Ultra-conservative doesn’t mean more of a good thing

opinions

January 25, 2014 - 12:00 AM

In politics today, the Republican Party has two factions, conservatives and ultra-conservatives, but outsiders tend to lump them together.
In most cases, the word ultra means extreme. An ultra-marathon, for example, can be twice the distance of a marathon as well as on a tougher course, including mountain paths.
But when you apply ultra to conservative, it doesn’t necessarily mean more of a good thing. Instead of being prudent with a checkbook, ultra-conservatives say all spending is generally a bad idea.
Some Republicans are taking umbrage at the detour the Republican Party has taken these last few years in Kansas.
They’ve adopted the name Traditional Republicans for Common Sense and are led by a group of former state and U.S. lawmakers.
Former State Sen. Fred Kerr of Pratt belongs to the group. Kerr served in the Kansas Senate for 16 years and is a former Senate majority leader. He was a good friend of Iola’s Sen. Bob Talkington.
Kerr is concerned about Gov. Sam Brownback’s plan to phase out the state income tax. Without that “third leg” of funding he fears property and sales taxes will have to be raised significantly.
Kansas is ranked ninth in the nation when it comes to sales tax. Compared to our neighbors, our sales taxes are 36 percent higher, according to Tax Foundation data.
The current tax plan of reduced income taxes has Kansas headed to a $326.5 million deficit.
Schools will be the first to feel the downturn because school funding comprises 60 percent of the state budget.
The wealthy can escape the hurt by putting their children in private schools, Kerr said in an interview with the Pratt Tribune.

ALTOGETHER, those involved with Traditional Republicans for Common Sense have more than 700 years of collective service to Kansas and come from all over the state.
In our neck of woods members include Iola’s Rep. Denny Apt, Sen. Tim Emert, Independence, Sen. Duane Umbarger, Thayer, Sen. Bob Marshall, Fort Scott, Rep. Rochelle Chron-ister, Neodesha, Rep. Cindy Empson, Independence, Rep. Fred Lorentz, Fredonia, and Rep. Bill Otto, Le Roy.
These legislators refer to themselves as moderates, which for some is a stretch of the imagination. Bill Otto comes to mind. Which only goes to show how far to the right today’s Republican Party has gone.
—Susan Lynn

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