To the editor:

I recently read an article in Time magazine titled, “Kansas Finally Gets It,” concerning, at the time, the seemingly successful effort to stop the building of coal-fired electricity plants in western Kansas. As a Kansan familiar with politics in this state, I was relieved, but not entirely convinced. In the past, I have been embarrassed by some “backward” types of legislation that have, unfortunately, come to national attention. I hoped this would not be the case this time. I should have known I would be wrong again.

Most states are trying to reduce their carbon footprint, but the good old Kansas legislators seem bent on increasing our pollution level and carbon footprint. I have to ask myself yet again: Don’t these people, these representatives of us, have children who will outlive them and be forced to live in the polluted world we (they) have created for them?

Some things are more important than the almighty dollar. I, as a parent, feel very strongly that the life of my child is more important than some rich people in Colorado getting cheap electricity because of some people in Kansas wanting to get more money.

Kathy Schott Gates,
Lawrence