Letters on Medicaid expansion, Dave Trabert, uninformed voters

Others need to take journey to understanding

Barbara Shelly wrote an excellent column detailing Sen. Jeff King’s journey to an understanding of the Medicaid expansion issue (Jan. 8 Opinion).

The Republican from Independence began that journey as an avid opponent of expansion. However, instead of closing his eyes, ears, mind and heart, he made the decision to go out and learn about the issue. As Shelly wrote, King researched numerous sources and discovered that expansion would save Kansas money and that the vast majority of the recipients of this aid would be hardworking Kansans, not “lazy couch surfers.”

This is a journey that needs to be taken by the governor and the Legislature.

It is often said that a journey, no matter how long, begins with the first step. Unfortunately in this case, Gov. Sam Brownback and GOP legislative leaders not only refuse to take that first step but have actively slammed the door shut. Their attitude is clear: “Our minds are made up; do not confuse us with facts.”

Always the same

The frequent columns by Dave Trabert, president of the Kansas Policy Institute, are always of interest, as whatever twists and turns the commentary takes, the conclusion is always the same.

“Better services, better price key to budget fix” (Jan. 10 Opinion) was no exception.

He cited a recent KPI survey to back his argument, but failed to tell us when this survey was made, and the exact wording of the question. The figure that “only 25 percent of Kansans agree that state government operates efficiently” tells us nothing unless, of course, the question related to the 2015 legislative session. If that was many respondents’ interpretation of the question, I am amazed that it rated as high as 25 percent.

Don’t vote if uninformed

I see lots of encouragement from some commentators that everyone who is eligible to vote should do so. But if you are eligible to vote and you don’t study the issues or don’t evaluate the candidates’ positions on the issues, or you pick your candidates based solely on political party affiliation, or pick candidates on the basis of their sex, race, charm or other criteria not related to their positions on issues, or pick your candidates on the recommendation of a friend or family member, or wait until the last minute to look at the issues and the candidates – then don’t vote.

Though eligible, you are not informed and should stay home and not cancel out a vote of someone who is informed.

This story was originally published January 12, 2016 at 6:05 PM with the headline "Letters on Medicaid expansion, Dave Trabert, uninformed voters."