Lawrence Journal-World opinion section

To the editor:

Sadly but predictably our governor and the president of the Kansas Senate attacked Kansas Supreme Court members as politically motivated in their decision that funding of K-12 education does not meet the requirements of our state constitution. They rail against “legislating from the court” as though the justices were writing new legislation, not just judging current policy against constitutional standards.

Brownback and company already have launched a campaign to vote the offending justices out of office to be replaced with lackeys of ideological purity acceptable to them. Islamist extremists would understand this attitude. Vladimir Putin would sympathize with Brownback’s frustrations (and likely would take even more direct action). Our state and our country seem to be edging toward an attitude that ideology and expediency trump democracy and the Constitution.

What can we do to prevent this worrisome slide toward authoritarianism? Speak up. Stay informed; facts still are of some value. Talk to family and friends, especially if they live elsewhere in Kansas. Support political candidates who believe in the kind of democracy that has sustained our nation over many generations.

Vote! Vote next November to retain the supreme court justices.