Despite deceptive Republican efforts, Kansans resoundingly reject efforts to further restrict, ban abortions
Progressive roots shone brightly in Kansas voters’ resounding rejection of an anti-abortion effort to severely restrict and likely ultimately ban all abortions in the state.
While Kansas is currently considered a “deep red” state, a history of progressive philosophy and practices came through clearly and compellingly in this election.
A Civil War leader in the abolitionist movement to abolish slavery, Kansas is credited with initiating the first pre-Civil War skirmish. The Battle of Black Jack in 1856, five miles from where I previously lived in Baldwin City, Kansas, ignited a concerted anti-slavery movement.
Notes the Kansas Historical Society’s Kansapedia: “The Battle of Black Jack was the first armed conflict between proslavery and antislavery forces in the United States. The battle near Baldwin City on June 2, 1856, had implications far beyond Kansas Territory. Some call it the first battle of the Civil War. The debate over Kansas and the events there clearly marked a turning point in the march toward the Civil War.”
In the 1890s, Baldwin City elected an all-female City Council and mayor. According to theclio.com: “Lucy Sullivan, first female mayor of Baldwin City, was elected in 1889 along with an all female City Council. They worked to improve city roads and sidewalks during their time in office, including the construction of Women’s Bridge. Civic improvement and beautification, and public safety were areas of emphasis for Lucy and her council.”
And, despite red-state fervor, Democrat Laura Kelly is currently the state’s governor.
Thomas Frank’s 2004 New York Times bestselling book, “What’s the Matter with Kansas,” describes the state’s move from left-wing populism in the late 1800s to its conservative status today.
Notes a macmillan.com description of the book written by the Kansas native, “What’s the Matter with Kansas? unravels the great political mystery of our day: Why do so many Americans vote against their economic and social interests? With his acclaimed wit and acuity, Thomas Frank answers the riddle by examining his home state, Kansas-a place once famous for its radicalism that now ranks among the nation’s most eager participants in the culture wars.”
Along the way, the election also showed that firmly entrenched “fake news” efforts by the right can backfire. A Washington Post article points out, “As voters went to the polls, The Washington Post reported that a Republican-backed group had sent voters intentionally misleading text messages about the ballot language. A political action committee led by Tim Huelskamp, a former hard-line Republican congressman from Kansas, paid a technology company to blast out texts that said, ‘Voting YES on the Amendment will give women a choice. Vote YES to protect women’s health.’”
In one state at least, voters took off their blinders and called out this effort for what is clearly is: “Hogwashing.” Merriam-Webster defines hogwash as “swill sense…slop…nonsense, balderdash.”
It’s about time.
Gray Flannel Head 