misplaced pride?

Scrolling through the “local news” page on The Kansas City Star’s website tells you everything you need to know about our beautiful, broken city.

Headlines on Sunday included:

“‘Black joy means everything’: Kansas Citians highlight moments that uplift them”

“6-year-old boy who was slain in Kansas City identified by police”

“New Kansas City coffee shop has your provisions, from sandwiches to pastries to soap”

“Both victims of double homicide were 14, students at Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools”

No number of “I heart KC” or “Chillin’ with Mahomies” T-shirts can compensate for the parts of living here that we don’t “heart” so much. Kansas City makes a consistent presence in lists of the nation’s most violent cities and boasts crime rates that far exceed national averages.

There needs to be a public awakening to the violent reality of living in Kansas City. This doesn’t mean we have to stop putting on displays of city pride, but it does mean educating ourselves and becoming responsible citizens.

Behind the beauty of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the Western Auto sign and our giant shuttlecocks is a desperate need for activism, progressive policy change and police reform — all projects that cannot be put on the back burner when we feel like focusing on the more glamorous aspects of being a Kansas Citian.

– Lily Hart, Kansas City