It has been said many times and by many folks that “elections have consequences.” It is my belief that we are seeing proof of that more clearly today than maybe ever before. Certainly what is going on at the Capitol building in Kansas is evidence of such consequences. But, whether that is understood beyond the hired lobbyists or those directly connected to the session is the question of the day. Does “Jane or John Q Citizen” see the connection between her or his vote last November and how their representative and senator are voting on the many significant issues facing our state today?
Connecting those dots is not always easy for busy, responsible Kansans who have many important things to do other than follow the day-to-day political maneuvering in Topeka. It has been clear for several years that we have a significant number of legislators who have limited appreciation for the value of strong public education at all levels or the harm of delaying maintenance on our highway infrastructure, for instance. Of course, it is their right to think this. Many of them also think, not surprisingly, that given the recent election results, they have a mandate from the Kansas citizens to act accordingly.
In reality, I suspect that many hardworking Kansans cast their votes to re-elect their incumbent legislators not realizing that their incumbent’s votes don’t necessarily represent what they would like to see happen. This disconnect is precisely what I’m getting at, and my message to my fellow Kansans is simple: talk to your legislators now. They will be back in Topeka next week with some of the most critical days of the legislative session lying ahead. They need to know that Kansans care about issues like public education and understand that having a fair and balanced tax mix is really what’s best for the state. They need your gentle reminder that voters understand, perhaps better each day, that elections do have consequences and their votes during the remainder of this session will carry significant consequences as well.
Connecting those dots is not always easy for busy, responsible Kansans who have many important things to do other than follow the day-to-day political maneuvering in Topeka. It has been clear for several years that we have a significant number of legislators who have limited appreciation for the value of strong public education at all levels or the harm of delaying maintenance on our highway infrastructure, for instance. Of course, it is their right to think this. Many of them also think, not surprisingly, that given the recent election results, they have a mandate from the Kansas citizens to act accordingly.
In reality, I suspect that many hardworking Kansans cast their votes to re-elect their incumbent legislators not realizing that their incumbent’s votes don’t necessarily represent what they would like to see happen. This disconnect is precisely what I’m getting at, and my message to my fellow Kansans is simple: talk to your legislators now. They will be back in Topeka next week with some of the most critical days of the legislative session lying ahead. They need to know that Kansans care about issues like public education and understand that having a fair and balanced tax mix is really what’s best for the state. They need your gentle reminder that voters understand, perhaps better each day, that elections do have consequences and their votes during the remainder of this session will carry significant consequences as well.
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