Letters on federal education bill, DCF power, learning about Islam, Brownback, Carson, Trump

Education bill returns decisions to states

Congress passed historic legislation last week to fix the No Child Left Behind law and permanently end Washington’s Common Core mandate. The Every Student Succeeds Act will return decisions about education to where they belong – with those closest to the children.

I believe our children receive the best possible education when decisions are made at the local and state levels. This bill does just that – puts an end to Washington mandates and allows Kansans to make their own decisions about how to improve education.

Included in the bill is legislation I introduced that permanently ends the federal government’s ability to use any incentive or tool of coercion to force states to adopt Common Core – or any set of standards.

Washington has no business dictating to states and school districts what is best for their students. We can now finally say goodbye to federal interference in what we teach our kids in school.

Hold DCF accountable

My heart breaks for Lisa and Tesa Hines, whose precious child was taken by the Kansas Department for Children and Families and placed with other parents who now are accused of abusing their children (Dec. 6 Eagle). Problems with DCF go far beyond discrimination, and it’s not just in Sedgwick County.

Based on personal knowledge of a handful of cases involving heterosexual couples, I see its decisions as so obviously in the worst interest of the children that it is hard to imagine what directives DCF has been given.

If you asked me whom I’m referring to, I’d honestly be afraid to say in fear of direct retribution against the children and parents involved. DCF has been given absolute power and near absolute immunity.

I’m amazed judges side with DCF. I apologize to the many caseworkers who are honest, but I’m convinced some routinely lie to parents, attorneys and judges, rearranging facts liberally to suit their preconceived desired outcome.

It’s such a hard job, and many probably do it well, but DCF Secretary Phyllis Gilmore certainly should go, and the DCF and outside contractors have to be held accountable for their actions. My heart breaks for the Hineses, but I am very relieved that these issues are finally being discussed openly.

Learned about Islam

I am writing this letter for three reasons:

▪  I am proclaiming a moratorium for myself during which I am not going to listen to the destructive political rhetoric coming from politicians, potential presidential candidates included. I suggest we, as a nation, pay attention to more positive and constructive people and messages in our world.

▪  I want to thank the Global Learning Center and the Islamic Society of Wichita for presenting a helpful, educational and gentle program Dec. 6. About 250 people participated and were welcomed by the hospitality of the members of the society.

▪  I learned some simple elements of the Islamic faith that I want to pass along: “Allah” means “The God, the only being worthy of worship.” Islam is the name of the religion and means “submission to the will of God.” Muslims believe in “free will,” and that we should strive for excellence in all that we do. They believe in “community,” an inclusiveness that brings together even people who are not exactly alike. I learned that “Shariah law” means following the pillars of the Islamic faith and obeying the laws of the country and community in which you live. I learned that 1 in 10 doctors in the U.S. is Muslim and that in Islam, service to others is of the highest importance.

As a Christian pastor, I was celebrating the season of Advent in the gladness and hope of my Islamic friends, brothers and sisters.

Brownback ‘rational’

I have heard and read many times that our governor is not a rational person but is driven by ideology.

I would beg to differ. He has rationed health care to people who need it. He has rationed the power of our court system. He has rationed the support of our public schools and universities. He has supported rationing the ability to vote. He has even rationed his own professed Christianity, by limiting aid to those in most need of help from others. Please add the areas of rationing you are aware of that I have not mentioned, for I am sure I have left out one or two.

It is also becoming evident that some representatives on the Sedgwick County Commission are very rational people and have shown this by rationing the health and welfare of Sedgwick County citizens by refusing preventative health programs to all residents.

The only thing I haven’t seen are ration books. Perhaps this overlooked item will be addressed in 2016.

Government off track

Something is terribly wrong with the government in this state.

Gov. Sam Brownback doesn’t seem to have a grasp on what is happening. The hired help makes statements in his name that are completely off the wall. His budget director sends the proposed budget to lobbyists by private e-mail before the Legislature sees it. Brownback has looted the highway fund, cut taxes on the rich, and increased taxes on the poor and middle class, and said the sun is shining in Kansas. One has to wonder about Brownback.

Brownback isn’t the only problem. The majority of the Legislature is owned and operated by the American Legislative Exchange Council. And with a governor who is unable to lead, they have run our state government off the track.

I have talked to a number of accountants, and they all agree that the state can’t stay out of bankruptcy three more years with this kind of leadership.

Will someone please help?

Carson has my vote

My aunt said of her mother of nine children, “Mom never raised her voice. She got things done in a normal tone. We knew she meant business and we obeyed. She was sensible.”

GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson reminds me of Grandma. His commonsense ideas don’t have to be yelled. I’m sure in talking to a foreign ruler, he would be respectful.

He has other experience besides doctoring. Did you know that at age 33 he was a major division director at Johns Hopkins Hospital? For nearly two decades he served on the boards of directors of two multinational corporations.

Carson uses common sense. No doubt when he needed advice on government or foreign policies, he would choose good advisers.

So I say, “Go, Ben, go.” He can count on my vote.

More of the same?

The familiar saying, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got,” seems to fit our current political situation.

Many Republican voters, weary of what they’ve always got, are supportive of the new candidate. The GOP, wanting to give us what we’ve always got, is circling the wagons to defend against the accomplished outsider. The GOP seems to be more terrified of Donald Trump than it is of ISIL, illegal immigration, destructive debt, health care run amok, trade deficits, etc.

If you, as a voter, don’t want what you’ve always got, don’t do what you’ve always done.

This story was originally published December 12, 2015 at 6:04 PM with the headline "Letters on federal education bill, DCF power, learning about Islam, Brownback, Carson, Trump."