Amdt 3: An Afterthought on Special Interests Tax Exemptions

Here is a letter from former State Rep. Ed Emery who is steadfast in his zeal to honor God and support the principles that made our country great. This information conflicts with earlier information I posted in support of Amdt. 3. After reading this letter, it's more clear than ever in mind that learning to ask the right questions is key to deciding how to vote. The main question in my mind is: why is Amdt 3 on the ballot now? We've been buying and selling homes in this area almost as far back the Lewis and Clark expedition...

Why is Amendment 3 on the ballot?

Ed Emery has part of the answer:

To the Citizens of Missouri,

Numerous conservative organizations across the state have asked whether or not Amendment 3 will hurt efforts to end the state income tax. Ed Emery, sponsor of MO Jobs and Prosperity Act 2010, responded to that question and to a charge of deception concerning his position. Mr. Emery is urging a ‘no’ vote on Amendment 3 for the following reasons:

“I have not tried to be deceptive but informative. I have fully supported (I think even co-sponsored) Missouri Association of Realtors efforts to ensure that transfer fees are not imposed, but for whatever reason we have not been able to pass that legislation. MAR can probably fill in the blanks on who has been responsible for killing the anti-fee proposals. I also have not opposed their efforts to accomplish the same thing via Missouri's petition process because I was told by their representatives that the petition was confined to their fee issue and did not impact efforts to eliminate the income tax in Missouri.

Once I took time to read the ballot language, it was clear I had been misled.

Amendment 3 imposes a special industry-specific exemption from the provisions of SJR 29 (or its legislative successor). It invokes a serious flaw into meaningful tax reform. Not only will passage of Amendment 3 increase the consumption tax rate needed to eliminate the income tax and remain revenue-neutral, but it will be followed by a long line of similarly "important" exemptions. Missouri will be thrown right back into the process of government picking winners and losers by tax code. That's the taxation model that always favors the powerful elite over small business, punishes economic success, and ultimately penalizes the consumer.

The consumption tax model (SJR 29) is not a tweak or even major modification of the income tax model. It represents a step-function transformation: a paradigm shift. MAR, with Amendment 3, is threatening this strategic transformation in the economic climate and prosperity of Missouri for a tactical victory that is trivial in comparison and that benefits only a few Missourians. True tax reform benefits all Missourians.

That is my view and why I am passionately opposed to Amendment 3. I am happy to do whatever I can to help ensure that the transfer fee issue is fixed, but not at the cost of meaningful tax reform. Whatever the people choose on Nov. 2nd, my goal is that they be fully informed on both the surface and the strategic impacts before they vote.

I would say fully informed on the "secondary effects," but after reading the Amendment 3 language, I don't think the confrontation with SJR 29 is a secondary effect, but the primary purpose. I think the proposed special treatment of one industry relative to SJR 29's proposed tax reforms is MAR's primary purpose even though they have told membership the primary purpose is the threat of new fees.

As always - frequently mistaken, but seldom without an opinion,

I remain sincerely yours,

Ed Emery

Leadership Drives the Agenda: Why You Should Care Who is Senate Pro-Tem in MO

When it comes down to it, Missouri's Republican-controlled legislature has no excuse for not passing conservative legislation except that the leadership positions are so powerful, there are big incentives for playing favorites--with our tax dollars.

You can help change politics in Missouri by signing a petition in favor of not electing Sen. Engler to the highest post in the Senate. Sen. Engler is a nice guy but he also has a record of handing out taxpayer dollars to corporate interests and Unions, and avoiding Democratic filibusters. Moreover, during the Republican reign, why hasn't there been school choice reforms? a simpler tax code adopted? a constitutional amendment protecting our health care freedom passed? property rights protections adopted?

Why not?

Sign the petition to say loud and clear: we're tired politics as usual; tired of doing the same things and expecting different results; tired of Republicans acting like Democrats.

Sign the petition

Basically this is an effort to let our Senators in Jefferson City know that people are watching, and that there is support for a conservative agenda in Missouri. While it's not common for "the people" to be involved in how the Senators choose their leadership, it's time to at least try something different. Doing the same things over and over doesn't seem to be working. 

Consider the laws past last session: a watered down Health Care Freedom Act, a phony ethics bill (that favors Unions and Party control), corporate welfare, a law that will make insurance premiums in MO go up, support for Race-to-the-Top...

While Missouri isn't in deep in debt, there are important issues that aren't being addressed because there are powerful lobbying interests against what's in the best interests of the masses. 

Sign the petition to speak out!

You can read more at the links provided as well.

Did you know Missouri will likely lose a congressional seat soon?

1. Listen to this great conversation on the Missouri Minute between Carl Bearden, Woody Cozad, and Larry Stendebach on how redistricting helps incumbents, how past redistricting in Missouri has played, and predictions for this time.

2. I got an email from State Sen. Steve Rupp that I'd like to share with you one the beginning stages of the redistricting process in Missouri:

Households...have filled out and returned their forms...for the 2010 U.S. Census....Data collected from these forms will help determine the number of seats our state occupies in the U.S. House of Representatives.  

Currently, Missouri has nine Congressional districts....  

According to a 2010 Census map representing mail participation rate by counties in our state, Lincoln County had a 73-78 percent participation rate and St. Charles County had a participation rate of 79-84 percent.  However, even with these high percentage rates reported out of our district, news forecasts have Missouri losing one of our nine Congressional seats.  According to a Boston Globe article, Missouri is one of eight states projected to lose a seat as a result of a shifting population base throughout the country.

A St. Louis Post-Dispatch article reports that Missouri’s 72 percent return rate matched the nation’s overall number; however, our state’s growth rate (about 7 percent since 2000) has not kept pace with the nation’s 9 percent increase.

...couple of months before the Census Bureau releases its report....The first data released from the 2010 Census will be the official national and state population count, which will be used to apportion seats in the U.S. House.  As mandated by the U.S. Constitution, this data must be delivered to the President of the United States by the U.S. Census Bureau on or before Dec. 31, 2010.

The work then falls on each state to draw new congressional districts in time for the 2013 elections.  In Missouri, Congressional redistricting is the responsibility of the State Legislature.  As chair of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting, created in 2009, it is my job to help prepare the General Assembly for its role in redrawing Congressional districts in 2011.  The task of redrawing the state’s 34 Senatorial districts and 163 House districts is assigned to two bipartisan commissions appointed by the governor.  The Legislature must draw and approve new Congressional districts during the 2011 regular session, or face a special session, to ensure proper filing in February 2012 for Congressional District candidates.

As work progresses on this issue, I will keep you informed on any changes regarding how the boundary lines are drawn for your legislative districts.  If you have any questions regarding this matter or any other issues within state government, please visit my website at www.senate.mo.gov/rupp.  You can also e-mail me or call my office toll-free at (866) 271-2844.

Emphasis mine.

The point: to follow this issue means following what's going on in both the Senate and House versions of the Select Committee on Redistricting.

Election Day Education - Prop. B is about Control not Puppies

Vote NO on Prop B on Nov. 2 to protect private businesses owners, in particularly dog breeders who obey the law and have dedicated their lives to caring for dogs.

A select group of the "intellectual elite," who don't believe dogs showed be owned, are behind Prop. B.

Prop. B will lead many dog breeders to close their doors⎯or worse⎯choose bankruptcy. Prop. B does not provide additional protection for dogs over and above laws already on the books. Instead, it requires changes that are artificial, not helpful, and costly, which will put dog breeders out of business

Prop. B is more about controlling private businesses based on a false view that the elite "no better" than the "the People."

Missouri Department of Agriculture has been criticized for lax enforcement, and the recent dog rescues show that even without Prop. B dogs properly are being properly rescued (stltoday.com). Prop. B is a phony puppy mill protection bill.

Since our culture is more likely to make choices based on emotion instead thoughtful research, showing puppies on commercials makes volunteering or donating money to oppose Prop. B seem like a losing proposition. However, the only way to change our culture is too engage it by starting with our friends in simply conversations about emotional charged images, confusing names ("Human Society"), and role of government.

But you still might be thinking?

Will Prop B improve conditions in our kennels?

What are the real consequences of Prop B to dog breeders and pet owners?

Invite your friends and find out the answers at these events:


Oct. 4th at 7 pm in Washington, MO at the Senior Center at 1459 5th street, Guest speaker will be Kelly Smith with the Missouri Farm Bureau.

Oct. 16th at 2:30 pm at Pillar In The Valley, Chesterfield, Guest speaker will be Chris Chin, 6th generation hog farmer.

Events sponsored by the CWA of MO, I Heard the People Say, and Show Me Patriots.

For more info: http://www.thealliancefortruth.com/

Read: Who Isn’t Against Animal Cruelty? But Proposition B Is Not the Answer (United for Missouri) and Does Prop B Violate Our Liberties? (Franklin County Patriots)

Election Day Education - What would Amendment 3 do?

Vote YES on Nov. 2 to protect Missouri property owners from double taxation.

Information below is from: http://www.yestosavehomes.com/

What would Amendment 3 do?
It would amend the Missouri Constitution to prevent double taxation on homes and other properties by barring transfer taxes on real estate transactions.

What is a real estate transfer tax?
It’s a tax imposed by state or local governments, or both, that is collected when you transfer ownership of your home, land or other real estate. Typically, once the tax is on the books, the rate can be increased by the state, city or county without a vote of the people.



What is the specific language of Amendment 3?
Amendment 3 is simple and straightforward: “Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to prevent the state, counties, and other political subdivisions from imposing any new tax, including a sales tax, on the sale or transfer of homes or any other real estate?”

Do Missouri or its local governments now impose real estate transfer taxes?
These unfair taxes are currently allowed under the Missouri Constitution. Even though these unfair taxes are not now being collected in Missouri, 37 states and the District of Columbia are imposing some variation of a real estate transfer tax. Missouri needs to head off this temptation to politicians that amounts to unfair double taxation.

Deadline for Voter Registration in 7 Days - Oct 6

You can't vote if you're not registered!

The last day to register to vote in Missouri is days away on Oct. 6. Those not registered to vote by October 6 will not be able to vote in November.

Find out how here: http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/s_default.asp?id=voter

I try to get an announcement in my church bulletin, along with instructions available to hand out, the Sunday before the deadline.

Will you be in Missouri on Nov 2? Will you be working a poll?

You can vote absentee by going in person to the Board of Election Commissioners in your county or by requesting an absentee ballot.

Check out Kerry Messer's ballot measures guide before you go: http://missourifamilynetwork.net/

Highlights of the Ed Martin v. Carnahan Debate - Sept. 24, 2010

With great anticipation I attended the first debate, hosted by conspicuously named "League of Women of Voters." There were definitely more Ed Martin supporters than Rep. Russ Carnahan supporters.

Here's a contrast between how Russ handle tough questions and how Ed responded:



Ed Martin established a very comfortable demeanor during the debate while Rep. Russ Carnahan seemed overly focused on his notes at times. Here is Ed's closing statement:



Here are statements by Ed Martin and Russ Carnahan on how the government should protect human life or support taxpayer funding to end it.

Courageous Missouri Senators - Protecting the Invisible People Who Want Affordable Medical Insurance

In the 2010 Legislative session, a bill was passed that will affect health insurance premiums for all Missourians. Yet only those who would benefit from the bill were in the spot light: children with autism, generally defined. Too often the "invisible" people or groups affected by a law or policy are overlooked because emotional arguments are presented in favor of a bill, which may or may not help a specific few.

Here is a review of how Missouri Senators voted.

I've also included a letter of object by State Rep. Ed Emery pointing out the constitutional violations of the bill, along with a list of how the state representatives voted. Check it out. You might be surprised.

Twenty-fifth Day–Thursday, February 18, 2010 - Official Record page 1505

YEAS—Senators
Barnitz Bray Callahan Champion Clemens Crowell Days Dempsey
Engler Goodman Green Griesheimer Justus Keaveny Lager Lembke
Mayer McKenna Nodler Pearce Rupp Schaefer Schmitt Shields
Shoemyer Stouffer Vogel Wilson Wright-Jones—29

NAYS—Senators
Bartle Cunningham Purgason Scott—4 Friends of Liberty!!

Absent—Senator Ridgeway—1
Absent with leave—Senators—None
Vacancies—None

Representative Emery offered an objection to CCS SCS HCS HBs 1311 & 1341, which was
appended to the bill.

LETTER OF OBJECTION

May 2010
Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon
Governor
State Capitol, Room 216
105 West Capitol Avenue
Jefferson City, MO 65101

RE: CCS SCS HCS HBs 1311 and 1341 Establishes provisions regarding health insurance coverage for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and the licensure of applied behavior analysts.

Dear Governor Nixon:

I submit this objection to the signing of CCS SCS HCS HBs 1311 and 1341 pursuant to article III, section 30 of the Constitution of Missouri.

This bill violates the fundamental and natural right to life of all Missouri citizens by inhibiting the freedom to choose and acquire health care that is necessary to preserve one's life and health from any source capable of providing medically efficacious health care. Any state mandate to provide coverage increases the cost of health care thereby making it less affordable. Furthermore, House Bill No. 1311 prohibits the sale of health insurance to Missouri residents by out-of-state providers unless they conform to Missouri law. This violates the right of Missouri citizens to acquire medically efficacious health care from any source.

In general term, the distinction between Missouri residents and non-residents with regard to the availability and choice of health care lacks any rational basis whatsoever and is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the federal constitution. The restriction on the sale of health insurance to Missouri residents violates the fundamental rights to life and acts medical self defense by Missouri residents preserved by both the federal and state constitutions. The restriction on the sale of health insurance policies to Missouri residents by out-of-state health carriers violates the Supremacy Clause of the federal Constitution because the state of Missouri lacks jurisdiction to impose any extraterritorial restriction on the activities of Missouri residents and out-of-state health insurance carriers conducting transactions substantially outside of the state of Missouri.

The proposed legislation also violates the Commerce Clause of the federal constitution by inhibiting the sale of interstate goods and services to residents of Missouri. Missouri has unconstitutionally exempted its own health care plan, Missouri Health Net, as well as numerous small, in-state businesses from its mandate. These waivers and exemptions are unavailable to out-of-state companies thereby creating a competitive advantage for the state of Missouri and certain in- state businesses at the expense of a national free market in health care services.

Because of these numerous constitutional violations, I ask the Governor to act for the good of the people of Missouri and to veto House Bill No. 1311.

Sincerely,

/s/ [State Rep.] Ed Emery

Sixty-ninth Day–Wednesday, May 12, 2010 1493

On motion of Representative Scharnhorst, CCS SCS HCS HBs 1311 & 1314 was read the
third time and passed by the following vote:

AYES: 144
Allen Atkins Aull Ayres Biermann
Bivins Brandom Bringer Brown 30 Brown 50
Brown 149 Bruns Burnett Calloway Carter
Casey Chappelle-Nadal Colona Conway Cooper
Corcoran Cunningham Curls Deeken Denison
Dieckhaus Diehl Dixon Dougherty Dusenberg
Englund Faith Fallert Fischer 107 Fisher 125
Flanigan Flook Frame Franz Funderburk
Gatschenberger Grill Grisamore Harris Hobbs
Hodges Holsman Hoskins 80 Hoskins 121 Hughes
Hummel Icet Jones 63 Jones 117 Kander
Keeney Kelly Kingery Kirkton Komo
Kratky Kraus Kuessner Lair Lampe
Largent Leara LeBlanc LeVota Liese
Lipke Loehner Low McClanahan McDonald
McGhee McNary McNeil Meadows Meiners
Molendorp Morris Munzlinger Nance Nasheed
Newman Nieves Nolte Norr Oxford
Pace Parkinson Pratt Quinn Riddle
Roorda Rucker Ruestman Ruzicka Salva
Sander Scavuzzo Schaaf Schad Scharnhorst
Schieffer Schlottach Schoemehl Schupp Shively
Silvey Skaggs Smith 14 Smith 150 Spreng
Still Storch Stream Sutherland Swinger
Talboy Thomson Tilley Todd Tracy
Viebrock Vogt Wallace Walsh Walton Gray
Wasson Webb Webber Wells Weter
Whitehead Wilson 119 Wilson 130 Witte Wright
Yaeger Zerr Zimmerman Mr Speaker

NOES: 016
Burlison Cox Davis Day Dethrow
Dugger Emery Ervin Guernsey Guest
Jones 89 Koenig Parson Sater Schoeller
Self

PRESENT: 000
ABSENT WITH LEAVE: 002
Pollock Stevenson
VACANCIES: 001

Speaker Pro Tem Pratt declared the bill passed.

Talk of "change" is a shame; Dodd's Restoring American Financial Stability Act

Just got this email from Ron Paul on Dodd's Restoring American Financial Stability Act:

The talk of "change" in Washington, D.C. is, as you know, a sham.

Nothing proves this more than the current debate on Senator Dodd's Restoring American Financial Stability Act, which you and I know should be called the Fed Empowerment Act. Senate leadership is hoping to cram more big government down our throats to cover up for the economic problems caused by – you guessed it – big government.

Our nation faces major challenges for which the freedom movement has the solutions, and this is no time to back down. While the Sanders amendment takes important steps toward more transparency, the thorough audit language we fought to pass in the House last year is no longer present.

But there is good news. Senator David Vitter will offer a strong Audit the Fed amendment to restore that language, but it needs all the help we can give it to pass.

So call

Bond: (202) 224-5721
McCaskill: Phone 202-224-6154

Should Public Funding of Early Childhood Education Be A High Priority?

Yes, according to Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro. But what exactly is "early childhood education"?

The last question from the audience at the Holden Public Policy Forum at Webster University to DESE Commissioner Chris Nicastro was basically this: if you the commissioner had stable, and even increasing money flow (which is certainly not the case at the present time), what would she do with it?

Without hesitation, she answered: "early childhood education."

Now, why would that bother me over and above many other issues including Race to the Top funding?

Don't I think children should be educated, and certainly as early as possible?

I'm bothered because parents are responsible for "educating" their children by reading with them and doing other basic learning activities. It's called "parenting."

To Commissionor Nicastro credit, she seems to understand the notion that "school" should not be narrowly defined as only time in the "classroom," but rather, "school" is much more broader in scope and includes all educational activities. Homeschool parents understand this concept well.

To me, it seems, that will all the talk about the need for "educational reform," what we need is a revolution in returning to the basics (no I'm not very creative in my proposed solutions), and not fads and continually defining and redefining "standards."

Learning how to read, write, and add as well as many other tasks are not group activities. Why are we trying to make them group activities? Maybe because our society has tried to make them group activities, some children fall behind?

More over, the pre-kindergarten push is based on false assumptions that beg the question: is there research showing that a structured (or possibility out-of-control) classroom is better "early child education" than parents can provide their children at home or no classroom instruction at all?

Ok, now, I'm sure some of you are thinking, "Ruth, it's great that well-to-do parents might have the intuition and resources to "educate" their children at home before Kindergarten, but what about the 'poor'?"

Let's look at how well Head Start, a program focused on early childhood education for lower-income children, has preformed. Head Start serves approximately 900,000 low-income children at a cost of $9 billion per year. An experimental evaluation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that

"Head Start has had little to no effect on cognitive, socio-emotional, health, and parenting outcomes of participating children. For the four-year-old cohort, access to Head Start had a beneficial effect on only two outcomes (1.8 percent) out of 112 measures. For the three-year-old cohort, access to Head Start had one harmful impact (0.9 percent) and five (4.5 percent) beneficial impacts out of 112 measures," according to by David B. Muhlhausen, Ph.D. and Dan Lips.

To sound like a progressive, in part, the solution is more discussion on what is "early childhood education." And to sound like a conservative, I don't think the main problem is not enough publicly funded structured (or not so structured) classroom snacks, naps, and diversity training.

From the Inside Out

One of the most devastating but liberating discoveries, according John Piper, is that we can't make ourselves love God.

Love, by definition, is something that can't be forced. We have to want to love.

What do we do if we don't love God from the inside out, wholly and totally, with our all of our hearts and minds?

A. W. Tozer, in his book The Pursuit of God, writes that "if we cooperate with Him in loving obedience, God will manifest Himself to us, and that manifestation will be the difference between a nominal Christian life and a life radiant with the light of His face."

I wonder: Where does the "loving obedience" come from?

Tozer asks: "Why do some persons 'find' God in a way that others do not?"

Tozer defines "finding God" as "becoming more closely united in mind and heart" with God. And those who exercise and not neglect the longing within to know God in the deepest ways possible this side of Heaven will develop "spiritual receptivity."

This "spiritual receptivity" is a gift from God and requires a "determined heart" and "courage to wrench ourselves loose from the grip of our times."

"Let any man turn to God in earnest, let him begin to exercise himself unto godliness, let him seek to develop his powers of spiritual receptivity by trust and obedience and humility, and the results will exceed anything he may have hoped in his leaner and weaker days," writes Tozer.

I pray Tozer's words:

O God and Father, I repent of my sinful preoccupation with visible things. The world has been too much with me. Thou hast been here and I knew it not. I have been blind to Thy presence. Open my eyes that I may behold Thee in and around me. For Christ's sake, Amen.



Hillsong's From the Inside Out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-afZJ9_TIM

Re-posted from l0-6-09

Missouri U.S. Senate Candidate Forum: Lightning Round

After reviewing answers, go vote at MODecides.com for who you think would be the best candidate to represent Missourians in the U.S. Senate.

. Davis Conway Sen. Chuck Purgason Deborah Solomon Hector Maldonado Kristi Nichols James H. Schmidt . Would you vote to repeal the 17th amendment? yes yes need to research/not sure yes yes yes . Would you vote to audit the Federal Reserve System? yes yes yes yes yes yes . Would you support legislation to require all bills to include provisions only germane to the bill? Yes Yes need to research/not sure no no yes . Do you believe that the best way to protect Americans from terrorism is by the provisions within the USA Patriot Act including surveillance of US citizens and suspension of due process? no no yes yes yes no . Would you vote to repeal the USA Patriot Act? yes yes no no no yes . Would you vote to repeal the 16th amendment? no yes need to research/not sure need to research/not sure need to research/not sure yes . Do you think that non-citizens should be provided with entitlements like Social Security and Medicare? no no no no no no . Would you be in favor of withdrawing from the United Nations? yes yes yes yes yes yes . Do you support 10th Amendment legislation that resists the federal government usurping the constitutional rights of the states? yes yes need to research/not sure yes yes yes

Wondering What's Up in Jefferson City?

I just got a great email from Sen. Chuck Purgason on what's been going on in our state capital:

This week your Missouri Senate pushed back again working for the passage of “The Health Care Freedom Act” (SJR 25). This important legislation would allow the people of Missouri an opportunity to vote for a constitutional amendment that would block mandatory participation in Washington’s total government-run health care proposal.

This measure, if passed by the voters, would not allow fines or penalties to be levied against employers and individuals who opt out of government-run care and pay for their own health care. I believe we should protect our individual freedom and not let government bureaucrats gain more control over our lives. I think it is very unfortunate that the states are put into this position. I wish our congress would have addressed some of these issues before it got to the point that it is today, but those opportunities have passed us by.

The Senate Appropriations Committee continued its work this week with discussions on spending priorities and spending cuts to the Governor’s recommendations for the state’s Fiscal Year 2011 budget which begins July 1. It is no secret that deeper spending cuts will have to be made for next year’s budget, but thus far we are just trimming around the edges and rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

At some point in the budget process, the politicians will have to accept the facts, make the spending cuts and balance the budget. However, I expect it may take a little longer than the regular legislative session for the Governor and the General Assembly to come to an agreement on difficult budget cuts. It looks like I may need to contact my landlord and extend the lease on my apartment.

I cannot stress to you enough the severity of the budget this year and even greater problems next year. With that in mind, the Senate this week broke from tradition on floor debate and split up into groups of four to study reforms to our state government. The group to which I was assigned dealt with tax credits and economic development. The department put forth a plan to rearrange our 61 tax credit programs into six more easily managed tax credit departments.

. . . .The only jobs we [government] create are ones that produce more red tape and bureaucracies. The private sector is the area that creates jobs --- our small business owners across the state. 92% of the jobs created in this state are created by small businesses, but we spend millions of dollars per year dangling out tax credits and incentives to lure 8% of the businesses to the state at the expense of the ones that are already here.

. . . . Given the current job situation, apparently what we have been doing in economic development is not proving to be successful. Sometimes simple answers for complex problems are better because we as a government have allowed simple problems to become so complex.

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns. I can be reached in Jefferson City at (573)751-1882, e-mail to chuck.purgason@senate.mo.gov or write to me at 201 West Capitol Avenue, Room 420, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

###

MO U.S. Senate Forum Recap - Questions 1, 2, & 3

I typed these notes as I listened on Saturday; I do not claim to be unbiased in my recap. Please watch Michelle Moore's video for the most accurate account. Pictures posted on flicker by http://rebootcongress.blogspot.com.

I could not "live blog" because I couldn't catch a connection strong enough or long enough to upload this from the Forum. I've only included the first three questions in this post because including all of the responses to all 9 questions would result in a extraordinary long post.

Only 7 of the 9 candidates running for U.S. Senate showed up at the MO Decides. On the outset, it was clear the Rep. Roy Blunt would be unlikely to attend, but since the so-called Health Care Reform vote is today, he did have a legitimate reason for not attending. Mike Vontz also did not attend because he traveled to DC to rally against the bill.

Question #1 : The U.S. Senate is one of the most powerful legislative bodies in these United States. Please explain why youʼre qualified to be a U.S. Senator. Please include if you have run for a political office, and which public offices you have held.

I really wasn't impressed with most the answers I heard and didn't start logging my thoughts until Sen. Chuck Purgason gave the response:

"because I've helped balanced the budget in Missouri for the last 8 years."

Davis Conway:

"Basically my qualifications are the Constitution."

He did not say what it was, but I'm assuming he means that Art. 1 Sec. 2 sets a standard that he fits: he is a U.S. Citizen and has obtained the age of at least 25 years.

He's never run for office.

Question #2 : What would be your solution to solving the immigration crisis in America?

Sen. Purgason says...follow Art. 1, Section 8: Closed the border. He's a "proponent of a real fence."

#1 thing for our security; supports aggressive immigration enforcement policy. "If you come across illegally, we should send you back."

He's like to see campaign promises fulfilled campaign promises to build a fence.

Deborah Solomon:

Believes "we" [Republican Party] need to reach out to people of minority races.

She then reads direction from Christianity Today - America should grant legal status for illegal aliens.

[Each candidate could give two :30 second rebuttals; Solomon took an opportunity after a few other candidates answered to add:]

She agrees with encouraging businesses to use E-verify; "people should come to America if they want to be of help"; favor of English in all the schools because it "unties us all"; "many Hispanic people have made great contributions to our society

Hector Maldonado:

He became a nationalized Citizen in 1995; his Dad used visa to be migrant field worker starting in 1955. The same program my Dad used to come here doesn't make now.

He does not support "overnight" amnesty; but seems to support gradually granting amnesty with the caveat: "citizenship to those who want it." He seemed to imply that some illegal aliens don't deserve amnesty but some do but didn't give clear distinction here.

He later gave a rebuttal with some clarity: He's for strong borders, and national defense, but not for giving amnesty to those violating the liberties of other people; but honestly, hardworking illegals should be allowed to live the American dream.

Kristi Nichols

Said: Illegal immigration is illegal. There is a process to come into this country...we pay $30,000 per year for keeping illegal aliens in our prisons.

Wants more usage of E-verify.

Supports building a wall.

Sends a strong message: "I'm not for any kind of amnesty."

James H. Schmidt:

"we don't have a physical border"; we need to put up fences or physical borders; we need to remove the incentives for coming here; we need to prosecute illegal aliens

Davis Conway:
policy changes aren't going to help; we need to enforce current policies
1. secure borders
2. enforce current policies

sending people back? 100 million? It would be difficult to send illegals back.

Question #3: According to the United States Constitution, under what circumstances may the federal government authorize military action?

Deborah Solomon:

peace through strength
pay fair wages for military (they did not get a pay increase in the last military budget appropriations bill apparently)
we need to build "strong friendships and relationships" with the international community [but later she did say she would vote for the U.S. to pull out of the U.N.]
work with the international community
we cannot be isolationists

Hector Maldonado:

He quoted from Article 2; the Constitution gives the president the right to declare war with consent of Congress. He said the president can do whatever he finds necessary in the first 100 days, but then Congress must declare war.

Kristi Nichol is for strong defense, diplomacy is a good tool. Mr. Obama propose a Cap & Trade tax greater than our national defense budget. We can't stand around all day without taking action.

James Schmidt
Founders wisely gave the President the ability to respond to immediate threats.

All wars should be declared by Congress.
Keep military well funded to show our strength
We've spread ourselves all around the world that maybe we could bring home.

Davis Conway:
Congress has the right to declare war.
Belief: finish what we start and always protect ourselves
global camaraderie is nice but the US is where we live and its what we need to protect; protect swiftly

Chuck Purgason:
Situation where we are not allowed to "win" wars anymore. We refused to have an energy policy that allows America to be energy independent.

500,000 people died in a 3rd-world country because but we didn't go into defend them; we didn't go because that country doesn't produce oil

need to be aggressive countries developing Nuclear weapons

God...I'm 'k-kinda busy' (Telephone by Lady Gaga)

As I was listening to the lyrics of Lady Gaga's song Telephone yesterday, I realized that I've been giving God the same line: "You called, I can't hear a thing."

Why can't I hear anything?

"I got no service in the club..."

Yes, God, I'm just too busy right now. I doing so many things at the moment that I'm just unavailable.

"Wha-Wha-Waht did you say, huh?"

I'm not sure what you want from me at the moment, God.

"Your're breaking up on me; I can't hear you."

You see, "I'm kinda busy.

K-kinda busy
K-kinda busy
Sorry, I cannot hear you, I'm kinda busy.

Could you hold on, God? I just need a moment to catch my breath.

Just a second,
It's my favorite song they're gonna play
And I cannot text you with
A drink in my hand, eh?

Yes, I'm doing too much right now to slow down and spend time with you. I might drop something, and I need time to relax.

"You shoulda made some plans with me,
You knew that I was free.
And now you won't stop calling me;
I'm kinda busy."

God, I'm doing all the things you've called me to do and I just time for anything more...

"Stop callin', stop callin',
I don't wanna think anymore!"

I'm feeling very worn out...

"I left my head and my heart on the dance floor.
Stop callin'', stop callin,"

God, I'm just too wrapped up in other things and just don't have any more of myself to give.

"I don't wanna talk anymore!
I left my head and my heart on the dance floor."

God, I don't want to be too busy for you anymore but my flesh is weak is being draw to other things. It's not that I don't want to talk, I've just got so many others things on my mind. I've got big plans, you see...

Lord, please, awaken my soul to your calling. Give me a desire to want you above anything in this world.

John Piper, in his book God is the Gospel, includes a section from a sermon by J.C. Ryle called “Christ Is All” based on Colossians 3:11. In it he said:

"But alas, how little fit for heaven are many who talk of ‘going to heaven’ when they die, while they manifestly have no saving faith, and no real acquaintance with Christ. You give Christ no honor here. You have no communion with Him. You do not love Him. Alas! what could you do in heaven? It would be no place for you. Its joys would be no joys for you. Its happiness would be a happiness into which you could not enter. Its employments would be a weariness and burden to your heart. Oh, repent and change before it be too late!"

John Piper then expounds that

"Nothing fits a person to be more useful on earth than to be more ready for heaven. This is true because readiness for heaven means taking pleasure in beholding the Lord Jesus, and beholding the glory of the Lord means being changed into his likeness (2 Cor. 3:18). Nothing would bless this world more than more people who are more like Christ. For in likeness to Christ the world might see Christ."

Oh Lord, draw me to you. Awaken in my heart a passion to know you and treasure you above all things on this earth. Open my eyes to behold your goodness and embrace you above your great gifts. In Jesus name, Amen.

Spending More DOES NOT Equal Spending Less

From the Office of Budget and Management Blog:

A Short History of Deficit Reduction
"It’s been a day since the 2011 Budget was released, and analysts and journalists have written about what it means for individual agencies, specific issues, and states. But let’s not lose sight of the big picture. The President’s Budget represents an important step towards fiscal sustainability: it put forward $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction over the next ten years, even excluding savings from the assumed ramp-down in war funding over time. Including these war savings, the deficit reduction proposed in the President’s Budget rises to $2.1 trillion."

What? The big picture is reducing the budget by increasing our debt?

"The Administration strongly supports passage of an increase in the public debt limit. Such an increase is critically important to make sure that financing of Federal Government operations can continue without interruption and that the creditworthiness of the United States is not called into question." - White House

What? We are more creditworthy because spend more money than we have?

Question: Can you RT on Facebook? Sort of...

Question:
"I'm trying to figure out how you basically do a "retweet" in facebook where you can get someone else's comments to repeat on your facebook page...can you explain how you did this?"

Example:

Ruth Carlson RT: @LouieGiglio Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will. -- AW Tozer



Short anwser:

1. copy [control + C] what you want to forward to your FB friends: "RT: @LouieGiglio Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will. -- AW Tozer"

2. type "thanks" and then "@" and then the name of your FB friend

3. paste [control + V] the content you want to share

Done--

thanks [@]RuthCarlson for sharing: RT: @LouieGiglio Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will. -- AW Tozer

Long anwser:

First, it's a bit confusing because some people like me have my twitter account set to automatically set my "tweets" as my FB status. So in for me, I'm not friends with @LouieGiglio on Facebook but I still post items that might seem like I'm trying to link to him.

You can use the "@" sign when you are friends with someone on Facebook to "link" your comment to their page. If use the "@," a autofill box will pop up when you start typing a friends name, and then your comment will show up on his or her page.

To your question, it's not possible to Retweet on FB. You can "share" [post on your page or email to a specific FB friend] items that are posted, but you can not "share" status updates like the one I did below.

Therefore, you must just copy & paste what you want to put in your post and manually link it using the "@" feature in FB.

Setting Your Sight Higher and How to Win the Battle Against Sin

If you need some encouragement, here are two amazing sermons by John Piper.

"Don't be like the person who goes to the Grand Canyon with a little garden shovel in his hand, and on the precipice of that majesty turns his back to the Canyon, kneels down, and digs a little trough with his shovel and shouts, "Hey, look at this! Look at my trough! Isn't that cool!" I know that the pressing and desirable things of your life seem big. But just a little clearheaded thought will show you they are not. Get up and turn around and look at the Canyon."

Do Not Let Sin Reign in Your Mortal Body, Part 1


The Battleground and Its Participants

1. Verse 12: There is a throne or a reign. "Do not let sin reign in your mortal body."

2. Verse 12: There is a challenger to the throne: sin. "Do not let sin reign in your mortal body."

3. Verse 12: There is a castle where sin threatens to reign: the human body. "Do not let sin reign in your mortal body."

4. Verse 12: There are loyal servants in the castle who may go over to the other side and join the conspiracy as enemy agents inside the walls of the castle: desires. "Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its (that is, the body's) desires."

5. Verse 12: There is incremental surrender possible in this conflict: obedience to disloyal desires. "Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires."

6. Verse 13: There is a true king on the throne who has the reign in the castle: God. "Do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments [weapons] of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments [weapons] of righteousness to God."

7. Verse 13: There are weapons in the castle that can be used to advance the cause of the true king, God, or the cause of the pretender to the throne, sin: members [parts] of the human body. "Do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments [o[pla, weapons] of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments [o[pla, weapons] of righteousness to God."

8. Verse 14: There is a constitutional authority in the kingdom: grace, not law. "For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace."

Do Not Let Sin Reign in Your Mortal Body, Part 2

Monday Morning Email: 'Investigating Christian Privilege and Religious Oppression in the United States'

Ok, so my inbox is always full on Monday mornings. I always find spam and...

I got an email from a professor in the "Multicultural and International Curriculum Studies Department of Curriculum and Instruction" at Iowa State University trying to publicize a book he helped edit called Investigating Christian Privilege and Religious Oppression in the United States.

According to Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld, "Christian denominations and their cultural manifestations, however, often function to marginalize, exclude, and deny members and institutions of other religions and non-believers the privileges and access that accompany a Christian affiliation. Christianity is the privileged religious perspective in the United States since Christian groups, people, and organizations often have the power to define normalcy....Investigating Christian Privilege and Religious Oppression in the United States addresses Christian privilege as well as religious oppression since the two are in symbiotic relationship: oppression toward non-Christians gives rise to Christian privilege in the United States, and Christian privilege maintains oppression toward non-Christian individuals and faith communities. This anthology also provides historical and contemporary cases exposing Christian privilege and religious oppression on the societal, institutional, and personal/interpersonal levels. A number of chapters include sections suggesting change strategies, and in particular, ways to achieve the national goal of religious pluralism in the United States" (emphasis mine).

Does the religion with the most adherents have the ability to define every area culture within a country?

Reasons Why the "Healthcare Reform" in Congress is Unconstitutional

Missouri State Representative Tim Jones gave 3 reason why the "Healthcare Reform" bill in Congress is unconstitutional at a recent meeting.

1. The federal constitution does not give the Congress the power to require citizens to buy a product, in this case medical insurance.

A. This is not a tax and spend provision, not an enumerated power listed in our Constitution.

B. 2 Clauses
-commerce clause - not designed to protect anything the federal government wants to do like forcing citizens to purchase a product
-general welfare clause - this is forcing the citizens to purchase a product not the government providing

2. Equal Protection: All of the promises and deal cutting that gave certain states (Florida, S. Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska) means that all Americans are not receiving the same protections

3. Sovereignty - 10th Amendment
Federal / State model - the current health care reform plan violates our basic form of government by using the federal government to tell the States what to do

You can also google this topic to learn more.

2 quotes that sum up 2009 for me

I've learned to love my family more and how to take deep breaths on the journey of life.

"Only love has eyes. To understand the world of things, you need science and suspicion and the method of doubt; accept nothing until proved. Every idea is guilty until proved innocent. But to know people, you need the opposite method: trust, love, openness. Persons are innocent until proved guilty. You cannot bear them unless that is your attitude. Suspicion never reaches the other's heart."
~Dr. Peter Kreeft, Three Philosophies of Human Life

"There are many people who reach their conclusions about life like schoolboys: they cheat their master by copying the answer out of a book without having worked the sum out for themselves."
~ SØREN KIERKEGAARD, The Journals

Using Sex or Reason: Where do you stand on health care reform?

Rock the Vote suggests young voters use flirting and sex to persuade opponents of the Obama/Reid/Pelosi health-care-reform bill to change their position.

As a young person, I find such a video degrading to suggest my political philosophy is as whimsical as sexual attraction or that sex should be used as method of political persuasion.

How Americans obtain and pay for health care is an important topic that deserves open and honest debate about the real costs of adding hundreds of pages to the law books.

It's too bad that Rock the Vote is probably encouraging young people to disengage from this important debate because it's over-the-top desperate attempt to garner support for an unpopular bill.

Dick Morris points to a study by Oliver Wyman that suggests that the proposed health care reforms will increase premiums for young people by as much as 35 percent.

He writes:

"These increases will stem from the bill's provisions that bar insurance companies from raising rates on sick people and from excluding people based on pre-existing conditions. Both of these mandates will mean higher costs for the younger and healthier population. This bill is, in effect, a tax on the young."

Instead of engaging young voters on the topic, Rock the Vote reveals how weak the Obama/Reid/Pelosi health-care-reform bill really is in terms of helping reduce the inflated costs of health and medical care in America.

I think more young people would engage in politics if they weren't treated like sheep. People respond to expectations...

We need more intelligent discussions about what can be done to help improve our current system, which happens to be better than any system in the world.

For example, why aren't we looking at how the Federal Reserve Banks' "lending" affect health care costs?

Using YouTube To Share Your Message

Ok, this is kinda like a, "duh," post, but I can't help but point out some creative examples of using YouTube to send a loud message:

Example 1:

A musician named Dave Carroll recently had difficulty with United Airlines.

United apparently damaged his treasured Taylor guitar ($3500) during a flight. Dave spent over nine months trying to get United to pay for damages caused by baggage handlers to his custom Taylor guitar. During his final exchange with the United Customer Relations Manager, he stated that he was left with no choice other than to create a music video for You Tube, exposing their lack of cooperation. The manager responded, "Good luck with that one, pal." He posted the following retaliatory video on You Tube. The video has since received over 5.5 million hits. United Airlines contacted Carroll and attempted settlement in exchange for pulling the video. Naturally, his response was, "Good luck with that one, pal."

Taylor Guitars sent Carroll two new custom guitars in appreciation for product recognition resulting from the video that has led to a sharp increase in orders.

It is now up to 6.5 million.

Example 2:

In a landmark speech, the late Governor Robert Casey, Senior said "Nothing could be more foreign to the American experience than legalized abortion. It is inconsistent with our national character, with our national purpose, with all that we've done, and with everything we hope to be."

But right now, Robert Casey, Junior is poised to vote in the Senate for a health care bill with federal funding for abortion. The bill will result in more abortions—abortions that Americans will be required to finance. Senator Casey, trading the lives of unborn children for a health care bill is inconsistent with our American character.

"The abortion debate is not about how we shall live, but who shall live. And more than that, its about who we are."

Contact Bob Casey, Junior today and tell him to vote NO on any health care bill that funds abortion.

Paid for by Susan B. Anthony List, Inc.

'When did $98,560 household income qualify for welfare in Missouri? '

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release - Time Sensitive issue

For interviews contact:
Paul Hamby 816 632 0602
Robyn Hamlin 314-438-0222

Missouri Campaign for Liberty www.campaignforliberty.com/usa/MO/ strongly opposes the giveaway of 15 million dollars through the MHDC, Missouri Housing Development Commission.

Last month, Gov. Jay Nixon and State Treasurer Clint Zweifel proposed that MHDC would pay the property tax for anyone who buys a house in Missouri in 2010. The only limitation is income. You would need to make less than $98,560. Nixon and Zweifel announced they would bring the plan before the Missouri Housing Development Commission on Dec. 18th at the MHDC meeting in Jefferson City.

Quoting from Zweifel’s press release “The funding would come from a [$15 million] reserve fund held by Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) earned through successful management of mortgage loans made to low- and medium-income individuals and families. These reserve funds are not from general revenue, nor subject to the legislature's appropriation process.” MHDC is a commission operated by the State of Missouri. It is funded by federal and state tax payer dollars. It is just plain wrong to tax low and middle income Missourians and then pay someone else’s 2010 property tax with their money. When did $98,560 household income qualify for welfare in Missouri?

The economic crisis of 2008 was created in part by a housing bubble that pushed folks into home ownership who should have never had loans, and then defaulted on their loans. Why are Governor Nixon and Treasurer Zweifel trying to re-create the housing bubble in 2010?

Missouri has a 1 billion dollar Budget Deficit. Did our Governor suddenly have a bout of amnesia regarding the 1 billion dollar income shortfall in the Missouri State Budget?

If the goal is to get more Missourians into housing, there is a simple proven formula for that: Good paying jobs for Missourians. A business climate to create more jobs is where the Governor should be focusing. That means Less Government Regulation, Less Taxes on Small Businesses and Families, and Less Federal Mandates. When government starts meddling, fairness goes out the window. Please call the MHDC board and tell them to Vote No on redistributing the 15 million slush fund. Their numbers are 816-759-6600 and 314-877-1350.

###

Obama says it will keep America from going Bankrupt; Howard Dean says kill it

FEE sent out a great link to an VPR interview with Howard Dean on the lack of support for the monstrous health-care-reform Senate bill means its death. Dean suggests that "the best thing to do right now is kill the Senate bill and go back to the House and start the reconciliation process, where you only need 51 votes and it would be a much simpler bill."

Ok, so Howard Dean isn't suggesting that the recent polls showing opposition to health care reform (almost 56% oppose it; only 19% strongly favor it) makes it a dead duck, but that certain characteristics of current 'reform' plans aren't really 'reform' to make it real 'reform' to get public support. Congress should just start over in the House, he suggests, and make it more simply--a.k.a. more centrists and get rid of the bribes.

Meanwhile, Obama said during an ABC interview that if we don't spend trillions of dollars on this 'reform,' the government will go bankrupt. He's built a straw-man case for passing costly reform. Is it possible that there are other ways that new government programs to "rein in" health and medical costs? Maybe the free market?

Both are half way right. Dean is picking up on the fact that Americans--right or left--don't really trust +2000 page monstrosity of health care 'reform' and Obama's picking up on the fact that our unfunded liabilities--medicare, medicate, and social security--are on the brink of bankruptcy.

Baby steps.

Missouri State Medical Association & St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society Oppose Obamacare

I went to a press conference today in the Chesterfield Valley to find out more about an effort by at least 22 states to pass constitutional amendments to protect the medical care choices of individual Americans.

It was great to find out that the St. Louis Metropolitan medical Society and the Missouri State Medical Association oppose the bill in the US Senate, called the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" (HR 3590) because it "does not adequately address some of the most important problems in the current system." These organizations "fear that the proposal would increase the cost of health care and allow unaccountable government bureaucrats to stand between patients and their physicians."

Wow.



See more on Eagle Forum's blog.

'Mmm that you only meant well?' - Why My Good Intentions Aren't Good Enough

Jason Derulo's new song "Whatcha Say" is catchy and clearly illustrates how our good intentions don't trump reality, especially in the long run.

Often times, it's not that we can't make rational decisions; it's that we often don't have all the facts or don't want to take into account all the facts, especially the long term ramifications.

We're shortsighted.

We have a self-focused, limited vision that hinders our rational abilities above and beyond the limits on our access to information. We act for ourselves first without clearly considering how it affects God or others. And of course, this is not our intention.

Jason Derulo cheats on his girlfriend, and of course his intentions were not to hurt to his girlfriend:

I was so wrong for so long
Only tryin' to please myself (myself)
Girl, I was caught up in her lust
When I don't really want no one else

In the moment, he did not fully consider that he didn't want the long-term affects of choosing the fleeting pleasures of sin.

The chorus brings reality to the forefront: it's not enough to say that "you only meant well" because that doesn't make cheating okay.

Mmmm whatcha say,
Mmm that you only meant well?
Well of course you did
Mmmm whatcha say,
Mmmm that it's all for the best?
Of course it is

This theme reminds me of Madonna's song "4 Minutes to Save the World" with the line:

The road to hell
Is paved with good intentions

Of course, we mean well.

If you feel it
It must be real

Right?

There many reasons why "good intentions" are not good enough to maintain our relationships with God or with one another. Henry Hatlitz's One Lesson in Economics applies here, as we must learn not to look at reality as we want it to be, but how it is, which includes how the consequences of our actions affect not only on ourselves, but others. Good intentions do not change outcomes.

The art of economics consists in looking not merely at the immediate but at the longer effects of any act or policy; it consists in tracing the consequences of that policy not merely for one group but for all groups. (One Lesson in Economics)

One a larger scale, intellectual honest requires following our chosen belief system--what guides our decisions--to its logical conclusions and avoid limiting our perspective to our good intentions for desired outcomes. Bojidar Marinov from American Vision wrote an article titled "But that Doesn't Mean What It Means" with the same theme:

To say it simply, if the thing looks, swims, waddles, quacks like a duck, the disclaimer “but it doesn’t mean” doesn’t make it a hawk. It only reveals the unwillingness of those who use it to face reality and become intellectually consistent with their own beliefs.

It doesn't matter if you want ducks to be hawks.

"Mmm that you only meant well?"

It doesn't matter what your intention is. "Direction, not Intention, determines your destination," counsels Andy Stanley.

"We can't travel North towards Canada and arrive in Mexico."

That's not the reality we live in.

My first iPhone Video

Ok, so I shot this two times, and then just decided, "hey, the point isn't perfection, but learning how to get information out."

I plan to take my iPhone with me to the TEA Party on Saturday at Kiener Plaza at Noon and 3:00 p.m.

It takes a little time for YouTube to post the video after I upolad it, and I haven't quite figured out how to get the link from YouTube and then post using only my iPhone. But I'm sure I'll figure out an easy way soon. (Suggestions welcome!)

I also plan to check out video sites that might let me upload feed directly, and only have about 5 second delay, instead of 5 hour delay. But it all depends on the purpose of shooting the video, and how important it is post right away verse posting to inform the public.

NY-23 race not over; inspectors found a problem in four districts

From my inbox:

Dear Fellow Conservative,

As evidence surfaces, we find out that reported results from election night were far from accurate. ACORN and the unions did their best to try and sway the results to Obamacare supporter Bill Owens.

I was forced to concede after receiving two pieces of grim news - - down 5,335 votes with 93 percent of the vote counted on election night - and barely won my stronghold in Oswego County.

Get every vote counted in NY-23 Election Night, the information we received was far different from what we received this week!

Rest assured, they will not succeed, and I am therefore revoking my statement of concession.

That is why I am writing you today. Recent developments leave me to wonder who is scheming behind closed doors, twisting arms and stealing elections from the voters of NY-23.

I'm sure you are as dismayed as I am to learn of the mischief that took place in Oswego and neighboring counties. We know this would not be the first time for the ACORN faithful to tamper with democracy.

Now it's time to actually count every legal ballot and I need your help to ensure the people of NY-23 get the Congressman THEY ELECTED. Please donate now to help me ensure every vote is counted!

A recanvassing in the 11-county district shows Owens' lead has narrowed to 3,026. In Oswego County, I was reported to lead by only 500 votes with 93 percent of the vote counted election night, but inspectors found I actually won by 1,748 votes

Let’s force them keep this recanvassing active! Let’s give this election a chance to end differently!

Oswego County elections officials blame the mistakes on "chaos" in their call-in center that included a phone system foul-up, and on inspectors who read numbers incorrectly when phoning in results. This sounds like a tactic right from the ACORN playbook.

The district's second biggest voter turnout was in Jefferson County, where I had also benefited from a turnaround since election night, gaining another 700 votes. Owens led by 300 votes on the final election night tally, but after recanvassing, I'm now leading by 424 votes.

Jerry Eaton, the Republican elections commissioner for Jefferson County, said inspectors found a problem in four districts where my vote total was mistakenly entered as zero.

The new vote totals mean the race will be decided by absentee ballots, of which the state Board of Elections distributed about 10,200.

The people of NY-23 deserve to have their ballots counted properly, but we can't let ACORN or the unions keep that from happening. They have more lawyers and more experience tampering with democracy.

State Board of Elections Communications Director John Conklin said the state sent a letter to the House Clerk last week explaining that no winner had been determined in the 23rd District.

Now it's time to actually count every legal ballot and I need your help to ensure the people of NY-23 get the Congressman THEY ELECTED. Please donate now to help me ensure every vote is counted!

We need to make sure that fair elections are a reality in NY-23, just like our Founding Fathers envisioned. So long as we remain the "land of the free," we MUST ensure every vote is counted.

Help us today so we may be the first of many conservative victories during the Obama Regime.

Yours in Freedom,

Doug Hoffman


P.S. I ran a different kind of campaign, one where Conservatives, Republicans, Libertarians, Tea Party and 9/12 activists rallied around. ACORN, the unions and the Democratic Party were scared, and that's why they tampered with the ballots of voters in NY-23. Will you please contribute today so we can show them that fair elections are the Will of the People? Thank you.

Comments on the Stupak Amendment

So, what's all the chatter in the "pro-life" arena about the Stupak amendment to Obama's health care transformation plan?

Basically, the Stupak amendment means that taxpayer money can't be used to pay for abortions for women who are insured through the health insurance "exchange." So, what's the problem? (besides the obvious conflict in moral values between various groups...)

Some say that the Stupak amendment gave cover to the pro-life Dems to vote for nationalized health care since the amendment made it "pro-life."

But, as a friend of mine said, the "Stupak Amendment didn’t go far enough," as it didn’t address end-of-life issues, rationing, protection of conscience and all the other life-aspects involved in the long 2,000 page transformation.

Moreover, some argue, why try to improve a bad bill? Why not just let it die?

So, I suppose the question is why was the amendment offered? Maybe in reaction to the fake "pro-life" amendment offered previously. If that amendment had passed, it probably would have given same glitzy appearance virtue of the Stupak amendment, but not as good.

As it stands, it's a question of whether pro-choice Dems will be able to strip the Stupak amendment, or vote for the health care transformation despite the amendment. Sen. Claire McCaskill doesn't seem to think the amendment is a deal breaker...or maybe she does.

As Phyllis Schlafly wrote in 1964: "The strategy of politics, like an iceberg, is eight-ninths under the surface."

And she wasn't saying how it should be...but merely how it is.

How to Contact Sen. Claire McCaskill

Missouri Office Locations

Cape Girardeau
555 Independence Room 1600
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703
Phone 573-651-0964
Fax 573-334-4278

Columbia
915 E. Ash St
Columbia, Mo 65201
Phone:573-442-7130
Fax:573-442-7140

Kansas City
4141 Pennsylvania, Ste. 101
Kansas City, MO 64111
Phone 816-421-1639
Fax 816-421-2562

Springfield
324 Park Central West
Suite 101
Springfield, MO 65806
Phone 417-868-8745
Fax 417-831-1349

St. Louis
5850 A Delmar Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63112
Phone:314-367-1364
Fax: 314-361-8649

Washington D.C.

For those visiting D.C., please stop by our office at:

Office of Senator Claire McCaskill
United States Senate
Hart Senate Office Building, SH-717
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-6154
FAX (202) 228-6326

Stupak-Pitts Amendment Seems to be a good thing.

There is a little bit of debate as to whether the Stupak-Pitts Amendment will be strong enough to prevent the government from forcing taxpayers to pay for ending human lives.

Here's is a opinion piece by a feminist who wants taxpayers to pay for abortion. She writes about how the Stupak-Pitts amendment will ban "abortion coverage across the entire exchange, for women with both subsidized and unsubsidized coverage."

I couldn't help but click on some of the other links on the "reality check" site.

Wow.

Apparently, being a champion for life means that one is taking part in a "molester-enabling, coathanger-selling, health-shattering, woman-hating, forced-pregnancy campaign."

Wow.

The good news is that when activists who don't support human rights for pre-born believe legislation is bad, that's a good thing!

Moreover, it seems that prohibiting Obama's health care plan from covering abortions helped it pass in the House, and might keep it from passing in the Senate.

How ironic.

Preparation Is Key

From A.W. Tozer's Daily Devotional For Today:

To be entirely safe from the devil's snares the man of God must be
completely obedient to the Word of the Lord. The driver on the
highway is safe, not when he reads the signs but when he obeys them.

That Incredible Christian, 51.

November 10

Spiritual Warfare and Sin: Preparation Is Vital

Moreover David said, "The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the
lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand
of this Philistine."
--1 Samuel 17:37

The whole Bible and all past history unite to teach that battles are
always won before the armies take the field. The critical moment for
any army is not the day it engages the foe in actual combat; it is
the day before or the month before or the year before....

Preparation is vital. The rule is, prepare or fail. Luck and bluster
will do for a while, but the law will catch up with us sooner or
later, usually sooner....

It did not take Moses long to lead the children of Israel out
through the Red Sea to deliverance and freedom; but his fittedness
to lead them out was the result of years of hard discipline. It
took David only a few minutes to dispose of Goliath; but he had
beaten the giant long before in the person of the lion and the
bear....

Preparation is vital. Let this be noted by everyone. We can seek
God today and get prepared to meet temptation tomorrow; but if we
meet the enemy without first having met God, the outcome is not
conjectural; the issue is already decided. We can only lose. The
Next Chapter After the Last, 77-79.

"Lord, quiet my heart this morning and feed me from Your Word. I
can't enter the battle of today without this vital preparation.
Help me even in the busiest of days to maintain this discipline of
preparation. Amen."

Playground or Battlefield?

A.W. Tozer:

Spiritual Warfare and Sin: Irreconcilable Hostility

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the
heavenly places.
--Ephesians 6:12

In the early days, when Christianity exercised a dominant
influence over American thinking, men and women conceived the
world to be a battleground. Our fathers believed in sin and the
devil and hell as constituting one force, and they believed in
God and righteousness and heaven as the other. By their very
nature, these forces were opposed to each other forever in deep,
grave, irreconcilable hostility. Humans, our fathers held, had to
choose sides-they could not be neutral. For them it must be life
or death, heaven or hell, and if they chose to come out on God's
side they could expect open war with God's enemies. The fight
would be real and deadly and would last as long as life continued
here below. People looked forward to heaven as a return from the
wars, a laying down of the sword to enjoy in peace the home
prepared for them....

How different today. The fact remains the same, but the
interpretation has changed completely. People think of the world,
not as a battleground, but as a playground. We are not here to
fight; we are here to frolic. We are not in a foreign land; we
are at home. We are not getting ready to live, but we are already
living, and the best we can do is rid ourselves of our
inhibitions and our frustrations and live this life to the full.
This World: Playground or Battleground?, 4-5.

"Lord, we've lost too much by becoming friendly with the enemy.
Help me to be willing to take a stand for righteousness, to
choose clearly to be on Your side against the enemy, to pay any
price--and then to look forward to laying down my sword later in
heaven. Amen."

Perseverance

Sometimes I wonder how it is that I can still struggle with the same sins but feel as though I have a sincere faith in Christ. Why is it that we struggle so much?

I found a great passage in Sam Storms book Signs of the Spirit that points to a great theme of Christianity: perseverance.

"There is hardly anything more explicit in the teachings of Jesus himself than the rules by which we are to judge the sincerity of someone's profession o faith. we must judge the nature of the tree by the quality of its fruit. But if the fruit of saving virtue is subject to being counterfeited, what good is this as a rule for discerning true from false? The answer is found not in the mere presence of what appears to be fruit, but in its perseverance. If the fruit shows itself not merely once, no matter how fervently and sweetly, but endures and matures over time and through trial, we can more solidly judge whether they are be truly of God (although even then our judgement is still fallible).

I quote Same Storms not because I'm particular interested in judging (or meditating) on whether others are sincere in their faith, but whether I am.

Paul writing in his 1st letter to the Corinthians:

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, [2] lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified (ch. 9).

Father, give me the strength to run the race with perseverance. Give me endurance, Father. In Jesus name, Amen.

How long can you go without praying?

Gary A. Haugen does a wonderful job of working up to the following statement and question in his book, Just Courage. Haugen explains how taking the "safe" route will not satisfy our "desire for ...significant and meaningful" experiences on this earth and now "we're created by God for adventure."

"Mother Teresa said that she couldn’t imagine doing her work for more than thirty minutes without prayer. Do you and I have work that we can’t imagine doing for thirty minutes without prayer?"

You can read the first chapter here: http://www.ivpress.com/title/exc/3494-1.pdf

This question is near the end...and it is really making me think about my priorities.

Needs and Wants

My friend Amy is serving for one year in a basic medical clinic in the Sudan and I just have to share the email she just sent out. She has been there about one month now. Here is her latest report, which gives me much to reflect upon, and to give thanks to God for!

The majority of my last two weeks have been spent learning as much Arabic as I can. I’ve spent a few hours with my wonderful Sudanese tutor Andrew, lots of time with my language books (in case you were wondering, studying grammar is NOT any more fun than you remember), and some practice time in the markets or visiting with people. It’s a great thing to be able to go out for lunch and call it educational. :)

My goal for these 2 weeks has been to acquire enough language in order to shop on my own in the market. Praise the Lord I have been able to achieve that and more! I put a lot of time into learning words for foods and how to ask for things/prices, etc. As I slowly walked home in the rain one day with 3 inches of thick mud stuck to the bottom of my flip-flops I had some time to think and realized something. When shopping I always used the word for “want” when asking for items, but rarely did I hear the Sudanese use that word. Instead nearly everyone used the word for “need”. It made me think about the people I am working with and getting to know. The average person here does not think of food in terms of calories or indulgences but rather in terms of hunger and survival. Needs. Fruit is a somewhat expensive treat because the cheaper grains and starches can feed more mouths. Life does not come easy here. It’s hard work. The idea of exercise for fun is completely foreign. Someone tried explaining the concept of a gym and exercise to my language tutor. He had quite a laugh. So as I prepare to set my goals and expectations for the rest of this year I’ve been asking myself, what are the essentials? Wants are nice, and I could really go for some thin mint ice cream right now but what is needed?

I've have enjoyed rest and a more relaxed pace of life while in Malakal which has been a great blessing as I adjusted to Sudan. In the morning, however, the time comes to say good-bye and leave for Doro. It’s about an hour ride in a small plane, and then I’ll start settling in to my home for the next year. The clinic awaits!

...not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved. 1 Cor. 10:33

Wow, that makes me think...

Heavenly Father, I ask that you open my eyes to see all the wonderful things you given me not because I "need" them, but simply "want" them. You are such a good God! Thank you. Open my eyes to see where I've been overindulgent and can better as serving you and your people more with the abundance you've given me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Expressions of Faith

My pastor Doug Hon posted a great blog entry on how easy it is to judge how others express their faith when we compare it to how we prefer to express our "religious affections," as Jonathon Edwards would say.

Doug writes:

"I have personally chosen to reject any idea that I have a corner on intimacy with Christ. I also reject the idea that I am an expert in intimacy. But what does fascinate me is what all of these expressions have in common, faith."

But even more, when we are not experiencing Christ fully, Doug suggests that

"If you feel that you are lacking in intimacy with Christ, don’t look to your church’s song leaders, Sunday school teachers, or pastors to give you the formula for intimacy. Look to Christ in the assurance of faith—there are no formulas, only faith."

Read his entire post here: http://www.risenlordstl.com/content.cfm?id=151&blog_id=32