Does it matter anymore which party holds power in this country or state? With the constant barrage of media and play-by-play news on every misstep or idea from a Republican or Democratic candidate, it is no wonder we, voters in this great system and country, are tired of partisan politics.
But be careful. Politics will always be partisan and to pretend they are not is simply a deception that assumes the voter is too ignorant to know the difference. What we voters are looking for is not an apolitical idea, but good policy based on a sound and logical ideology of what good government by and for the people really is. We are looking for leadership and responsibility, accountability and integrity in a system we have long viewed with suspicion and distrust.
But our system is solid and gives us a great opportunity millions around the world would die for, and for which hundreds of thousands here have. So despite the spin in advertising, media, and by the pundits, if one looks back at the core fundamentals of what drives the Republican and Democratic parties, you’ll see a stark contrast.
To me and my fellow Republicans in Kansas, being a Republican still means something. It is a philosophy on government that assumes government is necessary to protect us from enemies, foreign and domestic. It assumes we are all created equal and should have the same opportunity–educationally, socially, and economically. It holds that the individual is responsible for himself and has the chance to do whatever he wants with life as long as he doesn’t infringe another’s rights. We also believe that government should be limited, less intrusive, and serve only the needs we as individuals cannot meet by ourselves. It must be responsible and accountable to the citizens of this state.
The modern Democratic Party is fundamentally opposite of this ideology. The Democrats in power believe the individual is not able to use the opportunity we have in this country. Furthermore, they believe it is government’s responsibility to give each individual actual goods and services, deciding for all individuals what they should (and should not) receive and deserve. While this entitlement philosophy often takes the generous form of helping those less fortunate, it is based on the idea that those who want to work and perhaps prosper are exploiting the rest of society.
In my estimation, theirs is a system that will crush itself under its own weight as we are seeing evidenced daily here in Kansas and our national economy. And here in Kansas, our Republicans have not left this foundation of good government for greed, corruption, or special interests. We are holding fast to our beliefs and are working toward real solutions for real challenges. Among the many challenges Kansans face are two prominent ones we still have yet to resolve.
The first of those challenges is government spending and the state budget.
Before I became the Majority Leader in our House of Representatives, I began campaigning for budget and spending reform. Our Democrat Governor has proposed 10% increases in spending for EVERY government agency every year. Three years ago I saw how this trend was going to jeopardize our state financial situation and began advocating for measures to limit this big government growth. With the help of fiscally sound Republicans, I was able to help limit the growth of our state budget to 5.2% during the last session. We have much further to go, but cutting bloated growth in half was a huge success.
As I predicted, we are facing a budget shortfall of $300 million or more this coming January. But Democrats in Kansas have continued to advocate for increased spending in all areas of the state budget regardless of the cost to our taxpayers and the bonded indebtedness we incur for our children. Republicans in the Legislature are fighting to return some responsibility to the system. Doubt Washington as you will (elect good fiscally-minded Republicans to Congress!), but here in Kansas we MUST have more Republican legislators if we want to reform our government budget and keep Kansas out of the red in the years to come.
Another key challenge is providing an affordable energy solution for all of Kansas.
This year the Kansas Legislature passed multiple energy plans to expand economic growth and bring more affordable energy to Kansas consumers. Our Democrat Governor vetoed this legislation and without more Republican legislators in the House we were unable to override that veto. There is a need for continued debate on effective energy solutions, but Kansas is well positioned to make use of a variety of technologies to protect our environment while still getting the best return for our investment to save our citizens on their utility bills.
While many were playing politics with this legislation, I and the Republican Caucus were working hard to make reasonable compromises to create the best solutions for Kansas. Democrats all over the state, rural, suburban, and urban voted against this measure and the best interests of their constituents. Republicans in the Kansas legislature recognize the need we are facing and the responsibility we have to use our resources wisely and keep utility costs for all Kansans low.
Fellow Kansans, this November, your vote will count. Not just for President and Vice President, but in each race down the ballot: the U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, your State Senator, State Representative, and other local positions. Here in Kansas you have every reason to vote Republican and keep Kansas from falling under the influence of the entitlement agenda of the national Democratic Party that our Governor is out of state campaigning for, and which also funds the Democrat interests in our state. Please join me in voting Republican on November 4th.
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Our thanks to Ray Merrick, House Majority Leader, for letting us re-post his op-ed.
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