Letters to the Editor
Estes returns home
Coming home to the 4th District last week was refreshing. After an exciting first two weeks of work in Washington, I was ready to report back to my fellow Kansans and meet with constituents from across the district. My visits last week included: Touring three schools in Wichita USD 259 where teachers and staff are putting talents and skills to work for our next generation, meeting with leaders and workers in energy and manufacturing, attending the annual Wichita Prayer Breakfast with my wife, visiting with several farmers, ranchers and organizations from our Kansas agriculture industry, and stopping by Ark City High School to award the winners of the annual Congressional Art Competition.
On Tuesday evening we dialed 40,000 residents in the 4th District to participate in my first tele-town hall since starting the job three weeks ago. I appreciate all those who contributed to the hour-long conference.
Tele-town halls are a great way to hear from Kansans across our district, and they allow people in our region to listen to the same conversation. I am committed to hosting these on a regular basis.
Please contact my office if we can ever be of assistance. You can reach us in Wichita at 316-262-8992, in Washington, DC at 202-225-6216, or through my web site at http://estes.house.gov.
Thank you for the opportunity to represent you in Congress.
Ron Estes, U.S. Representative, 4th District of Kansas
Blue collar workers
As I read Leonard Pitts article on animus of white working class people it seems to make the election of President Trump was about race. There are racist people in America, but that amount has not changed significantly since 2008 or 2012. So what has changed?
There has long been a view and policies that reflect that view of the acceptance of treating blue collar working people as second class citizens. That the decline in their economic status is a natural occurrence in modern times. These blue collar working folks are not all white, but they all are struggling more than they have in the past. This is a direct result of a policy of open borders and free trade with countries that manipulate their currency.
So along comes a candidate that oppose these policies. Who do you think they are going to vote for? When you lose your job along with your retirement and your health benefits to a foreign worker, do you think you are angry because those opportunities are going to a person of a different race or a different country? Blue collar working class people are angry but it is a mistake to think, as Pitts and many other liberals and for that matter rich conservatives, to think it is about race. It is about politics. It would do well for those column writers to get out of the office and talk to some working people for a change. They have jobs and are too busy to come and to their office and to talk to them.
Mike Hubbell , Kingman, Ks
Hats off to Estes
I appreciate Congressman Ron Estes’ skilled use of technology last week in communicating with voters via a very informative tele-townhall meeting. In addition, his Facebook page highlighted visits to multiple counties, several public schools, a local safety net clinic, a nonprofit organization, local businesses, and meetings with area superintendents, board of education members, and rural electric cooperative members, among other visits. And all of this was done on his first week back in the District after just two weeks in Congress!
Contrary to a recent Letter to the Editor, Congressman Estes is meeting with an array of constituents in the district. Hats off to a great start!
Deb Lucia
Caring for babies
Much news revolves directly, or indirectly, around the neglect of babies, children and teens. When I read about a baby abused by a boyfriend, I understand that most women need teamwork while raising a child. When I see the high percentage of children in extreme poverty, I know that babies need dependable care, nutritious food, and stable housing. When the news brings up Zika and pregnancies, I think about the cost to taxpayers of maintaining babies who’ll be totally dependent for their entire lives.
Even though I am a Catholic, I don’t feel I’m qualified to make decisions about other women’s bodies. I do not blame another woman for her physical, mental, financial, emotional and/or father-related decisions. I know that babies, children and teens should at least start life with joyous welcoming rather than challenges.
Men must be helpful dads, uncles, grandfathers and neighbors. Society must ensure compassion for struggling women, families and their young ones. Those who focus strictly on fetuses must vote for the formative years of babies, children and teens.
Jane Byrnes, Wichita
Letters to the Editor
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This story was originally published May 17, 2017 at 5:01 AM with the headline "Letters to the Editor."