Opinion Line (April 18)

I don’t care if our Kansas government is big or small. I want good government. And I don’t think good government is too much to ask.

Suggestions for the USD 259 school board: Eliminate teachers’ in-service days and nonteaching duty days. Shorten winter break by three days and limit spring break to a four-day weekend. Begin school Sept. 1. These may not save millions, but every day and every dollar counts.

USD 259 needs to cut all librarians, counselors, magnet schools, and busing that does not meet federal and state guidelines. Do not privatize custodial services. Except for principals, look at all administrative positions costing more than $100,000 per year.

Let’s just do away with public school and save everyone the headache of figuring out funding. Problem solved.

Both students and teachers should have school environments that are free from threats and physical and verbal abuse. That is only common sense and basic civility.

Exactly how is it that women are “victims” of abortions? Babies are the victims.

Abortion a scourge? What about all the abuse and killing of these young children by their parents, or as so often happens, by the mom’s boyfriend? People who rage against abortion are probably the same ones who whine about welfare payments after the child is born.

Those most vocal for the $15-an-hour minimum wage are those most opposed to capitalism. Isn’t that hypocritical?

Can you imagine what reaction there would be if a Muslim crowd protested in front of a Christian church? If you can, then you know why it’s a bad idea to protest in front of anyone’s house of worship.

Russian fighter jets made multiple flights over an American warship in the Baltic Sea, once within 30 feet of our ship. President Obama complained instead of shooting the planes down. Weakness begets aggression.

The campaign rhetoric includes implications that America isn’t as great as it used to be and that Obama is the “worst” president ever. In comparisons of the economy, unemployment, stock market crashes and foreign policy, Obama and Bill Clinton beat the Bushes hands down.

Breast-feeding and taking a whiz are both healthy, normal activities. Doing either in public makes zero sense to me.

Scientific claims are never the final word. But they are always the best available word. It would nice if more people understood this.

Fellow allergy sufferers: I changed the cabin filter in my car and I am a new person. Hope this helps you, too.

This story was originally published April 17, 2016 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Opinion Line (April 18)."