Letters on regionalism, corruption, guns in underwear
‘Regionalism’ is more D.C. snake oil
As fiscal conservatives, we were not surprised to read another editorial from the liberal Eagle editorial board mentioning “regionalism” (“Good judgment,” April 8 Opinion).
The Sedgwick County Commission’s opposition to wasteful federal sustainability grants provides a clear way for eliminating this unnecessary spending that is adding to the already excessive $18 trillion federal debt.
The federal “sustainability” grants are another tool for putting federal policy mandates into local government. This is a bad idea. Though it is understandable why statists who support a bigger national government favor such policies, there is no reason why Sedgwick County, or other local and state governments, should follow Washington’s authoritarian wishes. Local governments should not become puppets for Washington.
The new name for the rapidly discredited “sustainability” grant program might be transformed into “regionalism,” but it would just be another case of putting a brand-new label on the same old Washington snake oil.
Commissioner KARL PETERJOHN
Wichita
Commissioner JIM HOWELL
Derby
Combat corruption
Represent Kansas is turning Tax Day into Representation Day, and rallying our community to take a stand against this corruption.
Represent Kansas is a local chapter of Represent.Us, a national nonpartisan campaign to pass tough new anti-corruption laws at the state, local and federal levels.
We know that change won’t come from a broken Washington, D.C. It’s up to communities like ours to lead by example, and build momentum for national reform by uniting at the state and local levels.
Represent Kansas will hold a rally at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Shamrock Lounge, 1724 W. Douglas, to call on our city to pass an official resolution calling for a statewide anti-corruption act. We’ll be joining dozens of Represent.Us chapters that are holding Representation Day rallies in their cities.
We believe that it should be possible to seek public office without having to sell out to special interests, and that it should be illegal for anyone – Democrat or Republican, corporations or unions – to use money to buy political influence. If you agree, we hope you’ll join us Wednesday.
KAT FREY
Wichita
Can’t hide gun
I’m sure that the National Rifle Association is pleased that guns and ammunition were not included along with lingerie and other items that Kansas welfare recipients cannot spend welfare funds on, according to a bill the Legislature approved. It’s good to know, on the other hand, that these people won’t be able to hide their weapons in their underwear.
PHILIP H. SCHNEIDER
Wichita
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This story was originally published April 13, 2015 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Letters on regionalism, corruption, guns in underwear."