A SHARED VISION
By
Kathie L. Moore
Published as a column in the Hutchison News, March 9, 2015
So how does a “defeated,” “demoralized,” “decimated” political party proceed?
After attending the annual gathering of the Democratic Party last week in Topeka, the answer clearly was with great determination, committed to restoring the stability and common-sense approach to the governance of Kansas that is now threatened.
Armed with renewed resolve and encouraged by the growth of coalitions working toward that shared goal, a clear path going forward emerged. Those who value the past and hold out hope for the future success of our state are undeterred by the unprecedented influence of well-financed special interest groups and appreciative of the necessity to better reach out to the individual.
Despite the efforts to squelch honest assessment of the problems proffered by educated professionals and denial of the obvious, the stark realities being dealt with daily by Kansans stand as a testament to the failures inflicted on a trusting electorate by perhaps well-meaning but overly zealous policymakers.
The proverbial handwriting on the wall had been anticipated along the way. In searching through past views expressed by this humble observer over the preceding years, some portents of things to come stood out:
•
From November 2009: Kansas was experiencing the effect
of years of doling out revenue reductions during relatively prosperous times
while trying to keep up with growing spending without additional taxes. It’s a
grand way to appease voters and contributors. Unfortunately, current facts and
figures are now revealing the fantasy we were living.
•
November 2010: With a responsible media committed to
fulfilling its obligation to the public, there was to be sufficient reporting
of any errant behavior and a relentless demand for accountability from our
elected officials. This is only as it should be in a free and open society.
•
January 2012: In an interview aired on television
station KWCH, Wichita tax attorney Jerry Capps cautioned, “A lower rate in and
of itself doesn’t guarantee a lower tax bill.” What trickles out over the
course of a year could come back as a soaking on April 15. … As income taxes
provide about half the state’s general fund, it is also feared that future
shortfalls will lead to even higher property taxes. … All this, coupled with
the continued reliance on the regressive sales tax, paints a potentially dismal
forecast for the average Kansas taxpayer/homeowner.
The narrow constraints of party affiliation and single-issue ideologies are being recognized as roadblocks to achieving a future that offers stability, growth and equal opportunity for all. Those are the aspirations that are held dear to all concerned citizens dedicated to achieving those goals – working together, not beholden to arbitrary labels, but as Kansans united sharing the vision of brighter prospects for the state we proudly call home.
Kathie Moore, rural Hutchinson, is a freelance artist retired from the U.S. Postal Service. Email: klmnews45@gmail.com.
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