Print edition: 
All would share in sales-tax increase
I am writing something I never thought I would say: I am in favor of a tax. A tax that I would have to pay. And every thinking Kansan, in good conscience, likely would agree that it is a good tax, and be happy to pay it, too.
It comes about because the Legislature faces a grave situation that affects us all — a budget shortfall so great that essential state services will have to be cut, or other even larger taxes levied, likely inequitably, on certain populations or sectors.
Thus far, legislators have not fully addressed a solution that Gov. Mark Parkinson's administration has offered — increasing the state sales tax by 1 percent — that analysis shows would offer a sizable degree of relief concerning service cuts. Paying this tax would be shared by all according to the amount of their purchases. While those who would receive the benefit also would pay, at least their benefits wouldn't disappear.
Those of us in the Wichita area have borne such an increase in sales taxes in order to pay for our new arena, and folks say they never noticed the difference. We need to let the legislators know we citizens could tolerate such an initiative.
HARRY R. CLEMENTS
Wichita
Not for spectators
Bob Lutz's column about "improving" high school basketball was completely wrong ("State tournaments need to join 21st century," March 17 Sports).
High school sports are participant sports, not spectator sports. Professional sports (and, sadly, now college sports) are spectator sports. They are played for the entertainment of the spectators, and the players and coaches know it. Have you noticed how many college players now perform antics on the court or field to entertain the crowd, just like the pros do?
High school players are there to participate and try to win, not put on a show for spectators. They couldn't care less that the arena is not comfortable for the spectators, as long as the court is regulation shape and you can shoot a high shot without hitting the ceiling.
When I played (back in the 1950s), my objective was to play as I was coached so my team might win. My teammates and I were oblivious to any crowd that might be in the arena. And that's how it should be for all sports at the high school and college levels.
As soon as the spectator becomes a factor, you have started on the slippery slope of it being the primary factor. Then what's next? Little League?
LOREN MARTINDALE
Wichita
Costa Rican care
There was a typical elbow tossed at Rush Limbaugh in WE Blog excerpts ("Limbaugh's health care threat," March 15 Opinion). The blog item noted how Limbaugh had said that if the health care bill passed, he'd move to Costa Rica. It went on to say that if he does move, he could take advantage of a high-quality government-run health care system that costs a fraction of what the United States spends.
I e-mailed a friend who lives in Costa Rica about this. He said that government health care is about like going to a county hospital for treatment — a lot of waiting for things to happen. For people happy to be making $1.25 per hour, it is great. It would not be what you would want for yourself or your family. But he said that private health care is very good and very cheap in Costa Rica.
It's always easy to write something to prove a point, even if you have no idea what you are talking about.
BOB WALTERSCHEID
Wichita
Obama eligible
"Not eligible" (March 13 Letters to the Editor) attempted to question President Obama's eligibility to hold office. A self-proclaimed "true, serious patriot" raised the same tired issue about whether Obama is a "natural-born citizen."
The writer offered two authorities that define "natural-born citizen" and thereby prove that Obama is ineligible to hold office. The first "authority" is "Law of Nations" by Emerich de Vattel. This is a treatise on "natural law" written by a Swiss philosopher in 1758, nearly 30 years before the U.S. Constitution was signed. This is hardly an authoritative source interpreting U.S. constitutional law.
The second authority cited was a U.S. Supreme Court case decided in 1875 (Minor v. Happersett). The court noted there were doubters about the definition of a natural-born citizen but "for the purposes of this case it is not necessary to solve these doubts."
As an Army veteran, I have always believed true patriotism was love of and loyalty to one's country, including its commander in chief.
JOHN McKEAN
Wichita
