Letters on budget shortfall, education cuts, marijuana, GOP false equivalency, criticizing Cruz, partnering with police

Fixing state shortfall should be a snap

Some people believe our state has a budget problem, but the way our governor and Legislature have acted the past few years, the minor shortfall of $400 million should be no problem. They can simply close our schools, stop maintaining our roads and bridges, and cut off all aid to the poor. It’s so simple, and they’d “save” so much money they could cut taxes even more and still have money left to give themselves a nice raise.

Of course, this would have long-term consequences, such as the mass exodus of business and jobs from the state. But they haven’t been bothered by looking ahead the past few years, so why start now?

Take ownership

Who profits from the financial crippling of the public’s education system? Who profits from crippling the public’s institutions in general?

Who do they think we are? Who have we let them assume that we are? Who have we, indeed, become?

The public’s oxen are being gored.

Discuss school funding with the professionals who are on the job – the teachers, support staff, administrators and school boards. These, along with parents and students, are the ones who actually meet the tasks, face to face, in real time.

The state’s prekindergarten to state university educational institutions are central targets of the neoconservative elites as they continue their assaults on quality in the public’s life.

What has happened to government “of the people, by the people, for the people”?

We need to take ownership. It is not yet too late.

Legalize marijuana

Drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana can both be dangerous, but in different ways and levels. With drinking, for example, people can develop liver disease, and some people become aggressive when drinking, which can lead to abuse later on. People also drink and drive, which not only puts themselves in danger but others as well.

Marijuana affects the cardiovascular system but does not have long-term effects. It calms the body down and has been proved to help many different medical issues. When people smoke, they usually don’t feel the need to go drive and put danger on the roads. All they want to do is sit down, eat and just chill.

I would like to see marijuana become legal. If alcohol can be legal at age 21, then why shouldn’t marijuana be legal, too?

False equivalency

The writer of “A new low” (April 23 Letters to the Editor) apparently is watching way too much faux news. He was outraged over columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. pointing out that the lunatic fringe that hates government is “the mainstream, the beating heart of the Republican Party” (“‘We the people’ are the ‘government,’” April 20 Opinion). He complained about the “hate-filled rhetoric of the extreme left wing” and claimed everyone from the Weather Underground to the Black Panthers, the “New” Black Panther Party and the IRS are now part of the mainstream Democratic Party.

Timothy McVeigh bombed the office building in Oklahoma City because he hated the government for its handling of the Waco siege and Ruby Ridge. The hatred of government is the foundation that the Republican Party stands on. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard conservatives quote Thomas Jefferson’s line that “the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”

Those of us on the left have grown weary of the Republicans’ game of false equivalency and their aggrieved “moi?” when confronted with their commonality with the likes of McVeigh and anti-abortion murderer Scott Roeder.

Cruz control

I’ve been waiting six years to say this: Any Democrat who criticizes GOP presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, for any reason is a racist.

Be a partner

It takes a partnership to get and keep a safe neighborhood. It is a partnership between the residents and the police.

People want the police to fix everything, but the officers need your help in order to try to accomplish this. They may not be aware of a neighborhood problem unless it is reported, and they cannot help if they aren’t aware of it. You are the eyes and ears for the police.

If you see illegal dumping, do you report it?

If something is stolen, do you report it?

If you are aware of elder, partner or child abuse, do you report it?

If you see dogs running the neighborhood or know of a vicious dog, do you report it?

Call 911 to make reports. In Wichita, animal issues may also be reported to animal control, 316-350-3360.

Choose to be a partner.

This story was originally published May 1, 2015 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Letters on budget shortfall, education cuts, marijuana, GOP false equivalency, criticizing Cruz, partnering with police."