Last Thursday was the first (and only?) debate for the 53rd District race for the KS House of Representatives.  Courtesy the Jim Cates Show on AM 1440 KMAJ in Topeka.  www.JimCatesShow.com.

The first thing I noticed was that both of my opponents are more than twice my age!  My generation currently has no representation within the state legislature, and I believe it is time we get a young Kansan into office.

Each of us three candidates were allowed to ask one question of the other two.  My question went like this:

   "With the Welfare Reform Movement in the late 1990s, Clinton's Democrats pushed through a series of abusive legislation such as the 'Deadbeat Parents' Punishment Act', which has become a nightmare of suspended Drivers Licenses, Debtors' Prisons, and other clear violations of our Constitutional Rights.  My question is this:  As a Representative, would you be willing to fight against such abusive laws as the 'Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act', the 'Homeland Security Act', and the 'Patriot Act', and would you be willing to fight to restore our Constitutional Rights as American Citizens?"

The look on the faces of my opponents said it all; they didn't have any idea how to answer!  When they did answer, they did much like any regular politician, giving an answer that basically didn't answer the question, but sounded like they were answering.

Jack asked a question about whether I would support the "Marriage Amendment" and Gay/Lesbian Marriage.  My reply was, "The Constitution is a document designed to limit government power, NOT to define what citizens can't do.  Therefore I would NOT support the "Marriage Amendment".  At the same time, I realize that marriage is an institution designed to protect and strengthen Families, which are made up of one man, one woman, and children.  I am AGAINST Gay/Lesbian Marriage because they would not be made up of one man and one woman.  Civil Unions already provide most of the protections of Marriage."

Ann's question was about School Financing, and how would I 'fix' the School Finance Controversy, and what is my position on consolidating city/county school districts in Shawnee County, Kansas.  My answer was, "First, the media isn't giving a clear picture of the controversy.  Judge Bullock, whom we like to call "Bullock the Hutt", actually had a major part in drafting the original Financing rules that he later declared unConstitutional.  And in reality, Judge Bullock is a PETTY District Court Judge, and does NOT have authority to declare all schools in the state shut down.  Bullock WAY overstepped his authority in his ruling.  As for consolidation?  Having graduated Shawnee Heights (the district we are running in) just 8 years ago, I can personally vouche for the very high quality of education we recieve at USD 450.  In contrast, I am well aware of the fiascoes taking place at USD 501 (Topeka Public Schools), where the District lost $550'000 through fraud, tried to hide it from the public for 2 years, then when they were found out, cried that they didn't have enough money to pay for buses.  So now, kids have to walk up to 2 MILES to school.  Then to top it all off, the school district administrators gave themselves RAISES.  So my answer is that, NO, I am NOT for consolidating city/county schools because I do NOT want to see the very high quality of education and administration in Shawnee Heights brought down to the level of USD 501."

If only you could have SEEN the look on my opponents' faces!