In this Halloween season, many Kentuckians face a real-life horror | Opinion

Government support

In this spooky season, many Americans are facing a real-life horror. Within days, those who lack the money to buy food will lose support from the federal government. Children will go hungry, as will people who work hard or are unable to work and who cannot afford groceries. Millions of people will grapple with a decision on whether they can afford health insurance or must take the risk that they could face a health care catastrophe.

In the meantime, the Republican-controlled Congress has ceded its rightful authority to a president who prefers gaudiness to governance and who can always find money to feed his lust for power but not to feed the people whose economic anxiety led to his election.

It is time for Congress to rise from the grave. Kentucky’s senators and representatives need to start working across the aisle for the good of the state’s people. They need to take control of the powers granted to them under Article 1 of the Constitution.

You can bet that one thing the government will not let slide is the collection of federal taxes. The way things are going, this is looking more and more like taxation without representation.

Meg Upchurch, Lexington

Today’s economy

New car prices in America average about $45,000. Meanwhile, consumer traffic at dealerships has dropped making owning a new car less achievable for the average middle-class family.

The average cost for automobiles in 1956 was approximately around $2,050. The average salary in 1956 was: $4,800 An automobile cost about 43 percent of your annual income. (National debt $271 billion)

The average salary in 2025 is $66,622. A new car’s cost is about 67 percent of your annual income. (National debt $37.43 trillion.)

In 1956, the average cost of a home in Lexington, Ky. was about $11,700. The average price of a home in Lexington today is about $321,311. In 1956, the cost of the home was about 2.43 times your annual income. Today, the average cost of a home is about 4.82 times an annual salary of $66,622.

Conclusion: The economy in 1956, the year I graduated from high school, was many times better than it is today. Our great-grandchildren will be nothing but slaves to the wealthy billionaires who will own everything in this country. The majority will not own anything!

Robert Ray Lillie, Georgetown

Epstein files

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., have all given different reasons for not releasing the government’s files on Jeffrey Epstein.

But the most recent and puzzling excuse comes from U.S. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky. On October 21, Comer said the House Oversight Committee has evidence that former President Bill Clinton had closer ties to Epstein than President Donald Trump.

Well, then, release the files. To do otherwise raises the question: why are Republicans protecting Bill Clinton?

Terry Gabbard, Versailles

FCPS Whistleblower

When someone in an organization exposes serious wrongdoing, they perform a vital public service — often at great personal risk. Whistleblowers reveal corruption, mismanagement, and ethical failures that would otherwise stay hidden. Yet too often, society labels them as “snitches” or “troublemakers” instead of defenders of integrity.

Take Fayette County Public Schools’ budget director, Ann Sampson-Grimes, who reported serious financial mismanagement, including an alleged deficit coverup, misuse of reserve funds, and unapproved spending. After raising concerns, she was placed on leave, prompting an investigation under whistleblower laws. Her attorney later revealed messages suggesting a systemic cover-up. The state auditor has since launched a special review, and lawmakers from both parties have demanded accountability from district leadership.

While public scrutiny has focused on FCPS leaders, Sampson-Grimes deserves recognition for her courage. Whistleblowers like her force transparency, protect public interest, and strengthen governance by ensuring institutions answer to the people they serve.

We should treat these truth-tellers not as enemies, but as accountability allies. Without them, corruption thrives. Schools aren’t just classrooms and teachers. They are large public organizations handling significant resources, impacting lives and communities. When their finances/governance are questioned, the ripple effects go far beyond budgets, affecting staff morale, community trust, and taxpayer confidence.

Hannah Rivera, Lexington

Liggins spending

As an alumnus of the Fayette County Schools (Clays Mill and Tates Creek Elementary, Tates Creek Middle School, and Tates Creek High School graduate), I am very concerned of the district’s lack of leadership by the school Board and superintendent.

There are now revelations Superintendent Demetrus Liggins spent more than $100,000 without Board approval. Needless to say, this violates Board policy.

Fayette County has more than 72 schools. As the district leader, the Superintendent needs to be in each school at least once a year (as well as school board members) to see what is happening. Fayette County is located near colleges and universities renowned for teaching teachers. There is no need for out of state travel or consultants.

It is past time for the Fayette County Board to fire Liggins for cause as well as for Ky. Attorney General Russell Coleman look at whether his actions constitute fraud and embezzlement.

The Board needs to find an educator who follows a budget .

Paul L Whalen, Fort Thomas

Trump settlement

President Donald Trump has filed suit against the U.S. Department of Justice for $230 million in settlements as compensation for the various federal probes into his conduct, but it is unclear where the money will go. He has suggested it might be donated to a charitable foundation. Funds from previous settlements have reportedly been directed to a “presidential library fund,” yet no legally recognized fund currently exists, in part due to financial disclosure issues.

Without a legitimate fund in place, the handling of settlement money from current and future cases lacks transparency and accountability — and the public deserves clear answers.

Daniel Croft, Lexington

Recycled legislation

Ky. State Rep. Mark Hart, R-Falmouth, is a green guy. He loves to reuse garbage and repackage it into a new product. Take his failed fluoride bill. He has recycled it, “When it comes to the case of dental treatment, we’re not promoting fluoride one way or the other; good or bad. We’re trying to step away from the conversation.”

Tell the truth. It’s not about the health of Kentuckians; it’s about the money. Money that water companies don’t want to spend on fluoride, like they have for the last 81 years.

Therefore, Hart cite studies made in 1940 in Germany that says fluoride is a neurotoxin. Yeah, that is true if you consume the equivalent of a cake the size of a bar of soap every day. The average Kentuckian consumes less than one teaspoon in an entire year.

But Hart does have strong evidence that fluoride does cause brain damage. High concentrations of fluoride must be present in the Republican Party headquarters on Capitol Avenue in Frankfort because of the prevalence of totally worthless bills like this one (that benefit no one except the water companies) fertilizing the landscape.

Damian Beach, Frankfort

Senator Beshear

This is a plea for Gov. Andy Beshear to run for Senate next year. It appears you are trying to lay groundwork for a run at the presidency and while many in Kentucky would vote for you, you don’t have the national recognition needed for that. With that said, I believe you would win the Senate race. I will vote for Amy if you don’t run, but I believe she would do better running for the representative seat she ran for before. Your presence in the Senate would be good for America and Kentucky. You say you love Kentucky, show us please and run.

Jim Hamon, Winchester

Divided America

While not in the 1860’s historical sense, we are very much engaged in a civil war in America today. This tragic modern-day version is founded on cultural, political, legislative, judicial, racial, budgetary, military and societal aspects that are worsening each day. Unless our elected officials nationwide take responsibility for correcting the current course of events by focusing on unifying rather than dividing, future generations will be learning from very different U.S. History books.

The concept of bipartisanship seems pathetically outdated. Our elected officials represent all Americans, not just those who voted for them. It is essential that politically pointed fingers transform into handshakes of compromise and support for all Americans. The future of our country and republic depend on it. United We Stand, Divided We Fall.

Steve Angelucci. Lexington

No Kings rally

What a lovely article written by Richard Dawahare entitled “Love, unity and hope at Lexington’s No Kings protest event.” It was positive, hopeful, and faith-filled about the “Love America Peace Parade.” I am sorry I didn’t attend now after reading his article. I guess the word protest kept me from going. Thank you, Richard Dawahare, for explaining what really happened!!!

Melanie Rhorer McCloud, Lexington

Mamdani solutions

The answer is really simple. Raise taxes on corporations and tax the rich and require them to pay their fair share.

Wow. Why didn’t we think of that before Zohran Mamdani came along? Bless you for solving poverty.

He doesn’t seem to be able to define how much pay makes a person “rich.” He doesn’t say. Perhaps he doesn’t know. But if he did know, just what would be that mysterious “fair share” be? Fifty percent? Seventy? Ninety? All of it?

Now to those evil, greedy corporations. Let’s raise the roof on their taxes. But wait a second. When determining selling prices on goods and services, all companies, large and small, figure taxes as part of their costs. Then acceptable margins are applied to those costs so to maintain an acceptable profit. So, Zohran, my lad, the consumers, not the corporations, end up footing the bill for all the help you’re offering them.

In short, you’re nuts.

Wayne Burns, Lexington

Edited by Liz Carey