Jerry Moran and Sharice Davids listened to me: The US needs real immigration reform | Opinion

Opportunity needed

Thanks, Sen. Jerry Moran and Rep. Sharice Davids, for answering the letters I sent you. I am happy to hear that you agree about the importance of both parties working together to fix our broken immigration system. Even though I’m not affiliated with a political party, as your constituent, I believe there are some good people in politics who can use their influence to bring about change.

The United States is a country of immigrants. For centuries, people have come here from different countries. Sadly, it seems some forgot where their families came from. Some have lost hope in this country or its politicians. Some just don’t care. Some are people like me who wonder: What difference does it make what I say or do?

But I do care about my people, and yes, I do want our politicians to work together on immigration reform. Kansas should care for the hardworking entrepreneurs and visionaries — people with good morals and principles, people who work to have a safe place for their families. They make America stronger.

People who came here for the same reasons as your ancestors just need an opportunity for legal status.

- Idania Rojas, Shawnee

How we learn

I always read George F. Will’s commentaries, although I rarely agree with him. I don’t understand his frequent diatribes against education since he, obviously, is well educated. (Jan. 15, 20A, “In some Virginia schools, ‘equity’ means hiding achievements”)

Trying to teach angst-ridden, hormone-wracked teenagers is difficult. Has he ever tried?

I believe the industrial style of education needs to be scrapped, regardless of how convenient administrators find a tight bell schedule. Age peers and intellectual peers may be very different. Computers have made information very accessible, for better or worse.

The main trick is to instill a desire to learn on one’s own. I achieved some success that way, along with real-world experiences.

- Brian Angevine, Lawrence

The plane stops here

America has had only one president from Missouri. I propose we honor him and call the new airport Harry S. Truman International Airport.

- James Mercer, Kansas City

It’s conditional

It took Democrats only a short time to warn Louisiana State University’s naive basketball star Angel Reese that a trip to the White House is to be refused only when Donald Trump is in office. (April 7, 7A, “Short take: Jill Biden’s White House invite goof”)

- Bob Friskel, Kansas City, Kansas

All local now

When the Supreme Court reversed precedent and struck down the Roe v. Wade decision, it opened the door to individual states taking control over what the federal government could and could not rule. The high court reduced its own power to the extent that it logically can no longer override state laws. That means it has lost the respect and power it once enjoyed.

States are now moving to pass legislation that gives them the right to override federal laws they don’t like. (April 7, 1A, “Missouri GOP seeks to give sheriffs power over feds”) This is a slippery slope that is driving political differences state to state, with starkly red or blue state laws.

Politicians are passing laws that should be voted on by the people, regardless of the desires of the majority of their constituents. My beliefs and those of other Missouri Democrats are not being represented. Women’s reproductive freedoms, LGBTQ rights and book bans are being decided at the state level.

Do I need to move to a bluer state to have my rights protected?

- Mary Hutchinson, Kansas City

A good read

David Hudnall’s April 9 front-page story, “Tapping into change; Kansas towns rise again with a new business model: breweries” was fun, happy, interesting, informative, entertaining — and welcome. That doesn’t hurt.

- Bill Brewer, Overland Park