Questioning Graves’ support of veterans

Congressman Graves recently sent out a mailer claiming to support veterans, but recently voted to deny the Veterans Administration an additional $3 billion that was identified by the VFW, AmVets, DAV and the Paralyzed Veterans of America to be a critical funding shortfall for the 2009 VA budget. VFW Commander George Lisicki characterized this additional money as being critical so that no veteran is denied service.

House Concurrent Resolution 312 was passed by the House on March 13 and then passed the Senate on March 14. I am a veteran, and I have a simple question that only Congressman Graves can answer: How can Congressman Graves vote against the money that is needed to provide crucial services for our veterans and then claim to support veterans?

Kenneth Breedlove, Kansas City, Mo.

It’s our business

I am so glad that somebody is finally running against Sam Graves that can beat him, but also someone that the media will actually cover because they also realize she is a strong candidate with credentials.

Kay Barnes has stated that Sam Graves is “swimming in oil money.” Just looking at his votes, we can see how true this is. I sometimes wonder if he shouldn’t be called (with scores of others), The Honorable Sam Graves, representing the Corporation of Exxon.

I believe, with gas prices skyrocketing, that many of those who work for lobbyists in Washington will find themselves on the unemployment line after the November election.

Congress should represent us, not the big corporations. President Coolidge, and his like, who said or now say that “The business of America is business” were and are wrong. Yes, businesses are important, but, the business of America is its people.

Patrick C. Squires, St. Joseph

Deserving respect

Why are so many Americans rude to Hillary Clinton? She is a former first lady and a very well educated person of which I am pleased. She is much like our former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

I think it is terrible the way she is treated.

Under the Clinton administration, we enjoyed good government, no war or anything else as I remember to upset us.

Have many Americans have lost their marbles (so to speak)?

We need someone with experience and knowledge to be at the top of our beloved country.

Are you letting our military down too?

I like Obama, but he hasn’t had the experience he needs, I don’t think. I am proud of Hillary for staying in the race.

Juanita Darrah, Cowgill, Mo.

Not excited by Graves

This is in response to the “Excited by Graves” letter on May 7 stating how great Rep. Graves is because he was in the Apple Blossom Parade shaking hands and talking to people along the parade route. The writer was excited because he has a congressman who is willing to personally interact with his constituents.

Several years ago, I wrote a letter to Rep. Graves asking for information on health savings plans. A few weeks later, he replied by thanking me for my concern about the new post office in St. Joseph.

Last week, I received a phone call that was a recorded message that began, “This is Sam Graves.” I immediately hung up because I don’t waste my time listening to prerecorded messages. Besides, how can there be any personal interaction when there is no one on the other end of the line?

I don’t feel that Rep. Graves’ interaction was personal or positive in either case, but that’s OK because he was probably busy doing the job we elected him to do — “being in a parade personally interacting with the people he represents.” In other words, campaigning for re-election.

Shirley John, Faucett, Mo.

Proved my point

Mr. Weems and Mr. Frogge, my thanks to each of you in verifying my contention that separation of church and state is not a law but a theory.

My letter did not call judges rogues. I said, “rogue judges.” They do exist. I did not use nor infer the term religious right, you made that comment. As for legal mumbo jumbo, I find most laws and legal documents are in fact mumbo jumbo for those not familiar with legal terms.

The history lesson I got 60 years ago in high school. Little did I know then or care what Jefferson wrote to the Baptists in Danbury.

Why hasn’t the Rev. Jeremiah Wright been cited for preaching politics from the pulpit? Isn’t that against separation of church and state?

This entire tirade has been blown out of the water just because I disagree with the results that separation of church and state have caused or fails to accomplish any goal other than to give Congress a way out of having to abide by the First Amendment.

Gerald Thompson, Atchison, Kan.