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Will Republicans Ever Stand Up to Trump?

6/28/2020

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I’ve had this thought for some time after earlier screw-ups, wondering how, not just our own Kansas Republicans, but almost all elected Republicans stick with the President regardless how obvious the mistakes. What purpose does that serve? I suppose the answer is an easier re-election. But, given all the problems we have (including the unfolding story about Russian bounties for killing for U.S. troops), wouldn’t it be a good time to speak up respectfully? 

IF THE NFL AND NASCAR CAN STAND UP TO PRESIDENT TRUMP WITH BILLIONS AT STAKE, WHY CAN’T YOU?

Over the past several weeks, we have seen people of all colors and backgrounds take to the streets, not just in this nation but around the world, demanding action to solve the obvious racial issues we have. Police departments all across the nation are under (and rightfully so) close inspection for major long overdue changes. Social justice for now is at the top of most political agendas. But where are the Republicans who are actually standing up to the President? This is a time for Republicans to join Democrats to pass real sensible legislation that has large public support and will signal just maybe we are on the road to recovery and sanity and, if necessary, over the President’s veto. 

Consider also COVID-19 in the early stages, when lessons from other countries should have been learned and turned into mitigation strategies for the United States. Why were the Republicans silent when it became clear that cutting the CDC budget was a huge mistake? Where were they when the cross-agency federal task force set up by President Obama to deal with such problems was abandoned? Democrats spoke up, but I’m sure the general public saw that as only politics. We needed Republicans to speak the truth, speak the truth to power, but they did not and here we are.

I think back to the Republicans who previously represented Kansas that I have known and in some cases worked with for the common good. This includes Senator Frank Carlson, Senator Nancy Kassebaum, Senator Jim Pearson, Senator Bob Dole, and Congresswoman Jan Myers. I can't imagine any of these Kansans not standing up to President Trump for the best interest of the country and even the future of the Republican Party.

It is not just our Kansas delegation but the Republican Party in general. We need a return to the days when we had two strong, competent political parties representing in general two different philosophies. Leaders from both parties were committed to work together in the end to get done what needed to be done for the best interests of the state and country. With the Republican Party now being so very far right and in so many ways anti-government, compromises are hard if not impossible to come by, and the result is needed action doesn’t take place. 

This stalemate explains why issues like social justice, climate change and infrastructure needs have never been dealt with and very likely will not be addressed unless major changes take place in how our political system works. That will only happen, it seems, when the people rise up and demand change, demand respect for the rule of law, and a return to the democracy our founders created for us. This positive change starts at the ballot box.

​Register and vote like our future depends on it, because it most certainly does.
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Majority Leader Mitch McConnell maintains a Republican shield, protecting the President's lawlessness and preventing needed legislative progress.
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19th Amendment Centennial and Where We Stand Today

6/16/2020

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June 16th is a day that truly merits recognition and celebration. This is the day Kansas ratified the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, in 1919. Kansas in many ways has led the nation on equality for women, being the first state in the nation to hold a referendum on women’s suffrage in 1867, sparking many other states to take similar steps. When Kansas eventually recognized a woman’s right to vote in local elections in 1887, it helped lead to the election of the first female mayor in U.S. history, Susanna Salter of Argonia, who was elected in April of that year. And, in 1912, Kansas recognized the right of women to vote in national elections, eight years before the 19th Amendment was ratified at the national level on August 18th, 1920.

As we celebrate 100 years of Votes for Women, we can be proud that our state was one of the original 36 to ratify the 19th Amendment and one of 22 states to ratify the proposed Equal Rights Amendment in its first year—​and doing so by a solid vote—​which required leadership and engagement from Kansans of all stripes in order to achieve. But, clearly, the fight for equality is far from over. Now is the time for greater focus on equal pay as well as equal opportunity for women to advance in the workplace. 

My focus in this blog is on what can be done to make the most of the underutilized skills of the women in our labor market. This is not just about equal pay but promoting women to make best use of their talents and leadership skills for the benefit of us all.

The growing fact is that many young women are outperforming young men at a significant pace by doing better in their classes, by simply learning more, and by being better prepared to really make a difference through taking action. I’ve seen it here at K-State in my own teaching. I want to make it clear that we have many very talented young men, it is just that they tend to be fewer in number. As an extreme example to make a point, at K-State’s School of Veterinary Medicine, women dominate enrollment, which I assume is likely tied to their scoring higher on entrance tests. 

Given our historical record and struggles in Kansas and nationwide striving for gender equality, to be successful at making real change, I think it will require a greater understanding of the material benefits to equality and greater incentive for those moving toward it. This can start with an awareness and acknowledgment of the fact that, when companies pay women less for equal work and/or fail to make full use of the leadership talent that women bring to the workplace, the negative impact on the bottom line can be quite significant. A comparable illustration of this would be a co-ed basketball team where the coach would only play the men, even though several of the women players' stats were far superior. Not having the team’s best players on the court—and in a position to make a difference—​could cost them the game.

So how does that progress take place? 

First, this change is not going to come from government action alone. Progress will come only when the business community sees the significant positive economic benefits. Then decision-makers, public and private, can set the example by hiring, paying equitably, and promoting the person who can do the job best regardless of gender. The grassroots of the country must lead this change, and I’m pleased now that there are leaders in athletics, business, and government who are helping to raise awareness and inspire action from the general public. The fact that more women are stepping up to run for public office also gives me hope. And younger generations inspire me to believe that the message has taken hold, and their continued engagement is precisely the thing that can bring about the lasting changes we need.

With the pandemic and economic challenges we face, returning to old norms seems less and less likely to happen. This means success will tend to go to changemakers, leaders in all sectors who are willing to adjust and do what it takes to be most successful. And one of those change areas must be positioning the talent of women for best results.

So here’s to the leadership and engagement that brought us the 19th Amendment. It is my hope that future celebrations of progress for women include pay equity and rightful promotions. When that happens, we will not only celebrate but also reap the economic rewards.
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Thanking the Governors (Most of Them)

5/20/2020

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With the exception of a few who are content with carrying out whatever the President wants from them—​and setting aside my own possible bias—​I’ve been especially impressed with the Governors and their role with today’s Coronavirus crisis. Leading on the front line, dealing with unbelievable challenges, and making decisions daily that are seldom easily understood by their constituents, Governors have been the ones with the courage to lead. All of this comes at a time when the Federal Government just cannot get its act together on any consistent basis. National media outlets are turning to the Governors to get honest information on what is really taking place. Led by Governor Cuomo of New York, Governors from both parties, including our own Governor Kelly, are clearly stepping up and in many cases filling the leadership void coming from Washington.  

From my experience, I know about how challenging an issue like this pandemic can be. Issuing Executive Orders based on the best science available, while knowing your economy and state budget are going to hell, makes for long days. Then there is the pressure from the public to keep everyone safe and healthy but also get people back to work and students back to school. Nothing is easy here. And the lack of federal guidance and support has left the states to largely fend for themselves on necessary supplies and infrastructure—​and foot the bill for it. We can only hope Congress will get its act together and pass some budget relief for the states, otherwise, it will be yet another failure in the response from Washington, D.C., and this one will be largely due to problems they failed to solve during the initial relief stages.

Many Governors are demonstrating real leadership at a time when it is so desperately needed. Their strategy is not rocket science. They surround themselves with very good, qualified advisors. They listen to these experts and then make the tough decisions. These Governors respect science and take seriously that they are leading for all the citizens of their state, therefore leaving politics to a very definite back seat. And, as important as anything, they understand the value of communication that is accurate, understandable by the general public, and does not require walking the statement back shortly after its release.

I have always thought that those who have served as a Governor should be the most important pool from which to draw for potential candidates for President. I say that because in contrast to U.S. Senators, Governors have actually led large, complex organizations. They have experience making tough decisions that directly impact citizens as well as putting together leadership teams that are successful. And because Governors are closer to the people, they have experience dealing with the many challenges that come with being a decision-maker for the public’s interests.

When President Obama was starting out as U.S. Senator from Illinois, I recall telling him when he was in Topeka for a Washington Day Address that my unsolicited advice was to go back to Illinois and run for Governor and then he would be in a really strong position to run for President. Obviously, he didn’t take my advice and was a very good President, but could he have been even better with more Executive experience? On the flip side, given a high percentage of Illinois Governors have ended up in prison, rejecting my suggestion certainly had some merit.

The bottom line is that Governors represent not just the leadership needed now in this health and economic crisis, but they are the pipeline for future leaders of our country. Both political parties have talented Governors who would be excellent national leaders. Maybe the current debacle with a totally inexperienced leader at the national level will be a lesson we do not forget.
Governor Laura Kelly
Here in Kansas, Governor Laura Kelly has listened to the science and taken responsible action to keep Kansans safe during this difficult time. [Photo by: John Hanna/AP]
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Democrats Lucky to Have Speaker Pelosi

5/9/2020

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​Speaker Nancy Pelosi has led through difficult times, balancing political realities with what is best for the country. She has certainly come across often as the adult in the room of Congressional leaders and the Administration. Despite representing a very liberal district, she has operated from a very pragmatic point of view. She has charted an aggressive course of action while working to keep her caucus in the majority, knowing if they lose the majority everything accomplished would be destroyed.    

There are those that lump both Houses as making up the do nothing Congress. The facts clearly document that she and her caucus have actually been very responsive to the needs of the American people. Through her leadership and the hard work of her committee chairs and the Caucus, over 400 bills, many key ones, like safeguarding our elections and with huge public support, have passed the House and been sent to the Senate. From there, Republican Majority Leader McConnell makes sure the House legislation goes nowhere and that very few originating bills come out of the Senate for the House to work.

Her first major challenge was dealing with President Trump and the decision of Impeachment. Early on, she clearly wanted the Fall 2020 election to determine if the issues surrounding the President merited impeachment. I believe Speaker Pelosi thought delaying was both best for the United States as well as her Democratic Caucus. But when the Ukraine scandal more clearly brought to light impeachable offenses and the public tide shifted towards holding hearings, she quickly assigned her Judiciary and Intelligence committees to hold hearings. She managed the process effectively and amazingly kept her troops together (albeit, there was one defector), to pass the impeachment of the President and send the indictment to the United States Senate.

Her role in the government’s response to the Coronavirus again showed her leadership skills and capacity both to challenge and to work with this Administration. Speaker Pelosi worked one-on-one with Treasury Secretary Mnuchin to develop packages that address the nation’s needs as well as secure the support of the Administration and the votes needed in the Senate. While not perfect, these relief efforts have been made significantly better through the help of Speaker Pelosi and other Congressional Democrats.
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The first day of the 116th Congress, Nancy Pelosi was once again elected Speaker of the House on January 3rd, 2019.
What makes her accomplishments even more interesting is that, after the 2018 Congressional elections and winning the majority, many members of the Democratic Caucus worked hard to deny Pelosi the Speakership. Yet, she not only won, but today is almost without exception solidly backed by the entire caucus. This is not an easy thing to accomplish. But the amount of respect she has garnered among her colleagues over the years and her experienced leadership have clearly made her the right person for the job, at the right time.

Given the challenges of dealing with a President like Trump and a Majority Leader like McConnell, Speaker Pelosi has done amazing things. History will place her in the short list of Speakers who have really stood out with common sense, political savvy, and success. She has impacted Washington action in a positive way for the best interests of our country.

I am currently reading the new book “Pelosi,” by Molly Ball. I haven’t finished it yet, but I’ve already learned about so many fascinating, character-building experiences she’s had in her decades of public service. She has always been a smart, tough leader. And she's paved the way for so many other outstanding female leaders, who will help guide us into the future. I’m looking forward to learning more about her brilliant career as I finish reading this insightful new book.
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This photo was taken at the Reopening and Rededication of the Rotunda at the National Archives on September 17th, 2003. Pictured here are Congressional leaders, Rep. Steny Hoyer, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Tom Daschle, and Speaker Dennis Hastert along with former Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who delivered remarks and myself, Archivist of the United States.
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Lessons from Coronavirus: Respect for Science Saves Lives

4/22/2020

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One lesson I learned very early in public life is that when the government fails to deliver during any kind of crisis, whether that be a snow storm or something of the nature we have now nationally, people are more likely than ever to not forgive the person(s) in charge come election time. Whether that will hold true with the current crisis remains to be seen. I know from experience that even the folks who follow the small government philosophy expect the government to do whatever it takes in a crisis to get things back to normal. And the best way to get back to "normal" in today's circumstances would be to follow the advice and guidance from health care professionals and public health experts. Unfortunately, with folks openly defying and protesting stay-at-home orders, politics has been injected into a situation that should revolve solely around science and the responsible actions that are needed in order to keep people safe. Continuing with the Lessons from Coronavirus I started last week, it is my hope that one thing this crisis can teach us is the value of science in our governance and day-to-day decisions. 

Without a doubt, there are now and will be more citizens who will die as a result of federal failures and some Governors who have refused to issue orders for the public to follow standard protocols in minimizing the spread of the Coronavirus or will move to reopen their states without the adequate testing procedures in place to ensure public safety. The key question now is: When the real health experts tell us what we need to do to get back to normal and stay there, will the President and all Governors really lead? Or will some elected leaders simply ignore them and fumble around giving lip service at best and putting the blame elsewhere?
 
One clear example of accountability is observing how leaders provide the public with reliable, factual, and science-based information. There have and will be more deaths from the virus, the direct result of citizens getting their news and health updates from Rush Limbaugh and Fox News. Fox News has finally come around to accept some real science but only after large death numbers have piled up. Such behavior borders on criminal action. And now, they are pushing to “open up the economy” immediately, viewing all those who will be infected in the future as an “acceptable loss.” 

Unfortunately, if folks simply refuse to understand or believe the real danger posed by COVID-19, that does not exempt them from getting sick or infecting others. In fact, reckless behavior in this volatile time will have dire consequences. Time will reveal the whole story. And, when the results come in, it will be impossible to ignore the real impact and loss of life from a virus that does not stop to ask someone if they believe in its existence before infecting an individual and taking its toll. So, more than ever, Americans need to hear the truth and operate from one set of facts in order to guide responsible action and decisions.

The appreciation we’ve seen for health care professionals gives me hope that perhaps more people will respect their sacrifices by heeding their expert advice—​during this crisis and into the future. Given all the time we have been staying at home, there is plenty of time to think. In this case, I want to look for a silver lining, something potentially positive to come out of this horrific tragedy we are living through. Writing this blog got me thinking about what could be really positive spin offs to come from what we are experiencing. As I wrote last week, it’s critical for us to learn from this crisis in order for us all to emerge stronger.

​Could one result be the public having MORE RESPECT FOR SCIENCE in governance decisions? And, if so, does that extend to other policy areas, many of which have parallels to what we’re seeing with Coronavirus? For instance, what about a majority of the public accepting the realities like climate change and voting in November for candidates who understand and are willing to invest in policy changes needed for our own good?  

Naturally, coming to this conclusion without a global pandemic would have been the ideal, but I will take second best, given our choices at the moment.
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Lessons from Coronavirus: Federal Failures

4/14/2020

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When we experience a challenge or crisis—​like we’re seeing with the COVID-19 pandemic—​it reveals what we’re made of. This comes with a recognition that previous actions and decisions have consequences, and they ultimately lead us to the norms, systems, and structures we currently have in place. Unfortunately, we cannot change the past events that have led us to this disastrous point with the Coronavirus crisis, but we can most definitely learn from these events in ways that better prepare us for the future. There are many aspects to cover and many things to learn, and I plan to continue exploring other lessons throughout the crisis and further down the road on my blog. But I want to start with the area that is perhaps the most glaring vulnerability that has been exposed by this crisis: the failure of federal leadership to respond to and address the immediate public health risk that all Americans now face.

​Here are some of the governance lessons that stand out to me from the federal level:

First, it’s clear that, with something as big and complex as the current crisis, there is not and can not be just one Federal level agency with the budget or capacity to fully deliver. Over four years ago, President Obama recognized this and put in place a coordinating mechanism that could reach across agency lines to better assure that the response to a major crisis would have the best chance of success. President Trump abolished the Obama-created White House National Security Council Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense, consistent with his philosophy of small government being best. In my opinion, that was a short-sighted decision and the current crisis is clear evidence there are challenges where every resource of the Federal government needs to be brought together in a coordinated way to be the most effective. 

Second, if a small government approach is the path a President takes, it becomes even more important to have better coordinating and operating systems in place. In any crisis affecting multiple states, there will always be some resources and involvement from the Federal government. For example, the Department of Defense resources for working with state and local governments to deal with the health crisis should always be an option. And, in terms of engagement with the private sector, it should be done in a coordinated, mission-oriented fashion, rather than the “everyone for themselves” approach we’re currently seeing. The private sector has expertise and a huge capacity for innovation and production, but this needs to be leveraged more effectively—​which requires strong leadership making specific directives and implementing smart, strategic policies.

With this pandemic, we were simply not prepared. The Federal government was not ready to deal with the challenge and certainly had no coordinated system worked out with state and local government. The fact that our government and infrastructure at the national level and in many states was so woefully under-prepared to deal with this pandemic is linked to successful right-wing moves at all levels of government and across many areas, like health care, the social safety net, and more. They have been able to cut necessary programs at every opportunity, without thinking about the real results including loss of lives. 

The other clear lesson in this crisis is that choices made in selecting leadership across all levels of government can and does make a huge difference in the capacity of government to respond with clear, accurate information and decisive action. In making appointments, President Trump emphasized family, business, and political connections much more than whether the person had the capacity to deliver. And, perhaps worst of all, those folks are now in positions where they can effectively shut out or, worse yet, actively ignore or deny the advice of the scientists and experts we do have within our government.

And, when it comes to leadership at the very top—​from the President himself—it pains me to see just how far we've fallen from President Truman's "the buck stops here," to President Trump's "I don't take responsibility at all" stance. Deflecting any blame and trying to rewrite the history of his administration's response is a sign of weakness, not strength, in a time of crisis. And it's certainly not the way to actually solve problems or gain trust and credibility with the American people.

Hopefully, out of this crisis, we learn something. Government should be at the size and quality to serve the legitimate needs of the public. Whether that be Federal dominated or heavily led by the states, the response to a crisis like Coronavirus must be well-planned in advance, with the correct systems in place, and the leadership needed to carry out the mission.

I’ll have more “Lessons from Coronavirus” in the coming weeks, including some positive notes on the leadership we’re seeing across our state and country, so I hope you’ll continue to follow along. And keep in mind as we go through these difficult days and weeks: There is always more we can learn. These challenging times will require all the dialogue and lessons we can possibly generate in order to help us all emerge from this crisis stronger. It’s something we can all contribute to and participate in; whether it’s changes to large, complex systems or in our everyday activities, we can always improve, and creativity will be key. Good ideas and leadership can come from anyone, anywhere, at any time. Remember: Challenges simply reveal what we’re made of.
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Wearing his campaign hat, President Trump visited CDC Headquarters on March 6th. It was the day he promised that, "everyone who needs a test gets a test...they have the tests and the tests are beautiful." With a group of experts standing behind him, he utilized his press conference to talk at length about his own intelligence and how much he understands about science and public health. As several states were reporting their first cases, including Kansas the day after this visit, he also utilized the opportunity to spread misinformation about the virus being "under control" and mischaracterizing the timeline for possible vaccines and treatments. He then took to attacking the media and smearing Governors of the opposing party, calling Gov. Jay Inslee, "a snake" and telling Vice President Pence not to be complimentary of him. And, of course, when asked about taking in Americans from the Grand Princess cruise ship, he explained that he'd rather not because, "I like the numbers being where they are." All of this happened at a time when Americans desperately needed correct, clear communication about the spread of COVID-19 and the enormous challenges facing all of us.
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'All Hands On Deck' Against COVID-19

3/28/2020

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First, a message to those who think the virus is a hoax or are comfortable that they will not be impacted: You are wrong. Until that is understood, bringing this crisis to a safe and satisfactory conclusion will not happen. As long as we have folks operating as usual, this virus will continue to spread and the economic pain and health risk will continue for all of us.

In this time of uncertainty, I want to keep my message focused on the immediate steps that are needed to help keep us all safe. So here are a few key points that stand out to me:

  • TAKE THE ADVICE OF HEALTH  PROFESSIONALS. It is not rocket science, but the full implementation of policies like social distancing FOR ALL OF US must be taken seriously. Our health care professionals are taking enormous risks simply by showing up to work and helping people. With these heroes risking their lives for our health and safety, the least we can do is follow their advice on how to slow the spread of the virus.​
  • The ECONOMIC IMPACT will vary dramatically. If you can, LOOK FOR WAYS YOU CAN HELP those most severely impacted and those who have very limited options to survive. The passage of a relief package in Congress is a welcome development for much of the business community, but there is still a lot of uncertainty about how businesses and workers can benefit from this federal investment. So extra help and attention should be given to vulnerable populations as well as to many of the small businesses we love, to make sure their doors can eventually reopen once medical experts have deemed it safe to do so. 
  • In time, I plan to share more about the leadership that is (or is not) being exercised in our government and across our country in response to this crisis. But, in the meantime, it’s important to remember that EACH OF US HAS A ROLE TO PLAY in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will take all of our creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance to get through this. Whether you're regularly checking in with friends and family, planning new ways to meet community needs, or simply following the advice of medical professionals, I want the history written on this challenge to be one where we did RISE TO THE OCCASION, that ALL HANDS WERE ON DECK, and the PAIN AND SUFFERING WAS MINIMIZED as a result. 

I WISH ALL THE VERY BEST IN THESE MOST DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.
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Republicans Perfectly Comfortable with Trump's Wrongdoing

2/1/2020

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The United States Senate—​with all but two Republican Senators—​has cleared President Trump of any impeachable actions. What does that mean for our immediate future? What will Trump do beyond what he has already done? Certainly, Trump will do whatever it takes to win re-election, but it would not surprise me if he makes plans to stay in office beyond a second term.

At this point, just what would President Trump have to do to lose the support of Republicans in Congress? This week almost all Republicans are making it clear they are with him regardless of what additional evidence emerges. Even the President’s defense lawyers for the hearings admit to his wrongdoing in many cases. But they insist his actions do not reach the level for “Impeachment (Indictment) for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors” (Article II Section 4 of the United States Constitution).

I think back to all the earlier Republican Senators from Kansas that I’ve had a chance to work with or at least get to know. I cannot imagine any of them supporting what is going on now. Kassebaum, Pearson, and Carlson for sure, and I have to believe Senator Dole privately is shaking his head in disbelief. Their values and principles would have stood up to any future primary threat like what now seems to be keeping many of our current Senators towing the party line.

President Clinton lied about sex with a White House intern, and most Republican Senators had no hesitation supporting throwing him out of office. The Democrats in the end backed Clinton, but the trial was a real trial with witnesses and records very available. The rules for the trial were adopted on a vote of 100 to 0. That is in total contrast to the circus run by Majority Leader McConnell. Their vote to essentially skip the actual trial phase and deny the American people access to all the information and relevant witnesses is equivalent to full participation in the cover-up. Now, with multiple branches of government participating in this cover-up, we have reached a dangerous new low for our country.

If Trump, now having survived an impeachment trial, wins a second term, returning to our system of democracy and the rule of law will very likely not happen. Capitalism will dominate. The very rich will solidify their hold on Washington D.C., and our good memories of the past will be just that.  

Trump and his campaign operatives will certainly feel comfortable doing whatever they want to win re-election. Certainly in play will be courting foreign countries to help rig the election in return for some kind of promise of financial support. In time, not cheating may become the pathway to almost always losing. 

If leaders accept this conduct from a President now for whatever reason, I raise these questions: Just how do we get this genie back in the bottle? How do we go from ignoring the law and the Constitution to respecting and adhering to the Democracy and system of checks and balances set up by our founders? This is not just a setback that simply in the passage of time will be corrected. And this is particularly true if President Trump is re-elected, making November 3rd a do or die day for our future.
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Best and Worst from the 2010s

1/4/2020

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Looking back over the last ten years and my eighth decade of life, I am sharing what stands out for me both in good ways and bad:

On the good side:

  1. I had the pleasure of finishing ten years as Archivist of the United States and played a role in making sure we all understand that it is not just for history that we have records, but to protect citizens’ entitlements (Veterans, for example). And maybe, most importantly given the times we are in, conveying the importance of records as essential in holding the government accountable.
  2. My engagement with the Staley School of Leadership Studies at Kansas State University for the entire decade has grown my confidence in the potential of our younger population, giving me hope for the future.
  3. Governor Kelly defeating Secretary of State Kris Kobach in the 2018 election.
  4. Kansas City Royals won the World Series for the first time since 1985, K-State won Big 12 championships in both football and basketball. Yes, KU won the other nine in basketball, but offsetting that, K-State was 10-0 competing against KU in football. 
  5. Kansas State University closed the decade by making really good decisions and hires that will, I believe, have significant positive impact for the coming decade. 


On the bad side: 

  1. Having to endure eight Brownback years (and all the mistakes that will haunt Kansans for many years) really makes a much more difficult path to the future for both the Governor and Legislators.
  2. The election of Donald Trump as President in 2016. A man with little or no respect for the law, little or no understanding of how our government functions, and little or no appreciation of the huge challenges (e.g., climate change) we face that, if not addressed, will do damage of unbelievable portions.
  3. Having Moscow Mitch (Republican Senator from Kentucky) in a position to stop almost every important piece of legislation through the entire decade, even those that had overwhelming public support. In addition, his handling of the courts and judges has set several damaging precedents for the future.
  4. Almost 100% of Scientists with a climate background have issued serious warnings throughout the decade and there has been little or no action in response.
  5. The national failure to make any progress on immigration reform, funding of infrastructure needs, dealing with gun violence, addressing climate change, as well as the increasing National debt. This represents the utmost failure of our leadership in Washington D.C.

Here’s to a new year and decade with the hope that progress can and will be made.
Rotunda National Archives
The rotunda of the National Archives, home to the "Charters of Freedom." These documents, including our Constitution, have safeguarded democracy in our country since its founding. But, as we know from Dr. Benjamin Franklin, our nation is only a republic, "if we can keep it."
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Impeachment Process and Where We Stand At This Point

12/8/2019

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I am old enough that this is my third experience in a process that, fortunately, just doesn’t happen that often. There was Nixon and Watergate, Clinton and Monica, and now President Trump and his disregard for the rule of law. With now three years in office, he has taken crossing the line to a whole new level.

This blog is not to recount the details of the hearings that I am hopeful you heard or saw some part of, but to share my view on the politics and the process of it for both parties and incumbents on both sides.

I am happy that the Democrats are accepting their constitutional responsibility to follow the process and see where it leads, rather than playing safe politics and holding off for another election where the same tactics of foreign interference can easily be used again. For now, the House Democrats appear to be moving towards a vote before Christmas passing Articles of Impeachment to the Senate. In the Senate, where the official trial would take place, the Republicans, for now, have the votes to acquit. This does not mean the whole procedure was a wasted effort. The public has benefited from the hearings and should be much more informed if the final decision is up to them come November 2020. 

I am very proud of the House Leadership and how they have handled the Impeachment process in a very responsible way. House Speaker Pelosi has clearly risen to the occasion, balancing political concerns with constitutional responsibilities. Representative Adam Schiff from California has been superb, with a focus on laying out the facts not just for Congress but for the American people. They rightly chose to accept their constitutional responsibility rather than ducking and playing it safe politically. 

I would hope that anyone following the hearings understands that what the President did (solicit help from a foreign country to dig up dirt on a political opponent) is wrong. In my opinion, there are several Republicans that would join the Democrats in convicting the President if it weren't for the politics of needing the President’s base to get re-elected. 

But for all this effort with so many folks in big trouble, some in jail, some headed there, and for some just becoming damaged goods, the real political backfire might be that Trump picked the wrong horse to try to damage. With his support numbers staying steady so far, right now, I would put Joe Biden at the front of Presidential candidates, although with little more than a 50-50 chance of becoming the nominee. The big unknown at this point is the entrance of Michael Bloomberg into the race and what impact that would bring.

But the side benefit for all this has to be seeing the professionalism and courage that the career civil service leaders in the state department, foreign service, CIA, and the ambassadors showed in standing up to the administration's pressure to not testify. Several who did testify are naturalized citizens, who came here as immigrants and have given their lives to the service of this country. Why would they do this? More than anything else, I believe it is their support for our Constitution and our historic respect for the rule of law. What message will we send to the world about where we stand on those issues today?
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Thanksgiving 2019

11/27/2019

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As these years go by faster and faster, it is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is coming again so soon. Seems like just yesterday that I wrote and posted for Thanksgiving 2018. In these troubling times, being positive and thankful requires a focus on the upside to get beyond the serious challenges we face. In this blog, I am highlighting some of what stands out for me as a positive during the past 12 months.   

At the national level, I am thankful for the civil service men and women who are demonstrating their loyalty to the Constitution, for all the women and men serving in harm’s way protecting us from enemies seen and unseen, and for hopefully only one more year or less of the Trump Administration.

At the state level, I am thankful for the leadership of Governor Kelly and her administration, particularly for providing the direction and taking initial steps for Kansas to begin addressing our economic challenges and creating a strategy for future growth. Hopefully, that will include the successful engagement of the bi-partisan support necessary for short and long-term success.

Here at Kansas State University, I am thankful for Coach Klieman’s bringing more football success than one had any right to expect. There have been several key hires in Anderson Hall who give me high confidence that K-State’s enrollment and finance issues will be addressed. The Staley School of Leadership Studies continues to grow and do amazing things with students, who give me real hope that they are ready to step up and provide real leadership to tackle some of the seemingly impossible problems we face.

Family-wise, this year leaves much to be thankful for: Lynn and I had a 24-day cruise connecting with many countries in Europe that was great and next week my immediate family will be together in Washington D.C. My sister and brother-in-law are missed but certainly not forgotten and great memories appear quite frequently.

And to close, personally, I am thankful that heading towards 80 has been pretty good, that my five years with the blog has brought more attention to important issues and some very positive responses thanks to you all. And, maybe most important, that on a couple of very recent, very cold mornings at 5:30 a.m. that I was making coffee and not heading to the barn to milk the cows.
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Fall colors in the Flint Hills
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The Trump-Brownback Approach to Civil Service

10/12/2019

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Career public servants have long been the backbone of state, local, and federal government. For eighteen years (eight as Governor and ten as Archivist of the United States), I had the pleasure of working with some of the brightest public servants one could find. They were dedicated to fulfilling the purpose of the agency’s existence and to the government in general. 

Civil servants are the doers of the People's business. Governor Brownback then and President Trump now have both led to disregarding, making counterproductive changes, and politicizing the civil service system. Not only has this brought very negative results immediately, but even more serious damage is happening as time goes on. Here are several examples: 

Governor Brownback changed Kansas law so that if a civil service position was vacated for whatever reason, the replacement could be a direct political appointment. This law was used to reclassify many state employees away from career civil service positions with employment rights, to essentially politically-appointed positions who could be fired at any time for any reason. Combined with this action is the fact that during the Brownback years, Kansas had the highest exit rate of millennials leaving the state with one exception. Now Governor Kelly is dealing with a workforce where many of the Brownback hires are not the type of public servants needed. Attracting new and bright talent to work in that environment will take time and not be easy. In the meantime, government efficiency and effectiveness has and will continue to suffer.

Under the Brownback Administration, the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) was moved from Topeka to Manhattan. Something K-State and Manhattan liked, but makes very little sense in terms of good government. KDA works closely with several other agencies on a regular basis in Topeka, making it now more difficult to coordinate and work together to better serve the public’s interests. The likely motivation for relocation was to shift from civil service jobs to political appointees. Moving over time can lead to significant turnover, allowing positions in the agency to be replaced by whomever the administration wants. This does not mean that everyone hired isn’t very qualified, but it opens the gate for strictly political hires to be made. 

Recently, President Trump, with 30 days notice, ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to move from the Washington D.C. area to Kansas City with many employees declining to relocate. There have been delays to this plan, I suspect because the administration has started to hit roadblocks in the process of making such a massive change so quickly. Now another agency, most of the Bureau of Land Management within the Interior Department, has been forced to move to Colorado. While the results of these moves will be similar to Kansas, I suspect in these federal cases the strategy is more a hasty move to cut government without regard to what is lost. Plus, it is the opportunity to employ some very likely lesser qualified personnel or sycophants who are willing to validate the President’s policy decisions on issues like climate change and others. Our government should employ real scientists, and it should treat them with the respect they deserve and give them the space to follow the science and the facts wherever they lead in order to serve our interests as a state and country. 

President Trump has been totally irresponsible in the way he has staffed up his administration. Vacancies and totally unqualified folks dominate the Trump administration. Turnover is the worst in my memory. Without a doubt this is the worst Presidential cabinet in history. They come and go so fast that keeping track of who is on the Cabinet is almost impossible. He has made some very good appointments, but they either get fired or worn out dealing with the chaos. The quality workforce has been hollowed out in many agencies, and this causes problems for the level of service and (in the case of the Department of State, Defense, and others) our national security. It will be a long path back to the return of a highly qualified federal civil service.

To anyone who says what’s the big deal: I guess whether government does it’s job well, serves the people with efficiency, and carries out their agency’s mission with purpose, makes no difference to you. I am confident that those who read my blog do not fit that mold. But I do suspect you need to be pushed a little to openly defend the value of a quality civil service system. Would anyone want private sector business to operate ineffectively? High turnover, incompetence, and much higher overhead, is not the direction for business success. Same is true with government.
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Outside EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
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You Follow the Rules

9/21/2019

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9/29/2019 Update:

It’s not often that I would do a re-share of a recent blog, but the story has come a long way since I posted this blog last week, and it warrants an update. The threat to the rule of law in our country has only gotten more serious and urgent. With the investigation well under way into the President’s misuse of power, the facts continue to point towards serious issues with the President’s conduct in withholding aid to Ukraine in order to pressure Ukrainian President Zelensky to dig up dirt on his political opponents. And, as if the notes of the phone call between the two Presidents were not damning enough, the extensive effort to cover up and unnecessarily classify information has brought these offenses simply beyond the pale. The cover-up effort itself raises questions about what other times this highly classified intelligence system has been misused in order to hide potential wrong-doing or restrict access to politically damaging information for the President.
 
The events come with grave implications for the credibility of our government, the integrity of our elections, and also for US foreign policy. And the defenders of the President have no legitimate defense. Their thin playbook only consists of attempts to discredit the whistleblower, which itself causes harm, deflecting to debunked claims against Joe Biden, or pushing Russian-created conspiracy theories that deny Russia’s efforts to meddle in the 2016 election. All-the-while, Ukraine continues to struggle against Russian aggression into their country. Ukrainian President Zelensky is now caught between a rock and a hard place. He must somehow appease President Trump’s ego in order to obtain needed military aid from the US, while not isolating his country from aid from European allies, all of whom have an interest in checking Russian aggression in the region. President Trump’s corrupt "favor" request to President Zelensky trivializes a very serious national security situation, and it runs counter to our country’s long-time foreign policy position to support Ukraine against Russia’s power-grabs.
 
To deny a country aid that the US Congress has granted to an ally is a huge misuse of power by the executive, and the fact that it further supports Russia’s foreign policy objectives is particularly troubling given what we already know about Russia's support for President Trump’s election and re-election. The American people deserve to know whether their President supports US interests or solely his own, or Russia's, interests. This gets back to my point in the original blog post: Outside influence on our democracy will continue unless our government—and Congress—successfully fights back.
 
The important thing now is that the inquiry continues, thoroughly but also with a level of speed and urgency. I believe the House has taken the right steps so far in order to surface the facts for the American people and make those facts known to Republican Senators, who have a lot of soul-searching to do in terms of just how far they’re willing to go to prop up President Trump. 
 
When we are faced with these challenges, action must be taken to preserve, protect, and defend our Constitution. I’m relieved to see this effort begin, and I join the rest of the country as we watch closely to see that those who have violated their oath are held accountable.
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Original Post:

​Foreign government, adversaries in this case, interference in our elections is becoming an all too common experience as they plan to meddle again in the 2020 elections. Set aside for a moment whether or not you believe that President Trump colluded with the Russians to impact the 2016 presidential race. What we know and the President accepts is that interference did take place and he is certainly open to more help in 2020. What will be different in this coming election is that Russia may not be the only foreign government interfering. Outside influence on our democracy will continue unless our government successfully fights back.

Watergate and the Nixon Administration in the 70’s forced Congress to take action to address future law-breaking in political campaigns and elections. Out of that, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) was established with bipartisan support and for decades successfully dealt with questionable activity in politics and our election system. A six-member commission, equally politically split, hammered out decisions and effectively dealt with inappropriate actions. Now in recent years, starting before the Trump administration, the FEC has been totally partisan and completely incapable of dealing with the challenges.

There is some good news. Our often dysfunctional Congress is working in a bipartisan way to craft and put into use a reform plan to hopefully deal with much of this crisis. H.R.1 has passed the Democratic House with Republican support, and is on the Senate floor waiting for action. The bad news is Moscow Mitch, current Majority Leader, refuses to bring it up for a vote. This is hard to believe. The only logical reason (not a good one) would be the President has asked that the legislation be held, not wanting to meddle in Russia’s plan to help him again in the 2020 election.  

If Congress and the President fail to act, what needs to be understood is that over time, if not dealt with forcefully, this disrespect for the law can become routine, spreading across our country. India, one of the older democracies, is certainly an example of how this can happen. I know from experience in India that one must accept that paying bribes is just part of doing business there. And, given the situation in the United States with unlimited money in politics, we may not be far from this reality in our country today.

What can we do? One thing is to make sure our congressional delegation knows that election oversight is important and that the legitimacy of our democracy is at stake. Both Senators Roberts and Moran need to put pressure on McConnell to let the Senate vote on bipartisan H.R.1. The rule of law has to be much more than an often used slogan. Without such action, our democracy is seriously in danger.
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Constitution Day: A Wake-Up Call

9/15/2019

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How do you celebrate Constitution Day? I suspect that not only do you not celebrate, but you likely are unaware that there is a day dedicated to recognizing the adoption of the U.S. Constitution on September 17th. 

For ten years, I was the Archivist of the United States, and certainly one key responsibility I had was making sure the original Charters of Freedom—​the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights—​were protected, preserved, and as accessible as possible to the public. Early in my tenure, my staff and I concluded that we were not doing enough to adequately educate the public who came through the rotunda on the values of the Charters of Freedom. We made major changes to not only enhance the visit to the Rotunda but added educational space to further promote understanding of the Charters of Freedom, the importance of public records, and their many values to our democracy.

On September 11, 2001, the initial terrorist attacks on the Trade Center quickly led to concerns about attacks on Washington D.C. and the possibility of one target being the National Archives. That potential action could destroy the original documents that undergird our whole system of democracy. Fortunately, that did not happen, but the scenario certainly brought to me a reminder of the special value of the work of the Founders. They put together a system with three equal and powerful branches of government: the executive, legislative, and judicial. For over 200 years, this system has been the bedrock of modern democracy and has become a model for nations around the world.

In late July, as part of this year's Mandela Washington Fellowship six-week Civic Leadership Institute at K-State, I had a very good visit with a young woman from Zimbabwe who ran for public office there and plans to stay involved in public life. She made it clear that folks in her country who want a democracy like ours are now looking at us with real concern and potential doubt. For her and many others, America was the model that many developing nations used to move closer to a real democracy. Her message reminded me that our current crisis may have significant impacts far beyond our borders.

Today our system of governance is being tested daily by an administration that more and more acts if they, the executive branch and particularly the President, can dictate what will be done. Between Executive Orders and other actions that ignore the will of Congress, total disregard for the value of a quality civil service system, using the Presidency for his personal and financial gain, stoking the flames of hatred and racism toward immigrants and other minority groups, and appointing Judges whose ideology is extremely far to the right, the Trump Administration is the beginning of potentially demolishing our democracy. Ignoring legislative budget decisions as if President Trump were more like a King and looking to dictators to form close friendships causes not just me but lots of folks great concern. 

It is my hope that this September 17th, Constitution Day, many of you will raise these issues of concern. I hope that this year, it will not be just another day but a wake-up call for all Americans to understand just how much impact the 2020 elections will have on our future as a democracy. It can no longer be assumed that our system of government will survive if the current disregard for democratic norms and systems of checks and balances continues.
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The rotunda of the National Archives, home to the "Charters of Freedom"
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Farmers and the Trade War

8/17/2019

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I have read quotes from and run into farmers who supported Trump (no surprise there) and still do even with the tariffs. Despite the pain that the tariffs are causing, the reality is almost all farmers want to be patient. They apparently feel the President’s overall plan, when fully implemented, will more than offset the so-called temporary financial pain.

This flies in the face of traditional trading norms. When countries stop buying US farm products like soybeans and milk, assuming these buyers will be back as soon as the tariffs are lifted is not realistic. This is particularly true if the buyers are pleased with their new source and it appears to be more reliable. As evidence to the market uncertainty created by these tariffs, the President announced this week that he will not put in place the new tariffs he had promised because they would raise prices on shoppers during the holiday season. I thought the President told us that China would be paying for these tariffs?  

Why would these countries come back to the United States when the current administration could very likely without notice put the tariffs back on?

Although I have a B.S. degree in Dairy Husbandry, I know this did not totally provide me a solid understanding of all aspects of Ag Economics, including tariffs and trade, so I decided to get an expert opinion. I asked my friend and fellow teacher Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, national expert in all issues impacting agriculture, to comment. He said, “No country ever wins a trade war, going back to biblical times, because export sales are like sleep—​once you lose the sales they are gone and you cannot get them back.''

What farmers need to understand is that they and their farm organizations are now in a position of strength to put political pressure on the Trump Administration. They should make it clear they are not patiently waiting for the markets to come back. Now they have political leverage. They are part of his base. Speaking up now, they can communicate economically they have no choice but to support former Republican Governor Weld of Massachusetts, currently the only Republican challenger to Trump’s 2020 campaign. He understands these economic realities and pledges to lift unwise tariffs and focus on trade deals that are mutually beneficial. 

The same is true for our Congressional delegation. Farmers should expect stronger protests from their representatives to this Administration regarding the negative impact on agriculture, and especially when the President's own Secretary of Agriculture calls farmers whiners. President Trump knows Republican members of Congress want it both ways. Telling their farming constituents that they are concerned is not real pressure that will make this Administration change course. Our entire Agriculture sector needs to be communicating to the Administration that if there is not an immediate reversal and new commitment to positive trade policy, they will have a hard time defending this President in Ag country. 

Let me make this clear. If farmers don’t cause this administration any political pain, their silence on the tariffs will most likely assure that tariffs stay in effect longer and become more frequent. If that happens, the result will be serious long-term damage to the Agricultural economy. In states like Kansas, that pain extends farther given the significance of our Ag sector to the overall statewide economy. Adding further to this misery is that much of our manufacturing sector is facing similar results from these tariffs. And more damage can come down the road. Remember, once you lose a buyer, it's almost impossible to get them back.
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An Unwelcome Twist on the 4th of July

7/3/2019

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Happy 4th of July to all of you. Our Independence Day is the holiday we have traditionally celebrated, along with fireworks and food, the work of the Founding Fathers in declaring our independence from Great Britain. Combined with our Constitution and the Bill of Rights, we have our three Charters of Freedom that underpin our Democracy and have been a successful model that many countries across the world have followed. The celebration itself has always been about “We the People.”  

This fundamental concept is truly being tested today with the current administration and their daily actions. For example, this year President Trump is turning the entire celebration on the National Mall into a partisan event with a political campaign speech at the Lincoln Memorial. When we lived in D.C., we attended and or always watched on TV as we do now, the special 4th of July patriotic non-political entertainment and messages.

Although the President has for sometime wanted a big military parade down Pennsylvania Ave to display military might, he plans to use this moment to take a step in his direction by including fancy flyovers and tanks to accompany his political speech. Just for some context, here is what former President Eisenhower had to say about such activity: “Absolutely not. We, the United States, are seeking peace, we are the preeminent power on earth. For us to try to imitate what the Soviets are doing in Red Square would make us look weak.”

The politicizing of our 4th of July should be a reminder of just how important the next year’s election is for our form of government. Out of respect to all those Americans who have served in the military or public service to protect and implement the fundamentals of our democracy, politics should not be any focus of this national holiday. Four more years of the current administration we have now could put our values in jeopardy. 

Be safe. Enjoy. Have hope.
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Service members preparing for the 4th of July celebration
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Questions that Presidential Candidates Seldom Get Asked

6/23/2019

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Debates for Democratic presidential candidates start this week, on June 26th and 27th. There will be major press coverage and follow-up interviews with many opportunities to ask key questions. What would really be helpful are some practical questions asked on just how each of these candidates intend to do the job of being President.

Today, all too often the questions asked are designed to create differences amongst the candidates on issues, and to stir the pot as best the moderators can. I would have less a problem with that if the pot was also being stirred with some questions that directly share how each candidate would accomplish their agenda. In many cases, candidate’s answers to policy positions are guided by very comprehensive polling.

The questions I have listed next are a sample of topics that get at the information we really need to make the best decision about whom to give our vote. Here is where the candidate’s candor and real experiences could genuinely inform voters on who might be best to get the job done.

  • What is the most significant crisis you’ve dealt with? What role did you play? What was a key lesson you learned?
  • In your executive experience, what one mistake have you made that has been most beneficial as a learning lesson?
  • What is your approach to putting a team together? Beyond talent, what are you most looking for as you assemble that team?
  • What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make? What helped you most in making that decision? What did you learn?
  • What leadership experience are you most proud of and why, particularly as it might relate to the challenges ahead for our next President?

​Perhaps more than ever, we are seeing the impact of poor leadership and management at the federal level in the current administration. In many ways, it has become a case study for how not to build and conduct a large organization or administration. From ethics concerns to mistrust and tense relationships with career civil servants, the next President will have their work cut out for them in terms of cleaning up, restoring trust, and truly “draining the swamp” in Washington, D.C. And I believe the gravity of that task should factor into how we evaluate and weigh the candidates for our country’s highest office.

I share with you the following article from my good friend Dan Glickman to further enforce these points. “Ideas are great,” he writes, “but...nothing can be accomplished without management expertise, knowledge of how the different federal government branches interact, and the ability to put together a high performance team of professionals that can actually get things done.”
Debate Podiums
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June is National Dairy Month

6/9/2019

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For as long as I can remember, June has been Dairy Month all across the country. Growing up we were not just milking cows, but my Dad was for several years President of the Kansas Dairy Association. He took his role very seriously, best exemplified by his almost religious belief that one did not have to use the butter paddy on the dinner table, but you had to, "at least mess it up." Later, as Governor for eight years, I had the enjoyable experience of signing the Proclamation declaring June as Dairy Month in Kansas. I then got to enjoy the ice cream brought to my office by the dairy leaders of the state.

A lot has changed in the dairy industry in Kansas since those early days. When I still had the cows, our herd was one of over 30 herds in Saline County alone participating in official testing for milk production of each individual cow. Today, in most counties, I don’t believe any milking herds remain. Yet somehow Kansas is the 5th largest dairy state in the country. Obviously, the huge dairies in western Kansas make that possible. Which is why Trump’s tariff policies have been so damaging to not just those dairies but to the overall economy of Kansas. Mexico and China have been major purchasers of milk products from us, and their shift to other dairy sources may not just be temporary.

For this June to be really special, we need two things to change. First, our country’s trade policies need to more positively represent the interests of all who market internationally, and not just in the dairy industry. Second, development of a sensible immigration policy would really help. Why do I say that? Very simple: If you were milking 10,000 to 25,000 cows probably three times a day and depended on immigrants to do that work, you would see immigration policy in a totally different light. The tariffs and the need for immigrant workers make milking cows in Kansas a real challenge. And the Trump Administration is making it even harder on both fronts.

Obviously, I haven't milked a cow for a very long time. But I still have fond respect for those who do and wish them the very best for not only June but for the future. Just to stay in touch, I do still take the Hoard’s Dairyman- a magazine out of Wisconsin where one of my 4-H kids from the Smolan community, Steve Larson, served as chief executive for many years. I will toast the dairy industry this year by stopping at the nearest Dairy Queen on my way home for a Chocolate Cookie Dough Blizzard.
John Carlin and Dairy Cows in Smolan
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Women Running for Office Will Save Our Country

6/2/2019

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Hillary Clinton may have lost in her 2016 effort to be President (Electoral College only, she won the popular vote big-time) but for sure her success played a key role, I believe, in inspiring so many talented women to run for Congress in 2018 and win. There are 34 new women in the House of Representatives, 33 of whom are Democrats. What stands out to me when I catch an interview with one of them is their passionate commitment to do what they told voters during the campaign they would do. Clearly, these women listened and learned from voters and they are committed to not making the aisle a barrier to getting anything done.

Now, for the first time, we have many talented Democratic women running for President of the United States. Regardless of whether a woman wins or not in 2020, their presence adds a positive dimension to the dialogue. When women lead the way on many issues of obvious interest to women, more men understand and are supportive. More women running at all levels of government also gives a different perspective as we try to address the many challenges we face as a country.

Looking ahead, this country’s best hope is with women winning more and more elections at every level. I say that because women are much more likely to scrap this viciously partisan gamesmanship that exists at almost all levels of elections, and they will work to get positive things done for the good of the people. Congresswoman Sharice Davids in our Kansas 3rd Congressional District is an excellent example. She is very bright, very passionate about changes that need to be made like in health care and not hesitant to work across the aisle to get things done.

I see similar progress in the Kansas Legislature, particularly compared to when I was in office. In recent years, bipartisan groups of women have been key to getting our state back on the road to recovery after the devastating Brownback years, and Governor Laura Kelly will now take the lead in keeping us on the right path. Now, compare that to when I was first elected to the Legislature in 1970. In my first term the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed and sent to the states for potential ratification. To show you how times have changed, support for the Amendment was strong generally across the board and it was passed overwhelmingly by a male and Republican-dominated legislature. There were only two women in the House and, interestingly enough, both voted against it based primarily on their concern that we would all be using the same bathroom.

Then, following my re-election in 1976 and becoming Speaker for the '77-78 term, I was in the position of appointing all the committee chairs. By then, we had added several women to the Democratic Caucus and it was my pleasure to appoint the first ever women chairs of committees in the Kansas Legislature. They were Ruth Wilkin from Topeka and Ruth Lazzati from Wichita.

For the record, there are very good men in public office as well. It is just that there are too many men who are there to hold the seat, enjoy whatever perks exist, and follow whatever the special interests who got them elected want them to do. Good women are making a real difference at both the state and national level. It just might be realistic now to hope that with this progress continuing, we will soon reach a tipping point and sanity in politics will once again become common at both the national and state levels.
Congresswoman Sharice Davids
Congresswoman Sharice Davids of Kansas, on the campaign trail in 2018
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Memorial Day Weekend Always Special

5/25/2019

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The long three-day weekend we commemorate Memorial day, initially set aside to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, is much much more than a longer break from one work week to the next. Our military service men and women and their families, who sacrifice in many ways, should be remembered and appreciated for all they are and all they have done to serve and protect the United States of America. We should think about how important they were and still are to protecting this country and its founding ideals.

We all have family and friends buried in cemeteries that we try to visit, bring flowers, and at least for a moment, reflect on the past. Memorial Day is an opportunity to remember those who have passed on who made a real difference in our lives. We all have folks who provided us help and guidance, whether they were parents, siblings, teachers, or just good friends. We didn’t get to where we are by ourselves.   

I want to recognize one community, which I know very well, that will have an additional celebration over the weekend. The Salemsborg Lutheran Church, located between Smolan and Lindsborg, will celebrate 150 years of continuous service to the community. With over 500 members, this weekend is not just a celebration of the past but an example of a rural church that today still has much to offer. Founded by Swedish families who came to the Smoky Valley (south of Salina to just beyond Lindsborg) in 1869, these immigrants and pioneers built churches in every small community. In addition they founded  Lindsborg, Bethany College, and the famous Handel’s Messiah Festival, all in 1869.

I wish you a safe, enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend and encourage you to find a time to pause to reflect.
Salemsborg Lutheran Church on Memorial Day
A view of Salemsborg Lutheran Church, decorated for the annual Memorial Day recognition.
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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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