Letters to the Editor (Aug. 9): Kansans, socialism, Catholic conference, city funding

Kansans remain kind, caring

I recently joined my nephew in his quest to bike unassisted across Kansas.

Neither of us had done a trip like this before and we weren’t sure what to expect. Our route had miles of empty highways and a surplus of unfamiliar small towns. It would be these small towns, however, and the people who live in and around them that would come together everywhere we stopped to pull us through.

Town after small town, mile after scenic mile, the scene repeated. Everyone asked where we were going, why we were doing it and if we needed any help before smiling and wishing us good luck or safe travels. It was a scene I had forgotten being away so long. It was a scene I have truly missed.

As we pedaled past the cared-for churches and Jesus effigies, the proudly displayed American flags and the KC, KU & K-State banners, I felt honored to have grown up amongst such a kind and caring people. My heartfelt thanks goes out to the great people of Kansas where, despite all the troubles in today’s world, God, country and community still come first.

No socialism here

An Aug. 7 claimed that our military, police, fire, interstate highway system and social security were examples of socialism. Webster’s definition of socialism is any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods. Military, police and others may fit into the writer’s definition, but not the actual one.

Social Security is closer to something that would fit into democratic socialism, which is a more commonly (Sweden and Denmark for example) chosen form of government. In democratic socialism, there is extensive state regulation and limited state ownership in the belief, according to Webster’s, “that it produces a fair distribution of income without impairing economic growth.” You can decide for yourself if it does. I don’t believe it does.

Those and other socialist countries get by at least in part because they spend little on defense. They leave that up to us. As far as Social Ssecurity, it certainly helps those who can’t (or won’t) create assets for old age. The problem with it is that we’ve paid in our money, while Uncle Sam has not.

Midwest Catholic Family Conference

The Eagle tends to cover most big events in Wichita and surrounding area. They, however, missed one of the biggest that occurred last weekend, the Midwest Catholic Family Conference. This was attended by over 6,000 registered guests, the largest for this annual event. It was held in Century II over 2 1/2 days, which was barely able to accommodate all the guests.

In addition to two simultaneous talks that were scheduled in the morning and afternoon, there were separate programs for elementary and high school students, which was held in the adjacent hotel. Meals were provided for a modest price as well. The students were modestly dressed and well behaved and attended age-appropriate classes and attended the meals and religious events with their families.

Hopefully the Eagle will report on the 2018 conference.

Children benefit from prioritized funding

Kids cannot drive themselves. Some kids are blessed with parents who have the cars, time and desire to get their children and young teens to organized sports and centralized recreational facilities.

All the other children are confined inside their homes, defaulting to sedentary screen games and fearing the outdoors. Healthy children and young teens need to move outdoors with fresh air and sunshine. Many kids need nearby play places, and sidewalks and crosswalks to get themselves safely to playgrounds and schools.

When cars suck up all transportation funds, every other way to get around is underfunded. When streets, parking spaces and highways get first priority, children and young teens are stuck without safe walking, biking and age-appropriate facilities.

Most adults remember their own youthful play: outside, active, independent and fun. Engineers, electees and voters must divert some transportation and recreation dollars from cars to kids. We must enable today’s kids to grow up to be strong, healthy and responsible by funding neighborhood playgrounds, sidewalks, crosswalks — and pools.

This story was originally published August 9, 2017 at 4:56 AM with the headline "Letters to the Editor (Aug. 9): Kansans, socialism, Catholic conference, city funding."