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Not The Kansas I Came Home To

2/14/2015

25 Comments

 
I was born, educated, and have spent my entire adult life (with one ten year exception in Washington D.C.) either in the private or public sector, working in, enjoying, and being proud of the state of Kansas. That was easy. That is, until the last few years--an aberration as far as I’m concerned--when the sun went under a cloud and we became fodder for late night comedians.

This reached a pinnacle this last week with the removal of a previous state executive order (signed by Governor Kathleen Sebelius in 2007) that gave legal protection from discrimination to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender state employees. In the last eight years, nationally, we have made huge progress on reducing discrimination, as witnessed by the growing acceptance and legalization of same sex marriages. It is no wonder that the rescinding of the ‘07 order got so much negative attention.

What makes this all the more hard to accept is when you put it into a historical context. We came into statehood bloodied up but a free state, and as you go down through our history, that progressive, sane conservative perspective continued. For example, Republican Governor Alf Landon supporting a Progressive Income Tax in the early 1930’s, Republican Governor Frank Carlson advancing Mental Health Programs in the late 40’s, Republican Governor Ed Arn, in retirement, leading the study that led to our Unified Court System in the 70’s, are but three examples of a history of leadership and progress which includes Democratic Governor Sebelius and others as well.

This will pass. We will return to sanity. There are too many good, solid, committed Kansans of all stripes that are going to turn this around. Let this be the call to action that helps make that happen. To those who are in despair, don’t be too quick to leave, and to those who might be looking to come, the sun will return and the state will shine once again. You just wait and see.
25 Comments
Linda Matney
2/14/2015 06:39:15 am

I have always been proud to be a Kansas until the last few years. Now it is so distressing to see the hatred and meanness that we are being governed by. I pray that we will return to civility soon.

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Debra Miller link
2/15/2015 04:33:29 am

Yes, when former Gov., are recalled he comes to my mind as the very best. I know people that have served with him and one of my friends was proud enough to have this listed in his obituary, an obituary planned before his death.

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Terri Lynn Coop link
2/14/2015 06:56:11 am

I am a solidly progressively democrat that moved to Kansas in 2002. The stay had what we were looking for. I enjoyed the quirky individualism of the state where neighbors tolerated neighbors and a democrat was in Topeka. KU and KState were centers of vibrant curiosity that complemented the miles of open prairie. In those days, Kansas was a pioneer state, home to individuals and a place to breathe free, regardless of your politics

I was invited to churches, but never looked down on when I didn't attend.

It is a very different place now. Darkening into an intolerant theocracy and unless that changes, Kansas will be consigned to the scrap heap of history. People have to get off of single social issue voting and see what is being done to the economy as we race to the bottom. These days I would not have moved myself or my business here and Kansas no longer figures in my long-term plans. I would never in a million years move a business here now. Kansas no longer feels like a community. It feels like an ignorant jerkwater. And that makes me sad.

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Rick Ramirez
2/14/2015 08:05:48 am

As a proud lifelong Kansan, sadly I have to agree with you. I hate to see our once proud and progressive minded state decaying to what it is now.

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karin porter-williamson
2/14/2015 11:11:34 am

Terry I have got to copy and post your comment. you have spoken so appropriately. I have lived here my entire life minus one year. I am heartbroken to be so so so dissappointed in this place I have called home. I drove through the Flint Hills today and it was the first time I was conflicted to love them so much. I love Kansas, but I am really disgusted by it right now. I decided that the hills are as much a victim of the idiocracy going on right now as we are.

karin porter-williamson
2/14/2015 11:06:24 am

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Debra L. Miller link
2/15/2015 04:43:40 am

This condition is going to be temporary because hopefully the current leadership will either be recalled or done in my themselves at the federal level. Kansans when they know what is best and when they are informed do take the right actions.

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Gary Blumenthal
2/14/2015 06:59:42 am

I sincerely hope Kansas will return to it's moderate and sane past; however the problem is more than just the reactionary leadership of Governor Sam Brownback. For the last several years, the membership of the House and Senate have drifted further and further towards right wing extremism and it may take generations to restore elect bipartisan and responsible legislators.

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Emily Ogle
2/14/2015 07:03:37 am

John, you have been my favorite Kansas Governor. You understood how to work with and for the citizens of Kansas. You listened. Am not in Kansas any more but in New Mexico. Yes, it will get better but will be a long Kansas hill to climb.

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Donald Reif, Jr.
2/14/2015 08:01:23 am

Spot on, Governor! You were the best Governor in modern Kansas history and in a variety of areas, you brought Kansas into the 20th century. Too bad the current occupant of the office seems hell bent on taking us back to the 18th century.

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Greg
2/14/2015 10:11:43 am

Double digit interest rates, double digit unemployment, increased cost of food, gasoline, mortgages, loans - yeah, it was so much better then.

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Kevin
2/14/2015 02:56:25 pm

Sure, it is so much better now. Kansas is a beacon of economic health. Certainly the economy when Governor Carlin was in office had nothing to do with those issues. It seems like an improving economy nationwide, but declining in Kansas should say something about the current leadership in the state.

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Kay Ekey
2/14/2015 11:35:46 am

I was born in KS & lived there until college. As a 30+ yr resident of Arkansas I have frequently heard "Thank goodness for Mississippi" as they are generally the only state ranking lower than AR in education, income, etc. Now the comparison is going to be with KS. About the time KS protection for LGBT was being repealed, legislation was introduced in AR legislature to make it illegal for cities or counties here to pass ordinances prohibiting discrimination of LGBT. What is happening. Democrats must regain control of the country and restore respect & protection for all people.

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dennis berndsen
2/14/2015 12:25:59 pm

It is my opinion that brownback is owned and operated by the Koch brothers. He is carrying out their creepy vision of what our state should be like. We need to unelect the conservative legislators that have followed him down this destructive path

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Dee Puff
2/14/2015 12:38:34 pm

We shall take KANSAS back.

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Judith Robl link
2/14/2015 12:59:08 pm

John, I told you once, many years ago, that I was proud of you (and the way you handled a belligerent press at a luncheon). I'm still proud of you. Now that I've found you on the internet, I'll be back.

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Susan Lukwago
2/14/2015 01:31:58 pm

"This will pass. We will return to sanity ... To those who are in despair, don't be too quick to leave." Governor Carlin, your spot-on words come just in time as I lean towards despair for Kansas. Thank you. I am encouraged a little and by those others who have left comments.

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mike harmon
2/14/2015 02:23:47 pm

Not in Kansas anymore but glad conservative capitalist and christian values have taken hold. The socialistic democratic doctrine is a thing of the past as is Obama and his muslim plan to destroy this country. Our educational system is in the toilet due to unions who protect and adcocate mediocrity.

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Edwina Beard
2/15/2015 12:50:17 am

Just who is being helped by this agenda? Is the government there to serve only the wealthy? Do you disagree with our United States Constitution that separates church and state?

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Sue
2/15/2015 04:01:29 am

Our education system is in the toilet because of people like you who actually believe and perpetuate this garbage that Brownback and his ilk put out; your conspiracy theory belief that Obama is a Muslim proves that. Feel free to join us in the 21st century and see what educated people who value everyone can accomplish.

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Teri Kubin
2/14/2015 11:20:25 pm

It is time that we unite as Kansans, to put aside party affiliations and find away to protect our state. Our children's rights to have a good solid education is threatened. Governor Brownback and the elected officials who support his disastrous agenda need to go. I am an employee of the state and we are looking at furloughs because we have not been properly funded. The governor if allowed to continue will bankrupt this state and ruin so many great things that we have worked so hard for. I hope that all citizens of this great State stand together and take our state back. It is past time for Brownback to go.

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Edwina Beard
2/15/2015 12:46:00 am

I lived in Kansas for 65 years. Now it is difficult to return for a class reunion. I am so disappointed in the Kansas voters for being so blind when going to the polls. How can we get those that still insist on following this destructive agenda to understand that it is helping no one. It is up to the voters to make the needed changes and they do not seem to understand the problem. I see Kansas senior citizens post on Facebook. They still do not seem to understand that changes must be made in the voting booth.

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Jean Miller
2/15/2015 09:14:59 am

I hope you are right. We need something to hold onto until things do turn around, and there seems to be precious little.

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Marcia Groth
2/15/2015 10:11:45 am

I'm a longtime Moderate Republican. Brownback has gone way too far to the right and has added religion to politics which is always bad.

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Michael Cook
4/29/2015 06:40:54 am

Sir, I believe it's time you unseat Senator Moran in 2016.

Is their a specific email address where we can email you? I have some great ideas for Kansas.

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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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