As a 92-year-old taxpayer, I’ve wasted my money on debt, fraud and student loans | Opinion

What a waste

As a 92-year-old, I just paid my state and federal taxes — to help pay our multitrillion-dollar debt. I have wasted my money.

Why? During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government sent out stimulus checks to many people who did not need them and made loans to businesses that were fraudulent and would never pay them back. Now, the government is excusing some federal student loans. What about those who worked hard and repaid theirs? We have an immigration policy with no intention of enforcing it.

Now our president says the federal government will help pay for cleanup and repair of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore. He should say, “You, the taxpayer will pay.” What about the city and the owner of the shipping company that caused the accident?

Immigration is a worldwide problem. Politicians and members of the clergy should stand up and say that the real issue is too many people.

Sure, there are exceptions to all of the above. But most politicians are there for a reason: a salary and retirement paid for by us, the taxpayers.

- Robert E. Sansom, Gladstone

Explain himself?

I noticed Missouri U.S. Rep. Mark Alford voted no on aid for Ukraine. (April 22, 1A, “How KS, MO lawmakers voted on military aid bills”)

Could he possibly submit a guest commentary on why he voted no? I am curious about his reasoning.

- Mark S. Ellis, Kansas City

Editor’s note: Missouri’s Ann Wagner and Sam Graves and Kansas’ Jake LaTurner were the only area House Republicans to vote in favor of the aid package for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and other allies. In the Senate, Kansas’ Jerry Moran voted yes. Kansas’ Roger Marshall and Missouri’s Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt voted no.

Complaints, always

Donald Trump likes to complain. He is not happy if he is not complaining. He complains about anything and everything. He feels the world is against him.

He was brought up rich, and his father poured millions into the job of keeping him afloat, which was needed because the Donald was continually sinking. He even bankrupted multiple casinos, which is almost impossible to do.

Trump says that people want to prosecute him, and he doesn’t understand why. Maybe the answer is that he has done so many despicable and illegal things in these last few years. The country has agreed that no person is above the law and if anyone who does those things that are, under law, prosecutable, then they are in need of being prosecuted.

Someone needs to tell Trump that. It just isn’t nice not to be nice. It’s bad form.

- Richard Clyde Lumpkin, Prairie Village

Big Biden wins

Here is a reality check for Stephen Moore, a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation. (April 18, 12A, “Biden on the economy: I don’t feel your pain”) After President Joe Biden took office in 2021, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget: “Assisted by new COVID vaccines, accommodative monetary policy and trillions of fiscal stimulus, the U.S. economy continued to recover from the pandemic-driven recession.”

Contrary to Moore’s inflammatory language of “sycophants,” “stooges,” “little people,” “Americans just too stupid,” “Washington bubble” and so on, Biden’s administration has forged historic accomplishments benefiting every American. A partial list includes the Safer Communities Act, supporting the Affordable Care Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, the PACT Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the American Rescue Plan, the bipartisan infrastructure law, support for the Paris Climate Accord and the Respect for Marriage Act. Biden continues to work for student debt relief, supports the bipartisan Senate plan for immigration and continues to rally world support for Ukraine.

I suggest Moore stop bashing Biden and examine the dysfunction and chaos of the MAGA crowd noted for the drama of intraparty fighting, ousting the House speaker, threats of government shutdown and more.

As GOP Texas Rep. Chip Roy put it Nov. 15: “I want my Republican colleagues to give me one thing — one — that I can go campaign on and say we did. One!”

- Angela Schieferecke, Prairie Village

Better place

Why did the Royals and their stadium design team not propose a location east of Union Station near 20th Street and Grand Boulevard? This area has many older buildings that probably wouldn’t interfere with the entertainment areas like the previous design near Truman Road did.

Also, light or commuter rail will almost certainly pass through Union Station eventually, and the stadium would be right there, as well as the KC Streetcar line already nearby. Bars, restaurants or parking could even be built over the rail lines, which would not cause the demolition or relocation of some buildings. It would also put the new stadium relatively close to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, which might increase attendance there.

Populous is a smart and talented design firm, and I would think its team would love this challenge.

- Tom Gibbens, Raytown