Agendas & Special Interests - Revisited

Next Tuesday is election day and as it approaches I feel the need to mention how much I dislike the use of these two terms.


Agenda:  What's wrong with an agenda?  It's a plan that a candidate wants to follow.  I want my choice to have an agenda.  I want that person to know what they want to do.  A candidate without an agenda does not know where they are going or what policies they support.  The only time an agenda is a "bad" agenda, is if it is contrary to your agenda.


Special Interests:  C'mon folks get real.  So a candidate is supported by "special interests".  ALL candidates are supported by special interests.  People who agree with a candidate's agenda support that candidate, including you.  Like an agenda, the only time being supported by special interests is bad is when those interests conflict with yours.

Reelect State Reps That Work to Protect 2d Amendment Rights

The NRA and the KSRA (Kansas State Rifle Association) have endorsed Shawnee's three State Representatives for reelection, Charles Macheers, Brett Hildabrand and John Rubin.


One of their opponents (Cindy Neighbor) has received an "F" rating based on her previous voting records.  The other two (Larry Meeker and Vicki Hiatt) got "?" for their failure to return their questionnaires.


If you want to view these ratings for yourself you can at http://www.ksraweb.net/PDF/Grades%20and%20Endorsements%20for%20KSRA%20Website.pdf


WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid. 

John Rubin - Needs to be Reelected

John Rubin is definitely a man that needs to be reelected as a Kansas State Rep.


Recently, the Shawnee Dispatch asked John to fill out a candidate questionnaire.  It can be found here:
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2014/oct/26/candidate-questionnaire-john-rubin-house-district-/


John's values and dedication are beyond reproach.

Voter Apathy - Revisited

At the bottom of this post is a link to a video that was sent to me by a friend.  It's a short video, but very interesting concerning voter apathy.  Some may find it more than just interesting.  Some may find it very telling.


In a little over a week voters will go to the polls to elect a governor, US Senator, Congressmen, etc.  But in 6 months (April 2015)  voters will also be asked in Shawnee to elect a mayor and 4 members of the city council. 


Let's look at what happened in 3 previous elections.  Figures are for Shawnee only.


2010 (Governor)  Registered voters 40,639  Voted 20,765  pct voting  51.10%
2012 (President)  Registered voters  42,344  Voted 30,718 pct voting   72.54%
2012 (Local)       Registered voters   40,105  Voted 5,229   pct voting    13.04%


Let's look at the above.  Especially the city elections. Those numbers are abominable.  Think about it from this point of view, look out your front door.  Then realize that approximately 1.3 people (a little more than one person) on your block has determined who will be the mayor of the city and the council rep in your ward.  Ironically, it is the city government that has more of an effect on our daily lives than any other.  Safety (police/fire), roads, property taxes, snow removal etc etc etc.  Also, the city government is the one where citizens have the easiest access and ability to voice their opinions.


A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to kid the mayor.  He had written an item in the city's newsletter basically about the above subject.  I teased him and asked how much of previous posts of mine, on this blog, on this subject, did he lean on.


Anyway, here is the link I mentioned:
http://www.ted.com/talks/dave_meslin_the_antidote_to_apathy?language=en


WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid. 

U S Senate Race in Kansas

Only once in awhile do I comment on elections above the city level. 


This is going to be one of those "once in awhiles".


Greg Orman, a supposed independent candidate (who has financially supported various Democratic candidates, including Obama) has said on many occasions that if he was elected he would "caucus with the majority".


Huh? So, if elected he would wait to see which party held a majority in the Senate and then caucus with them.  Sounds like somebody who is trying to curry favors for choice committee assignments, or whose vote is for sale.

Green Means Go, Red Means Stop

See that post below?
See the pic of those signs?


Note, the one for the Parks and Pipes is green and the one for Pavement is red.  Whoever paid for those signs must have had a Freudian slip.  Their real feelings came out via the color choices.


That's the way to vote..............green=go=yes for the Parks and Pipes.............red=stop=no for the pavement.


We need to stop that 3/8th sales tax and the council as a whole needs to listen to its members who want to transfer additional funds from the Eco Development account which comes from the Deffenbaugh Impact fee.


WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid. 

Sign. Sign. Everywhere A Sign

A bunch of signs have popped up promoting the two sales tax initiatives on the Nov 4th ballot.  One side of the sign promotes the Parks and Pipes and the other side promotes the Pavement.


These signs are perfect examples of our First Amendment right to speak our minds on issues.  Heck, if it wasn't for the First Amendment this blog might not even exist.


What bothers me about the signs is that nowhere is there an indication of who paid for/sponsored these signs.  Now, here in Kansas there is a quirk in campaign laws.  Yard signs seem to fall into the same category as pencils, bumper stickers and certain other items (trinkets) that do not require identification of the person or group paying for them.


Personally though, I think that is a bunch of nonsense.  If you're willing to spend your money to create and place these signs, you should have the intestinal fortitude to let folks know who you are.
I have my suspicions, but without proof I can't say.  Oh well...........cowards in the night.

WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid. 

Shawnee Citizens Blew This One

Last night the City held a community meeting to discuss the proposed sales taxes that will appear on the Nov 4th ballot.


This was an opportunity for the citizens to ask questions, make comments, or whatever.  Here is what happened.  I counted 19 people there.  Twelve of them were city staff (to answer questions), 1 media rep, and 6 citizens.


When it coms to city affairs it is amazing how apathetic the people of Shawnee are.  This is evidenced by the fact that in the spring (April) elections for mayor and council only 10% of the registered voters actually vote.


Now, the Nov 4 election should show a higher turnout because we have a gubernatorial, US Senate and US Congressional race in the mix. But how will the folks vote on the sales tax issues?  Do they understand them?  Do they know whether or not there are other potential sources?  Last night was an opportunity to find out.


What is going to happen Nov5?  Folks are going to wake up and ask themselves "How did that happen (or not happen)?"  Then they need to ask themselves whether or not they got involved, studied the issue(s) and asked questions.


WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid