Category: Historical Perspective

To the Republicans Who Want Their Party Back...

10/24/2020

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.

[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.

[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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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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The U.S. Postal Service is Essential to Democracy

8/29/2020

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Republican members of our Congressional delegation are basically silent on the President’s straightforward attempt at destroying the Postal Service for what he sees as a key to his re-election. The President’s motives are very clear. He believes that making it more difficult to vote by mail, confusing people, and creating mistrust may result in fewer turning out to the polls and many ballots not arriving in time to be counted. All tactics that Trump thinks could increase his chances of winning.

Trump also wants to privatize the United States Postal System even though the impact on many citizens will be higher costs and loss of services all in the name of serving the bottom line for private investors.

For us living across Kansas with so much rural area and the necessity of quality service that will deliver mail to remote areas, without the U.S. Postal Service, where would we be? Kansans are poised for another large increase in mail-in voting participation this fall, but it's not just election results at stake. Just think of all the critical and time sensitive shipping services that either by budget cuts or the private sector push for profit would be so dramatically impacted. Essential medical prescriptions, business transactions that require timeliness, bills that need to arrive and be paid on time, and of course Social Security and other retirement benefits, all create real life impacts when mail delivery is delayed.

Is destroying the Postal Service a direction we want to take? I do not think so and wonder why our Republican Congressional delegation is so silent given all the rural areas they represent. But it's not just silence that is damaging; a current candidate for U.S. Senate—doing Trump's work for him—recently referred to it as a "so-called crisis." Their inaction and misinformation is also a clear message that Republicans are not concerned about our right to vote and to have all of our ballots counted in the middle of this brutal pandemic.

This strikes right at the heart of our system of government and the integrity of our all-important elections. Faith in our elections and the peaceful transition of power are bedrock principles that parties and candidates throughout our history used to support, not undermine. Those Republicans should ask themselves exactly what kind of country we want to be and what freedom really means to them. What credibility do we have in promoting the idea of self-government abroad when our elections are now the ones that need to be monitored by independent sources in order to ensure integrity? Without the right to vote and fair elections, this is no longer the republic we thought we lived in and that we were gifted by our founders.

The U.S. Postal Service is not a product of either Republican or Democratic ingenuity but of Benjamin Franklin, a founding father and our first Postmaster General. He recognized at the very beginning of our democracy the need for citizens to have a way to communicate and have mail delivered in a timely fashion. Franklin believed that having such a system was critical to keeping the citizens informed and making our new government work, which is why it's rooted in the Constitution itself. To paraphrase Franklin's famous words, they left us a republic, if we can keep it...

Instead of concerns about the Postal Service, our delegation is not just silent but instead are raising concerns about issues that are not at the top for most Kansans. Take a recent television ad for Congressman Marshall that includes Senator Moran with both focused on Sanctuary Cities (Kansas does not have one) and immigration as an excellent example of their gaslighting. Both are using these issues as punching bags for self-serving political purposes that results in very negative side effects. In particular, the agriculture sector in western Kansas very much needs immigrants to do much of the work, and the focus on vilifying others does not exactly lay out the welcome mat to immigrants nor new business.

Our elected Representatives’ silence is allowing the damage to the Postal System to continue when we know how critical this service is to our democracy. Their inaction is hard to fathom.

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19th Amendment Centennial and Where We Stand Today

8/15/2020

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On August 18th, 1920 the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution received final approval when Tennessee became the state to achieve the ⅔ vote necessary to amend. Kansas ratified the 19th Amendment a year earlier on June 16th, 1919. To put this achievement in some perspective, shortly after the Civil War, Black men's right to vote was recognized with the passage of the 15th amendment to the Constitution. Over forty years would pass before a woman's right to vote would be recognized.

This significant advancement was not accomplished by men leading the change. Men were not making the case to their colleagues that the time had come for women to have the right to vote. Much to the contrary, women persisted in leading the way. In 1869 the National Woman's Suffrage Association was formed and led by Susan B. Anthony. This movement was built off of previous women-led efforts around abolition and temperance movements.

Women have always been key in leading change and that is even more important for our future.

From a point of view of state pride, Kansas in many ways has led the nation on women’s equality. Kansas was the first state in the nation to hold a referendum on women’s suffrage in 1867 and recognized women's right to vote in local elections in 1887. That same year, the town of Argonia, Kansas elected the first female mayor in U.S. history. And, in 1912, Kansas recognized a woman's right to vote in national elections, eight years before the 19th amendment passed.

Understanding our past holds lessons for our future. My focus in this blog is on what should be done to make the most of the underutilized talents of the women in our workforce. This is not just about equal pay, but promoting women into positions that make best use of their talents and leadership skills for the benefit of everyone. Especially, at this time in our nation where there is a critical need for making positive change.

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 leading change. 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. The key is getting the right person in the right position of leadership and more often than not a woman.

So how does that progress take place? There needs to be more awareness and acknowledgment that when employers fail to fully engage women in the workplace, there are consequences, including a potentially negative impact on the bottom line. Whether financial or due to unachieved policy outcomes and practices with public institutions, the consequences can be quite significant. Given the huge challenges that are coming out of the pandemic, ensuring women are allowed to fulfill their potential is even more important.

In a strange way, the pandemic and all the needs it exposed for major change in our society may accelerate interest, motivation, and pressure for major change. We just might be more aware of the reality of our shortcomings, that we are no longer number one or close in many key areas, and going forward with the past ways will just not get it done. That will put more pressure on getting change agents—often women—in a key position to lead us on climate change, improving education, and addressing the many local issues needed for economic growth in the future.

The fact that more women are stepping up to run for public office also gives me hope. The new, very talented women in Congress from 2018, and likely more coming from 2020 elections including a candidate for Vice President of the United States, is very positive. Younger generations also inspire me to believe that the message of equality is taking hold, and their continued engagement is precisely the thing that can bring about the lasting changes we need.

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

To learn more about the history of the 19th Amendment and the key leaders and documents that made it a reality, I’d highly suggest following along with the National Archives this month, as they share suffrage stories and publish inspirational and educational materials on their website. I look forward to reading and sharing these great resources for learning about our country’s history.

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Trump's Manufactured "Riots"

8/3/2020

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Chaos started (Portland, Oregon) when President Trump said “the locals couldn’t handle it.” First, he called on states to “dominate protesters.” Then, he directed federal agencies to increase their presence to protect federal property including statues and monuments even though several years earlier he pardoned Ammon Bundy, whose armed militia took over federal buildings in Oregon. What motivated Trump’s action was not helping locals but his latest sinking poll numbers and just three months to recover.

Governor Kate Brown of Oregon shared that the locals had things under their control and unrest was calming down following the protests of George Floyd’s murder at the hands of police officers. Local officials were united with the Governor on dealing with it locally. Then Trump sends in the Feds and everything explodes. Compounding the problem, the officers Trump sent in were not trained for such activities and the pushback against the militarized federal deployment naturally followed. Keep in mind, the vast majority of the protesters are energized young people, moms and dads, and veterans exercising their Constitutional Rights on the concerns they have about the current directions of our country.

Former Chief Justice Rehnquist was quoted saying, “Police power is reserved for the states.” I believe firmly that those who commit violence against others and engage in the destruction of property should be prosecuted under applicable criminal laws. That should not be a matter of serious debate, and local officials with state support can handle the protest situations without federal intervention. The President should be taking a leadership role instead on the coronavirus crisis, where national leadership would have and can still make a world of difference.

What we have here is all politics. Trump is trying to duplicate President Nixon’s 1968 strategy where he used similar tactics to totally disrupt the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The national press coverage that followed totally overwhelmed any positive message that could come from the convention and made “law and order” a successful campaign theme through the November election.

Now Trump is taking actions ostensibly intended to advance the interests of law and order, but one patently designed for the purpose of creating division, heightening levels of fear and anger, and advancing his reelection prospects. Trump has repeatedly, over time suggested that Democrat-led and sanctuary cities are filled with crime. Now, he is threatening to send more “troops” of militarized federal officers from Border Patrol and other agencies into these areas to use force against American citizens.

The Battle of Portland and Trump’s military-style force against citizens exercising their Constitutional rights to seek greater equality brings to light larger questions for our nation. Who is creating the real source of carnage within our country? Who should be the object of greatest scorn and attention? Who presents the greatest threat to Americans, to our institutions and our values? I think it is fair to ask who has inflicted the most pain on other Americans and who is most responsible for damage to the economy of this country. Is it a Chicago gang member whose violent acts are disruptive to neighborhoods and cause great pain (even death) to other individuals and families? Is it the elected leaders who refuse to increase the minimum wage while actively dismantling the social safety net? The gang member’s conduct certainly deserves condemnation and should be punished. But his or her impact, however, is numerically and geographically constrained.

In contrast, by distracting the American people with unneeded use of Federal Law Enforcement Officers, by dismissing the reality and severity of the coronavirus and encouraging activity that would spread the virus, Trump has eviscerated the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans. His chaotic and cavalier response to the coronavirus pandemic as well as the intentional rejection of scientific opinion on how most effectively to address it has contributed to the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans and to illness and unemployment for millions.

For a superb in depth analysis with historical context, read the piece “Trump’s Wag-the-Dog War” by Thomas Friedman, Opinion Columnist for the New York Times. Friedman said, “This notion of Trump commanding a “surge” of federal law enforcement troops into Democratically-governed cities is appalling in the extreme.”

Without a doubt, these actions serve to create further division in our country, at a time when we desperately need to heal and work to find better, more peaceful, and more just ways forward for our communities and nation.

A scene from Portland, Oregon [Photo: Reuters]

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Some VP Thoughts for Joe Biden

7/29/2020

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Joe Biden, sometime very soon, as the Democratic Presidential Nominee, you are going to have to make a decision on your running mate. So whether you will see this blog or not, here is what I think about your options. My views are based on years of experience in politics as a citizen (I voted for Truman in ‘48 at Smolan Grade School) and in elective office as well as my concern for my grandchildren and their future given the impossible challenges we face as a nation.

Of the potential running mates that are mentioned most frequently, Stacy Abrams is a real talent that has emerged on the National scene in a big way and very quickly. She would clearly bring a passion for change that would help excite the younger generation and has demonstrated her capacity to lead change with communication and organizational skills so necessary to succeed. I think she needs more national seasoning but certainly could help your administration in a number of different ways.

Kamala Harris gets lots of attention and understandably so. From starting in a local elected office, she quickly moved to being State Attorney General, and now represents California in the United States Senate. As a woman of color with national standing, it is no surprise she is on your list of potential running mates. She has the potential problems that come with being a former prosecutor. But, overall, her strong and effective voice in the Senate and her ability to take the Trump administration and its officials to task in committee hearings and elsewhere has certainly earned her serious consideration for the Vice Presidency or for other roles down the road.

Not surprisingly, Senator Elizabeth Warren gets a lot of attention. She is very bright, passionate, and has a balanced set of experiences that make her a logical option. She has not only her Senate experience but as well being a part of the Obama Administration leading the then newly established agency to protect the consumers interests. She clearly will be an important ally, especially from a policy perspective. The question is in what position. I would definitely make the best use of her talents for sure if you can get the Republican Governor of Massachusetts to appoint a quality Democrat to her seat.

There are other prospects getting attention and rightfully so. Governors like Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan and Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico are showing real leadership under fire, but I think their potential opportunity will come down the road. Susan Rice was in the Obama Administration but has never run for office and her focus has been at a high-level advising rather than executive leadership positions. This leaves us with Congresswoman Val Demings from Florida and Senator Tammy Duckworth from Illinois, unless, Joe, you have a big surprise for us.

Earlier, I thought Congresswoman Val Demings from Florida would be the best. Her job on the Impeachment team to represent the House was outstanding and gave her substantive national exposure. She is certainly smart and a great communicator. What also caught my attention was her experience as a Police Chief in Orlando Florida, a state that will be key with the Electoral College. Her piece in the Washington Post giving the Minneapolis police hell had more punch coming from her and reinforced her support for change. She was certainly not born with a silver spoon in her mouth and will be able to identify with millions of Americans regardless of color.

But I did some more checking and learned a couple things from my contacts in Florida. I was reminded that with so many Congressional districts in Florida, her statewide political clout is likely limited and 25 years on the police force could have some risks that have not surfaced yet. However, she is clearly another talent to keep an eye on.

Of the names circulated the most at this point, that leaves Senator Tammy Duckworth from Illinois as, I believe, the best choice. Early on, I didn’t even think of her as much of an option, but then she started getting more attention so I went online and got acquainted. Born in Thailand, her father was a retired Marine who was working for the United Nations Refugee Program. Her public service leadership experience at both the state and national administrative level followed by two successful terms in Congress and now in the United States Senate, certainly gives her solid and broad credentials. FYI, for more depth Google “16 Things You Might Not Know About Tammy Duckworth.” You will, I think, be amazed.

As a woman of color, who has sacrificed much for her love of this country, Senator Duckworth would be a significant asset for winning in November. But she also has what might be most important. In talking to several of my political friends, the question that came up most was who is most ready to step in from day one to be your successor? That day will come, and the huge problems we have will only be addressed by strong leadership over a significant period of time, thus making your choice for Vice President even more important. Senator Tammy Duckworth would be the valuable partner you will need, Joe, as well as the strongest leadership credentials to help return this country to the policies and actions that restore our nation’s reputation at home and overseas.

Mr. Vice President, you certainly have your pick of some outstanding potential VP’s, along with a host of exciting talent to build your administration around. But first, it’s incumbent on all of us to do everything in our power to make sure there is no second term for the Trump administration. As you’ve rightly pointed out on the campaign trail, our country can recover from one term of this, but after two, the damage would be irreparable. The stakes are simply too high to get this one wrong.

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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.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell maintains a Republican shield, protecting the President's lawlessness and preventing needed legislative progress.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.
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.
Governor Kelly defeating Secretary of State Kris Kobach in the 2018 election.
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.
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:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.

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.

Outside EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

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