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Reflection, Gratitude, and a Call to Action

12/20/2021

2 Comments

 
As we continue this season of reflection and gratitude, my thoughts go out to the countless Americans who have sacrificed in service to our country, our Constitution, and our way of life. The task of preserving our democracy continues to take on new forms in our challenging times, and today, I am grateful for all those who will rise to the challenges, respond in new ways, and ensure that our nation's ideals persevere and continue to provide hope and opportunity to a new generation.

Thanksgiving week brought Lynn and I to Washington D.C. and a great time with our three grandchildren and extended families. One of the real highlights was the trip to Arlington National Cemetery with my daughter Lisa’s husband Seemesh Anandan, who took the photo below on our visit that day. Seemesh was born in India and is now a global executive with a major pharmaceutical company. The weather was perfect and, arriving early ahead of the crowds, we had a fantastic experience.

This was a solemn, peaceful, and reflective time. Being there, one could not help but think about all the men and women who have served this nation in the military, many giving their lives in defense of our democracy and the rule of law. Men and women of all colors, creeds, and backgrounds responded to the call to serve at times of crisis, and they did so for the benefit of us all as well as generations that would follow.

One of the highlights for us and for many visitors to the cemetery was the gravesite of former President John F. Kennedy and the eternal flame. Memorialized in stone are six quotes from his Inaugural Address on January 20th, 1961. I selected this one to represent my thoughts and concerns on that special day.
In the long history of the world
only a few generations have been granted
the role of defending freedom
in its hour of maximum danger.
I do not shrink from this responsibility.
I welcome it.
The question for us is will our generations rise to the occasion, defending our democracy, our freedom, and the rule of law? For starters, do we even understand that this is really what is at stake today and not down the road for others to respond? If not, what would have to happen to not just get your attention but move you to action, to understand what is happening, and to be a part of the solutions that must be achieved?

Why has January 6th not been a huge wakeup call to all Americans? That in no way was a celebration of our democracy. Yes, there are flaws in our system. That has always been the case, but in previous times, the bulk of our focus was on positive changes that needed to be made, not on ways to blow up our system.

But that is not true today, and there are reasons why. Fake news is far too dominant and has a significant influence on folks that have little time to connect with what is going on. Fox News, not alone, makes little or no effort to tell the truth but instead are clearly aiding and abetting the enemies of democracy. This is especially true as it relates to their long campaign to downplay the significance of an attempted insurrection against our government.

As the U.S. Select Committee to investigate the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol are revealing, viewing this as just a rally that spontaneously got out of control does not hold water. Thanks to Congresswoman Llz Cheney, this bipartisan effort I believe will lay out the facts of who was responsible for planning and funding that tragic day—​and might be a significant step towards getting our democracy back on track. But if Americans don’t in large numbers see the Select Committee’s work as factual and helpful, then what?

Do we teach so little world history that we no longer really understand what happens when tyranny prevails? Most folks I fear have little or no understanding of how our system of government works and should function to serve the best interests of all our people. So today, we need heroes—​not just one, but millions—​rising to the challenge in new ways to make our system work. And to prove it still holds promise for a brighter, more just, more peaceful, more prosperous world.

I close with this quote on another stone at the Kennedy gravesite.
Now the trumpet summons us again
not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need
not as a call to battle, though embattled we are
but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle
a struggle against the common enemies of man
tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.
The challenge for us is here and now. If and how we respond will determine our future.
Arlington National Cemetery
[Photo: Seemesh Anandan]
2 Comments

November 2nd is Important for the Future of Kansas

10/4/2021

4 Comments

 
Tuesday, November 2nd, is election day in Kansas. This is the last day to vote and express your support for the candidates you want on your local City Commissions and School Boards. But between now and then there are other key dates to remember, such as the last day to register to vote on October 12th and the last day to register for an Advanced Ballot by mail on October 26th. Early voting starts by mail October 13th and in some counties in person voting can be done at your County Courthouse. Voter participation, or lack thereof, will significantly shape the future of the community in which you live.

Why is this so important and maybe more important than ever before? Because we have gone through and continue to experience major change that demands more attention. Businesses and people are more mobile than ever. Quality health care will be even more important coming out of a pandemic. Competitive public schools are often a key factor in family and business location decisions. The younger generation sees things much differently and are much more likely to see their future somewhere else. That future comes down to retention and attraction of residents and explains why in this competitive world, electing the best candidates to local leadership positions is so essential.

Now, if by chance you do not give a crap who makes decisions for your local population, that is your choice but don’t yell and scream when your community suffers from leadership that has failed in key areas, leaving you with higher taxes and lesser results. There is a direct connection between electing real leaders that are engaged in the community and having a community that can compete in these challenging times. 

These upcoming elections are officially non-political but very unfortunately in practice are already becoming more partisan. Why do I think getting political parties openly engaged is bad? In my opinion, the importance of electing quality candidates who will serve the community well is far more important than political parties pressing for their preferences to be elected on political party biases. Voters tend to see the political fight and miss the candidates' positions and real qualifications for local leadership. In the end, political parties get their successes at the expense of what the community really needs. 

Just think… If President Biden’s Build Back Better plan gets adopted and the potential infrastructure investments become available, there will be huge opportunities for communities that have quality leadership to take full advantage. November 2nd results will significantly play a direct role in how your community responds to the many challenges we face. Please do your part in helping make that future what your community needs to compete in these fast changing times.
Line Outside Sedgwick County Election Office
[Photo: The Wichita Eagle]
4 Comments

Fallout from January 6th Continues

7/6/2021

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It's been just over six months since January 6th—and just days after we celebrated our nation’s Independence Day—and the anti-democracy movement in this country continues to grow.

With Republican Governors and State Legislators doing everything possible to limit Democrats from voting, and the Democratic Majority in Washington to this point unable to take steps to at least reduce if not eliminate such action, keeping our democracy is up in the air. How can we in any way assume that this democracy we have is secure and not vulnerable to the actions taking place? If we allow January 6th to be forgotten, consider it no big deal, and on top of that fail to stop the voter suppression so blatantly taking place in states all across the country, the core fundamentals of a democracy are lost and will not simply return.

January 6th, 2021 was not just another day of citizens visiting their Capital and seeing their democracy in action as some politicians are trying to peddle. That day saw American citizens storm the Capital, aroused by Impeached President Trump, to very clearly try to reverse the outcome of the November election. This was done despite all the court denials of any fraud, including from Trump-appointed Judges and the certified results from Republican Secretaries of State declaring President Biden as the rightful winner. If the storming of the Capitol and reversing the presidential results had been successful, the United States would no longer be a democracy.

Minority Senate Leader McConnell is without a doubt the most un-American Congressional leader this country has ever had. I wonder how much things could be different with someone else leading the Republican Caucus. He bluntly and publicly states he wants to do everything possible to keep the Biden Administration from getting anything done, and with the archaic Senate rules, he is well on his way to success with our Senator Roger Marshall right at his side. I want to make it clear there are a few sane Republican members of Congress who publicly state more responsible positions and vote accordingly. There are just not enough of them.

The continuing and crazy hold that Trump still has on so many elected officials is hard to believe but very real. Take our own Republican Congressional delegation. Following Trump’s lead not a word of concern from them in denying January 6th any real bipartisan investigation as if it was not really a big deal.

Topping off all of this, which should horrify any and all Americans, is the action taken in Georgia and Arizona (and spreading to other states, including here in Kansas) that just in case all their voter suppression actions do not deliver the results they want, a new law will allow the Republican controlled legislature to overrule the certified count. Now that is way beyond the pale and one does not have to have any legal training to know that is unconstitutional, undemocratic, and would certify we no longer have a democracy.  
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So how does all of this get stopped and turned around? There are bills introduced by Democrats in Congress that would generally reverse much of this craziness, but getting such legislation passed will not be easy. Given the close partisan makeup of Congress, the very few, if any, Republicans that would help, and the crazy rules of the Senate, success can be achieved but not without strong leadership, all hands on deck, and President Biden’s ties helping in the Senate. 

Maybe most important will be whether the American people wake up to the potential loss of their democracy and make clear such action will be a voting issue come election time. This is not just another partisan fight like we’ve been through many times before. This is the ball game, the whole enchilada, and there will be no second act. Wake up Americans, and together we just might keep our democracy.
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[Photo: Probal Rashid via Getty Images]
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Covid Relief Needed Now

3/6/2021

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Why is this next week so critical for the American people? Dealing successfully with the many challenges of the Pandemic, which includes unemployment benefits extension, funds for the vaccine roll-out, cash to families who are in trouble paying rent, feeding the family, and paying utility bills is on the table for the Congress particularly now for the Senate to do its work following the successful start in the House. Local and state governments will get some help on funding many unanticipated financial challenges and, unlike the Federal Government, must stay within their budgets. There is aid for public education to help get schools open as well as to assist with technology improvements.

The deadline for extending unemployment benefits is March 15th. Adding urgency to this deadline are the goals set by the President to have the package successfully implemented. Keep in mind the total opposition from the two Republican caucuses and the obstacles created by Democrats coming from both the right and the left of the Party. As I post this blog, Republican Senator Johnson from Wisconsin will have succeeded in requesting and, acting within the rules, demanding the clerk read the entire Covid relief bill and a marathon of amendments will be proposed and brought to a vote. This, of course, will only take valuable time away from getting the job done—which is no doubt his objective. Other delays will follow as Republicans will do everything possible to deny the American people what they want and need.

It isn’t just the $1.9 trillion package that is involved here. We need to understand how critical it is for the Biden Presidency that this be done by March 15, which is one working week away. The Republicans and press will go after him on the deadline if unmet, just as they will go after him for not accomplishing the goal of having a vaccine for every adult by the end of May or early June. Believe me, the press wants to go after Biden, because they will be eager to show that they are indeed objective fact-finders. If Democrats fail in meeting the March 15th deadline, the press—even the friendly opinion columnists—will run a story comparing Biden to Trump and highlighting his failures. The press would love to demonstrate their fairness; although, in reality, that would be a big plus for Republicans over Democrats, because it will be like comparing a first degree murder to a misdemeanor. 

For the long-term success of the Biden Presidency, it is really important that these goals be met on time. They are good for the American people; they will help mid-term 2022 Democratic reelections and gains; and, obviously, they will enhance Biden’s ability to get reelected in 2024. If Biden loses in 2024, the Republicans will come in and reverse everything that has been done.

Here is my message to Senate Democrats: Don't miss this opportunity to prove to the American people that the government can work. In the process, you should be able to remain in power and perhaps build on congressional majorities—something that is also necessary to maintain the progress you have made by the end of the term and make more strides in the future. The polls unanimously say the American people back you on passing the stimulus, including lots of Republicans too.

Some Congressional Democrats seem to be fine with a delay on COVID 19 in exchange for attempting to pass the minimum wage increase to $15 dollars. They must not understand the political need to be flexible with Biden so that, in the long-run, the Biden Administration can accomplish more of the priority goals that were promised. Pushing the minimum wage increase now only increases the possibility for failure. There are some brilliant and very important members of Congress who are occasionally short-sighted and do not always see the big picture. With so much to be done, and much of it critical for the American people, it is certainly easy to get in a hurry. But save the push on a minimum wage increase until after the Covid package and infrastructure, when you will have the momentum of those two going forward to successfully deliver on a federal policy to increase the minimum wage. 

Infrastructure investment will and should be the next congressional priority. In doing so, we will be addressing a fundamental matter where, compared to many other countries, we have much to do. Bridges, highways, broadband, major improvements in transportation—this would be a huge win. It will bring good jobs to boost the economy, get a real start on climate change, and modernize much of our transportation system. The stimulus, infrastructure, and increasing minimum wage are all important, but they need to be done in a certain order to succeed. There is strong support for these policies from the people, and they will get done if strong and wise leadership prevails.

Again, if Democrats screw this up, we are handing the Republicans the opportunity to take the Congress back in less than 2 years and not re-elect Biden. If that happens, they will likely reverse virtually everything done by Biden and the Congressional Democrats. 

An advantage for Republicans, to be optimistic in the long-term, is that a big Biden win might be what it takes for the sane Republicans still with Trump to start to leave the crazies and return to rebuilding a responsible conservative party so desperately needed for the future. 

Meeting big goals leads to momentum, failing leads to inertia, and that is something this country must avoid.
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"The Big Lie" Fueling Voter Suppression

3/1/2021

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At every level of government, from the Nation's Capital to individual states including Kansas, with direct impacts on local elections as well, there are currently active efforts to pass voter suppression laws to make it more difficult for some people to vote—efforts with much success likely. The sole purpose of these efforts is to win some elections that would likely be lost without such help. Making it more difficult for some folks to vote has a long history in this country. It took us a long time to even allow Black men and women to vote, and we gradually saw some progress to make voter participation in elections more fair. 

Who is mostly impacted? Voter suppression laws are primarily designed to impact citizens of color, but across the board they disenfranchise anyone who has difficulty voting. Whatever reason that might be, whether tied to the job one has, their living situation, parental responsibilities, some kind of disability, academic commitments, language barriers, business or family challenges, their likelihood of voting can be altered dramatically by the access options provided.

In recent years, several changes have been made to improve access to the polls. These changes include voting by mail, early voting, sufficient number of places to vote, drop boxes, and maybe most importantly, a communication effort to make sure all eligible voters know their options. And we're coming off a 2020 election where more Americans voted than ever before, something you would think would make us all proud. Unbelievably, but true, is that basic efforts to expand voter participation are used by many to claim voter fraud and, most importantly, to justify suppressing the vote.

Proponents of passing voter suppression laws at both the national and state level are folks who know that, without such actions, too many of their candidates would lose. They hide under the false concern of illegal ballots being cast when there is little or no evidence today of any fraud at any level that would have impacted any election. Despite, for example, the Biden-Trump race in Georgia being recounted three times with basically no change and even the Republican Secretary of State certifying the election, claims of fraud continued to be pushed by then President Trump all the way to the riots in the Capitol January 6th and the first speech of his post-presidency, delivered at CPAC. They continue this lie today. And buying into "the big lie" is being used as a type of litmus test, to prove that certain Republicans are truly "with" the Trump program. It's hard to imagine something more damaging than attacking the integrity of U.S. elections as a base-line belief for a major political party.

Trump’s own Attorney General confirmed the election was fair and very well administered nationwide, and there is a general agreement among professionals in both parties that our 2020 elections were run, with rare exceptions, fairly. Some more-than-sixty lawsuits were filed by Trump’s team claiming election fraud in several states that were key in determining the Electoral College victory for Biden. None gained any traction, including several that reached the Supreme Court and in front of Judges who were appointed by President Trump.

What blows me away is all the voters here in Kansas who happily look the other way and accept such discrimination as perfectly acceptable while they hide under outlandish claims of voter fraud. Former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach made a huge issue of voter fraud, spending state dollars to investigate with no success in the end finding any real problem, other than a few very isolated examples. Then costing the state more money to defend the discriminatory policies put on the books, many of which have been struck down in court. He did, however, manage to secure years of far right government in Kansas and put himself on the radar of the Trump administration, who unsurprisingly loved his anti-democratic ideas.

Modern elections, particularly after the fine-tuning following 2016, are confirmed to be run fair and square by expert and objective viewers. This is why there is a growing shift for most Republicans to push voter suppression as the way for their candidates to win. We live in a country that theoretically believes in "one person one vote" and throughout our history have made strides towards every legal voter having easy access to the ballot box. Why should that not be our practice? 

What needs to happen to stop voter suppression, given Republicans control legislatures and Governors in many state capitals, is for the Biden Administration to introduce a new John Lewis Voting Rights Act setting national standards for voting access and for Congress to pass it. This law would probably be passed by only Democratic votes, but it would counter all the efforts being made by Republicans to suppress the vote and disenfranchise large populations of voters. 

Now to those who say this is all just politics, I am happy to be on the side of believing all eligible voters should have easy access to the voting booth and not be handicapped in any way. How else would we truly insure that the will of the people is determining our government, rather than the other way around? And what credibility would we have in standing up for democracy around the world if we consistently did the opposite here at home? This is directly at the core of who we are as a nation and, most importantly, who we want to be.
Trump speaks at CPAC 2021
Donald Trump delivered his first speech as a former President, a lie-filled tirade at the annual CPAC convention. Chief among his "greatest hits" was the effort to deny the results of the 2020 Presidential election. The crowd enthusiastically cheered "the big lie," as they prepare to do his bidding and push for an agenda of voter suppression, that just might help him get elected in 2024. [Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images]
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Bringing Trump's Guilt Home to Kansas

2/15/2021

32 Comments

 
I think often of the old Chinese Proverb “may you live in interesting times.” And as I think back over now eight decades of living, there have been many times that fit that slogan. Going with my Dad in the morning after milking to pick up a German Prisoner of War to work on the farm certainly fit that bill. I think of the droughts, the floods, the hail, the pressures from bankers to somehow magically make the numbers work. And then all the lucky opportunities in my life for public service and now teaching, have brought many interesting times. But today, “interesting times” just don't fit. We definitely live in a time where our democracy and our Constitution are literally vulnerable.

Americans have had challenges before for sure. The great depression, WWll, and Watergate for example, but during those times there was bi-partisan leadership for dealing with these challenges. Senator Capper, a very conservative Kansas Republican, worked with FDR on much of what had to be done to overcome the great depression. WWll brought us together like never before (or since) with our own General Eisenhower playing a key role. In the Nixon debacle, fellow Republicans, Senator Howard Baker for example, played key roles in holding their Party’s leader accountable. Today with rare exceptions, Republicans are almost totally united in defending whatever President Trump has done or said. Their collective behavior makes surviving as a Democracy, a governance model that has spread around the world, to be the greatest American challenge since the Civil War.

That brings us to the Saturday vote on impeachment. Senator Moran, you were there in the 90’s for a House vote for the Clinton trial on impeachment where lying about sex with a White House Intern rose to the level for you to vote to impeach. Senator Marshall, you were not there, but I think it is fair to assume you would have likewise voted for impeachment and conviction. Given the issue involved then, compared to the actions of Trump in inciting a mob to violence on January 6th, threatening our Democracy, doesn’t that make your votes on the impeachment of former President Trump all the more difficult to defend—false constitutional challenges aside? 

And, Senator Moran, it cannot be ignored that this most recent acquittal vote follows in the wake of your earlier impeachment decision to excuse Trump’s effort to extort a foreign leader and government to create false information for the purpose of influencing this past election. What legal or ethical standard do you apply in making these fundamental decisions affecting our national interest and character? Or do you believe that your perceived interest in political self-preservation and an unrestrained commitment to partisanship must always prevail? 

Obviously, neither of you were seriously bothered by the fact Vice President Pence’s life was under real threat that January 6th day in the Capitol because he was not doing what President Trump wanted (i.e., reversing the vote of the Electoral College). That threat toward Vice President Pence was clearly provoked by Trump talking directly to his followers, taped for the world to see. Trump made it clear that, in his opinion, his Vice President had the opportunity and the need to act and have the courage to unconstitutionally invalidate the election.

Maybe most surprising is that after you were both there, front row and all, and after getting over I assume the initial shock of having your own lives at serious risk, you two cast votes as if it were no big deal that the Vice President and members of Congress, including the Speaker, were targeted to be assassinated and that the lives of police officers were threatened and lost.

What would a Republican President in the very last days of his or her administration have to do to get your concern? How many people, for example, would have to die due to the President’s instigation? How more threatened would our Constitution and Democracy have to be for you to vote for conviction? Keep in mind, the former President’s defense focused almost exclusively on Constitutional grounds with little or nothing on his innocence for January 6th. In fact, Leader McConnell used his speech after the vote to make the case that Trump was in fact guilty, before explaining his own vote to acquit, based on the situation he created by not taking up the case until after Trump's term had ended. This defense was so paper thin that it was even surprising to hear from the mouth of McConnell, who spent four years looking the other way on Trump's conduct in order to accomplish his singular focus on confirming his often totally unqualified judicial nominees. To say it's been a low point for the GOP would be an enormous understatement, and you Kansas Senators have been right there to cheer it on.

Setting aside all of the above, how do you see your actions helping the Republican Party going forward to reestablish some level of normalcy, some common sense that puts the real interests of the American people first? Today’s Republican Party is certainly not the one that included Dole, Kassebaum, Pearson, Sebelius, and Myers. Most importantly, the American people benefit when we have two strong, sane political parties that represent different positions but who, notwithstanding these differences, are always in the end working to do what is best for the Country. What is the benefit of placing the interests of one man over all the principles that have guided the Republican Party in the past? And how does this serve our nation?

Aren’t your actions of putting re-election and Party affiliation over upholding your oath to defend the Constitution and our Democracy something very awkward to explain?
Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas
[Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Associated Press]
32 Comments

Senator Moran and the Right Side of History

2/13/2021

10 Comments

 
Dear Senator Moran:

I communicate with you knowing, to say the least, that you confront a challenge of historical dimension in deciding whether former President Trump’s conduct both leading up to January 6th and on that date were so egregious and so threatening to our democratic system of government as to require a vote for impeachment conviction. It is my hope that this message does somehow reach you in time, letting you know that there are a lot folks in Kansas who believe the former President’s pattern of inciting violence and placing at risk the lives of members of Congress, the Vice-President, and the police whose job it is to protect those individuals and our Capitol, warrants conviction. 

I recognize it will not be an easy vote. It would undoubtedly generate controversy. However, as I believe you know, there are many Republicans in Kansas who would applaud such a vote and herald your courage for casting it. As I also think you know, these Republicans reflect the heritage of a moderate and principled political party—from Governor Landon, to President Eisenhower, to Senators Dole, Pearson, and Kassebaum—and a host of others. These are all Kansans who served with honor and distinction—and were looked to for steady, sensible, principled leadership for our state and our nation. They are individuals who I know you respect, and there are many Kansans who would like to see you follow their example. We will be ready to thank you, should you choose to stand up to whatever political pressure or fear of a Primary next year you might confront.

I assume you know that Qanon leaders have already set March 6th as a likely day for the next big march on the Capitol. This should be no surprise, as their leaders who were key to January 6th are already organizing for the future. They feel they won the first round and are in no way discouraged. Trump is certainly speaking like he will be there for them. And their efforts may not be limited to a return to Washington D.C. It appears State Capitols like Michigan are also on their radar.

I attach a letter that hopefully you’ve seen from Leroy Towns, published recently in the Kansas Reflector. I first got acquainted with Leroy when he worked for Governor Bennet, when I was in the Legislature. He has made a huge contribution over many decades to the benefit of Kansas and the nation. Out of respect for him, I am going to attach a copy of what he wrote. Given his writing skills, knowledge, and political history, his message might have more impact than anything I can say.

This is a time in the history of our nation when key votes can have unbelievable negative impacts on the United States of America. Please be on the right side of history.
Digital Signature - John Carlin
John Carlin | Fellow resident of Manhattan, Kansas
Rioter in the Senate Chamber
[Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images]
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Restoring Quality and Respect for Civil Service

2/1/2021

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I remember in 1978, starting literally the day after my election, meeting with Budget Office Director Jim Bibb and his talented staff who, for the most part, stayed with me for all eight years and did a tremendous job. They were representative of the many unheralded folks in all areas of government who got the job done on a daily basis. When I began my term, I and my new cabinet had most of the civil service talent basically in place to move forward with my agenda.

In contrast, President Biden will be hindered by the many vacancies created by folks who could not tolerate the unprofessional Trump approach and the totally incompetent political hacks that were hired. The public will need to understand this challenge and accept the fact that it will take significant time to not just set aside incompetent staff but hire quality replacements the federal government needs for expected delivery of quality services. But the experienced Biden-Harris leadership team will get started on this task right away at the various agencies and departments of the federal government.

I think back to my ten years with the National Archives and Records Administration, when I had some 3,000 classified civil service employees who dedicated their careers to public service. Their professionalism and commitment to public service allowed me and my leadership team to focus on securing the resources needed and to work on program changes important to address the changing ways of record creation, preservation, and public access. 

If this Trump disaster has a familiar ring for Kansans, it is the memories of our eight years of the Brownback Administration and all the pain that came from their total disrespect for career public servants. With the support of the Republican led Legislature, the law was changed so that when a career employee retired or moved to another job, they could replace that employee with an unqualified political friend who would survive in that position when there is a change of administration. As one can imagine, such action has made many problems for the Kelly administration.

In contrast, President Obama, after a trip to Alabama following a devastating tornado to inspect and, most importantly, check to see how his FEMA director Craig Fugate and team were doing, was pleased to get very positive local feedback. Writing in his book “A Promised Land,” Obama said this:

“I wasn’t surprised, for Fugate had been one of my best hires, a no nonsense, no-ego, no-excuses public servant with decades of experience dealing with natural disasters. Still it gave me satisfaction to see his efforts recognized, and I was once again reminded that so much of what really mattered in government came down to the daily, unheralded acts of people who weren’t seeking attention but simply knew what they were doing and did it with pride.”

And as I shared earlier, the Biden-Harris Administration will initially need some patience from we the people as they work to fill the voids and vacancies in the civil service system left to them by the Trump Administration. I am very confident they will, but just maybe not as fast as we’d like or need—​following Trump has its special handicaps. And let us all respect the importance of a quality civil service that makes so much difference in how the job of serving citizens actually gets done.
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[Photo: Reuters]
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Still Much to Learn from Dr. King's Visit to Kansas

1/18/2021

1 Comment

 
I was milking cows in 1968, a year one can never forget. The assassinations, the riots, the Chicago Democratic Convention, and ultimately Humphrey losing to Nixon in November. Even with my aging memory, that year is solidly etched in. Including notable appearances by multiple leaders who passed through Kansas during that tumultuous year.

But the year started with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. coming to Manhattan and Kansas State University on January 19th, speaking in Ahearn Fieldhouse to a packed crowd. The following are his opening remarks and, although 53 years have passed, they are certainly on target today.

“There seems to be a desperate, poignant question on the lips of thousands and millions of people all over our nation and all over the world. They are asking whether we have made any real progress in the area of race relations. In seeking to answer this question I always seek to avoid, on the one hand, a superficial optimism and, on the other hand a deadening pessimism. I always try to answer it by giving what I consider a realistic position. It seems to me that the realistic position is that we have made significant strides in the struggle for racial equality, but that we have a long, long way to go before the problem is solved." Read the full transcript here.

There is no better example of how his words a half century ago ring so true today than the all-too-frequent action of law enforcement in response to white backlash against the struggle for Black equality, safety, and justice. What happened in Washington D.C. on January 6th will be etched in history forever. Contrast the actions, or primarily inactions, of law enforcement that day with the often over reaction to a Black Lives Matter protest this past summer and it is abundantly clear that significant police reform is in order.

That double standard was certainly true in the 1960’s. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated April 4th, 1968. Four days later, Congressman John Conyers from Michigan introduced a House Resolution to have an official federal holiday honoring the work of King. In the Kansas Legislative session shortly after King was assassinated, KS Representative Norman Justice introduced a resolution calling for the state to implement a MLK holiday for Kansas. No action was taken at that time. President Carter tried in 1979 to get the holiday established but came up five votes short in the House.  

Final passage making the federal holiday official was not until 1983 (signed into law by President Reagan 11-2-1983) with 1986 being the first year of celebration. Kansas was an early state (1984) in adopting the holiday, with all states on board by the turn of the century. It is striking that, even now, Alabama and Mississippi honor the Confederate General Robert E. Lee on the same day as Dr. King. And we wonder why the symbolism of the Confederate flag is still such an issue. 

Today, there is certainly opposition to needed police reform, just as there was strong opposition to the potential of a holiday for Dr. King. Republican Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina said King was "anti-American." Some Senators said another holiday would be too expensive to the nation. To that, Republican Senator Dole of Kansas said, “I would suggest they hurry back to their pocket calculators and estimate the cost of 300 years of slavery, followed by a century or more of economic, political, and social exclusion and discrimination.”

I cannot imagine any Republican member of our current Kansas Congressional delegation uttering anything close to what Senator Dole said almost 40 years ago. How things have changed, and not always for the better, highlights the many challenges of race relations that we still face. So, on this year's MLK Day, we should heed Dr. King's words, and learn from his legacy, as we continue the struggle to make this a more just and inclusive nation. Because we certainly have "a long, long way to go."
Dr. King at Kansas State University
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaking in Ahearn Field House on January 19, 1968. [Photo Courtesy of the Morse Department of Special Collections, Kansas State University Libraries]
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A Story on Not Conceding an Election

1/14/2021

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While it fortunately is not the norm, a candidate not conceding an election has happened before. 

First, let me take you back to General Election day in Kansas, November of 1978. I was challenging incumbent Governor Bob Bennett. I was underfunded, given little chance to win, and in the latest poll published in the Sunday Topeka Daily Capital before the election, I was down 49% to 33%. How I won is another story, but certainly my opponent had to be totally shocked, especially when the first edition of the Topeka Capital Journal had him winning very early Wednesday morning. 

He didn't have to concede and concession was not necessary for the transition process to begin. There was no questioning of the election results but also no real organized help for the transition either, with the exception of access to the budget staff to produce a new budget for the Legislature’s consideration. It was clear that I would become Governor, and I took over as planned on Inauguration Day in 1979 with no fuss. This is certainly the outcome we're all hoping for in 2021.

Years passed and I never gave the issue any thought. For me, Bennett’s unwillingness to concede was never a real issue. After I had left office, the Kansas State Chamber of Commerce sponsored a Leadership Kansas program, inviting both myself and Governor Bennett to jointly appear, share observations, and take questions—​something we ended up doing for several years. At the very first joint appearance, Bennett went first and led off with this statement: “For the record, I want to publicly concede that John won in '78.” The audience didn’t know exactly how to respond, but it didn’t keep us from having a really good joint appearance. I always highly respected him, as we had gotten very well acquainted when we were both in legislative leadership and then during his four years as Governor.

I am thankful and we are fortunate that, despite Trump taking over two months to accept there will be a transition of power, and with accountability coming after putting us through hell on January 6th, the experienced Biden-Harris team knows what they are doing—​even with limited early access to key information, including intelligence and public health. And, come January 20th, they will be ready to lead and make us proud.

But, clearly, re-establishing civility and mutual respect for one another and the electoral process will continue to be a challenge in the coming years. We must restore our faith in the will of the People and our system for freely and fairly electing our leaders. If we don't do this, I fear more dark days could be in our future, rather than our past.
Kansas Governor Bob Bennett, Kansas Governor John Carlin
Pictured here is Governor Bob Bennett and myself, on Inauguration Day in January of 1979. The speech took place indoors that year, in the Auditorium at Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall, with the Swearing-In on the South steps of the Capitol shortly after.
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What the Biden-Harris Picks Say About Their Leadership Style

12/14/2020

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As I watch President Elect Joe Biden put together the team he and Vice President Elect Harris will have come January 20th, confirmations pending, almost without exception I am very pleased. What is obvious is that experience, competence, and diversity are back, and the Federal Government will once again be on track. 

Starting with Biden’s White House staff, what a change from what we have witnessed in the last four years! These folks, in many cases, have been there before with success and will be operating smoothly right at the start. As the Biden-Harris team continues to announce cabinet and top leadership posts, the high quality continues, and although some Republican Senators are already targeting some for serious scrutiny, as is normal, there is hope that this process moves quickly given the existing voids of leadership and the incredible problems we have. 

As this transition goes by day-by-day, I can’t help but reflect on the two new Presidential Administrations that I had some experience with and how those transfers of power worked out. 

Jimmy Carter campaigned early in Kansas, and I had a chance to get acquainted with him. Over time, as Governor, I connected with his staff when I was very active with the National Governors Association. Carter brought with him to Washington many key staff he had as Governor. The group, often referred to as his "Georgia Mafia," had very limited Washington experience, so problems were common.

Six of the eight years I was Governor, Clinton was Governor of Arkansas. Because of our close proximity and the Governors Association, we got very well acquainted. As it became evident that sometime soon he would run for President, I remember telling him more than once to please remember the lesson we both learned from Carter about having experienced folks on your White House staff. Clinton’s first Chief of Staff was a wonderful person with talent that shined in Arkansas but knew nothing about running the White House.

In sharp contrast to these two administrations, Biden has huge advantages. First, there is no Delaware Mafia for Biden, because almost all his experience has been centered in the Nation's Capital. From decades of time in the United States Senate and the eight years as Vice President, he had time to observe and get acquainted with much of the talent his team would need. Biden’s national experience also gave him a clear understanding of the skills needed to successfully lead in this time of huge challenges and pressure.

I think of my own experience setting up an administration and how I ended up with such a great team: Pat Hurley, John Kemp, Barbara Sabol, Joe Harkins, Mike Lennen, Bob Harder, Harley Duncan, and many others including a fantastic staff who were exceptionally talented, hard working, and went on to huge success in government and private business. How did this happen? All I know for sure is I always knew I wasn’t the smartest person in the room, so to succeed, I had to go for the very best. And it is clear now that President Elect Joe Biden is going with folks he knows have the competence and experience to deliver.

He continues to pick knowledgeable public servants that he knows he can listen to and trust when important decisions come to his desk. I know from experience that this style of leadership can lead to fantastic results that serve the people well.
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[Photo: Anna Moneymaker/The New York Times]
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Biden-Harris Administration Gearing Up for Huge Challenges

12/7/2020

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Despite continued Trump efforts to discredit and change the outcome of the 2020 election, President Elect Joe Biden will be sworn in on January 20th as the 46th President of the United States. And, despite the lack of transitional help from the Trump Administration, the Biden-Harris team is doing really well at filling out their team and learning as much as possible about all areas of government. They will be as well prepared as possible come the afternoon of the swearing-in ceremony to take over running the government of the United States of America.

Because the election was very close and in an almost equally politically divided country, the challenges ahead are greater than maybe anytime in history with obstacles in the way including the pandemic and a looming depression for many Americans. On top of that, the 2024 Presidential race has in essence already started. Trump is not going away and is preparing his supporters to do everything possible to hurt Biden. Because Trump remains engaged in politics, I fear the bulk of current Republican members in Congress, particularly the Senate, will be gutless in risking offending him.

Additionally, the Biden team is being pushed by elements of their own party who are making all sorts of demands on key appointments as well as pushing several key policy areas further to the left. Biden needs his liberal supporters to be reasonable, be at the table, and be heard. But the liberals should not publicly demand that their views totally prevail because they believe they won the election for him. Delivering the victory could be claimed of almost any group or area when an election is as close as this one. It’s also far too early in this process to claim that one particular constituency or another has “won or lost” anything. It’s best to be patient and allow the selection processes to play out, knowing the functionality and success of the overall team is the priority here.

Strategically, the plan moving forward must include directions that enhance the likelihood of re-election. I say that for at least two reasons. First, I think the chances increase for the policy changes achieved to survive a Republican reversal if the people re-elect the Biden-Harris team, thus showing public support for the Administration’s leadership. Secondly, we need eight years of appointing judges to begin balancing the court system after the unbelievable Trump move to only appoint not just conservative judges but anti-government ones that have and will continue to reverse positions that have stood for decades under leadership of both parties.

For me, this means strategically to accomplish these goals we must be pragmatic. Biden’s tendency to want Republican support needs to really be given a chance. This is absolutely true if Democrats do not win both Georgia Senate races in January. And in achieving even minimal Republican votes, the public perception should be more positive. And the Administration's messaging will be key. Remembering the audience you need to reach beyond your core supporters will be a must.

Regarding overcoming obstacles, we will probably learn soon whether Biden’s long history in the Senate with some former Republican colleagues can work to some modest degree in helping move his Presidential agenda forward. The first clue will be how those key Republicans start to act following the transition and with less direct pressure from the former President, allowing at least some independent thought. Depending on how the Georgia runoff races go, Biden may need none or only a couple Senators to work with him. Ideally, he will find those Republican votes so that legislation looks at least a little bipartisan, which should increase the chances of surviving a future Republican administration.

Given the challenges of dealing with Covid-19 and the unbelievable growth in cases and deaths as well as the economy, we had better hope and pray Joe and Kamala have the support necessary to succeed. Lives are at stake, and the future is on the line.
President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris
[Photo: Ruth Fremson/The New York Times]
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Legal Dead-Ends and Damage to Democracy

11/30/2020

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Whether perceived as farce or tragedy or some melding of the two, the Giuliani and friends press conference held at the Republican National Committee headquarters pushed a conspiracy involving foreign dictators (one of whom died 7 years ago), foreign governments, local and state election officials, German data storage equipment, an American election technology company (erroneously described as a Venezuelan company), and the ever-villainized George Soros along with the Clinton Foundation.

This combined effort to deny President Trump the “landslide” election he purportedly won—​demands that responsible GOP leaders (in addition to Senators Romney and Sasse and certain state Republican election officials) stand up and say “Stop–Enough.” Now, I acknowledge that our Senator Moran has now referred to Vice President Biden as President Elect, which is a step but no direct concern expressed about the craziness going on in general like with the President attacking Republican Secretaries of State that certified Biden’s victory. Then there is Senator Elect Marshall giving $20k to help fund these crazy sideshows.

It is unclear whether this tragicomic effort is intended only to salve the wounded ego of our narcissistic president or to do something much more sinister—​like overturning the outcome of a democratically conducted American presidential election. Whatever the intent, there are compelling reasons—​life and death reasons—​for it to end and hopefully has by the time you read this.

First, as the transition to a Biden presidency has been stalled and Trumpian disciples continue to insist that the Covid-19 pandemic is a hoax, silence from the President as he sulks in the White House ensures that millions of Americans will not take appropriate measures to at least slow the explosive spread of the coronavirus and lower the number of Covid-19 hospitalizations and deaths until a robust vaccination program is underway. His speaking out could make a real difference, particularly if joined by other Republican leadership. That consequence in itself should move our otherwise silent and apparently intimidated Kansas Senators to speak out and make clear to Kansans—​many of whom may understandably be disappointed with the presidential outcome—​that the election is over, that Biden won, and that speaking out clearly on the necessity of wearing masks, socially distancing, and limiting crowd size, could make a real difference in bringing this pandemic to an earlier end as well as save lives.

There is a second and equally important reason for our senators to convey a clear message to Kansans that the electoral process was fairly conducted and produced an honest result. Senators Moran and Roberts know that the Trump-Giuliani effort damages, perhaps irreparably and without justification, underlying confidence in our entire democratic system of government. Speaking the truth, clearly and unequivocally, may be uncomfortable for our senators. I realize they may receive some backlash from the more unhinged Trump supporters in the state, but a matter far more important than their comfort is at issue and that is the survival of our very system of government.

It is time for our senators to stand up for democracy. Why not put the country first? I would suggest that their children and grandchildren would be proud. I would also suggest there will be a lot of support from rank and file Kansans praying for sanity and for our system of government, as envisioned by the founders, to be preserved. Why not emulate the courage of President (then General) Eisenhower who on the eve of D-Day did not hesitate explicitly to accept full responsibility if the European landing did not succeed? His was indeed a profile in courage.  

I am a Democrat, but I believe our state and country are stronger if we have a vibrant and sane two-party system. Neither America, nor the Republican Party, are served by the cowardice of otherwise reasonable leaders, including Senators Moran and Roberts—​who indeed know better than to countenance the machinations of Trump, Giuliani, and their minions.
Rudy Press Conference
[Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images]
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Transition Trainwreck

11/16/2020

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Americans voted early or on November 3rd, with the election called by the Associated Press on Saturday, November 7th. In normal times, President-Elect Biden would have already met with President Trump and the transition period would have started. Full funding from the General Services Agency would have been provided immediately in order to implement the transition process for the best interests of the United States of America. I’m sure you have all seen TV news clips of the smiling and positive transfers taking place from Carter to Reagan, H. W. Bush to Clinton, Clinton to W. Bush, W. to Obama, and Obama to Trump all involving a change from one party to the other.

But today is not normal in many ways. President Trump has not conceded, although he has basically announced he will be running for President in 2024. He has and is pushing for recounts, investigations, and claiming he has been cheated. Now, you might say what’s new? Isn’t that just politics? Well, even following several very contentious elections, no President in modern times has acted this way. Each has demonstrated a fundamental commitment to ensuring that governmental functions can continue to be carried out effectively by a successor and, more importantly, that Americans’ confidence in our electoral process, including a peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another, is preserved.

What you need to share when hearing and or visiting with anyone who buys in with all these false claims is the fact that the count was watched over by both Republicans and Democrats, regardless of whether the state had a Republican or Democratic Secretary of State, with several of the Republicans speaking out in defense of the validity of the election results. There are reports that many Republicans have privately acknowledged a Biden win, but are not willing to do this in public to avoid the wrath of Trump and his voter base. Some say Trump simply won’t concede because that will nullify all the lawsuits his campaign has filed regarding election outcomes. Regardless of their reasons, their denials of reality are flaring tensions among supporters who have not yet been told to stand down by their leader. So, the transition trainwreck continues into dangerous territory.

Trump's actions tear at the fabric of the most fundamental concept that is at the core of the Constitutional republic we were gifted by our founders. When President Washington served his two terms and walked away, peacefully transitioning power to another administration, it solidified this as a free nation, truly governed by laws and not men. This miracle, and the long tradition that followed, is something that is truly great about our country. One wannabe autocrat won't change that, but he will continue to do damage all the way out the door—​with or without a uniformed escort.

People need to understand that what goes on in the transition leading up to noon on January 20th, when Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, makes a huge difference on how the next administration gets started. Given that the current Trump administration is filled with acting administrators, primarily political friends of the President who have limited or no talents needed for the position, getting Biden-talent now ready to go is all the more important.

But what makes that doubly important this time is not just all of the international and national security issues that are up in the air, but the critical need for real and informed leadership to address the handling of Covid-19 and the surge in cases and deaths we are experiencing throughout the country, with predictions of the numbers only getting worse as winter sets in. We need the adults to get back in the room, and fast.

Think for a moment on what might be going through Putin’s mind. Is this an opportunity for Russia? His best friend will leave office January 20th, of that we should be certain. Putin’s friend has filled key Pentagon and Defense posts with acting, incompetent political friends. Maybe now is the time to pursue his desire to take back Ukraine. I think it would be safe to say our current President would look the other way and his minions would stifle any competent discussion of what should be done. And Putin is just one of many authoritarian leaders and other bad actors who may seek to exploit this vulnerable time for our government and the fabric of our nation.

Needless to say, with Covid-19 already bumming out enthusiasm for Thanksgiving and the holiday season, thanks to Donald Trump, we now face two months of unnecessary trauma.
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[Photo: Julio Cortez/Associated Press]
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To the Republicans Who Want Their Party Back...

10/24/2020

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I know my audience has a fairly limited number of Republicans, so once again I am sharing a message with the hope there will be opportunities for you to pass the good word along. This election, both for our state and nationally, is not just about who is going to be primarily in charge come January but also could have significant influence on how our democracy moves forward in the coming years.

It is truly my hope and prayer that at some time soon the Republican Party can return to a saner version of conservatism, where the two Parties, particularly on really important issues, work across Party lines for the best interest of the American people and the future of our democracy. President Eisenhower worked closely with Majority Leader Senator Lyndon Johnson and Speaker Sam Rayburn, both Democrats and as a result the Interstate Highway System was passed.

My message to Republicans, especially to those of you who have concerns but do not want to abandon the Party, I say this: vote for Democrats in key races, which does not require a change of registration (although you would be welcome) and send a strong message that until the Republican Party returns to sanity, you will continue to vote for Democrats. If you stick with the Brownback Republicans, how can you expect change? Losing can send a powerful message. In fact, it may be the only way to bring real reforms into serious consideration within the party.

Many quality, moderate Republicans were defeated in the August Primary because of their opposition to the Brownback agenda and their shocking willingness to work with Democrats for the good of the state. This might be less likely to happen in the future if election analysis shows Democrats won big because of Republican votes. Something must happen to get more Republicans back to a conservative set of beliefs that can help lead to good policy for the state, especially on the key issues for Kansans.

As I reflect on my years with Kansas politics, I value the many times I had to visit with former Governor Alf Landon and learn from his experiences. Senator Bob Dole and I had our political differences, but we didn’t let that get in the way of working together for the best interests of Kansas. I think back on some of the key successes we had in my administration where, for example, working with Republican Senator Charlie Angell and Representative David Heinemann on the State’s first real Water plan or Senate President Ross Doyen on a major infrastructure program made a real positive difference for the State of Kansas.

Then, I think of our contemporary Kansas Republican leaders at the national and state level, and there is a stark difference, one almost totally devoid of compromise and crossing the aisle. How can Moran, Marshall, Roberts and Wagle look themselves in the mirror with integrity? Or should they feel shame for their role in advancing Trump’s hijacking of the Republican Party and his abuse of fundamental principles and institutions underlying our democratic system of government?  

Share this message, use it in conversations with friends, make it clear they can have it both ways. They can vote the right way for what is best now and ​ give the Republican Party another chance to make the changes necessary to get back to when two strong Parties with different philosophies, in the end, worked out their differences and did what was right for the country.

​But if the "Party of Lincoln" doesn't start resembling their founder soon, they bring grave risk to the foundation of the "House United" that he worked so hard to preserve. We cannot remain divided against one another, against ourselves as a Nation. For, as President Lincoln warned—​and our adversaries around the world know full well—​that house cannot stand. 

We've reached the final stretch of a hugely-consequential election, and if you've ever wondered what you would do if our republic was on the line, this is the time to bring those thoughts and words into action. Vote like your life depends on it, and make sure others are doing the same.
Lincoln Memorial
[Photo By: Evan Vucci/Associated Press]
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Engaging Young Voters: A Role For Everyone

10/12/2020

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To begin, I know that the bulk of my readers are like me, old enough to be grandparents, and that many of your grandchildren are of voting age. I assume you love them and want the very best for them and their future. Therefore, my challenge to you is to see that they, as well as other young people, vote. And this extends to any young person in your life: children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, etc. Many are busy people, and they need to be reminded of key dates and details to make sure their votes are counted, especially in this difficult year. It never hurts to check in, and make sure these important people are making a plan to vote. Their future will depend on their influence in who gets elected. The following is my pitch on just why this is so important.

If younger generations do not wake up soon to the importance of voting, and that means starting now with this election, they will face a future that they will forever regret. They will realize, too late, that they could have done something. The climate change that did not get reined in soon enough as well as the failure to invest wisely in research, innovation, and education, have by then put today’s young people in a position of headaches and disappointments of a huge magnitude that could have been avoided.

For better or for worse, this is a Presidential election that will be remembered forever. The ultimate outcome will be either that our democracy survived and flourished or this will be the election wherein our democracy died. I say this not to scare you, but to put in proper perspective what we and future generations face. 

Young people need to vote, but not just only for a Presidential race. There are down ballot races like the U.S. Senate and four Congressional races here in Kansas with national implications.  The entire Kansas Legislature plus local county races, particularly county commissioners, also have severe implications for our future. Given the pandemic, we now know much better the importance of local leaders-just think about how county commissioners across the state have made decisions as they oversee their county health departments’ decisions on public health issues. Obviously, there is much at stake come November 3rd.

Historically, young people have turned out to vote at a lower rate than older generations (check out the stats shared by Loud Light). The participation rates between these age groups is not even close. Consequently, campaigns tend to put less emphasis on young voters’s concerns and focus on older generations who are much more likely to vote. The results consequently follow suit with older and more conservative views prevailing. Therefore, the issue is not just voting in this critical election. It is also about establishing that the votes of the younger generation can now make a real difference in who gets elected in the future.   

I’ve said many times to my students in my classes at K-State that is is not rocket science to understand why the issues of my generation like social security, medicare, and low taxes get strong attention while issues like investing tax dollars in the future through research, infrastructure, and strong public education at all levels tend to be put off. 

Unfortunately, elected officials show more interest in who votes than young people’s futuristic hopes and dreams. If more young people would vote, if that block could start influencing outcomes, policies would more likely change. Politicians agree for the most part on only one thing, and that is the importance of getting elected and re-elected. A young person’s vote counts much more if their peers are voting too. This should be an incentive to get involved and work to get friends and peers registered and voting. 

To close on a more positive note, I have been teaching young people at K-State for now over 15 years and in that time I have seen growing interest in politics here in Kansas and nationally as well. When I ask my students if they are registered to vote, the percentage who say yes has grown considerably. I get similar responses as well as who say they have already voted and are committed to vote this November 3rd. There is hope, but we need more senior citizens who can accelerate that movement with some sage advice from our years of experience. IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHO GETS ELECTED.
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[Photo: The Wichita Eagle]
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Debate Brings Full Threat to Democracy Into the Open

10/5/2020

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Along with all Americans, I am concerned about the health of President Trump and the First Lady and fervently hope they (along with others who have contracted the COVID-19 virus) experience a swift and complete recovery. In ordinary times, I would have delayed or held off on posting today’s blog. However, the extreme threat to our democratic electoral system posed by the President’s election strategy compels continued vigilance and explanation. We need to know what is happening and what is at stake. For that reason, the campaign season must go on. This includes inquiries, future debates, commentary, and engagement between the candidates themselves and especially voter-to-voter. So, with all of that in mind, I decided to move forward with this posting.
In a totally bizarre performance last Tuesday night, President Trump laid out his plan for retaining the presidency in starkly clear—and very troubling—terms. He did so knowing he will not win the popular vote, nor the Electoral College, if all votes are counted and certified accurately. Keep in mind that what he proposes would sabotage the process by which we select a democratically elected government for the United States. That his supporters have seemed either unconcerned or even approving of his plan and performance is hard to believe. 

Given that Trump is likely to face enormous problems upon his exit from the White House, it is understandable that he views it as a safe house—a residence to be retained irrespective of the damage he does to the country’s underlying institutions.

So how does he win? He wins by creating an atmosphere that the election is rigged—that all his votes were not counted. In fact, Tuesday night he talked about votes already cast  for him having been found in trash cans. Of course, no real specifics were shared. But even more troubling is his obvious effort to stir his radical base to mobilize in any way they see fit to disrupt the voting process, and to discourage voters from voting on election day November 3rd by telling these radicals to show up at polling sites.

His hope is that, with so many mail ballots being cast throughout the country and with only two states, Florida and Arizona, counting those ballots as they come in, he will be ahead on election night. He can then declare victory and, when the votes turn to favor Biden, assert fraud and go to the courts where he hopes to find a majority of sympathetic right-wing, Trump-appointed judges who will affirm a win for him. 

Along with this judicial strategy, he is issuing a not-at-all subtle call to right-wing radicals and militia types to do what they can to intimidate voters and otherwise disrupt the electoral process and its aftermath. His direction to the Proud Boys, “stand back and stand by,” was immediately adopted by them as their mantra. They feel empowered that Trump embraced their group at the debate and took his statement as a rallying cry. Who would imagine that the President of the United States would in effect be issuing a call for civil insurrection? But that is the core of the Trump effort. And it adds fuel to a threat that's been on the rise in recent years here at home, nationwide, and abroad.
 
I am reminded of the Watergate era and the huge contrast between the actions of Republican leaders then and now. At that time, senators like Howard Baker (later Nancy Kassebaum’s husband) and Barry Goldwater stood up and spoke out when evidence of wrong-doing was clear. Their actions led to Nixon’s decision to resign and the peaceful transfer of power to President Ford. The Republican senators acted with political integrity and real concern about doing what was right for the country.

What happened then, however, is beginning to seem minor compared to the Trump assault on our democracy that is manifest today. There were, of course, serious concerns about Nixon himself and what had happened in the course of the Watergate break-in and cover-up, but, in truth there was no serious constitutional crisis nor was there a real threat to our democracy. 

If Roberts and Moran as well as wanna-be Senator Congressman Marshall and the rest of the Republican Kansas delegation stay silent, in essence giving license to Trump to proceed, they will join other Republican-elected officials who share responsibility for undermining our democracy. In their silence, they will have broken their promise to support the Constitution of the United States of America. Our democratic system and institutions could be a casualty of their cowardice.
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Misusing the Bible for Political Gain

9/19/2020

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In Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, we lost a truly great American and a champion for equal justice under law. Her character, intellect, and influence did so much good for so many throughout her lifetime of service. I will have more to say about this enormous loss and the implications after more time to reflect, but today, our country pays tribute to a life extraordinarily well lived.
I was struck by the Letter to the Editor that my friend and my former Secretary of Revenue Mike Lennen wrote laying out his concern. His letter should be of interest to thousands of Kansans as we face a critical election in just six weeks. The following paragraph opens the letter and you can read the entire letter here.

“Among the more perplexing actors in the political arena are those who purport to rely on Jesus’ words to justify ignoring the needs of lower-income citizens. Congressman Roger Marshall is one of those actors. The now candidate for the United States Senate explained his opposition to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion by quoting Jesus for the proposition that 'The poor will always be with us.' Marshall conveniently, or perhaps ignorantly, left out the associated Biblical message upon which the scripture is based that teaches that the circumstance of widespread poverty requires people to be generous and open-handed with their neighbors."

But Marshall is consistent in his thinking on many key health issues. For example, in a leadership position he held at the Great Bend hospital, Marshall spearheaded the effort to not take Medicaid patients, shoving them off on surrounding rural hospitals. His strong support for repealing the Affordable Care Act without any viable replacement is another case in point. Among other harms to Kansans, such action would seriously impact people with preexisting conditions. 

For some Republican Kansas Legislators that thinking may explain how they not only justify voting against expansion of Medicaid for thousands of Kansans in need of care, but also disregard the doctors and hospitals providing the care and their financial survival. Additionally strange is how these very conservative folks are okay sending our tax dollars to Washington D.C. to be distributed to the vast majority of states accepting Federal money to expand Medicaid.

Misuse of the Bible for political gain is just wrong but almost as disturbing is the pervasive silence of religious leaders when it happens. I understand not personalizing criticism to the point of sharing a candidate's name, but at least they might suggest to citizens when evaluating candidates who they might support to check to see if their favored candidates generally reflect their own personal religious beliefs.

I taught a high school Sunday School class for about ten years and have no recollection of any material I used that communicated ignoring the needs of our fellow citizens was okay and backed by scripture. I do not recall at any time any Pastor I have ever known who ever found ignoring the obvious needs of people in the area, as well as those afar, as an acceptable option. 

Let me be clear. I would never have made this charge against Senators Dole, Kassebaum, Pearson, or any others for that matter. As far as I know, misusing scripture was not an argument used by Republicans in the past and for that matter many other Republicans today. Given all the critical health-related issues we have today, and not just COVID-19, the facts are clear that disadvantaged folks, regardless of why, are clearly in need of help and we have an obligation to provide aid directly or through our support of government programs.
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Brownbackers Still on the Ballot in 2020

9/12/2020

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In the general election this November, the people of Kansas have opportunities. In the introduction to his new book The Rise and Spectacular Fall, Ed Flentje wrote: “The lurch to the far right in the second decade of the 21st century will likely be viewed by historians as an aberration, though grassroots politics will require tending in order to flourish.” 

That tending must get very serious now, so that in November we can take first steps electing candidates who understand and are willing to take head-on the work of correcting the damages done by eight years with Brownback as our Governor. Yes, his name is not on the 2020 ballot but certainly what he stood for and brought to Kansas remains.

Brownback’s far right ideology can be summed up this way: Cut taxes to primarily help very high-income taxpayers, weaken the government to set up more reasons to cut budgets, and promote private education to the detriment of public education. The vast majority of both House and Senate Republican incumbents, as well as their new recruits, are locked into the Brownback philosophy of anti-government and give full attention to whatever far right special interests want. 

This past August’s Republican Primary results certainly added to the challenge we face. With so many Republican moderates in both the House and the Senate losing their elections, the informal alliance that has in recent years been so helpful is really in trouble. This makes holding back further policy damage from the far right even more difficult. And, for many Kansans, the choice for maintaining fiscal sanity and a rational approach to governing may involve crossing party lines to support a Democrat, especially given the number of far right successes in the primaries this year.

Who we elect to serve us come January will not just be the legislators taking on Medicaid expansion, support for public education, and a host of other issues. These people will also decide the district maps for both House and Senate for the next ten years. For that process to have any built in fairness, at the very least, Democrats will need enough votes to back up a Governor Kelly veto, to force some degree of balance rather than creating a total gerrymandered Republican set of maps.

I’ve read commentary on the coming legislative races that includes a focus on the need for Democrats to have the votes necessary to protect any Governor Kelly veto. From experience, I know sustaining a veto is important. Doing so will be key for the Governor to match the strength of the majority, but that should be a minimum goal. We need to take steps toward having the numbers to have real influence and legislators who, over time, can deliver for the state what is desperately needed to address the obvious challenges we face.

Although we know this will take many years, we can at least begin with this election to make the changes necessary. Starting now is imperative. There are quality Democrats in many districts, both House and Senate, that could bring back a direction of wisely, not wildly, investing in our future, much like in years past when Republicans, working with Democrats, got the state's business done and done well.

Again, Brownback’s exit from Kansas is true only in mailing address. He still very much impacts our state and not for the better. Fortunately, we have an alternative direction that can begin with changes made in our November General Election. Now, go do something to help. The future is hanging in the balance.
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Book Review - The Rise and Spectacular Fall: Radical Kansas Republicans, 2010 to 2020

9/5/2020

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Recently, my friend Ed Flentje sent me a book he authored including cartoons by Richard Crowson, entitled The Rise and Spectacular Fall: Radical Kansas Republicans, 2010-2020. I’ve read it and came away with not only an excellent refresher course in Kansas government and politics but a clear message that Governor Brownback may be gone but his damaging and totally counterproductive politics live on, and based on the recent Primary results, that continues into 2020.

In the Foreword written by Davis “Buzz” Merritt, newspaper reporter and editor since 1957, he started with a quote combined with his own addition: “Those who cannot do, teach, those who can do, can’t teach,” and “Those who cannot do or teach write newspaper opinion pieces.” That was a light way of introducing Ed’s collection of ten years of opinion pieces he wrote and shared around the state. And it is quite the archive of Kansas political thought and history.

Organized around three chapters: Finance, Politics, and Governance, Ed’s opinion’s are shared as the ten year period progressed, leaving us in depth information and analysis based on his observations and opinions at the time on government action and politics. For me, this read is a must for anyone who wants to better understand the unfortunate "lost decade" just completed in Kansas, but most importantly, to appreciate that the decade following will continue to be heavily influenced by the Brownback failures and, unless that is understood and dealt with, the damage will continue.

I will have more to say on this subject next week on my blog, but I share this today as a focus for further reading and learning on the topic. The book provides excellent background and great detail about the many problems created during those years, and it is my hope that it can provide both education and inspiration, as we charge up for another contentious and consequential election year.

Crowson’s cartoons will add a lighter touch but still very effective at getting the messages across in an entertaining and digestible way. The book is available via eBook or hard-copy and is a must read for anyone concerned about the challenges we face as a state and the politics of the time.
Ed Flentje - The Rise and Spectacular Fall: Radical Kansas Republicans, 2010 to 2020
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    John W. Carlin​—​61st Speaker of the Kansas House, 40th Governor of Kansas, 8th Archivist of the United States, and student of leadership

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