Rep. Vickie Hartzler tries to shame the President, backfires

Poor Vickie Hartzler.

The poor thing did get elected to a Missouri government office.  She just isn't that bright. This from the Columbia Tribune yesterday:

Hartzler moves flag for press conference to avoid image with Obama

So instead of somehow shaming the President--her President and ours--she ends up doing that very thing to herself.  Worse, she ends up shaming the very people who elected her. In fact, she ends up shaming the state, all Missourians.

And naturally, it went out nationally.  Here it is from ABC News:

Rep. Hartzler avoids standing near Obama photo

Here's another:

Birther tea party rep. refuses to stand near Obama photo

So, yeah, poor Vickie Hartzler.

Worse, poor Cass County.

And poor Missouri.

Whatever you do, just don't think she is--or her followers are--racist.

Heaven forbid.

The stupid in Jeff City is getting outrageous

A new low, set by the Republicans in Jefferson City this week:

Religion, Ethics Of Medical Workers Could Allow Refusal Of Care Under Mo. House Bill

Health care workers could refuse to participate in procedures or research that violates their religious, moral or ethical principles under a measure passed by the Missouri House.

The House sent the measure to the Senate Tuesday with a 116-41 vote.

The Missouri House has given first-round approval to legislation that would allow medical workers to refuse to take part in procedures that violate their religious or ethical beliefs.

The sponsor, House Speaker Tim Jones (R, Eureka), says protecting the rights of workers is at the heart of House Bill 457.

“We want to encourage those people in the health care field and give them a shield, so they can have an opt-out, with proper notice, to their employer,” Jones said.

 State Representative Stacey Newman (D, Richmond Heights) blasted the bill on the House floor, calling it an attack on women.

“This bill deals with rape victims being potentially denied emergency contraception in emergency rooms…women being denied care at the moment they exactly need it," Newman said.  "The religious liberty of a patient, (the) religious liberty of a woman and her family, is totally ignored in this.”

What is it with these people? 

What part of "small, un-intrusive government" do these people not get?

Isn't that what the Republican Party is supposed to be about? Small government? "Conservative" government and legislation?

And what about "separation of church and state"?

It would be one thing if they only proposed stupid legislation, that would be bad enough. But this? It's stupid, along with frustrating and ignorant and intrusive and just radically wrong.

Truly outrageous.

More of what's coming out of Jeff City

Please contact your state representative here: 
Representative Directory - Missouri House of Representatives 

Jeff City Representative protecting events that never happen

I got an education about my own home state, Missouri, today when watching an edition of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart", of all places, on Comedy Central.

It seems one Wanda Brown of the Missouri State House of Representatives introduced a bill making it illegal for an employer to fire someone for owning a firearm.

Yes, seriously:

HB 1621 - Missouri House of Representatives

"Specifies that it will be an unlawful employment practice to discriminate against an individual because he or she has a concealed carry endorsement or uses a firearm for a lawful purpose."

Wow.

I'm really glad she introduced that one.

I keep hearing that happening all over the state, haven't you?

Link:  http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/fri-january-18-2013-?xrs=share_fb

More Inequality for Women out of Jefferson City today

According to Missouri candidate for the House of Representatives Kevin Morgan, District 38 on his Facebook page today:

The Missouri House just voted against women's rights and overturned the governor's veto of SB 749. Now insurance companies will be able to deny women access to birth control. This is a dark day for Missouri and cut and dry evidence of the ongoing War On Women being waged by the majority.

This will open the door for insurance companies to deny benefits for any reason they detrmine or label as moral objection.

Ladies, for yourselves, for equality, for fairness, for what is right, for yourselves, don't, don't vote Republican.

Good news, at last, from a local state capitol

Finally, at last, some good news from a local state capital:

Science Prevails In Missouri And Alabama As Creationism Bills Die in Both States

"Science scored a major victory in Missouri and Alabama last week as multiple anti-evolution bills died in the legislatures of both states.

In Missouri, the House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education decided not to vote on a pair of bills that would have made creationism an accepted science even though there is no evidence supporting it. HB 1276 would have allowed teachers “to help students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of the theory of biological and hypotheses of chemical evolution.” In other words, the bill would have allowed right-wing religious fanatical teachers to push their anti-evolution views. The other bill, HB 1227 would have forced “the equal treatment of science instruction regarding evolution and intelligent design,” at every level in public school and in “any introductory science course taught at any public institution of higher education.” This bill would have actually forced schools and colleges to teach creationism alongside evolution, while allowing teachers bash evolution."

I didn't know or think that this nonsense had taken a foothold in Missouri but there it is. Wow. This is painful. Thank goodness it didn't pass. Either strength and intelligence or cowardice won out.

Let's hope it was strength and intelligence.

The state has real issues and problems to deal with--like fixing I-70 from Illinois to Kansas--but they deal with this, instead.

Sick.

And lazy, too.

You'd think they'd be ashamed of themselves.

Link: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/05/21/creationism/

No urgency on I-70 from anywhere

The Pitch Magazine and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch report that "I-70 will remain toll-free for another year." It seems Jefferson City just hasn't gotten it together to decide how to fix this most-vital artery in the state. Our Senators in Washington don't seem to be especially fighting for any additional federal moneys and the statehouse can't decide if we can do a toll road without asking the state voters for the okay. In the meantime, what remains is a terribly dangerous, nearly murderous highway that needs expanding horribly.

It would add a great deal to the safety of the citizens of the state and to the safety of any out-of-staters that use it. It would also add to good commerce in the state, really, whether you're crossing it in your car for a meeting or you drive an 18-wheeler daily. The lack of attention this I-70 matter is getting is appalling. For any business people who drive it, especially as it courses through Columbia, as a worst-case scenario, you can usually always see a horrible car wreck of two or more cars because it slows down and meanders through what has become the center of that city.

The two lanes offered, in each direction, are far too narrow, especially with the heavy tractor-trailer traffic it gets. Bad as that all is, check this one out from the Pitch: "Even if tolls were approved, MoDOT estimates that it would be two years before construction could begin and six to eight years before the project would be finished." That's horrible.

We are years away from even starting the process and many years from completion. In the meantime, seriously, people are going to be killed because our Jefferson City government representatives have been unresponsive to the needs of the citizens. This is inexcusable. It's gone on far too long and there's still no end in sight to the foot-dragging. Somebody needs a good, swift kick in the pants.

Links: http://www.pitch.com/plog/archives/2012/04/24/i-70-will-remain-toll-free-for-another-year; http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/interstate-toll-proposal-hits-roadblock/article_fdeb11ac-d575-5d51-96c6-de82b4ce4757.html#ixzz1sq6HWLFn; http://moravings.blogspot.com/2011/12/face-it-i-70-will-be-toll-road-one-day.html

BREAKING NEWS: Kander files for Secretary of State

This, just now, from Jason Kander's Facebook page: "Officially filed as a candidate for Secretary of State today. Now back to work." Who knows? Maybe, one day, if we work hard enough, we can have good, strong ethics laws--and hopefully ethics--out of state government in Missouri one day soon. That and campaign contribution limits. Here's hoping.

Face it, our government doesn't want us to vote

After the whole voter ID thing, you need further proof?

Okay, here you go:

Mo. Senate votes to eliminate 2 election dates

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The state Senate has voted to trim the number of potential election days in Missouri.
Legislation passed by the Senate would abolish the option for holding elections in February and June. It would still leave regular election dates in April, August and November, with the possibility for some elections to occur in March.

Think about it.  It's as I've said here before, if they really wanted us to vote, wouldn't it be on Saturdays, when more of us can easily get away to do it?

They want the moneyed people to vote and they want the old people to vote and that's about it.

It's disgusting.

More proof and reason we need to take and get our government back, away from the wealthy and corporations, folks.

As the saying goes, if you're not angry, you're not paying attention.

Link:  http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/state/missouri/mo.-senate-votes-to-eliminate-2-election-dates

Calling on--and out--Governor Nixon

Here's the issue of the day:

Bill to modify puppy-mill law goes to Missouri's governor

By Jason Noble
The Star’s Jefferson City correspondent

JEFFERSON CITY | Lawmakers on Wednesday rolled back voter-approved restrictions on Missouri dog breeders and passed new rules that supporters say will target puppy mills without harming legitimate breeders.

The legislation now goes to Gov. Jay Nixon, who declined to say whether he would sign it.

The bill essentially rewrites the “Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act,” the ballot question known as Proposition B that passed with 52 percent of the vote last fall. Prop B was scheduled to take effect in November of this year.

So you and I--we, the people of the State of Missouri--voted on this measure.  It came up and we voted on it.  The people spoke.  And what we said was that we wanted these pets taken better care of.  We want them to have humane treatment.

And now, our legislature, our legislators--Republicans, mostly--want to take away our vote.  They want to roll back the will of the people.

This should not stand.

This absolutely should not stand.

I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more, ladies and gentlemen.

Governor Nixon needs to do the right thing by we, the people, the voters of this state he represents.

By doing so, he'd be fulfilling his job to us, the citizens and voters of the state, sure, but by doing what he should do here, that is, vetoing this bill, should it come to his desk, he would also be standing up to the moneyed, influence-purchasing interests that want this repeal and, finally, striking a blow for decency and the sensible and humane treatment of animals.

Face it, the companies went to their representatives--whom they "own"--and told them they wanted this repealed.  They're trying to get their way over your and my vote and over, again, the humane and decent treatment of animals.

So I'm calling you out on this one, Governor Nixon, for what it's worth. You need to take a stand on this for your constituency, for the voters and citizens, to repeat, of this state.  Heck, you even need to do it for the animals in this state.

Do what's right in a few different ways here, Governor.

If this bill, rolling back provisions in the "puppy mill" legislation that we voted for comes to your desk, veto it, sir.

There is no other right or good thing to do on this.

And we'd like to hear from you on this very shortly.

Link:   http://www.kansascity.com/2011/04/13/2799204/bill-modifying-puppy-mill-law.html

If a young woman even thinks about an abortion, why don't we just beat her?

I mean, isn't that what the anti-rights people want?

Did you see where now they want yet more laws on abortions?

Check it out:

"Missouri senators endorsed legislation Thursday increasing the information that women must receive from medical professionals at least 24 hours before having abortions."

"Although Missouri already has a 24-hour informed consent law, abortion opponents assert that a more specific law is needed because some women still are unaware of the characteristics and capabilities of the fetuses being aborted."

"The legislation would require that women be provided the following statement: 'The life of each human being begins at conception. Abortion will terminate the life of a separate, unique, living human being.'"

All of the last teo statements being completely subject to opinion, of course.

But wait, as always with these people, there's more:

"Missouri is one of five states that currently prohibit abortion coverage in basic insurance policies, instead requiring the payment of an additional premium. The Senate bill would not allow coverage — even with an additional premium — under the government subsidized health exchanges."

Even though abortion is legal in this country and has been since 1973, these people are going to do all they can, ad infinitum and ad nauseum, to make it as completely, utterly and totally difficult, short of illegal and impossible, to let a woman do with her body as she would.

And these are the "small government" people.

And they don't see the hypocrisy, either.

Link to original story:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/36566860

And yet, still more guns

Mo. House OKs Bill Broadening Concealed Gun Rules

"Missouri House members have endorsed a bill allowing some legislative staff members to bring concealed guns into the state Capitol."

Great idea. "Disagree with me now, bitch!"

"The legislation would also lower Missouri's minimum age for getting a concealed-carry permit to 21. It's now 23."

"Lawmakers and local government officials who have permits currently can bring a concealed gun to meetings. The House approved an amendment Tuesday that expands that to cover lawmakers' staff. The provision was added to broader gun legislation."

I'm telling you, more and more guns is patently not a good idea.

This never ends well.

Link to original post: http://www.kctv5.com/news/23005319/detail.html

Kudos to The Star

Once again, the area's "fourth estate"--our newspaper media, in this case--did what it should do and so well. The Kansas City Star reported today that our legislators down in Jefferson City have been accepting trips--some to foreign countries--without reporting them.

And this is against the law, folks. They should know that.

"Lawmaker trips that lobbyists paid for included such destinations as New York City, Boston, Seattle, San Diego, Montreal and Saskatchewan, Canada, and even Japan."

One of the trips was for two representatives to go to the Masters tournament.

Yeah, like they're doing our work there and then.

If you're with a corporate representative of any kind, and they're taking you on one of these trips, isn't it just assumed there's a quid pro quo, once you're back in the office, especially since you're a legistor.

And don't tell me the answer is no.

These people should be summarily thrown out of office. The article names several of the representatives who took the trips and where they went. And that's just some of them.

So cheers to The Kansas City Star for the reporting.

Jeers to our legislators who've done this.

Cheers also to Jason Kander for helping to push for ethics reform out of the Capital City.

Let's make sure we get it.

Federal or State, there's too much ugly money in government

Thank you, Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee, for your audit of Missouri government, recently released.

Ms. Montee found that "The Missouri House and Senate regularly solicit donations from lobbyists to pay for office parties, gifts and meals..."

Further: "The audits suggest the practice raises conflict-of-interest questions and notes some instances appear to violate state law."

Ya' think?

The more you hear about our Federal and State governments, the more difficult it is to not be cynical.

But this is my favorite revelation from the audit and article in The Kansas City Star today: "The audit found that in the Senate, lawmakers and staffers have solicited donations and banked them in a private account outside the state accounting system since 2003."

Can you say "slush fund"?

"More than 100 lobbyists donated more than $76.000.00 to the account through December2008. Of that, nearly $61,000.00 was spent on Christmas parties, retirement receptions, gifts for senators and staffers and meals for evening work sessions."

And think about this--not only are the legislators and bureaucrats getting "money on the side", so to speak--which is bad enough--but then, like a street cat to a saucer of milk, they get to keep going back to the source--the lobbyists--to get more and more money, again and again.

You don't think that wouldn't make for some relationships you'd want to keep happy?

This way, the government employees of all levels have a vested interest in giving these lobbyists and their organizations--mostly corporations, no doubt--just what they want, legislatively, so they can keep their money pot full.

This is wrong on so many levels it's hard to fathom.

And, of course, it gets continually better, too.

Check this out--"The audit...called the Senate's bank account illegal, because the Missouri Constitution requires all state funds to be 'held and disbursed' by the state treasurer."

This is where it gets good: "The Senate, however, maintains that the money received from lobbyists does not constitute 'state funds' and isn't subject to oversight from the treasurer."

So, basically, folks, what the Senate is saying is 1) "Yeah, sure we've got this money--so what?" and b) "Law or no law, this money is ours and don't mess with us."

Talk about thumbing your nose at Missouri citizens---and our laws.

Sheesh.

These guys have some major cajone's.

This needs to be stopped and it needs to be stopped now.

They should either turn it over to the State Treasurer immediately or give it to a worthy charity right away, be done with it and not repeat it.

We have to get the ugly, corrupting money out of our legislatures and as soon as possible.

It won't happen in Washington anytime soon--until we really raise cane, anyway--but we can push for it.

Oh, and please note---this is why we need metropolitan newspapers of some sort. If we don't have them in some form, we can't keep an eye on our government and keep them "straighter", if not "straight".

Link to article: http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics/story/1446445.html