By DARVIN BENTLAGE <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/07/just-four-meatpackers-control-85-of-the-market-missouri-cattlemen-like-me-need-a-voice/">Courtesy Missouri Independent</a>

In the last two decades, hundreds
 of thousands of U.S. cattle producers have gone out of business, and we
 are currently losing 40 operations per day by some estimates. Just in 
the last two years, around 1,700 small feedlots run by independent 
family farmers were put out of business because of corporate 
consolidation.

This has led to an even more centralized production system as the 
dominant meatpackers favor a single-source system — getting cattle from 
large operations, run by them for their benefit only.

In 1980, the major meatpackers controlled 36% of the beef supply. 
Starting in that decade, we saw deregulation and a disappearance of 
antitrust enforcement that were designed to curb consolidation in 
industries, including meat production.

By the time the ‘80s came to an end, the top four meatpackers 
controlled 70% of the beef supply, and their power has only grown. 
Today, the top four meatpackers control around 85% of the beef supply.

What are the results? In 1980, beef producers made 62 cents of every 
dollar consumers spent on beef. Compare that to today, where only 37 
cents of the beef dollar goes to the producer. The price of beef in the 
last decade has risen from $4.67 a pound to $7.36 per pound — a 60% 
increase for consumers. But cattle producers’ profit dropped from $518 
per calf in 2014 to last year’s $125 per calf.

Profit for producers in 2014 was helped by mandatory COOL — 
country-of-origin labeling, which was required by the 2008 farm bill. 
However, corporate agriculture groups such as the North American Meat 
Institute and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association successfully lobbied
 Congress to repeal COOL in 2015, which led to the largest one-year 
price drop in cattle prices. Today, producers receive $300 less per calf
 than we did in 2014.

Meatpackers have also increased their use of so-called alternative 
marketing arrangements or AMAs, which are complicated strategies to 
avoid having to buy cattle on the open market. Meatpackers procure 80% 
of their supply through AMAs for a price to be named later based on the 
future cash market. And meatpackers manipulate the cash market through 
their control of the cattle supplies to drive down the price of cattle, 
resulting in less for the farmer and more profit for corporate 
meatpackers. The result is that consumers get gouged while producers are
 ripped off.

The use of AMAs increased from around 40% in 2005 to 80% in 2019. 
According to a study done by Georgetown and Ohio State University, for 
every 1% increase in AMAs, there is a 5% decrease in cash market prices.
 These kinds of pricing schemes have roughly doubled the meatpackers’ 
profitability, while cattlemen and small independent feedlots have 
suffered from higher input cost and lack of access to the marketplace.

There have been attempts to fix this corporate-controlled system by 
increasing competition for beef by supporting the building of packing 
plants not associated with the Big Four. However, in order to ensure 
independent processing plants succeed, we need to strengthen and enforce
 antitrust laws and fix the marketplace so these new plants can compete 
on a more level playing field.

For example, Congress needs to pass the American Beef Labeling Act to
 restore mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef, and the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture needs to close a loophole in voluntary 
labeling rules so that only beef born, raised and harvested in the 
United States can bear the label “Product of the USA.”

Another bipartisan bill, proposed by Sens. Chuck Grassley and Jon 
Tester, is the 50/14 Bill, which would require that meatpackers purchase
 50% of their supply on the cash market and cannot own the cattle for 
more than 14 days before harvest.

The 50/14 Bill is such a threat to the meatpackers’ profits that they
 went immediately to work lobbying Congress, and convinced legislators 
to introduce a weaker compromise bill, the Cattle Price Discovery and 
Transparency Act, which would leave the meatpackers in charge for years 
while the USDA studies the issue.

That leaves a few questions: First, how many producers and small 
feedlots are going to go out of business before our elected 
representatives do something? Second, why did Congress rescind COOL when
 90% of Americans want truth in labeling? Why did Congress bow to the 
World Trade Organization and the big meatpackers?

We should call our representatives and senators to demand they 
support and pass the American Beef Labeling Act and the 50/14 Bill. 
Furthermore, they should break up the enormous meatpackers for the 
betterment of both the consumer and the producer.

Darvin 
Bentlage is a fourth-generation cattle and grain farmer from Barton 
County, Mo., and a member of Missouri Rural Crisis Center.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665766499156.png" alt="An Iowa meatpacking plant had plastic dividers installed separating workers on the production line (Photo provided by Tyson Fresh Meats)." />
 <figcaption>An Iowa meatpacking plant had plastic dividers installed separating workers on the production line (Photo provided by Tyson Fresh Meats).</figcaption>
 </figure>By DARVIN BENTLAGE <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/07/just-four-meatpackers-control-85-of-the-market-missouri-cattlemen-like-me-need-a-voice/">Courtesy Missouri Independent</a>In the last two decades, hundreds
 of thousands of U.S. cattle producers have gone out of business, and we
 are currently losing 40 operations per day by some estimates. Just in 
the last two years, around 1,700 small feedlots run by independent 
family farmers were put out of business because of corporate 
consolidation.This has led to an even more centralized production system as the 
dominant meatpackers favor a single-source system — getting cattle from 
large operations, run by them for their benefit only.In 1980, the major meatpackers controlled 36% of the beef supply. 
Starting in that decade, we saw deregulation and a disappearance of 
antitrust enforcement that were designed to curb consolidation in 
industries, including meat production.By the time the ‘80s came to an end, the top four meatpackers 
controlled 70% of the beef supply, and their power has only grown. 
Today, the top four meatpackers control around 85% of the beef supply.What are the results? In 1980, beef producers made 62 cents of every 
dollar consumers spent on beef. Compare that to today, where only 37 
cents of the beef dollar goes to the producer. The price of beef in the 
last decade has risen from $4.67 a pound to $7.36 per pound — a 60% 
increase for consumers. But cattle producers’ profit dropped from $518 
per calf in 2014 to last year’s $125 per calf.Profit for producers in 2014 was helped by mandatory COOL — 
country-of-origin labeling, which was required by the 2008 farm bill. 
However, corporate agriculture groups such as the North American Meat 
Institute and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association successfully lobbied
 Congress to repeal COOL in 2015, which led to the largest one-year 
price drop in cattle prices. Today, producers receive $300 less per calf
 than we did in 2014.Meatpackers have also increased their use of so-called alternative 
marketing arrangements or AMAs, which are complicated strategies to 
avoid having to buy cattle on the open market. Meatpackers procure 80% 
of their supply through AMAs for a price to be named later based on the 
future cash market. And meatpackers manipulate the cash market through 
their control of the cattle supplies to drive down the price of cattle, 
resulting in less for the farmer and more profit for corporate 
meatpackers. The result is that consumers get gouged while producers are
 ripped off.The use of AMAs increased from around 40% in 2005 to 80% in 2019. 
According to a study done by Georgetown and Ohio State University, for 
every 1% increase in AMAs, there is a 5% decrease in cash market prices.
 These kinds of pricing schemes have roughly doubled the meatpackers’ 
profitability, while cattlemen and small independent feedlots have 
suffered from higher input cost and lack of access to the marketplace.There have been attempts to fix this corporate-controlled system by 
increasing competition for beef by supporting the building of packing 
plants not associated with the Big Four. However, in order to ensure 
independent processing plants succeed, we need to strengthen and enforce
 antitrust laws and fix the marketplace so these new plants can compete 
on a more level playing field.For example, Congress needs to pass the American Beef Labeling Act to
 restore mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef, and the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture needs to close a loophole in voluntary 
labeling rules so that only beef born, raised and harvested in the 
United States can bear the label “Product of the USA.”Another bipartisan bill, proposed by Sens. Chuck Grassley and Jon 
Tester, is the 50/14 Bill, which would require that meatpackers purchase
 50% of their supply on the cash market and cannot own the cattle for 
more than 14 days before harvest.The 50/14 Bill is such a threat to the meatpackers’ profits that they
 went immediately to work lobbying Congress, and convinced legislators 
to introduce a weaker compromise bill, the Cattle Price Discovery and 
Transparency Act, which would leave the meatpackers in charge for years 
while the USDA studies the issue.That leaves a few questions: First, how many producers and small 
feedlots are going to go out of business before our elected 
representatives do something? Second, why did Congress rescind COOL when
 90% of Americans want truth in labeling? Why did Congress bow to the 
World Trade Organization and the big meatpackers?We should call our representatives and senators to demand they 
support and pass the American Beef Labeling Act and the 50/14 Bill. 
Furthermore, they should break up the enormous meatpackers for the 
betterment of both the consumer and the producer.Darvin 
Bentlage is a fourth-generation cattle and grain farmer from Barton 
County, Mo., and a member of Missouri Rural Crisis Center.

OPINION: Four meatpackers control 85% of market. Cattlemen need a voice

At a recent conference at Wichita State University, four political observers were asked to make their predictions for next week’s elections. All four said they believed Sharice Davids would win re-election in the Third Congressional District; three out of the four said they believed Governor Laura Kelly would be re-elected; and two out of the four said they believed Chris Mann would defeat Kris Kobach and be elected Kansas’s attorney general. But further down the ballot? The agreement was near unanimous: November 8 will likely be a terrible night for the Democrats.

“Near unanimous,” of course, means at least one voice of dissent. The dissenter was me.

Am I confident in my belief that Kansas, come November 8, may provide national Democrats with some tiny, consoling glimmers of blue during a rough night? Not remotely. So why bother saying so, when the usual political science variables—a midterm election during the first term of an unpopular President at a time of high inflation—point toward a Democratic bloodbath?

In speaking out on behalf of such an unlikely result, the lessons of two elections are on my mind.

First, the August vote on the “Value Them Both” amendment. The size of that abortion-rights victory has been much commented on—but more relevant is also how much of a surprise it was.

There was no precedent anywhere for that election: a straight-up, yes-or-no vote regarding the right to abortion. Thus, no one really had any data to work with. There was some public opinion polling—much of which was unreliable—and some reasonable guesses were made on the basis of demographics and party affiliation. But no serious observer guessed that the amendment would lose by nearly 20 points.

Second, the 2016 election of Donald Trump, which similarly took a huge number of people by surprise. But in that case, the surprise wasn’t because of a lack of data, but because so many people (myself included) didn’t take seriously the information—the unpopularity of Hillary Clinton, the shifts in white voting patterns in upper Midwestern states, etc.—which pointed to the real chance that Trump could win. It seemed such a bizarre possibility that we discounted it.

So we come to the Kansas 2022 elections, where we’re not in the same situation as before the August amendment vote. In fact, thanks to that vote and other in-depth surveys, we know a fair amount, particularly about high levels of voter engagement among Democratic-leaning groups. We also know that Kelly’s approval numbers are pretty good, and that abortion, along with Medicaid expansion and medical marijuana legalization, are motivating many voters.

Enough voters to overcome the huge, historical advantages Republicans enjoy in Kansas? Or all the other already-mentioned disadvantages weighing down Democrats this year? Probably not.

But in this election, even in the wake the Republican redistricting of state and congressional legislative districts, I don’t want to discount the data we do have, however limited it may be. So I am willing to say that there really is a chance that not only will we see some top of the ballot Democrats winning in Kansas, but also enough Democrats holding on to or flipping state houses races—perhaps in Manhattan, Shawnee, Emporia, Hays, Hutchinson, or Wichita—that the Republican super-majority could be lost, bizarre as that may sound.

Again, I’m not remotely confident about any of this. But after 2016 and 2022, I’m not so confident as to discount the possibility of the truly unlikely happening either.

Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics in Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583339056495.jpeg" alt="Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics in Wichita." />
 <figcaption>Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics in Wichita.</figcaption>
 </figure>At a recent conference at Wichita State University, four political observers were asked to make their predictions for next week’s elections. All four said they believed Sharice Davids would win re-election in the Third Congressional District; three out of the four said they believed Governor Laura Kelly would be re-elected; and two out of the four said they believed Chris Mann would defeat Kris Kobach and be elected Kansas’s attorney general. But further down the ballot? The agreement was near unanimous: November 8 will likely be a terrible night for the Democrats.“Near unanimous,” of course, means at least one voice of dissent. The dissenter was me.Am I confident in my belief that Kansas, come November 8, may provide national Democrats with some tiny, consoling glimmers of blue during a rough night? Not remotely. So why bother saying so, when the usual political science variables—a midterm election during the first term of an unpopular President at a time of high inflation—point toward a Democratic bloodbath?<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In speaking out on behalf of such an unlikely result, the lessons of two elections are on my mind.First, the August vote on the “Value Them Both” amendment. The size of that abortion-rights victory has been much commented on—but more relevant is also how much of a surprise it was.There was no precedent anywhere for that election: a straight-up, yes-or-no vote regarding the right to abortion. Thus, no one really had any data to work with. There was some public opinion polling—much of which was unreliable—and some reasonable guesses were made on the basis of demographics and party affiliation. But no serious observer guessed that the amendment would lose by nearly 20 points.Second, the 2016 election of Donald Trump, which similarly took a huge number of people by surprise. But in that case, the surprise wasn’t because of a lack of data, but because so many people (myself included) didn’t take seriously the information—the unpopularity of Hillary Clinton, the shifts in white voting patterns in upper Midwestern states, etc.—which pointed to the real chance that Trump could win. It seemed such a bizarre possibility that we discounted it.So we come to the Kansas 2022 elections, where we’re not in the same situation as before the August amendment vote. In fact, thanks to that vote and other in-depth surveys, we know a fair amount, particularly about high levels of voter engagement among Democratic-leaning groups. We also know that Kelly’s approval numbers are pretty good, and that abortion, along with Medicaid expansion and medical marijuana legalization, are motivating many voters.Enough voters to overcome the huge, historical advantages Republicans enjoy in Kansas? Or all the other already-mentioned disadvantages weighing down Democrats this year? Probably not.But in this election, even in the wake the Republican redistricting of state and congressional legislative districts, I don’t want to discount the data we do have, however limited it may be. So I am willing to say that there really is a chance that not only will we see some top of the ballot Democrats winning in Kansas, but also enough Democrats holding on to or flipping state houses races—perhaps in Manhattan, Shawnee, Emporia, Hays, Hutchinson, or Wichita—that the Republican super-majority could be lost, bizarre as that may sound.Again, I’m not remotely confident about any of this. But after 2016 and 2022, I’m not so confident as to discount the possibility of the truly unlikely happening either.Dr. Russell Arben Fox teaches politics in Wichita.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Learning to be ready for the unlikely

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;

In this case, I’m not referring to the temperature. HOTT is an acronym for Hispanics Of Today and Tomorrow, an organization that is working to promote higher education opportunities for Hispanic students in the Emporia area.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Rebeca Herrera and Patricia Saenz-Reyes of Emporia are active in&nbsp;Hispanics Of Today and Tomorrow. Rebeca is of Spanish and Mexican descent and grew up in Atlanta.&nbsp;

“Moving from&nbsp;a large metropolitan city in the east to the great plains of the Midwest was a culture shock,” she said. “I have now been in Emporia for four years. This wonderful community has welcomed me with open arms.”&nbsp;

She is now&nbsp;membership director at the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce.&nbsp;

Saenz-Reyes is a self-described “border baby,” born in El Paso. Her mother is an American citizen and her father is Mexican. Patricia went to school in Juarez, Mexico until the 9th grade when she transferred to El Paso to continue her education.&nbsp;

Her career took her to west Texas where she was an insurance executive before coming to Emporia. Now she is the migrant community resource coordinator and student and family resource specialist with the Emporia school district.&nbsp;

“HOTT started in 1999 with just six members,” Saenz-Reyes said. “People saw there was a need for more support for Hispanic students to continue into higher education.”&nbsp;

Emporia, at the crossroads of Interstates 35 and 335, has long been a major location for significant employers. “Actually, it goes back to the 1930s when the Santa Fe railroad was needing workers,” Saenz-Reyes said. The 1960s saw large beef packing operations and other manufacturers come to Emporia. Job opportunities attracted a diverse workforce.&nbsp;

According to data from the Emporia school district, in 1992 Hispanics made up 11.3% of the student population. By 2022, that number was 47.5%.&nbsp;

HOTT members sought to enhance scholarship opportunities for Hispanic youth. They developed two big festivals to raise funds for scholarships. One is Cinco de Mayo in the spring, and the other is Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, in the fall.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Both events involve lots of food and fun. “All of the proceeds from our fried taco sales go to the scholarships,” Herrera said. “It’s super nice to see our community embracing our culture.”&nbsp;

Cinco de Mayo is, of course, held on the fifth of May. It commemorates Mexican history and culture.&nbsp;

Day of the Dead occurs in late October, but is not a Halloween event. “It is more of a spiritual day to celebrate those who have passed,” Saenz-Reyes said. “We bring out shrines, light candles, and prepare favorite foods of our departed loved ones.”&nbsp;

In Emporia, Day of the Dead is a day-long festival, featuring Latino artists, games, prizes and a downtown parade.&nbsp;&nbsp;Who emcees the parade? Rebeca Herrera and Patricia Saenz-Reyes. As many as 3,000 people attend this event.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Not only are these events unifying for Emporia, they also bring together diverse groups within the Hispanic community itself. “People may assume that all Hispanics are from Mexico, but we have people here from Central and South America, Cuba and Puerto Rico,” Saenz-Reyes said. “There are also international students at Emporia State (University).”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Together, these events have raised $100,000 for scholarships. What’s more, Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College will match them. That’s remarkable in a rural community like Emporia, population 24,139 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

One of the scholarship recipients was Omar Herrera, who used his scholarship to help earn a masters degree in architecture at K-State. Omar is now Rebeca’s husband. He serves as&nbsp;the facility planner project manager with university facilities at Emporia State University.&nbsp;

“I love the diversity of Latinos in Emporia and how much this small rural town has to offer,” Rebeca Herrera said.&nbsp;For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hottfiesta.com/">www.hottfiesta.com</a>.&nbsp;

Emporia is HOTT – not the temperature, but the organization known as Hispanics Of Today and Tomorrow. We saluteRebeca Herrera and Patricia Saenz-Reyes for making a difference with their cross-cultural communication.&nbsp;&nbsp;I think this is HOTT stuff.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667394386523.png" alt="Rebeca Herrera and Patricia Saenz-Reyes" />
 <figcaption>Rebeca Herrera and Patricia Saenz-Reyes</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;Emporia is HOTT.&nbsp;In this case, I’m not referring to the temperature. HOTT is an acronym for Hispanics Of Today and Tomorrow, an organization that is working to promote higher education opportunities for Hispanic students in the Emporia area.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rebeca Herrera and Patricia Saenz-Reyes of Emporia are active in&nbsp;Hispanics Of Today and Tomorrow. Rebeca is of Spanish and Mexican descent and grew up in Atlanta.&nbsp;“Moving from&nbsp;a large metropolitan city in the east to the great plains of the Midwest was a culture shock,” she said. “I have now been in Emporia for four years. This wonderful community has welcomed me with open arms.”&nbsp;She is now&nbsp;membership director at the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce.&nbsp;Saenz-Reyes is a self-described “border baby,” born in El Paso. Her mother is an American citizen and her father is Mexican. Patricia went to school in Juarez, Mexico until the 9th grade when she transferred to El Paso to continue her education.&nbsp;Her career took her to west Texas where she was an insurance executive before coming to Emporia. Now she is the migrant community resource coordinator and student and family resource specialist with the Emporia school district.&nbsp;“HOTT started in 1999 with just six members,” Saenz-Reyes said. “People saw there was a need for more support for Hispanic students to continue into higher education.”&nbsp;Emporia, at the crossroads of Interstates 35 and 335, has long been a major location for significant employers. “Actually, it goes back to the 1930s when the Santa Fe railroad was needing workers,” Saenz-Reyes said. The 1960s saw large beef packing operations and other manufacturers come to Emporia. Job opportunities attracted a diverse workforce.&nbsp;According to data from the Emporia school district, in 1992 Hispanics made up 11.3% of the student population. By 2022, that number was 47.5%.&nbsp;HOTT members sought to enhance scholarship opportunities for Hispanic youth. They developed two big festivals to raise funds for scholarships. One is Cinco de Mayo in the spring, and the other is Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, in the fall.&nbsp;&nbsp;Both events involve lots of food and fun. “All of the proceeds from our fried taco sales go to the scholarships,” Herrera said. “It’s super nice to see our community embracing our culture.”&nbsp;Cinco de Mayo is, of course, held on the fifth of May. It commemorates Mexican history and culture.&nbsp;Day of the Dead occurs in late October, but is not a Halloween event. “It is more of a spiritual day to celebrate those who have passed,” Saenz-Reyes said. “We bring out shrines, light candles, and prepare favorite foods of our departed loved ones.”&nbsp;In Emporia, Day of the Dead is a day-long festival, featuring Latino artists, games, prizes and a downtown parade.&nbsp;&nbsp;Who emcees the parade? Rebeca Herrera and Patricia Saenz-Reyes. As many as 3,000 people attend this event.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not only are these events unifying for Emporia, they also bring together diverse groups within the Hispanic community itself. “People may assume that all Hispanics are from Mexico, but we have people here from Central and South America, Cuba and Puerto Rico,” Saenz-Reyes said. “There are also international students at Emporia State (University).”&nbsp;&nbsp;Together, these events have raised $100,000 for scholarships. What’s more, Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College will match them. That’s remarkable in a rural community like Emporia, population 24,139 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;One of the scholarship recipients was Omar Herrera, who used his scholarship to help earn a masters degree in architecture at K-State. Omar is now Rebeca’s husband. He serves as&nbsp;the facility planner project manager with university facilities at Emporia State University.&nbsp;“I love the diversity of Latinos in Emporia and how much this small rural town has to offer,” Rebeca Herrera said.&nbsp;For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hottfiesta.com/">www.hottfiesta.com</a>.&nbsp;Emporia is HOTT – not the temperature, but the organization known as Hispanics Of Today and Tomorrow. We saluteRebeca Herrera and Patricia Saenz-Reyes for making a difference with their cross-cultural communication.&nbsp;&nbsp;I think this is HOTT stuff.&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Herrera, Seanz-Reyes – Emporia HOTT 

By GLENN BRUNKOW Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher We are in the heart of what has been termed the “silly season of politics.” I know that for many of us voter fatigue has set in, and I have good news and bad news on that front. The good news is that in about a week or less it will all be over. The bad news is that the next cycle is a presidential election, so you have about six months before that gets cranked up. Unfortunately, the sheer volume of campaign ads and fliers turns many of us off or makes us numb to the candidates. I get that but you must fight through the urge to ignore all of it and tune it out. This is one of the most critical elections that we as an ag community have faced and this is a call for all hands on deck. It is true that all votes count but when it comes to agriculture that statement has never been truer. Candidates who support agriculture need your vote. Kansas is becoming increasingly urban and because of that voters in those areas are farther and farther away from agriculture. We are a democracy where the majority rules. Soon we could find ourselves having less of a voice over who represents us and, more importantly, what legislation gets passed. We know laws made in Topeka and Washington D.C. can have huge impacts on how we run our farms and ranches. It is important that we elect representatives that will have our best interests in mind and who understand our business. That is why the work Voters Organized To Elect Farm Bureau Friends does is so important. They take the opinions from the grassroots level and develop a list of candidates who are friendly to agriculture and will keep our best interests in mind. That work is not done in a couple of days but rather in a painstaking process, making sure that all voices are heard. However, that great work doesn’t mean anything if we don’t get out and vote for those candidates. While I would like you to vote for the people on that list, and I ask that you take the time to look at it, I just want you to exercise your right to vote. Historically those of us in rural areas have gotten out at higher levels than our urban counterparts, and that amplifies our voice. Lately, that has not been the case and is a trend we need to reverse. If you are really tired of the noise around the election, go vote now. Advanced voting is open, check with your county clerk to find out how. Then it is done and no matter what happens, your voice is heard. If you are like me and a traditionalist, make sure you get out and vote on Nov. 8. Every vote counts and every vote matters. We have seen it time and time again, even right here in Kansas. Please, look at the list of VOTE FBF endorsed candidates before you make your decision. I cannot stress just how important your vote is. It’s our chance to be a voice for Kansas.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576508626397.png" alt="Glenn Brunkow" />
 <figcaption>Glenn Brunkow</figcaption>
 </figure>By GLENN BRUNKOW Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher We are in the heart of what has been termed the “silly season of politics.” I know that for many of us voter fatigue has set in, and I have good news and bad news on that front. The good news is that in about a week or less it will all be over. The bad news is that the next cycle is a presidential election, so you have about six months before that gets cranked up. Unfortunately, the sheer volume of campaign ads and fliers turns many of us off or makes us numb to the candidates. I get that but you must fight through the urge to ignore all of it and tune it out. This is one of the most critical elections that we as an ag community have faced and this is a call for all hands on deck. It is true that all votes count but when it comes to agriculture that statement has never been truer. Candidates who support agriculture need your vote. Kansas is becoming increasingly urban and because of that voters in those areas are farther and farther away from agriculture. We are a democracy where the majority rules. Soon we could find ourselves having less of a voice over who represents us and, more importantly, what legislation gets passed. We know laws made in Topeka and Washington D.C. can have huge impacts on how we run our farms and ranches. It is important that we elect representatives that will have our best interests in mind and who understand our business. That is why the work Voters Organized To Elect Farm Bureau Friends does is so important. They take the opinions from the grassroots level and develop a list of candidates who are friendly to agriculture and will keep our best interests in mind. That work is not done in a couple of days but rather in a painstaking process, making sure that all voices are heard. However, that great work doesn’t mean anything if we don’t get out and vote for those candidates. While I would like you to vote for the people on that list, and I ask that you take the time to look at it, I just want you to exercise your right to vote. Historically those of us in rural areas have gotten out at higher levels than our urban counterparts, and that amplifies our voice. Lately, that has not been the case and is a trend we need to reverse. If you are really tired of the noise around the election, go vote now. Advanced voting is open, check with your county clerk to find out how. Then it is done and no matter what happens, your voice is heard. If you are like me and a traditionalist, make sure you get out and vote on Nov. 8. Every vote counts and every vote matters. We have seen it time and time again, even right here in Kansas. Please, look at the list of VOTE FBF endorsed candidates before you make your decision. I cannot stress just how important your vote is. It’s our chance to be a voice for Kansas."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

Kansas Farm Bureau Insight: Be a voice for Kansas

By MICHAEL BUGEJA <a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/11/01/the-optics-of-american-hate/">Courtesy Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>

The road to hell isn’t paved anymore with good intentions. The asphalt is hatred.

Chances are you have experienced it recently.

A person may have confronted you because of race or ethnicity. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.route-fifty.com/public-safety/2021/04/survey-22-americans-have-experienced-hate-crime/173093/">One study shows</a> that 22% of Americans have encountered that or had their property damaged because of their skin color or culture.

You may hate someone you once loved because of divorce. <a target="_blank" href="https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/family-home-consumer/dealing-with-couples-anger-10-238/">About half of all marriages</a> end in dissolution. Between 40% and 80% of those will have suffered one or more episodes of violence or abuse.

Many couples struggle in love-hate relationships. Sabrina Romanoff, clinical psychologist, says people in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-love-hate-relationship-5207379">rollercoaster partnerships</a> seek excitement. They endure aggression and frustration so that they might experience passion, mistaking that for intimacy.

Hate has sullied journalism, causing many of us to react bitterly to the news. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.poynter.org/ethics-trust/2021/us-ranks-last-among-46-countries-in-trust-in-media-reuters-institute-report-finds/">The United States ranks last</a> out of 46 countries in media trust. Only 29% of us have confidence in reports.

You may have suffered hatred or expressed some of your own in a social media post. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.adl.org/resources/report/online-hate-and-harassment-american-experience-2021">One recent study</a>
 found that 41% of Americans have experienced online harassment, 27% of 
which was severe, “comprising sexual harassment, stalking, physical 
threats, swatting, doxing and sustained harassment.”

Then there are secrets. The people who keep them may end up hating others or even themselves. Scientific American <a target="_blank" href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-the-secrets-you-keep-are-hurting-you/">cites research</a> linking secrecy to “increased anxiety, depression, symptoms of poor health, and even the more rapid progression of disease.”

Hatred afflicts politics. Our motto once may have been “E Pluribus 
Unum,” out of many, one; but that has metamorphosed into “E Pluribus 
Duo,” out of many, two: Republicans and Democrats.

And not just any Republican. Many hate RINOs (Republicans in Name 
Only). What, exactly, is meant by that derogatory term? RINOs believe in
 less government, a strong military and the U.S. Constitution. Go 
figure.

And not just any Democrat. There are so many wings — progressive, old
 guard, new guard, moderates and conservatives. Little that they propose
 flies in Congress even though they hold the majority.

<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2021/11/28/political-sectarianism-fuels-vaccine-resistance/">Politics are so toxic</a> that many of us hate our opponent’s party more than we love our own, spewing partisan epithets in person or online.

Hate speech, however infuriating, is not a crime. The U.S. Department of Justice <a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/learn-about-hate-crimes">cites First Amendment protections</a>,
 noting that people cannot be prosecuted for beliefs, even if racist. 
Nevertheless, free speech does not protect those whose criminal conduct 
is rooted in philosophical beliefs.

Hate crimes are increasingly frequent. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/hate-crime-statistics">The DOJ reports</a> that some 8,052 incidents happened in 2020, involving 11,126 victims.

Hatred erupts in bigoted violence as evidenced in several mass shootings, including the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/05/14/nyregion/buffalo-shooting">Tops grocery store massacre</a> in Buffalo, N.Y. Or it can result in <a target="_blank" href="https://thehill.com/regulation/3561521-growing-support-for-political-violence-raises-alarms/">political violence</a> as in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.

People hate collectively to feel a sense of belonging. Extremist groups pose a distinct threat. The Rand Corporation <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RBA1071-1.html">conducted a study</a>
 on why people join such groups, noting such factors as financial 
instability, mental health, marginalization, recruitment, propaganda 
and, in particular, social bonding.

Interviewees expressed a renewed sense of power, embracing group members as family and friends.

Americans exist “in a perpetual state of love and hate,” <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/13/a-perpetual-state-of-love-and-hate-readers-on-what-it-means-to-be-american">according to The Guardian</a>, a British newspaper,

Isn’t love the opposite of hate? Not necessarily. Love and hate are two sides of the same emotional coin.

A psychology study titled “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5725944/#:~:text=The%20results%20showed%20that%20people,between%20romantic%20love%20and%20hate.">The Deeper the Love, the Deeper the Hate</a>”
 focused on the relationship between those intense feelings. Love 
flourishes because of shared values but mutates in the aftermath of 
betrayal into hate.

The late Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor, believed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/video/elie-wiesel-talks-about-fighting-indifference#:~:text=I%20have%20devoted%20much%20time,Hate%20is%20an%20action.">the opposite of hate is indifference</a>:

“I came to a conclusion that the peril threatening humankind today is
 indifference, even more than hatred. There are more people who are 
indifferent than there are people who hate. Hate is an action. Hate 
takes time. Hate takes energy. And even it demands sacrifices.”

The UC Berkeley-based Greater Good Science Center lists <a target="_blank" href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/eight_ways_to_stand_up_to_hate">“Eight Ways to Stand Up to Hate.</a>
 Recommendations include educating yourself, understanding all 
viewpoints, speaking up when you encounter racism, resisting social 
pressure and heeding your conscience. The Center also suggests finding a
 role model, connecting with people different than you, and pressing the
 mental pause button so as not to act on impulse.

If you do any of the above, you won’t be indifferent to the plights 
of others and may boost your self-esteem, enhance your values and deepen
 your relationships.

Michael Bugeja, distinguished professor of liberal arts and 
sciences at Iowa State University, teaches media ethics and technology 
and social change.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667328291846.png" alt="Images courtesy Unsplash" />
 <figcaption>Images courtesy Unsplash</figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHAEL BUGEJA <a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/11/01/the-optics-of-american-hate/">Courtesy Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>The road to hell isn’t paved anymore with good intentions. The asphalt is hatred.Chances are you have experienced it recently.A person may have confronted you because of race or ethnicity. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.route-fifty.com/public-safety/2021/04/survey-22-americans-have-experienced-hate-crime/173093/">One study shows</a> that 22% of Americans have encountered that or had their property damaged because of their skin color or culture.You may hate someone you once loved because of divorce. <a target="_blank" href="https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/family-home-consumer/dealing-with-couples-anger-10-238/">About half of all marriages</a> end in dissolution. Between 40% and 80% of those will have suffered one or more episodes of violence or abuse.Many couples struggle in love-hate relationships. Sabrina Romanoff, clinical psychologist, says people in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-love-hate-relationship-5207379">rollercoaster partnerships</a> seek excitement. They endure aggression and frustration so that they might experience passion, mistaking that for intimacy.Hate has sullied journalism, causing many of us to react bitterly to the news. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.poynter.org/ethics-trust/2021/us-ranks-last-among-46-countries-in-trust-in-media-reuters-institute-report-finds/">The United States ranks last</a> out of 46 countries in media trust. Only 29% of us have confidence in reports.You may have suffered hatred or expressed some of your own in a social media post. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.adl.org/resources/report/online-hate-and-harassment-american-experience-2021">One recent study</a>
 found that 41% of Americans have experienced online harassment, 27% of 
which was severe, “comprising sexual harassment, stalking, physical 
threats, swatting, doxing and sustained harassment.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667328401939.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Then there are secrets. The people who keep them may end up hating others or even themselves. Scientific American <a target="_blank" href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-the-secrets-you-keep-are-hurting-you/">cites research</a> linking secrecy to “increased anxiety, depression, symptoms of poor health, and even the more rapid progression of disease.”Hatred afflicts politics. Our motto once may have been “E Pluribus 
Unum,” out of many, one; but that has metamorphosed into “E Pluribus 
Duo,” out of many, two: Republicans and Democrats.And not just any Republican. Many hate RINOs (Republicans in Name 
Only). What, exactly, is meant by that derogatory term? RINOs believe in
 less government, a strong military and the U.S. Constitution. Go 
figure.And not just any Democrat. There are so many wings — progressive, old
 guard, new guard, moderates and conservatives. Little that they propose
 flies in Congress even though they hold the majority.<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2021/11/28/political-sectarianism-fuels-vaccine-resistance/">Politics are so toxic</a> that many of us hate our opponent’s party more than we love our own, spewing partisan epithets in person or online.Hate speech, however infuriating, is not a crime. The U.S. Department of Justice <a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/learn-about-hate-crimes">cites First Amendment protections</a>,
 noting that people cannot be prosecuted for beliefs, even if racist. 
Nevertheless, free speech does not protect those whose criminal conduct 
is rooted in philosophical beliefs.Hate crimes are increasingly frequent. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/hate-crime-statistics">The DOJ reports</a> that some 8,052 incidents happened in 2020, involving 11,126 victims.Hatred erupts in bigoted violence as evidenced in several mass shootings, including the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/05/14/nyregion/buffalo-shooting">Tops grocery store massacre</a> in Buffalo, N.Y. Or it can result in <a target="_blank" href="https://thehill.com/regulation/3561521-growing-support-for-political-violence-raises-alarms/">political violence</a> as in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.People hate collectively to feel a sense of belonging. Extremist groups pose a distinct threat. The Rand Corporation <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RBA1071-1.html">conducted a study</a>
 on why people join such groups, noting such factors as financial 
instability, mental health, marginalization, recruitment, propaganda 
and, in particular, social bonding.Interviewees expressed a renewed sense of power, embracing group members as family and friends.Americans exist “in a perpetual state of love and hate,” <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/13/a-perpetual-state-of-love-and-hate-readers-on-what-it-means-to-be-american">according to The Guardian</a>, a British newspaper,Isn’t love the opposite of hate? Not necessarily. Love and hate are two sides of the same emotional coin.A psychology study titled “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5725944/#:~:text=The%20results%20showed%20that%20people,between%20romantic%20love%20and%20hate.">The Deeper the Love, the Deeper the Hate</a>”
 focused on the relationship between those intense feelings. Love 
flourishes because of shared values but mutates in the aftermath of 
betrayal into hate.The late Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor, believed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/video/elie-wiesel-talks-about-fighting-indifference#:~:text=I%20have%20devoted%20much%20time,Hate%20is%20an%20action.">the opposite of hate is indifference</a>:“I came to a conclusion that the peril threatening humankind today is
 indifference, even more than hatred. There are more people who are 
indifferent than there are people who hate. Hate is an action. Hate 
takes time. Hate takes energy. And even it demands sacrifices.”Indifference validates hatred.The UC Berkeley-based Greater Good Science Center lists <a target="_blank" href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/eight_ways_to_stand_up_to_hate">“Eight Ways to Stand Up to Hate.</a>
 Recommendations include educating yourself, understanding all 
viewpoints, speaking up when you encounter racism, resisting social 
pressure and heeding your conscience. The Center also suggests finding a
 role model, connecting with people different than you, and pressing the
 mental pause button so as not to act on impulse.If you do any of the above, you won’t be indifferent to the plights 
of others and may boost your self-esteem, enhance your values and deepen
 your relationships.Michael Bugeja, distinguished professor of liberal arts and 
sciences at Iowa State University, teaches media ethics and technology 
and social change.

COMMENTARY: The optics of American hate

During a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v%253Dp7fyXoJppI4%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1666923548150314%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw3E7zBuAVwDnjpRGo-lJ-SP&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1666923548155720&amp;usg=AOvVaw1lhMgDt6haIcl1oLWKiX5T">debate</a>&nbsp;with Rep. Barb Wasinger, Democrat Hammond said we needed a statesman and not a warrior. Take a minute and think about those two words. A statesman is an experienced and skilled political leader, while a warrior is brave, engaged, and fights the good fight. Hammond’s record suggests that he is neither.

Hammond&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://postpodcast.podbean.com/e/forward-ever-former-fhsu-president-ed-hammond/%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1666923548151030%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw0jZ72BvRI6Ent5dBXBf_37&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1666923548155957&amp;usg=AOvVaw1U9NvWzl24dbcwp_sylCtX">told</a>&nbsp;podcaster Gary Shorman this summer that he only became a Democrat in May after having previously been a Republican.In other words, he chose to sign on up with the Democratic Party just as it has given us rising crime, high gas prices, and the worst inflation we have seen in decades. It’s also trying to warp our children:The Topeka Capital-Journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/10/24/republicans-say-kansas-funded-drag-shows-fact-check-ks-election/69587801007/%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1666923548151447%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw0KnpL7ZMffNjQNpYyr6a6j&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1666923548156115&amp;usg=AOvVaw0WDfo6WcFSR8AAh7VgmboZ">reported</a>&nbsp;that Department of Commerce records show Kelly’s administration provided a $10,000 state grant to an organization called OpenStudios. Meanwhile, the group’s Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.facebook.com/OpenStudiosICT/photos/1183219332540752%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1666923548151713%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw0T29dNrtzsZ2ox3bIyz6_p&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1666923548156240&amp;usg=AOvVaw03kxAmfgAxC6LRZFnCWkXZ">page</a>&nbsp;shows it organized a drag show featuring performers with names like “Pseudocide.” &nbsp;

However, Hammond said that he chose to run as a Democrat because it would be too difficult to challenge Wasinger in a primary race. Are these the actions of a statesman or an opportunist? &nbsp;

At another point in the debate, Hammond told a story about a friend who supposedly had to travel out of state for an abortion at 8 months in order to save her life. First off, a third trimester abortion takes several days to complete, so if she was truly facing an emergency then her doctor would have ordered an emergency C-section. Second, the Supreme Court ruled in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/roe_v_wade_(1973)%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1666923548152174%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw2vCJaMhv9zQXMWdoK1GWww&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1666923548156454&amp;usg=AOvVaw0VKGLPkMR1dj4982QKQTrE">Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;(1973) and reaffirmed in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/505/833%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1666923548152435%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw3-7pg9XdKGDkXnJL6oxxZo&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1666923548156573&amp;usg=AOvVaw2_hdVp1byZb1Kearc7jS6J">Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey</a>&nbsp;(1992) that states had to permit late-term abortion if a woman’s health would be negatively impacted. So either this story happened over 50 years ago or it didn’t happen at all. Is that worthy of a statesman?

Finally, Hammond complained about “dark money” in this year’s election. Well, I recently received a four page flier supporting Gov. Kelly. It was paid for by the Kansas Values Institute, whose donors are teacher unions, abortion related organizations and the Democratic Governors Association. Does a statesman embrace double standards?

The fact is, we need someone who is a statesman AND a warrior, and Barb Wassinger is both. She can work with others in Topeka to get things done but will fight for her principles. Barb has my vote and I hope she has yours!

During a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v%253Dp7fyXoJppI4%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1666923548150314%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw3E7zBuAVwDnjpRGo-lJ-SP&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1666923548155720&amp;usg=AOvVaw1lhMgDt6haIcl1oLWKiX5T">debate</a>&nbsp;with Rep. Barb Wasinger, Democrat Hammond said we needed a statesman and not a warrior. Take a minute and think about those two words. A statesman is an experienced and skilled political leader, while a warrior is brave, engaged, and fights the good fight. Hammond’s record suggests that he is neither.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hammond&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://postpodcast.podbean.com/e/forward-ever-former-fhsu-president-ed-hammond/%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1666923548151030%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw0jZ72BvRI6Ent5dBXBf_37&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1666923548155957&amp;usg=AOvVaw1U9NvWzl24dbcwp_sylCtX">told</a>&nbsp;podcaster Gary Shorman this summer that he only became a Democrat in May after having previously been a Republican.In other words, he chose to sign on up with the Democratic Party just as it has given us rising crime, high gas prices, and the worst inflation we have seen in decades. It’s also trying to warp our children:The Topeka Capital-Journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/10/24/republicans-say-kansas-funded-drag-shows-fact-check-ks-election/69587801007/%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1666923548151447%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw0KnpL7ZMffNjQNpYyr6a6j&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1666923548156115&amp;usg=AOvVaw0WDfo6WcFSR8AAh7VgmboZ">reported</a>&nbsp;that Department of Commerce records show Kelly’s administration provided a $10,000 state grant to an organization called OpenStudios. Meanwhile, the group’s Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.facebook.com/OpenStudiosICT/photos/1183219332540752%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1666923548151713%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw0T29dNrtzsZ2ox3bIyz6_p&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1666923548156240&amp;usg=AOvVaw03kxAmfgAxC6LRZFnCWkXZ">page</a>&nbsp;shows it organized a drag show featuring performers with names like “Pseudocide.” &nbsp;However, Hammond said that he chose to run as a Democrat because it would be too difficult to challenge Wasinger in a primary race. Are these the actions of a statesman or an opportunist? &nbsp;At another point in the debate, Hammond told a story about a friend who supposedly had to travel out of state for an abortion at 8 months in order to save her life. First off, a third trimester abortion takes several days to complete, so if she was truly facing an emergency then her doctor would have ordered an emergency C-section. Second, the Supreme Court ruled in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/roe_v_wade_(1973)%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1666923548152174%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw2vCJaMhv9zQXMWdoK1GWww&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1666923548156454&amp;usg=AOvVaw0VKGLPkMR1dj4982QKQTrE">Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;(1973) and reaffirmed in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/505/833%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1666923548152435%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw3-7pg9XdKGDkXnJL6oxxZo&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1666923548156573&amp;usg=AOvVaw2_hdVp1byZb1Kearc7jS6J">Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey</a>&nbsp;(1992) that states had to permit late-term abortion if a woman’s health would be negatively impacted. So either this story happened over 50 years ago or it didn’t happen at all. Is that worthy of a statesman?Finally, Hammond complained about “dark money” in this year’s election. Well, I recently received a four page flier supporting Gov. Kelly. It was paid for by the Kansas Values Institute, whose donors are teacher unions, abortion related organizations and the Democratic Governors Association. Does a statesman embrace double standards?The fact is, we need someone who is a statesman AND a warrior, and Barb Wassinger is both. She can work with others in Topeka to get things done but will fight for her principles. Barb has my vote and I hope she has yours!Ruth Legleiter, Hays

LETTER: Barb is the best for Kansas

By SCOTT REEDER <a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/10/27/adults-dont-be-monsters-to-trick-or-treaters/">Courtesy Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>

Little masked hobgoblins will soon be 
knocking at our doors wanting handfuls of candy, and it’s important to 
remember the rules of good behavior — for adults — not just the 
children.

I often hear oldsters grumble about the unruly&nbsp;behavior of youths, but in my experience it is the adults who tend to be the real jerks during this doorstep masquerade.

A person I knew, who was married to a 
prominent lawyer, really took off her mask on Halloween. She lived in a 
nice house in an expensive neighborhood. Her chief complaint about 
trick-or-treaters was that they weren’t “neighborhood children.”

That’s a coded way of saying she didn’t like Black trick-or-treaters in her hoity-toity subdivision.

She bragged about her screening process. 
When youngsters she didn’t recognize would knock on her door, she 
started asking questions.

“Where do you kids live?” “Who are your parents?” “Oh, you live on the next street over? In what house?”

Come on, it’s just a Snickers bar. Give it to anyone who asks. No one will ever complain about you being too generous.

And what prompted these questions? Well, 
these were mostly Black youngsters from Springfield, Illinois’, east 
side who came to trick-or-treat in the more affluent, mostly white 
neighborhoods on the city’s west side.

Why might they do this? Well, many folks in
 their own neighborhoods can’t afford to give away candy. Some 
neighborhoods are safer than others for children to walk through at 
night.&nbsp;&nbsp;And hey, there are no rules that say you can’t trick-or-treat 
wherever you like.

And rest assured, grade school children on 
your doorstep know why you’re asking those questions. They know you’re a
 bigot, even if you haven’t figured that out about yourself yet.

Some religious groups such as Jehovah’s 
Witnesses object to Halloween. It’s understandable that they keep their 
porch lights off. But some evangelicals – the faith group I belong to – 
perplex me.

Most evangelicals I know participate in the
 holiday. A few evangelicals refrain because they believe it’s the 
“devil’s holiday.” But over the years I’ve had several friends who 
viewed the holiday as an opportunity to proselytize. Instead of giving 
away candy, they hand out Bible tracts.

I don’t claim to be an expert on 
evangelism. But my guess is that children leave those front porches 
disappointed and their parents irritated.

Some people complain about teenagers trick-or-treating.

The way I look at it is they are choosing childhood over partying. Just enjoy them while you still have them.

As for parents, take time to be with your 
kids. I remember when I was 4, dressing up for the preschool Halloween 
parade and my father sitting with a group of moms watching us walk by. 
Dads just didn’t do that back in 1969. In fact, it made such an 
impression on me, I still remember it 53 years later.

And finally, there is the issue of 
costumes. A child dressed as a hobo isn’t belittling the homeless. Kids 
dressed as witches and devils aren’t glorifying the occult. And as for 
the ones dressed as politicians, don’t be surprised they are standing on
 your step wanting a handout.

Scott Reeder, a staff writer for the Illinois Times, is a veteran journalist who has worked for newspapers in the Midwest, Texas and Nevada.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666903908737.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By SCOTT REEDER <a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/10/27/adults-dont-be-monsters-to-trick-or-treaters/">Courtesy Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>Little masked hobgoblins will soon be 
knocking at our doors wanting handfuls of candy, and it’s important to 
remember the rules of good behavior — for adults — not just the 
children.I often hear oldsters grumble about the unruly&nbsp;behavior of youths, but in my experience it is the adults who tend to be the real jerks during this doorstep masquerade.A person I knew, who was married to a 
prominent lawyer, really took off her mask on Halloween. She lived in a 
nice house in an expensive neighborhood. Her chief complaint about 
trick-or-treaters was that they weren’t “neighborhood children.”That’s a coded way of saying she didn’t like Black trick-or-treaters in her hoity-toity subdivision.She bragged about her screening process. 
When youngsters she didn’t recognize would knock on her door, she 
started asking questions.“Where do you kids live?” “Who are your parents?” “Oh, you live on the next street over? In what house?”Come on, it’s just a Snickers bar. Give it to anyone who asks. No one will ever complain about you being too generous.And what prompted these questions? Well, 
these were mostly Black youngsters from Springfield, Illinois’, east 
side who came to trick-or-treat in the more affluent, mostly white 
neighborhoods on the city’s west side.Why might they do this? Well, many folks in
 their own neighborhoods can’t afford to give away candy. Some 
neighborhoods are safer than others for children to walk through at 
night.&nbsp;&nbsp;And hey, there are no rules that say you can’t trick-or-treat 
wherever you like.And rest assured, grade school children on 
your doorstep know why you’re asking those questions. They know you’re a
 bigot, even if you haven’t figured that out about yourself yet.Some religious groups such as Jehovah’s 
Witnesses object to Halloween. It’s understandable that they keep their 
porch lights off. But some evangelicals – the faith group I belong to – 
perplex me.Most evangelicals I know participate in the
 holiday. A few evangelicals refrain because they believe it’s the 
“devil’s holiday.” But over the years I’ve had several friends who 
viewed the holiday as an opportunity to proselytize. Instead of giving 
away candy, they hand out Bible tracts.I don’t claim to be an expert on 
evangelism. But my guess is that children leave those front porches 
disappointed and their parents irritated.Some people complain about teenagers trick-or-treating.The way I look at it is they are choosing childhood over partying. Just enjoy them while you still have them.As for parents, take time to be with your 
kids. I remember when I was 4, dressing up for the preschool Halloween 
parade and my father sitting with a group of moms watching us walk by. 
Dads just didn’t do that back in 1969. In fact, it made such an 
impression on me, I still remember it 53 years later.And finally, there is the issue of 
costumes. A child dressed as a hobo isn’t belittling the homeless. Kids 
dressed as witches and devils aren’t glorifying the occult. And as for 
the ones dressed as politicians, don’t be surprised they are standing on
 your step wanting a handout.Scott Reeder, a staff writer for the Illinois Times, is a veteran journalist who has worked for newspapers in the Midwest, Texas and Nevada.&nbsp;

OPINION: Adults, don’t be monsters to trick-or-treaters

This election season, Governor Laura Kelly and her allies have relentlessly worked to tie her opponent Derek Schmidt to former Governor Sam Brownback, particularly the unpopular&nbsp;

cuts to education funding.&nbsp; Yet far more can be gleaned about Schmidt’s character from his relationship with Kris Kobach.&nbsp; Why did Schmidt sit by and do nothing while Kobach usurped the power of the Attorney General’s office and then proceeded to handle lawsuits himself, using tactics later described as “antics”?&nbsp; What kind of relationship will these two have if Schmidt wins the Governorship and Kobach wins Schmidt’s old post as Attorney General?&nbsp; These–not the Governor’s tiresome refrain of “Brownback, Brownback, Brownback”-- are the questions voters should be asking before casting their ballots.

Schmidt mostly stayed in his lane as Attorney General during the Brownback Governorship.&nbsp; His formal, legal defense of the state’s tax and funding cuts was simply part of his office’s duties.&nbsp; It does not necessarily reflect support for Brownback’s policies. Schmidt’s relationship with Kobach is another matter, though.

Kobach served as Kansas Secretary of State during the first and second of Schmidt’s three terms as AG.&nbsp; During that time, Schmidt sat back and did nothing while Kobach aggressively usurped the powers of the Attorney General’s office, transferring one of those powers to the Secretary of State in an unprecedented move, unseen in any other state and unused since Kobach left office.&nbsp; Voter fraud in the modern-day United States is rare.&nbsp; When evidence of it does surface, it is typically referred to the state Attorney General or to federal authorities for investigation and, if necessary, prosecution.&nbsp; Yet Kobach got the Kansas Legislature to grant his own office these extraordinary powers when they passed the SAFE Act in 2012.&nbsp; Schmidt uttered nary a peep while these powers were yanked away from the AG, traditionally the state’s second-most powerful executive office, after the governor.

Kobach also hogged the limelight, even defending the state personally when the&nbsp;Fish v Kobach&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bednasek v Kobach&nbsp;cases were heard before the Federal District Court in 2018.&nbsp; This was highly unusual–typically the Secretary of State would use staff attorneys or the Attorney General’s office, or even contract with private attorneys to do this.&nbsp; I was an expert witness for the plaintiffs in&nbsp;Bednasek, and Kobach took my deposition personally, another odd move.&nbsp; Schmidt’s office is just down the hall in the same building, but neither he nor the staff attorneys from his office were anywhere to be found that day.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Appointed by George W. Bush upon a recommendation from Brownback, Judge Julie Robinson ruled against the state and permanently stayed the SAFE Act’s proof-of-citizenship requirement, which would have required that voters prove they are American citizens when registering to vote, typically by producing copies of their birth certificates.&nbsp; She also ordered Kobach to take continuing education courses or lose his law license.&nbsp; Derek Schmidt and his staff attorneys remained absent the entire time.

Schmidt shares Brownback’s party label and made a few rather general comments expressing support during Brownback’s governorship, but that’s about it.&nbsp; The real question voters should be asking is why he did so little to counter Kobach’s antics, and what this portends if both are elected this year.

Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639601062071.jpeg" alt="Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University." />
 <figcaption>Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.</figcaption>
 </figure>This election season, Governor Laura Kelly and her allies have relentlessly worked to tie her opponent Derek Schmidt to former Governor Sam Brownback, particularly the unpopular&nbsp;cuts to education funding.&nbsp; Yet far more can be gleaned about Schmidt’s character from his relationship with Kris Kobach.&nbsp; Why did Schmidt sit by and do nothing while Kobach usurped the power of the Attorney General’s office and then proceeded to handle lawsuits himself, using tactics later described as “antics”?&nbsp; What kind of relationship will these two have if Schmidt wins the Governorship and Kobach wins Schmidt’s old post as Attorney General?&nbsp; These–not the Governor’s tiresome refrain of “Brownback, Brownback, Brownback”-- are the questions voters should be asking before casting their ballots.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Schmidt mostly stayed in his lane as Attorney General during the Brownback Governorship.&nbsp; His formal, legal defense of the state’s tax and funding cuts was simply part of his office’s duties.&nbsp; It does not necessarily reflect support for Brownback’s policies. Schmidt’s relationship with Kobach is another matter, though.Kobach served as Kansas Secretary of State during the first and second of Schmidt’s three terms as AG.&nbsp; During that time, Schmidt sat back and did nothing while Kobach aggressively usurped the powers of the Attorney General’s office, transferring one of those powers to the Secretary of State in an unprecedented move, unseen in any other state and unused since Kobach left office.&nbsp; Voter fraud in the modern-day United States is rare.&nbsp; When evidence of it does surface, it is typically referred to the state Attorney General or to federal authorities for investigation and, if necessary, prosecution.&nbsp; Yet Kobach got the Kansas Legislature to grant his own office these extraordinary powers when they passed the SAFE Act in 2012.&nbsp; Schmidt uttered nary a peep while these powers were yanked away from the AG, traditionally the state’s second-most powerful executive office, after the governor.Kobach also hogged the limelight, even defending the state personally when the&nbsp;Fish v Kobach&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bednasek v Kobach&nbsp;cases were heard before the Federal District Court in 2018.&nbsp; This was highly unusual–typically the Secretary of State would use staff attorneys or the Attorney General’s office, or even contract with private attorneys to do this.&nbsp; I was an expert witness for the plaintiffs in&nbsp;Bednasek, and Kobach took my deposition personally, another odd move.&nbsp; Schmidt’s office is just down the hall in the same building, but neither he nor the staff attorneys from his office were anywhere to be found that day.&nbsp;&nbsp;Appointed by George W. Bush upon a recommendation from Brownback, Judge Julie Robinson ruled against the state and permanently stayed the SAFE Act’s proof-of-citizenship requirement, which would have required that voters prove they are American citizens when registering to vote, typically by producing copies of their birth certificates.&nbsp; She also ordered Kobach to take continuing education courses or lose his law license.&nbsp; Derek Schmidt and his staff attorneys remained absent the entire time.Schmidt shares Brownback’s party label and made a few rather general comments expressing support during Brownback’s governorship, but that’s about it.&nbsp; The real question voters should be asking is why he did so little to counter Kobach’s antics, and what this portends if both are elected this year.Michael Smith is a professor at Emporia State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Voters should scrutinize Schmidt, Kobach’s history

In just a couple of weeks, Kansans will go to the polls and select our lawmakers. However, there’s another group whose rules we all have to live under: government bureaucrats. Yet while legislators have to earn our votes, unelected officials answer to no one.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hcr5014_enrolled.pdf">HCR 5014</a> is one of two constitutional amendments on November’s ballot, and it will allow the legislature to overrule regulatory decisions by a simple majority vote. During <a href="https://youtu.be/p7fyXoJppI4">a debate</a> earlier this month with her Democratic challenger, Rep. Barb Wasinger talked about why it is crucial that we reform the way regulatory matters are handled.&nbsp;

“There are so many regulations that have overstepped their boundaries,” Wasinger said. “I’m a first-hand witness to agencies trying to pass laws through regulation.

“A good example is the Department of Labor,” she continued. “They changed workman’s comp law with eight regulations. I got the attorney general’s office to revisit those regulations, and they determined that four of them were not constitutional.

“Sorry, but the administration should not be passing laws,” Wasinger insisted, adding that she wants to see regulatory reform aimed at making it easier for farmers and small businesses to get by in tough times. She also pointed to how regulatory reform is needed to alleviate the childcare crisis that Kansas faces.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The simple fact is that overly complicated and unnecessary regulations raise prices, waste taxpayer dollars, and drive opportunities away from Kansas. HCR 5014 will empower legislators to do away with rules that are needless or can be fixed with common sense revisions.

What’s more, our founding fathers understood that a government’s legitimacy is derived from the consent of those it governs. And since bureaucrats aren’t elected, they need to operate with the consent of those who are.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Adam Peters, Ellis County GOP Chairman&nbsp;

In just a couple of weeks, Kansans will go to the polls and select our lawmakers. However, there’s another group whose rules we all have to live under: government bureaucrats. Yet while legislators have to earn our votes, unelected officials answer to no one.&nbsp;&nbsp;That needs to change.&nbsp;<a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hcr5014_enrolled.pdf">HCR 5014</a> is one of two constitutional amendments on November’s ballot, and it will allow the legislature to overrule regulatory decisions by a simple majority vote. During <a href="https://youtu.be/p7fyXoJppI4">a debate</a> earlier this month with her Democratic challenger, Rep. Barb Wasinger talked about why it is crucial that we reform the way regulatory matters are handled.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“There are so many regulations that have overstepped their boundaries,” Wasinger said. “I’m a first-hand witness to agencies trying to pass laws through regulation.“A good example is the Department of Labor,” she continued. “They changed workman’s comp law with eight regulations. I got the attorney general’s office to revisit those regulations, and they determined that four of them were not constitutional.“Sorry, but the administration should not be passing laws,” Wasinger insisted, adding that she wants to see regulatory reform aimed at making it easier for farmers and small businesses to get by in tough times. She also pointed to how regulatory reform is needed to alleviate the childcare crisis that Kansas faces.&nbsp;&nbsp;The simple fact is that overly complicated and unnecessary regulations raise prices, waste taxpayer dollars, and drive opportunities away from Kansas. HCR 5014 will empower legislators to do away with rules that are needless or can be fixed with common sense revisions.What’s more, our founding fathers understood that a government’s legitimacy is derived from the consent of those it governs. And since bureaucrats aren’t elected, they need to operate with the consent of those who are.&nbsp;&nbsp;Adam Peters, Ellis County GOP Chairman&nbsp;

LETTER: Amendment's passage is 'common sense'

By JESSICA LOVE <a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2022/10/27/getting-stuck-with-payday-loans/">Courtesy Indiana Capital Chronicle</a>

Have you ever gotten your car or truck stuck in mud; and the more you try to get out, the deeper your tires sink in? I have.&nbsp;

So, I know from experience: unless 
you have the luxury of waiting for things to dry out, you’re going to 
need help – a push or a pull – to get unstuck.&nbsp;

And you’re probably going to feel 
somewhat embarrassed. I mean, technically, even though you didn’t intend
 to get stuck, no one else was behind the wheel. You either didn’t see 
the hazard ahead of you, or you thought it wouldn’t be as bad to go 
through it as it was.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Even if you didn’t have a good way 
around it, or calculated the risk and thought you could get yourself 
through it, the fact remains that it happened, and you were “at fault”. 
Thinking back, you wish you’d done anything other than the solution you 
sought – the one that caused your tires to get “sunk down deep in muck 
and mire” (for fellow Little Blue Truck fans).&nbsp;

Now imagine that the vehicle you’re 
thinking about represents your family’s financial health, and the 
process of getting “more stuck” as a result of the option chosem to 
solve your short-term problem yourself – instead of asking for help or 
not thinking you had other options – represents a payday loan. The 
“solution” now becomes a bigger problem to solve than the initial 
issue.&nbsp;

This is about where the analogy ends,
 since muddy patches don’t have business models designed to keep you 
stuck, and payday lenders do. It’s in getting people more stuck that 
profits are really made, where the interest rate ultimately racks up to 
391% in Indiana. And you really have to find a solution to your 
solution.&nbsp;

This is why I often refer to the 
payday industry as one of the most subsidized markets in existence – 
because government and nonprofit resources are so often required to bail
 people out of the disasters that payday loans cause.&nbsp;

But what if it didn’t have to be that way?&nbsp;

One path to pursue is policy change. 
At the moment, the burden is largely on Congress, and your legislative 
outreach will help make the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.indianaopportunity.net/hrl-news/2021/11/18/bipartisan-legislation-would-expand-military-lending-act-protections-on-payday-and-car-title-loans-to-all-veterans-and-consumers">Veterans and Consumers Fair Credit Act</a>
 – to cap all payday loans at 36% – a reality. You can also call on your
 state legislators to impose a state 36% cap. But until and even once 
legislation is passed, many Hoosiers will still need a more responsible 
way to borrow.

So, what if there was another route?&nbsp;

What if most of those in the 88% of 
polled Hoosier voters who said they would like to see Indiana have a 36%
 payday rate cap – who are in a position to provide another way – 
established a pathway to an alternative solution for their employees and
 coworkers?&nbsp;

The impact, to belabor my analogy, 
would be earth-shattering for Hoosier families who don’t have the 
resources to weather a financial shock.

One specific “bypass” – previously 
available in only 23 counties – has recently become available statewide.
 If you are a business owner, or a human resources rep, or just someone 
willing to talk to your boss about making a financially sustainable 
option available to those in your workplace, the solution that I present
 to you is the Community Loan Center program.&nbsp;

It’s an affordable, employer-based, small dollar loan program. So what’s the catch?&nbsp;

Well, as hard as it may be to believe, there really isn’t one. For <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/UZNl6K1db0Y">companies signed up for the program</a>,
 the CLC program is provided as an employee benefit at no cost to the 
employer. Employers literally just need to: 1) confirm employment when a
 loan is applied for and 2) set up payroll deduction in accordance with 
the employee’s repayment plan. In doing so, they instantly gain 
employees that are less stressed and more present for their jobs.&nbsp;

Made available through nonprofits, 
this affordable, 12-month loan is designed to get or keep people out of 
debt instead of trapping them in it. (CLC loans can be used to pay off 
payday loans.) The reason is simple: the nonprofit providers offering 
this program would rather put their resources towards improving a 
family’s economic trajectory vs. bailing them out from the quake that 
comes from a payday loan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Just consider how you might <a target="_blank" href="https://clcofindiana.org/">bring this alternative to your workplace</a>
 – and actually help solve a colleague’s short-term financial bump in 
the road in a way that makes it manageable and gets people out of the 
muck without getting stuck.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jessica Love is executive director for Prosperity Indiana, a statewide membership organization for individuals and organizations strengthening Hoosier communities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666904919259.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By JESSICA LOVE <a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2022/10/27/getting-stuck-with-payday-loans/">Courtesy Indiana Capital Chronicle</a>Have you ever gotten your car or truck stuck in mud; and the more you try to get out, the deeper your tires sink in? I have.&nbsp;So, I know from experience: unless 
you have the luxury of waiting for things to dry out, you’re going to 
need help – a push or a pull – to get unstuck.&nbsp;And you’re probably going to feel 
somewhat embarrassed. I mean, technically, even though you didn’t intend
 to get stuck, no one else was behind the wheel. You either didn’t see 
the hazard ahead of you, or you thought it wouldn’t be as bad to go 
through it as it was.&nbsp;&nbsp;Even if you didn’t have a good way 
around it, or calculated the risk and thought you could get yourself 
through it, the fact remains that it happened, and you were “at fault”. 
Thinking back, you wish you’d done anything other than the solution you 
sought – the one that caused your tires to get “sunk down deep in muck 
and mire” (for fellow Little Blue Truck fans).&nbsp;Now imagine that the vehicle you’re 
thinking about represents your family’s financial health, and the 
process of getting “more stuck” as a result of the option chosem to 
solve your short-term problem yourself – instead of asking for help or 
not thinking you had other options – represents a payday loan. The 
“solution” now becomes a bigger problem to solve than the initial 
issue.&nbsp;This is about where the analogy ends,
 since muddy patches don’t have business models designed to keep you 
stuck, and payday lenders do. It’s in getting people more stuck that 
profits are really made, where the interest rate ultimately racks up to 
391% in Indiana. And you really have to find a solution to your 
solution.&nbsp;This is why I often refer to the 
payday industry as one of the most subsidized markets in existence – 
because government and nonprofit resources are so often required to bail
 people out of the disasters that payday loans cause.&nbsp;But what if it didn’t have to be that way?&nbsp;One path to pursue is policy change. 
At the moment, the burden is largely on Congress, and your legislative 
outreach will help make the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.indianaopportunity.net/hrl-news/2021/11/18/bipartisan-legislation-would-expand-military-lending-act-protections-on-payday-and-car-title-loans-to-all-veterans-and-consumers">Veterans and Consumers Fair Credit Act</a>
 – to cap all payday loans at 36% – a reality. You can also call on your
 state legislators to impose a state 36% cap. But until and even once 
legislation is passed, many Hoosiers will still need a more responsible 
way to borrow.So, what if there was another route?&nbsp;What if most of those in the 88% of 
polled Hoosier voters who said they would like to see Indiana have a 36%
 payday rate cap – who are in a position to provide another way – 
established a pathway to an alternative solution for their employees and
 coworkers?&nbsp;The impact, to belabor my analogy, 
would be earth-shattering for Hoosier families who don’t have the 
resources to weather a financial shock.One specific “bypass” – previously 
available in only 23 counties – has recently become available statewide.
 If you are a business owner, or a human resources rep, or just someone 
willing to talk to your boss about making a financially sustainable 
option available to those in your workplace, the solution that I present
 to you is the Community Loan Center program.&nbsp;It’s an affordable, employer-based, small dollar loan program. So what’s the catch?&nbsp;Well, as hard as it may be to believe, there really isn’t one. For <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/UZNl6K1db0Y">companies signed up for the program</a>,
 the CLC program is provided as an employee benefit at no cost to the 
employer. Employers literally just need to: 1) confirm employment when a
 loan is applied for and 2) set up payroll deduction in accordance with 
the employee’s repayment plan. In doing so, they instantly gain 
employees that are less stressed and more present for their jobs.&nbsp;Made available through nonprofits, 
this affordable, 12-month loan is designed to get or keep people out of 
debt instead of trapping them in it. (CLC loans can be used to pay off 
payday loans.) The reason is simple: the nonprofit providers offering 
this program would rather put their resources towards improving a 
family’s economic trajectory vs. bailing them out from the quake that 
comes from a payday loan.&nbsp;&nbsp;Just consider how you might <a target="_blank" href="https://clcofindiana.org/">bring this alternative to your workplace</a>
 – and actually help solve a colleague’s short-term financial bump in 
the road in a way that makes it manageable and gets people out of the 
muck without getting stuck.&nbsp;&nbsp;Jessica Love is executive director for Prosperity Indiana, a statewide membership organization for individuals and organizations strengthening Hoosier communities.

COMMENTARY: Getting 'stuck' with payday loans

Voters in Northeast Kansas will soon decide the shape of the Kansas State Board of Education for the next two years. Candidates chosen by statewide primaries in August have set the stage for a general election that may alter the way KSDE has operated for, at least, the past 10 years and impact all Kansas schools.

The current board consists of four Democrats and six Republicans, but the atmosphere on the board has been bipartisan. Members’ party affiliations are not listed on the board’s Website. Meetings are facilitated by a KSDE civilian workforce.

Ten districts make up the KSDE board with five members elected every two years for four-year terms. Of the five open seats (Districts 1,3,5,7 and 9) redistricting after the 2020 census, left Democrat Janet Waugh without a district to represent and out of the race for District 1, while Republican incumbent Michelle Dombrosky in District 3 did not draw an opponent.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The August primary then became a battle among Republican candidates. One moderate Republican and two conservatives emerged winners.&nbsp;

In District 5, Republican incumbent Jean Clifford lost to Cathy Hopkins of Hays.&nbsp;Hopkins told the Fort Hays State Tiger Media Network, “We need engaged citizens. This top-down approach has been ongoing for a long time and many believe a shift must occur to see real change.” &nbsp;Hopkins will run unopposed having no Democrat opponent in the November election.

In District 7, Republican incumbent Ben Jones lost to conservative Dennis Hershberger. Hershberber’s Website says he believes getting back to basics will help every child achieve. Hershberger has no Democrat opponent and will run unopposed in the November election.&nbsp;

In District 9, incumbent and board chair, Jim Porter of Fredonia has spent more than 47 years in education serving as a superintendent for 34 years. Porter beat conservative Luke Aichele and has no Democrat opponent in the upcoming election.&nbsp;

Therefore the three Republican primary winners are presumptive election winners.

Two board seats remain contested. In District 3, conservative Republican Michelle Dombrosky, will face Democrat Sheila Albers, a retired educator from Overland Park.&nbsp;

In District 1, Democrat Jeffrey Howards, a Marine veteran and 20-year civilian military educator, will face conservative Republican Danny Zeck who operated a Ford dealership for 30 years. The Topeka Capital-Journal reported recently that Zeck asked the Leavenworth Board of Education to ban a novel about gender and sexuality.&nbsp;

Since KSDE determines policies that carry out state education laws, the outcome of the November election will impact each school in the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;If both Democrats with their elections the board will be balanced with five Democrats and five Republicans, and it’s possible that the board’s former bipartisan decision-making will continue.&nbsp; If only one Democrat or no Democrat wins, the board will be divided with new members bringing a broad conservative agenda to the table.&nbsp;

No one can predict the election outcome or the impact of this election on board policies but it seems likely the result may be more of an earthquake than a tremor.&nbsp;

Voters in Districts 1 and 3 should consider the state board election as important as the governor’s race this Nov. 8.&nbsp; Moreover, all Kansans should be concerned because a lot is riding on this election for students and teachers.&nbsp;

Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593719779701.jpeg" alt="Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education." />
 <figcaption>Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.</figcaption>
 </figure>Voters in Northeast Kansas will soon decide the shape of the Kansas State Board of Education for the next two years. Candidates chosen by statewide primaries in August have set the stage for a general election that may alter the way KSDE has operated for, at least, the past 10 years and impact all Kansas schools.The current board consists of four Democrats and six Republicans, but the atmosphere on the board has been bipartisan. Members’ party affiliations are not listed on the board’s Website. Meetings are facilitated by a KSDE civilian workforce.Ten districts make up the KSDE board with five members elected every two years for four-year terms. Of the five open seats (Districts 1,3,5,7 and 9) redistricting after the 2020 census, left Democrat Janet Waugh without a district to represent and out of the race for District 1, while Republican incumbent Michelle Dombrosky in District 3 did not draw an opponent.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The August primary then became a battle among Republican candidates. One moderate Republican and two conservatives emerged winners.&nbsp;In District 5, Republican incumbent Jean Clifford lost to Cathy Hopkins of Hays.&nbsp;Hopkins told the Fort Hays State Tiger Media Network, “We need engaged citizens. This top-down approach has been ongoing for a long time and many believe a shift must occur to see real change.” &nbsp;Hopkins will run unopposed having no Democrat opponent in the November election.In District 7, Republican incumbent Ben Jones lost to conservative Dennis Hershberger. Hershberber’s Website says he believes getting back to basics will help every child achieve. Hershberger has no Democrat opponent and will run unopposed in the November election.&nbsp;In District 9, incumbent and board chair, Jim Porter of Fredonia has spent more than 47 years in education serving as a superintendent for 34 years. Porter beat conservative Luke Aichele and has no Democrat opponent in the upcoming election.&nbsp;Therefore the three Republican primary winners are presumptive election winners.Two board seats remain contested. In District 3, conservative Republican Michelle Dombrosky, will face Democrat Sheila Albers, a retired educator from Overland Park.&nbsp;In District 1, Democrat Jeffrey Howards, a Marine veteran and 20-year civilian military educator, will face conservative Republican Danny Zeck who operated a Ford dealership for 30 years. The Topeka Capital-Journal reported recently that Zeck asked the Leavenworth Board of Education to ban a novel about gender and sexuality.&nbsp;Since KSDE determines policies that carry out state education laws, the outcome of the November election will impact each school in the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If both Democrats with their elections the board will be balanced with five Democrats and five Republicans, and it’s possible that the board’s former bipartisan decision-making will continue.&nbsp; If only one Democrat or no Democrat wins, the board will be divided with new members bringing a broad conservative agenda to the table.&nbsp;No one can predict the election outcome or the impact of this election on board policies but it seems likely the result may be more of an earthquake than a tremor.&nbsp;Voters in Districts 1 and 3 should consider the state board election as important as the governor’s race this Nov. 8.&nbsp; Moreover, all Kansans should be concerned because a lot is riding on this election for students and teachers.&nbsp;Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita Wichita State University College of Education.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Down-ballot races could shift education agenda

In his race for state representative, Democrat Ed Hammond&nbsp;has been critical of the support of the Kansas Chamber PAC for Representative Barb Wasinger. The Kansas Chamber is an enthusiastic and dedicated supporter of Representative Wasinger because she shares our commitment to “continually strive&nbsp;to improve the economic climate for the benefit of every business and citizen and to&nbsp;safeguard&nbsp;our system of free, competitive enterprise.”&nbsp;Representative Wasinger&nbsp;held&nbsp;this perspective&nbsp;before she ran for office&nbsp;and her votes in&nbsp;Topeka&nbsp;have stayed true to this worldview.&nbsp;

Like she was when she served as Ellis County Commissioner,&nbsp;Representative&nbsp;Wasinger&nbsp;is a thoughtful legislator who has gained the respect of her colleagues across the state for her willingness to dig into issues on behalf of her constituents.&nbsp;As a member of the House Tax Committee&nbsp;last year, Representative Wasinger was critical to the passage of&nbsp;SB&nbsp;50 which provided $284 million in tax relief to middle class families and&nbsp;job creators across the state.&nbsp;This bill&nbsp;would allow Kansans to fully benefit from the Trump tax cuts. Unfortunately,&nbsp;Governor Kelly&nbsp;vetoed this tax relief&nbsp;and the Democrats in the legislature voted in lock step to sustain the veto. A veto override requires 84 House votes and Representative Wasinger was one of the exactly 84 Representatives to override the Governor’s veto. Without Representative Wasinger in Topeka, Kansas families would have a higher tax burden today.&nbsp;

Along with President Reagan, Representative Wasinger understands that “as government expands, liberty contracts.” That is why&nbsp;she works tirelessly to fight bureaucratic red tape. She knows that entrepreneurs and small businesses can flourish when they are able to focus on providing&nbsp;products and&nbsp;services and not&nbsp;on unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.&nbsp;As a leader on this issue, Representative Wasinger was asked to carry HCR 5014 on the House floor. This legislation was supported by groups ranging from the Kansas Cooperative Council and Kansas Agribusiness Retailers to the Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Livestock Association as a key step to promoting a healthy regulatory environment. Additionally, Representative Wasinger was a driving force in the passage of SB 34 that requires state agencies to review all rules and regulations every five years and allows them to “fast track’ the repeal of outdated or unneeded regulations.&nbsp;

When Representative Wasinger sees a problem, she searches for a limited-government solution.&nbsp;This is why&nbsp;she was a strong advocate for HB 2279 bi-partisan legislation that allowed Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to practice to the full extent of their education and training. Representative Wasinger was not&nbsp;afraid to take on well-connected special interests to pass this legislation. This reform has been critical to&nbsp;increasing&nbsp;affordability and&nbsp;access to health care&nbsp;in the twenty-five other states that have adopted it.

The Kansas Chamber&nbsp;represents small,&nbsp;medium&nbsp;and large employers across the state of Kansas.&nbsp;Because of her commitment to fighting for a fair tax structure, a healthy regulatory environment&nbsp;and free-market solutions, the Kansas Chamber PAC is pleased to support Representative Wasinger. With her, Hays is represented by a strong and respected leader in Topeka.

Christie Kriegshauser,&nbsp;Kansas Chamber Senior Director of Political Affairs

In his race for state representative, Democrat Ed Hammond&nbsp;has been critical of the support of the Kansas Chamber PAC for Representative Barb Wasinger. The Kansas Chamber is an enthusiastic and dedicated supporter of Representative Wasinger because she shares our commitment to “continually strive&nbsp;to improve the economic climate for the benefit of every business and citizen and to&nbsp;safeguard&nbsp;our system of free, competitive enterprise.”&nbsp;Representative Wasinger&nbsp;held&nbsp;this perspective&nbsp;before she ran for office&nbsp;and her votes in&nbsp;Topeka&nbsp;have stayed true to this worldview.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Like she was when she served as Ellis County Commissioner,&nbsp;Representative&nbsp;Wasinger&nbsp;is a thoughtful legislator who has gained the respect of her colleagues across the state for her willingness to dig into issues on behalf of her constituents.&nbsp;As a member of the House Tax Committee&nbsp;last year, Representative Wasinger was critical to the passage of&nbsp;SB&nbsp;50 which provided $284 million in tax relief to middle class families and&nbsp;job creators across the state.&nbsp;This bill&nbsp;would allow Kansans to fully benefit from the Trump tax cuts. Unfortunately,&nbsp;Governor Kelly&nbsp;vetoed this tax relief&nbsp;and the Democrats in the legislature voted in lock step to sustain the veto. A veto override requires 84 House votes and Representative Wasinger was one of the exactly 84 Representatives to override the Governor’s veto. Without Representative Wasinger in Topeka, Kansas families would have a higher tax burden today.&nbsp;Along with President Reagan, Representative Wasinger understands that “as government expands, liberty contracts.” That is why&nbsp;she works tirelessly to fight bureaucratic red tape. She knows that entrepreneurs and small businesses can flourish when they are able to focus on providing&nbsp;products and&nbsp;services and not&nbsp;on unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.&nbsp;As a leader on this issue, Representative Wasinger was asked to carry HCR 5014 on the House floor. This legislation was supported by groups ranging from the Kansas Cooperative Council and Kansas Agribusiness Retailers to the Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Livestock Association as a key step to promoting a healthy regulatory environment. Additionally, Representative Wasinger was a driving force in the passage of SB 34 that requires state agencies to review all rules and regulations every five years and allows them to “fast track’ the repeal of outdated or unneeded regulations.&nbsp;When Representative Wasinger sees a problem, she searches for a limited-government solution.&nbsp;This is why&nbsp;she was a strong advocate for HB 2279 bi-partisan legislation that allowed Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to practice to the full extent of their education and training. Representative Wasinger was not&nbsp;afraid to take on well-connected special interests to pass this legislation. This reform has been critical to&nbsp;increasing&nbsp;affordability and&nbsp;access to health care&nbsp;in the twenty-five other states that have adopted it.The Kansas Chamber&nbsp;represents small,&nbsp;medium&nbsp;and large employers across the state of Kansas.&nbsp;Because of her commitment to fighting for a fair tax structure, a healthy regulatory environment&nbsp;and free-market solutions, the Kansas Chamber PAC is pleased to support Representative Wasinger. With her, Hays is represented by a strong and respected leader in Topeka.Christie Kriegshauser,&nbsp;Kansas Chamber Senior Director of Political Affairs

LETTER: Wasinger worthy regardless of unwarranted criticism

The&nbsp;Tiger Sports Hall of Fame&nbsp;induction ceremony&nbsp;is one of my favorite campus events.&nbsp;This&nbsp;annual event&nbsp;was established in 1986 to honor former Fort Hays State University athletes, coaches, administrators, and community members who have made extraordinary contributions&nbsp;to Tiger athletics.

The&nbsp;ceremony&nbsp;never disappoints.&nbsp;In story after story,&nbsp;I couldn’t help but marvel&nbsp;at&nbsp;our hall of famers’ perseverance, grit,&nbsp;and&nbsp;remarkable&nbsp;triumphs&nbsp;over adversity. The room is filled with&nbsp;fellowship&nbsp;and&nbsp;shared&nbsp;admiration,&nbsp;and the stories bring laughter, smiles, and tears. In fact, there is always a box of tissues&nbsp;at the podium.

Another aspect of the program I love is that the inductee chooses who will present themto the attendees. Often the presenters are former coaches and teammates. Just as frequently,&nbsp;they are sons, daughters, and,&nbsp;this&nbsp;year, a mom. I loved that!

2022 Hall of Fame inductee Jon Nelson, track and field/cross country (1970-74), was&nbsp;introduced&nbsp;by his daughter. They shared stories of Coach&nbsp;Alex&nbsp;Francis&nbsp;who was knownfor his&nbsp;one-liners, including “beat someone.”

Fred Campbell, men’s basketball (1984-1986),&nbsp;was unable to join us due to an injury. He&nbsp;sent a beautiful letter about how much he was looking forward to returning to Fort Hays State University and what his time here meant to him.&nbsp;Fred&nbsp;promised to return in the near future. He remains in my thoughts and prayers as he goes through&nbsp;his&nbsp;surgery and healing journey.

Steve&nbsp;Broxterman, track and field (1986-88),&nbsp;was&nbsp;introduced&nbsp;by his son,&nbsp;who told several heartfelt stories&nbsp;detailing&nbsp;how his dad overcame&nbsp;adversity several times – two of those stories had to do with earning his way to the&nbsp;national championships in the high jump. The first time he earned a spot&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;national championship, he was a student at Highland Community College in northeast Kansas. The championships that year were in Dodge City. A bus breakdown led to him arriving too late to compete in his event.

Steve went on to continue his career at FHSU, qualifying for the NAIA National Championships in both his junior and senior years.&nbsp;Just prior to the&nbsp;competition&nbsp;in his senior year,&nbsp;Steve&nbsp;blew a hole in his shoe&nbsp;during practice.&nbsp;He&nbsp;did not have a spare pair.So, Steve&nbsp;looked around for&nbsp;somebody&nbsp;who he thought might be&nbsp;the kindest of his competitors&nbsp;and&nbsp;spotted an Emporia State athlete. He&nbsp;asked&nbsp;that competitor&nbsp;if he could wear his shoes.&nbsp;The ESU athlete&nbsp;agreed&nbsp;to share his shoes. Round after round,&nbsp;the&nbsp;two athletes&nbsp;shared one pair of shoes.&nbsp;<a></a>This&nbsp;amazing demonstration of&nbsp;the spirit of sportsmanship&nbsp;in action&nbsp;is&nbsp;a great&nbsp;example of what it means to have&nbsp;the heart of a champion.

What I remember most about Greg Yost’s introduction&nbsp;(football 1987-90)&nbsp;was his aggressive,&nbsp;detailed, and dedicated&nbsp;approach to&nbsp;the game.&nbsp;A&nbsp;teammate described the ferocity&nbsp;of his tackles, saying when Greg&nbsp;walked off of the field,&nbsp;his helmet&nbsp;often carried paint streaks&nbsp;from&nbsp;his&nbsp;opponents’ helmets. Greg was also known&nbsp;to spend a lot of time watching the film&nbsp;on his&nbsp;opponents so he could&nbsp;recognize plays and player tendencies ahead of time.&nbsp;That way,&nbsp;he&nbsp;always knew he could stay one&nbsp;step ahead of his opponents.&nbsp;

Damian Evans, men’s basketball (1990-92), was raised by a single parent&nbsp;in Chicago.&nbsp;<a></a>His mom, a tough&nbsp;and&nbsp;loving&nbsp;woman,&nbsp;guided by faith, poured all she had into raising her children.&nbsp;She&nbsp;prepared them to&nbsp;lift themselves up and pay it forward. You can see how her determination fueled the excellence that drove Damian to succeed.&nbsp;He is&nbsp;an&nbsp;excellent&nbsp;example of the work ethic we often talk about as core to&nbsp;the&nbsp;Tiger&nbsp;Nation.

Derek Pomeroy, baseball (1992-93), was introduced by athletic director Curtis&nbsp;Hammeke.&nbsp;Hammeke&nbsp;recruited and coached&nbsp;Derek&nbsp;at FHSU, who would become a key contributor to the winning baseball program Curtis was building. Derek talked a lot about the importance of&nbsp;establishing&nbsp;a winning culture with the right people on the team – reminding me of the well-known saying that you have to get the right people on the bus.

The event concluded with the celebration of Shelby White, women’s golf (2004-07). Shelby was unable to&nbsp;attend. Her sister accepted the award on her behalf.

I left the event filled with so much joy. The&nbsp;authentic stories&nbsp;I heard reinforced for me&nbsp;why the student-athlete experience is so valuable. They are champions of this university, and decade after decade,&nbsp;we&nbsp;always&nbsp;look to our student-athletes to tell our university story&nbsp;through&nbsp;how they practice and play, their character on and off the field, and their success in the classroom&nbsp;and&nbsp;in their professional lives after college.&nbsp;These pages of our “family album” are anchored in our culture and values&nbsp;– it is what makes us Fort Hays State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575301942236.jpeg" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president</figcaption>
 </figure>The&nbsp;Tiger Sports Hall of Fame&nbsp;induction ceremony&nbsp;is one of my favorite campus events.&nbsp;This&nbsp;annual event&nbsp;was established in 1986 to honor former Fort Hays State University athletes, coaches, administrators, and community members who have made extraordinary contributions&nbsp;to Tiger athletics.The&nbsp;ceremony&nbsp;never disappoints.&nbsp;In story after story,&nbsp;I couldn’t help but marvel&nbsp;at&nbsp;our hall of famers’ perseverance, grit,&nbsp;and&nbsp;remarkable&nbsp;triumphs&nbsp;over adversity. The room is filled with&nbsp;fellowship&nbsp;and&nbsp;shared&nbsp;admiration,&nbsp;and the stories bring laughter, smiles, and tears. In fact, there is always a box of tissues&nbsp;at the podium.Another aspect of the program I love is that the inductee chooses who will present themto the attendees. Often the presenters are former coaches and teammates. Just as frequently,&nbsp;they are sons, daughters, and,&nbsp;this&nbsp;year, a mom. I loved that!2022 Hall of Fame inductee Jon Nelson, track and field/cross country (1970-74), was&nbsp;introduced&nbsp;by his daughter. They shared stories of Coach&nbsp;Alex&nbsp;Francis&nbsp;who was knownfor his&nbsp;one-liners, including “beat someone.”Fred Campbell, men’s basketball (1984-1986),&nbsp;was unable to join us due to an injury. He&nbsp;sent a beautiful letter about how much he was looking forward to returning to Fort Hays State University and what his time here meant to him.&nbsp;Fred&nbsp;promised to return in the near future. He remains in my thoughts and prayers as he goes through&nbsp;his&nbsp;surgery and healing journey.Steve&nbsp;Broxterman, track and field (1986-88),&nbsp;was&nbsp;introduced&nbsp;by his son,&nbsp;who told several heartfelt stories&nbsp;detailing&nbsp;how his dad overcame&nbsp;adversity several times – two of those stories had to do with earning his way to the&nbsp;national championships in the high jump. The first time he earned a spot&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;national championship, he was a student at Highland Community College in northeast Kansas. The championships that year were in Dodge City. A bus breakdown led to him arriving too late to compete in his event.Steve went on to continue his career at FHSU, qualifying for the NAIA National Championships in both his junior and senior years.&nbsp;Just prior to the&nbsp;competition&nbsp;in his senior year,&nbsp;Steve&nbsp;blew a hole in his shoe&nbsp;during practice.&nbsp;He&nbsp;did not have a spare pair.So, Steve&nbsp;looked around for&nbsp;somebody&nbsp;who he thought might be&nbsp;the kindest of his competitors&nbsp;and&nbsp;spotted an Emporia State athlete. He&nbsp;asked&nbsp;that competitor&nbsp;if he could wear his shoes.&nbsp;The ESU athlete&nbsp;agreed&nbsp;to share his shoes. Round after round,&nbsp;the&nbsp;two athletes&nbsp;shared one pair of shoes.&nbsp;<a></a>This&nbsp;amazing demonstration of&nbsp;the spirit of sportsmanship&nbsp;in action&nbsp;is&nbsp;a great&nbsp;example of what it means to have&nbsp;the heart of a champion.What I remember most about Greg Yost’s introduction&nbsp;(football 1987-90)&nbsp;was his aggressive,&nbsp;detailed, and dedicated&nbsp;approach to&nbsp;the game.&nbsp;A&nbsp;teammate described the ferocity&nbsp;of his tackles, saying when Greg&nbsp;walked off of the field,&nbsp;his helmet&nbsp;often carried paint streaks&nbsp;from&nbsp;his&nbsp;opponents’ helmets. Greg was also known&nbsp;to spend a lot of time watching the film&nbsp;on his&nbsp;opponents so he could&nbsp;recognize plays and player tendencies ahead of time.&nbsp;That way,&nbsp;he&nbsp;always knew he could stay one&nbsp;step ahead of his opponents.&nbsp;Damian Evans, men’s basketball (1990-92), was raised by a single parent&nbsp;in Chicago.&nbsp;<a></a>His mom, a tough&nbsp;and&nbsp;loving&nbsp;woman,&nbsp;guided by faith, poured all she had into raising her children.&nbsp;She&nbsp;prepared them to&nbsp;lift themselves up and pay it forward. You can see how her determination fueled the excellence that drove Damian to succeed.&nbsp;He is&nbsp;an&nbsp;excellent&nbsp;example of the work ethic we often talk about as core to&nbsp;the&nbsp;Tiger&nbsp;Nation.Derek Pomeroy, baseball (1992-93), was introduced by athletic director Curtis&nbsp;Hammeke.&nbsp;Hammeke&nbsp;recruited and coached&nbsp;Derek&nbsp;at FHSU, who would become a key contributor to the winning baseball program Curtis was building. Derek talked a lot about the importance of&nbsp;establishing&nbsp;a winning culture with the right people on the team – reminding me of the well-known saying that you have to get the right people on the bus.The event concluded with the celebration of Shelby White, women’s golf (2004-07). Shelby was unable to&nbsp;attend. Her sister accepted the award on her behalf.I left the event filled with so much joy. The&nbsp;authentic stories&nbsp;I heard reinforced for me&nbsp;why the student-athlete experience is so valuable. They are champions of this university, and decade after decade,&nbsp;we&nbsp;always&nbsp;look to our student-athletes to tell our university story&nbsp;through&nbsp;how they practice and play, their character on and off the field, and their success in the classroom&nbsp;and&nbsp;in their professional lives after college.&nbsp;These pages of our “family album” are anchored in our culture and values&nbsp;– it is what makes us Fort Hays State University.

Heart of a Tiger: My evening with Tiger Hall of Famers

You don’t have to look far to see the impact Ed Hammond has had on the local community and on tens of thousands of students over his more than 30 years of service to Kansas. In his time leading Fort Hays State University, Ed transformed the campus, was an innovator in online education, and strategically grew the university while managing expenses and keeping costs affordable for students to achieve their dreams of higher education.&nbsp;

I wanted to share parts of the story you probably haven’t heard. At FHSU, I served as Vice President of the Student Government Association from 2009-2010 and as President from 2010-2012. Over those years, I worked closely with President Hammond in Hays and in Topeka to fight for higher education and had a front-row seat to the leadership qualities that made him so effective in his previous role – and will make him a great representative of the 111th House District.&nbsp;

One of the first times I attended a meeting of the Kansas Board of Regents with Ed, it was the height of the Great Recession. College leaders around the state were struggling to justify more&nbsp;hikes in tuition and fees to skeptical Regents for their approval. But not Ed. He walked up to the microphone and said “Fort Hays State University will be raising tuition $2.75 per credit hour. Any questions?”&nbsp;

The room fell silent. The&nbsp;board thanked President Hammond - and he sat down.&nbsp;

Kirk Schulz, the recently hired President of Kansas State University, was up next. He walked to the microphone and shook his head, “President Wefald told me never to follow a presentation from Ed Hammond.”&nbsp;

That was just the first of many moments I saw where Ed was a few steps ahead and had a commanding presence in Topeka. He knew Kansans needed access to affordable education. Families were struggling to make ends meet and FHSU&nbsp;could meet the moment for them. These efforts&nbsp;built goodwill both from the Regents and the Legislature.&nbsp;

You don’t have to look far to see the impact Ed Hammond has had on the local community and on tens of thousands of students over his more than 30 years of service to Kansas. In his time leading Fort Hays State University, Ed transformed the campus, was an innovator in online education, and strategically grew the university while managing expenses and keeping costs affordable for students to achieve their dreams of higher education.&nbsp;But you know that story already.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>I wanted to share parts of the story you probably haven’t heard. At FHSU, I served as Vice President of the Student Government Association from 2009-2010 and as President from 2010-2012. Over those years, I worked closely with President Hammond in Hays and in Topeka to fight for higher education and had a front-row seat to the leadership qualities that made him so effective in his previous role – and will make him a great representative of the 111th House District.&nbsp;One of the first times I attended a meeting of the Kansas Board of Regents with Ed, it was the height of the Great Recession. College leaders around the state were struggling to justify more&nbsp;hikes in tuition and fees to skeptical Regents for their approval. But not Ed. He walked up to the microphone and said “Fort Hays State University will be raising tuition $2.75 per credit hour. Any questions?”&nbsp;The room fell silent. The&nbsp;board thanked President Hammond - and he sat down.&nbsp;Kirk Schulz, the recently hired President of Kansas State University, was up next. He walked to the microphone and shook his head, “President Wefald told me never to follow a presentation from Ed Hammond.”&nbsp;That was just the first of many moments I saw where Ed was a few steps ahead and had a commanding presence in Topeka. He knew Kansans needed access to affordable education. Families were struggling to make ends meet and FHSU&nbsp;could meet the moment for them. These efforts&nbsp;built goodwill both from the Regents and the Legislature.&nbsp;Later that year, I came to Ed with an idea some of the students had been kicking around: we wanted to restrict smoking on campus. We knew it was going to be a contentious issue. I sat in his office on the third floor of Sheridan Hall and told him what we had in mind and asked for his feedback. He considered it for a moment and said without hesitation, “If you can pass this through Student Senate, I will support it.”&nbsp;We put the issue before the Student Senate and it passed by one vote. Ed approved the policy shortly after – we were the first campus in Kansas to pass such a policy. The issue immediately ignited a firestorm of criticism from some faculty, students, and staff. Heated letters were written to the local&nbsp;newspapers and media outlets all over Kansas covered the issue. Even though it had only passed by one vote, Ed stood by his word and faithfully executed the policy we had requested.&nbsp;Ed and I didn’t agree on everything and on more than a few occasions we had heated disagreements over certain issues around campus. Through those disagreements, we respected the roles we each had to play in the process and knew we could put those differences aside to move FHSU forward. It is that honesty we should all value in those who serve our communities and something that is desperately needed in our elected officials.&nbsp;After my time in Student Government had come to an end, I spent the summer interning in Kansas City and went straight from Kansas City to a semester internship in Washington, D.C. I was 22 and money was tight, as it is for any young adult gaining experience in the Capitol.&nbsp;&nbsp;One day during the internship, I received&nbsp;a note that Ed was in town and wanted to get dinner. He took me over to The Monocle, a steakhouse across from Capitol Hill that I could have never afforded back then. We sat and chatted for over an hour about how things were going on campus and what I was learning in my&nbsp;internship. He didn’t have to take time out of his trip to visit with me – in fact, when we finished dinner, he took off for a meeting with Bob Dole. I have&nbsp;always appreciated that he made time that evening for a student instead of his&nbsp;many&nbsp;other options in DC.&nbsp;That’s the kind of leader Ed is - and will be – as a Representative of the 111th District. He puts his people first and will fight tirelessly for you in the legislature. When he says he is going to support something, he is going to do it and he’s also going to be honest with you about why.&nbsp;&nbsp;I know because I have seen him do it.&nbsp;As I watch my three-year-old daughter grow up and prepare to enter the Kansas public education system, I want leaders like Ed in Topeka fighting to invest in her generation. All Kansans will benefit from his service and I hope you will join me in supporting his candidacy.&nbsp;Tyler Thompson, Kansas City

Opinion