The only thing for certain is that we are all glad it’s over. This election cycle has been brutal for the American people and moving on is essential. It’s also necessary that we honestly assess what we’ve done.

What is certain is this: voters demanded change. Our political process has become so polarized and specifically, so dishonorable, that we selected the candidate who would guarantee radical change, regardless of the cost.

In the Primary, the Democratic base knew this and tried desperately to advance Senator Sanders but the Democratic leadership openly denied this mandate and selected a candidate so deeply entrenched, so obviously a symbol of a tragically flawed system that of course she would lose. Republican leadership offered no better. They openly defied the will of the base and tried desperately to advance another reliable Bush because they mistakenly believed we live in a political dynasty. But the people spoke and regardless of how incredibly flawed he was, they selected Mr. Trump. And the ‘why’ is so simple: he promised drastic political change, he promised to drain the swamp.

Now, we move forward. But the hallmark of a healthy Democracy is a well-informed citizenry. We must understand what we’ve done. The thing about power is that those who seek power, never give it up willingly. This is why our government fails us. To serve in government, one must sincerely want it and be willing to do whatever it takes to win it. This is not like service in the military where if you want to serve, you can and your service is based on ability. This is not like service to a community where you see a problem and you address it collaboratively. What we have now is a system where a candidate must first promise total loyalty to major donors and once nominated, promise strict adherence to a rigid party. (Trump won, in part, because voters believed he did neither). But that is the system we have and this is the result. Now, we have a President-elect unlike any other. But is he?

What voters fail to realize is that we have just created the most powerful government our nation has ever known. Not only have we elected a president who openly brags about how he will use this power (restrict freedom of the press, deny due-process, legislate from the executive, create a religious test, and expand military occupations), but we have also given him a complicit Congress and immediate influence over the Judiciary. Our government has always worked best when it was divided. This does not mean, hyper-partisan divided, it means both parties have representation and some control over at least one branch. Checks and balances are vital to the political process. Economically, our country has always been strongest when both of the major parties were able to represent their bases and collaborate for the good of our one nation.

Socially, it goes the same. Look at any successful period in our history and you will find divided government working together. As of January, we will not have that. What we’ve done is effectively to make the Speaker of the House the most powerful man in the world. Anyone who believes that President-elect Trump isn’t in over his head has not been paying attention. The task ahead of him is so tremendous that even the greatest of self-sacrificing leaders would cower. Mr. Trump is not that leader. All real power is quickly going to Paul Ryan and that is precisely what he wants. What this means is Ryan will have a rubber stamp on all his polices. And what are they? Repeal Obamacare. Fine, but honestly, he has no solution to our massively profitable but crumbling healthcare crisis. Tax Reform. Of course, but Ryan’s plan is 100% of Sam Brownback’s plan for slashing upper income taxes, reducing or totally removing corporate taxes, and marching to a full consumption-based tax model. Brilliant. It has worked so well for Kansas; imagine the effect it will have on a nation. Privatize Medicare and reduce Medicaid. This too is a Brownback play that has had glorious results.

It is no wonder that both Brownback and Secretary of State Kobach have key positions in a Trump administration despite their unraveling of our state. Deregulate Wall Street and ‘unleash’ its potential. Yes, of course, because Wall Street has always sought to fight for the common American worker and share economic gains. More military abroad. Again, this has been a glorious success thus far. When will voters realize that a government at war is inherently a larger, more powerful government? (Being critical of both parties is a healthy endeavor, especially since both parties have clearly indicated that they will always place party concerns above American concerns and the result is our current political dysfunction.)

Voters want desperately to believe that their team is fighting for them, that their party politicians mean what they say and will get results, if just given the mandate. Well, the mandate has been given and the curse of winning is being required to lead. Conservative voters should be aware though of this: if they thought they were voting to limit the size and scope of the federal government, they will be extremely disappointed with what is in store. As I write this, Paul Ryan, who yesterday was unanimously confirmed as Speaker, is considering restoring earmarks, commonly known as pork. Pork spending has traditionally been favored by leadership because it is a reliable way to keep rank-in-file members loyal. Voters who believe that Paul Ryan is capital C – Conservative are in for quite a shock. Those who believed Mr. Trump is also Conservative clearly don’t understand the meaning of Conservative.

The thing to remember here is this: if you voted to change Washington last Tuesday, know that you may just get your wish, change is on the way. But understand, no person who seeks power has ever self-regulated or given it up willingly. Power corrupts and absolute power, you know the rest. Power is not returned willingly, it must be taken. I had hoped that voters might break from party loyalty and choose someone willing to truly restore power to the people, someone not seeking power, but seeking to return it to its rightful owners. Unfortunately, neither party wanted this and both parties effectively blocked it. By definition, Democracy means that people have the power. I truly hope that we still have a Democracy, or a Constitutional Republic, or whatever you want to call it. But last Tuesday, if you believed you were voting for that traditional limited but effective government which returns power to its people, you may be in store for a surprise.

Alan LaPolice is a former Independent Congressional candidate and a Clyde resident.

BY RON WILSON
Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development

“The power of together.” That’s a powerful phrase. It was a powerful theme for a conference in Kansas which attracted people from across the nation. This annual conference is helping build capacity of community foundations which assist Kansans and others to leave a legacy to make their communities better.

Svetlana Hutfles is executive director of the Kansas Association of Community Foundations. She explained that community foundations are community-based non-profit philanthropic institutions which receive funds from various donors for charitable investments in their communities.

There are currently 87 community foundation members of KACF: The Kansas Association of Community Foundations. They’re found in the state’s largest cities, communities like Manhattan, and even rural places such as Kensington, population 518, and Sylvan Grove, population 319 people. Now, that’s rural.

In 2015, KACF members held $3.1 billion in assets and invested $393 million in their local communities – in just one year! 

Such foundations are especially important due to the pending intergenerational transfer of wealth in Kansas.

“An estimated $79 billion of estates and legacies will transfer from one generation to the next by the year 2020, according to Wichita State University research commissioned by KACF and the Kansas Health Foundation,” Svetlana said.

In response, KACF adopted an initiative called Keep 5 in Kansas. The concept is that five percent of the value of these estates could be preserved in community foundations for the benefit of those communities and their citizens. That would generate $4 billion in community endowments to benefit Kansans in perpetuity.

“This could be a gift of grain, land, stock, life insurance, or other non-cash assets,” Svetlana said. “We encourage Kansans to think of their community as their child, as well as their family’s legacy, while working with professional advisers and estate attorneys on their legacy planning. Planned giving is important for economic and community development in Kansas.”

The annual conference of Kansas community foundations is one of KACF’s initiatives designed to bolster the efforts of local community foundations in strengthening Kansas communities.

“We are grateful to the Kansas Health Foundation for the key support they provided,” Svetlana said.

As the Kansas conference grew through the years, people from other states wanted to attend. The Kansas Association of Community Foundations Board decided to make it a truly national conference while continuing to host it in Kansas so as to enrich the learning experience of Kansas community foundations.

“We focused on community foundations in rural, small urban, and suburban settings and offered technical, practical, down-to-earth sessions to address challenges faced by community foundations,” Svetlana said.

One track of conference sessions is for new board members and foundation staff, while an advanced track is offered for more experienced participants. There is also a focus on emerging opportunities for community foundations.

In 2016, the well-established Kansas conference was held for the first time as a national conference for growing community foundations. Hosted in Wichita, the theme was “The Power of Together.” The conference was a resounding success, attracting 280 participants from 29 states.

“This conference has been a true testament to the Power of Together,” Svetlana said.  “KACF Board, conference supporters, experts and volunteers, as well as the national advisory group, all worked together to make it a success.”

Participant comments included: “I learned about a cutting-edge idea and didn’t even have to drive out of state.” “I have been to many conferences…and the conference in Wichita was by far the most useful.”

“KACF’s work is all about people who care about the future of their communities,” Svetlana said. “We celebrate this during National Community Foundation Week on November 12-18, and National Philanthropy Day on November 15. I invite everyone to contact their local community foundation. You have the power to leave a legacy in your community!”

For more information, go to www.kansascfs.org.

“The power of together.” Just as community foundations are making a difference by helping Kansans leave a legacy, they are working together to be even more effective.  We commend the leadership of the Kansas Association of Community Foundations and the other community foundation representatives who were part of this conference. I’m glad they came together in Kansas.