Anne on the Issues

When Anne studied at Lyon College, she was a member of the Student Government Association. During one meeting, the group discussed a proposed change to the grading scale. Anne was frustrated that many of her peers focused on how the change would affect them personally, rather than how it would affect the student body as a whole. It was a teaching moment, and the professor addressed it directly. For college students, that kind of perspective shift is part of learning.

When members of the United States Congress do the same thing, the consequences are more serious. It reflects a failure of ethics, responsibility, and the public trust. Anne is tired of public offices being used to serve political parties, wealthy donors, or personal gain. She believes it is time for public office to return to public service. Anne will serve at the direction and in the interest of the people of Kansas, and no one else.

There is confusion among the American people about whether we are a democracy or a republic.  The truth is, we are a representative republic, and the form of representation we use is a form of democracy.  It is clear from the founding documents of the United States of America that the intention of our founding fathers was for We the People to govern ourselves.  One of the most important ways to participate in our government is to VOTE.  Voting can and should allow all American citizens an equal voice in their government.  Election integrity is incredibly important, especially in the political environment in which the United States finds itself.  We can and must address both issues, and our nation will be stronger for it. 

A society has an interest in ensuring every individual member of that society has an education.  Our children are the future leaders of society.  We must ensure they are prepared to take on the world to the best of their abilities.  As part of that, we have free public education.  Anne supports strong public schools, funding for the same, and better pay for teachers.  If we pay our teachers their worth, we will attract and retain great teachers, benefiting both the children of America and the nation's future.

As of May 2025, there were 358,000 children and adults enrolled in Kansas Medicaid. While we all want to cut wasteful and fraudulent spending from our government, any steps to do so must be done with the utmost care to ensure people who paid into and now rely on these programs are not wrongfully negatively impacted by such cuts.  Additionally, Kansas already has healthcare deserts.  Anne learned during her meeting with the Chamber of Moms KC that there are several places with no maternal care. During a roundtable in Pratt, she learned that some rural Kansans must drive for hours to get to a hospital, or, in an emergency, must be flown in by helicopter. The government is supposed to serve the people, and that’s what Medicaid does.  No one should have to choose between feeding their family and paying for necessary medical treatment.

Anne supports a legal immigration system that is efficient, fair, and predictable. She believes in border security and a path to citizenship for those who meet legal requirements. Immigrants should be treated with respect, and the government should meet its own deadlines and responsibilities.

Anne believes the law should apply equally to everyone.

Technology should enhance human existence, not make human beings obsolete. We must be on the cutting edge of technology, but we must also ensure responsible use of such technology. AI has the potential to upend humanity in ways we can’t be sure of. Anne will work to ensure humans are prioritized over all else and that generations to come are able to benefit from AI not be subject to it.

“The power under the Constitution will always be in the people. It is entrusted for certain defined purposes, and for a certain limited period, to representatives of their own choosing; and whenever it is executed contrary to their interest, or not agreeable to their wishes, their servants can, and undoubtedly will, be recalled.” —George Washington

There was never an intention that the US would have career politicians. It was always intended that these offices be held by public servants for limited time and purpose. We the People loan our God-given power, guaranteed under our Constitution, to those we elect to office. They have no power unless We the People allow it.

Public servants should serve in the best interests and in line with the wishes of their constituents without regard to whether it will be good for their personal career goals. Instead of focusing on serving, we have politicians putting on political theater to try to keep their jobs. Term limits will allow more people to serve in these positions and should help prevent corruption in
our government.