Cronos's blog

I was reading on Lincoln in the fine book A Team of Rivals. I found it quite shocking that the guidance his words provided for our entry into the war of his time (and its ending and reconstruction) seem apt in our time for our current hostilities. They also seem relevant to our current national politics. It's ironic that a self eduicated lawyer from the frontier -- and our first Republican chief executive -- would provide such concise and clear statement of our values for our present commander in chief (obviously unheeded).

What's the deal with Tony Messenger?

This week he has a column, citing this and another blog, commenting on the Missouri Foundation for Health's board and Jay Nixon.

The MFH is a great organization that has provided brilliant analysis of the state's devastating cuts to Medicaid (among other things) while many other organizations were silent. They are a watchdog in these troubled times.

But, that's not the kicker.  Tony's column entreaties "someone" to look into the finances and connections with Jay.

While the Blunt administration continutes its efforts to raid student lending options for college bound Missourians, your State Treasurer Sarah Steelman was retooling Missouri's 529 College Savings Plan to ensure your savings options were among the worse as well.

Today's Wall Street Journal reports that Morningstar's annual survey of 529 College Savings Plans now includes Missouri's MOST plan as one of the worst.

Morningstar has this to say about the 2006 changes implemented by Steelman:

"Disappointingly, a new plan rolled out in May 2006, Missouri's MOST 529 Advisor, also makes our list for its high costs and mixed bag of underlying investments. The plan doesn't offer an age-based option, instead providing 24 funds from which brokers can construct portfolios suited to their individual client needs. Again, though, a 0.30% program management fee and 0.25% distribution fee for the Class A shares are piled on top of mostly more expensive A fund shares. Indeed, the total annual asset-based costs for the individual fund options range from 1.22% to 2.70%, including a rich 1.45% for the plan's three ETF offerings. Missouri does offer a state tax deduction on 529 contributions to the home-state plan, so residents have good reason to consider the state's direct-sold option."

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Just when you thought the Ferrell story wasn't getting enough attention...  Wonkette seizes the moment.

For those who still have a shred of respect for our Jefferson City "leadership" or the dignity of our state, link at your own risk.

Happy President's Day to all.

Today marks the last day in the 700's in the countdown to the end of the Bush Presidency. For those who seek a positive thought or reflection this President's Day, remember this: the coundown continues.

C.

A nod to wonkette and those crafty conservative kids for keeping tabs on our Senior Senator.

He's currently the fourth most absent member of congress.

I guess I could understand that if he were incapacitated, lived on the other side of the world or was running for President (1,2 and 3), but I suspect that it's just an adjustment period from majority status.

Buck up little camper -- they're not going to make you pay the money back.

Here's a worthwhile investment... If you're short $180K to run your city, why not spend $10K of public money and invest it in a lobbyist.

I'm sure somewhere in Patek & Associates prospectus, there's an answer.

Does anyone know what the city of Excelsior Springs is investing in? I know that they already have a Rep. and Senator in the capitol. Why are they going to P&A for capital?

Read the KCStar story here.

I spent last Christmas in Iraq.  This Christmas, with my family around me, I want for nothing.

But as a country, I know we can still do better.

I wonder if we'll continue to give up our privacy, our treasure and (some of) our children to the "war on terror" without shared national sacrifices.

Breaking News...

Hank Waters report (prognostication) that Gov. "Baby" Blunt may be hoping for a ride on the Romney bandwagon seems premature (sorry for the pun.)

This from the AP on attaching any "baby" to the Romney ticket...

BOSTON -- Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is apologizing for referring to the troubled Big Dig construction project as a "tar baby."

While I'm not one to give the R's any publicity here or elsewhere, I found this column particularly insightful. 

http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060719/COLUMNISTS13/607190320

I particularly like the response from Cy Murray, a challenger to Republican State Rep. Dennis Wood:

"I was brought up in the Republican lifestyle. I just feel a lot of the principles that the Republicans stand for I agree with — less government, lower taxes, the strong free enterprise system."

Just when you thought that every "R" was finding a way to distance themself from the Gov., we've received these encouraging words in the form of a letter to the editor:

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/15042638.htm

Renewable fuels

I applaud Gov. Matt Blunt for signing into law House Bill 1270, the Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard Act (7/11, Business). This legislation is a win-win for both Missouri farmers and consumers.

While providing an economic boost for our state’s corn producers, the bill protects consumers by ensuring that distributors are exempt from purchasing gasoline blended with ethanol if the price is higher than unblended gasoline. In addition, the use of ethanol has proven to reduce carbon monoxide emissions, making the air we breathe much cleaner.

Welcome to the GOP bizzaro-world.

The week that the U.S. Senate takes up a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage -- which is sure to fail once again -- they take up the estate tax. 

Looks like if you spin up the red-necks you can slip through the blue-bloods safety net legislation.

...And what is this I hear about DNR questioning whether Jay Nixon can effectively investigate wrongdoing.  Didn't they just conduct an insider investigation of Freddy Ferrell that resulted in no more than an apology. 

Tell me that the Blunt administration has not taken a dime of Ameren money and we can talk about how they could even begin to be credible investigating a corporation.  I can't believe that they would get anymore than Jay, who has over a decade of experience advocating for Missourians.