Letters to the Editor: Readers evaluate AG candidates, school choice and support for vets

Elad Gross the only candidate prioritizing Missourians in AG race

Attending the candidate forum for Missouri Attorney General on Tuesday, May 14, was an interesting experience!

Current AG Andrew Bailey, current Trump defense attorney Will Scharf and private civil rights attorney Elad Gross answered audience-submitted questions.

The Republican candidates talked about how "conservative" they are, how much they believe in God, the second amendment and former President Trump. There was no mention about how "pro-life" they are. They both believe the 2020 election was "stolen." They apparently do not accept the findings of the 60 court cases that affirmed the results of that election! Bailey bragged about his 30 lawsuits against the Biden Administration. Missourians are left to wonder about how much taxpayer money was spent and what could have been accomplished FOR Missourians IN Missouri with that money!

In contrast was Democratic candidate Elad Gross, who described himself as an attorney who defends the rights of Missourians, no matter their political affiliation. He talked about issues foremost in Missourians' minds: supporting public education, health care and defending St. Louis area residents in their fight for compensation for cancer-causing chemical "dumps." He has successfully litigated Sunshine Law cases to open up records to show how taxpayer money is being spent.

Most Missourians want their AG to address the future of their citizens, not to re-litigate the past. They want to be known for their individual accomplishments, not "become more like Texas and Florida," as Bailey suggested!

Elad Gross knows Missourians and their everyday issues. He plans to stand up for the rights of all citizens. He wants to work to reduce and prevent violence in Missouri. He will sue scammers and prosecute corruption.

Voters of Missouri take note — if you want an attorney general who will work for you to protect your rights, mark your ballot for Elad Gross for MO Attorney General!

M.J. Grinstead, Springfield

RE: 'Burlison's advocacy for "school choice" shows he doesn't understand public education'

In her haste to repeat all of the scare tactics used by the indoctrination lobby, Ms. Hesketh reveals the ONE argument used by that group perpetually: Give us more money and we promise, not to improve in any way, but we’ll be much more comfortable in our failure. Nothing in her article is related to the quality of education in any way. What it does state unequivocally, is the abject fear of any measures of success or accomplishment to penetrate the bubble of current public education. But more importantly, the abject fear of anything, interfering in any way with the guaranteed, ever-increasing, inflow of tax dollars to the indoctrination cabal. Since 1950, total student numbers have grown by 96%, nearly doubling in 74 years, BUT faculty numbers have increased 252%, and administration and other non-teaching personnel has increased 702%. Even school districts who have lost students now have more professional and non-professional staff. We are fast approaching, in public schools, where every student will have their very own administrator, and we will have administrators in charge of paper clips and bathroom tissue, and assistant to the assistant to the assistant administrators.

We have tried it the education lobby’s way for three-fourths of a century: Tenure, guaranteeing lifelong retention of incompetent educators; defined benefit (multiple “dipping”) retirement programs, unreasonable in any private setting whatsoever; multiple administrators in every physical facility, backed up by separate “administration” buildings in even the smallest of districts; all facilitated by the guarantee that every penny of every citizen’s education-related taxes going to the public district regardless of the quality of product rendered to the parents of that district; and the most recent “innovation,” four day school weeks, not tied to, or related in any way to student outcomes and success. Want to quickly assess the aims and desires of the education lobby? Look at all the changes made in your public district’s staffing, operation and funding programs and policies over, say, the last 10 years. Now find out how many of those changes were dependent or contingent upon student success or outcome.

There can be NO rational arguments against full and free complete school choice, with every penny of funds designated for a student’s education (local, state and federal) following that student to whatever facility and environment that student and his parents choose, believing it offers the best possibility for the best education of that student. There are many excellent schools and districts in Missouri, and there are many less than excellent schools and districts, which, for one reason or another will continue to receive support from their community. Nothing in any school choice proposal interferes with either of the them. But across the state, for parents who believe a better option exists for their child, there will be a pathway to at least try to achieve that goal.

Larry Forehand, Aurora

Rethinking Missouri's approach to veteran support

Missouri is blessed to call itself home to a vibrant community of more than 340,000 veterans. These men and women have dedicated years of their lives to serving our country with honor and it is our profound duty to ensure that they receive care and support as they transition back to civilian life.

Unfortunately, reality has rarely lived up to the promise of this commitment. Veterans often face a daunting bureaucratic labyrinth when dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), particularly when it comes to securing VA disability benefits. For those that have paid the price of freedom with their physical well-being, they have sadly been confronted with a claims process that can overwhelm even the most well-informed individuals.

With the VA backlog now standing at more than 330,000 claims, the expertise and guidance offered by qualified private consultants has become a necessity for many who may otherwise struggle to navigate this maze alone. These agents — in addition to Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and VA accredited attorneys — play an indispensable role in helping veterans understand and fulfill the intricate requirements of the VA benefits claims process, ensuring that their applications are thorough and timely.

However, a debate ensued in Jefferson City this most recent legislative session over the extent to which these private consultants should be involved in the process. Some questioned their role since current VA statutes do not offer private consultants who receive a commission for assisting veterans with an initial benefits claim a pathway to gain accredited status and have introduced legislation that would ban them. Such measures, however well-intentioned they are, overlook the crucial support these professionals provide and would do nothing to help combat the complexities and inefficiencies within the VA that veterans applying for disability benefits must confront.

Fortunately, the legislative session ended before this bill could be passed. But with the issue likely to be taken up again in 2025, legislators should pivot and focus on improving the process for veterans in Missouri instead of limiting their options. Allowing for a regulated framework that would establish rigorous standards and guardrails for private consultants would be a better path forward. By implementing these measures, legislators would not only ensure that these agents are both effective and ethical in their practices, but it would also enhance the quality of support available, ensuring that veterans receive reliable, efficient assistance.

Fortunately, the status quo will allow veterans to continue utilizing the assistance of private consulting agents in the interim, although the importance of getting this issue right long-term cannot be overstated. According to government data veterans in Missouri already receive VA disability compensation at a rate below the national average and the well-being of this community may hang in the balance.

Our veterans have given much in service to our country; it is only fitting that we provide them with the best possible support in return. That means finding ways to enhance and expand, not limit, the resources available to them.

Alec Wade, U.S. Army (Retired), is a Purple Heart Recipient and former FBI Special Agent who lives in the Springfield area.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Letters to the Editor: MO AG race, school choice and veteran services