What's Happening In Kansas?

[midwayer]

http://www.interventionmag.com/cms/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=819&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&POSTNUKESID=4dcb7e40734d144dc8e451e7e6f7e9d1

With too many fooled and abused, plutocracy rules and ignorance subits in the heartland of America.
By William Marvel

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As Thomas Frank apparently argues in his new book, the problem with Kansas seems to be the same as it is with the rest of the country. By means of catchy rhetoric, inventive mythology, and ludicrous logic, a self-interested plutocracy has played an unsophisticated majority against itself, persuading the most numerous class to approve its own defeat and then submit obediently. The Republican Party has long held power with this incongruous coalition of wealth and ignorance, and Kansas may stand as the best illustration of the dominance of ignorance in that alliance: I never saw a rich man while I was there.

[greymattermom]

1. No Rich men?

What about Johnson County?

[hadrons]

2. the writer said he drove thru Central Kansas ...

I think Johnson County is more east ... I can't stop recommending "What's the Matter with Kansas" and I won't stop here; read it!!!

[Mumzee]

8. Johnson Country

This county is the fastest-growing and the richest county in the state, the "bedroom" for both Kansas City and Topeka, where the wealthy can only associate with "their own kind". They are as different from "typical" Kansans as New Yorkers are from Texans!

[Joe_VB]

6. Yeah really....

Just drive around Leawood....million dollar + homes.

[dand]

3. Fantastic read, religion as the deadliest opiate of all,

thanks for posting it midwayer.

[drhilarius]

4. What depresses me

is that I've always believed that if people saw (or actually lived in) a society run with Republican principles they would see how untenable and slanted those principles are. This, in turn, would create the sort of grassroots populism that would repudiate the pubs and make sure they would never come into power again. Kansas, it seems, proves me wrong.

[glitch]

9. still early days really

when you think of how long progress and evolution take. Buck up! We've made great strides.

It ain't over til it's over.

[Kolesar]

5. Left out of Thomas Frank's analysis the the power of racism

Frank describes the issue in terms of class and the GOP manipulation of Christianity. However, racism is still one of the most powerful political motivators in our society. The GOP has effectively tapped into the racist demons in Americans' minds. That is how Reagan, old Bush and this Bush became president, and probably Nixon, too.

Remember the Willie Horton ads?

[Mumzee]

7. What's Happening in Kansas

I live in Kansas and you may take my word for it, there are rich people living here. Some of them are even in the House and Senate! Many are farmers who will tell you they "have no money" but when the bank does a net worth statement based on the value of their land, equipment, and livestock, it tells a different story. However, if those who do have money let it be known, they will no longer be able to pay peon wages to their hired help. Kansas just last year raised the minimum wage law for businesses not engaged in interstate commerce to the regal figure of $3.15!

There are many poor and near-poor in Kansas as the result and they respond well to the messages of Dennis Kucinich and John Edwards. However, since Kansas is, as usual, conceded to the Republicans there will be no visits by the Democratic campaign team. Perhaps, if we succeed in electing Nancy Boyda to the seat of Jim Ryun, the Democrats will realize that there is a fertile field in Kansas that has yet to be plowed.

[glitch]

10. Welcome to DU! nt