Richmond, KY saw record evictions last year. Join us to march for housing justice. | Opinion
Record evictions
Did you know 2023 will be a record-breaking year in Richmond? Not for our game wins, but for the greatest number of evictions ever filed in Madison County District Court.
Last year, 667 of my neighbors’ faced evictions – a massive increase from 2022. An increase like this is an emergency. But where are our public officials who should be addressing this crisis alongside us?
This is a kind community. This is my home. I am a librarian, a community volunteer, a parishioner, a taxpayer, and a voter. My husband and I have worked for three of the top 10 employers in the county to make ends meet. But my rent has increased 67 percent in nine years living in Berea. I am disheartened that we are expected to turn our heads and to accept that we will very likely retire as renters.
Given the wrong circumstances, my family could have been the 668th home evicted. Yours could be that close too.
Join me at 9 a.m. on Jan. 15, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, in Richmond at First Christian Church to march in fellowship. Join the Madison County Tenant Union so we can build - as neighbors, for neighbors.
Maggie Park, Richmond
Supermajority targets
“When the pot boils, the scum rises to the top” – I can’t think of a better old saw as Kentucky’s supermajority Republican legislature returns to Frankfort.
It has already revealed its next legislative target – “diversity, equity, inclusion” – because if that’s not controlled, kids might understand there are more than only white men who can run the country. Picking on a few trans kids and parents was just a warm-up: this time, they’ll sock it to all kids and their parents.
Taking away public funding for public schools and teachers has vexed Kentucky Republicans but they’ll be on it again this session, trying to privatize for-profit schools for rich buddies, and giving them more tax cuts.
Republicans sure got in a mighty lick when they banned abortions: that got to the majority of the country via women’s healthcare, privacy, and freedoms while also affecting families and doctors, medical staffs.
And then they brag, “The Republican Party is Kentucky’s Party.”
The scummin’ keeps on comin’… but so are elections.
How about Kentuckians who voted down two GOP amendments and re-elected Gov. Andy Beshear c’mon out again to the ballot box for a real, back-on-earth party.
Ramona Rush, Lexington
Consistent conservatism
Congrats to Bobby Benvenuti on becoming Kentucky Republican Party chairperson. I found his editorial to be a real “nothing burger.”
Conservatism hasn’t changed for 2,000 years, so what do conservative philosophers do for their salt? Conservatives offer a shiny new package like “woke,” but inside is a regifted retread, often the retread of a retread. Conservatives have no ideas, as Daniel Cameron ably demonstrated.
Some “ideas” are meaningless like a flag burning amendment and some are unviable like a gold standard, but most failed previously. Former President Donald Trump pushes 100-year-old failed isolationism and tariff protectionism - unilaterally increasing indirect taxes on consumers that fuel inflation. Journalists, college professors, doctors, etc., are liberals by definition. Anyone apprised of all the facts of an issue is a “liberal.”
The Kentucky Legislature: distract with bunkum; divvy up self-serving tax breaks and giveaways; test every avenue to increase authoritarian policies. Use that authoritarianism to cram conservative religious tenets down the throats of all Kentuckians. Repeat!
Allen T. Kelley, Lexington
Backwards legislation
Well, well, well… sounds like Senate Bill 6 proposes another backward step by Kentucky legislators. (As if Senate Bill 150 wasn’t a bitter enough slap at our students and teachers!)
What exactly might be the desired end result of this bill? Who are these young (and old) adults who need support/coddling by our legislators lest they be terribly aggrieved at digging deep into their sexism, racism, privilege or lack thereof? Isn’t the purpose of higher education one of in-depth study and evaluation of truths; deconstruction in order to reconstruct in better ways; to problem solve, to build philosophies to live by… to put aside childish ways and things? And doesn’t this bill subtly suggest that college Presidents are incapable of doing their jobs?
Giving aggrieved students the right to sue seems to open a very nasty can of worms but is certainly reminiscent of a certain former President who seems constantly aggrieved and uses lawsuits to intimidate those he disagrees with. Could this become a trend that distracts from the actual process of learning? Could this whole messy bill discourage our best and most serious students to look elsewhere to become educated?
Let’s think a little harder on this one!
Janice Russell, Lexington
Ballot bans
There seems to be buzz around whether or not the U.S. Supreme Court will allow former President Donald Trump’s name to be positioned on some voting ballots in November. There are several reasons why MAGA folks feel his name will appear. What’s missing is the most likely reason the justices will permit him to run.
Over the years conservative friends have lavished key justices with extravagant gifts, trips, vacations, VIP event treatments, and sweetheart business deals… the magnitude of which we are still not certain. All of these gifts had an implicit attachment expecting reciprocity someday.
Well, that time is now, and justices will probably capitulate and give Trump a get-out-of-jail-free election ballot card. The justices know full well what’s expected, and the personal consequences of not responding correctly. If justices say “no” that gifting gravy train will stop dead in its tracks, and additional past gifting could be revealed.
MAGA folks don’t fret. Trump will be up for election in 2024 regardless of anything written in the constitution. Ever since the beginning of time, money has talked, and talked very loudly. Justices are human. They know what is expected and what it takes to keep their good times rolling.
Gene Lockhart, Lexington
Presidential Immunity
In order to escape accountability for the numerous federal and state charges he is facing, it seems clear former President Donald Trump’s strategy will be to go to the U.S. Supreme Court hoping they’ll back his “Presidential immunity (I can do anything I want)” claim and throw out the charges against him, or if he is actually convicted reverse the verdict.
When the Constitution was written Benjamin Franklin was asked, “Well Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” Franklin responded, “A republic if you can keep it.”
Well Supreme Court, do we get to keep our republic?
Jay Hopkins, Frankfort
No Kid Hungry
Across Kentucky, nearly 34,000 parents, infants, and young children could be turned away from WIC, a federal nutrition program designed specifically to help pregnant women and new moms afford essentials like formula, milk and fresh produce.
That’s because rising participation and the increased cost of food have left WIC facing a $1 billion funding shortfall - which could force millions across the nation to be waitlisted or have their benefits cut for the first time in three decades.
This could be devastating for families across our state. WIC not only helps parents make ends meet, but also supports the health and development of infants and young children. Data shows WIC dramatically improves maternal, infant and child health and development, while helping participants improve their diets by purchasing healthier foods.
Lawmakers have an opportunity to make this right, but time is running out. With the Jan. 19 deadline to avert a partial government shutdown looming, we’re calling on U.S. Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul (both R-Ky.) and our representatives in Congress to act quickly to fully fund WIC, ensuring that all of Kentucky’s children get the nutrition they need to thrive - starting from day one.
Haley Jackson, Foundation Relations Associate for No Kid Hungry, Louisville
Voting
I listen to prospective voters making statements that they may stay at home or vote for a third party candidate because they disagree with President Joe Biden’s actions or non-actions on a specific issue. They disagree with Gaza, climate change, not being begged to vote, and Biden allowing the price of foods to skyrocket.
Really, do you want the President to call the food manufacturers and order them to reduce prices? Maybe send in the U.S. ARMY?
A friend and I were discussing how we make our choices: She votes for the one who allows her to sleep better, and I vote for the one who will likely cause the least harm. If you are peeved and stay at home, you are failing to cancel a vote from the other party. You are actually helping them.
I believe the votes on abortion in Kentucky went as they did because some conservatives looked down the road and saw unintended and unwanted medical and other consequences of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision. That is how all voting decisions should be made.
Bennie G. Patton, Berea
Due process
I read the Herald-Leader story about Kentucky Sen. Lindsey Tichenor (R-Smithfield) advocating that the poor MAGA idiots should have “due process” for their participation in the Jan. 6 insurrection.
What planet was she on while the rioting was going on? Does she think that those who were screaming “Hang Mike Pence” inside the Capitol building were not given “due process? Can she list just one rioter by name who was not given due process?
Everyone who participated in the Jan. 6 riot should have been jailed, and I have no doubt that everyone who was charged had due process, whether they deserved it or not.
Jim Horner, Lakeside Park
Meat-free
Congratulations to South Korea for finally joining Western civilization in banning the dog meat trade.
When will we be taking the next civilized step of banning all animal meat trade? What makes dogs more deserving of life and liberty than cows and pigs?
But there is more. According to the United Nations, meat and dairy use 83 percent of global farmland and account for 60 percent of agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions?
Last but not least, the current Netflix series “You Are What You Eat” should convince any doubters that getting more civilized is actually good for our health.
Our local supermarket has responded by treating us to a rich selection of nutritious, convenient, eco-friendly, cruelty-free plant-based meats, milks, cheeses, and ice creams. Now, that’s civilized.
Lawrence Hoffman, Lexington
Compiled by Liz Carey
