To the editor:

Last week, I stopped at the Republican booth while attending the Douglas County Fair. “Why a Republican?” said the sign. It’s an intriguing question. The lady in charge handed me a pamphlet titled “Where are you in the scheme of things?”  After careful perusal, my gut feeling is that the majority of hard-working people, including women and minorities are not a part of this particular scheme.

It espouses the joy of states’ rights. Are these the rights that denied blacks the right to vote and lynched them without fear of reprisal. And how about those union-free days when employees worked under inhumane conditions? Are these the good old days the Republicans are pining for?

Currently we are in the throes of a political battle regarding a minimum wage boost. Sadly, it’s only $7.25 an hour, a wage on which the working poor cannot survive. As usual, our well-paid Kansas congressional representatives are vehemently opposed to any increase. It appears these workers are not part of the Republican “scheme of things.”

A major fast food chain, whose CEO makes over $9 million a year, has offered a budgetary solution to these “invisible working poor” — get a second job. Not much of a solution, of course, but I believe some relief is possible. Let’s send people to Congress who have a heart and will work  to include everyone in the American “scheme of things.” Please vote.