Opinion

President Trump and his Department of Government Efficiency have declared war on the U.S. Department of Education, dismissing it as a “con job” and calling for its dismantling.

Kansans have now lived through the first 100 days of the second Trump administration, and even amidst a magnitude of starts and stops and a relentless firehose of misinformation, a clearer picture emerges.I am prompted to ask: Is this what Kansans voted for? Obsessed narcissist Trump made known what to expect with his 2017 pronouncement: “I alone can fix it.”He now confidently elevates his obsession: “I am the only one who can save this nation.” And: “My gut tells me more sometimes than anybody else’s brain can ever tell me.” And further: “He who saves his country does not violate any law.”If Kansans experienced a neighbor or local official with such a mindset, they would consider that person unhinged.Trump’s fixations have led him to undermine the rule of law and evade constitutional checks and balances, conduct a slapdash assault on international trade through unprecedented tariffs, and assault established institutions in education, law and critical federal services, among others. Republicans in Congress — including those who represent Kansans — see their legislative powers eclipsed but quietly stand aside wringing their hands.Trump has surrounded himself with loyalists and sycophants who nod approvingly at his every impulse.

In the current climate, the daily headlines never cease to amaze. Just when you thought some of our politicians might have begun to grow a backbone, or to show some evidence of moral principles, more head-shaking events occur.Such was the case recently when the U.S.

As a humble U.S. senator from Kansas who is definitely not Roger Marshall or Jerry Moran, it fills me with ecstasy to write a column commemorating the first 100 days of President Donald Trump’s second, but hopefully not last, administration.Yes, I understand that more than 40% of Kansans supposedly voted for Joe Biden and then Kamala Harris.

I do not know why it took me until very recently to learn that there are at least two major families of mushrooms. Maybe they did not teach very much about fungi at university even though I was studying forestry, which is surely in the natural resources career field.I have developed an interest in fungi lately and among other sources of reading, I participated in an online webinar specifically about growing mushrooms in your garden.

A few weeks ago, I hit a milestone that seems silly but gave me a huge sense of accomplishment. I reached my goal of closing all three of my fitness rings on my watch for 365 days in a row.Closing the rings on my watch requires standing at least one minute per hour for 12 hours a day, moving enough to burn 350 calories and exercising for at least 30 minutes a day.

The first half of the 20th century marked the beginning of a rich tradition of Kansas politicians. Three figures stand out.