To the editor:

In the June 13 edition of the Lawrence Journal-World, Sen. Steve Fitzgerald, R- Leavenworth, was quoted with the brazen and callous remark that, “If you don’t want to pay the tax, don’t buy the item.” I suggest he say that, directly, to the parents who are buying diapers, food and other essential items for their families. It is not a matter of choice whether or not to buy a car seat or formula for an infant, or shoes for a child or yourself, or tires for the family automobile. Of course, it is a choice to subscribe to the local newspaper, or not.

And, to Dolph Simons Jr., I say, instead of fretting over the embarrassment to Kansas and the reputation of the Republican-controlled government, maybe you should give some concern to the people of Kansas, especially Lawrence, who, through their dedication and hard work, make the community something special and give us the right to be proud to be called “Jayhawks.”

The educators, health care professionals, engineers, auto mechanics, social workers, police, real estate agents, builders, retail and food service employees and all the other active and retired citizens who keep our city, county and state together and moving are, of necessity, consumers, and they don’t have to live here or, with the Internet and the ability to travel, buy here. Most of all, they can vote to change the laws and the legislators who make them. I hope they make that vital choice.