Do we really want the Kansas Primary in August of 2016, typically a low turnout election, to determine issues of high importance in our state? Decisions to do so are on the table for action by the Kansas Legislature right now in Topeka. Votes are being taken to amend the constitution of Kansas to change how judges are appointed and to decide whether our constitution should continue to make proper funding of public schools a state responsibility. Proponents, understandably, want the August Primary to be when we take the final vote.
I don’t believe a majority of the Kansans who voted last November cast their votes to make these radical changes. Quite frankly, there really wasn’t an open discussion of these proposals. I don’t blame the ones who got elected and support these changes; they ran and won. But that doesn’t mean that Kansans should not ask questions and share their views before final action. Only then, after public input and real debate, will the best interest of Kansas prevail.
To use a basketball analogy, those of us who strongly support the value and funding of public education are behind at halftime. During the first half, if we showed up, we not only failed to communicate well but have not done so with energy. Coming out of halftime, is that going to change? Or are we going to wait until the last two minutes of the game, counting on three pointers and opposition turnovers to defeat the proposals in the August 2016 primary?
I respectfully suggest that anyone who gets this message and agrees, or even thinks they might if given more time, start communicating right now to the deciders in Topeka. Let’s start the second half with a full-court press. Then, no matter the outcome, at least we showed up for the game.
I don’t believe a majority of the Kansans who voted last November cast their votes to make these radical changes. Quite frankly, there really wasn’t an open discussion of these proposals. I don’t blame the ones who got elected and support these changes; they ran and won. But that doesn’t mean that Kansans should not ask questions and share their views before final action. Only then, after public input and real debate, will the best interest of Kansas prevail.
To use a basketball analogy, those of us who strongly support the value and funding of public education are behind at halftime. During the first half, if we showed up, we not only failed to communicate well but have not done so with energy. Coming out of halftime, is that going to change? Or are we going to wait until the last two minutes of the game, counting on three pointers and opposition turnovers to defeat the proposals in the August 2016 primary?
I respectfully suggest that anyone who gets this message and agrees, or even thinks they might if given more time, start communicating right now to the deciders in Topeka. Let’s start the second half with a full-court press. Then, no matter the outcome, at least we showed up for the game.
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