I live in Kansas. Ask Me Anything!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you think that all we are is dust in the wind?

Yes, all we are is dust in the wind. Dust in the wind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is the acid test:

Have you read Thomas Frank's "What's the Matter with Kansas?"

Yes, I have and it is spot on. It saddens me every day. I see my friends and family (unknowingly) vote against their own best interest and values. the problem I have with the book is that he never offers any solutions. So it's just kind of depressing. There is also a documentary which focuses more on the religious extremists, but still gives a lot of insight into the mindset around here.

I hate to sound like I'm being critical of my own home state, but the politics and religion is a lot to take. I love pretty much everything else about KS.

[Anonymous]

If you could tell a visitor one thing about KS, what would it be?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are there 2 Kansas Cities? Do you eat the barbecue there every day? I would. Does anyone actually live in all of the cool Frank Lloyd Wright homes that dot your state?
What is it about Kansas and Missouri that you produce so many Hot men like Brad Pitt and Jon Hamm are from there? Why are kansasans? so good at baseball?

KC is on the state line, so there is Kansas City, KS and Kansas City, MO. I wish I could get away with eating BBQ every day, bu it's kind of a rare treat. It really does live up to the hype. My brother was married in a Frank Lloyd Wright church! Why hot men and baseball - I don't know. I'll have to think about that one. Lots of funny men too - Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, Eric Stonestreet...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the new tax policy?

"Proposed Kansas Tax Break for “Pass-Through” Profits Is Poorly Targeted and Will Not Create Jobs
PDF of this report (6pp.)
By Nicholas Johnson and Michael Mazerov
Revised March 26, 2012
RELATED
More States Propose Reverse-Robin-Hood Tax Policy
RELATED AREAS OF RESEARCH
State Budget and Tax
Taxes
Kansas is seriously considering a new, unprecedented state income tax break — at a huge cost to the state budget — that would benefit large corporations and passive investors, and reward tax avoidance, while failing to meet its stated objective of job creation.  The tax break was first proposed by Governor Brownback earlier this year, and since has been incorporated — in slightly different forms — into bills passed by the state House and Senate.
The new tax break would benefit large corporations and investment vehicles more than the small business job creators the governor and legislative advocates claim they are trying to help.  At the same time, the proposals would cost the state, at a minimum, $245 million or more in annual tax revenue that the state otherwise could be using to strengthen its economy.  (The primary difference among the proposals is that under the House bill, the full revenue impact would not occur until 2018, while it would hit all at once under the Brownback and Senate plans.)
Whenever it takes effect, this provision would:
Create a new and unwarranted tax break for many large businesses.  Under the pending legislation, Kansas would be the first state in the nation to exempt what tax experts call “pass-through” income from an otherwise broad-based income tax. “Pass-through” income is income that — unlike most corporate income — is untaxed at the corporate level and passed through to the owners of a business entity, who normally then pay personal income taxes on it.  Many pass-through businesses are very large, and a substantial share of the profit that would be tax-exempt under the governor’s proposal would be earned by large businesses, not small ones.
Fail to target the small business job creators the governor seeks to help, with negative consequences for the Kansas economy.  A substantial share of the profit exempted from taxation under the proposal is earned by the wealthy owners of large investment funds and other business entities that have no employees.  Another share is earned by individuals who live outside Kansas and would see that income taxed by their home states when Kansas stops taxing it.  Small, fast-growing businesses — those most likely to create jobs — likely would see very little of the benefit.
Make the Kansas tax system less level and create a new incentive for tax avoidance at a time when the state needs more resources for schools, transportation, public safety and other priorities that would create a better foundation for future economic growth."

Ugh. There is nothing good about this. Brownback is using KS as a guinea pig for the rest of the country because he thinks he's going to be president some day. Our kids will suffer from this more than anyone else as the class sizes will grow, and teachers will lose their jobs. Not to mention police and firemen. It's not going to create jobs. The only thing that will create jobs is an increased demand for the goods/service. If these businesses have more $ in their pockets but not an increased demand, they will not hire.

So, no, i don't like this at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you ever get tired of my hostility?

-Diehard, third gen mizzou fan

Ha ha. I better not comment on that. Just kidding. Atound here, we are all kind of relieved that MU is out of the Big 12 because we are all quite sick and tired of the rivalry.

I will always want to punch you in the face. It doesn't matter what conference we're in, it's just a programmed response. Sorry!

It's ok. I understand.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

Back to the evolution/creation thing again. *sigh*

I don't think I'm being clear here. I understand why you all think it's not ok. I'm not saying whether our way is the *right* way. I said that in my first post on the subject. I am giving you the perspective of someone who was born and raised in KS in a christian home, is raising a christian family in KS, and also has a degree in science. All I'm trying to say is that, in my experience, it really does not come across the way you must envision. No teachers are being forced to brainwash children into believing in creation. Basically, they are just saying "this might contradict what you have learned in church or at home." As I recall, we were told to talk to our parents about any questions regarding those contradictions. If my teachers had not made that statement, I think I would have been thoroughly confused about the contradictions at home/church/school.

Also, when it comes to the religion thing, we just have to pick our battles around here. And there are so many to choose from. Such as Westboro, and all the mini Westboros that are around here. My kids come home from school all the time and tell me that their friends say that Obama kills babies. These kids are hearing this at church. This concerns me much more than the fact that creation is mentioned.

And, YES, my kids do learn about other religions/cultures at school! When I was growing up, we did not. but I have been thoroughly impressed with what my kids have learned. Through art, music, and history class, they have learned about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year, Ramadan, Cinco De Mayo, Diwali...to name a few. Are they forced to participate in these celebrations/rituals? Of course not. But they absolutely learn about them. I'm curious if you all have a problem with this too, or if this is also taught in your schools? (that's not meant in a snarky way - it's a sincere question). I think it's great, and it will make them more tolerant and accepting as adults. My daughter actually asked for an American Girl menorah for Christmas (and we got her one).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you could tell a visitor one thing about KS, what would it be?

Hmm. Good question. I would tell them that the people here are genuine, down-to-earth, and, above all else, pragmatic.

And, yes, it is (mostly) very flat, but that actually makes it quite beautiful. there is something very soothing about a view that goes on for as far as the eye can see.

I guess that's 2 things!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What kind of food is Kansas famous for?

wheat, corn, and KC BBQ!

[Anonymous]

What types of non-dairy milks are available at your grocery store?

[Anonymous]

OP, you're missing the whole point about the intelligent design, creationism debate. It's not that teachers are trying to "brainwash" kids into believing creationism (although it wouldn't surprise me), it's that creationism, or intelligent design, or god-moved evolution, or whatever you want to call it is on an equal footing with evolution in a SCIENCE class. It's not science - at all. You have a science backround, so you can see that, right? So teaching creationism in a science class gives it a false legitimacy as an accepted scientific theory - you yourself referred to it that way. But it isn't. It's religion. And teaching one religion in public schools is supposed to be a big no-no in this country - but since it's a "Christian nation," it's OK? No, it isn't.

The fact that it's taught in schools IS a burning issue, and the fact that it's accepted as commonplace, even by "liberals" is an even bigger problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you're missing the whole point about the intelligent design, creationism debate. It's not that teachers are trying to "brainwash" kids into believing creationism (although it wouldn't surprise me), it's that creationism, or intelligent design, or god-moved evolution, or whatever you want to call it is on an equal footing with evolution in a SCIENCE class. It's not science - at all. You have a science backround, so you can see that, right? So teaching creationism in a science class gives it a false legitimacy as an accepted scientific theory - you yourself referred to it that way. But it isn't. It's religion. And teaching one religion in public schools is supposed to be a big no-no in this country - but since it's a "Christian nation," it's OK? No, it isn't.

The fact that it's taught in schools IS a burning issue, and the fact that it's accepted as commonplace, even by "liberals" is an even bigger problem.

Exactly. There is no reason to refer to it at all. It is not science, any more than e.g. the virgin birth or the giving of the Ten Commandments is.

[Anonymous]

Have you ever been to a beach?

[Anonymous]

How big a problem do you have with hillbilly heroin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you're missing the whole point about the intelligent design, creationism debate. It's not that teachers are trying to "brainwash" kids into believing creationism (although it wouldn't surprise me), it's that creationism, or intelligent design, or god-moved evolution, or whatever you want to call it is on an equal footing with evolution in a SCIENCE class. It's not science - at all. You have a science backround, so you can see that, right? So teaching creationism in a science class gives it a false legitimacy as an accepted scientific theory - you yourself referred to it that way. But it isn't. It's religion. And teaching one religion in public schools is supposed to be a big no-no in this country - but since it's a "Christian nation," it's OK? No, it isn't.

The fact that it's taught in schools IS a burning issue, and the fact that it's accepted as commonplace, even by "liberals" is an even bigger problem.

First of all, no I didn't refer to it as a scientific theory. I called it a theory, not scientific. But I should have said belief. Listen, maybe my children and I have just had teachers that tend to downplay creation more than they are supposed to, but the point I'm trying to make is that creation wasn't "taught" in school. The teachers are talking to a class of mostly christian children who have been taught about creation instead of evolution. They simply acknowledge this and direct them to their parents and others outside of school to sort it out.

I don't know why you are attacking me on this. I have said more than once that I am simply telling you what was like to be taught that way, and that it never seemed to cause me any issues.

I do realize that it is a "burning issue" to those who feel strongly about it. I just meant that to the average Kansan, it is what it is and we have bigger issues than this with extreme religion. I know there are some other Kansans who have been following this. Maybe they will chime in with their perspective.