Letters to the editor (Nov. 14, 2018)

Electoral College

In a Nov. 4 letter a reader expressed , “Many of our largest cities historically vote Democrat. It’s not unreasonable to think that with a popular vote system for president, 10 or so of our largest cities could . . . determine presidential elections.” He then added that “In Kansas, a ‘fly-over state,’ going to the popular vote would render your vote worthless.”

The writer fails to recognize what amounts to disenfranchisement caused by the Electoral College. I’ve voted in about a dozen presidential elections. Without some research I don’t recall with certainty if Kansas’ electoral votes were ever conferred upon a non-Republican in that time. If so, it was the rare exception. My vote, and those of the other 40% or so of Kansans inclined to vote Democratic, are not considered.

Oh, but it’s worse than that. The Electoral College effectively changes our votes and casts them — against our will — to a candidate we did not support. It’s true regardless of the victor’s party affiliation. Republicans voting in predominately blue states were no doubt similarly anguished in 2008 and 2012. Honoring the will of the people via popular vote is the only way to ensure every vote is counted, every vote has value, and each one is applied as the voters intended.

President Trump and Jim Acosta

I read Gregory Bontrager’s letter to the editor in Sunday’s Eagle with alarm. The only point on which Mr. Bontrager and I agree is that the American people do indeed deserve better.

Instead of taking Donald Trump to task for his open refusal to answer any question put to him by the free press that Trump doesn’t like, Mr. Bontrager attacks CNN’s Jim Acosta for what Bontrager describes as “antics” and “polemics.” Mr. Bontrager, and anyone else who applauds the despicable behavior displayed by the current resident of the White House towards the free press, is disregarding a vital aspect of any democracy. When you have an administration as reluctant to tell the truth and as opposed to transparency as this one, the free press is the last chance to expose what is happening in our government. This is doubly important now since the Republican-controlled Congress has completely abdicated its role of checking the power of the Executive Branch. Acosta and other reporters have been left with no choice but to aggressively confront this lying, obfuscating president.

My one hope is that with the new Congress set to convene in January and its new Democratically-controlled House of Representatives will hold Donald Trump accountable for his words and actions for the first time in his vile life. That is what the American people deserve.

Protect Mueller

The foundation of our constitution is no one is above the rule of law, including and especially the president. President Trump forcing Jeff Sessions to resign signals that the president does not intend to uphold the constitution. Sessions was doing his job and civic duty by not getting tangled in the investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller III.

We must protect Mueller from being fired to make sure that we don’t set the wrong precedent for succeeding presidents. Our democracy is at stake. I implore you to reflect on your American values. Think hard about your oath to protect the constitution. As your constituent, I need you, Rep. Ron Estes and Sens. Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts to protect Mueller.

This story was originally published November 14, 2018 at 5:02 AM.