KS GOP Hold Seven-Man Protest- with a Great Big Check!

Part Deux of our explanation of the erratic behavior of the Executive Director of the Kansas Republican Party Christian Morgan details his sad, sad little protest of Congresswoman Nancy Boyda's use of the congressional "franking privilege" to send out official newsletters and invitations to public events to her constituents.

Meanwhile on Monday, Morgan joined seven protesters outside Boyda's campaign office to criticize her use of $221,000 in franking charges to, among other activities, make automated calls informing constituents of her "Congress on Your Corner" events.

Yes...that's seven people including Mr. Morgan. Also, the large Michael Scott-esque check he's holding seems to be asking Boyda's campaign to pay for official mailings...which would be illegal...whatever, he's trying to make a point, dang it- who cares if the law gets in the way?

This is one of those silly election year things, and smacks of even increased desperation from the attacks yesterday. Maybe Christian doesn't get it, but one of the reasons Jim Ryun was kicked out on his tail was that he never, ever communicated with his voters until election season. Boyda's not dumb enough to make the same mistake, and the people of her district are better informed because of it.

Oh, but Christian has to pull out the "hypocrisy" card:

Morgan said the mailers were perfectly legal but called Boyda a "hypocrite" for criticizing her 2006 opponent, Jim Ryun, for one of his franking expenditures.

"Nancy Boyda is getting this reputation now as 'Do as I say, not as I do,'" Morgan said.

Seay said the congresswoman raised the issue in 2006 because Ryun had sent out a franked mailer on the last day allowed, three months before the election. The full-color cards "looked and smelled like a campaign piece," he said.

He said Boyda stopped using any franking money in April to try to steer clear of complaints.

Damn, again- even though Morgan wants to make it seem she's being a hypocrite, he just ends up proving she's being more ethical and more prudent than her Republican counterparts.

Sometimes it must just suck to be Christian Morgan.

Continue with Change- Keep Boyda in Office

The supporters of Lynn Jenkins are trying to do everything they can to save her failing candidacy for Congress, including simply ignoring the fact even if she does manage to beat Jim Ryun August 5, she still will have to provide a compelling reason to elect her over Congresswoman Nancy Boyda.

In a letter to the editor that appeared in yesterday's Topeka Capital-Journal, a fellow (who doesn't even live in the district, by the way) wrote how important it is to have someone the people can see coming home and working for them represent them in Congress.

The 2nd District is hungry for someone who is visible in their towns, someone who is willing to take on the always changing political jargon of Washington.

Wow...it's almost like he's talking about Nancy Boyda...and since this man doesn't live in the Kansas 2nd, it's excusable he'd just ignore the fact Boyda has been home nearly every single weekend since she was elected, and that she's held 58 Congress on Your Corners, and that she has had more than 400 public meetings with people from all over the district. He'd know all of that, of course, if he lived in her district, or if he had seen her first newspaper insert (which should have now appeared in ever newspaper in the district).

You sure can say you don't like how she's voted on things- that's tremendously fair, because not everyone agrees 100% of the time. But something even Jim Ryun & Lynn Jenkins (and their supporters) can't deny is that Nancy Boyda has been incredibly visible & incedibly accessible during her time in office. Honest to goodness, she can't be attacked on that front with a straight face.

And, incidently, people commenting on the letter on CJOnline agree:

• Nancy Boyda is far better than Ryun or Jenkins.

• This Republican likes Boyda, so I plan to write in Nancy Boyda on my primary ballot.
  Maybe the writer in Council Grove plans to move.

• I agree. Nancy Boyda is far better than Ryun or Jenkins. Both of these candidates are career politicians and I still can't get past the fact of how many taxpayer dollars Lynn Jenkins has spent keeping her name and face in front of the public with her "public service announcement".

• We don't have to "revive" our fervor for change in Washington--it is alive and well. Nancy Boyda is part of that plan of change and has proven it over the last year and a half. We need to keep her in office and send a few more persons of change to Washington!

• I am also a Republican that will vote for Boyda. She at least takes the time to write back when I send a question to her. Ryun is just sleazy!!! He needs to go away. Jenkins so far has not impressed me with anything.

Sorry, Republicans....try again.

Letter to the Editor: "Bonus Points for Boyda"

From the Pittsburg Morning Sun:

Bonus Points for Boyda

Dear editor,

We were pleased by Mr. George Weeks' letter to the Editor regarding Congresswoman Nancy Boyda.

Very appropriate, but not fully complete!

In the fifty years we have been residents of Crawford County, we cannot remember any other political office holder so intimately involved with so much very important legislation! Within her first month as a "rookie" Legislator she authored and introduced an ethics bill (The Morning Sun, 1/28/07). The Pension Forfeiture Act, 431-0 was passed unanimously by the U.S. House of Representatives on January 31, 2007.

Congresswoman Boyda is obviously a superb organizer, and intent on conducting our "Public Business" in an open and transparent fashion. Her News Letter, CONGRESS IN YOUR MAILBOX; and her District visitation program, CONGRESS ON YOUR CORNER, has created an unfettered communication network with this dedicated elected official.

Mel & Doris Potts
Frontenac

Letter to the Editor: Boyda "Working for District"

From Thursday's Topeka Capital-Journal:

Letter: Working for district
The Capital-Journal
Published Thursday, May 22, 2008

Hearing that Rep. Nancy Boyda helped postal workers for a couple of hours on Mother's Day weekend collecting canned goods and other food items for the community food pantries, I was reminded that she is still a good neighbor even while being our conscientious representative and advocate in our nation's capital.

She leads by example even as she listens intently to our requests for help and our other concerns throughout the 2nd District, especially during her "Congress on your Corner" listening times. And when she returns to Washington after her busy weekends here in the district, she gets back to work on the people's business. Congresswoman Boyda is truly there to represent her constituents.

It is time to let her know that her hard work and her leadership are appreciated. Thank you, Rep. Boyda, for giving us all a strong and compassionate voice in Washington and a sympathetic ear here at home in Kansas.

MERCEDES CRAUGHWELL, Topeka

Letter to the Editor: An Example for Congress

As appeared in the May 15 issue of the Topeka Capital-Journal:

Letter: Example for Congress

On May 3, Rep. Nancy Boyda visited Valley Falls as part of her 2008 listening tour called "Congress on Your Corner." She is back in the 2nd District nearly every weekend, listening to what folks have to say and helping people get results from federal bureaucracies where difficulties persist.

I am always amazed how hard-working and genuine she is. In Valley Falls, Rep. Boyda and our community had in-depth and candid discussions on issues ranging from supporting veterans, continuing middle-class tax cuts, immigration policies that are enforced and work, sound trade policies that strengthen the United States and difficulties within Social Security and health care.

I was thoroughly impressed when Rep. Boyda stated that she and her husband, Steve, declined the stellar health care plan offered to her as a member of Congress. Instead, they pay gobs of money every month out of their own pocket. The reason: they couldn't accept this benefit in good conscience when so many of us here in the district struggle to obtain and/or pay for coverage. This is a bold example that other members of Congress should follow.

After the session ended, townspeople had an opportunity for one-on-one time to get help battling bureaucratic obstacles. Then, she was off to Fat Jack's on Broadway for ice cream and antique browsing.

She had a few minutes before heading to her next stop, so she stopped by the home of a Valley Falls woman who has been battling health problems and didn't have the strength to make it to the event.

What an excellent example Nancy Boyda is.

CRAIG GUNTHER, Valley Falls

:-)

"Congress on Your Corner" Brings 4,000 People Closer to Their Government

While people pointed to many things when asked why they wanted a new Member of Congress in 2006, one of the most frequently referenced was that they simply didn't think their former representative cared about them or knew what it was like on the ground in the district- if only because he was never in town to see.

Love her or hate her, Congresswoman Nancy Boyda has made sure that wasn't the case during her first year and a half in office. And, so, in a major break from Jim Ryun's tradition (again, this isn't partisanship, this is history), Boyda held 58 two-to-three hour long meetings all over the district- bringing more than 4,000 out to ask their questions and get to know their Member of Congress.

As she puts it in her column "Plane Talk:"

We held our 57th and 58th "Congress on Your Corners" this weekend. Over 4,000 people have attended in the last year and a half to share their views, their concerns, and their personal need for help.

I wasn't sure what to expect when we started them. I just knew I was concerned that I would get stuck in the DC echo chamber and I wanted to make sure I didn't lose touch. Believe me; you get it straight when you get it straight from the voters!

Most "Congress on Your Corners" lasted two to three hours. One lasted six hours! Over 100 people attended the "Congress on Your Corner" in Ottawa. We stayed there and met with each person who was patient enough to wait!

People are not shy about asking questions or voicing concerns. But I also have many people tell me "Thank you". That really means a lot.

We are now 90 days away from the primary election, so legally we will not be able to hold these events until after the election. I'll miss them. They aren't about politics, they are about people.

Even if Nancy Boyda doesn't get another term in Congress, because of her those more than 4,000 people got to have a meeting with their member of Congress...something that would have never ever occurred if Jim Ryun were still their representative.

Letter to the Editor: Classy Gesture

The following letter ran in the Topeka Capitol-Journal on April 5- it's just a nice thank you that we wanted to share with Internetland.

Letter: Classy gesture

Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Kan., recently sponsored a program at the Docking building here in Topeka that was aimed at helping those needing assistance filing their tax returns. During the same time, she held an open meeting discussing suggestions and problems brought to her by some of her constituents.

During the discussion, Congresswoman Boyda paused the meeting and asked one of her aides to get some quarters that could be handed out to those at the meeting who might encounter parking meter problems.

Now, that's class!

I remarked to the congresswoman that I felt that was a very considerate gesture and not what I would expect from a "politician." She whispered back and assured me it would not be at the taxpayer's expense.

If we could only hire responsible people such as Congresswoman Boyda for both sides of the aisle who had this much concern for us here at home, just imagine what all could be accomplished in Washington and in Topeka.

DALE E. VAUGHN, Topeka

Boyda votes to end subsidies for Big Oil

We want American businesses to make a profit. But we have a pair of words for it when a company jacks up prices for consumers just to line the pockets of their executives: price gouging.

The big five oil companies recently reported record profits for 2007, with ExxonMobil earning $40.6 billion - the largest corporate profit in American history. That’s earnings of more than $111 million a day or $77 thousand dollars a minute! While oil company profits have quadrupled, high energy prices continue to squeeze American families – gas prices have skyrocketed and home heating oil has jumped along with other household costs.

Record profits tied to the rhetoric of "We have to increase prices because of lack of supply" is ludicrous. Big Oil is taking us for a ride- and at $3 a gallon, it's a ride that's too expensive for a big chunk of Americans.

Sad thing? Even as they gouge us to the point of record profit, we, the American people, are giving them subsidies- yes, we've been giving them our tax dollars.

In a historic vote in late February, Congresswoman Nancy Boyda joined with a bi-partisan majority to end tax subsidies to Big Oil and reinvest the money into renewable energy.

'Course, the bill didn't just do the commonsense thing that is ending tax breaks to companies seeing HUGE profits, it also directly infused money into the Kansas economy.

Boyda said, "Renewable energy offers tremendous promise for our state's economy. Kansas has the soil to grow crops to be converted to biofuels, the skies to harvest wind energy, and the research base to nurture new technology. Now all we need is a national commitment to energy independence. That's what today's bill is all about. It should be called the ‘Kansas Economic Development Act’ – that's how important it is to our businesses and communities."

[...]

“I can understand why someone from New Jersey did not vote for this bill, but I cannot fathom why anyone from Kansas would vote against our own best economic interests. It’s really disappointing.” said Boyda. “I have spoken with hundreds of people during 40 Congress on Your Corners throughout the Second District of Kansas. I have yet to hear even one person say they believe their hard-earned tax dollars should go toward helping ExxonMobil, or any of the big oil companies, earn record profits.”

Of course, you haven't, Nancy- because no sensible person thinks our hard-earned tax dollars should be given to businesses that obviously don't need them.

More done in one year than in 10

We've said it over and over and over again, and we're happy to say it again today: Congresswoman Nancy Boyda will be re-elected on the backs of her fantastic constituent services staff.

Congress on Your Corner, a program that has taken Boyda and her staff into every single county in the district at least once (there have actually been 31 of them- there are 26 counties in the district), is only a small part of the excellent work she and her staff have done.

Recently an article was placed on her official web site detailing all of the casework handled by her offices in Topeka, Pittsburg and Washington, DC. That article shows that in one year Boyda and her staff helped more than 2,000 with all sorts of problems relating to the federal government.

In brief:

• Boyda and her staff helped more than 350 people with military/ veterans issues, ranging from correcting veteran's benefit problems or obtaining medals never awarded.

• They assisted more than 170 groups and individuals going through the federal grant process.

• Cases directly related to the disasters early in the year, and helping people deal with FEMA, took up a significant amount of time, and the article mentions for many that process is ongoing for many victims.

The story that article tells about the Social Security disability backlog is particularly poignant- 3 years for an appeal to work it's way through after someone has been rejected the first time and no improvement in sight:

Of course, disability applicants are generally unable to work, so this kind of wait puts them in a terrible place. Our office has worked diligently to find a solution to this problem, and throughout the last half of 2007, we worked with the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review to shepherd cases through the bureaucratic mess. Since then, many of our constituents have been able to obtain the benefits they need. The Social Security Administration is also working with us to help reduce the backlog so that others won't have to face going years unable to work without the benefits they have earned.

We're sure many of you remember the passport crisis that hit international travelers in the beginning of 2007, and in what might be the most stunning number related in the whole article, Boyda's district staff helped nearly 800 people receive their passports in a timely manner.

OK, actually, that's not the more stunning number in the article, this one is: Boyda and her staff sent more than 60,000 letters to constituents in response to letters on all sorts of subjects.

Just that much more fact to support the idea Congresswoman Nancy Boyda is always there for all of us.

Nancy Boyda: In your corner, on your corner

We've done our level best since this blog went live in October to trumpet all of Nancy Boyda's successes, and we've brought you links to articles published in newspapers districtwide that support the very important, very real message that Congresswoman Boyda has spent a full year voting with her district, securing funds for projects in her district, and, probably most importantly, coming home and talking to people that live in her district.

Former Congressman Jim Ryun got kicked out on his tail because 1) people in the district decided he was corrupt (bingo!) and 2) they suddenly all realized they only saw him during election years. That makes sense, since he didn't really think of Kansas as his home anymore- he didn't have any reason to come back here.

That certainly hasn't been the case with Rep. Nancy Boyda. From our count, there have only been 3 or 4 weekends out of all of 2007 that Nancy Boyda didn't make it back to her district for some public event- far, far better than the vast majority of members of Congress, and much more time back at home than most of the rest of the freshmen class.

Boyda's record would be nearly perfect if it wasn't for her two trips to Iraq (which is one more, by the way, than our former member of Congress made to Iraq in his entire term...), and the new member orientation that was held the very first weekend after she was sworn in.

When she's back in Kansas, the very best component part of her constituent service program is "Congress on Your Corner," which literally brings the constituent services folk out of her two district offices and brings them to cities up and down the district. They're always packed and they always run long, because Nancy insists on talking to each and every person that wants to talk to her.

Congresswoman Boyda's got a great map on her web site that shows all of her Congress on Your Corners- and every other public event she's had since being elected to Congress. Please, partake.

Honest to goodness, we haven't had a member of Congress like Nancy Boyda since Jim Slattery left office, and it's that kind of over-and-above effort that will give her her much-deserved 2nd term.