Red meat vs. substance

Saturday, April 6, area residents had the opportunity to listen to two of their elected representatives at the Ellsworth Antique Mall, Congressman Roger Marshall and Rep. Steven Johnson. By contemporary standards, the turnout was decent, thanks in no small part to the number of high school students in attendance, likely a result of their instructor’s encouragement.

While I have listened to both men speak before, I have never had the chance to listen to both in the same venue. The contrast between the two struck me as noteworthy, hence this letter.

Congressman Marshall spoke first and offered what I would term a ‘feel-good’ presentation rooted mostly in the effort to generate favorable, partisan emotions from listeners. He began with an engaging account of a recent meeting with the President in the Oval Office. His expression of strong support of the President on border security as a national emergency clearly intended to elicit positive emotions from those present. However, I am confident that if the President were a Democrat, he would have taken an entirely different tack on that issue. Other points aimed to foster partisan emotions included unflattering remarks targeting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, always a popular target in deep Red country; the media, another big hit with listeners; and the investigations currently led by congressional, Democratic leaders, that one might have drawn applause.

While he did make one effort to establish a bi-partisan image, his partisan appeals overwhelmed it.

After 30 minutes, the congressman left for his next appointment yielding the floor to Rep. Johnson. The contrast between the two presentations brought to mind a 40-year-old essay by former Sen. J. William Fulbright, “Legislator as Educator”.

Rep. Johnson’s approach relied on “the most basic tool of communication, which is clarity of word and thought, the articulation of ideas, [and] the analysis of problems ...” He eschewed emotion and partisanship for information and reason. I doubt that a listener with no prior knowledge of Rep. Johnson could discern his party affiliation.

The U.S. Constitution originated as a by-product of the Enlightenment, the Age of Reason. The founders predicated their work on the idea that an informed electorate would chose wise and reasonable men to represent them. Rep. Johnson approximates that ideal as closely as any legislator I am aware of. In responding to questions, he endeavored to educate listeners as to some of the fiscal policy complexities facing the state and the ramifications for health care, education, taxes, KPERS, hemp production, and more. Well-schooled on the issues, he was all about leaving listeners better informed than when they came in. He succeeded.

We have too many politicians today taking the feelgood, partisan path Congressman Marshall follows. We would fare better as a state and as a nation if as voters we worked harder to seek out candidates that strive to educate voters on the realities and complexities of issues our government faces, candidates like Steven Johnson.

Jerry Marsh

Ellsworth