Print edition: 
House repairs not city's problem
Regarding "Ex-mayor urges city to help Gietzen" (Nov. 4 Local & State): Am I missing something? Mark Gietzen claims $96,000 in structural damage to his house that he and former Mayor Bob Knight think the city should pay, after two dismissed court cases and a fine for filing frivolous motions got him nowhere. Not to mention that the incident allegedly happened 10 years ago and a two-year statute of limitations has run out. Wichita city attorney Gary Rebenstorf says it's not the city's responsibility. Vice Mayor Jim Skelton visited Gietzen's house five years ago and saw no clear signs of structural damage.
So just because Knight and others assured Gietzen in 2000 that any damages to his house would be fixed, taxpayers should pay for what two court cases, a fine, the legal opinion of the city attorney and a personal visit from a City Council member rebuked?
Well, this is one ex-mayor (1993-95) who urges the city not to help Gietzen. Actually, I would urge Knight and the others who assured Gietzen in 2000 that his alleged damages would be fixed to personally fix them.
ELMA BROADFOOT
Wichita
Selfish protesters
Note to the "tea partyers" at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium who were over 65: You cannot protest government intrusion into your lives while you are collecting a government Social Security check. Sure, you "earned it," but it's coming out of the pocket of today's workers. Also, you cannot protest the evils of government-run health care when you are using government-run Medicare.
To the younger protesters: I assume you left a government-subsidized house (you write off the mortgage interest), drove on a government-built road to a government-built stadium, and were protected by government-paid police officers while there. You cannot bemoan what the government does while availing yourselves of its benefits.
I am a flat-tax advocate who does not believe in punishing the rich anymore than coddling the poor. But taxes, in and of themselves, are not inherently evil; it is what we do with them that can be. Wars and bailouts to the stupid are as evil as it gets. Covering every man, woman and child in this country with health care is not. It's the right thing to do — as right as it was for our elderly.
Eliminate those wars and bailouts and we could pay for everyone — easily. Even better, add a tax rebate for folks who take care of themselves.
Too bad that selfish protests like these are the reason it won't get done.
KATHLEEN BUTLER
Wichita
Big government
The proposed national health care plan is yet another attempt by inefficient, big government to try to serve the public by becoming bigger and more inefficient. A prime example of this are the millions of taxpayer dollars lost every year to Medicare fraud that Medicare officials admit they are unable to prevent. Could a newly organized arm of government created to administer a public health care insurance plan be devoid of fraud and corruption? I doubt it.
JIM NELSON
Wichita
Upset with AARP
I just resigned my membership in AARP for the second time. The reason for my resignation is that AARP endorsed the health care reform bill of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
For senior citizens such as me, this bill could be disaster. I won't echo all the talking points of opponents of the bill, but I would urge everyone, seniors and others, to really examine all 2,000 pages of this bill, see what it actually would do for you and make your own decision. How much control of your life do you want the government to have?
Senior citizens: Please consider whether AARP is more interested in selling you insurance or working for your long-term benefit.
DUANE STEEN
Bel Aire
Let locals decide
Reducing the number of school districts to try to solve the state's budget woes shouldn't be the issue ("Cuts raise talk of consolidation," Nov. 2 Eagle). Does Kansas want to pay the costs for consolidation? When post offices in small towns close, the towns slowly fade away. When schools leave small towns, they fade away, too.
State Sen. Jean Schodorf, R-Wichita, has the correct solution: Let the districts merge voluntarily. The locals are the best to decide. They can figure the pros and cons for what is best for their districts. Big Daddy, with his big club, shouldn't be involved. Lawmakers should quit hiring consultants who give them the answers they want.
TOBY ELSTER
Wichita
Remember vets
As a proud veteran who is preparing for Veterans Day, I find it tragic that so many of my fellow Americans view this Wednesday as just another day off work. With wars on two fronts — and the Veterans Affairs workload topping 1 million claims — it's time for all Americans to remember the true meaning of Veterans Day.
I hope everyone in our area will remember what Veterans Day is all about. Call one of our local Veterans of Foreign Wars posts to take part in our ceremonies. And as we near the holidays, please keep our deployed troops and their families in your prayers. Send a care package or donate to a program that supports our troops and veterans, such as VFW Operation Uplink, at the Web site www.operationuplink.org. Always remember those who have fought for your freedom.
CHRIS WHINERY
Derby
Obey signs
I drive I-35 about every day and I find that drivers can't read the signs — roadwork ahead, 50 mph speed limit — or they don't respect the laws. This includes 16-wheelers, city cars, school buses, government cars and out-of -state cars.
I usually drive 60 mph with speed control on, and cars go by me much faster. If the state would put a force to monitor the speed, I think it could easily make budget.
JACK W. CANADAY
Bel Aire
Let freedom ring
I think we could all appreciate the frustration and angst in "Legalize everything" (Oct. 26 Letters to the Editor). But the list of morality-related laws has nothing to do with the Democratic Party, the Republican Party or any other political organization. These laws have been passed in their myriad forms by every Legislature, governor, Congress and president.
Unfortunately, we have a penchant to pass laws and brand citizens as criminals for those activities we find disgusting, irritating or offensive. Yet who is injured or harmed (other than the individual) with drugs, alcohol, tobacco, etc.?
Perhaps if we began to back off individual conduct, even if we do not approve, and focus on conduct that causes injury to others, we could find a condition of stability and balance that protects public safety and recognizes the freedom of choice we all cherish.
We may not like the noise from fireworks or even the flashing colored lights. But the injury caused is often self-inflicted or due to the lack of parental supervision. That ultimately is the responsibility of parents, not the government.
I hope one day we shall stop interfering unnecessarily in the affairs of other citizens who happen to choose the pursuit of happiness differently from us.
CAP PARLIER
Wichita
How distributed?
It's intriguing to me how the H1N1 vaccine is being distributed. Who decides how much and where it is shipped? I walked into a CVS Pharmacy in Cary, N.C., in late October and stopped by its MinuteClinic. There were two people ahead of me. I filled out a piece of paper and got my shot. I am not a health care worker, a pregnant woman or a child; there was no list for rationing the vaccines. I am 62, diabetic and was plagued with pneumonia for several months earlier this year, so thought I should be vaccinated. I was in and out in fewer than 10 minutes.
SHIRLEY FISHER-LANGLOYS
Wichita
