Ep. 52: “They Don’t Want Us To Be Engaged” – w/ Lindsey Simmons
FEBRUARY 22ND, 2021 | 01:44:57 | E52
EPISODE SUMMARY
Adam Sommer is joined for a chat by Lindsey Simmons (fmr. Dem candidate for congress) to talk about the state of play in Missouri and issues of local control, tell some truth about Josh Hawley, and talk about the way to fill the void of Rush Limbaugh with positive voices. Then Rachel Parker, Sean Diller, and Zack Schwartz are back for Talkin’ Politics to dig into the issues of local control and a Last Call to talk about the GOP’s ongoing civil war.
Lindsey Simmons, the Democratic Party candidate in the 4th Congressional District [2020 file photo].
A thread, last night:
Lindsey Simmons @LynzforCongress
US House candidate, MO-4
Let’s talk about this–the favorite fable of Republicans–That Democrats are socialists who want free stuff.
There is nothing “free.” We pay taxes.
My last full year of being an attorney I paid $50k in income tax alone. I’d like to get a return on that investment.
[….] 9:08 PM · Oct 9, 2020
The thread:
I’m paying for public schools that educate young minds so we have an educated workforce that can perform important jobs for billion dollar companies.
I’m subsidizing corporate workforce training.
I’d like to see a return on that investment.
2/
I’m paying for new roads all year long. Roads that are used by the transportation industry. Roads used by Amazon as it profits off of its “Prime” service while paying $0 in taxes.
I’m subsidizing Amazon’s business model.
I’d like to see a return on that investment.
3/
I’m paying for social service programs that go to help folks who aren’t paid a living wage. Helping them get healthcare and housing and other services every human being is entitled while companies like Wal-Mart maximize their profits instead of caring for their workers.
4/
I’m subsidizing their employment benefits.
I’d like to see a return on that investment.
I’d like to know why these industries can cut corners and why I’m expected to pay for it. I’d like to know why their taxes get less and less and mine only increase.
5/
And while I’m paying taxes I’m also giving the government thousands of dollars each month for student loan payments.
Because those same kinds of corporations paid politicians to lower their taxes before I was born. They defunded education. And left my ass with the bill.
6/
So I’m not only subsidizing them now as an adult–I’m subsidizing a tax break they were given when my parents were teenagers.
I’d like to see a return on all those investments.
7/
I’d like to see it in the form of universal healthcare for every single person.
I’d like to see it in the form of universal childcare.
I’d like to see it in the form of paid family leave.
I’d like to see it in the form of fully funded schools for every single kiddo.
8/
I’d like to see it in the form of a paid dividend.
My tax-dollars fund drug research and tech developments that every other investor makes bank on when they succeed but taxpayers get nothing.
We give and we give and we pay and we pay and we fight and fight just to survive.
9/
And the people who keep taking–the people who keep making the laws to benefit themselves and leave us behind–say we want “free stuff.”
No. I’ve paid.
Now, I’m here to collect.
10/10
Lindsey Simmons (D) 2020 file photo].
Some of the responses:
Don’t take this wrong cause I 100% agree with you, but Mike is using the words “free stuff” as subtle racism, “only minorities get free stuff”. Our taxes support more white folks than minority folks these days. Pass it on.
It ironic america is the “Land of the Free” but most people don’t have access to basic health care, a yearly check up, some don’t even have clean tap water. Freedom to what poverty.
Taxes are the dues we pay to belong to the Civilization Club. If you want a government that functions and works for the People, it needs to be funded.
I’m a lefty and paid more taxes on a lowly journalist salary that Trump ever has paid as a self-described billionaire. I’ll show mine if he shows his.
If living in poverty @mikeparson is your idea of freedom and you have no empathy for those who have not been able to live with the kind of “freedom” you seem to think you have then your greed is showing. Stop going to that faux church you think will wash your sins away.
But they defend Trump when he doesn’t pay taxes. Trump is the biggest socialist in the country.
Taxation is the price we pay for civilization.
Governor Mike Parson (r) [2018 file photo].
Mike Parson (r), thus:
Mike Parson @mikeparson
Governor candidate, MO
Elections are about choices, and the simple fact is that we are at a critical moment with two different paths.
I am confident that Missourians will choose the path of freedom this November — not free stuff. 8:34 PM · Oct 9, 2020·Sprout Social
Anyone who doesn’t want freedom is welcome to leave. America is the land of the free!
Is that second sentence about stuff? Just asking.
worrying about where your next paycheck is coming from isn’t “freedom.” not being able to feed your family isn’t “freedom.” dying from preventable disease isn’t “freedom.” your definition of freedom is actually suffering. what you call “free stuff” prevents suffering.
While Jeff City is Mike’s second home, SW to Bolivar folks saw him roam. It’s not terribly far; only 2 hours by car. His commutes he took by aerodrome. In abusing the taxpayer purse, only Donald Trump’s golfing was worse.
Heh.
I want a Governor that doesn’t think lower healthcare costs = free stuff.
Not free stuff, you mean the money we pay you all, taxes. It’s to help all, not just you
Like schools, healthcare, roads, etc. Things we pay taxes for that you keep cutting?
Just along as it doesn’t infringe on YOUR free stuff, right?
Seriously, what free stuff? The CARES money that my county health department is still waiting for? Free ad money? Free airplane rides? What am I getting for free?
What free stuff? There’s free stuff? You mean those basic social services we paid for, that we need, and that you keep cutting or do you mean the free corporate bailouts you all keep funding at the expense of taxpayer health and prosperity?
‘Free stuff’ – i.e. unemployment benefits to save working families in a pandemic – would go a long way toward keeping this country afloat.
Remember when we chose Medicaid expansion??
@Mikeparson is forgetting who pays a Governor’s paycheck. The government pays handouts to pharma, farmers, wall street, but do go on about these people who want free things
What do MO farmers think the bailout was?
What free stuff? I pay more taxes than Trump does and I’m a teacher.
You handed out covid for free all over my hometown, unmasked.
That’s not the pitch you made to the farmers @mikeparson
What in the actual heck are you talking about?
But you like free plane rides.
I mean, the rich folks are getting more and more “free stuff” every day — just ask the so-called billionaire who paid $750 in income tax and ZERO in income tax in 10 of the 15 years. So, I guess I don’t understand your point.
Yes, when I have to buy my own PPE for my classroom because you have cut education to the bone, the choices that I have are endless. Thank you.
You weren’t even elected to this office (“free stuff” indeed!), but you’ve used it to do extraordinary damage to Missouri and Missourians. Horrible person, horrible governor.
It’s not freedom or free stuff, Hayseed. It’s life or death. And you just don’t give a damn about Missourians. If you did, you’d wear a mask. It’s a simple fact.
Free stuff like the healthcare taxpayers give governors? Free stuff like your free travel paid for by taxpayers? That kind of free stuff? Free stuff like billions in tax cuts for billionaires? Free like a home paid for by taxpayers? That kind of free?
So does that mean you’re gonna stop giving tax breaks to large corps for no reason?
How offensive that you consider state services that we fund via our state taxes ‘free stuff’. And this freedom talk is a false choice and nothing more than an empty platitude.
So, any service paid with taxes is “free stuff.” You are a simple minded rube, Mike.
Vicky Hartzler @VickyH4Congress
Enjoyed a great dinner with Randolph County’s Republican Women this evening. Let’s take the gavel away from Nancy Pelosi this November!
[….] 7:42 PM · Oct 6, 2020
It’s not like there’s anything in the recent news which would give anyone pause, right?
Some of the responses:
#putonadamnmask #covidiot
Put on a mask, there’s a once-in-a-century pandemic.
COVID party in the works
Clearly pillars of health, a COVID-free environment. Or gross negligence. You decide, voters. Either way, I’m supporting
@LynzforCongress.
Somebody this irresponsible doesn’t need to be anywhere near Congress.
Anyone in this group should have to pay their own hospital bills when they get Covid. It’s obviously a gathering of nutty rowdies
Common sense? Pro-life?
Failure to wear a mask already disqualified your tweet.
Looks like a covid party to me. Not to smucking fart, are you?
Let’s infect as many as possible. Yee haw.
Just stupid
Not a mask in the bunch of … irresponsible people! What a disgrace!
No one wants to vote for someone who’s actively killing seniors. What the hell is wrong with you?
It really is a cult of morons led by the super spreader himself, if Covid-19 is attracted to stupidity you’re a definite contender.
Where the hell are your masks?! Wtf is wrong with you?!
Put. On. A. Goddamn. Mask.
Not a mask in sight. Not learning a thing from the governor or the president?
Wear some masks or at least socially distance you damn ghouls
“The political-industrial complex thrives on the politics of big money. Everywhere you turn people want you to pay money for polling, phone number lists, media advertising, filmmaking, scriptwriting. All with a pitch on how their product helps you win.
The key to winning is simple—earn the most votes. But money doesn’t vote—people do. When a billionaire and a working person cast their vote, it counts the same. That’s why outreach to every single voter—regardless of their zip code matters.
That’s what the #MO04GravelTravel road trip is about. I’m visiting every single community. Today, I did town halls in California and Sedalia. But I also visited a small Missouri town, population 200+ that didn’t have a single paved road, where the average income was $12,000.
My plan was just to reach out to these voters with a contactless literature drop. But then, I saw some incredible things—one house in town decorated in Biden signs—surrounded by Trump signs on all sides. People will tell you “signs don’t vote.” Of course they don’t. But people see those signs. They see that someone else is a Democrat when they thought themselves alone. People respond to the signs. Motivated to plant their own. Inspired to vote because if their rural town has three Democrats and you make four—well, you might make the difference.
So I changed my plans slightly. I pulled over at the Dollar General in Urich and bought some pens and lined sticky notes. Every single time I saw any Democrat sign—Biden, Nicole, Yinka, Betteridge, Williams, Chesney, Kinney, or myself—I handwrote a message thanking them for doing that work.
Because out here our signs are stolen. They’re shot. They’re torn. They’re burnt in our front yards. But these folks do it anyway. And when they stand firm it gives others permission to do the same. Mark my words—we will never win back each of our communities if more people don’t feel comfortable stepping forward and identifying as a Democrat.
The first step is letting people know they aren’t alone. Each sign is a beacon of hope—signaling that people who value healthcare for all, public education, unions, women, racial justice, family farms, environmental policy and democracy live here, too.
So many of you are doing that work right now. Your courage and persistence in the face of intolerance and hate cannot be diminished. You are doing good, powerful work. I see you in Calhoun. I see you in Holden. I see you in Deepwater. I see you in Green Ridge. I see you in Tipton. I see you in Fortuna.
Lindsey Simmons, the Democratic Party candidate in the 4th Congressional District, made a campaign stop in Warrensburg today to talk with voters. The outdoor event required masks and social distancing. The format is safe and it works.
Vicky Hartzler @VickyH4Congress
US House candidate, MO-4
Stopped by Warrensburg this afternoon for an ice cream social with Johnson County Republicans. I said I’m honored to be your voice in DC & vote NO against Nancy Pelosi, the Green New Deal, & federal takeover of our elections.
[….] 5:30 PM · Sep 19, 2020
She left out the Post Office.
“…federal takeover of our elections.” WTF? What does that even mean?
Interestingly, open public town halls haven’t happened in the district for years.
Rep. Vicky Hartzler @RepHartzler
Our #CommitmentToAmerica is to protect the fundamental principles that keep our communities safe.
I condemn ALL who hijack a legitimate national conversation and use it as an excuse to loot, destroy, and kill. Their actions are reprehensible and have no place in our nation.
[….] 8:39 AM · Sep 16, 2020
In the 4th Congressional District?
Lindsey Simmons (D) [2020 file photo].
The reality:
Lindsey Simmons @LynzforCongress
Hard to keep communities safe when the President of the United States gasses his own citizens.
[….] 5:44 AM · Sep 17, 2020
“It was an accident, I swear.”
Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check…
Heartland POD is a progressive based podcast dealing with national issues which also focuses on issues of the “Heartland” of America.
Hosted by Adam Sommer, attorney and political commentator from mid-Missouri, with co-host Zack Schwartz, political scientist from St. Louis.
Adam Sommer [file photo].
“This episode contains a short segment of ‘Talking Poltics’ with Adam and Zack and then Adam is joined by Lindsey Simmons for ‘Let’s Have a Chat’ as they discuss Lindsey’s [Missouri] origin[s], her decision to run for Congress, Trump’s treason, and how you shouldn’t have to run for congress to hear from your congressman.”
Apple Podcasts – Heartland POD – Ep. 18: Driving On The Winding Roads of Missouri, with Lindsey Simmons
Simplecast -Heartland POD – Ep. 18: Driving On The Winding Roads of Missouri, with Lindsey Simmons
Vicky Hartzler @VickyH4Congress
You can find me on Amazon’s Alexa to learn more about me & my views, & find out ways to help my campaign. Just say “Alexa, enable Vicky Hartzler Campaign” to get started! 10:46 AM · Aug 15, 2020
The follow through:
Lindsey Simmons @LynzforCongress
You didn’t have to list yourself on Amazon for us to know you can be bought and sold.
[….] 10:53 AM · Aug 15, 2020
And the finish:
Lindsey Simmons @LynzforCongress
And why anyone should have to risk their shaky satellite internet and $50-$100 for an Alexa device just to hear from the person who represents them is beyond me.
But you keep doing you. Let that approval rating keep sinking further and further underwater. 10:53 AM · Aug 15, 2020
