24thState

Evaluating Dave Spence's New Ad

Dave Spence has begun airing the ad above in select markets. According to Reboot Congress, Stephanie Patton who is featured in the ad, operated an adult day care service for fifteen years in Missouri before the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) shut her down. Patton was treated terribly by a DHSS inspector, Cassie Blum.

Patton was forced to close her business because of regulatory actions taken by Jay Nixon's DHSS. In the ad, Patton claims that the inspector got a 5% raise. A review of the salary data at the Missouri Accountability Portal confirms a 5% raise in 2009; however, like other state employees, Blum's salary has been frozen since then.

Akin and the GOP - If Only Romney had Newt's Brain

During the GOP presidential primary, many of us bemoned the lack of a perfect candidate which lead someone to suggest "Newt's Brain for President". Hilarious! So many of us had issues with him, but his rhetorical skills are in a class by themeselves. So thinking about how badly Republicans up and down the party structure have handled the Akin issue, I had this wishful thought. What would Newt have said about Akin, were he the nominee.

"You know, I disagree with what Akin said about rape and pregnancy. I think he has his facts wrong on the science, and I disagree with him, but....
For the President of the United States to stoop to the level of character assassination that he did and suggesting that a sitting member of Congress in any way suggested that rape was sometimes legitimate is inexcusable and way beneath the dignity of the office. That kind of character assassination is to be expected from consultants and operatives, but for the President, the one who is supposed to unite Americans, to be so divisive as to invent a supposed "Republican war on women" and then twist a man's words way beyond what he was clearly trying to say, to fit that derisive narrative is something he should be ashamed for doing. And if he is not ashamed, that is because you guys, in the fawning media refuse to vet this guy and hold him accountable. That is shame to you.

More from what I wish Romney has the cajones to say:
If we are going to accuse anyone of implying there are "legitimate rapes" how about turning your guns away from Akin, the father of two daughters (and four sons) who is probably one of the cleanest members to ever serve in Congress, and look at Clinton and the Kennedy family, the ones the left holds up as the greatest defenders of women."

Akin - 17th Century Justice, No less!

Some say he must remove himself from the race, for the good of the land. Others are taking their marbles, and going home to their Beltway. Others prefer he resign his current seat immediately, forgo his pension and pull his children (three at last count) out of military service to the country as wholly unfit, embarrassments to the republic. They all are missing the point.

Perhaps clouded in their thinking as they never really liked the independent-minded pious cuss who would not cavort in their scotch and cigar games. Now they have the chance to do in that miserable tea-totaling, child-rearing, nincompoop! Well we say that such speech, so damnable, practically expressing glee at the rape of women and children needs to be properly dealth with post haste. No, resignation is not good enough. Clearly the man is an unrepentant menace to society and needs to be properly dealt with, 17th Century style.

Back then we knew how to deal with people who held such unspeakable thoughts. A good tar and feathering is in order! With all the tension in this cycle, what the people need is a good witch hunt. Well, grab your pitchforks and torches and take to the streets! We have our quarry.

There has been talk of a beheading in some quarters. That is insanity. Too easy.

We need to make Akin suffer for his terrible act, so that our children and future would-be candidates can see what happens when one dare misspeak. Certainly he has been guilty of other wretched utterances, maybe even Biden-syle ones or evil thoughts on the level of Obama telling the Russians he will be easier on them once he is re-elected. Where is a witness who has heard him speak of laying with Russians? Does anyone else wish to condemn this man? Anyone? Anyone?

Can we not find anyone to condemn this man? Even Jimmy Carter committed adultery in his heart. Surely we can find a single actual misdeed to prove that the man acts on these animal compulsions, these dangerous thoughts he wants to write into the curriculum of the schools that house our children. This man stands for child-rape and all that is evil. He must be silenced. None of his pious accusers would dare hold his unique view on rape and abortion. Find him, silence him and brand him forever! What letter should we use?

Furthermore, Akin has his co-conspirators. We must stand vigilant, seeking anyone cavorting with Mr. Akin or otherwise defending him and be sure that they suffer similar consequences. True justice and good order demand a good purging now and then.

Who is next? Come now. Who wants to step up and take the candidate's place? Anyone? Anyone?

 

Patriots Primer - Buckley, Akin, Political Rules and God's Rule

Missouri primary election night was full of surprises. A few observations:

Congressman Clay showed Rusty Carnahan that his name was enough to carpet bag his way into a South St. Louis Congressional seat, but the North Side remains Clay Country. 

Thousands of well-intentioned Tea Partiers learned that the best intentioned candidate cannot defeat the unwritten rules of politics and a Harvard lawyer with the right ideas and wrong bank account just cannot make a serious run for the top political job in the state.

Perhaps most surprisingly, Missourians learned that no political rule can withstand God's rule when Todd Akin is on the ballot.

On primary election day, August 2000, in the race for the 2nd Congressional seat vacated by then Congressman Jim Talent, state house member Todd Akin was running for Congress against a far better funded former county executive with nearly 100% name identification, a slightly better funded state senator with solid name identification (both slightly to his left politically), Talent's long-time grassroots coordinator and another conservative competing for Todd's base. County Executive Gene McNary was heavily favored. When the dust settled, Akin shocked the establishment winning with 52 votes.

The stunner of the primary in August 2012 is perhaps actually quite simple. Conventional wisdom held many marks against Akin.

1. He is from St. Louis, that is never good.

2. He had a second candidate competing for St. Louis votes.

3. He had in Steelman, a seasoned Missouri campaigner with a record of winning statewide.

4. Two men against one woman, two St. Louisans against one rural candidate...

5. Akin was dismissed by the establishment as "too conservative" and dismissed by many, most-notably conservative kingmaker, Senator Jim Demint as too liberal.

What did Akin have? In a word, God.

While plenty of Christians have waded into politics, few can match the Congressman's record of Christian devotion, clean living and even clean campaigning of Todd Akin. Akin even teaches classes on the Biblical heritage and legacy of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Certainly it is fooolish for anyone to claim to know God's plan in specific developments in the affairs of men, but those also doubting that the Lord has a hand in His world do so at their own peril. As long as Congressman Akin is on the ballot and on his knees, smart political money would remember the primaries of 2000 and 2012.

Missouri Republican Voters, sent a powerful message

Akin ran a hard race, a clean race, and a determined race, and to their credit, Missouri Republican voters rewarded Akin with a convincing victory. The Republican consultants who were so quick to violate Reagan's 11th Commandment and advise their candidates to attack Akin early and below the belt should take note of what the Republican body politic communicated and should maybe take to their knees before takng a bat to another Republicans again.

The big races lie ahead.This country is in great peril and the least transparent, most-viciously campaigning, hardest left radical who ever "occupied" the White House needs to go. Many good patriots are tempted by powerful axioms like "voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil". That is all fine and good until election day, but there are many more ways to express one's opinion than burning one's bra, draft card or ballot. Shirking one's responsibility to remove a man who would tax us all and force our kids to fund abortions for irresponsible "occupiers" is an endorsement of evil. The axiom for all patriots that is true now more than ever comes from William F. Buckley, Jr. "Always support the rightward most viable candidate". Always.

MO Grassroots Senators Endorse Brad Lager for Lt. Governor

The only preface I wish to give regarding this press release pertains to the fact that I have the utmost respect for these state Senators, especially Jim Lembke.  And Jason Crowell has been at the forefront of tax credit reform, an issue I think is central to this race, with sharp distinctions between the candidates.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Ray Bozarth Wednesday, July 18 2012 (573) 268-8177

Senators Crowell, Lembke, Nieves, Schaaf Endorse Lager

SAVANNAH, MO—Brad Lager, Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, today announced endorsements from conservative Senators Jason Crowell, Jim Lembke, Brian Nieves, and Rob Schaaf, reflecting a clear changing of the guard within the Republican Party.

Lager’s endorsements solidify him as the real conservative in the race. “Our elected officials are looking for real conservative leadership and I am proud to have conservative Republicans from across the state supporting my campaign,” said Lager. “Now is the time for new ideas and bold leadership from citizen legislators, not more of the same from career politicians. These endorsements reflect that sentiment.”

“If we keep electing the same people we are going to continue on the same path, and that has led Missouri to 48th in job creation,” said Crowell. “Government should not pick winners and losers. Government needs to get out of the way of the private sector, and only one man in this race understands that. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Brad Lager.”

“Brad Lager understands that the status quo must change if we want to improve our state,” Lembke said. “Brad Lager’s conservative leadership is exactly what we need to change the direction of Missouri.”

“Senator Lager is someone who shares our conservative family values and will govern by those same values,” said Nieves. “As a small business owner, Brad understands that government must get out of the way and allow the private sector to flourish. It’s an honor to support his campaign.”

“Senator Lager is a committed advocate for Missouri taxpayers and small business owners,” said Sen. Schaaf. “I have full confidence that Brad Lager will continue his stellar record of stewardship to the people of Missouri when he is elected Lt. Governor.”

Brad Lager is a small business owner and job creator. In 2010, Lager was re-elected to represent the 12th Senatorial District in the Missouri General Assembly. Brad and his wife Stephanie reside near Savannah with their two children, Addison and Andrew. Lager is also a proud graduate of Northwest Missouri State University.

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Attorney General Koster Hot and Bothered by Mortgage Companies

With all of the excitement about his re-election effort, revelations about poor financial controls and an ex-wife who spent lots of cash trying to keep him from getting elected in the first place, one would think that AG Koster would invest the necessary effort into good editing.

So, was it sloppy, intentional or freudian that his big launch of his 800 number helpline would actually connect desperate homeowners seeking relief with a different kind of, er. "relief". Here is the flyer with the wrong number, do not call the number unless you want more than you bargained for.

One can imagine the Ed Martin campaign will have fun with this. "What help is available?" LOL

 

 

Gubernatorial Candidate Bill Randles on Governor Nixon's Speech

Because you probably won't see this candidate's response in any other media:

Randles Responds to Nixon's State-of-the-State Address

Liberty, Mo., January 18th, 2012 -- Bill Randles released a written statement today in response to Governor Jay Nixon's State of the State address given last night.

"Last night Jay Nixon delivered his fourth State of the State Address. It was simply more of the same failed policies that have placed Missouri near the bottom in every measure. His governorship has been one of failure in every category.

He claims Missouri is a business-friendly state, but a study released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2011 ranked us dead last in terms of regulatory burden and business-friendliness. Under Jay Nixon Missouri lost 90,000 jobs in 2010, the third worst performance in the country. Missouri is one of only three states that spends more than 30% of its state budget on Medicaid alone.

Under Jay Nixon, Missouri has lost a record number of jobs and businesses. His solutions? More bandaids in the form of government programs and crony capitalism. The same formula he has been pushing for three years and that has failed so miserably.

We heard not one word about any serious reform of the policies that led us here. He, of
course, said nothing about our broken tax code, dysfunctional judiciary, or outdated labor
policies. No, he once again has chosen to put the interests of trial lawyers, labor unions, and
crony capitalists ahead of the interests of ordinary Missourians.

His education policies are a disgrace. He makes excuses for the failures of the Kansas
City and St. Louis public schools. He mouths the teachers union line that more money will fix everything – ignoring the billions of wasted dollars already poured into them. He then has the audacity to attack charter schools and claim they need to be more accountable. But apparently this call for accountability does not apply to the public schools in our urban areas that have incinerated billions of dollars, dimmed the future prospects for generations of out more vulnerable children, and enjoyed a virtual monopoly for decades. No, Jay Nixon prefers to placate and reward the failed urban education monopoly and continue to trade our children’s futures for his political convenience.

Jay Nixon is a failed governor. Last night’s speech shows a tired product of a corrupt political machine uninterested in and unable to fix the serious structural problems in our state. He seems to believe his record of failure has earned him another four years. Missouri businesses, tax payers, and children cannot afford another four years of Jay Nixon."

--Bill Randles, Republican gubernatorial candidate

For more information on the Randles for Governor campaign, visit our website, Facebook fanpage, and Twitter feed.

Next Steps Part 1: Drag Your Friends To the Polls Today!

Vote Today, Celebrate Tonight, Demand More Tomorrow

As America-loving Americans go to the polls today, they begin the process of wrestling control on the Country back from the secular progressives who love this Country less.  Yes, I have heard the crap about "we all want the same things, but just disagree on how to get there".  Right.  President Obama does not love America.  He loves France and he loves himself.  America is a place he wants to reshape into France.  As we begin the three-step process to re-take D.C. the next question is how our leaders will reshape America?  That is challenge number Two.  Challenge number Three is coming.

Now is the time for voting smart.  In a post on Breitbart's Big Government, I laid out the data that showed there is a lot to be excited about for the new Republicans in the Senate.  Despite frustrations over high-profile votes like TARP and Cash for Clunkers, several Republican Congressmen poised to win Senate seats have records far more fiscally conservative than the incumbents they would replace.  We need to put our rational hats on and vote for them.  Most notably, the 24th State's own Kit Bond rates 35th most conservative and will certainly be replaced by Roy Blunt who is 6th!   Even Mark Kirk, who frustrates many in Illinois for a record that seems RINOesque, would be the 22nd on the LiGIE scale (Limited Government Intervention in the Economy).  While taking the House is a great step, and taking the Senate may seem like merely the cherry on the top, consider the judges.  Were we to take the Senate we could block the most obnoxious judicial nominees. As hardened leftists lose their ability to cram their marxism down our throats through legislation, they will look to the leftist judges who commune in the other door shove it through, err, that way.  So it matters not if you were disappointed by these Congressman's primary victories, support them now!

Please, harass your friends today!  In a primary campaign, I once faced a better funded opponent.  Out of necessity, I made the decision to mail nicer pieces to fewer people and discovered something amazing in the process.  There were 45,000 households and I mailed just the 15,000 who voted frequently.   My wife fielded calls from panicked friends as who received mail from my opponent and nothing from me.  As I explained to my wife, some of our closest friends were part of that 30,000 people who just rarely bothered to vote.  I am calling them this year.  You need to call yours.

So what are we voting for?  That largely depends on the leadership we get tomorrow.  Putting conservatives in these seats who select moderates as their rulers will give us very little.  Will the Congress give us Speaker Boehner?  Let me be among the first to say, I hope not.  We do not need another Hastert.  There is little indication that Boehner will go out on any limbs and lay out the positive vision America needs, from protecting the boarders to forcing a vote on all of the Bush tax cuts without exception. 

In Missouri, conservatives who elected a 23:11 majority are so frustrated about so little legislative action that have taken the extraordinary step of seeking public engagement in the State Senate leadership battle.  This is a good battle to have.  The leadership really is the difference.

Jedidiah Smith On The Missouri Leadership Conference

From Franklin County Patriot Jedidiah Smith:

The unprecedented activism of the past two years has all lead up to what will take place in just four days, the general election.  Many Missouri citizens, however, are also interested in what will follow the election.

Two days later, while most of us are still in recovery mode, Missouri Senators will meet to determine by a secret ballot process who will serve in the highest position in our state legislator, the Senate President Pro Tem. Among other things, the President Pro Tem of the Senate has the power to place senators on various committees and to select leadership of those committees.  These appointments have a profound effect on which proposed legislation will actually make it to the floor for consideration.

Missourians will remember the current Pro Tem, Charlie Shields, served as a major roadblock to the passage of the Healthcare Freedom Act during the last session. Prop C (HCFA) eventually went on to pass on the August ballot by a 71%-29% margin, a clear indication that Shields and the Senate leadership were out of touch with the people.  Sen. Shield's further displayed his power late in the session when he removed Sen. Chuck Purgason from his committee chairmanship in order to consider a bill which would have given preferential treatment to the Ford plant in Kansas City.   

Sen, Shields is leaving office as a result of term limits, and it's time to elect a new President Pro Tem.

Since the leadership positions are chosen by the senators, it would seem that the election of true conservatives into the Missouri Senate would guarantee strong, conservative leadership, right? Unfortunately, this is not necessarily true.

Kevin Engler is the presumed choice for the Pro Tem position - not because of his legislative history of liberty-driven legislation, but because he is the current Senate Majority Floor Leader.  It is generally understood in Jefferson City that the floor leader is next in line to become Pro Tem, regardless of his track record. In fact, Engler has made it clear that anyone who dares to oppose him will suffer the consequences <http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=332805> . 


These bullying techniques are not new to Jefferson City politics, but they typically are kept out of the view of citizens.  The truth, is,  that really understanding what goes on behind the scenes of the legislature is next to impossible.  

Because the people have historically been left out of this decision, a group of of grassroots activists (of whom I am honored to be a part) has launched the Missouri Leadership Project.  The project was designed with several goals in mind:

1. To help inform the public of the importance of leadership in Jefferson City.  Everyone understands how important the roles of Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are in Washington D.C., but little attention is given to the significance of leadership within our own state legislature.
2. To begin the process of increasing transparency in government by shining some light on the happenings within Jefferson City, specifically on the election of leadership.
3. To illustrate that although Sen. Engler is the presumed Pro-Tem-To-Be, he is not the choice of those (many activists) who have spent the last two years asking for transparency and smaller government.
4. To give the people of Missouri an opportunity to voice their opinion by signing a petition urging the senate to "select leaders from among those who have clearly demonstrated a commitment to protecting the liberty of all Missourians alike and conduct the business of the senate in a fair and even-handed way."
   

To date, hundreds of Missourians have signed the petition.  Many have also contacted their senator personally to express their views.  In addition to these individual citizens, many patriotic and Tea Party organizations have endorsed the project.

Although citizens do not have a direct role in electing legislative leadership, we should work to be informed and involved in the process as much as possible, and to hold our elected officials accountable for their decisions.

For more information about the Missouri Leadership Project, visit www.MoLeadershipProject.com <http://www.MoLeadershipProject.com>  <http://www.moleadershipproject.com/> .

The St Louis Tea Party strongly supports our fellow Tea Partiers, and my understanding is that we'll have a formal statement Monday.  While the election is the primary goal, the leadership vote takes place a few days later, and how we choose our leaders matters as much as who we choose.  I admit that I'm not completely informed on the issue, but my understanding is that if you have an interest in the matter, the single best thing you can do is call your state senator and let them know you want them to vote based on who they think will best represent conservatives in Missouri, and not based on a tradition that amounts to anointing a former leader instead of an honest vote based on what you think is best for the state.

I've also been told the comments on Prop C are unfair to Engler, and that he didn't stall or stop the legislation.  My personal thought is that the process matters more than the person.  I'm not anti-Engler or pro-Engler, but I do agree that just because a Senator held a position in the last Senate doesn't mean they automatically get it in the new Senate.

Robyn Hamlin And Paul Curtman Sign Tea Party Treaty

Two more candidates have signed the Tea Party treaty.  Paul Curtman, a Marine challenging SEIU-backed Mike Frame for a State Representative seat in Missouri's 105th District, and Robyn Hamlin, running against Lacy Clay for US Congress in Missouri's First District, have both signed on to the Tea Party Treaty.

This strong declaration of principles is an agreement between signatories of support and accountability.

A copy of the text. 

Tea Party Treaty

1) I believe that the Health Care Reform bill (Affordable Care Act) should be immediately repealed as an un-Constitutional extension of governmental powers according to Article I of the US Constitution, and thus a burden on the people’s rights as recognized by the 9th Amendment.

2) I believe the government should reduce taxes and cut spending, as a rejection of the Keynesian model of economics.  Governments should be fiscally responsible with the people’s dime.

3) I believe that we should reduce the federal bureaucracy.  The size and scope of federal regulation endangers all liberty, and hinders accountability to the public.

I resolve to be a proponent for small government across the board, and agree to be held accountable for failure to abide by this treaty.

__________________________       ______________
SIGNATURE                DATE

St. Louis Tea Party Coalition    Franklin County Patriots       
Jefferson County Tea Party      Southern Illinois Tea Party                Quincy Tea Party

If you are a Tea Party group and want to use the treaty for your local and statewide contacts, please contact Ben at ben.evans@stlouisteaparty.com