Tim Jones: Wrap-Up of "Historic" Election Season, Proper Role of Government

As the calendar prepares to turn to the final month of the year, the changing landscape and the chill northwesterly wind share in reminding us of the turn of the seasons and the arrival of yet another promising, joy filled holiday season.  As the election season fades into the recesses of our memories, thoughts now turn to celebrating the Christmas season and the approach of the New Year even as we prepare for the coming challenges and opportunities of the next Legislative Session which begins at high noon, January 5, 2011…

“A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement.”— Thomas Jefferson

Election Season Wrap Up-2010

As I am sure you are fully aware, the mid term elections of November 2010 were historic on many different levels.  Here, in Missouri, they were no less momentous. Every Republican seat in the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate was retained, the Missouri House picked up seventeen incumbent and/or open formerly Democratic seats and the Missouri Senate picked up three incumbent and/or open formerly Democratic seats.  We take this mandate by the people of Missouri as a very serious message and challenge to continue to deliver upon the promises that we have made over the past several years: delivering a balanced State budget, prioritizing the proper role of Government, continuing to limit the size, scope and spending of government, continuing to protect our most sacred and cherished freedoms and liberties and continuing to work hard to make Missouri a great place in which to live, work and raise a family.  As the incoming Majority Leader of the Missouri House, I thank each and every one of you for your support and your prayers and I want you to know that I share in this promise and I welcome the challenges and opportunities that the coming Session will bring.

The Proper Role of Government

For much of last year, many Americans have taken to the streets, to town hall meetings and finally to the voting booth to protest the federal government's irresponsible agenda over the past two years that has included a reckless national healthcare program (which is being exposed more and more each day for the truly bad legislation that it is) and the jobs killing cap and trade plan which would devastate jobs and the economy here in the Heartland and cause our utility rates to soar.  Washington politicians did not listen when they rammed through Congress their reckless health care bill.  When given our own vote on Proposition C in August, Missouri voters sent a clear message:  more than 71% of Missouri voters, including Republicans, Democrats and Independents, supported Proposition C and the effort to protect an individual's right to make his or her own health insurance choices.  Missourians sent Washington a clear message:  stay out of our health care decisions.  Contrary to the Washington approach, there are market based solutions to the problems of health care.  This year, the General Assembly passed and the Governor signed House Bill 1498 that requires health insurance providers to promptly pay claims put forth by doctors, hospitals and other health care providers for services provided to patients.  This is a common sense, "Missouri Way", reform that will improve healthcare in Missouri that will reduce costs and inefficiency and will not grow the size of government.

As we deal with the continuing budget problems facing Missouri next year, all Missourians need to recognize the primary purpose and role of our state government.  Providing for public education, public safety and health are THE core roles of our state government.  Our government exists to defend our liberties and life itself.  I believe that state government has a role in economic development.  We need to make our state attractive to job creators.  We, as a state, need to be very careful in expanding our state government's involvement beyond these traditional roles.

The reason that we, as a nation, find ourselves in this ballooning of our federal government (not to mention our federal debt, trade deficit and disastrous monetary policy known fancily as "QE2") is that there are lots of people who have a pet project such as lawn mowing in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans or "Social Justice" film festivals in Warrensburg, Missouri and the rest of us taxpaying citizens do not stand up against such wasteful use of taxpayer's money.  If we do not continue to take a stand, government will continue to grow and our debt will continue to skyrocket.  Once we recognize the problem, the solution becomes obvious.  The American people spoke loudly and clearly this past November on Election Day.  We here in Missouri continue to hear and heed the voices and beliefs of our citizens, let us hope that the politicians in DC have finally heard the voice of the people as it resounds across our great Nation.

During this Holy Holiday Season, We Must Step Up to Help

From my family to yours, I hope that you had a safe and Happy Thanksgiving and are happily preparing yourselves for a joyous Christmas, Hanukah and New Year holiday season.  As we go about our busy holiday chores and parties, let us not forget that millions of Americans continue to be affected by many and various tragedies including the oil spill in the Gulf, floods and tornadoes throughout our Heartland, and the loss of jobs and homes due to the economy, just to name a few. I encourage all of you to step up and do what you can to help those who need us the most, especially during this holiday season.  There are many, many excellent charitable organizations that step up to the challenge during these winter months and I would encourage to do what you can to participate.  Starting right at home with your local churches and civic organizations is a great place to begin or you can visit the following websites:

• www.greatergood.org
• http://www.unitedwaynola.org/gulfoilspill/index.html
• http://www.gnof.org/programs/gulf-coast-oil-spill-fund/disaster-on-the-gulf-coast/
• www.causes.com
• www.nwf.org

And if you are not able to give financially, please do continue to keep the families of all those who will be challenged this season in your prayers.

Visiting the Capitol

If you ever find yourself in or around Jefferson City at any time during the year, please feel free to visit us!  Stop by Room 114A and, even during the interim session, Jody will be happy to meet and greet you!

Personal News & Notes

Being "out of Session" has definitely not resulted in life slowing down much at all, especially during what was a VERY busy election year season.  Working daily at the law firm, keeping up with constituent services and attending different events in and around the District have kept me more than occupied during the Interim Session.  I want to thank my wife, Suzanne, and all of my colleagues at my law firm of Doster Ullom for their constant and continuing patience and understanding and for continuing to support me as I work to serve my constituents and towards my vision and goal of making Missouri a better place to live, work and raise a family.  My two daughters, Katie and Abby are a constant reminder of why I have chosen public service as part of my career and that there are future generations and a "greater good" that we are all striving for when we "set to the task" each year in Jefferson City.  Please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can ever be of any assistance and I hope you continue to have a safe and joyous holiday season!

Until our next update, I am, and remain, in your service.