• About
  • The Poetry of Protest

Show Me Progress

~ covering government and politics in Missouri – since 2007

Show Me Progress

Monthly Archives: August 2022

Guy who had a car elevator complains about what?

25 Thursday Aug 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media, US Senate

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

class warfare, Mitt Romney, right wingnut, social media, student loan debt, Twitter, U.S. Senate

“…Mitt Romney apparently sold his car elevator house. His cars must now take the stairs at his remaining homes.” – Jamison Foser

Yesterday:

President Biden @POTUS
United States government official
If you make under $125,000, you’re eligible for up to $10,000 in student loan debt relief.

And almost ninety percent of the benefit will go to folks making less than $75,000 a year.
5:05 PM · Aug 24, 2022

Also yesterday:

Senator Mitt Romney @SenatorRomney
Sad to see what’s being done to bribe the voters. Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan may win Democrats some votes, but it fuels inflation, foots taxpayers with other people’s financial obligations, is unfair to those who paid their own way & creates irresponsible expectations.
11:14 AM · Aug 24, 2022

There was much hilarity in the comments:

Was it bribery when your party added $1.9 trillion to the debt to give your wealthy corporate donors massive tax handouts?

Feel free to pay your fair share of taxes if you want to help out.

GOP had $2 trillion bribe for millionaires like yourself, which added $2 trillion in debt without growing the economy. All it did was make rich even richer.

This debt relief will help most Americans get ahead, expand economy, and lessen debt burden. That’s a good thing.

If we wanna talk about anything Sen. Romney let’s talk about health care, SS, and why education is in such a mess here in the “richest country in the world”. Oh,I forgot, It’s just about the wealthy in America.

What did the Trump Tax Cuts do to our deficit? You supported that, Mittens.

Mitt Romney was ALL IN for the GOP Tax Scam though, which gave tax breaks to millionaires like himself and exploded the deficit.

Oh he absolutely loves it! Mitt also voted for the US to default on the tab the GOP ran up in under 4 years. GOP cares about giving 2T in tax cuts to the 1% on the backs of the middle class, but he absolutely draws the line at working day people receiving help.

Your entire career has been one long gift to donors and your own wealth via carried-interest loophole preservation. Want to talk about an immoral scam? Look into what carried interest is and why the loopholes are disgusting.

Senator – #Trump & #GOP 2017 unfunded tax cut was a BRIBE for the top 1% of voters and in-part raised US national debt by 40% to $28,000,000,000,000, from 2017-2020! You know this as you voted for that “BRIBE” !
Cut the hypocrisy, Sir!
[….]

This is a hideous comment from one of the richest men in politics.

I’m not terribly interested to hear the opinion of a plutocrat who advocates a selfish “I’ve got mine” mentality from their perch of power. Why don’t you focus on industries that actually drive inflation rather than harp on about relief measures to actual people?

I had school loans, paid them back. That was when college costs were reasonable. Now, they’re out of control.

State colleges and Universities should be free to students qualifying for them. An educated society is better for all of us.

That’s strange. I didn’t hear you complain about how unfair it was to those who paid their own, when Republicans granted the richest among us a $2.5 trillion tax giveaway.

You really have the audacity to tweet this?

He also thought he’d be President.

Well I’m sitting here trying to remember the last time your party did anything to help the lower and middle class and dang it, I can’t think of a thing. I do remember that huge tax cut you all gave to the millionaires and billionaires though, To get their support and donations.

Student loan forgiveness is good for everyone.
What’s coming from the wealthy elite is all noise.
It shouldn’t even be up for debate.

And this statement coming from someone who is wealthy, feels entitled and could care less about others who are struggling and need a little help! Voters see clearly what your party stands for, they need no bribes!!

Kinda like corporate bailouts and tax cuts for the 1%? But those are okay, correct Milt?

God forbid we give taxpayer money to taxpayers instead of billionaires, right?

Now do rich people and oil companies.

Legacy hire who sold stock gifted to him by wealthy and successful daddy to pay college costs has thoughts.

Y’all hand out tax cuts to billionaires like candy for the last 40 years miss me with this fiscal responsibility posturing

It doesn’t end…

If a tree falls in the forest and there’s no one around to hear it does it make a sound?

23 Tuesday Aug 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in US Senate

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

John Wood, missouri, U.S. Senate, Withdrawal

Did somebody spend millions on television ads?

Previously:

You built this, Jack (February 20, 2022)

Danforth’s at it again … (February 23, 2022)

A right wingnut republican, just not in name (July 24, 2022)

In case you were wondering, someone is winning the class war and it’s not you

23 Tuesday Aug 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

8th Congressional District, class warfare, gaslighting, Internal Revenue Service, IRS, Jason Smith, missouri, right wingnut, social media, Twitter

Number of Children Below Poverty in Missouri’s 8th Congressional District (2017):

Food Research and Action Center

American Community Survey – Census Reporter – In Missouri’s 8th Congressional District:

$23,978 ±$300
Per capita income
about three-quarters of the amount in Missouri: $31,839 ±$172
about two-thirds of the amount in United States: $35,384 ±$91

$44,753 ±$704
Median household income
about 80 percent of the amount in Missouri: $57,290 ±$288
about two-thirds of the amount in United States: $64,994 ±$128

18.5% ±0.5% (131,404 ±3,812)
Persons below poverty line
about 1.4 times the rate in Missouri: 13% 772,992 (±0.2% / ±11,899)
about 1.4 times the rate in United States: 12.8% 40,910,326 (±0.1% / ±258,486)

Jason Smith (r) [2022 file photo].

This morning:

Rep. Jason Smith @RepJasonSmith
The Washington Democrats’ response to families who are suffering the worst inflation crisis in 40 years is to give the IRS even more money to go after those families.
9:03 AM · Aug 23, 2022

Do you know anyone who makes more than $400,000.00 a year?

As usual, there was much hilarity in the responses:

Help us out.
What is your income?
How much are your taxes going up?

#lie
-87k new over 10 years
-50k current employees scheduled to retire
-Your district has the LOWEST per capita household income… $31k & under are not getting audited.

#wedeservebetter
#puppymill proponent
#Jan6thattendee
#facts

I believe the response was extra money that helped lift kids out of poverty. I believe you fought against that.

Bro, you represent the poorest district in Missouri and continue to give tax cuts to the wealthy.

Those families aren’t cheating on their taxes. Stop lying. What are you scared of?

Is this the best you can do. This lie has been debunked multiple times.

If I am audited. I’ll comply with it. What’s your problem?

Really, the IRS has no interest in “going after” ANYONE who pays their taxes in the 1st place.
It’s not so hard to understand.

Enforcing tax laws shouldn’t scare anyone except people breaking tax laws..

As usual, this is completely false. The IRS audits irregularities, and not even on the first issue. Be honest with your constituents.

This is a lie. Those suffering the worst, are making nowhere near 400K. The IRS will be going after the tax cheats making 400K or more.

No. After people like you.

No, the Democrats’ response was the Inflation Reduction Act.
The REPUBLICAN response was to VOTE AGAINST IT.

Yeah, so gaslight somewhere else.

The #InflationReductionAct increases taxes on taxpayers making over $400K/year. That’s the top 1.8% of taxpayers — does that sound like the middle class?

The top 5% cheats their way out of $300 BILLION/year. It’s time they pay their #FairShare! That’s why the IRS needs funding.

America’s wealthiest 10% have 70% of all income and wealth.
So no, Jason.
The IRS will not be targeting the 90% of working families with only 30% of the income and wealth.

The GOP is terrified of their wealthy donors being audited.

They were paid to keep that from happening and failed.

IRS agents pursue and prosecute tax frauds. Once again, the Missouri GOP proves they’re not the ‘law and order’ party.

BTW, tax cuts do nothing to reduce inflation. The Missouri GOP are pushing for tax cuts for the wealthy at the worst possible time.
[….]

Jason why don’t you tell us about all the failing infrastructure in your district or how people from your district are literally starving and how the only thing you do is complain on Twitter that democrats are trying to help people.

I find your tweet of no help and wonder how you justify a 6 figure tax payer salary

You mean the 10 year plan to replace the aging workforce? Most Americans don’t make enough money to not take the standard deduction. You lie about everything, clown boy.

There it is.

Campaign Finance: There you go

22 Monday Aug 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

agriculture, campaign finance, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, PAC, pork, Smithfield Foods

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C000697 08/22/2022 MO PORK-PAC Smithfield Foods 200 Commerce Street Smithfiled VA 23430 8/22/2022 $75,000.00

[emphasis added]

…The company was founded in Smithfield, Virginia, in 1936 and was acquired in 2013 by Hong Kong-based WH Group, a publicly traded company with shareholders around the world…

Fancy that.

[August 2022 file photo]

Campaign Finance: $75,000.00 here, $75,000.00 there…

21 Sunday Aug 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

campaign finance, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, PAC, Rex Sinquefield, right wingnut

…and pretty soon you’re talkin’ about some serious money.

Friday at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C091068 08/19/2022 House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Lane Westphalia MO 65085 Retired Retired 8/19/2022 $75,000.00

C180622 08/19/2022 Missouri United Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Lane Westphalia MO 65085 Retired 8/19/2022 $75,000.00

C180622 08/19/2022 Missouri United Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Lane Westphalia MO 65085 Retired 8/19/2022 $75,000.00

[emphasis added]

Why, yes, they reported $75.000.00 twice:

Family friendly, family values

20 Saturday Aug 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

missouri, Pettis County, Sedalia, State Fair, vendor

We took a short road trip to the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia this morning.

At a vendor’s tent on the grounds of the fair:

Apparently there’s a market for this.

Trump/Pence 2024 doesn’t appear to be a a big seller nor an option.

That’s not how gas works…

Typos, eh?

Keep America Great. Think about that for just a second.

The only Confederate flag that ever mattered was a white rag on a stick.

Previously:

“Our state fair is a great state fair…” (August 15, 2022)

Governor’s Ham Breakfast – Missouri State Fair – August 18, 2022 (August 18, 2022)

A blue gingham shirt (August 18, 2022)

“…Don’t miss it, don’t even be late…” (August 20, 2022)

“…Don’t miss it, don’t even be late…”

20 Saturday Aug 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

missouri, Pettis County, Sedalia, State Fair

We took a short road trip to the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia this morning. The fair closes on Sunday.

Eastbound to the fair on 50 Highway:

Publicity photos at the fair entrance:

Judging, we think:

In the Home Economics Building:

Pie!:

Rabbits! There’s a building filled with rabbits during the second week of the fair:

Fast food, sometimes on a stick:

The republican tent:

We didn’t look to closely, but there didn’t appear to be a shrine to the former guy.

The Libertarians. I always expect their tent to be located in the middle of field somewhere since they’re usually not too keen on spending money on public infrastructure:

Go figure.

Westbound from the fair on Highway 50:

Previously:

“Our state fair is a great state fair…” (August 15, 2022)

Governor’s Ham Breakfast – Missouri State Fair – August 18, 2022 (August 18, 2022)

A blue gingham shirt (August 18, 2022)

Emily Weber (D) – Johnson County Democratic Club – Post Roe Missouri – August 18, 2022

19 Friday Aug 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

abortion, Emily Weber, General Assembly, Johnson County, Post Roe Missouri, Roe v Wade, Warrensburg

Representative Emily Weber (D-24) spoke on organizing, party bulding, and post Roe Missouri at a Johnson County Democratic Club meeting in Warrensburg yesterday evening.

Emily Weber (D).

An excerpt:

https://showmeprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/EmilyWeberJoCoDems081822.mp3

Previously:

HB 126 and HB 127: catering to their single issue base (December 3, 2018)

Gov. Mike Parson (r): Alabama, hold my beer… (May 15, 2019)

Gov. Mike Parson (r): New York is shorthand for what? (May 16, 2019)

Medieval (May 17, 2019)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r): post session victory dance over any individal woman’s personal medical decisions (May 17, 2019)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): the 13th Century GOP in 21st Century America (May 20, 2019)

HB 126: the elephant in the womb (May 24, 2019)

HB 126: “…here for the ratio” (May 25, 2016)

Missouri: Medieval (May 28, 2019)

ACLU: Referendum Petition filed on HB 126 (May 28, 2019)

Women’s Health Care in Missouri – 1, Gov. Mike Parson (r) – 0 (May 31, 2019)

Our nation turns its eyes to Missouri (June 1, 2019)

State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D): Gov. Mike Parson (r) and HB 126 – “…extreme and cruel.” (June 3, 2019)

In the Medieval State of Missouri (June 4, 2019)

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (r): Emergency! Emergency! (June 7, 2019)

American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri and Sara E. Baker v. John R. Ashcroft, et al. (July 8, 2019)

State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D): going forward with the HB 126 petition (July 8, 2019)

MoGOP’s Abortion Checkup (March 20, 2022)

But, her emails… (June 24, 2022)

In Missouri Mike Parson (r) now makes your health care decisions for you (June 24, 2022)

Forced birth (June 24, 2022)

It’s been a long road to now (June 24, 2022)

A blue gingham shirt

18 Thursday Aug 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in meta, Roy Blunt

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Eric Schmitt, Mark Alford, meta, Mike Kehoe, Mike Parson, missouri, right wingnuts, Roy Blunt

Today at the Missouri State Fair Governor’s Ham Breakfast:

Mark Alford (r) [August 2022 file photo]..

Roy Blunt (r).

Eric Schmitt (r) {August 2022 file photo].

Wait, is that the same shirt?

Eric Schmitt (r) [2021 file photo].

Why, yes it is.

Next, the vest:

Mike Kehoe (r) [August 2022 file photo].

Mike Parson (r) [August 2022 file photo}.

Also, blue jeans, big belt, scuffed brown cowboy boots.

Big white hat optional. Read the room first, though…

Billy Long (r) [2021 file photo]

Previously:

Governor’s Ham Breakfast – Missouri State Fair – August 18, 2022 (August 18, 2022)

Governor’s Ham Breakfast – Missouri State Fair – August 18, 2022

18 Thursday Aug 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, US Senate

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

missouri, Sedalia, State Fair

The Governor’s Ham Breakfast at the Missouri State Fair took place this morning in Sedalia. This annual event is usually a “must attend” function for Missouri legislators, statewide office holders, members of Congress, and candidates. Usually.

Whatever your view of corporate agriculture, the event does have a reputation of sorts for the ideological political tendencies of those attending. It would be unfair to describe it as monolithic.

There are always displays of yard signs and a gauntlet of t-shirt bedecked volunteers passing out campaign stickers at the entrance to the morning’s festivities.

It’s an opportunity for us to replenish our “b roll” of file photos of Missouri politicians with newer images. The problem is that the members of the General Assembly come by so thick and fast we can’t keep up. But we do get a few photos.

Former news reader and current republican nominee for the 4th Congressional District, Mark Alford.

That’s a big hat.

Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe (r).

Members of the Genral Assembly do show up.

Hardy Billington (r).

In all our years of coverage this is, perhaps, my favorite photo of Denny Hoskins (r):

Denny Hoskins (r).

Still, we’ll get the image. A 400 mm lens does help:

Evidently the bus is gone:

Lame duck U.S. Congressman Billy Long (r).

U.S. Representative Jason Smith (r).

What MAGA has wrought:

Roy Blunt (r).

Democrats do show up, too. U.S. Senate nominee Trudy Busch Valentine waded into the crowd:

Trudy Busch Valentine, the Democratic Party candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Retail politics.

One of the Erics (r) showed up:

Eric Schmitt (r).

Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick (r).

The now annual shrine to Donald Trump, situated near the entrance to the breakfast. One of the shrine denizens tried to hand my a flyer inside the event. I brushed him off.

“Make America Eat Again”

Seriously.

Update:

Ironically, we inadvertently left out Governor Mike Parson (r).

Governor Mike Parson (r).

It is the Governor’s Ham Breakfast.

← Older posts
Newer posts →

Recent Posts

  • Who checks? You, Eric?
  • 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!

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

  • 1,034,228 hits

Powered by WordPress.com.

 

Loading Comments...