Letters on abortion, bike trails, school funding, Masterson

Women capable of making own decisions

After the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down certain abortion restrictions, a local TV station reporter interviewed a young woman outside the gates at the South Wind Women’s Center. This woman said that women going into the clinic didn’t know what they were doing.

I disagree.

Any woman who chooses to get an abortion knows exactly what she’s doing. She knows the time is wrong for her to take on the responsibility of a child, and she has made the best decision for herself.

Those of us who have children understand the commitment that starts with birth and never ends. Women are smart enough to decide whether they are in a position to take on that commitment.

Though the Roe v. Wade decision made it possible for women to get legal abortions, restrictions imposed by lawmakers have made access to clinics more difficult for women in certain areas of the country and in certain financial situations. The justices who struck down the restrictions understand that and also understand that abortion, when it’s legal, is as safe as or safer than most other medical procedures. More important, that decision acknowledged that women are capable of making decisions about their lives.

Safe care a burden?

The Center for Reproductive Rights has stated: “Everyone deserves access to safe abortion care.” The U.S. Supreme Court just said: No, you don’t; safe abortion care is an “undue burden.” The question is, on whom?

Trails heavily used

A letter opposing a possible bicycle trail on the Big Ditch had key flaws (June 28 Letters to the Editor).

First, the writer’s calculation of “a handful of bicycle riders” is wrong. Our locations and parks with limited “traffic areas” are heavily used.

Second, a well-maintained path will aid the regular maintenance of the floodway, allowing structured routes for maintenance vehicles and mowers.

Lastly, the writer telling bicyclists to “get a hobby that fits the city” made me chuckle. A relatively simple and cost-effective project to showcase a city is always sought. A world-class pathway in the man-made nature preserve would be directly connected to Wichita’s heart. Our Great Plains locale, with a native heritage, would soon become a bicyclist destination – not to mention a destination for other activities that need miles free of vehicle traffic, such as competitive running.

This could pull in large amounts of relatively free revenue for our city. More importantly, it would be a lure to attract and keep our citizenry – something that we, as a city, have always been accused of neglecting.

Schools never satisfied

The Kansas Supreme Court’s decision on the school districts’ never-ending lawsuit for more tax dollars to fund K-12 education was the wrong way to handle the school budget “shortfall.” How much of this immense funding will truly go toward educating children?

When the schools don’t get the figures they want, children’s services are cut first. Shouldn’t some overhead, extracurricular programs or unnecessary administration be eliminated first?

We must require schools to live within their means, because the school systems will never be satisfied. Education already has more than 50 percent of the total state budget. The real problem is not too little money, but the management and accountability of these funds. Mega dollars are spent building huge, beautiful facilities. Much more important is providing resources for well-trained teachers.

Our rightful anger and energy should be directed at challenging the way money is spent in our local school districts. Sen. Ty Masterson, R-Andover, has been courageously holding the line despite tremendous pressure. I applaud his efforts.

Don’t deserve salary

The Donald Trump of Butler County, Sen. Ty Masterson, R-Andover, filed bankruptcy while in state office. As chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, he is in charge of taxpayers’ money. He lets the governor take highway money to cover tax shortfalls after doing away with income taxes on many businesses. Now we’ve got potholes, and a construction company that had to go outside the state for some work but still has equipment sitting.

I think state lawmakers should receive no salary, and be entitled only to expenses. That way they aren’t getting overtime pay.

This story was originally published July 1, 2016 at 12:04 AM with the headline "Letters on abortion, bike trails, school funding, Masterson."