The 2012 Republican Presidential Primary

Anybody tired of this thing, yet? I know I am. Politically, this has been one of the most confusing things I have ever seen.

Early on I was a Ron Paul supporter. I somehow convinced myself that Paul was not that bad on foreign policy, and then I started to hear his words. I always knew he was a traditional libertarian with regards to foreign policy, but I never realized just how ideologically driven he was. Yes, I agree, we could pull back some of our troops. Where I vehemently disagree is on the issue of the Middle East. I do not buy the argument that we were attacked because we have been bombing Iraq for years. I’m sorry Dr. Paul, radical Islamists want to kill us because they think we are “infidels.” Read their own words!

We have seen the Ron Paul foreign policy implemented twice in the modern era, first with Jimmy Carter and now with Obama. You cannot talk with insane people and expect them to see reason. Radical Islamism is the Communism of our time.

What is really frustrating on Dr. Paul is that he is right on so many issues; the Fed, individual freedom, and the size and scope of the Federal government. I just can’t do the foreign policy stuff.

After my Ron Paul awakening I switched to Herman Cain. There was was a lot to like about Cain, he had that grassroots appeal that the Tea Party was looking for, he had a tax plan that was bold and new (and sounded like we were getting a pizza), and….he had a ladies problem. Oh, wait, I forgot that was the “mainstream media trying to tear apart a black man.” Um, no, sorry, he had a ladies problem, and the last one greatly appeared to demonstrate he had an integrity problem.

I was in search of a new candidate and along came a highly intelligent former house speaker and his 21st Century Contract with America. Yeah…. I probably should have done my research on this one. Newt Gingrich is a mess, and the more I read the more I realized that I had been duped. (Psssst…. Gingrich supporters, it’s okay to admit you were wrong.) The thing that put me over the top was this:

GINGRICH FLASHBACK: ‘PROGRESSIVE’ FDR WAS ‘GREATEST PRESIDENT OF THE 20TH CENTURY’ (PLUS – SEIU’S ANDY STERN IS VISIONARY UNION LEADER!)

Add to that the articles that came out yesterday about Gingrich’s attacks of Reagan, see them here, here, and here. Gingrich is not telling you the truth about who and what he is. And do you really want to give the media so much red meat?

After my week of confusion with Newt, I decided it was time to support Bachmann. Yeah, I know, not the greatest candidate, but in terms of the issues she was the most consistent and really the only true Tea Party candidate that was ever in the race. Iowa ended that for me.

At this point, I’m not even sure what to think anymore.

I’m left with two options. In February I will vote for Rick Santorum in our statewide non-binding primary (assuming he survives that far). If it comes down to Gingrich, Romney, and Paul I will support Mitt Romney (just vomited in my mouth).

Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! You want jobs? How About You Pass Right To Work?!?!?

I received this through email yesterday and wanted to post it. Right to Work should have been presented to Gov. Nixon last year. When you look at the Republican majorities there are only two possible conclusions why it didn’t happen; there are union-label Republicans in Missouri that need primaried, or there are Republicans who lack a spine. It would be nice to see it happen this year.

Here are some fun Right to Work statistics I came across the other day.

• The nine states with the greatest 2000-2010 gains in their college-educated adult populations all protect the Right to Work. 
• The 22 current Right to Work states have gained 25 US House seats since 1990. 

I received the following from my good friend, Paul Hamby. Please call your House Rep and Senator that you want Right-to-Work passed and pass this along.

“Jobs Jobs Jobs”  We hear that battle cry every time the legislature convenes.

There is one change in Missouri that can lead to more jobs, but the legislature refuses to pass it.

Right To Work.  

The simple concept that you should not be forced to join a union as a condition of employment.

Next Tuesday, Right To Work bills will get a hearing in the Missouri Senate.  Please send in testimony or show up and testify if you can.  The Missouri Senate has 3 bills filed so far.  Senator Purgason’s bill is the best one.

Hearing schedule:

Committee: General Laws, Senator Jane Cunningham, Chairman

Date:  Tuesday, January 17

Time:  after 3:00 PM

Room:  SCR 1

 

SB 547 - Purgason

Bars employers from requiring employees to engage in or cease engaging in certain labor practices.

Here are 5 reasons why I support Right to Work;

H/T to Greg Johns for providing this research

1.  Household Income Higher in Right-to-Work States – $4,258 Higher = Right-to-Work “for more”.

A recent study by Dr. Barry Poulson, past president of the North American Economics and Finance Association, professor of economics at the University of Colorado, compared household incomes in133 metropolitan areas in Right to Work states with those of 158 metropolitan areas in non-Right to Work states.

Among other results, he found that the average real income for households in Right to Work state metro areas, when all else was equal, was $4,258 more than non-Right to Work state metro areas.

2.  Jobs and People are moving out of Missouri.

According to research done by the National Institute for Labor Relations Research, Missouri’s manufacturing GDP has decreased by 12.9% from 2000 to 2009, while right to work states have had an average of 14.7% of growth.  http://www.nilrr.org

Another fact union bosses fails to address is the net out-migration of nearly FIVE MILLION people from forced-unionism states to Right to Work states over the 2000-2009 period.

That is, nearly five million more people moved out of forced-unionism states than moved into them.  If living standards were really superior in forced-unionism states, would this have happened?  The net migration of nearly five million people over 9.25 years is confirmed by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The net out-migration of young people from forced-unionism states consists disproportionately of young adults and their children.  That’s why, from 1998 to 2008, the number of people aged 25-34 increased by 16.0% in Right to Work states, but fell by 0.6% in forced unionism states.  (Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Statistical Abstract, 2010 edition, Table 16:  1999 edition, Table 33.

3.  Missouri already has Right-to-Work protection for all city, county, and state public employees. 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics -2010Union Membership in Missouri  - February 4, 2011

Total Missouri Work Force = 2,469,000

Represented by Unions = 274,000 – 11.1%

Total Missouri Work Force broke down “Private” & “Public” by %

Private Employees represented by unions = 174,000 – 7%

Public Employees represented by unions = 100,000 – 4%

37% to 40% of all union workers in Missouri are working under the protection of a RIGHT-TO-WORK LAW right now.  Most of these are Public Employees.

Private Employees do not have the protection of a RIGHT-TO-WORK LAW and are being forced to join a union or lose their jobs. The Private Workforce should have the same rights as the Public Workforce — the protection of a Right to Work law.                                                                                

4.  Major Polls show union members favor Right-to-Work laws -

and union members also want to know how their union dues are being spent.

Major Polls asking union members only.

Roper Poll — Are you in favor of Right to Work laws or are you opposed to Right to Work laws?

Union Members – Favor (58%)  Oppose (26%)

Opinion Research Poll — Are you in favor of Right to Work laws or are you opposed to Right to Work laws?

           Union Members – Favor (59%)  Oppose (29%) 

Frank Luntz Poll Oct, 2010 – Please tell me whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement: “Workers should have the right to decide whether to join a union.  They should never be forced or coerced to join or pay dues to a union as a condition of employment.”

Union Members — Net Agree (80%)  Net Disagree (14%)  Really Don’t Care  (6%)

Frank Luntz Poll Oct, 2010 – Please tell me whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statement: “Union workers should have the right to know how their dues money is being spent.  The Department of Labor should disclose union spending on the Internet to ensure accountability.”

Union Members — Net Agree (89%)  Net Disagree (6%)  Really Don’t Care  (5%)

5.  Right-to-Work gives the Unions back to the Union Members.

Compulsory unionism gives union bosses more power over the membership.  They don’t have to worry about whether the union is being run to suit the members, because the members can’t withdraw without losing their jobs.

With compulsory unionism it’s easier for union bosses to “keep the membership in line,” and they are guaranteed that the dollars from dues and “special” assessments will keep rolling in.  They ignore the desires of involuntary members.

Right-to-Work will give the unions back to the union members.  If they have bad Business Agents that wouldn’t fight for their grievances – they can replace them.  If they have Shop Stewarts that aren’t doing their job – they can replace them.  Right-to-Work – lets the union members control and run their own unions.

The better way is for the union to do such a good job looking out for its members that the workers want to belong.  That means union members can have a real voice in union affairs.  And union bosses know that the union members don’t have to stay in and pay dues if they are not satisfied with the way things in the union are being run.

YES, Right-to-Work will give control of local unions back to the local union members.

When membership is voluntary, unions work better, are more democratic, and the union members will make sure their union is more effective for them.  If union members don’t like what their union agents are doing, they can fire them.

Greg Johns

Missourians for Right To Work

417-766-4001   iae@murlin.com  History is pretty clear.  Right to Work states have more manufacturing plants built,  lower unemployment and higher average wages.   Those are the kind of changes Missouri needs.  Please help get this bill passed in the Senate and then we will take the battle to the Missouri house and Governor.  It’s time to make Missouri politicians keep their promise to create Jobs Jobs Jobs by passing Right To Work

Please contact your Missouri Senator.

List of Missouri State Senators here

Tell your senator to support SB547 and make Missouri a Right To Work state.

If you would like to work on organizing for this issue, please contact Greg Johns (contact details above)

Thank you to Senator Chuck Purgason for filing SB547 and thanks to Senate Pro Tem Rob Mayer for making Right To Work a legislative priority.

For Liberty,

Paul Hamby

Missouri Campaign for Liberty

p.s.  check the Missouri Senate Calendar before traveling to Jeff City.  Hearing schedules sometimes change.

p.p.s  Please fwd this message to your friends.

Neth Official Capitol Report January 15, 2012

This is Myron Neth’s most recent Capitol Report. I wanted to share and then comment on a couple of things. My comments will be at the bottom of this post.

The first full week of session is complete. There is not a lot of official activity going on yet as it takes some time for many things to Clayformally get going, such as bills being referred to committees and things to debate on the House floor.  However, that does not mean that meaningful things are not going on.

I have spent a lot of time talking to numerous people about the issues that I will be most involved in this year.  Many times it is these types of conversations and relationships that one builds on to be successful in anything one might do during the session.  I always say that the most important thing to success in the political realm is the good relationships one builds in order come to consensus.

Listed below are the bills that I plan on sponsoring. This is not to say that there might not be others, but these are the things I currently have working.  In addition, one thing that many people don’t realize is that most of the time individual bills do not get done by themselves. Usually there is just not enough time to get through all the bills that are offered. Many time bills are made into amendments that are added to other similar bills in order to get done.  So for those things that I support I continually work to find a place for it so I can ensure it gets done in some form.

I know I have been seen, heard and quoted some lately in the press regarding the Kansas City School District and its future. As things are still a little fluid there I’m not ready to give a full accounting of things quite yet. However, I am committed to ensuring that the kids in Kansas City do not lose any more years of learning due to the dysfunction of their adult leaders and that those actions do not negatively impact the surrounding districts.

Have a great weekend.

Myron

Student Proposed Legislation

Local students work to get the law changed 

I am preparing to file a bill later in the month that would put on the ballot a Constitutional change to allow 17 year olds the ability to vote in a primary election if they will be 18 at the time of the next General Election.  This was brought to my attention by the AP Government classes at Liberty High School and Liberty North High School and their teacher Kurt Gates.

After much research on the part of the students and finding out that several other states allow this in some capacity I decided to support the students’ efforts.  Besides working to change existing law, it is proving to be a great lesson in the legislative process, both in theory and reality.

Currently, the students are contacting my fellow House members to let them know about the bill and to ask them to support or co-sponsor.  I have talked to the classes about the best way to do that and good strategies. Once the bill is filed, I will hopefully get a hearing in Committee and have some students testify on behalf of the bill and then work some more on lobbying for the bill.

I have received many compliments already on the students’ efforts and am receiving a lot of commitments for co-sponsors.  Let me know your thoughts and I will pass it on to the students so they are aware of the feedback.

Planned Legislation 2012 

Assault on a Police Animal Penalty

This came to my attention via Corporal Kendrick with the Clay county Sheriff’s Department. In the current Missouri statute if a Police animal is intentionally assaulted it is a C misdemeanor.  This legislation would change the penalty to an A misdemeanor.

Ball Room Dancing for credit in Schools

This would allow a school in Missouri to offer Ballroom, Square, or Country dancing to be taken as a class/course for physical education requirements. This effort is the result of efforts by 34th District resident Will Adams.

Private Contractor/Owner Payment Contracts

This Bill would create provisions meant to protect contractor payments. It puts in place safeguards to make sure expected payment is made and expected work is done when in the private sector. This matches the current requirement on public construction.

Allowing 17 year olds to vote in the Presidential Primary

This idea was put into motion with the help of Kurt Gates’ AP Government Classes at Liberty High School and Liberty North High School. The Bill would allow voters who will be 18 years old by the November Elections of a Presidential voting year to vote in the Presidential primary at the age of 17 years old.

School Bonding increased Indebtedness

This would allow schools increase their bonded indebtedness as long as they meet set criteria.

Term Limits

Term limits would be set to a total of 16 years of time served in the House and Senate combined. Instead of being limited to eight in one and eight in the other, it can be all in one body or the other or any combination.

Grade Cut-Off Dates

This would establish that no school districts may establish a cut-off date for final grades that is more than two days before the last day of school, except for that of graduating seniors

First, while I appreciate Rep. Neth’s attempt to involve teenagers in the political process I have to respectfully disagree with the bill he is pushing. We can partially thank the youth vote for this recent disaster that is Barack Obama, the last thing I want is 17 year old individuals involved in the primary process. One need not look farther than Ron Paul to see the current case study of why the youth vote is often misguided. We continue to denigrate the importance of our right to vote and have been doing so since the 1960s. A minority of Americans value it and take it seriously. This would be yet another step in that direction. There is a part of me that wonders if we should not move the voting age up to 21 (I realize this may seem like an odd statement, but there are some legitimate arguments that could be made here.)

I’m in the middle on the school bonding issue. There is some arguments that can be made for this, but there is also a part of me that wonders if we honestly should be allowing school districts to incur more indebtedness. Have you seen Staley High School and Liberty North? 

I can see the reasoning behind the term limit change, but I don’t think I can support that either. I think of former Rep. Doug Ervin on the issue and think, yeah, term limits stink. On the other hand, TJ Berry replaced Rep. Ervin and has been just as qualified for the job. Until you convince me that more Americans take more than a passing interest in politics, I have severe reservations supporting longer term limits.

I need some more information on the last proposal about the grade cut-off. I am wondering if this is being suggested because of snow days for schools. Many people don’t realize this, but when school is extended due to snow days districts don’t always extend the end of the last grading period. The result is usually several days of really expensive baby-sitting. I would like to know more about this before I take a stance.