LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Consider all the facts
To the Editor:
Too often voters have the habit of voting for candidates based on just one or two issues. When this happens, the chances of having the most qualified person for the job are greatly diminished. Could it be this is why the state of Kansas is in the financial bind that it is in today?
With this in mind, let us look at Tuesday's election and three positions we will be filling:
1. Governor: We have two fine candidates. Both have experience in civil service and have done an adequate job, claiming to have run their respective offices cost efficiently. One of them, Tim Shallenberger, as treasurer, was in a position to have a profound effect on the state budget. Of course, we all know the condition of Kansas' fiscal health. Now he PROMISES he can fix the state's budget woes without a tax increase. Why didn't he reveal his secret before we were into such a crisis?
On the other hand, Kathleen Sebelius PROMISES everything will be on the table. She says she will set the priorities and work to see that they are achieved. She acknowledges that everyone will have to shoulder some of the burden to get Kansas back on solid financial ground.
Which candidate do you think will live up to their promise?
2. Attorney General: There are numerous yard signs in the area for Phill Kline. Please take a moment to consider his background. The AG's main job is to be the chief prosecutor for the state and to manage our state's legal team of 40 lawyers and 60 staff members. His only experience as a prosecutor was as a summer intern. He has never managed even one other attorney. In fact, he has been so removed from the legal profession that he has let his law license lapse three times since receiving it in 1978.
The other candidate is Chris Biggs. Mr. Biggs has been the Geary County prosecuting attorney for 13 years. Under his management, he and his team have handled thousands of cases, sending more than 800 criminals to prison. Mr. Biggs, by himself, has handled 25 homicides. In 1998, he was awarded the Kansas Outstanding Prosecutor Award and just recently received the endorsement of our own Marion County Bar Association, Republican and Democrat alike.
Who do you think deserves the job?
3. State Board of Education: This often-overlooked race is for our representative to the Kansas State Board of Education. Marion County has recently between placed in District 9, and Val DeFever has represented this district for the last four years. DeFever has been a schoolteacher and a member of her own local school board as well as being active in her church and community.
DeFever was defeated in the Republican primary by Iris Van Meter, the candidate of the Kansas Republican Assembly. KRA is led by her son Kris Van Meteren (he says he changed his name to be closer to its Dutch origin). He unsuccessfully tried to get a candidate to challenge DeFever, until just before the filing deadline. His mother agreed to put her name on the ballot, even though she has no pertinent, previous experience. Shortly before the election, she and her son put out radio and ads claiming DeFever was an atheist. There was not enough time for DeFever to refute the lie, and Van Meter won.
Besides giving money to this deceitful campaign, the Kansas Republican Assembly has given money to Connie Morris, the western Kansas candidate for the state school board, who does not want to educate non-citizens, even those here legally.
DeFever is now forced to run a write-in campaign which requires the voter to write in her name and darken the oval beside it. This is not an easy challenge but a very important one for our state and its young people.
Who do you think is most qualified?
Please take the time to examine all the facts before voting.
Reg Matz
Hillsboro
