Letters to the editor: Readers defend the filibuster, call out Donald Trump and show appreciation to volunteers – The Topeka Capital-Journal

Filibuster protects rights of the minority

An article in the April 11 Topeka Capital Journal called for the end of the filibuster in the U.S. Senate because of its racist origin. It went on to say that the filibuster was conceived shortly before the Civil war as a tool historically used for racism. The article states that it is hardly what the founders intended and is a Jim Crow relic (Jim Crow laws came about after the Civil War, predominately in the South.)

Further, it states it was established by accident and that it impedes Democracy. All of these are bold-faced outright lies. A cursory look at history shows that she is factually incorrect. The filibuster was enabled by a Senate rule proposed by Vice President Aaron Burr (one of the Founding Fathers) in 1806 that recommended that the motion to "call the previous question" be dropped for usage in the Senate as it had rarely been used and that the Senate should not be burdened by too many rules.

The first recorded usage of the filibuster was in 1837 to prevent President Jacksons allies from expunging a resolution of censure against him. (Not race related.)

The author evidently forgets (or worse does not know) that our country was not founded as a democracy but as a Constitutional Republic where the majority rules, but the Rights of the minority are not ignored. Hence, the many safeguards built into our Constitution and legislative rules to protect the rights of the minority from the abuse of power of the majority.

David Rake, Topeka

Right now, millions of Americans face the devastation of Alzheimers, including 55,000 Kansans. At the Alzheimers Association, our mission-driven volunteers are working relentlessly to help advance world-class research and ensure access to gold-standard care and support.

In honor of National Volunteer Week, I want to personally thank the volunteers in northeast Kansas who have stepped up to be community educators, advocates, support group leaders, clinical trial participants, fundraisers and event attendees all who are raising awareness of Alzheimers Association free-of-charge programs, basic disease information and resources for all Alzheimers and dementia caregivers.

We rely on these dedicated volunteers to achieve our vision of a world without Alzheimers and all other dementia and we cannot succeed without them. As Helen Keller once said, Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.

Thank you to all Alzheimers Association volunteers.

Hayley Young (Alzheimer's Association, Northeast Kansas Regional Office), Topeka

Despite clear evidence the 2021 election was fair and honest, its likely most Kansans, including those in the evangelical sector and the Republican-charged Legislature, continue to believe Trumps Big Lie that the election was fraudulent, was stolen from him and that hes still the legitimate POTUS.

Its especially mystifying this slop is slurped by the evangelicals who are regarded as probably the most devout among us. They have to be aware of Trumps lifelong criminality, pathological lying, bragging about grabbing women by the genitals and inciting the insurrection in which hundreds of murderous thugs invaded the U.S. Capitol.

Not only do they deny or appear indifferent to these outrageous character flaws, but many applaud and boast about them. Crikey, where are we headed?

Trump was absolutely correct in his belief he could con millions with his lies. It happened, and it could happen again. May God protect America.

Richard Schutz, Topeka

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Letters to the editor: Readers defend the filibuster, call out Donald Trump and show appreciation to volunteers - The Topeka Capital-Journal