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You know all those Chicago bashing threads or California's socialist policies blah blah blah threads?
And how the same right wingers are always showing up like flies on poop to them even when murder rates might be much worse elsewhere or that California's economcy is recovering etc?
Essentially the same thing is going on here and it's ironic that the big complaints about KS are things that are going on all over the country as well as at the national level.
Hope that clears things up.
I picked Kansas because while similar things are going all over, Kansas is one of the few (there are others) that are specifically changing their taxation schemes, and funding levels based upon what is touted as conservative government. Its not a bash on Kansas (theres many nice things about Kansas), but its informative that when these conservative management implements what they say they want, they are not doing so good.
Now is that due to poor management of it? Is it too early to tell? Both of those are valid questions I think.
But so far its not looking good in my opinion. Of course I felt the same way about California a couple years back, and they seem to have turned that situation around. Shrug.
suggested that Addressing poverty by encouraging traditional family structures......via a 8 hour class on marriage to waive the marriage license fee's, and of course....further cutting the safety net.
Basically Kansas is failing. And its directly attributable to the Republican/Conservatives ideas of how taxation and social services should occur. When you have to be ordered to pay more into your school system to meet the MINIMUM requirements by law, you're doing something wrong.
So sad to hear that news. It also does not help when groups like Westboro Baptist who used to protest military funerals (for all I know they still do) by shouting hostile epithets at grieving families get more media attention than anything positive that may be happening. That can't help the image or the reality. Do large numbers of people still threaten Planned Parenthood centers in Kansas with violence? Just asking. That crazy stuff even makes Arizona seem reasonably liberal minded by comparison.
Fortune 500 companies and other large firms are not likely to make major investments or employ significant numbers of people in or near these areas as it could hurt their reputations and be misinterpreted as a stamp of approval for intolerance. That was not the case 30+ years ago, but is a major factor these days.
Well, I guess Lawrence still has a good reputation and Overland Park is really more associated with Kansas City, MO even though it has a Kansas address. Hope the situation improves in the future.
Last edited by chessgeek; 05-22-2014 at 03:21 PM..
I picked Kansas because while similar things are going all over, Kansas is one of the few (there are others) that are specifically changing their taxation schemes, and funding levels based upon what is touted as conservative government. Its not a bash on Kansas (theres many nice things about Kansas), but its informative that when these conservative management implements what they say they want, they are not doing so good.
Now is that due to poor management of it? Is it too early to tell? Both of those are valid questions I think.
But so far its not looking good in my opinion. Of course I felt the same way about California a couple years back, and they seem to have turned that situation around. Shrug.
1 Fair enough, I was more referring to all the piling on after the thread was created.
2 I agree about the timing thing. Amazing how people want to give their guys lots of time to fix things where if it's the other party they have no patience.
I picked Kansas because while similar things are going all over, Kansas is one of the few (there are others) that are specifically changing their taxation schemes, and funding levels based upon what is touted as conservative government. Its not a bash on Kansas (theres many nice things about Kansas), but its informative that when these conservative management implements what they say they want, they are not doing so good.
Now is that due to poor management of it? Is it too early to tell? Both of those are valid questions I think.
But so far its not looking good in my opinion. Of course I felt the same way about California a couple years back, and they seem to have turned that situation around. Shrug.
Tax policy is not the only thing that impacts economic performance.
I'm from TN and we have, by most measures, the lowest tax burden in the nation and are an extremely red state.
I'm from a rural part of the state that was not economically diversified, has mountainous topography, lacking school systems, heavy levels of drug usage and crime, and it's in terrible shape. Contrast this to metro Nashville, which is pretty much opposite on all the factors I listed (except politics), which is doing very well.
Massachusetts is generally a healthy state economically. Greater Boston is on fire. Parts of rural MA are in terrible shape.
The greatest divide in this country is urban/suburban vs. rural/small towns. The economy has shifted in such a way that the best jobs are consolidating in major metros and there are fewer reasons to locate in the countryside, as that is not where the population is.
So sad to hear that news. It also does not help when groups like Westboro Baptist who used to protest military funerals (for all I know they still do) by shouting hostile epithets at grieving families get more media attention than anything positive that may be happening. That can't help the image or the reality. Do large numbers of people still threaten Planned Parenthood centers in Kansas with violence? Just asking. That crazy stuff even makes Arizona seem reasonably liberal minded by comparison.
Fortune 500 companies and other large firms are not likely to make major investments or employ significant numbers of people in or near these areas as it could hurt their reputations and be misinterpreted as a stamp of approval for intolerance. That was not the case 30+ years ago, but is a major factor these days.
Well, I guess Lawrence still has a good reputation and Overland Park is really more associated with Kansas City, MO even though it has a Kansas address. Hope the situation improves in the future.
I don't think most intelligent people hold KS responsible for the WBC any more than holding CA responsible for MS-13 or the Manson family.
I'd actually urge you to check out which states have high rates of hate crimes before just swallowing up all the tripe from the people that like to look down thier nose and sniff at those "flyover states" while smugly noting how much more tolerant they are.
I don't think most intelligent people hold KS responsible for the WBC any more than holding CA responsible for MS-13 or the Manson family.
I'd actually urge you to check out which states have high rates of hate crimes before just swallowing up all the tripe from the people that like to look down thier nose and sniff at those "flyover states" while smugly noting how much more tolerant they are.
LOL, Kansas is in no way responsible for the WBC, Rather I view that as more of a natural disaster sort of thing, and I have nothing but sympathy for Kansas for them being unfortunate enough to have those folks pick their state.
I don't think most intelligent people hold KS responsible for the WBC any more than holding CA responsible for MS-13 or the Manson family.
I'd actually urge you to check out which states have high rates of hate crimes before just swallowing up all the tripe from the people that like to look down thier nose and sniff at those "flyover states" while smugly noting how much more tolerant they are.
I don't think you read the post carefully...oversensitive reaction IMO. I indicated the MEDIA coverage was too much about the Westboro Baptists and that it seemed to drown out positive coverage. Kansas people are not responsible, but they have to maybe work harder to create a different image and reality (as all states do) than the current one.
I have not seen media coverage of people strongly opposed to them there, but I would guess there are some. It is a conservative state (outside Lawrence perhaps) even by Midwest standards. Gay marriage is still not close to passage there unless I am mistaken. Do women have to exercise more caution at Planned Parenthood there or is that a wrong perception? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and accept your answer.
As to Planned Parenthood, I asked a simple question. Answer could have been "No, that does not happen as often these days" or something along those lines. I would have accepted it without question, but the fact that you answered by regarding me as some coastal elitist now makes me think it is still a likely issue. Will change my mind if you do choose to answer. Your decision.
No state is perfect and CA definitely has been in the news for negative things too, but we also have been publicized for the tech economy, Apple, weather, visitor attractions positively, etc. Would not wish the cost of living in our larger coastal metros on anyone else though.
My last sentence wished your state well. BTW, I grew up in the flyover zone my first twelve years (Minnesota) and have made return visits. I really meant well and did not mean to upset anyone. Thanks anyways for the prompt reply.
Last edited by chessgeek; 05-23-2014 at 02:08 PM..
LOL, Kansas is in no way responsible for the WBC, Rather I view that as more of a natural disaster sort of thing, and I have nothing but sympathy for Kansas for them being unfortunate enough to have those folks pick their state.
I also sympathize. I still think there would be much more opposition in some other states (not by denying their rights, but using ours), but again correct me if that perception is wrong. I am sure more military families are doing their entire funeral services indoors now with no grave side service because of those "wonderful" (Ha!) people. Well, Fred Phelps died recently. Maybe that will take some of their momentum away.
Last edited by chessgeek; 05-23-2014 at 03:21 PM..
I don't think you read the post carefully...oversensitive reaction IMO. I indicated the MEDIA coverage was too much about the Westboro Baptists and that it seemed to drown out positive coverage. Kansas people are not responsible, but they have to maybe work harder to create a different image and reality (as all states do) than the current one.
I have not seen media coverage of people strongly opposed to them there, but I would guess there are some. It is a conservative state (outside Lawrence perhaps) even by Midwest standards. Gay marriage is still not close to passage there unless I am mistaken. Do women have to exercise more caution at Planned Parenthood there or is that a wrong perception? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and accept your answer.
As to Planned Parenthood, I asked a simple question. Answer could have been "No, that does not happen as often these days" or something along those lines. I would have accepted it without question, but the fact that you answered by regarding me as some coastal elitist now makes me think it is still a likely issue. Will change my mind if you do choose to answer. Your decision.
No state is perfect and CA definitely has been in the news for negative things too, but we also have been publicized for the tech economy, Apple, weather, visitor attractions positively, etc. Would not wish the cost of living in our larger coastal metros on anyone else though.
My last sentence wished your state well. BTW, I grew up in the flyover zone my first twelve years (Minnesota) and have made return visits. I really meant well and did not mean to upset anyone. Thanks anyways for the prompt reply.
With regards to PP, I didn't bother responding because I have no idea about whom does or does not threaten PP. Frankly, rules of etiquette would require you to prove your point instead of demand I rebut a vague assertion.
With regards to gay marriage I agree but then again..CA just shot it down. (Check my status line and see how longs it's been up to see my thoughts on that.)
FYI- I would urge you to consider hate crime rates vs. gays which (check FBI crime stats) tend to happen in urban areas. Now certainly gays tend to congregate to urban areas for obvious reasons but the idea that gays are in danger from the white people in flyover states moreso than urban folks is not really true, sadly.
Basically, I have a low opinion of anyone that buys into media stereotypes of New Jersey folks as uneducated, over tanned roid heads....or southerners as backwards and slow or fly over states as just rollin' round in pickups lookin' for gays to beat up.
I also sympathize. I still think there would be much more opposition in some other states (not by denying their rights, but using ours), but again correct me if that perception is wrong. I am sure more military families are doing their entire funeral services indoors now with no grave side service because of those "wonderful" (Ha!) people. Well, Fred Phelps died recently. Maybe that will take some of their momentum away.
(Again) Why should we have to correct you if your perception is wrong?
Just do some googling before assuming it's some sort of Phelps safe haven.
Heck, most of their protests are OUT OF STATE.
I hope you can see where you are going wrong.....
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