The Republican Party Remains Broken

By Benjamin Hodge | 10/17/09

A recent Email.  Click here to view the entire Email as a separate Web page. Benjamin Hodge KS Representative, 2006-'08 JCCC Trustee, 2005-'09 Phone: 913-944-3068 Email: contact@benjaminhodge.com Web site: BenjaminHodge.com Friday, October 16, 2009 The Republican Party is Broken. "Republicans are winning right now just because they are not Democrats. That won't help us though, long term. At some point we are going to have... read more »

Jason Whitlock's quote about The Kansas City Star editors. According to the Internet.

By Benjamin Hodge | 10/14/09

An insider's opinion of The Kansas City Star. According to my Facebook page, according to Wikiquote, according to Jason Whitlock:  "The only KC Star editorial board member who knows anything is E. Thomas McClanahan." ______________________________________________________________ Benjamin Hodge publishes the Web site KansasProgress.com, based in Johnson County, KS, in the Greater Kansas City area.  Hodge is a delegate... read more »

Overview of Senate committee vote on Democratic Sen. Baucus' health care legislation

By Benjamin Hodge | 10/13/09

  ABC:  "Senate Finance Committee Approves Sen. Baucus' Health Care Bill."  Sen. Olympia Snowe votes in favor. Washington Post on Baucus' bill:  "New Bill Would Raise Rates, Says Insurance Group."  Financial Times article on the same topic. The Hill on Sen. Joe Lieberman.  I'll note that I was unaware until reading this article that Lieberman states opposition to the government-run... read more »

You're invited. Saturday morning -- grassroots training at northern Overland Park Central Resource Library

By Benjamin Hodge | 10/09/09

Main topic: Ways to most effectively volunteer one's time when supporting your candidate or issue. Speakers: Three proven campaigners. Current Kansas State Representatives Anthony Brown and Arlen Siegfreid. Former Senator Kay O'Connor. All Republicans. Saturday, October 10, 2009 Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm Location: Central Resource Library, Carmack Meeting Room 9875 W. 87th Street Overland Park, KS Moderated and organized by Benjamin Hodge... read more »

Patricia Lightner: It's Time to Walk the Walk -- Congressional Candidate Hits Streets, Will Focus on Moore Territory

By Benjamin Hodge | 10/04/09

Lightner campaign: Olathe, KS – Former State Representative Patricia Lightner, candidate for Congress in the 3rd District of Kansas, announced today that she will commence her door-to-door campaign this week. “In the last several weeks since I first announced my decision to run for Congress, I’ve heard a tremendous amount of background chatter about how vulnerable Dennis Moore is, and how we need a candidate willing to do the... read more »

District Attorney Steve Howe likely to lose key Republican pro-life support over failure to enforce rule of law in JCCC matter

By Benjamin Hodge | 10/01/09

On the front of the county Web site for Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe (below, left), it reads: "My pledge to you is that I will be an objective District Attorney who will be willing to enforce the law to ensure that justice is achieved, and the victims and community are protected." But in Kansas' largest county of Johnson, where the 30-plus local governments receive billions of dollars in tax money, DA Howe decided in... read more »

Breaking: Attorney General Steve Six issues positive opinion on open meetings law -- merits are at odds with Johnson County DA Steve Howe

By Benjamin Hodge | 09/28/09

Analysis from KansasProgress.com: Attorney General Steve Six's (below, right) recent opinion on the Kansas Open Meetings Act is at a great disagreement with a recent decision by Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe. There are hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars that flow through local governments in Johnson County, and Kansas legislators have attempted to require that local elected officials discuss budget and tax items only... read more »

Upcoming taxes and upcoming town halls

By Benjamin Hodge | 09/23/09

My recent Email through Kansans for Government Reform PAC, in part: Yesterday, the Club for Growth, a national group that promotes economic growth and economic freedom, highlighted an article by the Associated Press about the health care legislation that is being pushed by President Obama and Democrats in the US Congress.  The article by the AP -- by anyone's definition a "mainstream source" of news -- is titled, "FACT... read more »

Speaker Mike O'Neal and Judiciary Chairman Lance Kinzer on Kansas Open Meetings Act

By Benjamin Hodge | 09/12/09

Kansas House Speaker Mike O'Neal (R-Hutchinson) and House Judiciary Chairman Lance Kinzer (R-Olathe) said that under a correct interpretation of the Kansas Open Meetings Act, local governments should not be allowed to use personnel exemptions to have intentional, detailed budget discussions during closed meetings that involve the majority of elected officials. Kansans are now waiting to hear the opinion of the attorney general. On September 4,... read more »

Virginia as Johnson County

By Benjamin Hodge | 09/07/09

  If these types of numbers hold, 2010 will be a very good year for Republicans.  Around the nation, and in Kansas. From Survey USA on Virginia's 2009 election for governor.  Obama won Virginia in November 2008:   Candidate:                  All %      18-49     50+     ... read more »