Why do we need unions?

Ever wonder why we need unions? Here's a picture from China showing how worker safety operates around the world.

Is Nader Just Nuts? Or...

Given the fact that anyone with the brains of a flatworm knows that Ralph Nader gave us W in 2000, can he have any credibility left?

The only rational explanation for his behavior involves his secret Swiss bank accounts full of laundered Republican money. Any other explanation is simply irrational.

Of course, sometimes people do the irrational -- but no sane person votes for a guy engaged in irrational behavior. (I considered refraining from pointing out that the fools who followed him in 2000 have enough blood on their hands -- American and Iraqi -- but subtlety doesn't seem to work with Naderites.)

It can well be argued that the Green Party got what it's niavete deserved: W instead of Gore. But WE did not deserve W and neither did Ma Earth.

Is Nader Just Nuts?

Koster Attacked by Dems

Chris Koster is getting it from all sides. Below is the text taken from Rep. John Burnett's newsletter, which was circulated on January 24, 2008.

Chris Koster was attacked this week by both of his Democrat rivals for Attorney General. Koster, the former Republican who switched parties recently to become a Democrat, voted with Republicans this week in the Senate to strip the contribution limits from the campaign laws and allow unlimited political donations. The bill was Senate Bill 1038. Only the Democrats voted against the bill. All Republicans joined by the new Democrat Koster voted for it.

Koster also walked out of a committee meeting to avoid a key vote on school vouchers. That ducking of the issue brought a blast from his rival State Rep Jeff Harris who said: " Koster is clearly finding it difficult to shed his long held Republican postilions - like his strong support of vouchers. Rather than let the voters know exactly where he stands on this pivotal issue involving funding for our schools, Koster ducked."

Two big issues - campaign limits and school vouchers. If Koster is running for the Democratic primary, he's sure making it rough on himself.

AG Race Heats Up - "Koster Sides with His No. 1 Donor’s Pro-Voucher Stand"

The Democratic Primary for AG continues to heat up. Here's a recent press release from Jeff Harris.

Koster Sides with His No. 1 Donor’s Pro-Voucher Stand; Ducks Committee Vote on Voucher Issue After Taking $100,000 from Rex Sinquefield

Columbia, MO – Yesterday Senator Chris Koster, a candidate for Attorney General, skipped out of a committee hearing to avoid casting a vote on the issue of school vouchers (SCS/SBs 993 & 770), which was before the Pensions, Veterans’ Affairs and General Laws Committee early yesterday afternoon.

Koster is clearly finding it difficult to shed his long-held Republican positions – like his strong support of vouchers. Rather than let voters know exactly where he stands on this pivotal issue involving funding for our schools, Koster ducked.

Representative Jeff Harris, who is challenging Koster in the Democratic Attorney General’s race, issued the following statement:

“Chris Koster can try to duck tough votes, but he can’t cover up the fact that he took almost $100,000 from a single Republican donor who strongly supports school vouchers. As Attorney General, would Koster also dodge taking on tough cases when they conflict with what his wealthy campaign contributors support? Democratic voters should make no mistake. Chris Koster’s no-show on yesterday’s voucher vote is no different than a vote against Missouri’s public schools. Instead of taking the heat, Chris Koster got out of the kitchen. I have always been 100% against vouchers and will hold the line against them in my capacity as Attorney General.”

Koster’s campaign accepted nearly $100,000 in funneled cash from billionaire Republican Rex Sinquefield, who has spent vast sums of his fortune to promote vouchers and to attack Missouri’s public schools. Despite calls from Jeff Harris and Missouri educators, Koster has refused to return the money to Sinquefield.

Every Missouri-based educational group opposes SCS/SBs 993 & 770, while Koster’s No. 1 donor, Rex Sinquefield is pushing for its passage.

How the Bushies Highjacked Justice

Check out the new Harpers Magazine for an in-depth article on how the Bush Justice Department has used and abused the Justice Department for political purposes.

Even J. Edgar must be spinning in his dress to learn how much the FBI has melded into the KGB! Stalin would be envious of how the Feds brought down the troublesome ex-gov of Alabama.

It is hard to imagine a paranoid fantasy to trump it. Maybe if elections for President were being stolen....?

Of course, as Sinclair Lewis wrote, "It Can't Happen Here".

CCP Screenings

The Committee for County Progress will endorse in the Democratic primaries for Jackson County Sheriff, 44th State Representative seat and the Attorney General's race. What should we be asking of these candidates? What issues do Democrats care about in deciding which Democrat to put forward?

In the Sheriff and 44th, the winner of the Democratic primary is almost certainly the general election winner - so the primary is really important. In the AG race, there will be a state wide fight until November 5th.

So, what would you ask these Democratic candidates?

Blue Blog Ties Payday Lenders to Right Wingers

This Blog likes to point out the hypocrisies of many in the religious right, but KC Blue Blog does it with reports from college professors!!

A new study from Utah School of Law finds that Pay Day Loan Companies are tied to areas of dominant "Christian Conservative" Republican politicians and not areas with the largest amount of low income residents.

It appears a "deal with the devil" was made by "Christian Conservative" Republicans to partner with Wall Street, big business Republicans. In exchange for financial and political support for politicians who manipulate voters by playing at their religious beliefs; pay day loan sharks received lesser regulations and the ability to collapse families and communities.

Sadly, Missouri ranks #1 in the nation for this type of corruption. Over $315 million was made last year alone by Pay Day Loan sharks off vulnerable families struggling to get by. Go check out KC Blue Blog.

AG Race full of dualing endorsements

Common thought about the Missouri Attorney General's race was that Margaret Donnelly would pick up St. Louis - then Chris Koster got the endorsement of the prosecutor. Common thought was that Koster would get all the unions - then Jeff Harris started picking off some of the large state-wide unions like the IBEW. Common thought was that KC folks would sit this one out - then Donnelly picked up the endorsement of Rep. Beth Low and others.

Common thought was that Koster would get the rural voters - then there was this press release from the Harris campaign:

Columbia – Continuing his strong show of support throughout Missouri, former Missouri House Democratic Leader and Democratic candidate for Attorney General Jeff Harris announced that he has received the endorsement of Greene County Presiding Commissioner Dave Coonrod and Representative Charlie Norr from Springfield.

“Jeff Harris’ strong record as a leader in the House and his ability to appeal to all Missourians, not just those in major metro areas, make him the right choice for Attorney General,” said Coonrod, the top executive official in Greene County. “Missourians know what they’re getting with a candidate like Jeff Harris, and we know we can trust him to focus on the issues that matter most to Missouri families.” “Jeff Harris has the experience and the ability to run an Attorney General’s office that will work for all of us,” said Norr. “He is the only candidate who has worked directly with a Democratic Attorney General, and as a leader in the House he has fought tirelessly to address the issues that affect Missourians’ lives.”

“I am honored to have the support of Commissioner Coonrod and Representative Norr,” said Rep. Jeff Harris. “Their endorsements demonstrate the strength that my campaign is building across the state. To win in November, Democrats must nominate a candidate who can win in every corner of Missouri, not just in St. Louis or Kansas City.”

Presiding Commissioner Dave Coonrod is one of three members of the Greene County Commission. He was first elected as Associate Commissioner in 1988 and was elected Presiding Commissioner in 1994. Representative Charlie Norr was elected to the House in 2006. He is a retired fire captain with 20 years on the job, who previously served for four years in the United States Navy and two years in the Navy Reserve. Norr and Coonrod join numerous other Democrats who have endorsed Harris’ campaign for Attorney General, including former Governor Roger Wilson and Senate Democratic Leader Maida Coleman.

So much for common thought.

Another Open Letter to Super Delegates

I understand that you are now hearing from some Obama supporters asking you to abdicate your right and responsibility to use your judgment to stand up for the best interests of the Democratic Party. They feel you must now surrender your own thought-process to vote for whomever receives the most popular votes - in effect, silencing yourself.

Ironically, these same voices were suspiciously quiet about the necessity of popular majority rule back when their candidate did not lead in the delegate count. Odd, that. Ironically, these same voices were suspiciously quiet about creating the role of super-delegates. Funny, isn't it? Ironically, these same voices seek to persuade support of their candidate by pointing to - hold on, it's worth the wait - . . . - really, it is - famous big-name celebrity insiders who happen to support their candidate! Sounds like they think that some Democrats ought to be heard louder than others, after all.

(And don't get me started on Claire "Telecom Immunity" McCaskill's WWJTD bracelet . . .)

Now that the Republicans have a clear choice, there may be more crossover voting by trouble-making Republicans seeking a less experienced opponent. Alternatively, there could be positive or negative developments in either of the Democrats campaign. Certainly, I would hope that no super-delegate would feel bound by my vote for Senator Clinton if we find out next week that she really did murder Vincent Foster, and I would hope that Obama supporters would expect super-delegates to abandon their candidate if the vision of hope turns out to be cloudier than the media is currently telling us.

Above all, I sincerely hope that by the time the convention rolls around, either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama will be the clear favorite, and that the convention will unite behind one of them.

Let the Party choose the best candidate available at the convention, regardless what some caucus voter in Iowa way back in January had to say before s/he had the full story.

And don't let the Obama supporters succeed in their attempts to vote for anything other than the best candidate. Maybe, at the time of the convention, the best candidate will be Obama, but maybe not. Let's decide those issues at the convention, without trying to "game the system" by artificially tying the superdelegates to the popular vote, okay?

Why Hide the Documents?

Rep. Lembke is the lead attacker of the Missouri Plan. He says he wants more openness in government.

So, Rep. Lembke files a resolution with House Speaker Rod Jetton to have Judge Hutson impeached. I think I should be able to get a copy of the document. Wrong!!! Why are they hiding?

The Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan is about reducing politics in the judiciary branch. Rep. Lembke is about increasing politics, including telling judges when they should recuse themselves. This guy is scary.

Open Letter to Super Delegates

I'm from Missouri - the Show Me State. I need you to show me that real voters count.

I don't know other states politics, but I know Missouri's. As the president of Kansas City's largest Democratic political club, I also know Senator Claire McCaskill. I live in her old state representative district. I cried when she lost the governor's race and rejoiced when she won the senate race. I know the folks who decide every election in Missouri - moderate, women swing voters. Those women will decide the White House, because "as Missouri goes, so goes the nation."

This election will put a Democrat in the White House AND Missouri's governor's mansion if we don't destroy the energy and excitement. Nothing could be worse than to take the diverse and energized voters in Missouri and have super delegates decide our nominee. Allow the excitement and momentum that comes with victory to grow.

When Governor Mel Carnahan passed away right before the election, the motto was "Don't let the fire go out." Senator Jean Carnahan still has that fire and I believe with her help that "yes we can" win this election.

Let the voters pick this one, regardless of party rules.

CAFOs Cause MRSA Infections

I often rail against CAFOs (monster corporate pig farms) and support the family farm. Besides past FFA members like myself, and the Sierra Club-types, another anti-CAFO group are people who care about the spread of nasty infections that are stronger than anti-biotics (i.e. MRSA). Here's a letter from the KC Star today from Rep. Maria Chappelle-Nadal:

ANIMALS AND STAPH

Recently in the news, at least 10 reputable medical studies have reported that antibiotic overuse in concentrated animal factory farms helps breed MRSA, the dreaded antibiotic-resistant superbug that causes deadly staph infections. Reputable medical organizations, such as the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, have called for a moratorium on building any new concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Missouri until the hazards to the health and welfare of Missouri citizens can be resolved and citizen safety can be reasonably assured.

Yet while we hear of ways to treat the symptoms — wash your hands, avoid overcrowding — we hear nothing about safety measures to prevent MRSA in these crowded meat factories. Meanwhile, meat factory workers are potentially exposed to these superbugs, and in turn, can expose the rest of the community. It is fair to ask: What is the state doing to inspect these meat factories, and stop the breeding of deadly antibiotic-resistant staph germs?

Your readers will be disturbed to find out that apparently, little if anything is being done to protect them from this threat.

Maria Chappelle-Nadal
Missouri House of Representatives, District 72
University City, Mo.

Another voice against corporate pig farms!! The current issue of The Missouri Sierran, the publication of the Sierra Club, included the following piece from Roy Hengerson, the Missouri Legislative Director for the Sierra Club:

Family farmers, local government officials and environmentalists won a significant victory by blocking efforts to reduce or eliminate feeding operations (CAFOs) in 2007. However, we know the issue will be back in 2008 . . . During the 2008 Session local control allies will closely monitor the legislative process. . . . The records of individual legislators will be scrutinized and where appropriate will be used in the 2008 legislative elections in order to hold legislators accountable to their constituents.

The Sierra Club and other environmentalists aren't afraid to stand up and point fingers. Count on CAFO being an important issue again this year, especially in the attorney general race, as Rep. Jeff Harris is sponsoring anti-CAFO bills (HB 1932) this session.

Hulshof v. Steelman

The latest Rasmussen Poll has some great results for Governor-Elect Jay Nixon.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of the state finds Nixon leading state Treasurer Sarah Steelman 46% to 35%. Nixon leads Congressman Kenny Hulshof by an even larger margin, 48% to 30%. At the moment, the Presidential race in Missouri looks to be much closer.

In the previous poll of the Governor’s race, Nixon led the state’s incumbent chief executive, Republican Matt Blunt, 47% to 42%. Any incumbent who polls below 50% is considered potentially vulnerable and Blunt announced earlier this year that he will not seek re-election.

Nixon is viewed favorably by 57% of the state’s voters, unfavorably by 29%. Steelman earns favorable reviews from 47% and unfavorable assessments from 29%. For Holshof, the numbers are 38% favorable, 35% unfavorable.

Here's what we know - there is just about nothing a candidate (Republican or Democrat) can do to reduce negatives. No, I don't think Hillary can improve her negatives. Kenny "Blunt-Lite" Hulshof has wrapped his arms around Matt Blunt. Kenny has not rejected Blunt's position to kick over 100,000 people off Medicaid. Kenny is part of Congress and people generally feel that Congress is ineffective. One has to really wonder what the Republicans are thinking? A fiercely independent State Treasurer or the waterboy?

Give us the waterboy!!!!!

Bush Wins War on English

Why we really need either Obama or Clinton -

"The war on terror involves Saddam Hussein because of the nature of Saddam Hussein, the history of Saddam Hussein, and his willingness to terrorize himself."

George W. Bush, Grand Rapids, Michigan, January 29, 2003.

Koster & UMKC

Gone Mild has an interesting post on Chris Koster taking $15 Million from UMKC. The AG race - I believe - will be about who can get KC and St. Louis out to vote.

I don't know anything about St. Louis, but Margaret Donnelly does. I know that the UMKC community is active in KC. Important liberal endorsements are going to start leaking out - like ACORN.

Mark your calendars now for the first debate among all 3 attorney general candidates - May 22 at UMKC White Recital Hall @ 6:00.

Barack Spin on Missouri Win

Beginning in Iowa, followed by South Carolina and again in Missouri and Kansas, Barack Obama has demonstrated an incredible ability to appeal to and win the support of a broad spectrum of voters. People from every walk of life, every background, Red states and Blue states have enthusiastically endorsed his message for change in Washington.

With a message that has resonated in all parts of the country it is surprising to hear from a few who are concerned about Barack Obama’s ability to win a state like Missouri in the general election given the geography of Obama’s February 5 win here.

Here’s a take on the conclusions we can draw from this primary election and what those results tell us about the upcoming general election and Missouri’s bellwether status:

In Missouri, as in the nation, it is certain that a general election victory will go to the party that is most successful in dealing with two important factors: 1. The persuasion of “independents” that vote in general elections (not party primaries). 2. The turnout rate of the party base.

The primary election results in Missouri and other states, as well as poll after poll of general election voters, speak for themselves as an indicator of the first factor: Barack Obama has persuaded more Indpendents than ever before to -participate and support him in Democratic primaries, and has greater appeal to Independents who will vote in the general election.

Secondly, the Super Tuesday election results prove that the Democratic base in Missouri is excited and likely to turn out in record numbers for the November contest. With competitive races in both parties, 58.3% of Missourians took a Democratic ballot. More than 234,000 Democratic ballots were taken than Republican ballots, which is remarkable and unprecedented.

Even with this information, some have argued that because Obama did not win the majority of Missouri’s rural counties in the primary he will be less likely to win the state in the general election.

There is no absolutely no evidence that the Missouri Democrats who voted for Clinton in a primary would not vote for Obama in a general (or vice versa). In fact, the only evidence of true negative feelings for a potential nominee among primary voters is on the other side – for McCain among conservatives.

In fact, every indication is that both Democratic candidates will be able to enthusiastically engage the growing and energized Democratic base in Missouri. The question for the general is who can win over the Independents residing in suburban and rural parts of the state, thereby cutting Republican margins in rural areas and building Democratic margins in suburban areas. Clearly, Independents in Missouri and elsewhere are displaying an openness and an affinity to Obama and his message of change that we haven’t seen in some time.

Missouri’s bellwether status and preference in the primary election should be, without a doubt, a strong message to the rest of the country about the kind of candidate needed to lead our party to victory in November.

KC Star Says Keep Politics out of Judiciary

Some on the very far right wing of the Republican Party have decided attacking judges, turning neutral arbitrators into partisan hacks, is good politics. It may be good Republican politics to pander to your base under the Karl Rove/Jeff Roe theory, but it is not good government.

Here's the the KC Star Editorial from February 7, 2008:

Some Missouri lawmakers persist in trying to inject politics into the selection of judges, a truly bad idea that could lead to buying and selling of justice. The latest assault on the judiciary in Jefferson City involves constitutional amendments that could seriously damage the state’s much- copied system of keeping politics at arm’s length from the judiciary. A nonpartisan panel of lawyers, representatives of the public and a judge screen candidates for a judgeship in the state’s largest cities and at the appellate level. Three names are sent to the governor, who makes the final choice.

It’s a good system.

Rep. Jim Lembke, a St. Louis Republican, wants a panel of Democrats and Republicans to make the nominations. He also wants senators to approve the governor’s selection. Those changes would allow politicians to essentially pick judges. Rep. Stanley Cox, another Republican from Sedalia, wants the governor to have a greater say in choosing the nominees. That could result in only candidates who are political associates of the governor — and possibly campaign contributors — making it to the bench.

Chief Justice Laura Denvir Stith this week pointed out to legislators that the non-partisan system is in place because largely Republican lawmakers and civic leaders once led a voter initiative. It’s puzzling that GOP lawmakers — backed by Republican Gov. Matt Blunt — now want to depart from that historical achievement.

They apparently haven’t thought very far ahead. They may well regret their efforts if the next governor is a Democrat. Missouri’s system has served the state well since 1940 and there were no complaints about the overall quality of judges until Blunt and current legislative critics of the system got into office.

The nonpartisan system isn’t what is off-base here. These ideas for politicizing the judiciary should be rejected.

The far right wing of the Republican Party love to talk about "strict constructionist judges," which is code word for reversing Roe v. Wade. The Republicans talking about this are not the business types who want even, fair & consistent rulings on contract cases. It's not the fiscal conservatives who just want Bush to stop running up trillion dollar deficits. It's only those folks who understand that if they can stop courts from enforcing our civil rights, then they can eliminate the right to choose.

Right wing folks fear McCain because he formed the Gang of 14 to work through Bush's efforts to appoint extremely conservative judges. Pat Buchanan, writing in the American Conservative, in an article entitled The Great Betrayal, is at least honest about it - Buchanan says that he wants the next Republican president to appoint someone to overturn Roe v. Wade.

In 1993, McCain voted to confirm the pro-abortion liberal Ruth Bader Ginsburg. But when Bush set out to restore constitutionalism, McCain formed the Gang of 14, seven senators from each party. All agreed to vote to block the GOP Senate from invoking the “nuclear option”—i.e., empowering the GOP to break a filibuster of judicial nominees by majority vote—unless the seven Democrats agreed.

With this record of voting for Clinton justices and joining with Democrats anxious to kill the most conservative Bush’s nominees, what guarantee is there a President McCain would nominate and fight for the fifth jurist who would vote to overturn Roe v Wade?

Democrats don't talk about the need to pack courts with political hacks. We don't ask judges to pre-judge or pre-commit to their rulings on important civil rights issues. It looks like the Republican Party has lost control of their far right wing again.

Kick Start the Economy

Since the last business cycle peak in March of 2001, 63% of the job growth in this country has come from two sectors of the economy...education and health care. Together they have created 3.7 million new jobs. (28 million jobs and 20% of total workforce)

By comparison, the next biggest source of new jobs, the leisure and hospitality industries added only 1.7 million.

If a recession is imminent and many think we are already in a recession does it make sense to for state governments to CUT these areas of the economy?? In fact, could the restoration of those 100,000 cut off medicaid by Blunt and the Republicans in 2005 be not only a moral and right thing to do but also be one of the best things to help Missouri's economy? Could adding more nurses, teachers and hospital orderlies, higher reimbursment rates and increasing funding for student loans and grants in medical and education actually hold off or smooth out the recession?

Hulshof is Blunt-lite

Congressman Kenny Hulshof looks like the favorite Republican in the run for governor - favorite of the Blunt/Abramoff/Corporate crowd.

Learn a little more about Hulshof from this video.



Congressman Hulsof was looking at the governor's race 4 years ago when Congressman Roy Blunt (then majority WHIP - ouch) got Kenny to back in line. At least whatever promises were made 4 years ago are being kept now.

Reflections: Faith and Citizenship in Turbulent Times

Yale Divinity School publishes a journal called Reflections. This edition is titled "Faith and Citizenship in Turbulent Times."

Listen, I know what you are thinking - if Senator Jack Danforth (R-Mo) went to Yale Divinity School, it must be some radical conservative place where preachers are taught to handle snakes. Some of you are thinking - quit mixing religion with a Democratic blog and just go back to bashing the religious right wing. If Jack Danforth can bash on the religious right, so can I. Remember Danforth's great op-ed in the New York Times:

By a series of recent initiatives, Republicans have transformed our party into the political arm of conservative Christians. The elements of this transformation have included advocacy of a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, opposition to stem cell research involving both frozen embryos and human cells in petri dishes, and the extraordinary effort to keep Terri Schiavo hooked up to a feeding tube.

Danforth is right - his party was transformed into the political arm of the religious right. Some of these bible thumpers care more about judging thier neighbor than feeding thier neighbor. What shocks me is that it is the corporate folks who bought the Republican party who are amazed when the religious right won't just go away so they can have lower tax rates (i.e. Huckabee).

One of the many articles on Faith and Citizenship in Reflections is Theologies of Democracy in a New Century by E.J. Dionne, Jr. Under the caption of "The Waning of the Religious Right," Mr. Dionne writes:

There has never been a better moment for a new religious conversation, especially one organized around the theme of community. We meet at a moment when the religious winds are changing. The future of religious engagement with American public life will not, I believe, be defined by the events of the recent past. . . . The public voice of religion, as reflected in the supposedly liberal mass media, was deeply inflected with a particular brand of southern, conservative evangelicalism. . . . But in the new millennium, new religious voices are rising to challenge stereotypical views of religious faith.

He goes on to describe religious leaders on the right, like Rick Warren, who talk of caring for the poorest of the world. He mentions Bono standing up for the poor. He notes Rev. Jim Wallis who wrote God's Politics; Why the Right is Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It.

So here is the question - is the Democratic party's tent big enough to handle people of faith? If John Edwards, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama talk about faith, it makes the front cover of Time. If may faith tells me to love my neighbor (caring for the sick, feeding the hunger, clothing the naked) and your personal values tell you the same thing and we both think universal healthcare is a great means to care for other Americans, can we still be in the same party?

God Loves the Family Farm

Frequent readers will know that we often get off (or on) track from Democratic values to discuss family farms.

In each carton of eggs from Campo Lindo Farms comes a little note, like this one:

Happy New Year from Campo Lindo Farms!

Things have been a little hectic - several of our ewes are lambing earlier than we like (lack of planning on my part last summer) and the snow sure makes it challenging. The "turkey brooder" turned into the "lambing pen" on Christmas day, when a healthy little lamb took advantage of the sunny day to be born. (He's a cutie!) Two other ewes lambed yesterday, Dec. 31, but unfortunately, one of the lambs didn't make it. That mom has decided that she will co-mother the other one, so one lucky lamb at Campo Lindo has lots and lots of milk to keep his tummy full and warm.

Thank you for supporting this local farm during the past year and may you have a 2008 that's as full of love and blessings as this one little lamb is!

Carol, Jay, Brandon & Isabel

Fighting monster corporate pig/sewage farms, supporting small businesses and helping out Missouri family farms may just be a Democratic values, after all.