Letters on Pat Roberts, deposing czars, collectivist thinking, Charles Jenney, Richard Young

Roberts not who he used to be

The Pat Roberts of the 1980s and 1990s was kind, funny, thoughtful and bipartisan. He worked closely with former Democratic U.S. Rep. Dan Glickman to make certain the farm bills of that era benefited Kansas.

In depressing contrast, the current Pat Roberts voted against the farm bill this year. As we saw in the Oct. 15 debate on KSN, Channel 3, he’s cranky and mean. When asked to say something nice about Greg Orman, he implied that the Olathe businessman amassed his wealth in underhanded fashion (Oct. 17 Local & State).

Orman rightly blames both parties in Congress and the president for Washington dysfunction. He’s ready to tackle immigration reform, entitlement reform, job growth and other neglected issues. I can attest that he refuses to shy away from tough questions. Whether the subject is fighting ISIS, reforming Medicare and Social Security, fixing the Affordable Care Act or securing reproductive rights, Orman tells you what he thinks – though not necessarily what you want to hear.

Roberts, in contrast, speaks in bumper stickers. (What, exactly, does “secure the border” mean?) He asks – no, demands – that we return him to the Senate on faith; oust Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and all will be well. Horsepucky. Roberts is part of the problem, too.

Orman wants to fix Congress now and, as an independent, could end up with enough leverage to force progress upon the do-nothing senators of both parties. I’m voting for him, and I hope other Republicans will, too. What have we got to lose?

Depose czars

President Obama’s appointment of an “Ebola czar” (Oct. 18 Eagle) is not a product of constitutional responsibility but a tool supposedly devised to deal with “modern problems.”

The deficiency of this product of “modernity” provides administrative activities that create edicts through governmental agencies and not by way of the law. History is full of horrific episodes of what kings did in ancient times. We need to think about deposing administrative czars and relying on the “modernity” of constitutional law in America.

Administrative law equals administrative power, which equals absolute power.

Election time is close. Let your candidate know you want pathways to absolute power eliminated, and return to constitutional government.

Failed character

“Median net worth is actually lower today, adjusted for inflation, than in 1989,” and “the main reason is that most middle-class Americans were hurt by the housing bust and haven’t gained from the stock market boom” (“Recovery is leaving middle class, poor behind,” Oct. 12 Now Consider This). But this is no “reason” at all – merely a restatement of the original observation. Nobody in the media seems to know or care about the underlying “reason” why the economy, housing and the stock market went boom then bust but only the stock market has gone boom again.

Regarding “Survey: Kansas still trailing in jobs creation” (Oct. 12 Eagle): When did it become the responsibility of the state governor to “create jobs”? His job used to be to enforce the law justly and without partiality.

Regarding “Sales tax vote bringing home costs of future water needs” (Oct. 12 Eagle): Really? Sounds more like the suddenly urgent need for another regressive sales tax increase on the middle class and poor is a cover-up for well-to-do city officials and their cronies who have been shortsighted and profligate in the way they spent the public’s money in the past.

The major problems we face in the November elections are the result of muddled collectivist thinking, ignorance (or apathy) about the major causes of economic inequality, a belief that the state should take care of us, and an unwillingness to remember that a dollar wasted today will cause an “unforeseen” problem tomorrow. As long as we cling to these failed character traits and elect politicians who practice them, even God cannot bless America.

Jenney sensible

The people who live in Kansas House District 87 should be overjoyed that they have a sensible candidate like Charles Jenney as a choice. I have known Jenney and his family for a number of years and can attest to his sincerity, honesty and dedication. As a middle school science teacher who has been recognized as outstanding, he sees daily the effects of the budget cuts to education. He knows, as we do, that jobs will not come to a state where there is a poor standard of living, where people and their needs are pushed aside for the benefit of a few at the top.

Jenney sees a need and is willing to go the distance for Kansas and its residents. A vote for him will be a vote for us and our living standards.

Vote for Young

Richard Young, a District 5 candidate for the Sedgwick County Commission, is a well-known public administrator. He served two terms as mayor of Rose Hill and also served on the Rose Hill City Council. He is a very pragmatic public servant and, if elected, would serve his constituents and the county well.

Young is a fiscal conservative and a staunch supporter of both the First and Second amendments. I urge the voters of District 5 to vote for Richard Young for county commissioner.

This story was originally published October 21, 2014 at 7:06 PM with the headline "Letters on Pat Roberts, deposing czars, collectivist thinking, Charles Jenney, Richard Young."