WICHITA (KS)
Wichita Eagle [Wichita KS]
January 28, 2023
By Letters to the Editor
PLASTIC BAGS
There are two truths about the leadership in the Kansas Legislature: 1) They are totally out of touch with Kansas citizens and 2) They are bullies about it.
Now comes Senate Bill 47, promoted by their overlords at the Kansas Chamber of Commerce: “An act concerning cities and counties, prohibiting the regulations of consumer merchandise and of auxiliary containers that are designed for the consumption, transportation or protection of consumer merchandise.”
This proposed abrogation of home rule is aimed at preventing cities or counties from limiting — in any way whatsoever — the use of single-use plastic bags, among other types of packaging.
Such packaging, which is designed to be discarded, then works its way into our streams and rivers, poisoning our environment, killing wildlife, and eventually becoming microplastics, which enter the food chain.
Blessedly, the bill states it does not prohibit anti-littering laws. Well, thank you. I was worried we would not even be allowed to remove these single-use plastics from our streets, waterways, trees, and ditches.
The Senate Commerce Committee will conduct a hearing on this legislative power grab at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Go to www.kslegislature.org and look up committee members.
Call and/or e-mail these members to let them know you are onto their power grab. And while you are at it, use the same website to look up your own senator and let them know as well.
Elizabeth Bishop, Wichita, former member of the Kansas House, 2017-2021
ABORTION AND MATRICIDE
Your story on Page 2 of the Eagle Wednesday (Kansas teen arrested after his mother is found dead at Canton home, KBI says, Jan. 25) provides food for thought.
The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that the state Constitution guarantees a woman the right to murder her child.
Last August, there was an attempt to amend that document to allow the Legislature to limit a mother’s right. Sixty percent of voters said they want no changes.
As a result, it is a simple matter of fair play to allow Hayden C. Lance, or any other child, the right to kill his own mother.
Johnny Sawatzki, Wichita
VETS UNDERPAID
Our disabled veterans are grossly undercompensated.
This travesty of justice is causing enlistments to dry up. In fiscal year 2023 a totally disabled veteran with no dependents is compensated at the ridiculous rate of $43,463.40 dollars annually.
The National Average Wage Index for 2021 was $60,575.07 dollars a year and the median income for 2021 was $70,784. The per capita GDP in 2021 was $69,288, among the highest in the world.
In my opinion the basic reason for their gross undercompensation situation is because they are only compensated for projected loss of wages due to their disabilities. They are not compensated for their low quality of life, which is the norm now in personal injury cases in court.
This is done to keep taxation low for the wealthy elites. So this means that the people who had their assets and overseas business interests protected by our now broken former troops pay essentially nothing to support them in their brokenness. Congress must correct this now.
Cleda Potter, Topeka
CHILD ABUSE
Generally speaking, a core Kansas value is that if you harm someone then you should be accountable.
Apparently, neither some in the Kansas Legislature nor the Archdiocese of Kansas City hold this value, according to the article Jan. 12 (After KBI report on clergy abuse, will Kansas allow survivors to sue the Catholic Church?)”
Kansas has the strictest statutes in the nation limiting the time victims of sex abuse can seek retribution. Attempts to change the limitations have all previously died in committee. The Archdiocese of Kansas City is opposed to requiring clerics to report suspected child abuse if discovered in the confessional. Medical providers, teachers, public safety personnel and others must promptly report it.
There simply is no legitimate reason to protect child rapists or to not hold individuals accountable for covering it up. Passing legislation to correct this should be an immediate priority.
Sheldon Hamilton, Wichita