Oh, Kansas State Legislature. How I love thee... let me count the ways. Way #5,543: Connie O'Brien's subtle racism.
But when composing my letter to this particular representative I decided to stay away from the racism aspect and just focus on her idiocy. I try to be nice in the letter (a little); there are after all some thought-out and legitimate arguments for not giving in-state tuition to the children of illegal immigrants who have completed a high school education in the state of Kansas. I just think that the benefits outweigh the costs. I can provide a moral argument if you want, but as an economist I have no morals (ba-dum-bum-TSH!).
Still, I would prefer those arguments to some angry grandma b****ing about bureaucracy, because if we choose our politicians by how much they whine about unfairness then I honestly should be a governor by now. My wife can confirm that I whine with the best of them. No. We expect more from representatives even if we disagree with them. Using this kind of argument in a legislative committee is immature, incompetent (that's the word of the day), and a waste of time. The people deserve better.
And yeah, what she said was racist. But I feel that's being covered quite well in the press. I want to focus on how dumb she is. In the most professional way I can muster (I might go a bit far in places...).
Enjoy my letter to her office.
"Representative O'Brien:
After having read and listened to your testimony of 2/08/2011 I felt a strong urge to write and share my disapproval of your statements. In the interest of full disclosure, I do not reside in Tonganoxie, so I am not represented by you, I am not affiliated with either party, and I do disagree with you on this bill.
You testified in front of a State Committee regarding a very contentious and complex issue using an anecdote about your personal experience. You did not know the woman, you did not know her situation, and I do not believe that you can tell her status by the complexion of her skin. That is for the office at Kansas City Community College to decide with the proper paperwork, not some one who is frustrated at her financial situation or having to wait in line. You presented no statistics, no research, nor any other verifiable anecdotes to support your conclusion. Furthermore there is no way to prove that this situation occurred as you stated, except on the strength of your word. To be frank, as a politician, you already have one strike against you in terms of my personal trust. Your testimony in other words was useless at best, and completely incompetent at worst. I would understand your statements (though still disapprove) in the context of talking with friends and families, but not as official testimony regarding legislation that will affect many other people's lives, incomes, and aspirations.
I do not agree with your position on this bill, but I am open to hearing legitimate arguments that include more than a hissy fit about a problem you had in line (you do not even know if this woman got a scholarship or not). You have brought embarrassment to your county, to the state, to the party you represent and their possibly legitimate arguments in this debate, and to yourself for your absolute incompetence and lack of professionalism. Take a day or two to do the research before you default to gossip and speculation.
The people of Tonganoxie deserve better, and I challenge you to step-up and bring real arguments to any official hearings, not "woe-is-me" speeches about how unfair life is for you or your children."
If you feel strongly one way or the other about this issue and wish to contact Representative O'Brien, here is her office information.
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