Print edition: 
Focus more on western Kansas
Regarding Gov. Sam Brownback’s inaugural pheasant hunt near Oakley (Nov. 20 Local & State): I got a chance to meet Brownback and shake hands with him at his agriculture summit at Garden City in September. I told him how I reluctantly sold a family farm in Phillips County (in western Kansas) that had been in my family for more than 100 years. I sold it mainly because of higher and higher property taxation and the ever-advancing costs of fuel, fertilizer and chemicals. Brownback agreed that it was a sad situation, but it is tough to keep profitable farms of fewer than 1,000 acres.
I am beginning to see the governor in a new light. He is obviously a fairly decent chap. But I think his overall plan for Kansas goes astray at times.
Brownback needs to focus more intently on improving the health, welfare and self-sustaining attributes of the area west of U.S. Highway 81 and north of I-70. I hope Brownback will venture there more, particularly in the “off-season.” Residents need doctors, gasoline stations, entertainment venues and, most of all, stores.
JAMES A. MARPLES
Esbon
Biased reporting
The Associated Press article “Medicare patients paying less for prescriptions” (Nov. 28 Eagle) was an example of biased journalism that masquerades as unbiased news.
In particular, one sentence stated: “If Republicans succeed in repealing what they derisively call ‘Obamacare,’ the (drug) discounts would be wiped out as well.” That sentence, and in fact the whole article, was loaded with implied meanings. The implications were that Republicans don’t care about senior citizens’ needs for affordable drugs; that they dismiss every provision of Obamacare as improper and that they are ignorant of the fact that repealing Obamacare would necessitate other improvements in our health care laws.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Republicans have offered and continue to offer many bills to correct the malfunctions in our health care system. However, they also realize that there is not an endless supply of free money to fund every government program that liberals can dream up, including the hugely expensive health care bill.
Our nation is on the brink of bankruptcy, and Republicans know our government must reduce spending or else we will all suffer severe consequences. Quit trying to cast Republicans as villains who don’t care about health care or senior citizens.
PHILLIP A. BOSTIAN
Goddard
Free to boo
Regarding “Didn’t boo soldier” (Nov. 26 Letters to the Editor): The writer explained that the gay soldier wasn’t actually booed at a recent GOP presidential debate, but that the booing was about the question he asked. The writer went on to say that the candidates on stage could not have stepped up and “corrected” audience members for booing the soldier, because it didn’t happen.
But so what if the audience did boo him? And since when is it the responsibility, or right, of one adult American to correct other adult Americans for exercising their right to free speech and expression? I think people have a right to boo anyone they want. I also think those being booed have a right to boo right back.
JAMES E. SULLIVAN
Augusta
Bullied for faith
I have a new friend who is polite, smart and religious. We met at dinner and had an intelligent conversation with shared differences and similarities. Then the revelation: She’s being bullied at work. Her co-workers, including her supervisor, tried to arrange an intervention to save her soul.
Why? Because she’s a Muslim. The interventionists consider themselves Christians.
Does God love Muslims? Does God love Christians? Did God create us all? Yes.
Jesus referred to God as Abba and Daddy. What loving father would create some children only to condemn them?
My responsibility as a follower of Christ is to be the most faithful, generous, forgiving and loving person possible. Then I’m expected to share my faith as I live the love I’ve been given.
I don’t always succeed, but I try. Not so very different from my new friend.
ANITA CHARTIER
Wichita
Seller beware
’Tis the season for many to experience additional financial difficulties, and a number of them will be drawn to the bigger-than-life offers made by many cash-for-gold buyers. It is important to see some of these offers for what they are: misleading.
There are a number of reputable coin dealers and pawn brokers who can explain to you exactly what your items are worth without making promises they can’t possibly keep. Gold has a value based on the trading levels of the daily market. Also, many factors affect the value, such as the percentage of gold — 10K, 14K, 18K, etc.
You must also consider that when the item was purchased, you bought it for the craftsmanship as well as the content. Now, the item is being purchased for gold content only, which may or may not be anywhere near what you paid.
Like any financial transaction, do your homework. Don’t be fooled by unrealistic offers, and find a local dealer you can trust and with whom you can build an honest business relationship. And like Dad always said, if it’s too good to be true, it probably isn’t true.
ROGER ATTEBURY
Wichita
