Reply #19: I have to say that Kansas baffles me [View All]

We have friends who moved to McPherson, and we visited them a few years ago. Everyone (and I mean everyone) we met was kind, friendly and warm. We did a little "sightseeing," just cruising around the neighborhoods, and everyone waved to us. It was a little weird at first, but we got used to it quickly.

We talked with our friends about their town, and they mentioned the oil money that had run the place for the last century. But unlike some other oil-rich areas we could both name, the oil barons in Kansas made sure their towns were taken care of. Oh, the barons were wealthy, no doubt, but they also made sure the town was kept up, the roads were in good repair and the schools were well-appointed. There were live theaters and classical music concerts, all paid for out of extraction royalties.

I couldn't for the life of me figure out why Kansas has been so Republican for the last several decades. Their natural affinity would seem to be for a political philosophy where people look out for one another, help each other out, and use some of the accumulated wealth of the community to benefit everyone, instead of a few people hoarding all the goodies for themselves.

I'm glad the Democrats are making some inroads back into the Sunflower State, and I hope to see more stories like this!