Under a Republican-sponsored plan, Wyandotte County would move to a mostly rural congressional district that touched both the Missouri and Colorado borders. The new boundaries would dilute the voting power of Democratic-leaning Wyandotte County, a tactic known as "cracking."
As it stands, Wyandotte and Johnson counties are a part of the 3rd District. Kevin Yoder, a Republican, represents the district in the U.S. House. Yoder replaced Dennis Moore, a Democrat who decided not to run for re-election in 2010. The new map would keep Johnson County in the 3rd District, sagging the boundaries to include several counties in southeastern Kansas.
Kansas Democrats had warned that Republicans were fixing to stash urban Kansas City, Kansas, into a district that was largely rural in character. If the map becomes a reality, Wyandotte County would share a member of the U.S. House with Liberal, a city that's farther west than Oklahoma City. Democrats also complained that the new map would reduce the clout of Democrats in Topeka and Lawrence.
In some states, the redistricting process is nonpartisan. Proponents of this system say it leads to more competitive races and reduces ideological extremism, which, Lord knows, is plentiful in Congress.
Alas, Kansas has not chosen to go the nonpartisan route. The map will be finalized by the 2012 Legislature, which is controlled by Republicans. If the boundaries survive a court challenge, Wyandotte County may be represented in the House by an individual who lives hundreds of miles away.
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Mr. I know ag-
Those were my days on hay crew. I don't know who you were working for, and I have no doubt you know your stuff. That doesn't mean I don't know what I'm talking about.
I worked for Warner's, before they went out of business and Renick Farms (they just sold the farm recently). Maybe we didn't go until midnight EVERY day, but the days we didn't, we were rained out (not often) or got lucky. Rainy days, we brought our equipment in and changed the oil and greased everything, fixed trailer tires, cleaned the shop, etc. Some days, like Independence Day and maybe the county fair, we would get off about 8pm. The lucky days are when we would spend hours moving equipment from one end of Finney county to the opposite end of Gray county (because by then, we couldn't get the circle even half done and my bosses said cut it all at one time-I'm sure you know why).
Both farms I worked for-on hay crew-were large operations. If we weren't swathing, we were stacking, bailing, or tarping bails. Believe it or not, we ran equipment all day when we could. Maybe you do things differently, but that's how my summers went. One of my favorite memories is sitting on my swather and cutting after dark. It was me, the alfalfa, the stars, and my lights ( and the 2-3 other guys cutting the circle!). If you'd like, I could describe how to change the teeth on the swather or how to move the head up and down in either a New Holland or a John Deere swather. I could tell you how to cook a burrito on the engine manifold (good foil-not the cheap stuff-is my secret!). Maybe I could tell you how long it takes to cut an 8 tower versus a 12 tower field? Would that would make my credentials a little more believable? :)
Jessica, you are not serious are you? You said "We ride on them big 'ol tractors, swathers, and combines from 7am until midnight. All summer. Every day.", please tell me you are kidding. If you ran any or all of that machinery for 17 hours a day, you would be broke.
I know farming. Yes, it is hard work, but to think you are sitting on a tractor, swather, or combine 17 hours a day everyday is nonsense. 17 hour days happen a couple of weeks in the spring, summer and fall.
I am starting to doubt you even know how to farm. Nevertheless, kudos, for sticking up for the country folk.
Hey forrest-you wouldn't have bread or beef if it weren't for SWKS and our country counterparts. Have you ever been to a place that isn't comparable to Joco?
I'm from a small town in Gray county called Ingalls. We have approximately 300 people in my hometown. I have also lived in KCK for 9 years. I paid taxes in both places. I have been on both sides of the proverbial fence. A large majority of the "country" population believes a handshake seals the deal, and do unto others what you would have them do unto you. I remember a few years ago, when I lived in KCK, that Joco wanted to erase the county line and absorb Wyco. All due to the race track and the Legends being a success. Funny, Joco never wanted to be a part of the dreaded Wyco until they had monetary success!
The Ingalls school district didn't receive state money for a large majority of the previous school year. We paid our own bills, with our own money. Teachers paid for supplies out of their own very meagerly paid pockets. Please research before you generalize everyone. I guess that's where the accountability difference varies. Out in the boondocks, we are held accountable for what we say. I hear that happens in Wyco, except you end up beaten or shot when someone doesn't like what comes out of your mouth.
Where do you think that nice cut of steak comes from that you eat at your "fancy schmancy" restaurants? Where do you think the grains come from that make bread in your sandwich shops? It comes from country kids and their families. See, out here, our summer jobs are haycrew and harvest. We ride on them big 'ol tractors, swathers, and combines from 7am until midnight. All summer. Every day. We don't life guard for a few hours a day or work at a country club. We do our jobs, without complaining, so the world can eat.
"Right wing welfare queens?" Really, there are so many "queen" jokes I could say here, but I was raised better than that. We "country bumpkins" can't get welfare. Most of our welfare goes to people who are here illegally that drive up to the office in Escalades and dress their kids in expensive brands of clothing. Wait, let me explain as you don't have to deal with these issues in cushy Joco. We have people who are here illegally. They don't pay taxes, but the rest of us have to pay for their seed babies and welfare. Our hospitals have to absorb the thousands of dollars in medical fees because people don't pay them. You see, when they're illegal, it's hard to track them down and garnish their wages.
Maybe, just maybe, you could step outside that box you have around your mind and experience the country (no crying if your shoes get dusty!). You can see that we all have to work together to make it work.
PS: My parents taught me "if you can't say something nice, don't say it at all." Maybe you should apply that before accusing us of relying on Joco for flushing toilets and the other uneducated ranting that spewed out of your mind. I'm pretty sure I can poop in the outhouse just fine (it has actually been proven that human waste is the best fertilizer, and quite pricey). You, Mr. Forrest, couldn't do without our grains and beef. Maybe you should take a second look at what's really essential. Flushing toilets or food? Education for all, or just those that "truly deserve" it?
Forrest, you seem to be advocating investing tax dollars in the drug addicted teenager. Do you really think that is a wise investment? Isn't it money down a rat hole?(aka. Mexican drug cartels) My bet is on the farm kid. Up next, your defense of illegal immigrants in-state tuition to public universities. It's bullshit. And .. What?! A flaming liberal who is not for redistribution of wealth?! Wow. Must be a Ron Paul guy. Go ahead and give Iran nukes. Let's see what happens next.
They would probably not even have flush toilets in western Kansas if it were not for Joco, Douglas, and Wyandotte County taxpayers, so no, the farm kid from Liberal, Kansas, that gets his entire education subsidized by JoCo taxpayers, does not have as much right to the education tax dollars as the drug addicted city teenager. There is only 3 or 4 counties that support the entire state of Kansas, the rest are a bunch of right wing welfare queens. You would think the people that actually pay for the state should at least get their own congressional rep.
Locke needs to read "Animal Farm" by Orwell and not think it's actually about farm animals. Do you realize Locke, that it's the same tax dollars you're sending to our great savior Obama? If you are going to say it's all shit,... IT'S ALL SHIT!! Even your precious poster child Obama has sold out to the union bosses. Not the union blue collar... ... THE UNION BOSSES! who rape the workers with union dues.
Jack, It actually hurts the farm kid from Liberal and the city kid in Kansas City, Ks. There are two very different populations and they deserve to both have someone serving them that truly knows the issues. By the way, I think it's awful the way you make assumptions about people. Certainly doesn't help your "arguement" by doing so.
Stop playing bipartisan politics. It's time to get to work and do what is right by people in general.
Really, Jack? You mean to say that your money loving religious extremist republican party should be allowed to co opt even more power for their own gain?
Listen to me, very carefully. You will never get that money they promise you. No matter how much you support them, vote for them, endorse them and their goals to lower taxes (which does nothing but weaken the infrastructure) that trickle down will never happen. They don't care about you. They only care about the money they will make at your expense. You are like peasants thinking that if you turn in the corn thief to the lord who is starving his people, he will give you more corn. It doesn't happen, and you are selling out your country by believing the lies of the right.
What it really does is prevent eastern Kansas from screwing over western Kansas because of population differences. One only has to look at the Holcomb Expansion power plant to see how left leaning green folks (former Gov. and current HHS Sec. Sebelius aka. A Psycho Liberal) "politique" while grandfathering in coal facilities closer to home because "it would cause economic harm" in Lawrence, KS. Whether you like it or not, a farm kid from Liberal, Kansas has just as much right to your education tax dollar as some drug addicted teenage miscreant in the "Dotte."
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