Missouri needs to affirm its tenth amendment rights.

Message from Gary Nodler Missouri State Senator

When our forefathers created our great nation, they designed the country to function as a compact of states with the federal government being the creation of these states. They included the 10th Amendment when writing the Constitution, which says that, “Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated.” At the time, the federal government’s power included federal taxing, federal police, and federal regulations. Over the years, however, the power of the federal government has expanded to the point where many fear that the federal government may be overreaching its bounds and violating the sovereignty of the states.

In recent years, and particularly with the current administration, the federal government has expanded significantly, especially in its costs. Throughout the country, states are becoming increasingly interested in the issue of state sovereignty and federal infringement. It is a concern of mine as well, which is why I proposed Senate Bill 587.

This legislation, which was discussed on the Senate floor this week, would give the voters of the state of Missouri the opportunity to create a commission that would review the actions of the federal government to see if the state’s sovereignty has been violated. The governor, President Pro Tem of the Senate, and Speaker of the House would each appoint two members of the commission and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court would appoint one member of the commission. If the commission finds that the federal government violated the 10th Amendment, the findings would be sent to the attorney general to allow him to pursue the state’s rights in federal court.

While several resolutions have been proposed this year to express the state’s disapproval of federal actions, SB 587 is more than that because it helps the state to take action. The state has always had the power to challenge the federal government in federal court, but SB 587 would allow our state to truly have an organized system to identify when our state’s sovereignty is being threatened.

One of the strengths of SB 587 is that it puts the issue to the people of the state. If the General Assembly approves the bill, the voters would have the opportunity to decide that this commission is necessary, making it truly a reflection of the people of Missouri’s desire to reestablish out state’s constitutional rights. When our forefathers wrote the constitution, they did so with very specific principles in mind, and SB 587 makes sure those ideals are respected and recognized.


-Kook
via iPhone

Missouri needs to affirm its tenth amendment rights.

Message from Gary Nodler Missouri State Senator

When our forefathers created our great nation, they designed the country to function as a compact of states with the federal government being the creation of these states. They included the 10th Amendment when writing the Constitution, which says that, “Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated.” At the time, the federal government’s power included federal taxing, federal police, and federal regulations. Over the years, however, the power of the federal government has expanded to the point where many fear that the federal government may be overreaching its bounds and violating the sovereignty of the states.

In recent years, and particularly with the current administration, the federal government has expanded significantly, especially in its costs. Throughout the country, states are becoming increasingly interested in the issue of state sovereignty and federal infringement. It is a concern of mine as well, which is why I proposed Senate Bill 587.

This legislation, which was discussed on the Senate floor this week, would give the voters of the state of Missouri the opportunity to create a commission that would review the actions of the federal government to see if the state’s sovereignty has been violated. The governor, President Pro Tem of the Senate, and Speaker of the House would each appoint two members of the commission and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court would appoint one member of the commission. If the commission finds that the federal government violated the 10th Amendment, the findings would be sent to the attorney general to allow him to pursue the state’s rights in federal court.

While several resolutions have been proposed this year to express the state’s disapproval of federal actions, SB 587 is more than that because it helps the state to take action. The state has always had the power to challenge the federal government in federal court, but SB 587 would allow our state to truly have an organized system to identify when our state’s sovereignty is being threatened.

One of the strengths of SB 587 is that it puts the issue to the people of the state. If the General Assembly approves the bill, the voters would have the opportunity to decide that this commission is necessary, making it truly a reflection of the people of Missouri’s desire to reestablish out state’s constitutional rights. When our forefathers wrote the constitution, they did so with very specific principles in mind, and SB 587 makes sure those ideals are respected and recognized.


-Kook
via iPhone

Michael Wardell- Candidate for MO-7 Congressional Seat

  I have posted a couple of Press Releases from Michael Wardell and also written about his views of the Billy Long potential ethics violations but I have not posted on Mr. Wardell’s positions.  Yesterday I posted on another Candidate in the race, Jack Goodman, and compared his positions with my own.  Today I give Mr. Wardell the same treatment.  I will say this up front, Mr Wardell is the only candidate I have actually met in person (so far).  On another note, I appreciate his use of facts and figures in his issues statement.

 

National Security

National security is my foremost concern because nothing else matters if we cannot protect Americans and defend our freedom.  We remain at war with enemies determined to destroy us.  They measure time differently than we do. [snip]   …The Afghanistan Conflict needs to end. …  We must DEFEND our nation - not “save” the world.  I want to see Congress issue a Letter of Reprisal as is allowed in the Constitution to continue this conflict. It is the only Constitutional way to continue this fight. If Congress doesn't, then we get out.

The Economy

… Government is notoriously inefficient and an impediment to economic growth, creating a terrible burden on society…Cutting taxes spurs economic growth and generates more revenue for the government. The private sector - the free enterprise, capitalist system is the source of our prosperity, not the public sector.

Once the economy recovers and we see positive GDP (gross domestic product) growth, we need to rein in spending and ensure the Federal Reserve is working to restrain the growth of the money supply to alleviate inflationary pressure. – [IMHO We need to audit and then end the Fed.  We may need some other system to assist in controlling the monetary supply but the Fed is broken and corrupt, is not accountable to anyone but themselves and probably helped create a big part of our current situation.]

We need to encourage entrepreneurship by cutting taxes. Government programs that tend to punish success and reward failure should be eliminated.

US corporations are the second highest taxed corporations in the world, second only to Japan. In Missouri, we are taxed at 38.4% total. That is higher than, Canada, France, Belgium, and Italy to name a few  Then we must pay taxes on any dividends that are distributed to shareholders for a grand total of 50.8 %.

In addition, we are facing proposed cuts in Medicare and Social Security to pay for “Obama-care.” Is there any wonder why our parents, grandparents, and their friends are angry?

Health Care

Let’s fix the problems and keep what is working. The solution is to invite more of the free market in health care, not less. For example, Americans should be able to buy health insurance across state lines. Additionally, we need to address tort reform. In states that have enacted tort reform, insurance premiums have continued to decline.  We cannot trust the current administration with any additional responsibilities let alone trust them with managing health care. 

Education

Eliminating the Department of Education is both constitutionally correct and the responsible thing to do. The needs of educating our children should be decided locally, where we could hold the local Board of Education accountable to the needs of our community. The Department of Education needs to be systematically drawn down with power returned to the states, over a 5-7 year period. The educational needs of children are different in different parts of the nation. No one in Washington D.C. has a vested interest in our children’s needs. The closer government is to the people, the more control the citizens have over these needs.

Second Amendment

I fully support the founding fathers original intent, both what is written into the constitution and the spirit that they all had for this, our most important amendment. For without this, the others could not be enforced.

Tenth Amendment

I fully support the founding fathers’ original intent on limiting the powers of the federal government by providing the states’ rights to pass laws beyond the 18 enumerated powers provided to Congress in Article I Section VIII of the Constitution. Any piece of legislation that does not meet the strict limits of the 18 enumerated powers will be met with a no vote. Now, more than ever, the states must enforce their power given to them by the Tenth Amendment in order to slow down the expansion of the federal government to protect the rights of their people.

Energy

More domestic energy production must be developed:  [SNIP] Market forces need to determine the needs for these energy sources, not the government. If someone can make a profit, someone will. [Snip] There must be a reward in terms of profit for the risk to be worth taking. If the government mandates something to be built there is no risk for the venture taker and it will fail (Freddy Mac et al.).

Social Security and Medicare

With an estimated $65 TRILLION ($65,000,000,000,000) in shortfalls due to the Bernie Madoff school of thinking, our debt to these two entitlement programs are equivalent to 6-8 years of our GDP. We must do the responsible thing and carefully and systematically privatize both programs. Like the health care issue, this matter is best left to the people who pay into it.

As you can see Mr. Wardell agrees with the positions as I see them in virtually every case.  Mr. Goodman and Mr. Wardell in fact both seem to take similar stances on their stated issues.    One thing seems evident, either man would be a ‘bold color’ to send to Washington, the question remains which one is ‘bolder’;  do they both believe these things to their core or will the boldness wash off into a ‘pale pastel’ like so many others have done?

I would be very enthused to see them in a debate.

-KOOK

Michael Wardell- Candidate for MO-7 Congressional Seat

  I have posted a couple of Press Releases from Michael Wardell and also written about his views of the Billy Long potential ethics violations but I have not posted on Mr. Wardell’s positions.  Yesterday I posted on another Candidate in the race, Jack Goodman, and compared his positions with my own.  Today I give Mr. Wardell the same treatment.  I will say this up front, Mr Wardell is the only candidate I have actually met in person (so far).  On another note, I appreciate his use of facts and figures in his issues statement.

 

National Security

National security is my foremost concern because nothing else matters if we cannot protect Americans and defend our freedom.  We remain at war with enemies determined to destroy us.  They measure time differently than we do. [snip]   …The Afghanistan Conflict needs to end. …  We must DEFEND our nation - not “save” the world.  I want to see Congress issue a Letter of Reprisal as is allowed in the Constitution to continue this conflict. It is the only Constitutional way to continue this fight. If Congress doesn't, then we get out.

The Economy

… Government is notoriously inefficient and an impediment to economic growth, creating a terrible burden on society…Cutting taxes spurs economic growth and generates more revenue for the government. The private sector - the free enterprise, capitalist system is the source of our prosperity, not the public sector.

Once the economy recovers and we see positive GDP (gross domestic product) growth, we need to rein in spending and ensure the Federal Reserve is working to restrain the growth of the money supply to alleviate inflationary pressure. – [IMHO We need to audit and then end the Fed.  We may need some other system to assist in controlling the monetary supply but the Fed is broken and corrupt, is not accountable to anyone but themselves and probably helped create a big part of our current situation.]

We need to encourage entrepreneurship by cutting taxes. Government programs that tend to punish success and reward failure should be eliminated.

US corporations are the second highest taxed corporations in the world, second only to Japan. In Missouri, we are taxed at 38.4% total. That is higher than, Canada, France, Belgium, and Italy to name a few  Then we must pay taxes on any dividends that are distributed to shareholders for a grand total of 50.8 %.

In addition, we are facing proposed cuts in Medicare and Social Security to pay for “Obama-care.” Is there any wonder why our parents, grandparents, and their friends are angry?

Health Care

Let’s fix the problems and keep what is working. The solution is to invite more of the free market in health care, not less. For example, Americans should be able to buy health insurance across state lines. Additionally, we need to address tort reform. In states that have enacted tort reform, insurance premiums have continued to decline.  We cannot trust the current administration with any additional responsibilities let alone trust them with managing health care. 

Education

Eliminating the Department of Education is both constitutionally correct and the responsible thing to do. The needs of educating our children should be decided locally, where we could hold the local Board of Education accountable to the needs of our community. The Department of Education needs to be systematically drawn down with power returned to the states, over a 5-7 year period. The educational needs of children are different in different parts of the nation. No one in Washington D.C. has a vested interest in our children’s needs. The closer government is to the people, the more control the citizens have over these needs.

Second Amendment

I fully support the founding fathers original intent, both what is written into the constitution and the spirit that they all had for this, our most important amendment. For without this, the others could not be enforced.

Tenth Amendment

I fully support the founding fathers’ original intent on limiting the powers of the federal government by providing the states’ rights to pass laws beyond the 18 enumerated powers provided to Congress in Article I Section VIII of the Constitution. Any piece of legislation that does not meet the strict limits of the 18 enumerated powers will be met with a no vote. Now, more than ever, the states must enforce their power given to them by the Tenth Amendment in order to slow down the expansion of the federal government to protect the rights of their people.

Energy

More domestic energy production must be developed:  [SNIP] Market forces need to determine the needs for these energy sources, not the government. If someone can make a profit, someone will. [Snip] There must be a reward in terms of profit for the risk to be worth taking. If the government mandates something to be built there is no risk for the venture taker and it will fail (Freddy Mac et al.).

Social Security and Medicare

With an estimated $65 TRILLION ($65,000,000,000,000) in shortfalls due to the Bernie Madoff school of thinking, our debt to these two entitlement programs are equivalent to 6-8 years of our GDP. We must do the responsible thing and carefully and systematically privatize both programs. Like the health care issue, this matter is best left to the people who pay into it.

As you can see Mr. Wardell agrees with the positions as I see them in virtually every case.  Mr. Goodman and Mr. Wardell in fact both seem to take similar stances on their stated issues.    One thing seems evident, either man would be a ‘bold color’ to send to Washington, the question remains which one is ‘bolder’;  do they both believe these things to their core or will the boldness wash off into a ‘pale pastel’ like so many others have done?

I would be very enthused to see them in a debate.

-KOOK

Jack Goodman: Candidate for Congress Missouri's 7th Congressional District

Via BBCW: March 2010

[Snip]One of the challenges for Goodman as a candidate in the Seventh District race is the fact he is one of two men considered to be a politician in a year when anger is directed at the politicians. When I met Mr. Goodman for lunch today and an interview, he comes across as more of a citizen legislator than career politician.

Goodman points out he has always fought for the people of his district. He took on the House speaker over unfair zoning laws. He believes Southwest Missouri needs to look at his experience as a positive and proof he will fight for the the vision our founding fathers established in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. …read the rest of the BBCW post here

So let’s look at Goodman on the issues…and compare them to My Positions

Life

Jack is pro-life. He strongly believes in protecting life at all stages, especially those who cannot defend themselves…  

Federal Budget

Federal spending is out of control…. Jack’s record proves he believes in and will vote for limited government and lower taxes.

Spending our way out of this current economic situation is not feasible…Jack … believes conservatives must pursue a definite course and not simply be just a little less liberal than the liberals.

Earmarks

Jack believes the federal appropriation process is terribly broken and must be reformed. Not only does the process lack the accountability and transparency the American people deserve, it promotes the vulgar spending of taxpayer money that his given Washington its lousy reputation. Jack proposes a moratorium on earmarks and will call on ALL members of congress and candidates to do the same until real reform can be implemented in the system. [sounds nice…won’t ever happen, this is all a little pie in the sky, but ideologically sound in pricinple]

Second Amendment

Jack is a strong supporter of the Constitution, including the 2nd Amendment. Jack was instrumental in helping to pass Missouri’s concealed carry law. He also wrote and sponsored Missouri’s version of the Castle Doctrine, which allows homeowners to fully protect themselves against unlawful intruders. Jack is a proud member of the NRA with an A+ rating. Jack believes there should be no further encroachment on our right to keep and bear arms.

National Security

Unfortunately, we live in a dangerous world. We cannot make friends with those who have sworn to kill us. Jack will fight to provide all necessary resources to the men and women of our armed forces who lay their lives on the line everyday to protect the American way of life against terrorists and other threats. [No real position given on the wars]

Securing the Border and Immigration

There are many good people around the world who would like to enter our country legally and follow our rules. Jack welcomes all people who want to legally, productively become a part of the greatness of America.
Those who enter the country illegally should not be rewarded for breaking the law. Jack is opposed to amnesty. He will fight for additional funding for border security and training for border patrol agents.

Energy Independence

Energy policy is a national priority. …Congress must open up domestic supplies of energy to exploration and encourage next generation coal, nuclear, wind, hydroelectric power and other energy sources if we are to reduce dependence on foreign oil. .

Healthcare

Jack believes there is a general consensus on the principles that Americans are looking for in any health care reform proposal: affordability, accessibility, choice, and quality. He strongly believes that putting individuals, families, and doctors, not the government, in control of the healthcare system is the key to success.

Education

Jack supports returning control of our children's education to those who understand their needs the best - parents and our local educators. Family Values

Seems like he talks the talk.  Curious to see what else we learn about him.

-KOOK

Jack Goodman: Candidate for Congress Missouri's 7th Congressional District

Via BBCW: March 2010

[Snip]One of the challenges for Goodman as a candidate in the Seventh District race is the fact he is one of two men considered to be a politician in a year when anger is directed at the politicians. When I met Mr. Goodman for lunch today and an interview, he comes across as more of a citizen legislator than career politician.

Goodman points out he has always fought for the people of his district. He took on the House speaker over unfair zoning laws. He believes Southwest Missouri needs to look at his experience as a positive and proof he will fight for the the vision our founding fathers established in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. …read the rest of the BBCW post here

So let’s look at Goodman on the issues…and compare them to My Positions

Life

Jack is pro-life. He strongly believes in protecting life at all stages, especially those who cannot defend themselves…  

Federal Budget

Federal spending is out of control…. Jack’s record proves he believes in and will vote for limited government and lower taxes.

Spending our way out of this current economic situation is not feasible…Jack … believes conservatives must pursue a definite course and not simply be just a little less liberal than the liberals.

Earmarks

Jack believes the federal appropriation process is terribly broken and must be reformed. Not only does the process lack the accountability and transparency the American people deserve, it promotes the vulgar spending of taxpayer money that his given Washington its lousy reputation. Jack proposes a moratorium on earmarks and will call on ALL members of congress and candidates to do the same until real reform can be implemented in the system. [sounds nice…won’t ever happen, this is all a little pie in the sky, but ideologically sound in pricinple]

Second Amendment

Jack is a strong supporter of the Constitution, including the 2nd Amendment. Jack was instrumental in helping to pass Missouri’s concealed carry law. He also wrote and sponsored Missouri’s version of the Castle Doctrine, which allows homeowners to fully protect themselves against unlawful intruders. Jack is a proud member of the NRA with an A+ rating. Jack believes there should be no further encroachment on our right to keep and bear arms.

National Security

Unfortunately, we live in a dangerous world. We cannot make friends with those who have sworn to kill us. Jack will fight to provide all necessary resources to the men and women of our armed forces who lay their lives on the line everyday to protect the American way of life against terrorists and other threats. [No real position given on the wars]

Securing the Border and Immigration

There are many good people around the world who would like to enter our country legally and follow our rules. Jack welcomes all people who want to legally, productively become a part of the greatness of America.
Those who enter the country illegally should not be rewarded for breaking the law. Jack is opposed to amnesty. He will fight for additional funding for border security and training for border patrol agents.

Energy Independence

Energy policy is a national priority. …Congress must open up domestic supplies of energy to exploration and encourage next generation coal, nuclear, wind, hydroelectric power and other energy sources if we are to reduce dependence on foreign oil. .

Healthcare

Jack believes there is a general consensus on the principles that Americans are looking for in any health care reform proposal: affordability, accessibility, choice, and quality. He strongly believes that putting individuals, families, and doctors, not the government, in control of the healthcare system is the key to success.

Education

Jack supports returning control of our children's education to those who understand their needs the best - parents and our local educators. Family Values

Seems like he talks the talk.  Curious to see what else we learn about him.

-KOOK

Billy Long – Someone Stick a Fork in Him

Billy Long (Failing) Candidate for Mo-7 Congressional seat Race  commits second possibly MAJOR blunder.  Billy (auctnr1) Tweeted this yesterday:

“Wrapping big project for Congressional race- my staff does auction/real estate bus[iness], plus Congressional race and they do a GREAT job THANKS !”

See for yourself Click to Embiggen:

 
I am glad he appreciates his staff and all, and I am sure that they are some great folks, but since Mr. Long is apparently not acquainted with the law let me explain  what is wrong here.

Information below taken directly from http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/citizens.shtml 

The law … prohibits contributions from corporations … This prohibition applies to any incorporated organization, profit or nonprofit. For example, the owner of an incorporated "mom and pop" grocery store is not permitted to use a business account to make contributions. …Most people think of contributions as donations of money in the form of checks or currency. … [but] anything of value given to influence a Federal election is considered a contribution…The donation of …--anything of value—[like wages of your own business’s employees you have working on your campaign] is an in-kind contribution…A donation of services is also considered an in-kind contribution…

I am not a lawyer or a Campaign Finance expert by any stretch.   The way I see it, though, is that there is really no way Mr. Long can use his employees from his business to work on his campaign in any sort of paid capacity, and I think it would be very difficult for him to allow them to “volunteer” because the awkward position that would put his employees in.  What if they didn't want to “volunteer” to work on his political campaign?  What would that mean for their regular employment? Someone who is a Lawyer or Campaign Finance expert should look into this. If I am proven wrong, I will be the first one to correct myself, but…

Honestly Folks, at this point I can’t tell these three apart:

 

 

 

-KOOK