Letters to the editor

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Oct 10, 2008

It starts with Congress

All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments as on other bills.

Anybody familiar with that statement? No? That is what the Constitution says. What I am getting at is, the president has no power to raise or lower taxes. That power is delegated to Congress. The president has the power of the veto, but Congress can override it with two-thirds vote. So who has the power?

When you hear the people in Congress, the media, talk shows and self-interest groups blaming the president for the ills of today, read the first paragraph again. That is why it so important to pay attention to who is running for Congress. They are to blame, and it is time to elect people who will put America first.

Wake up. Get in the act -- read and listen to what is going on.

DON STEINHOFF,Topeka

Help the taxpayer

Given the recent turmoil in our financial markets and the negotiations over the bailout package for Wall Street, it's not surprising that much of the first presidential debate focused on the economic crisis (instead of the planned foreign policy). Very early on, after starting a blog, I have been criticizing predatory and unsound lending.

During the debate, Barack Obama acknowledged foreclosures as the root of the financial crisis and pledged to help homeowners. That should be a no-brainier, so not many kudos to him for getting that much right.

Whatever the solution to this mess is, it needs a bipartisan approach that includes help for ordinary homeowners on the verge of foreclosure, and not just the big financial institutions.

Struggling homeowners should get greater access to loan modifications, and the bankruptcy law should allow homeowners to restructure their mortgages in bankruptcy court as is allowed with vacation homes and yachts.

It is my belief that we also need to make stricter regulations that would outlaw or severely limit such predatory products as adjustable rate mortgages, payday loans and other products that take advantage of the very people they purportedly help.

Bailing out the financial institutions that caused this crisis is crazy. Main Street is being asked to foot the bill. It should also reap the benefits.

D. KEVIN SURBAUGH,Topeka

Bail out families

Instead of bailing out Wall Street, why doesn't Congress bail out the American people?

First, buy up mortgages that are about to balloon, and reset their interest rates to a reasonable level that will enable many families to stay in, and pay for, their homes.

Second, end the credit card companies' unreasonable interest rates by placing a cap on the amount they can charge.

Third, begin to rebuild our economy through a vigorous green technology initiative that will help make us energy independent and provide thousands of jobs for Americans.

SHIRLEY DOMER,Baldwin City

Not what we need

I am sure Nancy Boyda is a really nice person if you get to know her. Unfortunately, she happens to be associated with the wrong party for Kansas. The national Democratic Party is running both houses of Congress right now with an approval rating of 9 percent. They have met very few of their promised goals.

The Democratic Congress has been "do-nothing" and obstructionist from day one. I am sure their hearts were in the right place, but they accomplished nothing. They are against drilling for oil, nuclear power plants and more refining capacity. Lack of energy and higher-priced energy is a main reason our economy is faltering right now.

Sorry, Nancy Boyda, the Democrats aren't right for our time, maybe down the road some time. Thanks for trying, though.

RALPH BAUMGARTNER,Topeka

It takes just a moment

The most dangerous thing most of us will do today is get into a car or truck to go to work, to school or to run errands.

As proof, consider that last year, 416 people died in Kansas traffic crashes. Nearly 23,000 others were injured -- many of them suffering permanent, life-changing injuries.

Today -- Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day -- we urge all Kansans to think about the seriousness of driving. Consider these 2007 Kansas facts:

- More than 60 percent of those who lost their lives weren't buckled in.

- Inattention was cited in 25 percent of all crashes -- the most commonly-listed of all contributing circumstances.

- Nearly one-quarter of all fatalities were speed-related, and more than a quarter were alcohol-related.

So today, if you're not already, take a moment to buckle up. Take a moment to look again for motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians and oncoming traffic. Take a moment to consider the consequences of driving impaired. Take a moment to remind yourself to drive attentively and to stay within the speed limit. And take a moment to think about the people who are counting on you to arrive at your destination safely.

Because a moment is all it takes for lives to be forever changed.

To learn more about Put the Brakes on Fatalities, visit www.brakesonfatalities.org.

DEB MILLER,Kansas secretary of transportationCOL. TERRY MAPLE,Kansas Highway Patrol