Brownback keeps inserting himself into Kansas abortion politics. Voters already spoke
Trick us once …
Former Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback was single-handedly responsible for devastating the state’s educational funding and income tax base during his tenure. Before the end of his term, ex-President Donald Trump rewarded Brownback by sending him elsewhere to play the part of ambassador for international religious freedom.
That was then, but now Brownback is back, and he intends to keep fighting for the goals of the miserably failed “Value Them Both” amendment to the Kansas Constitution. His thinking is dangerous and delusional, especially when he claims the amendment’s demise was comparable to an early rebel defeat in the Civil War. (Sept. 13, 1A, “Kansas Democrats hope Brownback will still drag down Republicans”)
I can’t help but notice that three candidates who are Brownback acolytes — Derek Schmidt for governor, Amanda Adkins for Congress and Kris Kobach for attorney general — are all flailing and failing in the polls.
Schmidt doesn’t talk much at all. Adkins thinks she can act as though she’s more pro-choice now than before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, contradicting the overwhelming number of Kansan votes in August. And Kobach claims he had nothing to do with Steve Bannon’s “We Build the Wall” grift, though he was the scam’s lawyer until just recently.
We are proud, smart Kansans. Are we truly going to stand for these liars and their lies? I hope not.
- Sarah Douglas, Mission
Women, lead
While they are arguably the most important voting block, women often don’t see themselves running for office.
As the Brookings Institution recently reported: “The roots of the ‘Ambition Gap’ are deeply embedded. Consider how women and men with the same qualifications and credentials evaluate themselves. Whereas 36% of the men we surveyed consider themselves ‘very qualified’ to run for office, only 20% of women feel that way.”
Women often lack self-confidence or fear criticism, thinking they are held to a higher standard than men. Or no one has asked a woman to run. Women know the policies that work in their communities and policies those communities need.
As an affiliate of the National Women’s Political Caucus, the 50-year-old Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus is a multipartisan, multicultural, grassroots organization dedicated to increasing women’s participation in politics. We endorse state and local female candidates who support reproductive health care and legislation to protect equal rights for all.
On Sept. 22, we will celebrate the 50th Anniversary Torch Awards and honor leaders who have helped women before them enter public service. Consider joining us. Information can be found at gkcwpc.org
- Laura Loyacono, President, Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus, Kansas City
Safer sleeping
As a pediatric physician, I know the first months of a newborn’s life are full of excitement, growth and new experiences. Every year, thousands of these infants are also exposed to unnecessary risk because of unsafe sleeping environments. We can eliminate this risk by following best-practice safe-sleep guidelines — the safe-sleep “ABCs.”
▪ Alone: Infants and their caregivers should refrain from sharing beds or other sleep spaces.
▪ Back: Infants should sleep on their backs with no pillows, positioning devices or side- or tummy-laying positions.
▪ Crib: Infants should remain on a firm sleeping surface and should not sleep overnight in swings, bouncers or car seats.
In addition, experts recommend keeping infants away from exposure to nicotine, alcohol and drugs; making sure they get their routine immunizations; and having them use a pacifier while sleeping to reduce the likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome.
Sleep and newborns can be a tricky combination. If you have specific questions, don’t hesitate to ask your child’s pediatrician. Following the ABCs of safe sleep is a simple way to ensure we provide our newborns with the safest start to life.
- Kelsey Gavin, Kansas City
