Letters to the editor

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, May 15, 2008

Example for Congress

On May 3, Rep. Nancy Boyda visited Valley Falls as part of her 2008 listening tour called "Congress on Your Corner." She is back in the 2nd District nearly every weekend, listening to what folks have to say and helping people get results from federal bureaucracies where difficulties persist.

I am always amazed how hard-working and genuine she is. In Valley Falls, Rep. Boyda and our community had in-depth and candid discussions on issues ranging from supporting veterans, continuing middle-class tax cuts, immigration policies that are enforced and work, sound trade policies that strengthen the United States and difficulties within Social Security and health care.

I was thoroughly impressed when Rep. Boyda stated that she and her husband, Steve, declined the stellar health care plan offered to her as a member of Congress. Instead, they pay gobs of money every month out of their own pocket. The reason: they couldn't accept this benefit in good conscience when so many of us here in the district struggle to obtain and/or pay for coverage. This is a bold example that other members of Congress should follow.

After the session ended, townspeople had an opportunity for one- on-one time to get help battling bureaucratic obstacles. Then, she was off to Fat Jack's on Broadway for ice cream and antique browsing.

She had a few minutes before heading to her next stop, so she stopped by the home of a Valley Falls woman who has been battling health problems and didn't have the strength to make it to the event.

What an excellent example Nancy Boyda is.

CRAIG GUNTHER,Valley Falls

Not serving people

As a lifelong Republican, I can only express my disappointment in the party. From president to dog catcher, the Republican Party has failed its constituency. What a bunch "we the people" placed in power.

Of all the problems wrought by my party of choice, the biggest disappointment is Sen. Sam Brownback. I remember shaking hands with the incumbent senator in front of Wal-Mart years ago, and the elation I felt with his election.

Now all I see is a politician pandering to an increasing population of illegal aliens in the hope of gaining votes at the expense and welfare of his fellow citizens. This is a man who took his Washington phones offline during a vote on "immigration reform" to thwart the outcry of fellow Kansans to vote against what amounted to amnesty for people who entered our great nation through illegal means.

In my view, Sen. Brownback has placed the status and welfare of foreign nationals above his own country men and women and has begun embracing positions of groups that were once referred to as the "loony left."

We see in Mr. Brownback a disturbing thing that happens to many politicians who have held office too long, they forget they hold office to serve their constituents, not their own re-election.

GREGORY H. BONTRAGER,Hutchinson

Yes, get back to books

An aquarium at the library? I am shocked. How could an institution of learning do this? Aquariums are child magnets. They'll have their grubby little hand prints all over the glass. And make noise as they squeal with delight. They will see clown fish, then want to check out "Finding Nemo" on DVD, which shouldn't be at the library since it isn't a book anyway.

Have you seen "Finding Nemo"? It starts off with sex. A mommy and daddy clown fish having babies. And none of the fish are wearing clothes. Why should taxpayers support such a thing? I mean, audio, video, computers, art galleries, outreach programs, meeting rooms and free parking have no place at our public library. It's a burden on the taxpayer. The elderly, young, handicapped, illiterate, slow readers and other non-book-enabled types are such a drain on our tax resources.

Here is my vision for our library. Sell the existing facility. Buy an abandoned downtown building - the smaller, darker and mustier the better. Have rows of nothing but books on shelves 20 feet tall, with one of those rolling ladders to get to them. And only one librarian. A woman in her 60s wearing an all-covering black dress, square-toed clunky black shoes, hair in a bun, the eyes of a great white shark and the ability to hush you with a glance.

You'll feel safe sending your children there. Not that they would want to go there with old "Shark Eye" in charge. Think of all the tax money we will save.

DON REED,Dover

Set example with pets

May 4-10 was national Be Kind to Animals Week, and on behalf of Paws to Love and the Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee County Animal Response Team, we'd like to take this opportunity to remind people with household pets and livestock that you play the most important role in ensuring kindness to animals.

Kindness begins at home, and there are many ways you can be a role model of humane kindness.

Help reduce pet overpopulation and needless euthanasia of adoptable pets by spaying and neutering your own pets and by encouraging those you know with unaltered pets to do the same.

Include your pets and livestock in your emergency planning. Many of us provide for our children or aging parents in the event we cannot care for them. We do this out of love and compassion because we know that they may not be able to do this for themselves. However, we often forget that pets and livestock are equally dependent upon us for their care.