Previously:

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D): for marriage equality (March 24, 2013)

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) [file photo].

Today, on Senator Claire McCaskill’s (D) facebook page:

“Good people disagree with me. On the other hand, my children have a hard time understanding why this is even controversial. I think history will agree with my children.” – Claire

Some of the responses:

…Why are U S Border Patrol uniforms being made in Mexico?…

…Strange that you don’t think the government should say who you can marry, yet you want to tell us what firearms to own, how much ammunition and what type we can own. Glad to see your so open minded…

…I totally disagree with your vote for gun control through the UN. Your name is on the list of those voting in favor of UN gun control. I WILL do everything in my power to vote you out next year. You are trampling upon my constitutional rights as a law abiding citizen. While doing nothing to stop CRIMINALS…

It’s 2017 already? Seems like yesterday…

Let’s do the Time Warp again:

…It’s astounding, time is fleeting

Madness takes its toll

But listen closely, not for very much longer

I’ve got to keep control…

And, it continues:

…All who are from the State of Missouri Vote McCaskill out of office. She is failing to up hold her Oath of office and our constitution…

…Homosexual or same sex marriage is wrong, I will not support it for it is a sin. You have gays saying our lifestyle is wrong. they can not procreate for their existance. they indoctrinate…

…So… Who are you working for exactly?…

…Serious question: Why is there no effort to legalize polygamy? Can polygamists from other countries legally immigrate with their entire family to our country? I do not really understand why the legalization of polygamy doesn’t come before the legalization of same sex relationships…

…Funny how AFTER the election you have come to a NEW conclusion…

…Ms. McCaskill’s arrogance is breath-taking. Funny how people like McCaskill can find rights that aren’t in the constitution but cannot see the one’s that are there in black-and-white…

…Once and for all. God does not hate gay people. He loves gay people. God hates the act of homo-sexual sex which he considers sin. There will be people in heaven who will have committed this sin. However there is not going to be anyone who makes their sin their God there…

Senator McCaskill needs to get better trolls.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) [file photo]

Today, a post on Senator Claire McCaskill’s (D) non-government web site:

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13

The question of marriage equality is a great American debate. Many people, some with strong religious faith, believe that marriage can only exist between a man and a woman. Other people, many of whom also have strong religious faith, believe that our country should not limit the commitment of marriage to some, but rather all Americans, gay and straight should be allowed to fully participate in the most basic of family values.

I have come to the conclusion that our government should not limit the right to marry based on who you love. While churches should never be required to conduct marriages outside of their religious beliefs, neither should the government tell people who they have a right to marry.

My views on this subject have changed over time, but as many of my gay and lesbian friends, colleagues and staff embrace long term committed relationships, I find myself unable to look them in the eye without honestly confronting this uncomfortable inequality. Supporting marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples is simply the right thing to do for our country, a country founded on the principals of liberty and equality.

Good people disagree with me. On the other hand, my children have a hard time understanding why this is even controversial. I think history will agree with my children.

The times they are a-changin’…

Today, via Facebook:

Or, we could all live in a Libertarian paradise.

Previously:

Three years ago today (March 23, 2013)

Today, via Twitter:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler 30m

We usually celebrate bdays but today’s 3rd Birthday of the “Affordable” Care Act isn’t something to celebrate with its higher taxes & costs. 7:49 AM – 23 Mar 13

And, a reply:

Ryan Stevens Ryan Stevens ‏@blogvader

@RepHartzler There are approximately 40 million people in this country who’d disagree with you, now that they can get health care. 8:17 AM – 23 Mar 13

And, some snark:

Michael Bersin ‏@MBersin

@blogvader Yeah, but they’re part of that 47% of takers who are causing irreparable harm to the 1%. We can’t have that in this great nation. 11:07 AM – 23 Mar 13

President Obama’s signature on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

From the White House:

Affordable Care Act at 3: Looking Forward and Expanding Access

Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

March 22, 2013

11:55 AM EDT

Three years ago, the Affordable Care Act ushered in a new day for health care.

Since then, more than 6.3 million seniors and people with disabilities with Medicare have saved more than $6.1 billion dollars on prescription drugs.  Nearly 71 million Americans got expanded access to preventive service at no charge through their private insurance plans, and 47 million women now have guaranteed access to additional preventive services without cost sharing. More than 3.1 million young adults who were uninsured were able to gain coverage by being able to stay on their parents’ insurance policies until they turned 26.  And parents no longer have to worry about insurers denying coverage to their children because of a pre-existing condition.

Americans are getting more value for their health care dollars due to the health care law. Affordable Care Act initiatives are promoting coordinated care; paying for quality, not quantity; and dramatically reducing fraud and waste, contributing to the slowest growth in national health spending in 50 years.

Consumers also saved $2 billion in 2012, because of programs to review premium rates and to require insurers to provide rebates if they do not spend at least 80 percent of premiums on care, rather than overhead, such as executive pay and marketing.  And the law’s initiatives have extended the life of the Medicare Trust Fund by eight years….

At the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C131014: Continue To Care Committee

Po Box 7181 Committee Type: Campaign

Kansas City Mo 64113

(816) 213-2862 Established Date: 01/25/2013

[….]

Ballot Measures Election Date Subject Support/Oppose

Kansas City Question 1 04/02/2013 Healthcare/City Of Kansas City Support

[….]

Over the last few weeks:

C131014 02/08/2013 CONTINUE TO CARE COMMITTEE The Civic Council of Greater Kansas City 1200 Main, Suite 230 Kansas City MO 64105 2/8/2013 $50,000.00

C131014 02/08/2013 CONTINUE TO CARE COMMITTEE JE Dunn Construction Company 1001 Locust Street Kansas City MO 64106 2/8/2013 $10,000.00

C131014 03/04/2013 CONTINUE TO CARE COMMITTEE Kansas City Free Health Clinic 3515 Broadway Kansas City MO 64111 3/4/2013 $10,000.00

C131014 03/06/2013 CONTINUE TO CARE COMMITTEE Blue cross blue shield of Kansas City Po box 419159 Kansas City MO 64141 3/6/2013 $10,000.00

C131014 03/08/2013 CONTINUE TO CARE COMMITTEE Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City 2700 E 18th Suite 220 Kansas City MO 64127 3/8/2013 $120,000.00

C131014 03/21/2013 CONTINUE TO CARE COMMITTEE Northland Health Care Access P.O. Box 14414 Parkville MO 64152 3/21/2013 $10,000.00

C131014 03/21/2013 CONTINUE TO CARE COMMITTEE The Health Alliance of Midamerica 7015 College Blvd, Suite 150 Overland Park KS 66211 3/21/2013 $12,500.00

C131014 03/21/2013 CONTINUE TO CARE COMMITTEE Saint Luke’s Health System 10920 Elm Ave. Kansas City MO 64134 3/21/2013 $10,000.00

C131014 03/22/2013 CONTINUE TO CARE COMMITTEE Truman Medical Centers 7900 Lee’s Summit rd. Kansas City MO 64139 3/22/2013 $20,000.00

[emphasis added]

They’re not waiting for Obamacare to kick in. Why would that be?:

….It is important that Kansas Citians vote yes on Question 1 on April 2 because the cost of NOT renewing the Health Levy would significantly exceed the cost of renewing it. If we don’t renew the levy, patients who are unable to receive needed care will become an additional cost the city has to shoulder. And, private hospitals that aren’t getting paid for providing services to uninsured or underinsured patients will be forced to raise their costs for everyone else. This is not a new tax but a continuation of the existing Health Levy. In short, the Health Levy is a common sense solution to prevent a much larger problem….

Continue to Care

[….]

   On April 2, 2013, Kansas City is asking voters to approve Question 1, which will renew the approximately one-third of Kansas City’s Health Levy that is set to expire next year. It is important to note that the city’s safety net providers are not asking for a new tax, but rather the continuation of an existing levy dedicated to providing basic health care for the underserved.

   The Health Levy is an important investment for the city because it helps offset the costs of uninsured and underinsured patients while keeping health care costs lower for the rest of us. It also helps create stronger, healthier communities.

   Equally important, the Health Levy supports the Kansas City economy by investing in thousands of health care jobs.

   Specifically, Question 1 requests renewal of 22 cents of the current tax levy dedicated to ambulance services, emergency medical services, and hospital and public health purposes for a period of nine years. Funding would support Truman Medical Centers, and non-profit neighborhood health centers, including Northland Health Care Access, Cabot Westside Health Center, Swope Health Services, KC Care Clinic, and Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center.

   An owner of a home assessed at $100,000 pays less than $4.00 per month to help provide essential health care services in our community.

   Last year, this portion of the Health Levy helped pay for more than 140,000 health care visits in Kansas City. One out of every ten Kansas Citians benefited from this levy.

   Question 1 will ensure critical funding for Kansas City’s safety net health care providers; without it the safety net providers simply cannot continue to provide quality care for the residents who need it the most.

       These services included vital mental health services treating serious and persistent mental illness for adults, children and families.

       And, these visits include supporting emergency, inpatient, and prescription assistance for those who would not otherwise have access to the care.

   Some crucial health care programs, such as mammograms, childhood immunizations, nutrition programs that control obesity and early childhood interventions will be discontinued if this portion of the Health Levy is not renewed.

   Safety net providers in Kansas City deliver more than $130 million dollars in uncompensated health care services every year. When voters first approved this levy in 2005, that figure was $56 million for Truman alone. This portion of the Health Levy generates approximately $15 million dollars per year to help cover a portion of those costs. The need has increased significantly since 2005 and the city’s safety net clinics have stepped up to meet that need.

   The Health Levy supports safety net providers that impact our local economy, including:

       More than 8,500 jobs through employing doctors, nurses and other health care professionals

       Millions in capital investments such as the $4 million Cabot Clinic on Kansas City’s Westside

       Hundreds of thousands of dollars and hours invested in outreach to neighborhoods, community centers and businesses to support health in Kansas City

       In addition, Safety Net Clinics pay more than $5 million in earnings tax

It’s the right thing to do.

On the square in Madison, Wisconsin.

Congress Is Strong-Arming The Postal Service Into Bankruptcy Even Faster

By Annie-Rose Strasser on Mar 22, 2013 at 10:45 am

….In 2006, Congress passed the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, mandating that the USPS front the money for 75 years of employee pensions – a requirement no other public or private institution faces.

In trying to scrape up money for the pensions of kids who haven’t even graduated high school yet, the USPS has spiraled into near-bankruptcy. Without the pension requirement, a July 2012 analysis showed, the USPS would have a $1.5 billion surplus. Instead, it’s billions of dollars in the red.

Dropping Saturday delivery was supposed to be its way of trying to fight these congressionally-imposed deficits. But yesterday, Congress rejected the five-day proposal, roundly agreeing that the USPS must keep its service at six days a week, even though it can hardly afford to do so….

[emphasis added]

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C051232 03/20/2013 SILVEY FOR MISSOURI The Cranford Coalition 1610 W. 3rd St. Little Rock AR 72201 3/19/2013 $25,000.00

[emphasis added]

Senator Ryan Silvey was sworn into office Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013 to represent the 17th Senatorial District. The 17th District is located in the Southwest corner of Clay County, and includes parts of Kansas City, Gladstone, Oaks, Oakwood, Oakwood Park, Oakview, Liberty, Glenaire, Pleasant Valley, Claycomo, North Kansas City, Avondale, Randolph and Birmingham.

Senator Silvey serves as vice chairman of the Senate Committee for Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight. He also serves on several other committees, including: Appropriations; General Laws; Progress and Development; and Veterans’ Affairs and Health.

As an 8th generation Missourian, Sen. Silvey was raised in Clay County, where he attended Meadowbrook Elementary, Antioch Middle and Oak Park High Schools. After graduating from college, Sen. Silvey became an advisor to U.S. Senator Christopher S. “Kit” Bond on issues such as Science, Technology, Space Policy and National Defense.

Before winning his election to a four-year term in the State Senate, Sen. Silvey served four terms in the Missouri House of Representatives, from 2005 through 2012. During that time he was vice chairman of the Small Business Committee, vice chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, vice chairman of the Appropriations General Administration Committee, chairman of the Appropriations General Administration Committee and chairman of the Joint Committee on Capital Improvements and Leases Oversight….

The Cranford Coalition, Inc. is a professional contract-lobbying firm, which was established to provide representation for businesses, professional, and local government interest before the legislative and executive branches of local, state, and federal government.

Within the past couple of days police managed to thwart a planned mass shooting at the University of Central Florida. It would have been a massacre had things broken just a little differently.

Yesterday saw the Campus of Indiana University Purdue’s Indianapolis Campus locked down for several hours after sightings of a gunman on campus were reported. Turned out to be a false alarm, but it’s a sign of the times that police can’t afford anything other than an all out push to forestall a possible tragedy.

You want to know how frequent this type of event is, just search “university” and “gunman” on Google. Varying the second search term gets even more hits. Count the number of times you find the perpetrators armed with semi-automatic, high-capacity guns. Weapons of choice for campus attacks seem to be assault weapons equipped with the capacity to shoot many rounds. So much fun, evidently, to shoot fish in a barrel while equipped with military-style weapons. (And no – I don’t want anyone to be shot in the cross-fire from gun-carrying students and faculty wildly responding to a mass-shooter.)

Then recollect that the Supreme Court ruling, District of Columbia v Heller, that affirmed the right of individuals to own guns, also affirmed the legitimacy of reasonable restrictions.

Recently, Harry Reid dropped Senator Diane Feinstein’s proposed ban on military assault-type weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines from gun-violence legislation currently making its way through congress. Fun fact: these are among the characteristics described by the NRA’s propaganda blitz on behalf of the gun industry as “cosmetic.”

One more piece of grist for the mill:

The NRA donated $841,337 to Republicans and $115,150 to Democrats in the 2012 election cycle.

Is the picture clear enough for you yet?

* Slightly corrected: Original fifth paragraph merged with third.



 

I’ve always said that when GOP Senator Roy Blunt is involved, look for a money motive – usually campaign finance if memory serves me right. Most recently, however, Blunt is gearing up to defend some of that wasteful, special interest, pork spending that, nominally at least, raises the hackles of good financial conservatives. Specifically, he’s threatening to block the nomination of Gina McCarthy, the President’s choice to head up the EPA, becoming the latest GOP Senator to resort to extortion.

How is this either extortion or defending pork? Blunt is proposing a quid pro quo. Obama wants McCarthy as EPA Head. Blunt wants quicker action on the St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway project where repair of a 1,500-foot gap in the levee came to a stop because of what KMOX designates technical problems with the project’s Environmental Impact Statement. Unfortunately, in this case, the phrase “technical problems” understates the situation. Coming in at about $100 million of that taxpayer money GOPers claim to be so protective of, even the Army Corp of Engineers, well-known to love an expensive boondoggle, had nothing nice to say about this project, labeling it “an economic dud with huge environmental consequences.”

Michael Grunwald adds:

“Huge” was putting it mildly. Corps documents suggested the project would drain more acres of wetlands than all U.S. developers drained in a typical year, cutting off one of the last swath of Mississippi River floodplain that was still connected to the river. The Fish and Wildlife Service warned that it “would cause substantial, irretrievable losses of nationally significant fish and wildlife resources, and greatly diminish rare and unique habitats in southeastern Missouri.” And the mitigation plan was a joke.

“Dud” was also putting it mildly. The project was marketed as a flood-control initiative for the downtrodden community of East Prairie, Mo.; Congress even let East Prairie use its federal economic development dollars for the local cost-share. But Corps documents showed that East Prairie, which flooded once every ten years before the project, would still flood once every ten years after the project. The main economic benefits would accrue to large landowners in the New Madrid floodway, who would get federal flood protection for their federally subsidized corn and soybeans. And the cost to taxpayers was so high that the Corps still had to use an interest rate from the project’s original inception in 1954 to nudge the benefit-cost ratio above 1 –  to a grand total of 1.01.

Hmmm … “benefits accrue to large landowners” … maybe Blunt is actually hoping to grease the old campaign coffers after all.

To be fair, Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill has also indicated that she would like this piece of wasteful spending expedited as well. Of course, McCaskill regularly puts common sense and her worries about wasteful government spending aside when she needs to show Missourians that she will fight for what they might, at first blush, take to be to be in their interests, no matter how mistaken they may be or how much damage it may do from a wider perspective. Remember when she sided with coal interests and helped squash cap-and-trade legislation because she feared somewhat higher energy prices would be laid at her door come election time? But at least this time, so far at least, she hasn’t been willing to hold the nominating process hostage to Missouri pork. So far acts of legislative terrorism are still a GOP speciality.