News: "Brownback Tax Cuts That Ravaged Surplus Hinder Re-Election Bid" (Wichita: school district, wage)

[denverian]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

The problem is that the choice for many is either living in an apartment in Witchita or their car in San Fran.

They are just such extremes that it's hard to have a good conversation about the 2 cities.

If I had tons of cash I'd be living near the beach too, but for day to day quality of life I'm happy where I'm at.

Hope all is well, math.

Well, luckily there's a lot of "in between" places to live. I personally preferred living in Larence over Wichita, even though it's a smaller town. Lawrence was just a fun place to be. I've only been really in Wichita a couple times and found it to be rather blah. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing stood out as special. Sort of a smaller version of OKC or a bigger Topeka.

[denverian]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

It's pretty pathetic that you write this without citing which states are in terrible debt positions or citing their bond ratings etc.

IL and CA aren't doing to hot on those fronts....but shockingly this thread managed to attract your attention from your usual haunt in the political forum.

Well, KS could always do like its wester neighbor and legalize weed, then watch the $$$ pour in lol! Somehow, I don't see Kansans voting to legalize it though. Although I sure do see a lot more Kansas plates in Denver this year...

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by denverian

Well, KS could always do like its wester neighbor and legalize weed, then watch the $$$ pour in lol! Somehow, I don't see Kansans voting to legalize it though. Although I sure do see a lot more Kansas plates in Denver this year...

I made that exact comment to my friend.

When you have a budget problem and you look over and see CO raking in a couple hundred million in pot taxes......that overcomes a whole lot of "moral objection".

Keep in mind KS has casino gambling now....because they saw MO raking in huge dollars....many of those from KS residents going across the state line.

Besides, the big money in KS is the Koch bros and they actually have fairly liberal social views. It's their views on things like coal and taxation that are far right...but thats a distinction lost on most people who just blindly lump everyone in 2 neat political categories.

Kochs also fund PBS heavily including specials on evolution....not exactly fundies.

Sooooo, all that considered, I can absolutely see KS legalizing pot just like CO did. Shocking huh?

[thriftylefty]

At this point I don't think Brownback can come up with anything innovative to affect the budget crisis. His poll numbers are heading into double digits behind his opponent. He signed a bill essentially asking for Obamacare money under a different name. He thought the Federal government would not have the money ,but now if he calls it a block grant it's okay. He will look more desperate as time goes on.

[denverian]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

I made that exact comment to my friend.

When you have a budget problem and you look over and see CO raking in a couple hundred million in pot taxes......that overcomes a whole lot of "moral objection".

Keep in mind KS has casino gambling now....because they saw MO raking in huge dollars....many of those from KS residents going across the state line.

Besides, the big money in KS is the Koch bros and they actually have fairly liberal social views. It's their views on things like coal and taxation that are far right...but thats a distinction lost on most people who just blindly lump everyone in 2 neat political categories.

Kochs also fund PBS heavily including specials on evolution....not exactly fundies.

Sooooo, all that considered, I can absolutely see KS legalizing pot just like CO did. Shocking huh?

Get it on the ballot and we'll see I have no desire to use the stuff, but nothing seems to have changed here after legalization. Well, other than a couple people who ate too much edible weed. One jumped to his death and another killed his wife. Apparenty when eating it, the "high" takes much longer to kick in, so people were eating way too much. I think new regulation is taking care of that problem... hopefully

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by denverian

Get it on the ballot and we'll see I have no desire to use the stuff, but nothing seems to have changed here after legalization. Well, other than a couple people who ate too much edible weed. One jumped to his death and another killed his wife. Apparenty when eating it, the "high" takes much longer to kick in, so people were eating way too much. I think new regulation is taking care of that problem... hopefully

I'd bet a fair sum of money that the offenders were on more than just pot.

[AnywhereElse]

Taxes are a BIG issue in KS. We are doing some comparing and my home state, Michigan, so I called my brother because I couldn't believe what I read: (1) State sales tax: 6%, he pays no county or city sales tax nor on food or prescription drugs and (2) No Personal Property Tax. So, I continued through the book which lists various things about all of the states. I noted that cigarette tax was much cheaper in KS which didn't impress me. It just seems that Brownback inherited a lot of this mess because I can't remember when Kansas was moving forward. And the complaints about educational spending: Floor amendment spurs heated immigration debate | CJOnline.com, let KS get more interested in enforcing the immigration laws!

[Mathguy]

Brownback down 10pts in the polls vs. his dem challenger.

Yeah yeah...I know....all Kansans are just religious zealots and crackpots and would never make a rationale decision and elect someone from the democratic party is the meme you keep hearing though.

Uh, the only place I ever lived that was like that was Chicago.

Ironic eh?

[denverian]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

Brownback down 10pts in the polls vs. his dem challenger.

Yeah yeah...I know....all Kansans are just religious zealots and crackpots and would never make a rationale decision and elect someone from the democratic party is the meme you keep hearing though.

Uh, the only place I ever lived that was like that was Chicago.

Ironic eh?

When it comes to electing governors, states are strange. Kansas has had two Democratic female governors. Californian had Reagan and Schwartzenegger. Massachusettes had Republican Romney. Odd how states sometimes elect governors that don't seem to go along with the political reputation of the state. But I imagine when you have a Democratic governor in a "red state" or the reverse, they have to govern more to the center.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by denverian

When it comes to electing governors, states are strange. Kansas has had two Democratic female governors. Californian had Reagan and Schwartzenegger. Massachusettes had Republican Romney. Odd how states sometimes elect governors that don't seem to go along with the political reputation of the state. But I imagine when you have a Democratic governor in a "red state" or the reverse, they have to govern more to the center.

Great post. It's a complex situation to be sure.

In most cases, despite attempts to demonize poltical opposition.....all of the people you mentioned really were more moderate that portrayed....especially if they go on to the national stage like those you listed....and that includes Sebellius whom the right went after due to Obamacare implementation issues.

The bottom line is that we want a gov. that has our back.

Not one that is angling for a promotion at our expense.

Not one that is pushing agendas for campaign contributors etc etc etc.

Again, the main comment is that so much is done to polarize and demonize states for being red and blue.

I think the red v. blue state crap is a terrible thing for our country.