Community Blog

State of the State Address

7:02 PM: We agree with the Governor - we're the people of Kansas, and we're not quitting. We're not stopping in the fight for good schools. We're not stopping to fight to restore education cuts.

Lisa Johnston launches SapphireWire.com and exposes the truth about job creators

 Dr. Lisa Johnston, 2010 Democratic Nominee for United States Senate in Kansas, officially launched SapphireWire.com

SapphireWire.com will be a resource for citizens to get facts and perspectives that pull back the curtain on political talking points. “I want to debunk the myths and half-truths that we hear repeated on a daily basis. Citizens need to know if our elected leaders are making factual statements or distorted statements intended to produce emotional reactions. I am also hopeful that citizens of all political stripes will visit the site and get involved in the discourse. If we are going to move our country forward, we must get beyond crippling partisan battles and find effective solutions.”

The first article and accompanying video can be viewed at: www.SapphireWire.com

Early in the article Lisa notes, “One talking point that arose repeatedly was the need to avoid raising taxes on the wealthy to protect the “job creators”. It is a powerful talking point. However, when you look beyond the surface it is easy to see that this premise is complete propaganda. Those using it want working and middle class Americans to be scared. The unspoken, underlying message is that we better keep our mouths shut about raising taxes on the wealthy or we might be out of a job.”

A Great Democrat

On August 15, 2011, Kansans lost a strong Democrat that served his city, county, state, and nation with pride. Glen Strnad was someone who was proud to be a Democrat; even in places where being a Democrat is unpopular. Words can not express how thankful we are for his service.

Glen's service to his community is one to behold and aspire to. Born and raised in Kansas, Glen has served as a Marine, Highway Commissioner, and Democratic National Convention Delegate, Mayor of Munden, Democratic County Chair and family man who stayed active in the church.

Our prayers and thoughts are with his friends, family and anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him during this difficult time. The greatest compliment to someone who has passed is to live your life and keep their memory alive. His passion and dedication to making Kansas a better place was inspirational and his memory lives on in the hearts of Kansas Democrats all over the state.

He is survived by his wife Margery Strnad of their home; daughters Elizabeth Ann Strnad and Retha Irene & husband David Blecha of Munden; sons Sam Strnad of Munden and Jonathan Ward & wife Staci Strnad of Belleville; and son-in-law Adrian Polansky and wife Kris of Manhattan, Kansas.

His funeral is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 19, 2011, at the Zion Evangelical Church in Munden, Kansas.  Memorials can be sent to the Glen O. Strnad Memorial c/o Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, 1104 20th St., Belleville, Kansas 66935.

Let Jerry Moran hear from you

Let's give Jerry Moran feedback from all Kansans (not just his Facebook friends) by responding to his poll: Do you support raising taxes as part of a plan to balance the budget and reduce the national debt? http://www.facebook.com/home.p​hp?sk=question&id=101502493246​22106

Speak Up!

While Governor Sam Brownback continues his extremist takeover of our state, Kansas Democrats are doing something completely unheard of in the Brownback Administration: actually listening to Kansans.

House Democratic Leader Paul Davis and local legislators will host a public forum Monday, July 11 at 7 p.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church in Lawrence to discuss Brownback’s decision to close the Lawrence SRS office.  Plymouth Congregational Church is located at 925 Vermont Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

This forum gives Kansans the opportunity to voice concerns and ask questions about these closures, and we want to know what Kansans are thinking. Your attendance ensures that your voice is heard and that Sam Brownback is held accountable for his misguided decision to hurt low-income and disabled Kansans.

Kansas Says Goodbye to Reproductive Freedom

Governor Sam Brownback has wasted no time in dragging Kansans back to the 1950s, but this week, we may witness the results of his most disturbing move yet--completely eliminating women's reproductive rights in Kansas.  While this may seem impossible because of the Supreme Court's decision in Roe vs. Wade, Brownback and extremist Republicans are trying to circumvent the court by simply eliminating all abortion providers in Kansas.

Brownback signed a law allowing new regulations for abortion providers in May, and the State Department of Health and Environment moved quickly towards ending reproductive freedom in Kansas under the guise of "protecting the health and safety of women."  The KDHE released its outrageous new requirements on June 17, dictating that providers expand waiting rooms, patient rooms, and even janitor's closets.  Providers must now also receive state certification to admit patients, a process that takes them months to accomplish. 

Why are these changes horrible news for the women of Kansas?  Providers only have until July 1 to implement these changes, meaning the KDHE gave less than two weeks notice to accommodate its outrageous new regulations.  If abortion providers fail to make the necessary changes by July 1, they face fines and possible closure. If the state's three remaining providers do avoid a forced closure, the fines alone could be enough to end their services and completely eliminate reproductive freedom in Kansas.

Governor Brownback's and the right-wing state legislature's decision to pass such a noxious bill demonstrates that their commitment is not to health or rights of Kansas women, but to promoting a radical social agenda.  Across the state and the country, extremist republicans are licking their chops at the thought of an "abortion free" Kansas.  The only thing they will have accomplished, however, is to fail Kansans once again. 

While these regulations are already in place, Kansans can still let Governor Brownback know how they feel about his attack on women's rights. Give the Governor a call at 785-296-3232 or email him at governor@ks.gov.