In 2004, liberal writer and native Kansan Thomas Frank published “What’s the matter with Kansas?”, his smugly title indictment of the intelligence of Kansans because the state had become such a reliable conservative Republican state. Yes, Kansas has inflicted the phony Kathleen Sebelius; and that is no minor infraction. But generally, Kansas has refused to bow at the altar of liberalism; and that has driven defectively wired liberals like Frank up the wall.
Now Kansas has another nasty surprise for liberals. The Sun Flower State’s Republican governor, Sam Brownback, and its legislatures (which are both lopsidedly controlled by Republicans) want to do away with the state’s income tax. The Republicans in Kansas weren’t intimidated by Barack Obama’s victory last November. They held the reins of power and fully intend to drive the state in a manner they hope will make it a model for other states to follow.
The changes in how Kansas will be governed have already started. The Republicans provided the largest tax cut in the state’s history and handed off most of its Medicaid system to private insurers.
Brownback has cut welfare rolls, pared down the state’s own workforce, and reorganized government agencies to streamline them for maximum efficiency. Next up is the ubiquitous pension reform that is the centerpiece of Republican-controlled state reorganization. Just for good measure, he wants to change the process of picking judges and financing state education goals.
Of course, the numbingly predictable whining from Democrats has already begun. They are crying that, “It [tax cuts] kind of eliminates a large group of Kansans out of that pursuit of happiness.”
In response, Brownback says, “I think the unique thing is that we’re applying the principles on how you get your cost down and still provide a high-quality product. That’s been in the private sector, but it hasn’t been in the public sector for 50 years.”
Brownback’s struggle for control of state spending looks a lot like Wisconsin Republican Governor Scott Walker’s struggle to change his state’s government. And the chances are we will hear the same tired liberal complaints.
Given the extent to which conservatives control the state, the question would be “What’s the matter with Kansas?” if Brownback didn’t make these changes.
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I llived in Kansas for 17 months and learned a lot about that state while I was there. Katheleen Sibelius was governor while we were there, and I don’t think there was a lot of love lost between her and many Kansans. They were glad to be rid of her when she went to D.C. I was happy FOR them. Governor Brownback is a good man with some common sense, and the knowledge to do what he has accomplished. It’s a no brainer to do all he has done, and will do. The liberals there should actually appreciate him, but that’s a pipe dream. As for “It [tax cuts] kind of eliminates a large group of Kansans out of that pursuit of happiness.”’ comment by the liberals in the article; who are they kidding those they are talking about are not contributing much if anything, and they are the recipients of the largesse of the state and federal government
Obamacare is already starting to affect small businesses. I’ve seen it here just in a few weeks. A popular Wendy’s and a Jack in the box have closed on one street here. My daughter’s said their Pizza Hut is cutting back by 25 cents, the amount their driver’s get for each delivery. These people are making zilch for tips now, as it is, since the economy is so bad, and then Pizza hut does this to them. Gas is high and not getting cheaper, and these people have to keep their cars filled to make the deliveries. It’s hard enough to keep drivers, but I see them losing most if not all of their drivers soon, and then I see this particular Pizza Hut shutting down in the near future. The owner of this franchise is elderly, and I think soon we’ll see him cut his losses and shut this store down.n Thank you Obamacare, NOT..
I was born and raised in Kansas and still live here. Sibelius was a joke and an embarassment to our state and an even bigger one by making Obamacare what it is today. When she was the Governor she had the most people on state payroll in the history of our State. Brownback knew he had to clean house if he were to get the budget back under control. He has not had an easy time of it. She pretty much left it a mess, as do people like her. Go Brownback! <:)
It is wonderful to hear citizens of a state speak highly of their governer and the moves he is making to improve and strengthen their not just the state, but living for the citizens. I wish that was happening in Maryland. But Maryland is a democrate state and all this governer knows is to tax .
Good for Kansas!
I live in California currently. It would be nice if the governor and the state assembly here would look at Kansas as a model on what to do to actually govern. It looks like Kansas is totally on the right track, and I see other states doing similar things – Michigan, Nebraska, etc. Way to go!!
Congratulations Kansans. Be ready to join the group of states that expels the Commie states and creates a new union without New York, San Francisco, Los Hispanfornication, SeattleTaco, Old Hereford and Jersey, Old Rustigan and Old Chicommieland. Call the New Nation, the Land of the Free and Death of the Nazis and Commies.