Shallenburger, the better way (my letter to the local newspaper)

July 26, 2002 | myself

[rwfromkansas]

To the Editor:

The primary election is coming up quickly and a choice is to be made. While the other candidates are avoiding principled stands on issues, Tim Shallenburger is not afraid to put out his beliefs in freedom and improving the state. You have the opportunity to elect this kind of leader or choose another candidate that will continue the lack of leadership that led to the budget crisis.

The other candidates just don't have the same spark in them. Bob Knight is running attack ads and pretends to be all things for all people. He claims to be pro-business. In reality, promoting business to Knight means having the government subsidize his projects, not attracting companies to the state and encouraging entrepreneurship. He also claims to be pro-life, but has a running mate that opposed a bill in the state legislature to outlaw partial birth abortion. Such legislation recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives with wide bipartisan support. How does this represent Kansas values when even many Democrats believe partial birth abortion is wrong? As for Kerr, he vacillates on issues according to the July 2 edition of the Lindsborg Daily Record. He sounds like a typical politician.

Tim Shallenburger has big ideas about how to improve the school system. He supports tougher accountability measures for schools, as well as tax credits and merit pay for teachers. Merit pay simply means teachers get paid more if they do a good job. Unfortunately, the education establishment, composed of groups like the KNEA, is opposed and believes only it has the answers for education.

The current budget crisis resulted after Democrats and moderate Republicans let spending run wild despite cutting taxes. As treasurer, Shallenburger spent less than the budget allowed. He understands the state can't spend more than it has. However, the Democrats and moderate Republicans did not understand this; Knight and Kerr represent this moderate GOP faction. Do you trust them to wrangle the state legislature into some kind of spending control? Furthermore, by cutting the huge amount of government waste and any outdated program, Shallenburger can balance the budget, protect schools, and yet not hurt you by raising taxes. He is the candidate with the courage to find a better way.

[rwfromkansas]

I want to make sure there is nothing I said which is inaccurate. I could swear I read that Glasscock opposed the PBA ban, but does anyone else know if this is true or not?

[rwfromkansas]

bump for critique

[rwfromkansas]

bump

[rwfromkansas]

bump for critique of my letter

[AdA$tra]

I like it, but I am not sure on the PBA question and Glasscock. (I still cannot get over that name, but that is my problem.)

RW, I wish more young people like yourself were interested in the future of our once great State. I am a fourth generation cradle Kansan on my Dad's side and although my Mom was born in Missouri, her Dad was born near Perry, Kansas. Perhaps I should learn from you and do more than just sit at this computer and complain about what Kansas has become. Anyway, RW, keep it up and maybe someday we will call you Governor.

[Bahbah]

I think it's a good letter although I can't help with the support of PBA issue becuase I don't know the record. I like Shallenburger and am glad you wrote so well in support of his candidacy.

[rwfromkansas]

I would be more involved (would make sure to have a yard sign etc.) if I wasn't still living with my parents. But, I don't want to imply that they endorse the same candidate when I don't know what they feel. My dad said "Knight has been a fraud for years in Wichita" so he won't support Knight, but not sure if he would support Kerr or not. My GUESS would be he supports Shallenburger. My mom is the big question mark. In two years we will have more elections and I will be in college, so I will feel more free to have a sign up (probably a yard sign with the stake removed) on my side of the dorm room....lol.

I doubt I will become governor (just plan on being a schoolteacher, which would not provide much money for entrance into politics). But, God may call me to the post through tons of donors or something...I don't know.

[KS Flyover]

Good letter dude except it looks like Glasscock voted for the PBA ban.

Abortion vote

Bob Knight is more worried about what he can do for Wichita, rather than what he can do to reign in spending. Both he and Dave Kerr talk like raising taxes is a given.

Articles about the three Republican candidates can be found at: http://cjonline.com/midway/

Keep up the good work and GO Tim Shallenburger!!

[rwfromkansas]

Thanks for that. I have not sent this off....wanted to double check the abortion issue. I seem to recall the issue with the PBA ban is that the initial bill had only a life of the mother exception and Glasscock demanded it get expanded to the health fo the mother. I will have to see that link.

[AdA$tra]

My mom worked for the legislature for 25 years and my dad was a lobbiest for a non-profit association for 20. They were quite active in Kansas politics. I preactically grew up in the Statehouse. My mom even once worked for Chuck McAtee. I lost interest in politics somewhere in my late teens, and my interest has only been rekindled in the last ten years or so. Just keep an eye in these guys, obey God and be good. Everything else will fall in place. Were/are you ever involved in scouting?

[AdA$tra]

Preactically is sort of like practically.

[WFTR]

I'm not from Kansas, so I can't comment on the accuracy of what you say. However, I would suggest that you change the word "moderate" when applied to Republican opponents. While many of us see "moderate" as a negative term, many others see it as positive. If you identify the opponents with this term, some people might support them over your candidate. In this case, you could simply point out that even some Republicans are willing to spend more than the government takes in. Most people have a dislike of that practice at some level even though they actually support it in the way that they vote.

WFTR
Bill

[rwfromkansas]

ok......I will work with the phrase "moderate."

[rwfromkansas]

found this site.....Glasscock IS pro-choice.

http://www.kstatecollegian.com/issues/v102/sp/n079/news/news-legisl-fortmeyer.html

He apparently supported the PBA ban though (even though from what I seem to recall reading only because it included a "health" exception that he demanded), so I will drop that specific issue (unless somebody else confirms what I thought) and just state that Knight, claiming to be pro-life, has a stanchly pro-choice running mate.

[RAT Patrol]

Great job, as always, rw! Glasscock is pro-choice but I do not know specifically if he opposed the PBA ban. The rhetorical reason the pro-abortion people gave for opposing PBA was that it didn't include a "mental health exception." What a joke that was, though it was also the reason Graves gave for his veto.

[RAT Patrol]

Preactically is sort of like practically. lol, you always make me laugh, AdA$tra! BTW, I enjoyed the picture of your brother's bus. hahaha

[rwfromkansas]

I found a very interesting online poll on the governor's race:

http://harris.dailynews.net/hdn_dailynews/cgi-bin/vote.pl?name=kselection2002&action=view

Please keep in mind this is from the Hutchinson News and so I think that accounts for the extreme bias toward Kerr (Kerr is from Hutchinson so obviously he will probably overwhelmingly win Reno county).....but notice who is in second place, way ahead of Knight. Reno county is also close to Sedgwick county, where Knight is mayor of Wichita.

Dan Bloom: .9% 4 votes
Dave Kerr: 73.6% 313 votes
Bob Knight: .5% 2 votes
Tim Shallenburger: 24.9% 106 votes

[kcpopps]

Yes Glasscock is openly pro-choice, I've read lots about that. I don't know about the particular PBA vote you asked about.

He also is a moderate (which IS a bad word to me) and is a tax 'em more and spend it fast politician.

WFTR may be right about some people thinking moderate is a good word...I know some people who do.

Good letter.

[AdA$tra]

No sooner did I start talking about my brother and he called for the first time in about a year. Weird!