Print edition: 
Vote for change, real leadership
The folks who are getting the free stuff don’t like the folks who are paying for the free stuff, because the folks who are paying for the free stuff can no longer afford to pay for both the free stuff and their own stuff. The folks who are paying for the free stuff want the free stuff to stop, and the folks who are getting the free stuff want even more free stuff on top of the free stuff they are already getting.
All great democracies have committed financial suicide somewhere between 200 and 250 years after being founded. The reason? The voters figured out they could vote themselves money from the treasury by electing people who promised to give them money from the treasury in exchange for electing them.
The United States officially became a republic in 1776, 235 years ago. The number of people now getting free stuff outnumbers the people paying for the free stuff. We have one chance to change that in 2012.
There are term limits in place. You can vote out elected officials any election you wish. Vote for change in 2012 and real leadership.
WINK HARTMAN
Wichita
Comedy hours
The comedy hours (Republican debates) are hilarious until one realizes that these people running for president actually believe the rhetoric they are putting out. That they think they could accomplish these things is ridiculous.
Candidates have said that on their first day in office they would repeal “Obamacare.” They can’t do it. Even Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., corrected them on this. Have they forgotten all they should have learned in school about how our government works? Do they believe the United States is a monarchy?
One of the candidates has a plan to “uproot the government.” Every one of them agrees that the most important things are jobs and the economy. I agree. But what they are putting forth would hurt the job situation.
Even if you are anti-government, you have to admit that a government job is a “job.” So when you start slashing and shutting down programs, you are cutting and slashing jobs. Do they think the job creators (millionaires) are going to put them to work overnight?
WAYNE POWERS
Derby
Is it terrible?
There is a compelling force that is driving governments to spend more money on nearly everything, and it is a force that is nearly invisible. I’m talking about this business of “ranking” the states.
“That’s terrible” is the reaction of most Kansans to a story that Kansas is ranked 48th in, say, earwig infestations. This will be closely followed by a statement such as, “The government needs to do something about that.”
Why? First of all, somebody has to be ranked 48th. It is a statistical certainty. Furthermore, a ranking of 48th might be exactly where Kansas is supposed to be in the scheme of things.
If Kansas were to be acclaimed as the best state in the country, earwig-wise, most Kansans would feel a twinge of pride in being No. 1 at anything. But would any of them think to ask whether we are spending too much money on this earwig business? Is there any reason we should want to be ranked so high?
Nope, that never happens. So the citizens of New Mexico arise one morning to be told that their state has dropped from 47th to 48th among the states in earwig infestations, and somebody says, “That’s terrible.”
ALAN HURLBUT
Wichita
Cut nukes
Members of Congress and all national decision makers need to hear from all of us who know that our safety and security as a nation do not come from the fear generated by the United States’ ownership of the world’s largest arsenal of nuclear weapons.
The sane way to fix our budget problems is to cut all spending for nuclear weapons and to use the money saved to turn swords into plowshares and nuclear-parts factories into manufacturers of wind turbines and solar panels.
The economic security gained from using tax money for productive, life-giving services and products would be matched by the safety gained from being respected for the way we care for the vulnerable people in our country and the world, instead of being hated for our hypocritical stance on nuclear capability.
SUSAN MILLER
Hesston
Thanks for box tops
My beautiful 536 school grandkids and I would like to express our deepest appreciation to all the wonderful, caring, loving people in the area who have been sending “Box Tops for Education” labels to the high-poverty, low-income school where I volunteer (Stanley Elementary School, 1749 S. Martinson, Wichita, KS 67213). We are supplying our classrooms with needed supplies, upgrading some worn-out equipment and buying “fun stuff” for recess as well – all with your help and generosity.
The kids are enjoying school much more and really get excited when I bring them new things for their classes. Their smiles are amazing. I just wanted to let you know you are sincerely appreciated and loved. Thank you very much.
TIM ABEN
Derby
