"Well, Doctor, what have we got - a Monarchy or a Republic?"

"A Republic, if you can keep it."

This exchange between Elizabeth Willing Powel and Benjamin Franklin, while quoted with some regularity, seems worth reaffirming. As lawmakers in various capacities and levels of government continue to break new ground. It's hard, even exhausting, to not get overwhelmed by the endless swirl of maneuvering and retribution that has engulfed our politics. 

General Consultant

We are also fortunate to have the example of those who have survived tough times before us - individuals and communities that rose to the challenge willingly and with clear purpose. The dirt farmers in southwest Kansas whose roots survived the dust bowl; the Boston abolitionists determined to make our state free; the students, and parents, and teachers, and Kansans who have worked to ensure that we provide our young people with the opportunity to thrive wherever they choose to land someday.

From how the world is portrayed in modern culture, things seem pretty bleak. But the choice of what our state, our country, and even our world will look like in the years to come, remains ours. We've still got a Republic - and a wonderful state to call home - if we can keep it.

- Mitch Rucker