Keep the Democrats in Office
To the editor:
This has been a life-changing time in politics, and we here in Kansas City are very fortunate to have elected individuals who are totally open to people who come from every background imaginable. There are not many major cities in the United States with such an open-minded city government.
Sometimes I don’t think that we as residents of Kansas City realize how fortunate we are. Every mayor that has been in office since Charles Wheeler in the 1970s has had a pro-gay agenda! As someone who works in politics, I have known and worked with each one.
Just look at the makeup of the newly elected City Council -- each one is an open-minded, gay-friendly person, and so is the newly re-elected mayor. And of course Jolie Justus is a person we all know as one of us, with a background of excellent work in the Missouri Senate. We know she will carry our banner high in City Council.
On the Jackson County level, we are just so fortunate to have Mike Sanders, who is totally gay-friendly, as our county executive. I have walked with him on many occasions. We even walk together, along with the mayor, at the AIDS Walk festivities.
It is amazing when you think of it that our governor just signed the same-sex marriage bills without hesitation. He is a pro-gay administrator, as is U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill. And U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver has backed the pro-gay agenda and will continue to do so. As a matter of fact, during Gay Pride Month, Cleaver spoke to the MCC church here in Kansas City.
As gay people, we are very fortunate to have had people of this caliber as our leaders in the city, county and governor’s office. But one thing I want to bring to your attention is that there is a common denominator among all these people: They are all Democrats. What does that tell you? Where are our Republican brothers and sisters?
For example, just look at the state of Kansas -- what a joke! They have a Republican governor who only cares about big corporations and cutting taxes to the super-rich. They spent close to $1 million of taxpayer money in extra session to try to balance the state budget, and in the end, all they did was raise taxes on the poor people and cut the budgets for all the schools.
Think about the differences.
One last example: the National Council of La Raza convention just met in Kansas City in July. They sent out invitations to the Republican presidential candidates to speak. None accepted! What does that tell you? They do not value the Latino vote. They sent out invitations to the Democratic presidential candidates, and they all accepted and spoke.
If you’re not registered to vote, please do so, and remember to vote for the person who thinks about and works for you.
Thank you,
Reginald H. Greene
Democratic Party member
Retired steelworker – AFL-CIO representative, Ex-bar owner
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