Purely personal, please
The opinions you'll read in this column are purely personal stands which the former Ol' Editor shares. Don't blame any other member of the staff. In fact, don't blame the OE — these are just personal opinions. Argument, threats, or worse won't change his mind.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius should be commended for vetoing the "concealed carry" firearms bill passed by our legislators in Topeka. The governor is on the right track. Nothing would be gained by permitting people to covertly arm themselves. Too many already do that. It's dangerous, and illegal in Kansas.
A casino for Wichita makes sense. Folks who drive distances to drop cash in slot machines may as well do it at home, and profit from taxes. Spending money at a casino is about as logical as flushing currency down the toilet. Those who do it will continue, so their taxes should be kept at home.
Liquor by the drink for Marion County is long overdue. People who drink in moderation should be allowed to have a cocktail or wine with meals. Alcohol, like gambling, automobiles, and owning firearms only becomes a problem when misused. Moderation is not a problem. Abuse results in problems.
Increase in sales tax is a bad idea. It hurts retired folks much harder than the wealthy. Also, a young couple raising children pay a much greater percentage of their income in sales tax. It's a regressive tax. Don't approve such a hazard.
The problem with the Kansas "budget crunch" on all branches of government is not loss of revenue. Look at budgets and you'll find that they increase each year. Government spends more and more money. We don't need more revenue, the answer is less spending.
Friends who get elected to the city commission/council, school board, or county commission should strive to make government smaller, not larger. It's American tradition to make things grow, enlarge. That's great for private business, but not for government. Let's shrink government.
— BILL MEYER
