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Monthly Archives: November 2015

Campaign Finance: electricity

09 Monday Nov 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

campaign finance, Chris Koster, governor, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission

Chris Koster (D) [March 2015 file photo].

Chris Koster (D) [March 2015 file photo].

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for Chris Kosters’ (D) probable 2016 gubernatorial campaign:

C031159 11/09/2015 KOSTER FOR MISSOURI PayneCrest Electric Inc 10411 Baur Blvd Saint Louis MO 63132 11/9/2015 $20,000.00

[emphasis added]

That’s a statement, too.

Previously:

Chris Koster (D) – July 2015 Campaign Finance Report (July 18, 2015)

Campaign Finance: No, tell us how you really feel… (October 2, 2015)

Campaign Finance: adding up (October 7, 2015)

Campaign Finance: just another really good day (October 19, 2015)

Campaign Finance: and another good day (October 22, 2015)

Campaign Finance: like a rock (October 29, 2015)

Campaign Finance: Treat! (October 31, 2015)

Campaign Finance: making a statement (November 2, 2015)

Ashley Beard-Fosnow (D) in the 55th Legislative District

08 Sunday Nov 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

55th Legislative District, Ashley Beard-Fosnow, missouri, Rick Brattin

This afternoon in Peculiar, Missouri Ashley Beard-Fosnow (D) formally announced her candidacy in 2016 for the seat in the 55th Legislative District.

Ashley Beard-Fosnow (D) announcing her House candidacy in Peculiar, Missouri - November 8, 2015.

Ashley Beard-Fosnow (D) announcing her House candidacy in Peculiar, Missouri – November 8, 2015.

From her campaign web site:

…I am running for state representative to offer you a better choice. As a wife, mom, and community volunteer, I will work outside the usual political nonsense and scandals we see in Jefferson City. Instead, I will focus on the issues that matter: education, transportation, protecting local control, and ethics reforms. I will use my professional skill set to evaluate programs to ensure efficiency and accountability. I will be involved in our local community and advocate on your behalf…

IMG_0881X7

The seat is currently held by Rick Brattin (r). Yes, that Rick Brattin.

The power (sometimes) of speaking out

08 Sunday Nov 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

football, Gary Pinkel, Jay Nixon, missouri, racism, University of Missouri

If you have a voice you have an obligation to use it.

In the Kansas City Star:

November 8, 2015
Yael T. Abouhalkah: Black football players’ strike thrusts MU into national spotlight on racial unrest

By Yael T. Abouhalkah

The announced strike by black football players at the University of Missouri is far more than a sports story. It further thrusts the school into the national spotlight regarding racial unrest, especially on college campuses.

The players are seeking a huge change. They want the resignation or firing of the state’s top university official, president Tim Wolfe.

Others have called for that action — including a student engaged in a hunger strike — but the involvement of the school’s best-known sports team demonstrably increased attention to this issue….

Via Twitter, from University of Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel:

GaryPinkel110815

Coach Gary Pinkel ‏@GaryPinkel
The Mizzou Family stands as one. We are united. We are behind our players. #ConcernedStudent1950 GP 11:39 AM – 8 Nov 2015

From Governor Jay Nixon:

Gov. Nixon statement regarding student protests at the University of Missouri
November 8, 2015

JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon today issued the following statement regarding student protests at the University of Missouri.

“Racism and intolerance have no place at the University of Missouri or anywhere in our state,” Gov. Nixon said. “Our colleges and universities must be havens of trust and understanding. These concerns must be addressed to ensure the University of Missouri is a place where all students can pursue their dreams in an environment of respect, tolerance and inclusion.”

If you speak out someone else may listen.

Gordon Christensen (D) in the 4th Congressional District – November 7, 2015

08 Sunday Nov 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

4th Congressional District, Gordon Christensen, Jim White, missouri, Vicky Hartzler

Gordon Christensen (D), who is contemplating a run in the 4th Congressional District, made his first political foray last night in Warrensburg at a local fundraising event for the Johnson County Democratic Committee.

Gordon Christensen (D)  in Warrensburg - November 7, 2015.

Gordon Christensen (D) in Warrensburg – November 7, 2015.

He spoke briefly to those in attendance, citing the needs to improve health care delivery for veterans and for access to affordable health care for all Americans. He also addressed the current dysfunction in the republican controlled Congress – calling the creation of the Planned Parenthood committee and Representative Vicky Hartzler’s (r) appointment to it nothing more than political theater.

The seat is currently held by Vicky Hartzler (r). Democrat Jim White is also running and has established a committee.

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): hitting the show trial big time (October 23, 2015)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): Your famos! (October 23, 2015)

Contemplating the 4th Congressional District (November 6, 2015)

Contemplating the 4th Congressional District

06 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

4th Congressional District, Gordon Christensen, Mark Thiessen, missouri, Vicky Hartzler

We received the following press release from a representative of a possible Democratic Party candidate in the 4th Congressional District:

Gordon Christensen (D) [submitted photo].

Gordon Christensen (D) [submitted photo].

Christensen for Congress Exploratory Committee

Gordon Christensen, M.D. has launched a Congressional Exploratory Committee for the 4th Congressional District of Missouri. Dr. Christensen has practiced and taught at the University of Missouri, Columbia for over 27 years as well as the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital for 20 years. During his time at the University, Dr. Christensen has served as the Chairman of the MU Faculty Council and also as the Chief of Staff for the University Hospital.

Dr. Christensen is considering running for Congress because he knows women’s healthcare is currently under attack from Congress for purely political reasons and that Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospitals are in desperate need of attention and funding. Dr. Christensen strongly believes that the healthcare of our veterans, women, and the American people is not something with which we should play politics.

Due to the district’s current Congressperson beholden to special interests rather than the people of Missouri and the extreme dysfunction in Congress, Dr. Christensen has organized an experienced professional team to provide him the support necessary to make a decision whether to run for Congress. His decision is expected within the month.

Campaign Finance: it’s like a campaign contribution, only smaller – part 12

05 Thursday Nov 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

campaign finance, Eric Greitens, governor, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission

This is all so familiar, at least for this particular republican candidate.

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for Eric Greitens’ (r) 2016 gubernatorial campaign.

C151053 11/05/2015 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI Michael Dullea 420 North Woodland Dr. Kansas City MO 64118 Motofuze CEO 11/5/2015 $25,000.00

[emphasis added]

Well, they can vote in the republican primary.

Previously:

Eric Greitens (r) – quarterly campaign finance report – April 15, 2015 (April 19, 2015)

Eric Greitens (r) – July 2015 Quarterly Campaign Finance Report (July 15, 2015)

Campaign Finance: there goes the whole “it’s a populist grassroots campaign” ad package (September 3, 2015)

Campaign Finance: it’s like a campaign contribution, only smaller – part 8 (October 14, 2015)

Eric Greitens (r) – October 2015 Quarterly Campaign Finance Report (October 17, 2015)

Campaign Finance: it’s like a campaign contribution, only smaller – part 9 (October 21, 2015)

Campaign Finance: it’s like a campaign contribution, only smaller – part 10 (October 30, 2015)

Campaign Finance: it’s like a campaign contribution, only smaller – part 11 (November 3, 2015)

Campaign Finance: can’t vote in the republican primary (November 4, 2015)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): we’re not entirely convinced you read the whole thing

04 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

4th Congressional District, ACA, missouri, Obamacare, Twitter, Vicky Hartzler

Yesterday, via Twitter, from Representative Vicky Hartzler (r):

HartzlerACA110315

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler
Saddened to read of the UNAffordable Care that continues to plague Missourians: [….] 5:41 AM – 3 Nov 2015

The article:

October 27, 2015
Some area residents will see higher premiums for ACA health insurance plans

Premiums will go up substantially next year for some Kansas City area residents enrolled in health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace.

How much will depend on which plan people have right now.

And while Kansas City area residents in Missouri will be able to choose among four providers, people in Johnson and Wyandotte counties will have only two options….

….New data for the 37 states that use the federal HealthCare.gov marketplace, rather than run their own exchanges, suggest that premiums for next year will be going up far more in the Kansas City area than in many other large cities….

….Premium changes for benchmark plans in other cities range from a 35.2 percent increase in Tulsa, Okla., to an 11.8 percent drop in Indianapolis….

….Residents on the Missouri side of the Kansas City area will still be able to choose plans from Coventry, as well as from Blue Cross, UnitedHealthcare and Humana.

Because plans and premiums change, it’s best to shop for plans each year, experts say. People who switched their ACA plans from 2014 to 2015, while staying in the same tier, saved an average of $400 on premiums compared to those who stayed in the same plans, an HHS study found….

[emphasis added]

Johnson and Wyandotte counties are in Kansas. The Missouri General Assembly refused to set up a state exchange and continues to refuse to implement Medicaid expansion.

Some health insurance premiums went up in the Kansas City metro area. As if this has never happened in the history of humanity? By the way, does Representative Vicky Hartzler’s (r) congressional district include Kansas City? We know it doesn’t include counties in Kansas.

Don’t more people have access to affordable health care? Just asking. That doesn’t appear to be a good thing to some people. They’d rather just provide a hot meal.

Campaign Finance: can’t vote in the republican primary

04 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 12 Comments

And yet they still give.

Another contribution yesterday for Eric Greitens’ (r) 2016 gubernatorial campaign, via the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C151053 11/03/2015 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI Francis Hogan 3718 Merrick Houston TX 77025 Credit Suisse Director 11/2/2015 $5,001.00

[emphasis added]

That extra dollar always makes a statement.

Previously:

Eric Greitens (r) – quarterly campaign finance report – April 15, 2015 (April 19, 2015)

Eric Greitens (r) – July 2015 Quarterly Campaign Finance Report (July 15, 2015)

Campaign Finance: there goes the whole “it’s a populist grassroots campaign” ad package (September 3, 2015)

Campaign Finance: it’s like a campaign contribution, only smaller – part 8 (October 14, 2015)

Eric Greitens (r) – October 2015 Quarterly Campaign Finance Report (October 17, 2015)

Campaign Finance: it’s like a campaign contribution, only smaller – part 9 (October 21, 2015)

Campaign Finance: it’s like a campaign contribution, only smaller – part 10 (October 30, 2015)

Campaign Finance: it’s like a campaign contribution, only smaller – part 11 (November 3, 2015)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): the “innovation” is to take your Medicare away, give you a cheap voucher, and throw you to the medical insurance wolves

03 Tuesday Nov 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

4th Congressional District, Medicare, missouri, privatization, Vicky Hartzler

That’s so republican.

In 2011:

Health Care Front Group Provides New Clothes for GOP Medicare Privatization Plan
By Wendell Potter on September 25, 2011 – 9:37pm

If you think Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan to privatize Medicare is dead, think again.

Last week, the insurance industry and its allies began what I predict will be a massive campaign to sell the public and policymakers on the idea of moving forward with the Ryan plan — albeit with a few tweaks and new a new sales pitch to make it seem more consumer-friendly.

An outfit called the Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC) announced in a press release a scheme that could be called Ryan-lite, but don’t be fooled: the plan would — to use a favorite industry term — take us down the “slippery slope” toward a complete corporate takeover of the Medicare program. (Insurers and their allies for years have warned Americans that enacting sweeping health care reforms they don’t like would lead us down the slippery slope toward socialism.)

After Ryan unveiled his Medicare privatization plan earlier this year, there was such widespread criticism that it briefly became a political liability for the Republicans.

The GOP-controlled House of Representatives approved the plan, which would replace the existing Medicare program with vouchers that beneficiaries could use to buy coverage from private insurance. But Ryan’s blueprint never made it out of the Senate. It’s not hard to figure out why: the vouchers would have required most future Medicare recipients — many of whom like today’s recipients will be on fixed incomes — to pay far more out of their own pockets for coverage than in the existing government-run program.

I wrote at the time that the Ryan plan had the strong support of private health insurers, who would like nothing more than to have the federal government hand the Medicare program over to them. The congressman’s proposal would represent a vast new revenue stream guaranteeing profits forever….

You think you’d get more and better health care for your dollar under that system?

Today, via Twitter from Representative Vicky Hartzler (r), sworn enemy of affordable healthcare in the form of that evil socialist Obamacare and those other icky socialist health programs:

HartzlerTweet110115

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler
Honored to be named a “Champion of a Healthcare Innovation” by @HealthInFocus today at the #HLCExpo [….] 10:37 AM – 3 Nov 2015

Wait, the organization which gave Representative Hartzler (r) their “healthcare innovation” award is the same one that is shopping now Speaker Paul Ryan’s (r) bogus Medicare privatization scheme? How convenient. That’s like the Bank Robber’s Guild giving a bank teller their “Most Courteous and Efficient at Facilitating Large Withdrawals from a Depository” award.

Campaign Finance: it’s like a campaign contribution, only smaller – part 11

03 Tuesday Nov 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

campaign finance, Eric Greitens, governor, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission

As long as those contributions keep coming in we’re not going to get tired of the joke.

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for Eric Greiten’ (r) 2016 gubernatorial campaign:

C151053 11/03/2015 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI Jeff Cook 12 Algonquin Lane Webster Groves MO 63119 ARCO Construction Civil Engineer/Consultant 11/2/2015 $15,000.00

C151053 11/03/2015 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI Howard and Marilyn Wood 203 N.E. Main St. Bonne Terre MO 63628 Cequel III Executive 11/2/2015 $50,000.00

[emphasis added]

Well, these folks can actually vote in the republican primary.

Previously:

Eric Greitens (r) – quarterly campaign finance report – April 15, 2015 (April 19, 2015)

Eric Greitens (r) – July 2015 Quarterly Campaign Finance Report (July 15, 2015)

Campaign Finance: there goes the whole “it’s a populist grassroots campaign” ad package (September 3, 2015)

Campaign Finance: it’s like a campaign contribution, only smaller – part 8 (October 14, 2015)

Eric Greitens (r) – October 2015 Quarterly Campaign Finance Report (October 17, 2015)

Campaign Finance: it’s like a campaign contribution, only smaller – part 9 (October 21, 2015)

Campaign Finance: it’s like a campaign contribution, only smaller – part 10 (October 30, 2015)

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