And we're back.

The KYD Burro Blog is back in business. We'll be using the blog as an ongoing discussion about policy and priorities for the the next year. Remember, we won. Elections have consequences. But we only won nationally. State-wise, we do not have the same mandate as President-elect Obama and the Democrats of the 111th Congress. However, to say that this lack of a mandate means that we should fight aggressively for our beliefs is to throw away our traditions of fighting for justice as a party and our proud history of progressive policy as a State. (The Grange, anyone?)

As chair of the Labor caucus, I'll be advocating for equal protection in the workplace, stronger occupational safety standards and the right to organize. But we can not advance our own issues and causes to the detriment of each other. We won this election together and now it's time to win these battles together. For example. as chair of the Labor caucus, I'll also be advocating for policies like the Employment Non-discrimination Act, the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay act, and stronger pollution standards.  These three issues concern the workplace, but also touch on LGBT issues, women's rights, and environmental protection. 

Over the next few weeks and months, we'll be developing priorities and goals for the coming legislative session. Feel free to add your voice to the discussion.

Hours before election!

This year has been in many ways, a pivotal year in the American Story.

Senators Barack Obama and John McCain are at the forefront, with the race for the White House, Congresswoman Nancy Boyda and Lynn Jenkins running in the 2nd Congressional District of Kansas, and Representative Tom Holland and Senator Roger Pine race for the 3rd Kansas State Senate District.

In the 2nd Congressional District, the race seemed to tighten and it the hope of this opinionated pundit that Congresswoman Boyda wins. Lynn Jenkins has ran a VERY negative campaign in the last remaining months, citing Boyda as a "Tax and Spend Liberal" that voted for the quote unquote largest tax increase ever. Jenkins also ran adds attacking the congresswoman for stepping out of a congressional hearing.

From what I have been able to gather about my portion of the 2nd District is that voters aren't buying what Jenkins is selling when it comes to attacking Boyda. The congresswoman won Jefferson County (VERY Republican) by 51% of the vote. Everywhere you go, there aren't very many that think Boyda deserves to be voted out because of the fact that she has been able to do in two years pale what the last republican to hold the office, Jim Ryan was able to do in ten.

In the 3rd Kansas Senate District, Tom Holland as been hitting hard against Roger Pine for the fact that the senator has been living in Leavenworth County while serving as treasurer on a drainage district board and registered to vote in Douglas County. Shortly after the primary, the Pine family registered to vote in Leavenworth County however, Sen. Pine was still serving on the drainage board until almost a month before the election. Holland, State Senate Democrats, and The Topeka Capital Journal have cited that Sen. Pine wrote annual $900 checks to himself and two other board members for "consulting" while other members served for no pay. Pine has yet to address this issue without referring to the questions brought by the Capital Journal as "mudslinging".

When it comes to the Presidential Election, I have way to much to talk about to mention in this one post. I will say that the election has had mixed signals out of the McCain Campaign, negative ads about Obama's relationships with Bill Aires and Rev. Wright and McCain's Hilarious appearance on SNL, while Sen. Obama's campaign is ahead in the polls going into Election Day.

Regardless of what happens tonight after the polls close, America decides the future of the American Experience.

Good Luck to us all!

Because this is just ridiculous...

While surfing the web over the weekend, google, in its infinite wisdom, popped up with this sponsored link:
Where is the Red?

It seems that the College Republicans are making a last ditch effort to seem relevant. A team (squadron?) of them are driving across the country to prove that one could drive from coast to coast without ever leaving a Republican held seat. If you check their map, it seems they're going to try to go to Topeka, because they describe Kansas as a "Republican stronghold". Have they checked the map lately? First, I'd like to see how they're going to reach Topeka without touching the Kansas Second or Third, not to mention the many democratic seats in Missouri. Second, this state hasn't been such a stronghold lately, if you look at, oh say, the Governor's mansion, or recent polling. But god knows, Republicans have never let facts stop a good PR event.

What's more telling is that the CR national committee thought in a summer of record gas prices the best way to connect with real young voters would be to drive across the country. Who, exactly, is paying for this little joyride? Exxon? I can promise you that our YD national committee will never do something so facetious. To start with, they have jobs. Now, to be fair these are college republicans, but still, most of us had to work during the summer months, not take off on extravagant road-trips.  More importantly, our national committee is focused on winning this fall, not making YouTube videos of their best Kerouac impersonations. 

But I encourage this little excursion by the College Republicans. I hope they've got a violin with them, because they're fiddling while Rome is burning.

PS: How are they going to navigate California? Probably by avoiding all minorities.

On patriotism

As the Fourth of July draws near, it is natural for Americans to commemorate the United States, and marvel at the beauty of our democracy. Whether it takes the form of cold beer, grilled burgers, or mortars, American's unite on the Fourth for what is ostensibly a celebration of freedom and a renewed commitment to patriotism.

For some Americans, however, Old Glory waving and trumpets blaring makes them uncomfortable. Some Americans feel a tad reserved with this wave of patriotic display, for various reasons. For Democrats, especially, there is often a powerful association of fireworks and picnic blankets with the GOP.

This wariness is often unnecessary. You may, and should, feel proud to be an American, and a progressive American at that. It's alright to join in at the rendition of the National Anthem. This doesn't preclude you from reflecting on the atrocities of Abu Grahib. March in the small-town parade; next month, you can march on in opposition to the Iraq war. Indulge in your blueberry pie and all the warm & fuzzy American feeling it embodies.

Patriotism should never be equated with complacency. Rather, patriotism is recognizing and attempting to remedy America's flaws. Patriotism is fully present in a critical, democratic citizenry. If only perfect governments merited patriotic sentiments, the world would be a treacherous lot.

Use your voice and embrace your freedom this July 4th; that is, while it lasts...

Faith: the national factor

We heard it in 2004: social issues, "faith-based" voters, gay marriage, abortion and an enumeration of all the issues that supposedly divided voters of faith and more secular voters.

The time has come for the Democratic Party to stress the universality and national scope of religious voters and values. People of faith aren't confined to red states, secularists aren't exclusive to blue states. In anticipation of the 2008 election, it is time to embrace the atheist in the cornfields in Kansas, the Hindu surfer in Florida, the Orthodox Jew in New York, and the personal spirituality of numerous Californians. The Party can't survive, nor would it want to, without the inclusive support of religious voters.

Leaders in the Democratic Party have taken notice of this dire need. Perhaps most notably, Rev. Joseph Kitchen has spearheaded a movement to obtain official approval from the Young Democrats of America's National Committee as an official caucus. To this end, Rev. Kitchen and staff have created a website to mobilize and inform voters about the groups goals and priorities: www.youngfaithdems.org.

The group cites four priorities:
1) Ending Poverty
2) Ending the Genocide in Darfur
3) Fighting AIDS/HIV
4) Protecting the Environment

These priorities are such that people of faith and non believers alike can herald them as just and worthy. The Democratic Party cannot survive more divisive politics. The time for caustic divisiveness is over. It is time to unite-Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Catholics, Mormons, Protestants, Lutherans, Baptists, and everything in between- and succeed. Success in 2008 depends on it.

Talitha Hazelton, Atchison.

An Example for Congress

As appeared in the May 15 issue of the Topeka Capital-Journal:

Letter: Example for Congress

On May 3, Rep. Nancy Boyda visited Valley Falls as part of her 2008 listening tour called "Congress on Your Corner." She is back in the 2nd District nearly every weekend, listening to what folks have to say and helping people get results from federal bureaucracies where difficulties persist.

I am always amazed how hard-working and genuine she is. In Valley Falls, Rep. Boyda and our community had in-depth and candid discussions on issues ranging from supporting veterans, continuing middle-class tax cuts, immigration policies that are enforced and work, sound trade policies that strengthen the United States and difficulties within Social Security and health care.

I was thoroughly impressed when Rep. Boyda stated that she and her husband, Steve, declined the stellar health care plan offered to her as a member of Congress. Instead, they pay gobs of money every month out of their own pocket. The reason: they couldn't accept this benefit in good conscience when so many of us here in the district struggle to obtain and/or pay for coverage. This is a bold example that other members of Congress should follow.

After the session ended, townspeople had an opportunity for one-on-one time to get help battling bureaucratic obstacles. Then, she was off to Fat Jack's on Broadway for ice cream and antique browsing.

She had a few minutes before heading to her next stop, so she stopped by the home of a Valley Falls woman who has been battling health problems and didn't have the strength to make it to the event.

What an excellent example Nancy Boyda is.

CRAIG GUNTHER, Valley Falls

It's anyone's game

No one will claim that Jim Slattery has a walk in the park, however, the latest Rasmussen Reports' survey of Kansas voters found Roberts leading Slattery by only 52% to 40%. Yes, in November 52% equals a clear victory for any candidate, but this is May.

Slattery leads Roberts by three points among unaffiliated voters. Each candidate can expect support from their own party's base, but from an ideological perspective, the candidates are tied at 46% among moderate voters.

So what does this all mean? It's anyone's game in November.