In 1854, the United States made the mistake of opening Kansas up to settlement. What resulted was a mad dash between slave holders, abolitionists, and future TeaBaggers (although they would first steal carpets in order to make bags after a minor skirmish a decade in the future).
The resulting bloodbath was known as Bleeding Kansas..
What is striking about those days is how often and how strongly the pro-slavery forces relied on their Bible. They repeatedly claimed that slavery was not only permitted because of their religious freedoms, but that it was better for society at large to have slaves and the god-blessed owner class.
It appears that Governor Brownback is aiming to return his state to those good olde days.
From the Church of Ineffable Stupidity:
EDUCATION
Brownback's tax cuts have been such an abject failure that he has been forced to cut school budgets not just to the bone, but lopping off entire limbs and internal organs. Grade Schools will actually close several weeks early because of a lack of funds.
In February, because of severe budget shortfalls, rather than reinstitute income taxes on the rich, Governor Brownback cut all school budgets:
Brownback argued the school spending is driving the state’s fiscal woes. He made no mention of income tax cuts, which many lawmakers and economic analysts say are driving the state’s budget problems.
“The dramatic increase in state education funding that has occurred over the last four years is unsustainable,” Brownback said in a news release. “School districts are estimated to have approximately $381 million in reserve fund balances to help them offset the smaller than expected increase in state funding. The Kansas Department of Education should work with school districts to help them with any cash flow challenges that may arise.”
Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/...
WOMEN'S HEALTH
Brownback did promise to get government out of people's lives. He felt that undue governmental influence and control was a sin that had to be excised, dilated and cut into pieces.
One great example of his hands off approach to governmental intrusion is in the field of women's health choices. This week, Brownback signed into law the most restrictive law in the country:
The law, which was drafted by the National Right to Life Committee, is set to take effect July 1. It would effectively outlaw the dilation and evacuation procedure that is used for most second-trimester abortions and about 9 percent of all abortions performed in Kansas. Abortions in the state are currently generally allowed up to 22 weeks into a pregnancy, and this law could ban abortions as early as 14 weeks post-fertilization.
The legislation, which redefines the dilation and evacuation procedure as "dismemberment abortion," is part of a campaign by anti-abortion advocates to influence public opinion by using graphic language. Abortion rights proponents, on the other hand, say the procedure is often the safest and most compassionate way to terminate a pregnancy in the second trimester. They have argued that the bill would force abortion providers to consider methods that are less safe.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
WELFARE
Despite keeping poor people fed and clothed, welfare is considered to be unchristian from Brownback's point of view. To continue his christian approach to the needy, he signed into law the most severe restrictions on aid to the needy:
The Kansas legislature has sent a bill to Gov. Sam Brownback’s (R) desk that limits welfare recipients to withdrawing just $25 a day from their benefits and enacts a range of other restrictions.
If Brownback signs the law, recipients of the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program would only be able to withdraw $25 a day with their benefits cards from ATMs, which act like debt cards. No other states or the federal government currently limit withdrawals.
http://thinkprogress.org/...
By keeping them hungry, defunding government, and limiting their ability to even use money that is allocated to them, Brownback is again showing his compassion, his christian principles at work, and his endless well of empathy and concern for his fellow citizens.
In fact, his christian love of humanity is so strong that it leads us to:
GUNS.
Kansans soon can carry concealed weapons without permits or training under a bill signed by Gov. Sam Brownback on Thursday.
The new law, which kicks in July 1, makes Kansas the sixth state to allow “constitutional carry.” It will allow Kansans 21 and older to carry concealed firearms regardless of whether they have obtained a permit.
Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/...
When you put it all together, it becomes crystal clear. Brownback is a lover of history. He believes in slavery, or virtual economic slavery, and his stated intention has been repeatedly displayed - help the rich in order to @$#(
&#$(&# the poor. He believes in no education, since just like Eve, taking the bite of an apple from the tree of knowledge is a mortal sin.
He believes in no government regulations, unless it has to do with your vagina and uterus, in which case, all bets (and health care coverage, choices, and rights) are off.
Now, with concealed carry, Brownback's long dream of returning to the yesterday of 1854, with the righteous battle between christian conservatives and the rest of the universe will be refought. And concealed weapons will make it all safe and sound.
Not.