Letters on death penalty, Sam Williams, better foster parents, Koch agenda

Cost of death penalty too high

Rep. William Sutton, R-Gardner, recently pointed out the fact that the death penalty costs more than a sentence of life without parole, a fact that has been supported in numerous studies. At a time when Kansas is struggling to balance its budget, a commonsense action would be to repeal the death penalty.

Sutton also noted that the death penalty is not effective in reducing the murder rate. The 18 states that have abandoned the death penalty have an average murder rate lower than the rest of the country.

The cost of the death penalty is only one of many compelling reasons to abolish capital punishment. The overriding reason for me to want to be rid of the death penalty is for moral reasons. State-sponsored killing of even a guilty person is not an ethical response. But the possibility of killing an innocent person is too shameful to give it our consideration.

Rep. Steven Becker, R-Buhler, has introduced House Bill 2129 calling for repeal of the death penalty and replacing it with life without parole. If you agree that the death penalty should be repealed, please contact House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Barker, R-Abilene, and ask that HB 2129 get a timely hearing to discuss the important issues related to repeal, including the cost savings that repeal would bring to the state.

Vote for Williams

Our city is faced with very significant issues that need attention, and wise decisions need to be made. To that end, I’m convinced Wichita mayoral candidate Sam Williams is the right person to lead us and our City Council.

Williams’ successful business career leading the largest advertising firm in the state is well-known. However, my respect for him was developed while observing his efforts for years in improving and developing a vibrant Wichita, including a revitalized downtown.

I served with Williams on the Wichita Downtown Development Corp. (which he chaired) and was consistently impressed with the energy, dedication and good ideas he provided. He was able to express his thoughts clearly and support his ideas with cogent arguments. That attribute is critical to be an effective leader.

Never in my memory has your vote and mine been more important to the future of our home. I’m convinced my vote for Sam Williams is a wise vote. I hope you agree.

Better parents?

Sen. Forrest Knox, R-Altoona, who proposes to pay more money (tax dollars) to Kansas foster parents who adhere to strict Puritan principles, must not remember the ’60s slogan that “you can’t legislate love” (“Bill would create elite tier of foster parents,” Feb. 11 Eagle). What he is suggesting is nothing more than liberalism in reverse.

Of course, much more could be said, such as: Why was Knox’s example of the perfect family a white family from the 1950s? Why are those who don’t pass this litmus test worse parents than those who do? How does he think the state will be able to enforce the rules governing the lives of these super foster parents?

Hidden agenda

Some interesting facts about Thomas Pyle and his organization, the American Energy Alliance (“Costly subsidy,” Feb. 5 Letters to the Editor): First, his organization has received millions of dollars from groups linked to the Koch brothers. Second, his letter never mentioned the removal of incentives for the hydrocarbon industry (coal, natural gas and petroleum).

The American Energy Alliance is a lobbying arm for the above-mentioned industry. If we want an even playing field, remove all incentives from all energy producers.

I would like to see how much our Kansas senators received from the carbon industries and the Koch brothers. The letter was misleading with a hidden agenda – to destroy the renewable energy industries, not do what is best for the U.S. economy.

This story was originally published February 15, 2015 at 6:05 PM with the headline "Letters on death penalty, Sam Williams, better foster parents, Koch agenda."