• About
  • The Poetry of Protest

Show Me Progress

~ covering government and politics in Missouri – since 2007

Show Me Progress

Monthly Archives: December 2017

HJR 62: be careful what you wish for

24 Sunday Dec 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

General Assembly, higher education, HJR 62, missouri

Prefiled last week:

HJR 62
Modifies the exclusions from “lucrative office or employment” for senators and representatives holding employment other than their elected office.
Sponsor: Sommer, Chrissy (106)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2018
LR Number: 5304H.02I
Last Action: 12/18/2017 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HJR 62
[….]

Lucrative?

The summary:

HJR 62 — GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEMBER QUALIFICATIONS [pdf]
SPONSOR: Sommer
Upon voter approval, this proposed Constitutional amendment allows members of the General Assembly to hold certain compensated positions with the state or political subdivisions including employment with police departments, firefighter departments, secondary schools or public colleges or universities, and part-time employment that is compensated at less than $20,000 annually with a political subdivision or special district.

As if public colleges or universities will still exist as we know them by the time this becomes law?

Hail Hydra!

24 Sunday Dec 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

challenge coin, Donald Trump.social media, sarcasm, Twitter

Apparently Donald Trump has “redesigned” the presidential challenge coin for his administration.

Adam Weinstein‏ @AdamWeinstein
THE NEW BITCOIN’S HERE THE NEW BITCOIN’S HERE
[….]
3:16 PM – 22 Dec 2017

America is a place with a lot of sarcastic people.

What they’re saying about Trump’s tax scam

22 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by willykay in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Tax bill, tax cuts, Tax policy

As the Trumpocalypse lumbers forward, its latest atrocity, the Republican/Trump tax scam is attracting lots of horrified commentary. Find below a few highlights from some of the more interesting takes on the issue:

Economist and New York Times opinion writer, Paul Krugman, takes his literary cue from the season:

It’s that time of year again. Some of us will get nice gifts, while others will get lumps of coal.

But the rules have changed a bit this time, at least as far as the federal government is concerned. The St. Nick you knew is on vacation, possibly permanently. In his place we have Republican Tax-Cut Santa, who has different priorities.

You see, the new guy doesn’t care whether you’re naughty or nice. In fact, he’ll actually reward you if you’re naughty in the right ways. But mainly he cares whether you’re rich, especially if your wealth comes from property (preferably inherited property), not hard work. In that case, you get a really big gift. If you’re an ordinary working family, not so much — and eventually you get that lump.

David Rothkopf in The Daily Beast makes the case that: “Donald Trump Just Pulled off the Greatest Long Con in History.” He outlines his case in the first paragraphs:

Bernie Madoff must be sitting in prison thinking to himself, “Schmuck, that’s how it is done!”

That’s because the con just pulled off by Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, and very nearly every Republican on Capitol Hill would have every great fraudster in American history from Ponzi to that tubby guy behind the Backstreet Boys marveling at its scope, boldness, and brazen criminality.

But before we give these scoundrels too much credit, we need to recognize just how much of their con was, as they say in show biz, “sampled” from other scammers. These have included everything from the bait-and-switch (promise a “middle-class tax cut” on the campaign trail and deliver one for the rich and powerful) to the long con (play on the weaknesses of the sucker, take him through the twists and turns of meaningless distractions that go nowhere, then grab his cash). Another Madoff favorite that was regularly used was “cooking the books.” Estimates of benefits to the middle class were overstated, while the impact on the deficit was understated dramatically.

Sam Ross-Bown writes in The American Prospect about one of the several nasty little surprises hidden in the poorly-vetted, rushed legislation – in this case a provision that endangers our drinking water:

In the landmark tax reform overhaul, congressional Republicans axed a critical financing tool that cities and towns have used to upgrade aging drinking water infrastructure: advance refunding bonds. These bonds allowed municipalities to refinance outstanding debt at lower interest rates. The loss of this tool—combined with historically low levels of federal enforcement and support for basic drinking water standards—could deepen the nation’s ongoing lead contamination crisis by making it harder for local governments to fund much-needed infrastructure improvements that would curb lead contaminants in drinking water.

At Mother Jones, Edwin Rios lists some middle-class friendly alternative ways to spend the $1.5 trillion dollars that Trump’s tax bill gave to the wealthy and corporations: Free college; erase student debt, universal public preschool, comprehensive infrastructure repair, universal housing vouchers for eligible families making less than 30 percent of an area’s median income; CHIP funding for 107 years; global warming initiatives and disaster relief; new space stations. Read the details and weep for what could have been.

WaPos Paul Waldman analyzed the reality behind the announcement that five corporations were raising wages and/or handing out bonuses because of the tax cut. What he concluded is that there less there than meets the eye:

… Not only does it feel as though companies are attempting to curry favor with Trump as if he ere a Third World potentate, at least one of these companies – I’m lookig at you, AT&T – is embroiled in a contentious legal dispute with the U.S. government.

What’s more, these steps, while welcome, are hardly going to counter the vast benefits the wealthy will receive from this bill, much of which will come at the expense of the those less well-off. They also don’t address whether workers more broadly will actually receive a sizable jump in wages, or a sizable share of the benefits of the massive economic growth — if indeed that even happens — that Republicans claim these tax cuts will engender.

Beyond all this, while a bonus is a nice gesture — and a raise is, of course, a good thing — there was certainly nothing from stopping any company from taking such actions sooner. Overall, corporate balance sheets are flush, and stock prices are at record highs — and have been for some time. As Ben White noted at Politico, “These announcements are nice and good on all the companies for doling out some extra cash. But they are relatively small chunks of the vast piles of cash sitting around corporate balance sheets.”

Many commentators wrote about the politics of the bill. An example of the latter is John Judis’ argument in TPM (“The Politics of the Republican Tax Bill: A dissenting View”) that the GOP will have managed to insulate itself from negative fallout generated by the massive transfer of wealth upwards that this bill represents because of the small, temporary cuts that some in the middle class will receive.

TPM Editor Josh Marshall posted a careful response to Judis, concluding that:

The tax cut bill is unpopular first because its authors are very unpopular. It is also unpopular because of the disorderly and chaotic process in which it was constructed in which it was quite clear that the overriding goal was tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. A lot of the maneuvering was to find ways not to raise taxes too much on ordinary people so that it became impossible to pass. The overriding goal, however, was clear. So it is both the popular mood, the unpopularity of the President and the substance of the bill itself that is driving its low numbers. Recent evidence suggests that the relatively marginal short term benefits to middle income earners are not ones that will change anyone’s opinions. They’ll mainly confirm opinions of people already committed to supporting the President….

The Political Animal’s Martin Longman responds to Judis by arguing that Democrats should be optimistic that Americans won’t be misdirected by GOP tax cut smoke and mirrors:

Given that Donald Trump was just elected president, taking the cynical view of the American electorate might seem like an appropriate default position, but I don’t think it’s fair or supportable to say that Americans’ simply don’t care about wealth inequality. I think a lot of people care about it, and I believe it can be politically activated with or without demagoguery. During the Great Recession, Americans were being taxed at an historically low rate, but it proved easy to mobilize an impassioned political reaction based on the idea that we’re “Taxed Enough Already.” Complaints about fair treatment can still gain traction, and it’s even easier when the underlying grievance happens to be true. Hammering the Republicans for favoring the wealthy and corporations is always at least somewhat effective, but I think it will be especially effective in this cycle.

There’s lots more information and discussion out there. No reason for anyone to be bamboozled by statements like this (from MO Rep. Ann Wagner’s (R-2) email newsletter):

When you sent me to Congress in 2012, I promised Missourians that I would find a way for families to keep more of their hard-earned money. Yesterday, the House and Senate delivered on that promise. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cuts taxes for middle income Missourians, allows American businesses to flourish, and paves the way for an increase of good-paying jobs. In fact, employees across Missouri and the country are already starting to see the benefits of the tax reform only hours after its passage, just in time for Christmas!

Sheesh!

Campaign Finance: more December to remember

22 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

campaign finance, initiative, Minimum wage, Missori Ethics Commission, missouri

Yesterday at the Missouri Ethics Commission in support of the initiative campaign to raise the minimum wage:

C171196 12/21/2017 Raise Up Missouri Sixteen Thirty Fund 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW Suite 300 Washington DC 20036 12/20/2017 $250,000.00

C171196 12/21/2017 Raise Up Missouri United Food and Commercial Workers International Union AFL-CIO, CLC 1775 K Street NW Washinton DC 20006 12/20/2017 $25,000.00

[emphasis added]

Well, okay.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: raise that minimum wage (October 28, 2017)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): George C. Parker called, he’d like a few pointers

21 Thursday Dec 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

4th Congressional District, GOP tax scam, missouri, social media, Twitter, Vicky Hartzler

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r) [2016 file photo].

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

Rep. Vicky Hartzler‏ @RepHartzler
Historic event at White House this afternoon celebrating passage of massive #taxcuts for American families & businesses. #morejobs #biggerpaychecks #lowertaxes @SpeakerRyan @RepAnnWagner @RepDianeBlack @RepTenney @RepMarthaRoby
[….]
1:04 PM – 20 Dec 2017

Some of the testy responses:

How big was your bag of lobbyist cash when you sold your vote?

It only comes in small unmarked brown bags, they can’t risk it being traced lol.

This bill won’t do any of those things. Please stop lying to us. You voted yes so you could keep getting campaign donations from rich Republicans. You should NOT be celebrating. You should be working to fund CHIP, fix the ACA, & help the Dreamers. Work for ALL your constituents

At this point the probability is zero.

Hi Vicky. Thanks for letting me know that you were part of this cluster f***. Could you also tell me who your democratic challenger is in 2018? I would like to donate to their campaign.

We voters have long memories. Kiss your jobs goodbye, GOP.

Here’s hoping.

Thanks for adding to the National debt for my grandchildren.

Don’t worry about the national debt. The GOP will use social security and medicare/cade to off set the debt increase.

2018. We know what you are.

You truly sicken me. I really have no words for how horrible you people are.

Are they smiling because 9 million children in low income families are losing their #CHIP health care?

They really have done ZERO except collect paychecks and campaign donations, every now and then they show up for a scripted chat on TV. No real substance!

We know who you work for. You can never again say anything about the exploding deficit.

Look at all of those greedy Republicans that abuse their political power to make their greedy old GOP donors even wealthier. Republicans will cut Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security to give their billionaire GOP donors huge tax cuts. It’s a scam to hurt the poor & middle class
[….]

What does it feel like to have no soul?

#SuchDiversity #HistsoricallyBad #BiggerPayChecks4YourDonors #BlueWave #MOforMO #BeBold #2018IsComing

#Taxscam. How do you sleep at night after lying like that?

How sad that you believe this….

Did you kiss Trumps Ring? The group looks like a bunch of sell out ur constituents for a few free trips to Mar a Lago. #Shame

The Wives of Stepford. The Souless Chorus.

Great job, you bunch of ghouls.

So how much money do you stand to gain with this #taxscam ?

What a crock!

You bask in this temporary appearance of victory…we, the people, are coming for your job in ’18!! VOTE THEM OUT!!!

Hope you’re voted out!

Good luck on the job hunt after November ’18

Lies upon more lies

Vicky, your vote for this tax scam makes you complicit with Paul Ryan. It hurts teachers, college students & working families in your district. #CareerEnder

Remember CHIP? Don’t let the children you’ve failed get in the way of you counting your money

Yep, yuck it up, you guys just hijacked the American people. Ransom to be paid by the poor.

More lies and examples of republicans ignoring their constituents and putting party over country. #shame #hypocrites

An historic transfer of wealth from the middle class to the rich. Congratulations

Matthew 25:35-45 ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’[….]

She along with every one pictured in this Publicity stunt photo opt would walk over a starving child to get a campaign donation from a wealthy fat cat.

Doubt it. It’s very short term for regular Americans, very long term for corporate America. Plus how can they tell us what’s in it when none of them read it? They just took the word of their aides who read it? All very convenient. Start reading the actual bills you are voting on!

Karma.

You are making the assumption that she would agree that short term tax cuts us and long term, deep tax cuts for her corporate donors are a bad thing. When Trump bleats out an order, Rep. Hartzler is there – no questions asked. Time we found a rep that stood up for our district.

What’s the time line? When are you coming for Social Security and Medicare since youre blowing up the deficit?

We’ll make sure this is never forgotten Vicky

Time to update that resume

Vote them out!!

How much will you and your family make off this Rep Hartzer? [….]

And your constituents asked for this? I guess we will see come re-election time. You can always go work for your donors.

You really think that wages will go up lol. All the money that companies will save will not trickle down but go in the pockets of the owners/CEO and upper mangement. Stop pretending to care about the middle class when you dont.

#TaxScam short term gains but misery to come for millions because of your short sighted goals. I know the lobbyists who wrote the bill will be happy! Shame on you and your colleagues. I would wish you Happy Holiday but you do not deserve any.

Trump stated (falsely) he wont make out on GOP Tax plan. Have him release his Tax records and prove me wrong. Hope you enjoyed D.C voters will remember and you will be voted out.

enjoy the victory lap because when it come time for you to ask for the voters to keep you in your seat they will reject you because you voted AGAINST the working class to enrich the 1% and BIG corporations.

Huge, permanent cuts for the rich. Tiny, temporary cuts for the middle class to distract is. I’m sick of all this winning.

That was pathetic! Was there beer again? Because a lot of those speakers who were groveling at Trumps feet must have been drunk to demean themselves to glorify the Narcissist in Chief! I like my Presidents not to be treated like kings.

THIEVES AND LIARS ALL OF YOU!

We will do our best to make sure that the price of this tax bill atrocity is your political career.

Devil’s deal. We little people are royally screwed.

They’re not buying the bridge or the swamp land.

Campaign Finance: Freedom to Work?

21 Thursday Dec 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

campaign finance, initiative, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, right to get paid less, Right to work

For what? Minimum wage?

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission, in opposition to the repeal of “right to get paid less” and in opposition to reapportionment reform:

C171367 12/21/2017 Freedom To Work Luxco 5050 Kemper Avenue St Louis MO 63139 12/20/2017 $25,000.00

[emphasis added]

Who comes up with these Orwellian committee names? Seriously?

C171367: Freedom To Work
Committee Type: Campaign
1902 West Jesse James Road
Excelsior Springs Mo 64024
Established Date: 11/20/2017
[….]
Ballot Measure History
Ballot Measures Election Date Subject Support/Oppose

Constitutional Amendment To Article I, Relating To Collective Bargaining, Version 1-10, 2018-092 Through 2018-99, And 2018-101, 2018-102 11/06/2018
Shall The Missouri Constitution Be Amended To Prohibit Impairing, Restricting Or Limiting The Ability Of Employees To Negotiate, Enter Into And Enforce Certain Collectively Bargained Agreements With An Employer?
Oppose

Constitutional Amendment To Article Iii, Relating To The General Assembly, Version 1-8, 2018-008 Through 2018-015 11/06/2018
Shall The Missouri Constitution Be Amended To: •Change Process And Criteria For Redrawing State Legislative Districts During Reapportionment; •Change Limits On Campaign Contributions That Candidates For State Legislature Can Accept From Individuals Or Entities; •Establish A Limit On Gifts That State Legislators, And Their Employees, Can Accept From Paid Lobbyists; •Prohibit State Legislators, And Their Employees, From Serving As Paid Lobbyists For A Period Of Time; •Prohibit Political Fundraising By Candidates For Or Members Of The State Legislature On State Property; And •Require Legislative Records And Proceedings To Be Open To The Public?
Oppose

Constitutional Amendment To Article Iii, Relating To The General Assembly, Version 1-8, 2018-042 Through 2018-049 11/06/2018
Shall The Missouri Constitution Be Amended To: •Change Process And Criteria For Redrawing State Legislative Districts During Reapportionment; •Change Limits On Campaign Contributions That Candidates For State Legislature Can Accept From Individuals Or Entities; •Establish A Limit On Gifts That State Legislators, And Their Employees, Can Accept From Paid Lobbyists; •Prohibit State Legislators, And Their Employees, From Serving As Paid Lobbyists For A Period Of Time; •Prohibit Political Fundraising By Candidates For Or Members Of The State Legislature On State Property; And •Require Legislative Records And Proceedings To Be Open To The Public?
Oppose

Proposition A 11/06/2018
Do The People Of The State Of Missouri Want To Adopt Senate Bill 19 (“Right-To-Work”) As Passed By The General Assembly In 2017, Which Prohibits As A Condition Of Employment The Forced Membership In A Labor Organization (Union) Or Forced Payments Of Dues In Full Or Pro-Rata (Fair-Share); Make Any Activity Which Violates Employees’ Rights Illegal And Ineffective; Allow Legal Remedies For Anyone Injured As A Result Of Another Person Violating Or Threatening To Violate Employees’ Rights; And Which Shall Not Apply To Union Agreements Entered Into Before The Effective Date Of Senate Bill 19?
Support

Campaign Finance: a December to remember

20 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

campaign finance, initiative, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, right to get paid less, Right to work

In the past few days at the Missouri Ethics Commission in support of the initiative campaign to repeal “right to get paid less” in Missouri:

C171127 12/18/2017 We Are Missouri Committee to Protect MO Families 1401 Hampton Ave St Louis MO 63139 12/18/2017 $350,000.00

C171127 12/20/2017 We Are Missouri United Food & Commercial Workers Local #655 300 Weidman Rd Ballwin MO 63011 12/20/2017 $350,000.00

C171127 12/20/2017 We Are Missouri Preserve Middle Class America 4501 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd Kansas City MO 64130 12/20/2017 $50,000.00

[emphasis added]

That’s a chunk of change.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: there are a lot more working people (July 29, 2017)

Trump, taxes, and the “forgotten men and women”

20 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by willykay in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Roy Blunt, Tax bill, Tax policy

So Trump – with the full support of the GOP – has managed one of the biggest transfers of wealth upwards in the history of the U.S. Josh Marshall, properly dumbfounded, provides the transcript of Vice-Pence’s celebratory apotheosis of President Moron at what has been described as an unbelievably creepy cabinet meeting today. Here’s an astounding fragment:

But mostly, Mr. President, I’ll end where I began and just tell you, I want to thank you, Mr. President. I want to thank you for speaking on behalf of and fighting every day for the forgotten men and women of America. Because of your determination, because of your leadership, the forgotten men and women of America are forgotten no more. And we are making America great again.

Forgotten men and women? Billionaires, maybe? Because if they’re talking about working people and this regressive tax travesty is way they’re remembered, forget about being forgotten, they should go into hiding:

But, friends, we’re going to hear lots of this kind of talk in the coming months. Republicans have such contempt for voters that they’re sure a big publicity blitz will suffice to undo any damage come elections in 2018 – especially if it’s mostly paid for by the big “donors” who pushed this dismal piece of legislation. The Washington Post describes the GOP strategy:

Brad Todd, a Republican ad-maker who will be involved in some of next year’s marquee contests, said outside groups need to spend real money to sell the bill as soon as possible. “In order for the benefit to not come too late in the election cycle, it’s pretty important for conservative and Republican groups to make the sale now…

Yeah. Before the elections, sure, and before folks figure out that we’re all Kansas now (and that’s not a good thing, economy-wise). With a fail like this bill, there’ll be lots of dots to connect – and the GOP is betting voters will be too dumb to make the connections – at least before they cement power for another two years.

A note to my fellow Missourians: notice which Missouri Senator, part of the GOP leadership group that rushed the tax scam through, is showing up in photos and videos of the victorious Republican leadership after passage of the tax sham. Hint: He’s grinning like a monkey who’s just showered the room with big handfuls of fecal matter. Oh wait, he has.

Vicky Hartzler and the fine GOP art of lying through one’s teeth

19 Tuesday Dec 2017

Posted by willykay in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

economy, offshoring, republicans, Tax bill, tax cuts, Tax policy, Vicky Hartzler

Here, via The Turner Report, is GOP Rep. Vicky Hartzler’s statement on the tax sham being muscled through Congress right now:

The release of this final tax reform bill brings hard-working Missouri families one step closer to relief. I look forward to voting on the tax package next week and getting it to President Trump’s desk before Christmas, so that Americans will see their paychecks increase and more jobs come back from overseas.

I want you to read this carefully in order to appreciate how remarkable it is. Remarkable, I mean, in terms the number of lies that can be packed into a relatively short statement:

The Tax bill will bring relief to “hard-working” Missouri families: I suppose this is true insofar as it’s possible that some billionaires are hardworking. And these guys are going to have so much relief that they will, to paraphrase Trump, who will also make out like the proverbial bandit, get sick of being relieved. Others, we are told by tax experts who have reviewed the document, may or may not pay less and, of course, even these much smaller poor folks “cuts” will expire within 5-10 years. Many working and middle class families and some small businesses will pay more in taxes right away since crucial deductions have been “simplified” out of existence in order to pay for huge, permanent cuts for corporations – which will, incidentally, keep almost all of the loopholes that the elimination of which have in the past provided a rationale for lowering the corporate tax rate.

Americans will see their paychecks increase: Most economists agree with those who assert that if it hasn’t already happened, increasing the corporate bottom line via a huge tax cut isn’t going to make it happen. As The Washington Post notes, “wage growth has remained relatively sluggish over the past several years, even as corporate profits hover near all-time highs as a share of the economy, and the unemployment rate continues to fall to levels that economists normally associate with rapid increases in worker pay.” Expect the corporate tax windfalls to go straight into corporate stock buybacks and to wealthy stockholders.

Americans will see … more jobs come back from overseas. The tax scam bill would allow companies to repatriate profits on a one-time basis at a 15% rate, a strategy that has failed to stop offshoring in the past. Tax lawyer David Herzog reminds us in a New York Times op-ed that, “by instituting a tax holiday in 2004, the government signaled to companies that future untaxed profits could eventually be repatriated when the budget was in trouble.” That’s why corporations are now sitting on $2.5 billion dollars they’ve squirreled away in foreign countries, waiting on the next tax holiday – and, voila, here it is.Thank you Daddy Trump.

Nor, as an AP Fact check observes, does past experience indicate that repatriated profits have much of a positive effect on the economy, but rather go into shareholders pockets or to finance stock buybacks. Tax experts, as opposed to Rep. Hartzler who clearly is not, are nearly uniform in the considered opinion that “the legislation fails to eliminate long-standing incentives for companies to move overseas and, in some cases, may even increase them.”

Nevertheless, we can expect this disastrous, deficit busting bill to pass with unanimous Republican support today. Its passage will happen even though a majority of Americans, even those who will get a tax cut, have made it clear in polls that they know it stinks. If you are interested in why Republicans don’t care about their constituents needs and preferences, Steve Benen has done an excellent job of outlining the possible reasons for GOP disregard of public opinion in this case.

I personally think that Rep. Hartzler’s mendacity in trying to pass off a mess of spoiled pottage as caviar and champagne can give us a clue to at least one aspect of the GOP strategy. I expect that we’ll hear many variants of Hatzler’s fantastic stories tripping off the lips of our imaginative Republican congresspeople in the coming weeks.They’re so sure that the voters they need have been Foxized to the point that they can be told up is down and they’ll not only believe it, but will start walking on their hands. Republicans think we’re dumb, manipulable bozos who can be led by our noses straight off a cliff.

And maybe they’re right to be contemptuous of their voters. Just look at who is sitting in the White House.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): in house photo-op

19 Tuesday Dec 2017

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

4th Congressional District, GOP tax scam, missouri, social media, Twitter, Vicky Hartzler

This morning, via Twitter, from Representative Vicky Hartzler (r):

Rep. Vicky Hartzler‏ @RepHartzler
Reading through the #TaxCutsandJobsAct yesterday afternoon. Looking forward to voting on this historic legislation later today and getting Americans one step closer to relief. #TuesdayThoughts
[….]
8:21 AM – 19 Dec 2017 from Washington, DC

People aren’t buying it. Some of the responses:

As a constituent of yours, I urge you to vote no on this bill. If you continue to vote against the will of your constituents, I WILL do everything in my power to vote you out.

Start packing your office.

I assume you’re highlighting the parts where you personally profit?

Haha you didn’t read shit and don’t need a highlighter, just a rubber stamp.

Twitter continually disagrees with your policies and you don’t listen to your constituents. How sad that you aren’t even doing your job correctly by representing the citizens of Missouri.

And one step closer to an additional trillion in debt. Remember when you cared about that?

Well. Historic is one way to put it. #GOPTaxScamBill #resignvicky

Like the lady said, instead of tax reform why don’t you just require every poor or middle-class person to send $1,000 every year to their favorite rich person? I despise you so much I can’t even see straight anymore.

Are you highlighting all of the text that benefits you personally and your major donors?

Bullshit! The tax cuts to the wealthy bill will ruin the lives of millions of Americans. We, the majority, will work to overthrow the republican congress in 2018. Then #Impeachment of @realDonaldTrump the obscenity in the @WhiteHouse

She doesn’t because she has a heart of stone. She doesn’t give a damn about all the children who are going to lose insurance because of lack of funding to CHIP program. AR just came out today& said they’re not signing up anymore kids & most of them will lose coverage in February

It’s not often a Republican writes the ad for the democrat that will unseat her. [….]

One of the most corrupt tax bills Of All Times according to several independent sources-which makes you corrupt for promoting it Cant hardly wait to vote you out. You haven’t listened to your constituents EVER. Over 70% of Americans against but ourTWITVicky Vicky is all gung-ho

If I need relief I’ll take a Rolaids. #TaxScamBill

With something this important, don’t you think you should have started reading it sooner???
Nothing like last minute cramming with something that has potential to harm millions.

#GOPTaxBillScam

Like anyone believes that
A) that small stack of pages is the entirety of the bill, and
B) that you’d bother to read it before voting along party lines
You’re pathetic and cowardly

You’ve sunk to a new low. #GOPTaxScam

Well @SenBobCorker and @RoyBlunt get a special kickback. And we know you’re too pathetic to not ask for something, how much will your vote cost us?

You are a disgrace to Missouri.

You are HORRIBLE. HOW dare you vote to give tax cuts to the rich, take money from Medicare and increase the deficit? You call yourself a public servant??? You are a disgrace.

Some of the comments on Facebook:

Which Americans? The super wealthy? Or us middle class peons who end up getting considerably less? And what is your stance on Net Neutrality? Going to side with Ajit Pai and his corporate handlers?

Nice to know you are so proud to stand only for the wealthy. You are a disgrace to your constituents.

Highlighting the parts where you get to line your pockets. Isn’t that nice?

A bill is less popular than the ACA, written in secret, no sharing of ideas or compromise, no public comment period is not something to be proud of. A very good example of party over people. Since most corporations pay less than 20% now and get to keep all of their deductions doesn’t that make their effective tax rate in the single digits? You just screwed your constituents over, bigly.

So sad that you only think of the wealthy like yourself. Like so many congressmen you have lined your own pockets while serving us!

Explain how a bill this unpopular,with 77percent of the American people against it, can you vote for it? Is this representative governing? This is a giveaway to the rich. The poor , elderly . And the middle class will suffer!

How can you sleep at night and look at yourself in the mirror in the morning?

Relief? Are you resigning?

Its good for corporations that are ‘people,’ but not people who aren’t corporations.

‘sad’ -my best Trump voice

Shame on you for non-support of the middle class…it will take a while for people to realize how you have given a bit and have taken away hughly!!!

And I’m looking forward to voting you out of office in November. Go back home and collect your nearly half a million a year in farm subsidies.

Your tax bill is extremely unpopular. If you have read it and still vote for it, you are not representing your constituency. You will not in all likelihood be in office next voting round!

This is nothing but a huge gift to the rich, at the expense of the middle class. Shame.

I’ve never been very politically active before, but you’re an inspiration. I’ll be spending a lot of time helping in the campaign to replace you.

It explodes the debt that is all you need to know. Where are your reading glasses?

Already our Social Security and Medicare are under attack and any savings will be withdrawn by 2027 for working people but the wealthy like you will have permanent cuts.

Bingo.

Greed. Nothing more.

[….]My definition is giving Corporations a huge tax cut so they can buy back stock and give dividends to their shareholders, without any restrictions on having to create a single job. We live in a demand economy. Companies don’t create stuff if the stuff they already created isn’t selling. When the federal government gives crumbs to the poor and middle class, demand for goods and services suffers, and so does the economy.

You’re either a liar or you’re incredibly gullible. We know that this tax plan is a scam. Stop trying to sell it as something that’s going to help us.

The tax bill is an act of class warfare, so “playing the class warfare card” is completely appropriate. The tax bill rewards wealth-hoarding by the already-rich, not investments. The U.S. already has one of the lowest tax rates in the developed world. The cuts are going to throw us deeper into deficit, and then our government will claim that there’s no money for public services. Lovely.

There is no reason other than greed to give away most of the tax breaks to corporations that are already showing record profits. This Is a lie and a travesty. This will be the downfall of the GOP.

Thanks for voting Party over Country!

It’s a scam. We’re all going to suffer the biggest con-job by con-man Trump and you’re part of the problem.

The only Americans getting relief from this tax bill will the the president and his cronies with private jets and business in real estate. Their tax break will be carried on the backs of the middle class.

Are you going to buy a jet or do you already have one?

Your constituents do NOT want this!!! If you would actually hold Town Halls where not only your supporters attend, you would know that you are not representing those you are elected to represent.

You should be ashamed

The majority of Americans don’t favor a corporate tax giveaway and increasing the debt. She will look then look for ways to pay for it through cuts to essential services. They had to recently avoid a government shutdown by raising the debt. Pretty soon they won’t be re-elected- ( see Virginia and Alabama)

This tax bill is a scam! It does not bring anyone relief but the very rich and big corporations. My sister is married to a physically disabled person with Cerebral Palsy. They have more than $10,000 a year in medical bills which they could deduct. Now they will get a measly little tax break instead of being able to deduct their medical expenses. Thanks for nothing!!

What we need relief from is politicians like you who are giving the tax breaks to the millionaires!! Shame on you!!

The dragon lady with no heart needs to obey her corporate masters.

When everything I read online from multiple, varying invested interests outlets say that this is bad for the american people but good for the extremely wealthy. Then you have the “evidence based” lies coming out of our elected officials mouths and the fact the overwhelming majority of Americans do not want this. It seems as if our voices are not being listened to. It is apparent Vicky needs to be removed. Don’t forget to vote.

Face it Vicky won’t read ANY of these comments nor has she had TOWN-HALL meetings that weren’t staged. The Corporations claim her as a dependent on their taxes lol

Thanks for choosing rich donors over your constituents. You have shown exactly where your priorities lie and we will not forget how full your pockets are of tax payer money.

This is late stage capitalism at its finest. As empires crumble they build monuments to themselves and plant the seeds of their own destruction. This bill is one such example and you are playing your part perfectly.

Remember the Republican party is doing this to our on behalf of those that pay them not the American people.

Probability of open public town halls in the district over the break? Zero.

← Older posts
Newer posts →

Recent Posts

  • Just here for the ratio
  • Johnson County Democrats – James C. Kirkpatrick Heritage Luncheon – Warrensburg, Missouri – Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) – March 14, 2026
  • Johnson County Democrats – James C. Kirkpatrick Heritage Luncheon – Warrensburg, Missouri – March 14, 2026
  • Profit!
  • Wait for it….

Recent Comments

Steve Duane Phipps on Profit!
The price we all pay… on “Up, Up and Away……
HB 2075: Who checks?… on Hey Brandon Phelps (r), we hea…
Campaign Finance: a… on Campaign Finance: Working Peop…
The mail pieces have… on Are you certain it wasn’…

Archives

  • March 2026
  • February 2026
  • January 2026
  • December 2025
  • November 2025
  • October 2025
  • September 2025
  • August 2025
  • July 2025
  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007

Categories

  • campaign finance
  • Claire McCaskill
  • Congress
  • Democratic Party News
  • Eric Schmitt
  • Healthcare
  • Hillary Clinton
  • Interview
  • Jason Smith
  • Josh Hawley
  • Mark Alford
  • media criticism
  • meta
  • Missouri General Assembly
  • Missouri Governor
  • Missouri House
  • Missouri Senate
  • Resist
  • Roy Blunt
  • social media
  • Standing Rock
  • Town Hall
  • Uncategorized
  • US Senate

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Blogroll

  • Balloon Juice
  • Crooks and Liars
  • Digby
  • I Spy With My Little Eye
  • Lawyers, Guns, and Money
  • No More Mister Nice Blog
  • The Great Orange Satan
  • Washington Monthly
  • Yael Abouhalkah

Donate to Show Me Progress via PayPal

Your modest support helps keep the lights on. Click on the button:

Blog Stats

  • 1,034,066 hits

Powered by WordPress.com.

 

Loading Comments...