Opinion Line Extra (Oct. 2)

It’s just sad that my grown children have missed America when it was powerful and cared about Americans first.

My vote will go to the presidential candidate who promises to end the ridiculous “war on drugs” and the outrageously expensive for-profit prison system it has spawned. Americans should be left to pursue happiness without the fear of losing their liberty or, as in so many cases, their life.

I fail to see the reason for liking Bernie Sanders, who states he will not balance the budget and will raise everyone’s taxes exponentially.

If you are physically handicapped, mentally handicapped, elderly or recently injured and as a result cannot work, and as such are receiving government assistance, you would not forfeit your right to vote. You are not a moocher. A moocher is someone who could work but instead leeches off society.

No-gun zones are also no-protection zones. Deranged gunmen understand this, but many politicians and well-intentioned people do not. Warm and fuzzy often wins out over reality.

Pope Francis, you are no Pope John Paul II. You are Pope John Paul II on steroids, thanks be to God.

Pope Francis reminded us to live by the Golden Rule. Neoconservatives don’t even know what that is. They think that it means “those with the gold make the rules.”

Wise Pope Francis has reminded us about Bible teachings – do not destroy the environment through desires of power and material prosperity. Corporations, were you listening? He also demanded that we take care of the poor, sick and elderly. Republicans, will you obey? Democrats have been. Wake up, world.

The pope should do something about ISIS killing Christians. How about another holy war declaration? It worked in the past.

The epilogue of Vietnam was supposed to be a lesson, a prophecy we had to avoid if we didn’t want to suffer the consequences of defeat again. So why did we let President Bush lead us into another endless conflict when so few Americans believe war, any war, can solve anything?

To the person who wonders if a Catholic white boy with a homemade clock would have been invited to the White House: He would have been praised for his ingenuity by his teachers instead of being accused of building a bomb and handcuffed, questioned and searched.

The Eisenhower family is right: That memorial is for the architect, Frank Gehry.

The biggest farce in Kansas is the supposed representation you get when you sign on with a real-estate agent. No matter how many seconds they spend representing you, they get their 6 percent of the deal, regardless of work actually done. You sign, you lose.

This story was originally published October 1, 2015 at 7:02 PM with the headline "Opinion Line Extra (Oct. 2)."