Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C111063 02/23/2012 MISSOURIANS FOR FAIR TAXATION Missouri Association of REALTORS 2601 Bernadette Pl Columbia MO 65203 2/22/2012 $125,000.00

[emphasis added]

C111063: Missourians For Fair Taxation

3220 West Edgewood Dr Ste E Committee Type: Campaign

Jefferson City Mo 65109

(573) 635-6196 Established Date: 03/04/2011

  Termination Date:

Oppose Elimination Of State Income Tax And Creation Of Broad Based Sales/Use Tax 11/06/2012 Statewide Oppose

[emphasis added]

That’s not nearly enough money, especially when your opponent has deep pockets and a history of spending millions on ballot initiatives.

Previously:

Chamber of Commerce does a number on Claire McCaskill (February 15, 2012)

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D): the radio ads strike back, sort of (February 22, 2012)

From Senator Claire McCaskill’s (D) reelection campaign:

Our newest ad highlights a stark choice between Claire McCaskill, fighting as Missouri’s Senator, and the outside special interests trying to buy the outcome of this election and consolidate power in Washington.

Announcer: They’re not from around here, spending millions to attack and attack. But what they’re doing to Claire McCaskill is nothing compared to what their special interest agenda will do to you.

They want to end Medicare as we know it. Claire fights to protect it.

They want more tax breaks for multimillionaires and oil companies. Claire cuts taxes for the middle class.

They back unfair trade deals for China. Claire says, make it in Missouri [pronounced: “Missourah”]

Claire McCaskill (D): I’m Claire McCaskill and I approved this message.

Okay, that’s better.

I just got a survey, paid for with taxpayer money, from by Republican State Representative, Denny Hoskins (R-121).

It touches all of the red meat issues of the Republicans: Right-to-work, teacher tenure, teacher pay based on merit, making sure unions don’t spend dues on political issues, etc.

The only question about taxes is for roads.

However, the issue that is most interesting is the question about increasing funding for veteran homes.

As WE ALL KNOW, we must honor our veterans.  The survey notes that funding for veteran homes are such that, if we don’t increase funding, one of the homes might close.

I’m asked whether we should institute a lottery dedicated to supporting veteran homes.

All I can say is “wow”!

It is sooooooooooo important to show how grateful we are for veterans that we are going to fund them by proceeds from gambling. I wonder why Hoskins didn’t suggest a dedicated bake sale.

Oh, did I mention there was no question about increasing the cigarette tax, establishing a tax on internet saies, or any other general revenue tax (except for roads)?    

Your quick and dirty, district by district look at the tentative map (a.k.a. “Map 3”) agreed at Midnight by a 8-2 vote of the 2012 Senate Apportionment Commission.

The Map can be viewed here

District 1 (South County) goes into Webster Groves, and went for Obama by around 10%. Which essentially means that Jim Lembke is not in a good spot for re-election to the Senate v. an opponent like Sue Schoemehl. Rumors seem to suggest that Lembke might be looking for a statewide campaign as an exit strategy out of this situation. The Incumbent is Jim Lembke, Likely D

District 2 (West St. Charles) is pretty much the same district as anybody expected. The line between 2 and 23 cuts through the middle of the county. Weldon Spring in the 23rd. Cottleville divided, St. Peters divided, and so on. Open in 2014, Solid R.

District 3 is essentially the same as the current district 3, with minimal changes in Jefferson County (all of Hillsboro is in the 3rd) and losing Carter county. The district was 50/50 in the 2008 Presidential election and is very winnable for Democrat like Joe Fallert.

District 4 is now the Western Edge of STL and Shrewsbury and part of Jennings. Represented by Joe Keaveny, Safe Democrat.

District 5 is the Eastern part of STL. Represented by Robin Wright-Jones, Safe Democratic.

District 6 is Cole, Gasconade, Maries, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, and Osage Counties. Represented by Mike Kehoe, safe Republican.

District 7 is the first random number shift. As the district moves from West County STL to the current location of the 10th Senate District in KCMO. So congrats to that part of the state for getting 2 Senators for 2 years. The 7th district is open, and Safely Democratic.

District 8 is pretty much the same Republican area of Jackson County, represented by Will Kraus.

District 9 now snakes from Northeast Kansas City to Unity Village. It’s represented by Kiki Curls.

District 10 is now located in Eastern Missouri for some reason. It takes in Audrain, Callaway, Lincoln, Monroe, Montgomery, and Warren Counties. It’ll be represented by Kansas City Democrat Jolie Justus until 2014. Why in the world they put 7 in Kansas City and 10 in Eastern Missouri is a complete mystery to me. There’s already 2 Senate Districts up for election in Jackson County in 2012, and moving 7 to Jackson means that there’s only one Senate district up in Jackson County in 2014. Although Paul Quinn now has something to do in 2014 when he’s termed out of the House. So that might be a reason for the numbering. And to Senator Justus, have fun Representing Eastern Missouri for 2 years.

District 11 is mostly Independence with parts of Northeast Kansas City, Eastern Kansas City and Raytown included to give Paul LeVota new places to campaign. Solidly Democratic.

District 12 is Northwest Missouri, going from Atchison County to Putnam County, taking in part of Clay County. Open in 2014, Solid Republican.

District 13 is North County STL, an open seat and solidly Democratic.

District 14 is a bow from Clayton to Jennings to Bridgeton, Solidly Democratic.

District 15 moves a bit West and looks like it’s gonna be solid Republican turf for Eric Schmitt.

District 16 takes in Camden, Crawford, Dent, Phelps, and Pulaski. It’ll probably be comfortable enough for Dan Brown in 2014.

District 17 went for Obama by 4%. Which would be comforting if there was an announced Democratic Candidate. But there’s still time, maybe even until the end of April if we’re lucky. Ryan Silvey is the Republican candidate for this seat and will be looking over the map to find split towns as a source of complaint. Silvey’s the favorite to win the 17th but one day it’ll be won by Democrat again, we’re sure.

District 18 goes from Pike County to Clark, over to Schuyler, down to Macon, over to Linn and Randolph, and then to Shelby. For a district that was traditionally Democratic and could be contested by someone in the future. The incumbent is Brian Munzlinger.

District 19 is Boone and Cooper Counties. It’s a better marriage for Kurt Schaefer in his race v. Mary Still. The district still went for Obama by 9%. Enjoy all your trips to Boonville on I-70, Candidates!

District 20 is Christian County and a donut shaped part of of Greene County. Represented by Jay Wasson.

District 21 goes from Johnson County, up to Lafayette, to Saline, Howard, Chariton, Livingston, Caldwell, Ray, and Carroll. The district went for McCain by 13% but could be a 50/50 district on the state level. David Pearce will be the incumbent in the district, but he hasn’t represented any part of the district outside of Johnson County.

District 22 is pretty much the same part of Northern Jefferson County as before. It’ll be open, competitive, but leaning Dem.

District 23 is Eastern St. Charles County. Pretty much the same district as the previous district but more eastern.

District 24 moves west a bit for Republican incumbent John Lamping. Town and County, Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, Ladue. STL experts can make the call here.

District 25 drops Ripley County, and adds Shannon, Mississippi, and Carter Counties. Terry Swinger and Billy Pat Wright are likely opponents for this open Senate Seat, which would presumably lean R, but having Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, and Pemiscot Counties in the same district will have to be a team to overcome the Republican margins in Butler and Stoddard Counties.

District 26 is Franklin County and West County STL. Brian Nieves is the State Senator. And Jane Cunningham is a resident of the district (yes, Jane Cunningham looks to be drawn out of the Senate on this map, barring a UHaul truck taking her to another part of St. Louis County). Safe Republican.

District 27 goes from Scott County, to Cape County to Perry, Madison, Wayne, and Bollinger. It’s an open seat which will be contested by Wayne Wallingford and Ellen Brandom. Safe Republican.

District 28 is a bit less complex now. It goes from Cedar County over to Laclede. And it goes from Polk County to Pettis County. Represented by Mike Parson, still Republican.

District 29 is Barry, Lawrence, McDonald, Stone, and Taney Counties. I think it’s open in 2012 (I believe Goodman is termed out).

District 30 is Springfield.

District 31 goes down US71 from Cass to Barton County, and it also includes Henry and St. Clair Counties. Scott Largent is running for the Senate and will continue doing so. And maybe someone from the current 31st will run as well.

District 32 is Dade, Jasper, and Newton Counties. Represented by Ron Richard. Safe Republican.

District 33 goes down the Arkansas Border from Ozark to Ripley Counties. It also includes Douglas, Webster, Wright, and Texas Counties.

District 34 is Buchanan and Platte Counties.

Here’s a low-tech map showing the districts (without going into the bigger counties to show the splits)

So, do your own math. Even if doing math in the morning is a risk.

Yesterday, from Representative Vicky Hartzler’s (r) Twitter flurry:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler @RepHartzler

Hmmm. When the Koran is burned, riots and death threats. When the Bible is burned, Christians pray for the perpetrators. 9:48 AM – 22 Feb 12

Uh, you need to understand exactly who is doing the burning.

September 10th, 2010

12:12 PM ET

Would a Muslim burn the Bible?

….To burn a Quran is not just offensive; it is the equivalent of “destroying a people’s soul,” one Muslim scholar says.

The Quran is so sacred that many Muslims will not touch it without washing their hands, face and feet, says Caner Dagli, a religious professor at the College of Holy Cross in Massachusetts.

“Muslims always keep the Quran in a high place. No book is ever placed on top of it. It is never placed on the ground,” Dagli says. “When a Muslim picks up the Quran, he or she typically kiss it and then touch it to their forehead, and do the same when they are about to put it down.”

The Quran teaches Muslims to respect the sacred books of Christians and Jews as well, says Chris van Gorder, a religion professor at Baylor University in Texas.

“To burn a holy Quran for a Muslim is to throw down a gauntlet,” he says. “Those who deface any holy book, including the Bible, in many Muslim countries today, will be executed….

[emphasis added]

Yes, there are individuals on this planet who burn Bibles. You just need to understand who is doing it and who isn’t.

Nearly 1 in 4 people worldwide is Muslim, report says

October 07, 2009|By Richard Allen Greene CNN

….There are about 1.57 billion Muslims in the world, according to the report, “Mapping the Global Muslim Population,” by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. That represents about 23 percent of the total global population of 6.8 billion.

There are about 2.25 billion Christians, based on projections from the 2005 World Religions Database….

Can we all agree that it’s a really bad idea to burn any book anywhere?  

Really?:

HB 1778

Designates Old Drum as the historical dog of the State of Missouri

Sponsor: Hoskins, Denny (121)

Co-Sponsor: Largent, Scott (120) … et al.

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2012

LR Number: 5839L.01I

Last Action: 2/21/2012 – Read Second Time (H)

Bill String: HB 1778

Next Hearing: Hearing not scheduled

Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

HB 1813

Designates Seaman, the dog accompanying Lewis and Clark on their expedition of the Louisiana Purchase territory, as the official state historical dog

Sponsor: Sommer, Chrissy (015)

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2012

LR Number: 5925H.01I

Last Action: 2/22/2012 – Introduced and Read First Time (H)

Bill String: HB 1813

Next Hearing: Hearing not scheduled

Calendar: HOUSE BILLS FOR SECOND READING

Because this must be settled now.

Again, via Twitter (today):

Rep. Vicky Hartzler @RepHartzler

Gallop: Unemployment rose to 9% mid-February. Food stamp use is at all time high. True unemployment rate may be over 15%. 9:26 AM – 22 Feb 12

“….True unemployment rate may be over 15%.”

The unemployment statistic which has been consistently utilized by everyone and is reported in the media as the unemployment rate is the U-3. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has “[a]lternative measures of labor underutilization”, one, the U-6, which includes the “[t]otal unemployed, plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all persons marginally attached to the labor force”. The U-6 is always a higher number.

The seasonally adjusted U-6 was 16.4% in September 2011 and 15.1% in January 2012.

It’s interesting that Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) is just discovering (or is it spinning?) these standards.

As for Gallup?:

Everyone Is Freaking Out Over A New Survey That Shows Unemployment Surging Again

Joe Weisenthal | Feb. 21, 2012, 3:46 PM

….Has the economy really deteriorated just like that?

Nah, don’t worry.

As The Bonddad Blog pointed out last week, this Gallup data isn’t seasonally adjusted (in fact it says that in the chart right up there).

Since it’s not seasonally adjusted, you have to look at it year over year, and guess what.

And guess what, a year ago Gallup was at 10% and BLS was at 9.0%. So with Gallup now being at 9%, you could surmise that BLS will stand at 8.0%, another solid drop….

[emphasis added]

We’ll find out when the BLS releases the next monthly report.

Meanwhile, Representative Hartzler (r) is either an idiot, or thinks everyone else is, or both.

I recently learned that the issues page at Rick Santorum’s Website tells us that one of his top priorities is “enforcing laws against illegal pornography,” while:

…the word “tax” appears only 4 times on the issue page and “job” only 5 times – the same number as “abortion” and fewer than “pornography,” which appears 8 times

What’s this got to do with the Missouri legislature now convened in Jefferson City? Only this: Today the House is debating HCR41 and in the Senate a bill with a similar goal, SB749, was debated yesterday. Both pieces of legislation are “me-too” bills, efforts to get in on the GOP efforts to make hay out of a group of conservative Catholic Bishops’ staged efforts to thwart an Obama administration rule. The bills, like Santorum’s Website, are, of course, designed to pander to the sexually repressive legislative preferences of most right-wingers.*  

The Bishops object to contraception – despite the fact that most Catholic women have no pangs of conscience about using it – and want it excluded from the preventive care mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Consequently, they claim it violates their institutional conscience to be associated, however indirectly, with such coverage when it is mandated in church-affiliated, secular organizations like colleges, charities and hospitals – institutions, I should add, that take federal taxpayer dollars that are ponied up by non-believers like me. The GOP has, predictably, jumped to endorse the Bishops’ view that their institutional goals trump individual rights of conscience as well as individual public welfare.

The folks in Jefferson city who are running to jump on this already foundering bandwagon are the same folks who don’t seem to be able to address jobs, decaying infrastructure, tax reform or the host of other problems facing Missouri. Although they are confident that they can adjudicate rights of conscience, they can’t even address the issue of their own institutional ethics, so worried are they that they will miss out on lobbyist largess.

Nevertheless, they want us to believe that weakening the ACA’s provisions for preventive health care is of paramount importance because it involves issues of religious freedom. However, as Catholic historian Gary Wills shows, in an excellent debunking of the Bishops’ conscience and religious freedom claims, “what we are seeing is not a defense of undying principle but a stampede toward a temporarily exploitable lunacy.”

So, once more, Missouri’s real needs languish while the righteous legislative deacons of the wannabe state religion cavort in Jefferson City. If you look at HCR41, you will notice consistent themes. That particular legislation references 2010’s wasteful exercise, the anti-ACA Proposition C that has, in turn, been used as an excuse to avoid the hard work of planning for the ACA mandated insurance exchanges, exchanges that would benefit thousands of Missourians.

If nothing else, it provides an excellent  preview of what the GOP might inflict on the nation in the person of Rick Santorum – although there are signs that maybe even the Godfathers of the Grand Old Party are a little too squeamish for that particular outcome. If you’re feeling equally squeamish about the fun-and-games in Jefferson City, call your State Rep. and your Senator and let them know how you feel about their twin follies, HCR41 and SB749.

*Sentence edited slightly for clarity.  

Previously: Chamber of Commerce does a number on Claire McCaskill (February 15, 2012)

Senator Claire McCaskill’s (D) campaign has some new radio ads out.

https://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F36902979

First Announcer: That’s right, more nasty political ads from out of state special interests attacking Claire McCaskill.

Second announcer: But here in Missouri [pronounced: “Missourah”] we won’t be fooled.

First Announcer: This isn’t about abortion.

Second announcer: Claire McCaskill is fighting to prevent abortion. She wants all women to have access to affordable birth control. No government can tell a woman whether she can use birth control.

First Announcer: And this isn’t about religion. Our churches remain free to worship in any way they choose.

Second announcer: No church or hospital will be forced to pay for anything that violates their beliefs. Claire will fight anyone, including the President, to protect our religious freedom.

First Announcer: Just like she led the fight to save the auto industry. And stop the Chinese from cheating Missouri [pronounced: “Missourah”] manufacturers.

Second announcer: And stood up to the Obama administration to stop regulations that would cost Missouri [pronounced: “Missourah”] jobs.

First Announcer: Washington hasn’t seen it in a while, but Claire McCaskill’s independent, Missouri [pronounced: “Missourah”] style.

Second announcer: And we’ve got a senator on our side.

Senator Claire McCaskill: I’m Claire Mccaskill and I approved this message.

Second announcer: Paid for by McCaskill for Missouri, twenty twelve.

Okay, was that an Onion parody?

“…Claire will fight anyone, including the President, to protect our religious freedom…” Uh, has this been a problem?

Wouldn’t it be better to debunk and defend against right wingnut bullshit rather than reinforce their memes? The people that wrote those small campaign contribution checks and who worked their asses off getting someone elected would, you know, probably appreciate it a little bit.

https://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F36902980

Announcer: We’re better than this. Every election year it’s the same. Lies and distortions paid for by out of towners. But this is Missouri [pronounced: “Missourah”]. Around here we know false prophets when we hear ’em. No one believes what they’re saying about Claire McCaskill. Claire grew up in Lebanon, going to church on Sundays, watching her dad work the feed mill. Waiting tables helped pay for her law school and college. Claire’s story is our story. she spent ten years in Jackson County prosecuting violent criminals, then, State Auditor, rooting out wasteful government spending. And now? Now we have a senator on our side. Missouri [pronounced: “Missourah”] style independent. Washington hasn’t seen that in a while. She led the fight to ban earmarks. And Claire’s made an enemy of every special interest out there. Claire’s never forgotten her roots. She can’t. Because that’s who Claire McCaskill is. It’s who we all are.

Senator Claire McCaskill: I’m Claire Mccaskill and I approved this message.

Second announcer: Paid for by McCaskill for Missouri, two thousand twelve.

Okay.

Ah, it’s the Ike Skelton “we’re not pandering to the base” 2010 reelection strategery.