I’m a Black Republican. I know saving our democracy is far more important than party

Protect America

President Joe Biden warns us that our country’s democracy is threatened. Many of us are concerned that if we are not careful, we will lose that democracy.

I am a Black registered Republican in my late 70s. I follow politics closely, and this is the first time I have been insecure about our future. Even those who still support the last administration know in their hearts that our constitutional system is the greatest form of government mankind has ever created. What must we do to preserve it?

All of us who love America must unyieldingly commit to changing things only by the time-tested covenants of the Constitution. This means we must resist those who believe they can alter our system of governance outside of our constitutional framework. We must also hold all politicians — regardless of party affiliation — to the adherence of their sworn responsibilities to protect our country. Those who cannot should not be voted back into office.

This is a sound and appropriate beginning to saving our democracy. And in the future, we must take a sterner approach as an electorate to protecting our country.

- Michael H. Jones, Leavenworth

Course correction

As a retired federal prosecutor, I applaud President Joe Biden’s decision to issue pardons for simple possession of marijuana. It is long overdue. Our long-held belief that we could prosecute our way out of simple possession of marijuana was misguided.

For those who disagree, please stop using nicotine, beer, wine and liquor.

- Rick Marien, Overland Park

Time to act

After recent reporting on former Kansas City, Kansas, police detective Roger Golubski, it is clear that what’s been happening at that department for decades seems to be an example of systemic sexism and racism of the worst kind: corruption, sexual terrorism, false evidence, wrongful imprisonment.

Golubski’s is an extremely prolific form of alleged serial predation. No one in his orbit seems safe from victimization: children in foster care, the homeless and addicted, vulnerable mothers and other women, and those unfortunates trapped through chance encounters. His alleged crimes show zero regard for compassion, empathy or civil rights.

But then what of the others who fail to intervene? I find it interesting that former KCK Police Chief Terry Zeigler’s quote in the Sept. 25 front-page story “Compromised cases” was reminiscent of offensive, clichéd, blame-the-victim banter. And so many others have their own similar excuses or projections.

For crimes this egregious, widespread and damaging to the community, inaction is malicious action. Do we value safety and dignity for women? Do Black lives matter? We must crawl out from under this pustulating, poison-filled sore called collective complacency and demand full investigation and reform, for our neighbors in Wyandotte County and for humanity.

- Brooke Palmer, Kansas City

Beyond reproach?

It is obvious to me that some people don’t understand the function of the opinion section of a newspaper, including the letters to the editor. While I completely disagree with the opinion of the author of a Sept. 30 letter regarding the character of Patrick Mahomes, (7A) I realize that it is not up to the opinion editors of any credible newspaper to print only the letters that they agree with, but to afford citizens their right to free speech, however unfounded.

In exercising my own freedom of speech, I say that Mahomes is a shining light in the world of professional sports, and I am so happy to count myself a fan. But to impugn the integrity of The Kansas City Star for giving space to an unpopular opinion, as multiple letters did in response on Oct. 4, is wrong. (7A)

Go Chiefs, and thank you, Patrick Mahomes, for your leadership.

- Diana Blancho, Olathe

No tax money

We should not use taxpayer money to build new sports stadiums in Kansas City. The main reason is that there is no crucial need for new stadiums, and public money should be focused on bigger economic issues.

As Major League Baseball’s website notes, Kauffman Stadium opened on April 10, 1973. The stadium has undergone major renovations since that time, and it remains in great condition today for the players and fans. There is no point in building a new stadium when the old one is fully functioning.

Taxpayer money would be better spent on the economic issues surrounding the Kansas City area, specifically the needs of homeless people. According to Marqueia Watson, executive director of the Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness, there are roughly 2,000 houseless individuals around our area.

Providing money and support to homeless individuals is more important than trying to build unnecessary new sporting stadiums.

- Alyssa Campbell, Olathe

Hart’s return

Like an arsonist who returns to the scene of the crime, former Bishop Joseph Hart is coming back to the Kansas City area, where he torched the lives of so many young people. (Oct. 6, 1A, “Sex abuse victims outraged over priest’s return to KC”)

As Hart takes up residence in a senior living facility, he must follow safety protocols imposed on him by Pope Francis, which forbid his contact with certain people, including vulnerable adults. Many residents of senior living facilities are vulnerable adults, so how does this living arrangement square with the pope’s directive?

- Ron Fugate, Overland Park