During every major Armed World Conflict during the 20th Century, Democrat Presidents had majority control in the Senate and House of Representatives in the USA. During the Woodrow Wilson(D) Presidency, as WW1 raged, Democrats had a majority in the House and Senate.
Each month I want to provide you with regular updates about what’s going on in our nation’s capital and throughout the 4th District of Kansas. Here’s what happened in February.
Kansas Democrats and many Republicans finally agree on something–but is it a good deal? The so-called APEX deal raises more questions than answers. With Governor Kelly’s support, Republican leaders in the Kansas Legislature rushed through the most generous tax package in the state’s history, offering a previously unheard-of $1 billion in tax incentives to an unnamed company, along with a cut in the state’s corporate tax rate.
Phone calls like the one to the Newton Kansan Friday are not new, nor, honestly rare or unique. Calls to local newspaper offices often allege nefarious activity by local leaders and corruption in local law enforcement departments.
Regarding Beth Vannatta’s letter in Tuesday’s Kansan (Let teachers teach), which appears to be a veiled reference to the teaching of Critical Race Theory, no one is opposed to teaching the facts of America’s history. However, we do object to the claim of some that the central event in the founding of America was not the Declaration of Independence, but rather the importation of slaves from Africa in 1619, and America is responsible for the institution of slavery. The truth is slavery has existed since the appearance of man on earth and unfortunately persists today in some parts of Africa and Asia. We object to teaching that white people are bigots and racists and oppressors, and all people of color are victims. The quote at the end should be: “The truth shall set us free from the false teachings of Critical Race Theory and other false teachings.”
One of my favorite songs at this time opens with “Letting go of every single dream, I lay each one down at Your feet.” (Trust In You, Lauren Daigle). For the record, at this time of my life I am not letting go of every single dream.
Amidst pictures of the new war in Ukraine, the U.S. is anticipating photos of truck convoys arriving in the Washington D.C. area, protesting many issues including vaccine mandates. Ukraine’s democracy is under assault just as in the U.S., we are seeing democracy in action: people organizing to use their voices.
United Women’s Empowerment (United WE), a nonprofit organization based in Kansas City, and the Institute for Policy and Social Research at the University of Kansas released a report earlier this month showing that gender inequality has grown in our state since 2016.
Topeka Capitol-Journal. February 18, 2022.
“I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns.” That line is part of the solemn oath I took as a pharmacist more than 30 years ago. I chose pharmacy while still in high school, after a long hospital stay where I witnessed firsthand how health care professionals truly change lives.