COLBY, Kan. - Some may think I apparently never have had time for substance. But, even as far back as when I was a little fellow subject to Dad's intolerance of my opinions, I have always kind of felt like the world was entitled to my opinions, right or wrong.

Republicans and the religious right: " see the world in black/white, right/wrong, either/or, yes/no, my-way-or-the-highway terms."

That isn't to say the Dems are always tolerant and open, but in today's society the liberal left are far more tolerant of differing opinions and acceptance of the equal worth of their fellowman, irregardless of their religious or sexual orientation and opinions.

Historically, the established Christian church has lost nearly every argument with science. That doesn't negate the Bible's authority. It only proves that man sometimes ignores his finite knowledge and assumes he knows what, when, and how God created and thinks 'having dominion' means he has infinite knowledge.

COLBY, Kan. - Kansas is one of the last states to get in compliance with voting district realignment to give equal representation.

What seems to be the problem?

Either start in the northeast corner of the state, or the southwest corner and start counting residents. Draw the lines as near as possible to match county lines. If possible keep entire cities in the same district. They have census records to easily determine populations by counties, cities, and townships. A grade school math class could get the boundaries figured out within a few class periods. If not, they might need a new math teacher and someone to show them how to read maps. Surely, by the time you get elected to the state legislature, you have leaned to add and read simple maps.

COLBY, Kan. - First, let me offer my empathy and condolences to those who suffered great losses in last week's violent storms. No matter our political orientation or spiritual choices, we all recognize the magnitude of nature's power and fury. In spite of that power and destructive fury, we all can enjoy the beauty of nature and abundance of life. The sun is always shining, even behind the darkest of clouds. The world isn't in a hand basket in hell, yet. And, I don't think the liberals or the conservatives are going to, single-handedly, put it there.

COLBY, Kan. - I would furnish a case or two of eggs to a group of you women to hurl through the door into Rush Limbaugh's broadcast studio.

COLBY, Kan. - The debate over proper function of civil authority in matters of personal choice is being obfuscated intentionally by fundamental conservatives who are successfully making it a religious battle by declaring Christianity as our national religion. We don't need a couple stubborn old men using your platform to argue our differences. Water rights and human reproduction rights have very little in common with each other. They may both have moral and ethical issues that are related, but arguing them in the same debate session will benefit neither one.

COLBY, Kan. - Mitt Romney says he's not concerned about the poor? Who would have thought that? What has he ever done to make you think he did care? He said he's also not worried about the wealthy. That's not surprising, either. This modern Republican's programs have always been more favorable to the perpetuation of wealth and its power.

Both major political parties receive a major portion of their campaign finances from the wealthy. But, statistical analysis show the Democrats have a higher percentage of contributions from grassroots supporters. Both parties have some very wealthy members. Both parties have some scoundrels and both parties have some very good leaders. Bottom line - you should vote for the individual. But, if you're not sure about individuals, my opinion is to take a chance on the Democrat. I'm a conservative liberal Democrat. Now you figure out what that means.

COLBY, Kan. - Let's take another look at some information that Bob Hooper presented in his article. Some people don't agree with or believe those statistics. But then, I've known some people who would swear on a stack of Bibles that up is down and down is up. Reality is beyond the realm of their existence.

Incidentally, the richest 400 gained 12 percent. from 2010 to 2011. Since 2006, their net worth increased by $250 billion, about 17 percent. On the other hand, "Over the past five years Americans, on average, have seen no disposable income growth if you adjust for population and inflation. This also explains why they're spending like it's 2006 -- because they don't have more money to spend. No wonder the recovery continues to feel like a recession: that's an awfully long time to go without a raise."

COLBY, Kan. - What is your opinion of the promise to rush into Cuba, as soon as Castro 'kicks the bucket', and establish a democracy? I guess the leading Republican contenders for the presidency don't realize the failure of establishing democracy, U.S. style, in Vietnam and Iraq.

I'm not an expert on the state of the Cuban people, but it seems to me they are better off under Castro's rule than they were under the U.S. backed dictator that Castro overthrew. This, in spite of the embargo and isolationism imposed on Cuba by the U.S.

Perhaps we should let the Cuban people decide their own political system. It appears that some Eastern European countries were fairly successful in establishing themselves, after the fall of the U.S.S.R., without direct interference or aid from the U.S.

COLBY, Kan. - I missed the first part of the President's address. GrannyP recorded it and I'll listen to it in the morning. The last portion of his speech, that I got to listen to, seemed to clearly address the state of the union and the political disparities we face. He addressed some issues that we need to resolve and gave his directions he wanted to go.

COLBY, Kan. - The following is a little snip taken from a Kansas City Star article:

"The Revenue Department's analysis of the Brownback plan examined income tax data from 2009 and breaks down taxpayers into six income brackets. The only bracket with a tax increase ranges from zero up to $25,000.

"That group, made up of 564,328 tax filers, would pay $88.2 million more in taxes under the governor's tax plan. Meanwhile, the highest income bracket making $250,000 a year would pay $110 million less in taxes."

I don't have the resources at my finger tips to validate these figures. But, I've learned that tax reform reflects an advantage for those proposing the reform. Most of Gov. Brownback's agenda is benefiting the upper crust far more than the the hard tack biscuit eaters in the lower income brackets.