The Emporia Gazette

Schmidt for AG

The worst campaign ads I've heard on TV are for two statewide candidates: Kris Kobach and Derek Schmidt.

Kobach warns us endlessly about scary aliens voting in dead people’s names. The citizen he cited has been alive and voting regularly since 1964.

He also listed exactly two wrongly registered non-citizen “motor voters.” 54 green card holders completed voter registration applications given them in error by clueless DMV workers.

Two actually voted. Big deal.

Two avid supporters of Schmidt actually voted in Independence for McCain/Palin in 2008. Unfortunately for them they also voted from their second home in a Phoenix suburb.

They bragged and got turned in Arizona. Federal charges were filed.

I'd like to know why conservatives made it harder for Kansas seniors to vote.

Rural Kansas suffered widespread polling place consolidation encouraged that has caused voting to drop by about 75% in our town. Seniors had to drive 40 miles round trip on mostly bad roads to the county seat to vote.

Our Secretary of State Chris Biggs can fix this.

Schmidt is far worse. Teaming in 2003 with Phill Kline, both took maximum contributions from GEO Group. GEO wanted to repeal a ‘80s Kansas ban on the industry’s riot-torn and escape-ridden, for-profit prisons.

They could be built anywhere; your neighborhood or mine. This would have undermined state workers jobs to export profits to a Florida corporation with millionaire management that paid high-turnover, poorly trained guards $8 an hour.

Unable to coerce sufficient legislative support, they combined the ban repeal with “Jessica’s Law.” Their one-size-fits-all sex offender statute would certainly incarcerate many low-level offenders for decades. Projections indicated passage would require 1,000 additional Kansas prison beds, costing some $30 million annually.

Convictions of more serious crimes, formerly obtained through plea bargains, would consequently require testimony from very young children. Otherwise charges would be dismissed. Schmidt’s threatened colleagues courageously forced abandonment of Derek’s special interest legislation.

Attorney General Steve Six isn’t in anyone’s pocket, actually successfully prosecuting predators.

Derek now mischaracterizes his law as “protecting children.” In fact it seriously endangers our most vulnerable offspring while squandering taxes.

Six has restored and improved the consumer affairs section that Kline demolished. I’m voting for Biggs and Six.

I'm also voting for Treasurer Dennis McKinney. When Dennis represented a nearby district he used to attend constituent meetings with Republicans Sen. Teichman and Rep. Bill McCreary. Even though we weren't in his district, which was on the far side of our county, he always listened and helped.

As Minority Leader in the state House, he championed education in particular, and was prominent in keeping the escape, riot and corruption ridden for-profit pens out of Kansas.

October 29, 2010 at 5:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Two steps behind the beat

This has been a battle between big bucks from the coal industry and concern for Kansans and humanity. The Republicians have sold out their constituents, joined by a few Democrats who have been leaned on by the railroad industry that would haul the coal down from Wyoming. There's nothing in it for Kansans. They'd use our water, foul our air. There's no guarantee for jobs building or running the plants.

The Republicans could have compromised by accepting a permit for a single plant. The power will be going to Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma...almost none would stay in the state. But they insisted on all or nothing last session of the legislature, squandering the whole session, and when we're in the throes of economic upheaval, they're at it again.

Their bill would deregulate the energy industry. We're on the brink of depression caused by deregulation and they want still more.

March 14, 2009 at 10:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas Attorney General Candidates: Paul Morrison

I'm a citizen activist who for many years has successfully fought against fraud that has targeted public funds. When I discovered a supposedly "Christian" board of Education member had faked receipts and got reimbursement for her family vacation at taxpayers' expense, Kline refused to prosecute his ally. When I discovered Medicare and insurance fraud, and reported it, I do not believe anything was ever done. When I discovered major Internet fraud, and again offered to wear a "wire" to help make a case, I was ignored by Kline's office.

Although there are some issues on which I disagree with Morrison, I have watched him work for four years and have never seen a hint of dishonesty in his words or deeds. This election presents voters with an easy choice.

October 13, 2006 at 6:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Kansas Attorney General Candidates: Phill Kline

It's distressing to read Kline's comments, to listen to or watch him talk on radio or television, and to attend debates. I have yet to hear him when he didn't tell some outright lie. Just this week he claimed support from the Kansas Press Association though they had contemplated suing him for his violation of the Kansas Open Meetings Act. Phill was forced to apologize the next day.

Kline couldn't have stopped Jessica's law if he (or anyone else) wanted to. He continuously takes credit for it, but it passed 38-2 in the Senate and 122-0 in the House.

The "tough battle" Kline claims in the Gazette is a fantasy. In fact, Phill has long supported dangerous private prisons and has obstructed the state from building better constructed and less expensive public prisons. Jessica's Law almost failed after it was bundled by supporters with repeal of a ban on private prisons in Kansas in May. Kline took $1,000 from the intendended beneficiary of the repeal, GEO Group.

Kline claims to be a "Christian," but he certainly doesn't show it. Numerous denominations, including Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist, Catholic and United Church of Christ have opposed new private prisons with some even calling for the abolition of existing ones.

Kline's appeals to churches imply that his opponent has received money from a doctor who performs abortions. That's just a flat out lie.

Kansas voters deserve an Attorney General who can tell truth from fiction, one who believes in the 8th and 9th Commandments.

October 13, 2006 at 6:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )