Readers sound off on Trump, McConnell

Vote Trump, restore America

Republicans, Democrats, profiteers and biased journalists are responsible for the corruption in Congress, the White House and the cabinet. Understandably, their belittlement of Donald Trump continues unabated despite his massive business successes and the grassroots wisdom that has propelled him to 15 compelling wins at the polls.

Trump is the only candidate who will apply first-layer honesty to the corruption. His opponents, Democrats and Republicans, conceal their advocacy for “business as usual” with the same hackneyed statements repeated every election cycle. If their statements had been applied responsibly before they became hackneyed, there would be no need to “make America great again.”

The pile-on, pettiness-armed opposition to Trump’s nomination is demonstrative proof that only he should fill the pending vacancy in the Oval Office. He has the will, undiluted honesty and demonstrated ability to initiate the restoration of America, and that would be the America described in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution.

History won’t view McConnell kindly

Many have expressed outrage at Sen. Mitch McConnell’s pledge not to consider President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, but few should be surprised by McConnell’s tactics. The senior senator from Kentucky has simply disgraced that office again.

McConnell may win this political skirmish, but history will tell a different story. The Senate majority leader and his obstructionist colleagues will lose the protracted conflict. As the annals of the American experiment demonstrate, liberal values inexorably triumph.

McConnell and today’s Republican Party refuse to acknowledge that their cause has already been lost. Despite continuing efforts to check the social advances that have been wrested from the grudging hands of conservatives, the liberal commitment to full equality and inclusion for all people will prevail.

At some future point, schoolchildren will study this period of American history and the role that McConnell played may be briefly mentioned. I suspect that he will be presented in the same contemptible light as textbooks today show George Wallace, as he stood defiantly in the schoolhouse door in an effort to bar racial integration.

Let us never forget that yesterday’s liberal victories have become today’s status quo.

Be boldy anti-racist

I am disappointed to learn of the recent decision not to remove the Confederate statues from the old courthouse. While I understand that the decision is wrapped up in politics and tax credits, I can’t help but be upset that the recommendations of the arts panel won’t be put into action.

After an open and honest forum about the symbols of the Confederacy at our courthouse, I asked my youngest son if he knew that slaves were sold there. Of course, he said, he had read the historical markers. He asked me why we were still honoring the men depicted by those statues. Why are they placed on pedestals? We may pass by those symbols so often that they have been relegated to the background, but that’s not his experience.

My young son, a boy of color, is growing up in a city that honors the people who used to own and sell his ancestors — and whose current residents can’t agree whether that’s OK with them. It breaks my heart. I don’t think it’s OK to simply not be racist. I think that we live in a time where we need to be actively and boldly anti-racist.

My son is growing up so quickly. Mayor Jim Gray should take bold, swift action to provide that historical context he has promised, to create a space in our city that my son can walk through as a proud person of color. If the statues must remain, please make this a place where my son’s experiences are honored as much as those who would historically enslave him.

Free community college a bad idea

Bluegrass Community and Technical College has a 19 percent graduation rate, with some minority groups having a significantly lower rate. Successful transfers to four-year schools are even lower.

BCTC lets in far too many students who are not equipped for college. They promise first-rate services to assist them, but BCTC has six or seven vice presidents for 10,000 students. Quality career counseling is linked to student retention and success. Top-heavy administration is not.

Poor leadership is another factor. The retired president of KCTCS is paid about $400,000 to be “on call” from a lawn chair. KCTCS has failed to connect with the business community, ignored outdated programs, failed to address underperforming faculty and just built a costly building during a downturn in the state high school population.

Now they want another $20 million in free tuition when there’s already ample funding for the 19 percent who are equipped to succeed. Funding this kind of student, policy, and leadership failure isn’t wise any time. But giving millions to a dysfunctional, ineffective system when our teacher retirement is grossly underfunded is beyond irresponsible. Tell your state senator to say no to funding more failure and House Bill 626.

Stand against the wiles

As I listen to the Democratic Party, I feel that our children’s future is in the balance. With President Barack Obama, anything goes and Hillary Clinton is deceptive. Americans need to stand against the wiles of this world, like homosexuality (abomination to God), abortion (killing God’s children) and living together so you can get more money. We need to be a God-fearing people and pray for one another, including our political voices on both sides. We all need to look to God as our source of strength and understanding. I’m proud to be a Republican and I’m proud to be an American, but most of all I’m proud to be a Christian saved by grace.

This story was originally published March 25, 2016 at 6:42 PM with the headline "Readers sound off on Trump, McConnell."