Letters on death penalty appeals, abusing the poor
Waiting too long for justice to be delivered
The U.S. Supreme Court made the right decision in ruling that the Kansas Supreme Court wrongfully overturned the Carr brothers’ death sentences, which were fairly decided in their trial (Jan. 21 Eagle).
What’s sad is that the legal system, lawyers and judges seem to forget the victims. What about what was taken from them – their rights, appeals and lives? What about what their families go through every time there is an appeal? The Carr brothers did not care about their victims’ pleas.
It seems justice is not served when those like the Carr brothers get appeal after appeal, delaying justice. Enough is enough. Why do the guilty – and there is no doubt about their guilt – get more consideration than the victims?
Fifteen years is way too long for the victims’ rights for justice to be delivered. No more appeals.
Sandra Ferrel, Wichita
Stop abusing poor
Regarding “Proposal: Deny welfare to some lottery winners” (Jan. 22 Eagle): Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook, R-Shawnee, should rethink the simple math of what she is proposing.
Let’s say some unwed mother of two children wins $10,000, maybe $15,000. She takes a lump-sum payment (as she needs the money now), and after taxes to the government, winds up with about half that much, $5,000 to $7,500 cash. Well, imagine how many things she has done without, what her children have done without, and now she has some cash.
It’s not enough to purchase a new car, for sure, but maybe enough to buy new shoes, clothes and over-the-counter medicine, such as for colds, flu, or aches and pains. There are so many things some families cannot afford on welfare.
I don’t know what the average might be, but $5,000 would not last an extended period of time depending on how long they have been financially strapped and how many unpaid bills are sitting out there. Maybe our lawmakers need to receive welfare pay for a few months and see how far they can stretch it.
Sure, lawmakers need to look out for how my tax dollars are spent, but they shouldn’t continue abusing the less fortunate. There are many more deviants (tax fraud, etc.) who would be a much more favorable target.
Scott Jolly, Wichita
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This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 6:05 PM with the headline "Letters on death penalty appeals, abusing the poor."