Letters to the Editor: Opposed to Republican redistricting maps and anti-education bills

Bills hobble education

I completely oppose all the redistricting maps. They are examples of the Republicans voting to pick their voters. I say this as a former lifelong Republican of 50 years who left that party a year ago.

The Republicans nakedly politically restricted Gov. Andy Beshear’s emergency powers that had kept us safer with COVID-19 than almost all other Southern states during 2020. They are also continuing their attacks on public education.

And now they are trying to pass laws to censor teaching in schools that are exactly like what happens in communist and fascist societies. We need to teach all American history, not just European-American history, which is my personal white heritage.

They are also trying to take control of hiring and curriculum away from local school based decision making councils. That was a key element of reforming poor Kentucky education practices 25 years ago.

Please call the legislature at (800) 372-7181. Phone line hours are Monday-Thursday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Leave messages for all representatives to vote no on Senate Bill 1, House Bill 14 and HB 18.

As a K-12 graduate of public schools, I oppose these anti-public education bills.

Chuck Eddy, Lexington

People, not weather

A recent Herald-Leader headline in the print edition said that the storm caused many crashes. I did forensic engineering during my career and can tell you that storms, having no minds of their own, can’t cause crashes.

Crashes are caused by drivers operating inappropriately for the conditions, including driving when they could have stayed home.

Roy Crawford, Whitesburg

Whatever works

An Opinion page column printed in the Jan. 8 edition of the Herald-Leader cautioned Democratic candidates for congressional seats in 2022 to be careful about denying they’re running on President Joe Biden’s “coattails” just because his popularity is dropping in public surveys. It reminded me of what former Kentucky Gov. A.B. “Happy” Chandler reportedly told a friend who said he was going to run for public office: “I’ll be for you or against you, whichever you think will help you the most.”

Ralph Derickson, Lexington

Think, senators

These are a few questions which should be answered by our Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul and examined by the voters regarding the Build Back Better legislation.

If people have extra income doesn’t it make sense that they would spend it? Wouldn’t this also boost the local economies and tax bases? Minimum wage in Kentucky is $7.25. That is not a living wage.

If people continued to receive the child tax credits, doesn’t it stand to reason that this additional money would enable them to purchase items for their children which they could not afford otherwise?

If daycare costs exceed a person’s income, does it make sense to work at a deficit? Child care assistance would enable families with young kids to pursue employment, thus filling jobs which are now vacant.

These are simple economic principles. I wonder why Congress would decide it to be too expensive. As it is, the middle class carry the tax burden while the most wealthy are exempt. Those who reap the greatest benefits should also contribute. If this doesn’t seem to make sense, it’s because it doesn’t.

Cheryl Keenan, Lexington

What next?

From the Select Committee on Non-Transparent Bills:

Senate Bill 1.1, Only Me Act: This bill will enhance the power and might of the Republican Party’s total and complete control at the expense of the muddling masses.

SB1.2, Defense of Hate Act: This act will prohibit any prosecution of state Rep. Savannah Maddox for her actions inciting the mob that crossed barriers and went up to the Governor’s Mansion, potentially endangering the governor’s family.

House Bill 1.3, The Drool Act: This act would make it a felony for any restaurant patron to refuse the service of any server to cough or blow snot on that patron. The server’s rights must be protected regardless of who dies.

These acts will be passed in secret session, away from the preying eyes of the citizens who are too stupid to know anything. They know and believe Donald Trump never told a lie and neither have Kentucky Republicans.

Damian Beach, Frankfort