Libertarian Kevin's blog

One way Democrats statewide can enhance their anti-corruption stance is to back up Jay Nixon's appeal of Cole County Circuit Court's decision that convicted felons' rights are being infringed upon in Missouri since the people said they cannot run for elective office.

Of course, Democratic politics in Jackson County has little to do with legalities and the welfare of the people and more to do with which faction holds the reins of power.

Bottom line?  Repudiate felons from serving in elected positions, distance yourself from the bad apples, groom intelligent people for office, and show all Missourians that Democrats should be elected because they ARE Democrats, and not simply because they are NOT Republicans.

In the stillness of the debate not raging about the closure of the 135th Fighter Wing (Missouri Air Guard) at the St. Louis airport, what is also unknown is the fate of the US Navy & Marine Corps Reserve Centet co-located on the 135th's base. Hundres of Navy and Marine Corps reservists will be moving somewhere -- perhaps across the river into Illinois where Scott AFB is thriving and growing. Along with those reservists dozens more full-time military, civilians, and their families will also be moving, most likely OUT of the Great and Sovereign State of Missouri.

The economic impact? Hundreds of hotel rooms every weekend, dozens of airline flights in and out of Lambert each month, dozens of rental cars staying parked and fewer gallons of gasoline being purchased, fewer and fewer restaurant meals, and fewer trips to movies, malls, and entertainment. And what of the jobs in these sectors affected by the abandonment of Missouri by her Republican Senators, highly-placed Republican Congressional "leaders," and the Boy Guv, himself a former drilling Navy reservist?  Maybe this is an issue too complicated or too distant for the K-Street faction to worry about.

The Kansas City Star reports today (10/14/05) that Missouri Republicans are working behind the scenes to raise taxes on Missourians.  They are ashamed that Missouri ranks 49th in the Country for our cigarette taxes and want to add $.79 a pack.  Democrats are crying foul and have hired the usual worn-out talking heads to rake Matty Blunt and friends over the coals.

So let me say this again because it just doesn't seem to be THE normal thing you hear: Republicans want to RAISE taxes, and Democrats are opposing the tax increase.  And the national press isn't picking this up because ......???

The Jackson County Legislature's ham-handed handling of the Truman Sports Complex leases over the years have been, well, approaching criminal.  Now they're working on new leases from the dark recesses of the "rehabilitated" downtown courthouse (why did only the Executive suite get a total re-do, while the rest only got new windows?).

Add to this mix a group of tax-cut-and-spend Republican and TIF-happy, tax-and-spend Democrats and VOILA!  A new plan for a downtown stadium!  New and innovative ways to spend my money!  Paid for mostly by Jackson County taxpayers, who still must have to trust the County Legislature to NOT screw this one up in the short OR long term.