Consistent BishopsConcerning American Catholic bishops considering depriving Holy Communion to prominent Catholic lawmakers who support abortion rights, I believe the legislators are misinforming me and the media. This is a spiritual issue before politics. (June 24, 1A. Will Catholic politicians in KC be denied Communion?Catholic legislators are Catholic Sunday, and Catholic legislators during the week. Do they separate their duties from their faith? This is hypocrisy at its worst, and Jesus warned against it.I salute the bishops for standing for spiritual principle despite the criticisms they will likely face. Jesus confronted the Roman emperor, his Jewish clergy and called them hypocrites. They sentenced him to death. Christians can't pick and choose which parts of Jesus' teachings we like, and not accept those that aren't culturally or politically acceptable. Even though there is harsher criticism from liberal-leaning cultures, his teachings have not been changed.The bishops who decide to reject the sacraments are following Catholic and biblical teachings, even though it may not be popular politically.Thomas Carrigan, LenexaIs there a way out?Personally, I don't believe in abortion. The Catholic Church is on the slippery slope, despite this.If the Catholic Church refuses Holy Communion to Catholics who don't adhere to Catholicism's rules and opinions, it will no longer need wheat flour to feed communion hosts. The sacrament and celebration of Communion will be extinct.Did John F. Kennedy, the beloved president of the United States, have a strong Catholic faith? He was not denied anything by anyone, even the Catholic Church.Susan Winn, Overland ParkLet everyone voteDespite the fact that the U.S. Senate did not allow the For The People Act (HR1 & S1) to be debated Tuesday, this legislation is the best way forward to guarantee voting freedom for all.Continue the storyThe For The People Act would make elections more fair, free and accessible for all citizens. It would restore the Voting rights Act, end dark money in elections and increase voter registration.Both parties saw an increase in voter turnout due to expanded online and automatic voter registration. S1 would eliminate barriers faced by the elderly, disabled, new voters, and people who live in areas that are not easily accessible by public transport.The March For The People Act was passed by the U.S. House in March. We appeal to the Senate to come together and pass this important legislation to provide a solution to the American people. We ask the citizens to contact Sen. Jerry Moran, Sen. Roger Marshall and urge them to support the For The People Act.- Amber Stenger President League of Women Voters of Johnson County ShawneeFor a better useRecently, I viewed a news segment on the new Buck ONeil Bridge. It was all very nice. But, throughout the report, I wondered if we were going to take down the old one? It mentioned an article about the possibility of the bridge being repurposed with a park. (March 2, 7A. Buck ONeil deserves much more than a concrete slab.Yes! Can you say High Line? The beautiful, old elevated tracks that New York City converted to a public park on Manhattan's west side are much older than Kansas City's bridge.- Allen Fishell in IndependenceWe are not worriedOne of U.S. Rep. Sam Graves' recent newsletters states that a proposed tax plan would harm family farms. He then attacked the federal inheritance tax that Republicans cleverly call the death tax.The death tax isn't something that most people should worry about, Folks. The death tax is only applicable to assets exceeding $11.7 million. To be eligible for federal inheritance tax, you must be wealthy and live to 100.Graves chose not to discuss the urgent issues facing us. Graves could have used his newsletter for infrastructure, climate change or a bipartisan commission to address the ongoing threat to our democracy from the Jan. 6 Donald Trump insurrection.He could have shown how the state is not doing enough to prevent the deadly coronavirus variant from infecting unvaccinated people.He could have promised to get 70% of Missourians fully immunized. Only 38% of Missourians are fully vaccinated. Only 12 other states are doing worse.He could have offered his private plane to transport vaccines to rural residents in his district who don't have access to healthcare.However, he did make his priorities very clear. He uses his bully pulpit for the protection of the wealthy.Rest of us are on our feet.Bernadine Kline LibertyFreedom of movementMissourians should pay attention to Britney Spears' testimony regarding her experiences in a conservatorship. Britney Spears requests a judge to release her from conservatorship (June 24, KansasCity.com Britney Spears' testimony about her experiences under conservatorship holds our attention)The National Core Indicators is the best data source on the lives of people with disabilities. Missouri has the highest percentage of full guardianships in the country, according to their most recent report. Many people with disabilities become wards or family members almost as quickly as they become legal adults. This is often thanks to school-based transitional-planning groups.The national movement for supported decision-making recognizes that no one is truly independent, and that everyone can rely on other people and organizations to help them. People with disabilities can retain their rights and be protected through support planning and relationships.Reduced guardianships and conservatorships will increase freedom. It also recognizes the rights of all individuals to live free from coercion, and with full autonomy.- Kathleen Deppeler Stearns, GladstoneTwo for the price of oneMatt Klein, my irrigation system repairman, was fixing a water line break when he introduced me his friendly helper Jack, a Kansas State University junior who held a shovel in one hand.I thought to my self: Muscles can also be built using a shovel and weight lifting. This is a great idea.- Sara Colt Mission Hills
