The biggest criticism of politicians today is that they don’t represent voter interest in part because they are beholden to the pocketbooks of special interests.
Over his political career, Gov. Sam Brownback has received almost $8 million in campaign contributions. Among his largest donors are Koch Industries and its offshoots, stalwart opponents to taxation of any kind. So, naturally, Brownback stands firm on his plan of tax breaks for the wealthy and cries foul at any mention of increasing funds for public education or health.
The same can be said for Caryn Tyson, our state senator. In the last five years, Tyson has received about $175,000 in campaign contributions. Her top donors include the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Koch Industries. The sums for Tyson and Brownback were found on followthemoney.org.
Tyson has been in lockstep with Brownback when it comes to cutting income taxes, creating tax loopholes for businesses and slashing funding to our public schools.
No doubt both Brownback and Tyson are none too keen the Kansas Supreme Court has before it a decision as to whether our public schools are adequately funded.
Tyson was one of 18 authors of Senate Bill 349, which said Kansas justices could be impeached if deemed “treasonous.”
Both may argue contributions to their campaigns have nothing to do with the bent of their ideologies, but how are we to know?
Which is why it’s nice there is one branch of government that is immune to the influence of money and the power it bequeaths.
For a long time those of the judicial branch have enjoyed a special privilege in the sense that state judges and justices are not to act like politicians lest it give an impression of impropriety.
Once appointed to their positions they are not to campaign in the conventional sense come election time. On the November ballot their names appear unchallenged in what is called a retention election. Voters give either a thumbs up or down.
They can form corporations to raise money to help spread the word they would appreciate being retained, but their supporters have to do all the legwork.
The beauty of this process — for all parties involved — is that when a judge is sitting on the bench the only thing on his or her mind is the case at hand. His decision-making centers on the Constitution, not the Kansas Chamber of Commerce.
The presenting attorneys don’t have to panic whether they should have supported the judge’s campaign. And the people of Kansas can rest assured justice cannot be bought.
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