Posted on Mon, Nov. 02, 2009

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Kansas views

Stimulus —A picture-perfect example of the Republican criticism of the Democratic administration's stimulus program came from the lips of Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan.: "Unfortunately, it is much more of a government stimulus than an economic stimulus and the bill will be left to be paid by our grandchildren," he said. His separation between the government and the people would be funny if it weren't so exasperating. How irritating it is to have a U.S. senator suggest that money spent on public schools, public highways and to care for the indigent is somehow less important to the state's economy than money spent in the private sector — as though public employees weren't people; as though state spending was somehow robbed of any impact on the economy.— Iola Register

Opt-out amendment — Leaders of the "tea party" movement in Kansas are in full Glenn Beck mode. Experienced legislators such as state Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, and state Sen. Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler, should know better. By publicly proposing a constitutional amendment to opt Kansas out of a public health insurance program that does not yet exist, they look silly. Like the often-outrageous commentator Beck, they are going to an extreme to make a point. And, as Beck so often does, they are doing it ad hominem — appealing to prejudice rather than reason. A majority of the American people want health reform. When it is enacted, Kansans should just laugh at the "tea party" jesters and take full advantage of that reform.— Winfield Daily Courier

KTEC — The Kansas Technology Enterprise Corp. was given a second chance recently when a special committee of the Kansas Legislature concurred with the earlier conclusion of an independent consultant that the agency should continue as a stand-alone operation. Now it's up to the leaders of the state-funded agency to prove to Kansans they are worthy of the opportunity they've been given. To do that, they must show they have learned from past mistakes and are ready to operate an agency that is more focused and open to the public that supports it. Returning to what had become "business as usual" at KTEC can't be tolerated, either by the agency's board or the legislators who approve funding for the group.— Lawrence Journal-World

Livestock drill — Livestock haulers likely were surprised to be pulled over recently on Kansas and Oklahoma highways. And likely relieved when they were told why. State and local authorities set up roadblocks and detained livestock vehicles near the Kansas town of Sitka and Turpin, Okla., to ask drivers about their loads and destination. It was part of a two-state exercise designed to halt the movement of livestock should there be a breakout of foot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagious and sometimes fatal viral disease that can strike livestock. The drill came after final congressional approval of the first $32 million in funds for planning and construction for a lab at Kansas State University in Manhattan that would research foot-and-mouth and other animal diseases. So Kansans should expect to see more examples of measures to protect food sources against agroterrorism and other threats, all in place for good reason. —Garden City Telegram

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