Parsons Son Editorial

GOP's new face

The Republican Party in this country has seen better days. The Iraq War and failed policies of President Bush have taken their toll on the GOP. The Kansas Republican Party took steps last week to help reinvent its platform. The idea is a good one, but some of the language used might make one think it isn't really changing.

Last week the Kansas Republican Party launched a new endeavor that is designed to obtain more feedback from Kansas Republicans. The new program centers around a new Web site, www.50ideas.org, and a series of idea-raiser meetings that will be held around the state. The point of all of this is to try to return the party to the people of whom it serves by asking for people's dreams, concerns and hopes. These will then be used to help fashion the party's platform for 2008. While this is a good idea, a closer inspection of the Web site uncovers wording that makes one wonder if anything will change.

Amid all the warm and fuzzy talk about wanting to hear new ideas and change the way of the party, we find that politicians still can't help themselves. One part of the vision statement says the GOP wants to form a platform that not only highlights the failures of the Sebelius administration but also fixes Kansas government after years of Democrat control. Why are those particular lines necessary?

The reason many people are fed up with politics is because of the huge divide that partisan politics has created. In fact, that may be one of the ideas that comes out of this program. Let's quit being so divisive. The program is a good idea, but the GOP should have stuck to simply talking about Republican values and what it wants to do as opposed to taking jabs at a Democratic administration. Besides, even though Kansas has had a Democratic governor, hasn't the state Legislature been under Republican control all along?

The idea-raiser concept is a good one for a Republican Party that has taken a few heavy hits as of late. In fact, this concept has proven successful in Florida, Virginia, Oklahoma and other states. But the program will garner more support and prove more successful if the organization can stay positive and above the mud-slinging tactics that dominate today's political landcape.

- Darren Werth
Editor and publisher
10/01/2007; 4:34:15 PM

http://www.parsonssun.com/news/articles/edit100107.shtml

Shawnee County IdeaRaiser

On Saturday, September 30, Republicans from around Shawnee County gathered to host the first IdeaRaiser. With over 60 attendees, including Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh, State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, State Representatives Mike Burgess and Joe Patton, and Shawnee County District Attorney Robert Hecht, there were numerous ideas presented representing a broad scope of Kansas Government. Here are some samples:

Legislation developing goal oriented education policy.
Require voters to produce photo identification prior to voting.
Reduce property taxes for seniors.
Balance the budget.
Revamp sentencing guidelines for white collar crimes.
Senate confirmation of judicial nominees.
Reduce income taxes.
Develop renewable energy policies.
Create incentives for job creation.

There were many more ideas presented. Committee Chair Peggy Mast was very pleased with the turnout and response. “I am excited about the ideas presented tonight,” she stated. “The residents of Shawnee County who attended are plugged into their communities and know the challenges it faces on a daily basis. I look forward to working with them to develop solutions.”

Check back regularly for updates on the next IdeaRaiser. To submit your own idea, visit our website http://www.50ideas.org/.

-Christian Morgan, Executive Director

Our Vision For Change

The 2008 Kansas Republican Party Platform is being modeled after successful concepts used in Florida, Oklahoma, Virginia and several other states. Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio was the first trailblazer of the concept who formulated “100 Ideas for Florida’s Future”. Through this innovative plan, heralded by former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Speaker Rubio held “IdeaRaisers” in cities across Florida to solicit new and ground-breaking ideas for how to make Florida better. Floridians gathered at venues across the state to advance new ideas which Republican leaders could then take to their statehouse and enact into law.

Everyone knows the problems that Kansas is facing. What we need more of is answers.
Through this novel method, the Kansas Republican Party seeks to create a platform which serves as a vehicle for not just highlighting the failed policies of the Sebelius Administration but ways to pro-actively fix Kansas government after years of Democrat control.

The 2008 Kansas Republican Party Platform seeks to find answers and provide solutions to cure Kansas’ stagnant and downward spiraling economy, curb violent crime, make government more open and accountable, prepare Kansans to compete in a global economy by making our schools not just good, but great, and maintain the values and beliefs of America’s heartland.

Our vision of a better Kansas does not start in the halls of the Capitol or with the input of special interest lobbyists and the politically well connected. It starts with the people. It will begin with frank discussions with ordinary Kansans as we seek to find practical solutions grounded in thorough research.

Republicans have long believed that the best and most effective government is the government closest to the people. Through this process we are headed back to our roots, back to the people, to listen to their thoughts, discover their dreams and renew within them a sense of hope and optimism.

The process we are embarking upon is not about hidden agendas. It is about displaying leadership, listening to our fellow Kansans and then being accountable to them for the ideas they propose. These ideas won’t fall on deaf ears. They will be taken to Topeka where Kansans can hold their elected officials accountable as we seek to enact these solutions into law.

We want a blueprint for success that provides answers to the complex problems Kansans face every single day. We are looking for a comprehensive plan straight from the hearts and minds of average Kansans -- ideas which truly inspire residents of the Sunflower State to begin thinking as big as they dream. It is our goal to pioneer change one progressive idea at a time.

- State Representative Peggy Mast
50 Ideas Committee Chair