Letters on right to marry, Roberts, privatizing Medicare
All should have the right to marry
I applaud the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to not take up gay-marriage appeals (Oct. 7 Eagle). As a person of the Christian faith, I hope the rights and privileges afforded me and my spouse will one day be granted to all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ) persons.
Though there are religious communities who do not embrace full inclusion of LGBTQ persons and same-gender relationships and marriage, there are a growing number of us who are in full support of equality in our communities of faith.
But this is not just a religious matter; some say it is a states’ rights issue. Same-gender marriage is an issue of rights, however, and a state does not have the right to discriminate against a couple simply because of their orientation. When a state passes a law that is unjust, discriminatory and not in keeping with our Constitution, the federal courts should step in and provide for civil and equal rights.
I look forward to the day soon when civil and legal rights are restored to those who have been denied and discriminated against. May it be soon.
KENT H. LITTLE
Senior pastor
College Hill United Methodist Church
Wichita
Keep Roberts
Conservative Kansans may decide the fate of the U.S. Senate in the coming election. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., has been in office for a long time and is not the most charismatic member, but he has always supported the issues that are important to me.
Our current president was elected two times because some conservatives were disgruntled with the GOP candidates and stayed away from the voting booth. The same thing could happen again in the Senate race, leaving the Senate in the hands of Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
Our senator’s opponent started to run for this office six years ago as a Democrat before dropping out. Now he is running as an independent. He states he will support whoever has the majority in the Senate, which makes me question his core beliefs.
Our country’s debt is $17 trillion and growing. Something must be done, and the place to start is to place the Senate in conservative hands. Voting to punish our current senator because he isn’t conservative enough could replace a known conservative with a completely unknown and untested candidate. I urge all conservative Kansans to consider the long-term goals you have for the country, and vote accordingly.
BOB GOREE
Wichita
Stop the compact
It is important that every Kansan becomes aware that GOP lawmakers want to privatize Medicare. A panelist at a forum in Johnson County last week said that privatizing Medicare is very much a goal of the out-of-state groups pushing the health care compact (Oct. 5 Now Consider This). Let’s wake up, Kansas, and put a stop to this.
JOSEPHINE SCHMIDT
North Newton
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This story was originally published October 9, 2014 at 7:07 PM with the headline "Letters on right to marry, Roberts, privatizing Medicare."