Missourians sent Washington a clear message: stay out of our health care decisions!
Republicans have been right all along—it is time to repeal the existing health care law and replace it with a conservative alternative that does not burden Americans with unnecessary mandates and outrageous costs. The Missouri Republican Party stood strongly in favor of Proposition C, unanimously endorsing the Health Care Freedom Act.Proposition C passed in 114 of 116 election jurisdictions—including every county in the state—garnering more than 668,000 votes in Missouri.
This was a bipartisan declaration to Washington. At least tens of thousands of Democrats voted YES on Proposition C.
Washington's tone-deaf reaction
The White House dismissed the Prop C vote, claiming that the results meant "nothing." Source: The HillSenate Majority Leader Harry Reid's response was even more offensive. According to the Wall Street Journal, Reid dismissed the results of the election, claiming that Missourians aren't educated enough to understand the federal health care law.
Reid: "It's very obvious that people have a lack of understanding of our health care reform bill," Reid said. "The more people learn about this bill, the more they like it."
This tone-deaf and arrogant reaction is exactly the reason why so many Americans across the country are fed-up with Democrats in Washington. More than 71% of voters sent a clear message rejecting the liberal agenda, yet Democrats continue to dismiss the will of the people and insist that we're simply not capable of making our own decisions. What do you think? How does this make you feel?
The Missouri Way
Occassionally, I am addressed as "Congressman". I'm quick to correct that this title is reserved for our representatives in Washington, D.C. Sadly, I realize that my correction is motivated by my hope not to be confused with what is going on in Washington. Recent public surveys indicate that Americans are very unhappy with what is going on in Congress. At the same time, polls indicate that a majority of Missourians agree with the general direction of Missouri State government. Why are attitudes so different? This led me to the conclusion that there are two ways to run government. There is the "Washington Way" directed by President Obama, Speaker Pelosi and Senate Leader Reid. There is also the "Missouri Way". The "Missouri Way" is more responsive to our citizens, seeks private solutions for problems and recognizes that the only way out of our current economic problems is to keep taxes low and encourage private investment.The distinction between these two approaches can be made in several ways: Policies of Taxing and Spending, Size of Government and Life Issues and Traditional Family. I will discuss these alternative approaches to public service… starting with Washington's and Missouri's approach to Taxing and Spending.
During the first 100 days of his presidency, President Obama signed the $787 billion stimulus bill into law, proposed an eye-popping $3.6 trillion federal budget for the 2010 fiscal year, and created additional multi-billion-dollar government programs supposedly to help grease the economic wheels. It took the United States of America 233 years (1776-2009) to amass a national debt of $11 trillion. Yet, President Barack Obama's record large 2010 budget deficit estimated at $1.85 trillion and his own spending plans will likely double the national debt over the next 10 years. There seems to be no limit in the President's and Congress's appetites to spend our money and run up large deficits. The most immediate affect of such a reckless policy is to force our national government to raise the rate of interest paid on government borrowings so as to attract lenders. We all fear that the "Washington Way" of spending will lower the standard of living of our children, grandchildren and generations to come.
As a direct consequence of this spending, the President is now calling for a massive tax increase at the federal level by ending most of the Bush Tax Cuts. The President is using tiresome class warfare arguments by proposing a big income tax increase for the "rich" who have over $200,000 per year income. This tax will hit 50% of all small business income because 85% of small business owners are taxed on profits at individual tax rates. We are all smart enough to know who creates new jobs in America, and it isn't people or businesses that do not make a profit. Americans have also relearned the hard way over the last 18 months that the government doesn't create net new employment. We need not raise taxes in the middle of the worst economic times since the "Great Depression". Despite this obvious truth, big taxes and big spending are part of the "Washington Way" of doing things.
The "Missouri Way" is no new taxes. Last year, Governor Nixon made a promise not to raise taxes. Despite this promise, in late December, his tax commission voted to raise real estate taxes on some Missouri farmers by almost 29%. This decision by the Missouri State Tax Commission would increase taxes on much of the farmland in our communities. The commission's proposal would raise taxes on the most productive agricultural land, which generally consists of cropland, by 29% and decrease taxes on less productive land. The changes would result in an overall 11% tax increase statewide on agricultural land with the impact being larger in the 118th Legislative District. The General Assembly earlier this year passed a Joint Resolution that killed this jobs killing tax increase.
The "Missouri Way" is also a balanced budget. With little help from the Chief Executive, the General Assembly pared $600 million from the original proposed budget. We have made Missouri State government more accountable and efficient. Budget challenges will continue when the General Assembly reconvenes next January. These challenges will be met to reach a balanced budget without new taxes because this is the right way to run a government.
I encourage you to contact me with any concerns and/or suggestions that you may have for Missouri legislation. Please feel free to call at (573) 751-3572 or email at chuck{dot}gatschenberger{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov. Thank you for the honor to serve as your Missouri State Representative.
Statement on the Proposed "Cordoba House" Mosque near Ground Zero
This is a good explanation of the mindset of Islam, Muslim thinking, and why the mosque at ground zero should NOT be built. It has nothing to do with the first amendment.Newt Gingrich, July 21, 2010 6pm
[Link to original statement]
There should be no mosque near Ground Zero in New York so long as there are no churches or synagogues in Saudi Arabia. The time for double standards that allow Islamists to behave aggressively toward us while they demand our weakness and submission is over.
The proposed "Cordoba House" overlooking the World Trade Center site - where a group of jihadists killed over 3000 Americans and destroyed one of our most famous landmarks - is a test of the timidity, passivity and historic ignorance of American elites. For example, most of them don't understand that "Cordoba House" is a deliberately insulting term. It refers to Cordoba, Spain - the capital of Muslim conquerors who symbolized their victory over the Christian Spaniards by transforming a church there into the world's third-largest mosque complex.
Today, some of the Mosque's backers insist this term is being used to "symbolize interfaith cooperation" when, in fact, every Islamist in the world recognizes Cordoba as a symbol of Islamic conquest. It is a sign of their contempt for Americans and their confidence in our historic ignorance that they would deliberately insult us this way. Those Islamists and their apologists who argue for "religious toleration" are arrogantly dishonest. They ignore the fact that more than 100 mosques already exist in New York City. Meanwhile, there are no churches or synagogues in all of Saudi Arabia. In fact no Christian or Jew can even enter Mecca. And they lecture us about tolerance.
If the people behind the Cordoba House were serious about religious toleration, they would be imploring the Saudis, as fellow Muslims, to immediately open up Mecca to all and immediately announce their intention to allow non-Muslim houses of worship in the Kingdom. They should be asked by the news media if they would be willing to lead such a campaign.
We have not been able to rebuild the World Trade Center in nine years. Now we are being told a 13 story, $100 million mega mosque will be built within a year overlooking the site of the most devastating surprise attack in American history.
Finally where is the money coming from? The people behind the Cordoba House refuse to reveal all their funding sources. America is experiencing an Islamist cultural-political offensive designed to undermine and destroy our civilization. Sadly, too many of our elites are the willing apologists for those who would destroy them if they could.
No mosque.
No self deception.
No surrender.
The time to take a stand is now - at this site on this issue.
Habitat for Humanity – Apply for a Home - Donate or Volunteer!
My office received notice today that Habitat is accepting applications for their new cycle."Habitat St. Charles is now seeking prospective families for our upcoming rehab project in the City of St. Charles 2 bedroom/1bath and also our waiting list of our building project in St. Peters."
If you are interested please go to www.habitatstcharles.org under the "how to become a homeowner tab" Requests must be received by 9/20/2010. Please see Habitats website for more info.
St. Charles Public Schools Score!
St. Charles County public school students outscore Missouri and the U.S. on ACT test
[Link to original article]Sources of graph at right:
ACT.org website, local school districts, Suburban Journals, EDC of St. Charles County (Aug. 2010).The ACT test results are in and public high school students in St. Charles County outperformed the Missouri and U.S. composite score averages for the 2009‐2010 school year.
The average composite score for St. Charles County public high schools was 22.2 and the highest average score was 23.1 at Francis Howell High.
By comparison, Missouri’s average composite score was 21.6. For the U.S., it was 20.5. The highest possible ACT score is 36.
“This is a positive sign of success for all of those in the community who have been working alongside students, families, educators, and district officials to continually improve local performance,” said Greg Prestemon, president and CEO of the Economic Development Center of St. Charles County and president of the Partners for Progress of Greater St. Charles. “Hundreds of students have received direct assistance from the Partners for Progress through our annual ACT Prep Scholarship program and we are excited to recognize the measurable difference it is making in tandem with other local efforts."
Prestemon also singled out initiatives school districts in St. Charles County have been championing in recent years to encourage METS curriculum and activities (math, engineering, technology, and science), robotics teams, Singapore Math, and Project Lead The Way which offers pre-engineering courses in high school.
Currently between 60‐79% of high school students in Missouri take the ACT. States with 80% or more student participation include Illinois, Michigan, Florida, Ohio and Texas.
The American College Test or “ACT” is a national college admission and placement exam that has been standain all 50 states since 1960, according to the ACT.org website. The test assesses high school students’ generaeducational development and their ability to complete college-level work. Multiple-choice questions cover English, math, reading and science. An optional writing test involves a short essay.
“As a community, we are encouraging all families and students to prepare for and participate in the annual test,” Prestemon said, “and we look forward to continuing our work with district officials and others in St. Charles County to better prepare the workforce of tomorrow.”
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