By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times
For nearly all of my 82 years of life, I have never hesitated to loudly and proudly proclaim that I am a native Kentuckian, an appreciative and loving son of Carter County.
But I am struggling to maintain that pride today as I review the shameful results of the 2025 session of the Kentucky General Assembly.
I am confident that Gov. Andy Beshear will veto all or most of the egregious legislation which looks and smells like racism, sexism and other evils, but I also expect the Republican-dominated House and Senate will easily override those vetoes and we’ll have to live with the results.
Frankly, I am baffled by the notion that so many well educated, seemingly honest and respected men and women who serve as legislators could openly and eagerly agree to, in effect, turn back the clock to a time when wealthy, white Christian, heterosexual men made all of the rules…and nearly all of the money.
Why have we made it more difficult for people of color to get a college education by outlawing support of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)? That same question applies to women of all ethnicities seeking admission to certain male-dominated careers.
Poor folks got the short end of the straw again this year with another reduction of the state income tax. Those who make the most always get to keep the most in a flat percentage tax scheme.
History was ignored this time when coal mining reclaimed some of its personal danger to workers when the legislature reduced the required number of emergency technicians in the mines.
If your drinking water comes from one of the state’s 31,000 private wells or 156 public water systems relying on underground water you should be aware that the lawmakers have stripped away state-level protection of groundwater, wetlands and small unnavigable streams.
I could list other examples of new legislation that likely will be harmful, especially to those among us who are different, by choice or chance. I just didn’t realize how close the American Dream is to being dead or on life support.
Contact Keith at keithkappes@gmail.com.
It’s really simple, they are in a cult led by a draft-dodging coward who lies constantly (Which also describes Biden) and even went so far as to setup a fake assassination for sympathy. They value ignorance, fear, and superstition above all else.
The only reason I do not spit on Dumocrats is in case I see a Repugnantan.