Letters to the Editor for July 16
Refurbishing footbridge is foolish use of funds
The most vivid example of true fiscal irresponsibility by our Missouri and Springfield politicians has to be the rebuild of the Commercial Street footbridge.
It appears that since this folly started in 2016 the footbridge continues to deteriorate. The initial cost estimate in 2021 was $3 million and has now grown to $8 million because that is all the governor would allow in the budget. The project is now under further study and do not be surprised if the $8 million is not enough. Additionally, there seems to be certain undisclosed state criteria that need to be met before the state will release the funds. These state funds are only for the footbridge and not the planned plaza and accompanying structures, whatever they are. So, this project will again be subject to higher costs once the bids are received.
For the mayor to say that restoring a dilapidated old footbridge over a bunch of railroad tracks will make a blighted commercial district vibrant again is foolish. This is such a shame that this money is being spent on this project when this part of our city needs so many other things. Take the $8 million dollars and clean up Commercial Street, refurbish existing business and initiate a business development fund for Commercial Street or direct it to Eden Village or warming shelters for the homeless. But to spend on this pie-in-the-sky project is just plain foolishness.
The footbridge project is another example of the flood of money being printed and pushed into the economy by politicians addicted to uncontrolled spending. It has to stop!
Art Farris, Springfield
Trump tribe seems happy to bankroll campaign
It looks to me like the dynamics of the Trump campaign and fundraising are these:
Trump is not only a candidate, he is a social club.
His campaign offers his followers a sense of belonging, a tribe.
Lyndon Johnson said if you give people somebody to look down on, (own the libs), they will empty their pockets for you.
Rick Matz, Springfield
"Protecting" kids from life robs them of joy, wonder
My heart breaks for the children who — if those making decisions for them persist — are being brought up to see the world as a dark and dangerous place.
Do we really want our kids to believe that stepping off the narrow path laid out for them must be deadly?
Do we really want to "protect" our kids from the belief that the world is good and beautiful because of — not despite — its rich and varied diversity?
Do we really want our kids to fear anything and everything that is outside their immediate experience?
Do we really see a broad and liberal education as a deadly exercise? Do we really see education as an exercise in withholding ideas as much as introducing ideas?
Do we really believe that — out of all the millennia that have known human life — the understandings of the last century are the only "right and true" ones?
Do we really believe that our God hates who we hate, rejects a sizable chunk of ‘His’ creation, recommends tribalism over community and fear over love?
Do we really believe the world’s best music, art, philosophy, and wisdom come from everyone thinking alike?
We are setting up our children to believe that life cannot be good if history is honestly dealt with, that life is ruined if we recognize the humanity in those unlike ourselves, that the only beauty in the world comes from uniformity and conformity. How likely are our children to know joy and wonder?
Debby Baugh, Springfield
A question for Crystal Quade
I have been following with interest the recent coverage of Crystal Quade’s announcement to run for governor. She has made much of her humble beginnings, stating in one article “When you come from nothing, you fight the odds your entire life.”
Her success thus far could make one wonder: Has it been a function of her "white privilege" or the personification of the American dream come true due to her hard work and perseverance?
Nelson Knapp, Springfield
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Letters to the Editor for July 16
