Letter: Quitting Kansas
To the editor:
In August 1999, my wife, Sally, and I moved from Hawaii to Lawrence. In short order we fell in love with Larrytown, bought a house, lived here for 15 years and made lots of friends and great memories.
When Gov. Brownback was elected in 2010, we were very disappointed and concerned for the state. As things got progressively worse, our ties to Lawrence began to lose their hold on us, giving in to the strong desire to distance ourselves from the madness of King Sam.
Last year, we sold our home and set out on the great American road trip in our truck and travel trailer. We visited half the country, seeing beautiful things and meeting wonderful people. When folks heard we were from Kansas the universal response was one of pity. “Oh, I’m so sorry.” In a few short years the reputation of our state has been ruined.
Although we have never distanced ourselves from Lawrence, we are quitting Kansas. We are moving to Mendocino, Calif., where I will be starting a new career. We will miss Lawrence, but we are happy to escape Brownbackistan. To our friends we leave behind, come visit. And please don’t give up the fight. We would love to retire in Lawrence someday if the people of Kansas ever take their state back from the fat cats and zealots.