In 2004 the book What’s the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America, by Thomas Frank, was published to glowing reviews from the liberal media and Democrat activists. It purported to show that Kansans “vote against their economic and social interests” and asked where was the “outrage over all the recent corporate thievery?” The book insulted vast numbers of hard-working, sensible, and responsible citizens by calling them foolish and stupid, urging them to change their philosophy and get with the liberal program.

What has happened since 2004 and did Kansans come to their senses?

We’ve had the Great Recession and two Presidential elections. Many states and families are still suffering, especially in the liberal bastions of Illinois and Michigan. In contrast, Kansas weathered the recession and still voted for the Republican in both elections supporting John McCain in 2008 by 57-42 percent, and Mitt Romney by a huge 22 percent margin, 60-38 percent, in 2012. Sam Brownback (Republican) was elected Governor in 2010 with 63 percent.

So “What’s the matter with Kansas?” Nothing much! In fact it looks pretty good.

The employment situation shows that while the total labor force has fallen from just over 1.5 million in 2009 the high before the Great Recession to just under 1.4 million today, the number of people with jobs has increased by 45,000, and the number unemployed is only 73,216, an unemployment rate of only 4.9 percent.

In 2012 Governor Brownback reduced the individual income tax rates by 25 percent, repealed the tax on sole proprietorships, and increased the standard deduction. Then taxes were cut again in 2013 by the Legislature. Among other things, Brownback has proposed that college graduates who move to low-population counties have their student loans paid off by the state government.

Following the two major tax cuts the personal income of Kansans has grown by almost 3 percent, more than all of the bordering states except Colorado. Their average weekly earnings increased by almost 5 percent, four times that of the United States as a whole, seven times more than Nebraska, and four times more than Missouri and Oklahoma, according to an analysis by Creighton University professor and economist Dr. Ernie Goss.

Dr. Goss headlined his recent article on this result, “Earnings Growth Soars Past U.S. and Neighbors Since Passage (of the tax cuts).” The only plains state with better economic results since the recession is South Dakota.

So what’s wrong with the so-called “economic losers” in Kansas? Nothing. They certainly are winning currently. Apparently free trade, privatization, de-regulation, and de-unionization do end up creating positive economic situations! Hopefully more Governors and State Legislators, including those in Iowa, will follow Brownback’s lead. Hardworking taxpayers and families who are the members of Frank’s “Great Backlash” will thank them.

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Public Interest Institute. They are brought to you in the interest of a better informed citizenry.

Deborah D. Thornton is a research a nalyst for the Public Interest Institute in Mount Pleasant.