“The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men.”
President Lyndon B. Johnson
This primary election season has been filled with everything good and bad about running for political office. There have been good and bad debates, hurtful advertisements, informative mailings, irritating phone calls at all hours of the day and evening and many “meet and greets”.
I trust you have all given yourself the opportunity to become an informed citizen and will take the time and expend a little effort to exercise your right to vote. One vote does make a difference.
During the past two weeks I have been traveling to Topeka to participate in sub-committee meetings of the Legislative Post Audit Division, where we discussed the results of the audits of several school districts, and begin the interview process for the replacement of the State of Kansas Post Auditor.
As chairman of the budget committee, I have begun a preliminary review of the LPA 2012 budget. The most difficult task is always about the money allocation for the state agencies. My subcommittee is made up of a senate member as well as a member of the minority party.
We have to balance expenses with projected revenues and at the same time fulfill the statutory requirement for audits of all the many state agencies. Some audits are required annually and some only every three years. Then there are the audits requested by individual legislators and as in the case of the 7 schools, there are voluntary requests as well.
While in Louisville for a conference on Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security I heard a most heart rendering presentation of a family’s sacrifice in the service of our country.
Major General (MG) Mark Graham and his wife Carol presented their story to our committee as a way to describe the need for mental health support for our soldiers. The military has been very active in rehabilitation and repair of the physical wounds suffered by our soldiers and only in the past few years have we taken on the mental aspects of war and service connected mental illness.
In 2004 the Grahams had two sons and a daughter. One son was studying at the University of Kentucky to become an Army Doctor; the other son was in the active Army and Armor Officer with orders that would station him in Iraq.
For reasons unknown at the time the Kevin, the physician student committed suicide, within a few weeks following this incident the second son Jeff, was advised by the Dept. of Army he did not need to go to Iraq, however this young man said he wanted to serve the United States and be with his troops and refused to accept the deferment.
Within a year following his brothers’ death, a roadside bomb that was command detonated killed him. Reports indicated he had seen the bomb and was calling in the location and ordering his platoon to withdraw, when the bomb exploded.
The family’s story is one of how they coped with the unbelievable despair and pain of losing two children at such an early age. Go to the Internet and Google up; MG Mark Graham, there are numerous articles about their recovery and how they are becoming champions on addressing mental health issues within the military.
After you have read the full details, think of how you would react to such a tragedy. The General and his wife told me they just did not see the signs of depression. If their son had a visible physical problem they would have quickly reacted and would have sought treatment; mental issues and depression are not easily detected.
On this same trip we received briefings from the Department of Defense, the Dept. of Army and Homeland Security officials on the threat to the US from the various groups wishing to do us harm. The security measures are being beefed up in all areas. The seaports, airports, train facilities, truck terminals, refineries, water supplies, agriculture facilities are all probable targets.
Our committee had discussions about the expense, the necessity of increased security measures and the impact of inaction. Make no mistake; we are coming closer to having another “event” occur. My concern is where, when and will the U.S. have the will to take whatever action is necessary to prevent another 911?
If another event does occur what is our country willing to do bring the perpetrators to justice? Are we willing to be proactive or do we just remain complacent and then react to whatever happens? I do believe we have the means to properly protect ourselves, the question remains what does the ordinary US citizen think is the right response? What do you think?
I close with another appeal for you to get out and vote, you could make a difference. I consider it an honor and privilege to be your Representative in Topeka. If I can help you in any way please get in contact with me.
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