To the editor:

Citizens in a democracy of 50 diverse states, in order to have common grounds upon which to consider ideas, make judgments and vote responsibly, ought to have access to the same national and international news and the same informative and cultural programs.

Our National Public Radio and our Public Broadcasting System, partially supported by the public, currently provide news and cultural programs, clearly and intelligently, to citizens of the United States of America and to people around the world.

Over the years, my wife and I have supported Kansas Public Radio, our local, award-winning station, which brings to Kansas and beyond certain NPR programs, as well as informative and cultural programs generated by its talented and dedicated staff. The failure of national and state government to continue to fund NPR, PBS and KPR would seriously begin to unravel the democratic fabric of our republic and undermine our continuous striving to form a more perfect Union.