At the Knob Noster Fair – May 30, 2026

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On a t-shirt worn at the Johnson County Democratic Party booth last night:

“We rejected monarchy in 1776, America has no king”

“We are not OK”

The weather was balmy, overcast, with a light breeze. People strolled by, some stopped to talk with the half dozen individuals manning the booth. In Knob Noster, Missouri.

Previously:

Johnson County Democrats – Knob Noster Fair Parade – May 28, 2026 (May 28, 2026)

Campaign Finance: for billionaires and millionaires

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Screw everyone else.

At the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C264249 05/28/2026 Missouri Promise PAC Missouri Promise Inc. 701 Market Street Suite 110 St Louis MO 63101 5/27/2026 $1,900,000.00

[emphasis added]

It’s a new PAC:

Where did all that money come from?

What they say:

“A Future Without Income Tax.”

Which will inevitably lead to a future with a regressive tax structure (the poor and middle class pay a higher rate, the wealthy get a windfall) and fewer public services.

Amendment 5 (House Joint Resolution 173 – proposed and passed by the right wingnut controlled republican super majority in the Missouri General Assembly and signed by right wingnut Governor Mike Kehoe) will be on the August ballot.

The result, if this Amendment 5 passes in August, via the Missouri Budget Project:

Amendment 5 Would Increase Taxes for Most Missourians, Damage Communities & Economy
21 May 2026

[….]

Consequences of Amendment 5’s “Everything Tax”
Increased Taxes for Most Missourians; Yet Another Tax Cut for the Wealthiest

• Missouri already has an upside-down tax structure, where Missourians earning the least contribute a higher share of their incomes than Missourians earning the most. Replacing Missouri’s income tax with a greatly expanded sales tax will make this even worse.

• To fill the gap, Missouri’s general revenue sales tax rate would need to more than triple, from the current 3% to 10.7% – resulting in a combined average state and local sales tax rate of 16%.

• Alternatively, lawmakers could expand the sales tax to apply to all of the products and services that Missourians use every day like doctor’s visits and medication, childcare and summer camps, home and car repairs – even gasoline. The measure does not include any exemptions.

• In both cases, a median income Missourian making $65,400 per year would face $535 net tax increase.

• Older adults who rely on Social Security or public pensions and active-duty military members, whose income is largely already exempt from income tax, will have a much steeper tax increase.

Massive Budget Deficits That Trigger Cuts to Education & Other Services That Build Opportunity

• Missouri’s income tax currently generates $8.5 billion/year and supports 64% of the state general revenue budget. There is simply no realistic way to make up the revenue lost from eliminating the income tax.

• Missouri already faces a $2.5 billion budget deficit resulting from a decade of tax reductions that largely benefited the wealthy and corporations; this has already triggered painful cuts to critical services with even more steep cuts likely in the coming years.

• Even if lawmakers expand the existing sales tax to ALL services, the revenue generated would fall far short of making up for the loss of income tax. There is simply no realistic way to replace the income tax without expanded the sales tax to all services AND increasing the rate of sales tax.

Fewer Investments in the Everyday Missourians Whose Contributions and Skills Drive Our Economy

• If tax cuts were the key to economic prosperity, Missouri would already be seeing the benefits. Instead, sustainable economic growth is driven by real improvements in the lives of everyday Missourians.

• Increasing Missouri’s sales tax would dramatically increase daily costs for Missourians and dampen consumer spending in communities across the state.

• Missourians may be tempted to cross state lines or travel to big box stores for many purchases, devastating small local businesses and communities.

• State investments in quality K-12 and higher education, affordable care for children and aging parents, and access to health coverage are key drivers of economic growth and critical components in attracting and retaining a skilled workforce and quality employers.

And:

Judge to decide Monday whether Missouri tax overhaul stays on August ballot
Opponents contend the measure would violate a ban on constitutional amendments including more than one subject. They also argue the ballot summary is misleading and should be changed
By: Rudi Keller
May 29, 2026 1:00 pm

[….]

Backers are using a political action committee called Missouri Promise, which so far has been entirely funded by a nonprofit established in Delaware called Missouri Promise Inc.

On Wednesday, Missouri Promise Inc. donated $1.9 million to the PAC. Spokesman Jonathon Prouty declined to disclose the donors to Missouri Promise Inc. in a statement sent via text to The Independent.

The way the money will be spent “has yet to be determined,” Prouty said, adding that all donations to Missouri Promise PAC “are reported to the Missouri Ethics Commission in accordance with state law.”

[….]

The statement was conveyed via text. It is impossible to determine if it was delivered with a straight face.

“When the people have nothing left to eat they will eat the rich”

Taxation is the price we pay for civilization.

Johnson County Democrats – Knob Noster Fair Parade – May 28, 2026

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Johnson County, Missouri Democrats gathered on a trailer for a ride in the Knob Noster Fair Parade this evening. The parade route started at the high school and ran through downtown. The parade rolled off at 7:00 p.m. There weather was warm, the sky was overcast. There was a good crowd through the entire parade route.

Appropriate attire:

“Resist”

“Vote. We’re Ruthless.”

On the trailer:

Mike Walbom, the Democratic Party candidate in the 57th Legislative District.

Ready to roll:

Campaign Finance: once again, so they get it

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Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C253512 05/27/2026 Stop the Ban American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, Inc 125 Broad St New York NY 10004 5/26/2026 $2,000,000.00

[emphasis added]

Abortion-rights coalition launches campaign against Missouri’s Amendment 3
The November measure would repeal the reproductive rights amendment voters approved in 2024 and add a constitutional ban on gender-affirming care for minors
By: Anna Spoerre

May 27, 2026

The campaign opposing a November ballot measure that would reinstate Missouri’s abortion ban formally launched Wednesday, arguing Republican lawmakers are trying to overturn the 2024 vote that ended the state’s near-total ban through a “bait and switch” measure.

The coalition, called Stop the Ban Missouri, has already amassed nearly $2 million. Its first ad leans heavily into the idea that voters are being asked to revisit a decision they made less than two years ago.

“In America and here in Missouri, we believe our vote is sacred. That the people are the ones who decide. And in 2024, the people of Missouri decided to stop Missouri’s abortion ban,” a voiceover in the ad says.. “But now, politicians are trying to overturn the will of the people and ban abortion again.”

The proposed amendment, drafted and approved for the ballot by lawmakers in 2025, was a direct response to a citizen-led reproductive rights amendment that narrowly passed in 2024. That vote made Missouri the first state to overturn a near-total abortion ban through a public vote.

The 2024 measure was listed as Amendment 3. The new proposal will also appear on the ballot as Amendment 3.

[….]

No on 3.

Since January:

C253512 01/23/2026 Stop the Ban American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri Foundation 906 Olive St Suite 1130 St Louis MO 63101 1/23/2026 $25,000.00

C253512 02/10/2026 Stop the Ban American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, Inc 906 Olive St Suite 1130 St Louis MO 63101 2/9/2026 $25,000.00

C253512 02/19/2026 Stop the Ban Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes 4600 Madison Ave Ste 600 Kansas City MO 64112 2/17/2026 $100,000.00

C253512 03/06/2026 Stop the Ban Laura Cohen 410 N. Newstead #2E St Louis MO 63108 Retired 3/5/2026 $10,000.00

C253512 03/09/2026 Stop the Ban American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, Inc. 125 Broad St New York NY 10004 3/9/2026 $100,000.00

C253512 03/19/2026 Stop the Ban American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, Inc. 125 Broad St New York NY 10004 3/18/2026 $400,000.00

C253512 03/19/2026 Stop the Ban Cynthia Metcalfe 150 Carondelet Plazq Unit 1702 Clayton MO 63105 Retired 3/19/2026 $20,000.00

C253512 03/30/2026 Stop the Ban Jean Rosenthal 4926 Central Kansas City MO 64112 Retired 3/30/2026 $50,000.00

C253512 04/14/2026 Stop the Ban American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri 906 Olive St. Suite 1130 St Louis MO 63101 4/14/2026 $25,000.00

C253512 04/17/2026 Stop the Ban Sue McCollum 48 Westmoreland Pl St Louis MO 63108 Eagle Brands CEO 4/16/2026 $10,000.00

C253512 04/22/2026 Stop the Ban Wendy Jo Roemer 2350 N 64th St Seattle WA 98103 Clockwork Post bookkeeping 4/21/2026 $100,000.00

C253512 05/02/2026 Stop the Ban Mary Lamar Reilly 4451 Gibson Ave St Louis MO 63110 Retired 4/30/2026 $40,000.00

C253512 05/02/2026 Stop the Ban Wendell Gray Reilly 170 Hendrix Ave Athens GA 30601 Lamar attorney 4/30/2026 $30,000.00

C253512 05/02/2026 Stop the Ban James Reilly 1094 Colquitt Avenue Atlanta GA 30307 Self Clean tech professional 4/30/2026 $30,000.00

C253512 05/04/2026 Stop the Ban Planned Parenthood Action Fund 1110 Vermont Ave NW Washington DC 20005 5/4/2026 $350,000.00

C253512 05/15/2026 Stop the Ban Emily Rauh Pulitzer 4903 Pershing Pl St Louis MO 63108 Not employed 5/14/2026 $100,000.00

C253512 05/22/2026 Stop the Ban Laura Cohen 410 N. Newstead #2E St Louis MO 63108 Retired 5/20/2026 $50,000.00

C253512 05/25/2026 Stop the Ban Courtney Klipper 150 Charles St M2 New York NY 10014 3 Futures Fund Founder 5/25/2026 $20,000.00

[emphasis added]

Disrespect

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Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump

Happy Memorial Day to all, including the Dumocrats, who disrespect our Military and all of the tremendous success that it has had over the last year. God Bless those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. I love you all! President DONALD J. TRUMP

5.53k ReTruths 24.5k Likes May 25, 2026, 5:18 AM

Democrats serve, Republicans serve, Independents serve. Americans serve.

Arlington.

“Ooh, ooh! Pick me! Pick me!”

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Desperate sycophant.

Eric Schmitt (r) [2025 file photo].

Today:

Senator Eric Schmitt
[May 22, 2026]

Much of Europe is seeing a backslide from the freedoms we as Americans know are endowed to us by God.
Censorship makes societies weaker. It is a stepping stone toward elite “managed” democracy.
[….]

Viktor Orbán would like a word.

Some of the responses to Eric Schmitt (r):

Your supreme leader threatens any network or personality who dare question him or upsets his sensitive man child feelings.

Save me your supposed outrage that we are losing our freedoms unless you are willing to do something real about the slide to authoritarianism you and the other MAGA members of Congress are allowing to occur, rather than cheer it on.
Some people are fearful that they will be punished in some why, either by his supporters, or by Trump himself if they speak out against him, or his policies. They understandably figure it’s just a matter of time until they are harmed in some way. And if they are physically harmed, Trump would simply pardon them or attempt for the state to pardon them, as well as pay them for supporting him. You know, like the slush fund he just got from his “former” personal attorney to “settle” something that happened during his own Administration.
He has consistently threatened to bring charges of treason to reporters who have posed questions he doesn’t like, how long will it be fore the DOJ starts doing just that. They have arrested reporters and searched their residences based on what appears to be spurious charges meant to silence them.
The DOD attempted to punish a member of the same legislative body you are, Senator, Mark Kelly, or making a statement right out of the DOD’s own War Manual, the courts saw it for what it was, political retribution.
You and your fellow MAGA Senators are attempting to make it more difficult for US Citizens to exercise their right to vote by imposing unnecessary new laws under the guise of fixing a problem that is so small it cannot be shown to have changed the outcome of one Federal election.

God is doing a shitty job right now!!!

No deity required. Also, a deity didn’t write the Constitution.

So, Senator Eric Schmitt about that democratic self government and the board Republican push to gerrymander and obfuscate the upcoming elections. …. Why are your colleagues pushing to ban life saving drugs and push Christian Sharia Laws?

Describing yourself perfectly

Fuck off with your lies

You’re part of the problem not the solution.

Am I the only one who is dog-tired of this white supremacist senator bombarding the internet with his ignorance, bigotry and hate. In Missouri, we have a very wise saying: whenever you find yourself listening to this guy, pause a moment and remind yourself what rhymes with his name.

That is a high, creepy level of projection

Yet you support book banning, cheered as Donald Trump attacked late night hosts, and called for the arrest of peaceful protestors.

“Only You Can Prevent Fascist Liars”
(2025)
Posterboard. Permanent marker, acrylic. 22 x 28.

The problem seems to be poorly educated easily manipulated morons.

“….These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know… morons….”

Eric you are a hypocritical pos

Youre so full of shit

Damn bro, take your own advice.

And yet many European countries rank higher in the Freedom Index than the US.

It is the US on which freedoms are being lost, not Europe.

What a giant pile of BS, I have many friends and family in Europe and not one of them has agreed with this codswallop. It is the current US administration that is destroying free speech and taking away peoples rights and freedoms. This is gaslighting.

Fuck you’re stupid.
You’re a dipshit.
#dipshit #propaganda #liar #lies

Says the asshole who tries to restrict women’s freedom for healthcare, gay kids freedom to play sports, teachers and librarians freedoms to provided resources and non-Christian’s freedom to worship as they please.

Trump sent Vance to campaign for Orban! What the F are you talking about? You lying piece of Shi*! Eunuch!

What a hypocrite!

Censorship is bad? You think you and your Dear Leader should just be able to lie every day without consequence?

You are a complete fool. Worry about the USA backsliding into authoritarian rule. The thin-skinned President is all about censorship. He is celebrating the cancelling of Colbert today, and hoping for more. Billions of dollars are being spent to silence republicans who dare disagree with the 🍊 💩.
You are complicit in the destruction of democracy.

1.8 billion for J6 terrorists from the taxpayers. The country is no longer ruled by Law. The Lawmakers (you) no longer protect the citizens from the Tyrant. You are afraid of the Tyrant.

Grift and corruption as a way of life.

Eric Schmitt (r) [2024 file photo].

Campaign Finance: Oxymoron

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Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C253723 05/21/2026 Put Missouri First Republican National Committee 310 First Street SE Washington DC 20003 5/21/2026 $13,787.50

[emphasis added]

Yeah, right.

Missouri

Overall Rank #31

Crime & Corrections #43
Economy #25
Education #33
Fiscal Stability #11
Health Care #43
Infrastructure #37
Natural Environment #18
Opportunity #11

After two decades of right wingnut control of state government. Go figure.

The weather overnight

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Thunder and lightning and rain, oh my:

Canon 5D III, 1.8 50 mm.
f 8.0, 0.10 sec, ISO 500, 50 mm.

Canon 5D III, 1.8 50 mm.
f 8.0, 0.10 sec, ISO 500, 50 mm.

Canon 5D III, 1.8 50 mm.
f 8.0, 0.30 sec, ISO 500, 50 mm.

Canon 5D III, 1.8 50 mm.
f 8.0, 0.30 sec, ISO 500, 50 mm.

Canon 5D III, 1.8 50 mm.
f 8.0, 0.10 sec, ISO 500, 50 mm.

Canon 5D III, 1.8 50 mm.
f 8.0, 0.10 sec, ISO 500, 50 mm.

Johnson County Democrats – Blue Dogs in the Park – Warrensburg, Missouri – May 16, 2026

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Johnson County Democrats met in a park in Warrensburg on Saturday evening for Blue Dogs in the Park, a regular gathering featuring conversation, food, information, and candidate speeches. Around fifty individuals attended.

Mike Walbom, candidate in the 57th Legislative District and Jeanette Cass, candidate in the 4th Congressional District.

Roberta “RB” Burford, Vice-chair of the Johnson County Democratic Central Committee

RB spoke on the recent Missouri Supreme Court decisions on redistricting and the current obstruction by Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins (r) of the voter referendum challenging the right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly’s blatantly gerrymandered congressional district map.

Denny Hoskins (r) [2023 file photo]

Over 300,000 Missouri voters signed the referendum petition. Denny Hoskins’s (r) foot-dragging on certification leaves congressional district voters and candidates with no clarity on the district maps. Warrensburg is either in the 4th of the 5th Congressional District. depending.

Ray James, Chair of the Johnson County Democratic Central Committee

Jordan Herrera, candidate in the 4th Congressional District.

Mike McCaffree, the Democratic Party candidate in the 28th Senate District.

Taigan Plummer, the Democratic Party candidate in the 54th Legislative district.

Mike Walbom, the Democratic Party candidate in the 57th Legislative District

“Resist”