As Kansas Becomes Increasingly Irrelevant, a Goofy Sideshow

Brownback Leads Kansas in Sharp Right Turn.  (The New York Times, 2/13/2014)

A deep-red checklist at the expense of party unity. Mr. Brownback, 57, has overseen the 

• largest income tax cuts in state history, 
• an expansion of gun rights, 
• restrictions on abortion, 
• sharply reduced welfare rolls, 
• increased voter-registration scrutiny and a 
• paring of state government bureaucracy. 

To accomplish his goals, he helped push the Republican-majority Legislature further to the right by working to oust moderate Republicans, deepening a longstanding rift within the state’s G.O.P.

Turning the wheel with ease.

CNN

In most of the counties in the western half of the state, more than 75% of the votes were cast for Romney in the 2012 Presidential election.

And that's not the worst of it.

Kansas’ Anti-Gay Segregation Bill Is an Abomination.  (Slate, 2/13/2014)

A race to the bottom.  When passed, the new law will allow any individual, group, or private business to refuse to serve gay couples if “it would be contrary to their sincerely held religious beliefs.” 

• Private employers can continue to fire gay employees on account of their sexuality. 
• Stores may deny gay couples goods and services because they are gay. 
• Hotels can eject gay couples or deny them entry in the first place. 
• Businesses that provide public accommodations—movie theaters, restaurants—can turn away gay couples at the door. 
• And if a gay couple sues for discrimination, they won’t just lose; they’ll be forced to pay their opponent’s attorney’s fees. 

I can't imagine this bill surviving a court challenge.