Republicans and independents seeking to block Trump in 2024 are no ‘liberal group’ | Opinion

Talk about bias

When does a group of Republicans and unaffiliated voters become a “liberal group”? According to Associated Press reporter Nicholas Riccardi, it is when they file a lawsuit that, if successful, would keep Donald Trump off the ballot in Colorado. (Sept. 7, 1A, “Lawsuit challenges Trump’s eligibility for presidency”)

Your bias is showing. And it certainly isn’t a “mainstream media liberal bias” that many conservatives claim.

- Mark Phillips, Kansas City

Teaching clarity

When Melinda Henneberger recently quoted me saying, “We do it so wrong” in public classrooms, I was referring to the techniques that fellow teachers and I employed to determine mastery of a concept. (Sept. 5, 7A, “Kansas lawmakers disparage public ed to home schoolers”)

Home-schooling my son made me realize that classroom students during the formative elementary school years are often given content assessments using answer formats of multiple choice, fill in the blank, listing components or matching, as those are easier for teachers to grade.

Therefore, answering orally in complete sentences to explain a concept is difficult for children, because they are seldom called on to do that. I explained this is why I advocate for more volunteers in the classroom to give more one-on-one interaction.

I applaud parents who are willing to devote time to educating their children and sharing resources, but I have never bashed public schools. As district manager for Sylvan Learning Centers for 10 years, I cooperated with classroom teachers to help struggling students succeed. Not all children thrive in a public school environment. It is important for parents to have options.

All four of my children graduated from public schools. They are all successful. Adam, my youngest whom I home schooled during some years from fourth grade through his sophomore year, graduated from public school.

- State Sen. Beverly Gossage, Eudora

Equal treatment?

If any other of us U.S. citizens were issued prosecutions like those against Donald Trump, would we be allowed to extend the court hearings and serve time no time in jail?

- Jack Lee Hatchitt, Lee’s Summit

Workers’ welfare

I wonder how many Americans enjoy the labors of U.S. farm workers? Some 70% of those workers are foreign born, meaning that many came looking for a better life in this country. As with many in industries such as roofing, lawn care and more, farm workers do their jobs in very harsh conditions.

Two years ago, President Joe Biden asked the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for rules to address heat injury and illness issues for workers who pick lettuce, grapes and other produce that many enjoy as a nice salad and glass of wine for dinner. This request has been ignored, and farm workers with no health care are working in 100-plus-degree heat because trade organizations and landowners call the rules costly and burdensome. Really?

Think about the cost of enjoying a good glass of wine that a farm worker picked the grapes in 105-degree heat. These workers need the benefits of time off and health care for their labors.

Farmers get subsidies when their crops fail. Why can’t the workers get help when their health fails for doing the work?

- Larry Miller, Overland Park

Crucial need filled

Since 2013, over-the-counter emergency contraception has been available for people of all ages. Emergency contraception is birth control that can be taken after unprotected or under-protected sex to prevent pregnancy. It’s a great medication to keep on hand.

But for many people, emergency contraception is out of reach. Out-of-pocket costs can be up to $60, which is unaffordable for many individuals. Additionally, this medication is frequently kept behind the pharmacy counter in most retail stores, meaning customers have to ask for it. Especially in rural parts of the state, this presents considerable confidentiality concerns.

Finally, knowledge gaps about emergency contraception hinder access. It is not the same thing as medication abortion. Emergency contraception does not terminate a pregnancy.

Through its Free EC project, Missouri Family Health Council Inc. is reducing cost and confidentiality barriers to emergency contraception while working toward a reduction in public misconceptions about the medication. The project has been tremendously successful in the two months since it launched: More than 6,000 Free EC kits have been distributed in nearly every area of the state.

Free EC is filling a gap in Missouri’s health care safety net system.

- Betsey Lasister, Board member, Missouri Family Health Council Inc., Lenexa

Too taxing

Last Friday, my local grocery store offered a deal for a bucket of boneless chicken wings for $10. I decided to pay cash and got out $11, since I know the sales tax approaches 10%. How wrong I was. I was charged a total rate of 10.725%. And the Royals want to add 1% to that for a stadium for millionaires to play a game and billionaire owners to make more money.

As we know, sales taxes are regressive, affecting the poor more. Imagine a person living on Social Security having to subsidize the Royals.

I was one of the 70% who responded “no” to a recent poll about whether Clay County residents support the tax. (Sept. 8, 1A, “Who’s behind poll, ad campaign about Royals stadium in NKC?”) I was disappointed the answers didn’t have a “hell no” option.

- Michael Jaromin, Kansas City