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Born in August of 1940, I do not have clear memories of Pearl Harbor, but I do have clear memories of what quickly followed with the United States’ involvement in WWII. I grew up in a house that was forced off land to make way for the airbase built in Salina to train pilots. Later, I have very clear memories of riding with my Dad in our Ford \u00bd ton pickup to go over to the German prisoner of war camp just west of Smolan, picking up a prisoner to help during the day on the farm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are now fewer and fewer WWII participants alive from what has been called our Greatest Generation \u2014 celebrated<\/a> and rightfully so. Our most famous Kansan, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, led the way to much of the success in the positive end of WWII, along with thousands of Kansans serving in many ways. One of those was Bob Dole<\/a>, severely hurt in his service to our country \u2014 later becoming our Senator and Senate Leader as well as a Republican Presidential candidate.<\/span><\/p>\n The result has been seventy-five years of challenges, yes. But nothing like a world war. Credit primarily goes to the Marshall Plan that helped rebuild Europe, the creation of the United Nations, and leaders from both political parties providing the leadership holding this country together and moving us forward. Fast forward to today, and it appears the world has been flipped upside down.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Today is chaos, and that is being kind. When a new national administration comes to power, one expects change. After all, that was the message from the election. And change we got \u2014 but at a pace that made no sense with a team that would never have been part of any previous administration. The new group has been trying to operate as if we were totally ready. The truth is, however, that its actions have been marked by one chaotic and uninformed misstep after another. Beyond creating chaos within the country and mistrust with our closest allies, the new group has offered no hint that it is actually prepared to administer effectively and fairly the governmental functions of the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n Today, unbelievably, our leaders are partnering with Putin and Russia \u2014 or, perhaps worse, acting at Putin\u2019s behest. Previously, leaders of both political parties had worked closely with Ukraine and NATO<\/a> to stave off Russia moving on European nations, generally, and Ukrainian specifically. Our objective has been to foster European unity and Ukrainian identity and independence. Today, however, we seem to have embraced the Neville Chamberlain strategy \u2014 only this time we are appeasing Russia instead of Hitler. So what do we do? Well, to this point, certainly not enough \u2014 although the large turnout Monday in Topeka at the Capitol (and nationwide) is a beginning.<\/span><\/p>\n But now what can be done? We can agree that we are not going to change foreign policy from protests here in Kansas. But we can shout from the rooftops about what is already happening here in Kansas and the assumption that much more is to follow. You all have good sources on much of the specifics, so I do, so there’s not a need to give you great detail in this particular post.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But here is what I will say: Continuing to take away key markets (shutting down USAID and imposing tariffs on our closest trading partners) will not help farmers or the Kansas economy, and following that up with their plan to eliminate crop insurance, many farmers will fail \u2014 no question. The wild, thoughtless firing of federal employees goes way beyond the harm to the individuals impacted, although that too is significant. When they carelessly or ignorantly fire the head researcher on bird flu as well as many others, for example, there is no justification that makes any sense.<\/span><\/p>\n So, I am saying to anyone who reads this, and I am committing to doing my part as a citizen as well: We had better shout loud, clear, and often to our Congressional Delegation (access information to delegation members can easily be found online) on specific negative impacts. From bird flu to fired workers and any other senseless action that in your mind no previous Republican Administration would have considered, much less taken, gets the point across. Often, just speaking up makes a difference. The press takes notice when citizens raise their voices. And the people and institutions who need the courage to stand up<\/a> for our Constitution will need to hear those voices too.<\/span><\/p>\n They have been more clear about the plan this time around; Project 2025 is laid out for all to read. It\u2019s our job to oppose it at every turn \u2014 apply maximum pressure \u2014 and make it clear that no part of their anti-American vision will come without strong, documented opposition. Because the people of this nation are demonstrating our true values by standing up to a self-avowed dictator, and \u2014 in order to preserve the things we care about \u2014 that demonstration must continue until the page is finally turned on this dark era in American history.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We have a long way to go, and we must keep supporting one another to continue the fight. I, for one, am not planning to give up on the American experiment anytime soon. It just means too much to me \u2014 and I know I am not alone.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n