Moderates have better chances
Douglas B. McGaw, Emporia
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Well, the Kansas GOP has done it again. They keep trying the same thing that fails, hoping it will work the next time.
During the last two gubernatorial elections, they lost the Statehouse because they tried to foist a far-right ideologue on us, rather than a moderate who can talk to both parties. As a result, the voters chose a moderate who happens to be a Democrat.
Now they’ve selected one ideologue to run the state and another to represent the First District in Congress.
The gubernatorial candidate — Sam Brownback — has made a name for himself at the national level as a Congressman and Senator by focusing on peripheral and wedge issues rather than the bread-and-butter ones that matter to most of us. He has largely ignored Kansas in his quest for higher office and has consistently sided with opponents of any meaningful reform.
The recent debate between Brownback and his opponent Tom Holland at the state fair revealed the difference between a knee-jerk reactionary and a reasonable and thoughtful candidate who is focused on jobs, education, energy independence and fiscal discipline.
The Congressional candidate, Tim Huelskamp, is cut from the same cloth as Brownback, and is so much an anathema to moderates that there are hordes of independent voters and Republican moderates who cannot support him. His opponent, Alan Jilka of Salina, is virtually unknown in this area, but may actually prevail for reasons similar to the ones that put Kathleen Sebelius into office. Jilka, though a Democrat, has many positions that are similar to the moderate Republicans.
When the GOP can once again come up with viable alternatives to the Democrats’ proposals instead of simply trying to oppose everything in knee-jerk fashion and return to the past, then it will once again have a legitimate claim on an intelligent voter’s ballot.
Douglas B. McGaw
Emporia
situveux1 (anonymous) says...
Jilka supports Obamacare and opposes the Holcomb power plant. What's moderate about that? This word moderate is interesting. In any other state it would mean the middle, but in Kansas it's used to describe anyone who isn't conservative, no matter how liberal they may be. Buzz words like"moderate" are worthless. Look at the positions and make a decision from there.
September 23, 2010 at 6:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I have. That's why I am supporting moderate candidates like Holland and Jilka.
September 24, 2010 at 12:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
A good letter !
September 25, 2010 at 6:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
It is and has been very hard for me to decide on, support or vote for anyone, based solely on the words or promises that come out of their mouths or what they present themselves to be. Of course I know what Brownback is, based on past performances and based on that I would not vote for a Sam Brownback type .
Politics and Politicians are about nothing more than " Power and Money " or vice-versa.
I have found that if you take a hard and deep look at who, whom, or what is providing the major portion of a political party, politician or political candidate, financial backing, " Money, Campaign contributions ... you will get a true feel for where that candidates' loyalties will be or demanded to be, what the candidates say or promise are just words and you know the old saying , " Actions speak louder than Words ". But in todays world of politics and political arena, " Money buys action ", therefore words or promises are just that, words and promises, " which seem to mean little or absolutely nothing " in todays political arena.
As to the answer to the question, " Who do I or anyone vote for ? " All I can say is vote for who you feel is sincere about what they say and can carry thru on what they say or promise . Voting for any candidate is nothing more than a " Gamble " anyway, especially if they represent any one political party, always has been a " Gamble ", because there are " Forces and Power " that go way beyond and are above anything that we/us the meager, common ordinary voter are able to control or comprehend, that are, most likely going to be calling the shots in the first place, starting with campaign donations and lobbying after a candidate is elected.
So vote for whom you feel will be able to act and carry out on the words and promises that come from their mouth .
However I also suggest that you find out all you can, about where the candidates campaign money, who, whom or what is supplying the money and then you may, just get a better picture of who, whom or what will actually be " pulling the strings " of the person that you may decide to vote for. And good luck !
September 25, 2010 at 9:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
First post is dead on correct.
September 25, 2010 at 12:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )