Republicans Do Well Nationally and in Kansas City Area

Tuesday's elections sent a clear message. Americans are not happy with the Democratic leadership. The Republicans took over the House of Representatives with a clear majority, and made huge strides in the Senate leaving the Democrats with the narrowest of majorities. This is all good news, of course, but let's be clear that we are giving Republicans another go at it - if we do not get results, we'll throw their asses out, too. Locally, the pattern was upheld with Republicans winning in all but one National race.


There was one big upset. Long time Congressman (34 years) from Missouri's 4th District, Ike Skelton, was defeated by Republican Vicky Hartzler. Skelton is good man and really a victim of President Obama's bad policy. Maybe we can get him to move to the 5th District and take on Cleaver in the Democratic Primary. Speaking of Congressman Cleaver, how does this guy keep getting elected? Oh yea, that's right he's black - and unfortunately black people will vote for other black people. ANY black person, no matter now stupid. If Cleaver can get re-elected this year after "spittlegate" and his glowing compliments of Communist Dictator Fidel Castro, I guess he will be Congressman for life.

In Kansas, a poor showing by Stephane Moore in the 3rd Congressional district race made easy pickins for Kevin Yoder as the Democrats lost another seat (retiring Democrat Dennis Moore's) to the Republicans. A unified (for a change) Kansas Republican Party led former Senator Sam Brownback to a landslide victory for the Governor's office.

Other Election News

Missouri Proposition A - Voters passed Prop A by a wide margin showing their distaste for local earnings taxes. The passing of this Proposition paves the way for a vote in Kansas City on the continuation of the 1% income tax the city assesses on those who LIVE OR WORK in the city.

Missouri Proposition B - Passed by a relatively small margin, this unnecessary law will cost the State Money, and do virtually nothing to end cruelty to animals.

Lincecum Baffles Rangers as Giants Win World Series

Cliff Lee was unbeatable. The Rangers' Ace had compiled a dominant postseason record and helped the team make its first world series in club history. Lee's opponent in both of his starts against San Francisco would emerge as the hero, as Tim Luncecum dominated Texas as the Giants defeated the Rangers 3-1 to win the 2010 World Series.

All of the pre-World Series talk focused on the Rangers' dominant offense and Lee, who had emerged as one of the greatest postseason pitchers of all time. In the end it was Lincecum, the guy who looks like the buddy you used to play video games with all night in high school, and the rest of the Giant's pitching staff that carried San Francisco to its first title since 1956.

Edgar Renteria blasted a three run home run with two outs in the seventh inning to give the Giants the lead for good. Renteria would earn MVP honors for the series, providing San Francisco with clutch hitting that gave the team's all-star pitching staff just enough to work with. The Giants pitching, defense and timely hits were just enough every night, and the Rangers can't help but wonder what happened once they got on baseball's biggest stage.

Proposition B Missouri 2010 - Voting on Prop B in Kansas City

Proposition B Missouri 2010 - Voting for Dummies
by Kansas City News


Apparently Missouri is known as the "puppy mill capital of the USA", churning out large breeding sites and businesses that are in some people's opinion treating dogs poorly.  Let's just start by stating the obvious, Proposition B is going to pass, period.  No one is going to vote against the fair treatment of puppies in Missouri. This one is a no-brainer as far as whether or not it will pass, but if you want to know exactly what your vote will count toward in tomorrow's poll here are some quick facts about Proposition B:

If you vote YES, the current legislature regulating the breeding of dogs in Missouri will be changed to ensure the proper treatment of the dogs / puppies during the breeding process.  The legislature will put limitations on the amount of puppies that can be produced by one single business entity and the frequency in which the puppies can be produced.

If you vote NO, the current law in question on Proposition B will remain unchanged in Missouri.

The official Proposition B reads as follows:

Shall Missouri law be amended to:

• require large-scale dog breeding operations to provide each dog under their care with sufficient food, clean water, housing and space; necessary veterinary care; regular exercise and adequate rest between breeding cycles;
  
• prohibit any breeder from having more than 50 breeding dogs for the purpose of selling their puppies as pets; and
  
• create a misdemeanor crime of “puppy mill cruelty” for any violations?

It is estimated state governmental entities will incur costs of $654,768 (on-going costs of $521,356 and one-time costs of $133,412). Some local governmental entities may experience costs related to enforcement activities and savings related to reduced animal care activities.

Fair Ballot Language:

A “yes” vote will amend Missouri law to require large-scale dog breeding operations to provide each dog under their care with sufficient food, clean water, housing and space; necessary veterinary care; regular exercise and adequate rest between breeding cycles.  The amendment further prohibits any breeder from having more than 50 breeding dogs for the purpose of selling their puppies as pets.  The amendment also creates a misdemeanor crime of “puppy mill cruelty” for any violations.
A “no” vote will not change the current Missouri law regarding dog breeders.
If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

Proposition A Missouri 2010 - Voting on Missouri's Prop A

Proposition A Missouri 2010 - Voting for Dummiesfrom Kansas City News


The Missouri Earnings Tax Initiative, otherwise known as Proposition A is a November 2nd ballot item that was initially introduced by Marc H. Ellinger from Jefferson City, Missouri to give residents of Kansas City and residents of St. Louis the right to decide whether to continue the earnings tax that is currently in place.

Basically, if you work in Kansas City or St. Louis you are being taxed (a seriously small amount) to pay for a number of much needed programs that support the city that you live in.  If Proposition A does not pass, the tax will remain and nothing will change in the current city tax system.  If Proposition A is passed by Missouri voters, then the Kansas City and St. Louis city tax will be phased out at 1 tenth of a percent over the next few years.

I suppose the decision that you make tomorrow should be based on whether or not you support the programs that are currently being aided by these taxes.  If you believe that the taxes are a necessity to the success of your city, then vote no on Prop A, if you believe that the city tax and the programs that are relying on the tax are not necessary then vote yes on Prop B.  Most experts believe that Proposition A will pass in Missouri.

The official Proposition A text is as follows:

Shall Missouri law be amended to:

• repeal the authority of certain cities to use earnings taxes to fund their budgets;
  
• require voters in cities that currently have an earnings tax to approve continuation of such tax at the next general municipal election and at an election held every 5 years thereafter;
  
• require any current earnings tax that is not approved by the voters to be phased out over a period of 10 years; and
• prohibit any city from adding a new earnings tax to fund their budget?

The proposal could eliminate certain city earnings taxes. For 2010, Kansas City and the City of St. Louis budgeted earnings tax revenue of $199.2 million and $141.2 million, respectively. Reduced earnings tax deductions could increase state revenues by $4.8 million. The total cost or savings to state and local governmental entities is unknown.

Fair Ballot Language:

A “yes” vote will amend Missouri law to repeal the authority of certain cities to use earnings taxes to fund their budgets.  The amendment further requires voters in cities that currently have an earnings tax, St. Louis and Kansas City, to approve continuation of such tax at the next general municipal election and at an election held every five years or to phase out the tax over a period of ten years. 
A “no” vote will not change the current Missouri law regarding earnings taxes.
If passed, this measure will impact taxes by removing the ability of cities to fund their budgets through earnings taxes.  The only exception is that voters in cities that currently have an earnings tax may vote to continue such taxes.

The following is from www.ballotpedia.org:

The Missouri Earnings Tax Initiative, Proposition A, also known as the Let Voters Decide Initiative, will appear on the November 2, 2010 ballot in the state of Missouri as an initiated state statute.^[1][2] If approved by voters, voters in Kansas City and St. Louis would hold a referendum on keeping the levy in 2011 and every five years thereafter. If the levy is rejected by voters the tax would be phased out at one-tenth of one percent per year and could not be reinstated.
In order to qualify the proposed measure about 95,000 valid signatures were required. The measure was certified by the Missouri Secretary of State after signatures turned in were validated.^[3] Supporters submitted more than 200,000 signatures on April 27, 2010.^[4][5][6]
A total of five different versions of an earnings tax initiative were certified for circulation, however, all versions were submitted by one sponsor - Marc H. Ellinger from Jefferson City, Missouri.

Randy Moss Released By the Vikings

In a shocking turn of events, the Minnesota Vikings have released star WR Randy Moss. Moss, who was recently acquired from the New England Patriots for a third round pick, was let go from the team following the team's loss to his former team. One major cause for Moss' release was his quitting on a sure touchdown route prior to the play in which QB Brett Favre was knocked out of the game. It didn't help that after the game, Moss held a press conference in which he criticized the Vikings' coaching and complemented the Patriots.

The Vikings are a mess, but this turn of events is a new low. Basically, the team gave New England a third round pick for nothing, now that Moss is gone. Favre wanted Moss, he has since he played for the Packers (which nearly led to the Packers trading Aaron Rodgers for Moss, a potential huge mistake for Green Bay), and since Minnesota's ancient QB has more control over the franchise than the coaches or general managers, the Vikings for the troubled WR.

The Vikings new what they were getting when they traded for Moss. They knew he would stop trying when the going got bad, not run hard on every route, and generally not care if the team was successful. I'm not excusing Moss' behavior, but we all know by now how he acts. Minnesota gambled and lost, and the release of Moss will be just another part of the trainwreck of season the Vikings are putting together.