Roger Marshall says ‘real Kansans’ back Trump and DOGE. Well, I’m a real Kansan, too | Opinion

In response to a recent contentious town hall meeting in Oakley, Kansas, Sen. Roger Marshall’s office released a statement to Wichita-area KWCH 12 News: “Real Kansans overwhelmingly support President Trump’s DOGE initiative, shrinking the size of the federal government, and firing career bureaucrats.”

Sen. Marshall, my roots in the great state of Kansas run deep. All four of my grandparents were born and raised in this state, and both of my grandfathers served in the U.S. military during World War II. In 1954, my mother’s parents built a home in Overland Park. My mom grew up in that house. She went on to receive a degree from Emporia State University, where she met my father, who is from Herington, Kansas. Shortly thereafter, my father was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps and served this country in Vietnam.

When I was 6 years old, my parents bought my grandmother’s house, so I grew up in the same home my mother grew up in, with many of the same neighbors. Seventeen years ago, my husband and I bought this house and are now raising our own children here.

I have four degrees from three Kansas Board of Regents Universities. I have taught in two public school systems and have worked for three public library systems in this state. I have breathed the air of Kansas nearly my entire half century on this Earth, so it makes my blood boil when you, Senator, have the audacity to imply that I am anything other than a “real Kansan” simply because I disagree with you and your ilk.

I am a real Kansan whose beloved father is suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome as a result of his being stationed at Camp Lejeune. I am a real Kansan who is worried about how cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs will affect him and many others who have served this country proudly. I am a real Kansan who is deeply concerned by the ill-conceived slashing and burning of essential government services. I am a real Kansan who is worried that we are careening toward authoritarianism.

I am a real Kansan who is fearful for my children’s future.

To dismiss those of us who express consternation toward your unthinking fealty to the current administration as being something other than who we are — real Kansans — is deeply troubling. All residents of the state that you were elected to represent are real Kansans. Any implication to the contrary is, quite frankly, Fascism 101.

If you ever have the courage to face your constituents in Johnson County — the place 13.5% of real Kansans call home — I would be happy to discuss my concerns with you.