tremendous changes to how the state is run and funded. It is, in a way, a labratory. I think they intended it that way. Illinois and the Deep South is different. They've long traditions and have suffered corrupt and reactionary politicians for generations. Now both of the latter places offer lessons.

But Kansas does deserve a special look. Brownback fairly promised nirvana if we followed carefully a stated Republican governance philosophy. And he pushed its implementation, preaching that it would attract streams of outside revenue.

To date, it's looking like a failure, and the citizens of Kansas seem to have significant buyer's remorse.