Letters to the Editor (Nov. 13)
The need for mental hospitals
We were all shocked by the mass murder that took place in Sutherland Springs, Texas, an unincorporated village with a rural church. Devin Kelly, 26 entered the church while services were underway and in seven minutes killed 26 and wounded 20. He was masked and clad in black, compatible with his evil mission.
Not surprisingly, we later found out that in 2012 while serving in the Air Force, he was convicted and sentenced to spend time in a military prison for assaulting his wife and toddler son. After serving time, he received a bad-conduct discharge. The latter information was not shared with local law enforcement agencies.
It would appear that information on local dangerous convicted criminals is not widely circulated, freeing them to explode violently in the future. Is our safety deteriorating compared with the recent past?
Not long ago, Winfield State Hospital was one of several hospitals dedicated to treatment of the mentally ill. This care was expensive, calling for physicians and allied health personnel.
It then devolved into a state prison. Today it is abandoned. Have we abandoned the care of dangerous mentally ill and placed us all at risk?
Richard Gilmartin, Wichita
Not buying what he’s selling
Each week I look forward to receiving Congressman Estes’ email so I can review my old high school English textbook chapter about analyzing propaganda and subsequently sharpen my research skills about a bill he is trying to convince me to support.
This week, Estes praises Trump’s tax scam, compelling me to explore the IRS tax code. Estes infers he will save us from the “death tax” if this tax bill is passed. “Death tax” is a loaded phrase for “estate tax” and despite the doom-and-gloom he tries to project, the estate tax does not apply to the majority of taxpayers. The estate tax only impacts those who inherit over $5 million dollars; and if by chance these “poor” individuals are unable to pay the estate tax the IRS will accommodate the taxpayer in various ways.
So, again, Estes is seeking the support of the majority to allow the minority — the wealthy — the privilege of not paying their fair share.
Denise O’Leary-Siemer, Wichita
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This story was originally published November 13, 2017 at 5:35 AM with the headline "Letters to the Editor (Nov. 13)."