Every time an election comes around someone makes the statement that this election is crucial. Probably those statements are true because we, the electorate, didn't vote in the primaries and end up with sort of non-choices in the general election. My friend, Dr. Prescott, and I spend many an hour discussing public policy and governmental theory. Though I try to keep my writings to the public generally politically neutral, the events of the last two years in public policy have pushed me into making public statements I've not done in the past. I see the current situation as another of the crucial crossroads of history reminiscent of the issues that faced the British public in 1945. Churchill was voted out and public policy changed dramatically for two generations in Britain.
Let's face some facts. The history of recent decades is that Kansas sends Republicans to Washington. The 1st Congressional District seat is open since Rep. Moran is running for Senate. There is a small army of candidates running for this seat making the choices confusing for those of us who are busy trying to live our lives and keep our businesses afloat. Whoever wins the Republican primary is going to be the Congressman of this district (barring some massive event). I don't think we have to worry that any of the candidates for the Big 1st will turn out to be a card carrying communist or a closet "Pelosi" politician. After much soul searching and having the pleasure of actually spending several hours with Dr. Jim Barnett, I've decided he is the candidate most likely to advance the right agenda for our whole district. Jim comes off as reserved and thoughtful while maintaining a consistent political philosophy. He has experience in the legislative process. Like anyone who has held office, he has had to make votes for and against things. Since it is very rare that a bill addresses only one item an officeholder, unlike a candidate, must vote for the best bills consistent with the public good. With health care likely to burn up a huge amount of government resources it only makes sense to me that a physician with knowledge of both the practice of medicine and the legislative process who also has a farming background is the man for this moment.
I've already written on my feelings regarding the Senate race favoring Jerry Moran. I feel certain from my acquaintance with Jerry that the current personal attacks and creative interpretation of his record must be painful. Like Barnett, Moran has a record and has actually done his job of making votes and taking stands that have been right for Kansas. His election margin in past races, confirm that those who know him in the Big 1st agree with me on that.
Dr. Prescott has some additional comments below.
I too, have recently “come out” of the “political closet” having written a series of articles on health care policy, as well as some additional political commentary. I had reached a level of concern as to what kind of country we were leaving for our children, and even wondered if our country could survive the socialist entitlement wave that has impacted our country. These concerns compelled my decision to engage in the process, to write, financially contribute and better understand the issues and the candidates. This upcoming primary election and the subsequent election in November, in my humble opinion, will determine the long term viability of our country. Kansas will most likely send Republicans to Washington. However, as we are now poignantly aware, many Republicans from across this nation lacked true conservative convictions. For Kansans, this primary election is our only chance to send principled conservative leaders to represent our views.
I have recently had the opportunity to spend some time with Dr. Jim Barnett and couldn’t agree more with Dr. Hughes’ assessment. Dr. Barnett has a unique skills set and background. His years as a state senator, and years of practice as an internal medicine physician, make him the right conservative at the right time to send to Washington. Who better to understand the complex medical crisis we face? His well-articulated, thought-out views, combined with his humble, respectful but firm demeanor, make for quite a contrast to so many representatives now in Washington. I have not seen Dr. Barnett engage in personal attacks, and at our meeting he conveyed his opponents were honorable men, but respectfully communicated that he was best qualified to represent us. I agree with Dr. Barnett and Dr. Hughes that the individuals running are conservative and honorable. I just happen to believe that Jim Barnett is the most qualified.
Contrast Jim Barnett’s congressional race with our Republican primary Senate race, and we see an unfortunate difference. The Tiahrt campaign has run a commercial with Gracia Burnham, a widow, and former terrorist hostage, which makes allegations that Mr. Moran supported giving terrorist’s constitutional rights and did nothing to help her or her husband while in captivity. I looked into this claim. I believe what Ms. Burnham is referring to is that Mr. Moran opposed the 2006 Military Commissions Act. However, it turns out his opposition wasn’t because he favored rights for terrorist, rather because the bill wasn’t tough enough. He had concerns that parts of the bill could be overturned by liberal-leaning courts, which could potentially lead to terrorists being released on a technicality. Additionally, it would seem appropriate that Mr. Tiahrt be involved with the Burnham situation since they weren’t in Mr. Moran’s congressional district, rather they were in Mr. Tiahrt’s. The Moran campaign has responded by pointing out that Mr. Tiahrt has previously favored illegal alien amnesty, having been co-sponsor of two bills in 2001 and 2003 that gave in-state tuition rates to illegal’s, and in some cases amnesty. I believe Mr. Tiahrt when he says he does not now support it. However, it is clear that in 2001 and 2003 he did. Once again, I believe both candidates to be conservative. However, I believe that Mr. Moran has a consistent conservative record and is significantly more qualified to represent our views in Washington.
So there! We said our peace, but allow us one final plea. Regardless of whom you support, for heaven’s sake vote in the primary! That's where the choice and influence of the person on the street really makes a difference. Advance voting is already under way. Don't miss out.
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Every time an election comes around someone makes the statement that this election is crucial. Probably those statements are true because we, the electorate, didn't vote in the primaries and end up with sort of non-choices in the general election. My friend, Dr. Prescott, and I spend many an hour discussing public policy and governmental theory. Though I try to keep my writings to the public generally politically neutral, the events of the last two years in public policy have pushed me into making public statements I've not done in the past. I see the current situation as another of the crucial crossroads of history reminiscent of the issues that faced the British public in 1945. Churchill was voted out and public policy changed dramatically for two generations in Britain.
Let's face some facts. The history of recent decades is that Kansas sends Republicans to Washington. The 1st Congressional District seat is open since Rep. Moran is running for Senate. There is a small army of candidates running for this seat making the choices confusing for those of us who are busy trying to live our lives and keep our businesses afloat. Whoever wins the Republican primary is going to be the Congressman of this district (barring some massive event). I don't think we have to worry that any of the candidates for the Big 1st will turn out to be a card carrying communist or a closet "Pelosi" politician. After much soul searching and having the pleasure of actually spending several hours with Dr. Jim Barnett, I've decided he is the candidate most likely to advance the right agenda for our whole district. Jim comes off as reserved and thoughtful while maintaining a consistent political philosophy. He has experience in the legislative process. Like anyone who has held office, he has had to make votes for and against things. Since it is very rare that a bill addresses only one item an officeholder, unlike a candidate, must vote for the best bills consistent with the public good. With health care likely to burn up a huge amount of government resources it only makes sense to me that a physician with knowledge of both the practice of medicine and the legislative process who also has a farming background is the man for this moment.
I've already written on my feelings regarding the Senate race favoring Jerry Moran. I feel certain from my acquaintance with Jerry that the current personal attacks and creative interpretation of his record must be painful. Like Barnett, Moran has a record and has actually done his job of making votes and taking stands that have been right for Kansas. His election margin in past races, confirm that those who know him in the Big 1st agree with me on that.
Dr. Prescott has some additional comments below.
I too, have recently “come out” of the “political closet” having written a series of articles on health care policy, as well as some additional political commentary. I had reached a level of concern as to what kind of country we were leaving for our children, and even wondered if our country could survive the socialist entitlement wave that has impacted our country. These concerns compelled my decision to engage in the process, to write, financially contribute and better understand the issues and the candidates. This upcoming primary election and the subsequent election in November, in my humble opinion, will determine the long term viability of our country. Kansas will most likely send Republicans to Washington. However, as we are now poignantly aware, many Republicans from across this nation lacked true conservative convictions. For Kansans, this primary election is our only chance to send principled conservative leaders to represent our views.
I have recently had the opportunity to spend some time with Dr. Jim Barnett and couldn’t agree more with Dr. Hughes’ assessment. Dr. Barnett has a unique skills set and background. His years as a state senator, and years of practice as an internal medicine physician, make him the right conservative at the right time to send to Washington. Who better to understand the complex medical crisis we face? His well-articulated, thought-out views, combined with his humble, respectful but firm demeanor, make for quite a contrast to so many representatives now in Washington. I have not seen Dr. Barnett engage in personal attacks, and at our meeting he conveyed his opponents were honorable men, but respectfully communicated that he was best qualified to represent us. I agree with Dr. Barnett and Dr. Hughes that the individuals running are conservative and honorable. I just happen to believe that Jim Barnett is the most qualified.
Contrast Jim Barnett’s congressional race with our Republican primary Senate race, and we see an unfortunate difference. The Tiahrt campaign has run a commercial with Gracia Burnham, a widow, and former terrorist hostage, which makes allegations that Mr. Moran supported giving terrorist’s constitutional rights and did nothing to help her or her husband while in captivity. I looked into this claim. I believe what Ms. Burnham is referring to is that Mr. Moran opposed the 2006 Military Commissions Act. However, it turns out his opposition wasn’t because he favored rights for terrorist, rather because the bill wasn’t tough enough. He had concerns that parts of the bill could be overturned by liberal-leaning courts, which could potentially lead to terrorists being released on a technicality. Additionally, it would seem appropriate that Mr. Tiahrt be involved with the Burnham situation since they weren’t in Mr. Moran’s congressional district, rather they were in Mr. Tiahrt’s. The Moran campaign has responded by pointing out that Mr. Tiahrt has previously favored illegal alien amnesty, having been co-sponsor of two bills in 2001 and 2003 that gave in-state tuition rates to illegal’s, and in some cases amnesty. I believe Mr. Tiahrt when he says he does not now support it. However, it is clear that in 2001 and 2003 he did. Once again, I believe both candidates to be conservative. However, I believe that Mr. Moran has a consistent conservative record and is significantly more qualified to represent our views in Washington.
So there! We said our peace, but allow us one final plea. Regardless of whom you support, for heaven’s sake vote in the primary! That's where the choice and influence of the person on the street really makes a difference. Advance voting is already under way. Don't miss out.
