GREAT BEND, Kan. - Sometimes, somebody just tells the truth. It's usually a child, like in the "Emperor With No Clothes." Everybody knows the truth down deep, but then someone just blurts it out, and there is a sense of relief and embarrassment.
Johnny Carson once said the only people who really tell the truth are the very young and the very old. There is some truth to that, but sometimes a middle aged person says what everyone knows to be true but is afraid to say.
Governor Mark Parkinson had such a moment last week. Discussing the Kansas legislature's 20 year "tax-cutting binge," Parkinson mentioned that the tax breaks have generally gone to the wealthy and corporate interests. "What have we done for the average person? Virtually nothing. The public has got to understand, they are being left out."
How true.
The thing that is wrong with our political system in Kansas and throughout our country is that it is "pay to play." The wealthy people and the big corporations pay for the campaigns of the legislature's governing majority, and they pay back their political paymasters with tax breaks and other goodies.
Why is nothing ever done for the average person? Because over 98% of people in the USA have never given a campaign donation to a politician. It's "pay to play", and the average citizen is being left out.
Parkinson struck a raw nerve. Longtime statehouse writer John Hanna compared him to the Populists who ruled Kansas in the 1890's. Parkinson is a politician who is not running for anything, who has his own money, and who just tells the truth. Long overdue shades of William Jennings Bryan, "Sockless" Jerry Simpson, and Mary Elizabeth Lease, populists of old.
When I read who gave the retort to Parkinson for the Kansas Chamber, I saw that his name was Mike Maddox. "The governor's refusal to admit that runaway state spending is the true culprit of our budget crisis is as unconscionable as it is ridiculous," said Maddox.
I thought to myself, "Oh, I feel sorry for Mike Maddox, the former KU basketball player. Some guy with the exact same name is running around making outrageous statements."
I even posted something on Facebook that said: "Thank God this is not the Mike Maddox that played for Larry Brown and was on KU's 1988 NCAA Championship team."
But then one of my friends told me the truth. Nobody else wanted to. "Marty, it's THAT
Mike Maddox," he said.
And I was floored. I remember visiting Wint Winter, Jr. at his law firm in Lawrence many years ago. I knew that former KU basketball player Mike Maddox worked there. I sheepishly asked one of the secretaries. "Do you think I could meet Mike Maddox?" She picked up her phone, and out came Mike Maddox, one of my heroes. He was a complete gentleman. I was at Kemper Arena that night in 1988 when "Danny and the Miracles" won the title.
Yes, I got to meet Mike Maddox that day. That's the only time I've ever met Maddox. And Mark Parkinson? Well, I've known the governor since 1981. I know that Parkinson is the one speaking the truth on this one.
Parkinson did something Friday that will prove his point. He cut funding for highways. Slash funding for the elderly, the handicapped, the blind, the crippled, the lame, the students - and most legislators take a "tough luck" approach. Those folks don't pay, so they can't play.
But now the shortfall is hitting the highway contractors. Highway contractors in Kansas do a fabulous job and have given us one of the best highway systems in the country. The highway contractors are not only superb at building highways, they are also politically savvy. It's important that we keep our highways safe and progressive.
After Parkinson's press conference Friday, Republican leaders in the Senate are already scrambling to enhance revenues, and I think the House of Representatives will follow suit.
The truth hurts.
Right On, Marty! This article tells it like it is. Good description of the Gov's remarks and the ignorant follow-up. For 16 years,our state has been somewhat protected by having intelligent governors who could save us from the ridiculous actions that the state legislatures too often pass (terrible confession--I was once part of that bunch). I say "somewhat protected" because they couldn't veto EVERYTHING we passed. So anyway, let's all encourage Governor Parkinson to veto House Bill 2538, if the Senate also passes it. Giving an 85 or 90 million dollar tax break to big business when the state is already on the verge of bankruptcy is just beyond reason. Don't let anybody tell you this isn't for BIG business. That is who will benefit most.
And thanks, Marty. That's a great article.
Ethel, thanks so much for your comments. These comments mean a lot coming from a former legislator. Most people simply don't know what happens and why it happens in Topeka. Parkinson really let them have it!