About 50 people from across six counties were in Iola Tuesday evening for a meeting of regional Democrats and to celebrate the rebirth of the Allen County organization, now in its fourth year.
Headliners included Barry Grissom and Nancy Boyda, potential candidates for the U.S. Senate to replace retiring Pat Roberts. Grissom is a former U.S. attorney for the district of Kansas, 2010-2016, and resides in Leawood where he practices law.
Boyda is a former Congresswoman representing the 2nd District, 2006-2008, and resides in rural Baldwin City.
Boyda lost re-election in 2008 to Lynn Jenkins. In the 10 years since, she has worked for the Department of Defense and attended seminary and served as a hospital chaplain. Boyda said her term in office was frustrating. ?Not being able to make a difference is very hard on your soul.?
In weighing the decision to return to politics, Boyda said, ?I really can?t sit back anymore.?
?I appreciate the fervor I?m hearing tonight,? Boyda told Tuesday?s gathering. ?It?s really different from 10 years ago.?
The wide-ranging discussion touched on the frustration of a 10-year-old minimum wage of $7.25 an hour and the fact that corporations such as Walmart ? the largest employer in Kansas ? are able to pay substandard wages and escape the responsibility of providing benefits to a majority of employees.
Around the room, low wages and the high cost of healthcare resonated as the call for change in leadership.
?There?s no reason why we should be subsidizing Walmart,? said Grissom, noting that our federal taxes provide for things as health care and housing vouchers for the indigent. Were corporations paying a living wage, those subsidies would not be necessary.
Most citizens who receive food stamps are employed in low-paying jobs.
Mike Bruner, above, welcomes a large crowd to the John Silas Bass North Community Building Tuesday evening.
Mike Bruner, chairman of the Allen County Democrats, proposed raising the minimum wage be added to the state party?s platform.
