It’s almost like a reality TV show, the plot is so sick. PLEASE, ask. And find out for yourself how Kansas lawmakers continue to pass legislation that favors the well off to the disadvantage of the poor. MORE and more, private citizens, groups and organizations are trying to fill the gaps caused by cuts in government services, and while that is commendable, the hit-and-miss efforts fall short of the mark.
Children go without vital necessities, while their parents indulge themselves.
Some third-world countries are like that. Dictators live in extravagance while the masses toil in squalor.
We inherently know this is wrong. Our consciences tell us it’s not right for one segment of society to advance over the backs of another.
So why is it OK in Kansas to cut services to the poor while the well off are enjoying new tax breaks?
The numbers came out Monday. And they are grim.
The ranks of Kansas’ poor continue to grow, according to the annual Kids Count report. Today, almost 25 percent of our children come from poverty-stricken homes, up 2 percent from last year, and 5 percent since 2008. In Allen County, the number is 28.2 percent. Almost 60 percent of our students depend on free and reduced-priced lunches.
If you don’t believe the impact is significant, ask Jack Stanley, Iola Middle School principal, about the Thanksgiving Day dinners his staff will prepare for students who would not otherwise be able to enjoy the traditional meal.
Ask Sue O’Connor of Trinity Episcopal of the crowds that swarm the little church for its monthly meals.
Ask Trudy Kenyon Anderson of Wesley United Methodist of the hundreds of food packages volunteers prepare to ensure students receive protein each weekend through the backpack program.
Ask employees in the hospital’s emergency room who routinely treat patients without health insurance.
Ask people at the food pantry who are desperate to keep its shelves stocked.
To wit: Subsidies to the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families have been cut and guidelines for application made much more strict.
To wit: Kansas lawmakers are refusing to expand the state’s Medicaid rolls, despite guaranteed funding from the federal government, so more people can receive health insurance.
To wit: Kansas has reduced availability to food stamps and the outreach of its program.
To wit: Kansas schools remain grossly underfunded with legislators considering wealthy districts be allowed to self-fund school programs to the disadvantage of students in poorer districts.
Leadership is taking people — all people — in a better direction. Ask yourself, is Kansas getting that leadership.
And be willing to hear the answer.
— Susan Lynn
Questions to ask
