Akin, McCaskill enter home stretch of Senate campaign

The race between incumbent Sen. Claire McCaskill and U.S. Rep. Todd Akin enters the final leg with less than two weeks until election day.

McCaskill, however, has slowed down her campaign efforts in order to be with her mother, Betty Anne McCaskill, who is in intensive care at a St. Louis hospital.

Claire McCaskill has cancelled a statewide "get out the vote" tour and her spokeswomen, Caitlin Legacki, said the senator will not leave St. Louis while her mother is in intensive care.

Betty Anne McCaskill, 84, was the first woman to serve on Columbia's City Council and has been a fixture in her daughter's campaigns.

Akin's campaign Twitter account said the congressman's "thoughts and prayers" are with McCaskill and her mother.

The St. Louis congressman has been traveling around the state trying to draw attention to $40 million from the 2009 stimulus law that went to companies affiliated with McCaskill's husband, Joe Shephard.

Akin campaign spokesman Rick Tyler also published an e-mail exchange with a St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter on Akin's campaign website. Tyler's e-mail urged the paper to report on the stimulus money as well as a sexual harassment complaint filed in Illinois against Sugar Creek Realty, a business venture of McCaskill and her husband. Neither the senator nor her husband are named in the lawsuit.

Tyler's e-mail was a response to a message from Post-Dispatch reporter Kevin McDermott, who was seeking comment on a report of Akin's three arrests in 1985 for protesting at abortion clinics.

Tyler also posted McDermott's e-mail including the first part of the the Post's article on Akin's arrests, which had yet to be published.

Real Clear Politics, a poll aggregation website, has McCaskill leading Akin by 5 points.

Akin failed to report about 10 years of state employee pension income

(Missouri Digital News) -- Embattled Republican Senate candidate U.S. Rep. Todd Akin failed to report $129,000 in pension income he has received over the past decade from his time working in the Missouri House, his campaign said Thursday, Oct. 4.

Akin spokesman Steve Taylor said that Akin failed to include the income in his financial disclosure forms and that the St. Louis congressman has amended 10 years of those reports to fix the errors.

Akin acknowledged the mistake in a letter to the House Ethics Chairman U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner of Alabama on Tuesday, Oct. 2, according to a report from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"This is an unintentional oversight and I regret any inconvenience this may cause," Akin wrote in his letter.

This is the second time Akin has failed to adequately complete the disclosure forms. Akin amended about $350,000 in property holdings in 2010, according to the Post-Dispatch.

US Senate Candidate Mark Lodes Breaks Stereotypes

Mark Lodes, Republican candidate for US Senate, breaks many typical partisan stereotypes. For instance, he supports the Obama healthcare bill based on personal experience. Lodes is a diabetic. “I’ve been fighting insurance companies for the last twenty years over my condition,” he said in a telephone interview with the Sheridan Express. “I felt like we needed to fight the constantly rising healthcare costs in this country and this bill does that.” He noted that he was dropped from health insurance many times because of his medical condition. Lodes said that as a pro-life Christian, it was a moral value to ensure healthcare for all. “I looked at the Obama healthcare bill very carefully to see if it funded abortions with taxpayer dollars and it does not,” he said. “I could not have supported it if it had.” He said that while there was significant room for improvement in the Affordable Healthcare Act, it was a step in the right direction. He noted that Obama borrowed heavily from Republican ideas proposed in the last decade to combat the healthcare problem. Lodes said that the main change that he would make was to change the tax penalty for failing to purchase insurance to a credit for buying it. He said that his approach would foster growth. He said that he would also encourage the pooling of insurance to spread the risk. Lodes said that the main issue in Missouri was “jobs, jobs, and more jobs,” along with the rising national deficit. He said that his stances on the issues and his willingness to cross party lines made him the best qualified candidate. (Continued from Page 7) Specifically, Lodes said that the country needed to build the technical infrastructure to compete in the 21st century, including broadband to every community in the country. “This will give access to jobs for everyone,” Lodes explained. “When we have a well-trained workforce with the tools they need, we can be an unstoppable force. We have the potential to become the single most highly educated workforce in history.” Lodes said that he would be able to work across the aisle without compromising his values. “This is all about not leaving anyone in Missouri behind,” he said. Regarding education, Lodes said that he wanted to cut funding where possible and work on reducing the tax burden for people. He said that he wanted to reform the shortfalls of the school system where possible and foster co-mingling of public and private resources. Specifically, he said that there was a large need for English as Second Language courses in the cities, where public education was falling short. He said that he would remedy that by incentivizing private schools to offer help. On immigration, Lodes said that he would offer a carrot and stick approach. Normally, he said that he was in favor of smaller government; however, he said that on immigration, expansion of government was necessary. He said that he wanted more resources to go towards both more border security as well as hiring more government workers to process visa applications for this country. He said that part of the problem was that there was a huge backlog of applications for visas for the US. “This is an area we can’t afford to cut back on,” he said. “We are at our best as a country when we open our arms to those who want to come here. Here in Missouri, we have a ton of immigrants who came here legally who work hard and play by the rules. We also need the capacity to enforce our immigration laws as well.” Lodes said that he would also increase funding for road repairs as well. “We need to focus on the national debt, but we need to keep our roads in good shape so the people can get to their jobs,” he said. Lodes saw Northwest Missouri as having a lot of potential to become the wind capital for the rest of the state. He said that Missouri was in a strong position as far as energy was concerned because of the high amount of cheap coal, but he said that there was a need to diversify. “We don’t need a nuclear meltdown like Japan, so our future should be in clean energy,” he said.”I am envious when I travel to other states and see all the green energy being produced.” He said that he would favor a carrot and stick approach that he says would foster growth.

Libertarian US Senate Candidate Jonathan Dine -- Obamacare Unprecedented

Jonathan Dine website

US Senate Candidate Hector Maldonado is Iraq War Veteran

GOP US Senate Candidate Hector Maldonado is an Iraq War Veteran who touts his pro-NRA credentials as well as his anti-abortion stance. In this video, he shows many pictures of himself serving in Iraq. A lot of Conservative politicians have been attacked by Democrats (Bush II, Cheney, Quayle, Palin) for dodging the draft and then sending others to do what they wouldn't do themselves when they assumed power; however, it would be difficult to do this to Maldonado since he has served in Iraq and knows what it's like.

US Senate Candidate Robert Poole says Truckers are Backbone for Economy

GOP US Senate Candidate Robert Poole says that truckdrivers are the backbone to the economy. He would work with World Power Corporation, an energy production company, on a plan which he says would create 200,000 jobs within his first 120 days in office. He focuses extensively on alternative energy. He would pay off student loans for all students who maintain an A or B average in college and would refuse to vote for any bill unless he reads it in its entirety.

 

JOBS... CREATING THEM NOW...

 It doesn't take a political genius to figure out that we need jobs back in America now, however none of our politicians or leaders have a plan on how they can provide us with those much needed jobs. I DO. As you read about these important issues that we as a country are facing TOGETHER, you will see exactly how I am going to bring the jobs we need back to this state and country. This is not another empty promise or great plan lacking true substance, I have real jobs and I have them now. By working with World Power Corporation we will be able to provide at least 200,000 JOBS within my first 120 days and this will trickle down to much, much more in the coming years. All the jobs created by World Power Corporation will be PERMANENT AND HIGH PAYING JOBS!

TRUCKERS... MONEY IN YOUR POCKET NOW...

 I believe that they truckers are the backbone of America. Think about it, everything you buy and consume is moved by a truck to get to it's destination. My plan is to introduce a bill into congress TO CUT DIESEL FUEL TAX OUT COMPLETELY FOR SIX MONTHS. This will give you guys and gals a much needed break NOW. This will put $30, $60, $90 a day, and more cash back in your pockets TODAY. I will also meet with the governors of all the states to try and get them to reduce the price of tolls for truckers to the same price of cars. 

 Did you know that all farmers get a tax break on their diesel fuel. This is a good thing and they deserve it because they are growing our crops, but the truckers  deserve this break also because they move our crops.

 By getting rid of these taxes it will bring down the cost of food for the consumer as well. Everything in America is moved by our truckers, so when they get hit at the pump, we get hit at the store. By implementing this bill, we not only help the truckers but we help the everyday consumer as well.

 

For more information, read his website here.

Mark Memoly -- Using Technology to Connect People with Higher Paying Jobs

GOP US Senate Candidate Mark Memoly posted an idea for connecting people with higher paying jobs:

Mining a product to enhance Environment
Employing People with Quality Jobs
Manufacturing to enhance Environment
Offering individuals Higher Wages
Liberating many people from poverty today
Yes we can do it Modernizing Energy & Transportation Infrastructure
= Memoly in Missouri
USA = What we will do first: Make changes to Job Application Process enabling people to save time i.e. not repeatedly typing information i.e. High School.
PACCAR is one company that offers this type of application. Teaming up with Business, Community Groups, Government, & Labor will employ people and generate Fun.
Imagine you have just worked an 80 hour week and the last thing you want to do is look for a job.
Because you completed this application process, similar to E-Verify, an employer contacts you and offers a salary increase of $16,000.

For a complete rundown of his ideas, visit his campaign website here.

Sarah Steelman Pledges to Repeal Obamacare

by Sarah Steelman
GOP Candidate
Missouri Senate


Sen. McCaskill has stated repeatedly that Missourians will like ObamaCare once they know what's in it. (Editor -- Here is what McCaskill said according to PoliticsMO: "McCaskill said she believes many Missourians would like the state-level exchanges if lawmakers would allow them to move forward.
'For some reason, the folks in Jeff City don’t want to set up that state exchange. It is almost as if they want the federal government to do it instead of the states,' McCaskill said. 'I think they’re just trying to make a political point instead of trying to help people with their health insurance.'")
Well, unlike Sen. McCaskill, I have actually read the bill and I can tell you that there's a lot to dislike, namely over a dozen new taxes, many of which will be paid by individuals making under $250,000. Sen. McCaskill was ObamaCare's biggest advocate in the Senate, and now she's going to have to admit to Missourians that she forgot to mention the tax increases, penalties, mandates on employers and restrictions on care…or maybe she'll just tell them they'll learn to like it.

It is the height of hypocrisy for liberal elitists like Sen. McCaskill to tell people that they know what's best for them, despite the fact that an overwhelming majority of Missourians don't want ObamaCare and view it as something that will negatively impact their health care plans and pocketbooks. Well, now it appears that we'll see a patchwork of states around the country refuse to set up exchanges or participate in the Medicaid expansion. I suppose Sen. McCaskill will tell those Governors who refuse to comply that they don't know what 's best for their states and recommend that they be forced into lockstep.

I pledge to the people of Missouri that I will fight to repeal every last word of ObamaCare. I will always listen to the people and never dismiss them by saying that I know what's best, and I will always look to our Constitution to determine if a bill is within what our framers intended.

GOP Senate Candidate Jerry Beck on "Economic Terrorism"

Republican US Senate Candidate Jerry Beck:

TERRORISM IS A PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT USED TO INTIMIDATE...DISRUPT AND DESTROY THE MINDS AND WILL POWER OF THOSE CONSPIRACY TARGETS FOR PLUNDER. TERRORISM IS A PRODUCT OF ALL COLLECTIVIST STATES OF BEING, AND IS THE INTRINSIC VEHICLE USED TO KEEP ALL SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ORDERS IN LINE AND DENY ANY REAL ADDRESS  OR REDRESS FOR THE VIOLATIONS OF "INALIENABLE RIGHTS". TERRORISM IS MANY FACETED AND IS THE BOTTOM LINE THAT ACCOMPANIES ALL OF THE THEATER FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION. THE SPECIOUS USE OF INSINUATIONS PERMEATES ALL LITERATURE AND PRESS OF THE DAY TO POSITION AN EMBARRASSMENT OR WORSE FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT QUESTION OR EXPRESS AN ATTITUDE OPPOSED TO THOSE OF THE "POLICE STATE STATUS QUO" OF THE DAY.

He goes on to state that the press helps enable the government and charges the government with psychological, economic, and collectivistic tactics; for instance, if one does not comply with certain rules, they do not get the promised benefits.

For the complete piece, visit here.

Editorial -- Stop the Mudslinging in MO Senate Race

The mudslinging in the Republican Senate Race is getting out of hand to the point where Todd Akin is devoting a good chunk of his front page to what he says are the lies and distortions of his opposition. But none of this does any good in helping people decide who the best choice should be. The one thing that will help undecided voters make up their minds is where people stand on the issues. For instance, Mr. Akin makes perfect sense when he talks about how No Child Left Behind is a disaster for public education:

Education of children is best left to the wisdom of parents, teachers and the taxpayers of local communities. The intrusion of the federal government into the education of our children pulls needed funds from our communities to Washington, DC, and yet returns only a fraction of those funds back to our schools. In fact, in retrieving those apportioned funds, local communities must agree to Washington’s terms to get their own money back – those terms are largely unfunded mandates which put further burdens on our schools and teachers, and as those mandates strain budgets, a greater burden is then put on the taxpayer whose money went to Washington in the first place.

We need to return local control to our schools. In 2001, I opposed my own party when I stood in opposition to President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act.

My party had strayed from its principles in seeking to expand the federal reach into our classrooms. The bill before me lacked needed reforms to provide increased flexibility for local schools, educational choice, and consolidation of existing federal programs. Instead, it was a 1,000 page bill with over 2,000 directives from Washington, D.C. for states, school boards, teachers and parents.
Currently, schools spend countless hours meeting over burdensome federal regulations in order to receive money that is less than ten percent of their overall budget. It is time to end Washington’s trend as “Federal Superintendent of Education” and give control and funding back to the States and local school boards. In short, reducing excessive federal regulations will make more dollars available our local schools, and allow those who actually interact with students to focus spending where it is most needed.

This is the sort of thing which will help voters decide one way or another when they enter the voting booth. In that regard, we had an interesting interview with one of the other candidates, Mark Lodes, which we will publish in the July 11th edition of the Sheridan Express. He is not your typical political candidate; he has an independent voice and has a lot of interesting ideas to revive the dormant economy. Stay tuned.

Opinion: Big Oil Gets Their Guy in Missouri as Todd Akin Announces Senate Run

by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Big Oil will surely be celebrating today as Todd Akin, the GOP’s 5th or 6th choice in the Republican primary, is expected to announce that he is running for Senate in Missouri. But while his candidacy may be great news for Big Oil special interests, there’s nothing Missouri families would celebrate about Akin’s record. In Congress, “Big Oil” Todd voted six times to protect Big Oil tax breaks, all while taking $47,000 in campaign cash from the oil and gas industry. Meanwhile, Big Oil companies have been raking in billions in profits while prices at the pump skyrocket.

“Big Oil special interests are probably popping bottles of champagne now that they have their candidate in the race, but there’s nothing about ‘Big Oil’ Todd’s record that Missouri families would ever celebrate,” said Matt Canter, spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “When he has to choose between his campaign contributors and doing what’s right for Missourians, Big Oil Todd will choose the special interests every single time. Missouri deserves a senator with the independence and courage to stand up for taxpayers and end the billion dollar paydays for Big Oil.”

BACKGROUND:

Todd Akin Has Accepted $47,750 From The Oil And Gas Industry. Since beginning his congressional career, Akin has accepted $47,750 from the oil and gas industry. [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 5/17/11]

Akin has repeatedly voted to protect Big Oil tax breaks. Earlier this month, Akin voted to block a vote on a motion to repeal the Section 199 domestic manufacturing tax credit for the five largest oil companies. [Vote 293, 5/05/11]

Akin voted to protect tax breaks for Big Oil companies earlier this year…In March 2011, Akin voted against a measure that would have repealed oil and gas production tax breaks for major integrated oil companies for the proposed two week period in the House budget continuing resolution. Rep. William Keating, who offered the motion to recommit, said, “Our alternative is an alternative of sensible spending cuts. Let’s stop sending taxpayer money to the most profitable companies in the world.” The motion failed, 176-249. [CQ Today, 3/01/11; HJR 44, Vote #153, 3/01/11]

…And again in 2008. In 2008, Akin voted against considering the rule to allow the House to vote on the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act and allow for the House to vote on the legislation. The bill comprehensively invested resources into wind, solar, and geothermal energy systems. Furthermore, it extended tax credits to producers of cleaner burning bio-diesel and cellulosic alcohol based fuels. The legislation also eliminated a manufacturing tax deduction for larger oil and gas companies. The motion passed, 224-186. [Release, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, 2/27/08; HR 5351, Vote 78, 2/27/08]

…And again. In 2008, Akin voted against a motion to end debate on the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act and allow for the House to vote on the legislation. The bill comprehensively invested resources into wind, solar, and geothermal energy systems. Furthermore, it extended tax credits to producers of cleaner burning bio-diesel and cellulosic alcohol based fuels. The legislation also eliminated a manufacturing tax deduction for larger oil and gas companies. The motion passed, 214-189. [Release, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, 2/27/08; HR 5351, Vote 80, 2/27/08]

Akin also opposed a plan to repeal tax breaks for Big Oil in 2007. Akin voted against shifting certain revenue from royalties and tax incentives from oil and gas companies into a reserve fund for alternative and renewable energies. The bill would require current offshore fuel producers who are not paying federal royalties to agree to pay royalties when fuel prices reach certain thresholds or pay fees based on how much fuel they produce. The bill passed 264-163. [New York Times, 1/19/07; Speaker Pelosi Press Release, 1/18/07; CQ Floor Votes, 1/18/07; HR 6, Vote 40, 1/18/07]

Akin also opposed removing tax breaks for Big Oil in 2006. Akin voted against a motion to instruct conferees negotiating H.R. 4297, the Tax Reconciliation Bill. The motion would instruct House conferees to 1) accept three bipartisan provisions from the Senate that would remove subsidies and close loopholes for large integrated oil companies, so that big oil companies would pay their fair share of taxes, and 2) strike the extension of the capital gains and dividend tax cuts. The total for these two proposals was $51 billion. In 2005, the top five oil companies reaped more than $100 million, three times their profits in 2002. The motion failed 190-232. [McDermott Talking Points, “Republicans Fight for Big Oil Subsidies and Loopholes”; HR4297, Vote 109, 4/27/06]

Opinion -- Missouri Records-Gate Continues: What’s In Steelman’s Missing Documents?

By the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

After four days, Sarah Steelman, the former Missouri State Treasurer and top recruit of the Republican establishment, is still refusing to respond to reports that “most of the key documents” from her tenure as Missouri state treasurer are missing from state archives. Now, new revelations suggest what she might be hiding: according to media reports at the time, Steelman aides used taxpayer-funded state resources to discuss political activities.

Steelman’s staff in the Treasurer’s office discussed working for her campaign consultant while using state email accounts. In February 2008, Steelman staff members Doug Gaston and Jane Dudeck-Gilstrap held a conversation over state email about Dudeck-Gilstrap going to work part time for Steelman’s gubernatorial campaign consultant. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 5/29/08]

“Sarah Steelman is still refusing to explain what happened to the emails and schedules from her time as State Treasurer. But news reports at the time detailed how her staff was using taxpayer-funded resources for political purposes. Is this why she is hiding the public records? Whatever the explanation, Steelman needs to come clean immediately,” said Matt Canter, spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “These revelations and her unwillingness to address them raise serious questions about Steelman’s fitness for public office and until she finally comes clean, she shouldn’t expect voters to take her seriously.”

Last week it was reported that “key documents” from Sarah Steelman’s tenure as state treasurer have gone missing, even though they are protected from destruction under Missouri state law. Since then, Steelman has refused to answer questions about the whereabouts of the documents.

Shockingly, Steelman herself actually sought to increase penalties for public officials who “purposefully” destroy records protected under Missouri’s Sunshine Law; if Steelman “purposefully” destroyed these records, she could face $5,000 in fines.

MORE BACKGROUND:

Documents from Steelman’s tenure as State Treasurer have gone missing. Last week it was reported that documents that are “routinely retained” under law have gone missing. [Politico, 3/31/11]

Steelman led the charge to increase penalties for public officials who “purposefully” destroyed records protected under Missouri’s Sunshine Law. If Steelman “purposefully” destroyed these records, she could face $5,000 in fines. When discussing the importance of retaining public records, Steelman said “It is the bedrock of democracy to make sure that we have an informed public, and to do that, you have to be able to access your government," Steelman said. . . . The old law allowed a judge to impose a fine of up to $500 for a ‘purposeful’ violation. The new law boosts the possible fine to $5,000. It also creates the category of ‘knowing’ violation, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.” [Associated Press, 6/8/04; St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2/17/02]

Opinion: Blunt Supports Insurance Companies Denying People for Preexisting Conditions.

By the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee

A day after Congressman Blunt’s spokesman tried to walk back video footage of the DC insider telling an audience of health care professionals in Springfield that he’s AGAINST stopping insurance companies from denying coverage based on preexisting conditions, Congressman Blunt is doubling down on his support for barring Missourians with preexisting conditions from getting health care. Congressman Blunt’s spokesman told the Kansas City Star yesterday that the DC insider “has always supported coverage of adults with preexisting conditions,” despite the video footage which proves otherwise. This morning however, Congressman Blunt went on Allman in the Morning and responded to the flap by saying “actually I thought that clip was right on target, to tell you the truth.”

“By doubling down on his support for barring Missourians with preexisting conditions from gaining access to health care, Congressman Roy Blunt showed once and for all he represents the very worst of Washington,” said Deirdre Murphy, National Press Secretary for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “Whether it is his all too constant DC Doubletalk, his never-ending support for insurance companies, or his long standing record of sticking it to the middle class, Congressman Roy Blunt is simply wrong for Missouri families.”

Washington insider Congressman Blunt has a record of sticking it to the middle class. Blunt rubberstamped the disastrous policies put into place by former President George W. Bush that protected Wall Street and exploded the federal deficit. And now he continues to stand in the way of commonsense efforts to jumpstart job creation. The people of Missouri can thank Blunt for thousands of lost jobs, tax credits for corporations that move their jobs overseas, and a huge trade imbalance. Congressman Blunt's record is so disastrous that even Republicans remain unimpressed with Congressman Blunt, who has failed to crack 50% against his main primary challenger, Chuck Purgason, who has steadily been gaining ground with Republican voters.

Congressman Blunt on KFTK with Jamie Allman April 14, 2010

Allman: Congressman Roy Blunt, how are you buddy?

Blunt: Hey Jamie, it’s good to be with you this morning, and actually I thought that clip was right on target to tell you the truth. If you look at RoyBlunt.com, you’ll see the dozen bills that I sponsored for real healthcare reform that treat people fairly, that look to competition, that make insurance companies work harder to get your business, but that discussion is exactly what it is. People will figure out quickly how to game this system, and it's not very complicated, and people are really smart, and they're going to figure out that this is just one of many weaknesses in this bill. Remember Nancy Pelosi famously said, “we’ll know what’s in the bill after we pass it.” And the more people look at this bill, the more they look at the unbelievable cost, and the ways that it will actually raise the cost of insurance for everybody. And I think we’ll wind up with more people uninsured most of the time. They’re going to decide they like it even less than they think they like it now.

Allman: Ya.

Blunt: And so, we’ve had a lot of discussions, a lot of roundtables. Every business person who provides insurance, frankly, I haven't been in a discussion everybody didn't quickly understand that if the penalty is less than the cost of monthly insurance, and you can get insurance whenever you want to at the price everybody else pays, a lot of people decide that it's smarter for them and their family if they just pay the penalty until somebody, until they need to go to the hospital. In fact, one hospital in Missouri has suggested to me only half way in jest, that they might have to put the insurance forms in the ambulance, so you can just sign up for insurance on your way to the hospital, and by the way, when you do that under this bill, you get insurance for the same price that everybody else has been paying who's had insurance all along."

Allman: Ya Congressman Blunt, though, you know, as I pointed out earlier, and right after Obamacare passed, I said the spider web that has been created by Obamacare is this, you guys wander into it because all that repealing is going to be now is taking gifts away, that are perceived gifts to the American public, one of them this preexisting conditions deal. And from your standpoint as a practical standpoint, yes, it’s wrong on down the line because of it’s impact on, well, people who are already insured, and but as a principle matter, as a matter of principle, the government has no business dictating who a company covers and who they don’t cover. I mean bottom line is that. Somebody called in earlier and said, “well, we shouldn’t really pursue that because it’s not a big deal and it’s going to make us look bad,” and I go, “well, you’re either going to pursue it wholly or you’re not going to pursue it at all. You’re either going to stand up for liberty, or you’re not going to stand up for liberty.”

Blunt: Well, I think that’s right, Jamie, and of course that’s one of the jobs of Allman in the Morning to point out to people the, what really happens here as opposed to what the President and Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are saying is going to happen. I mean when the President’s been saying day after day now as he’s been out talking about this healthcare bill, “this is only the first step”. Well, what do you think is the blank that he’s hoping his supporters fill in that blank with, and (it’s) “this is only the first step, to government-run healthcare” because it’s going to make the system work so inefficiently and so ineffectively that the system will collapse, and it will start with people not buying insurance until their doctors told them they have to have it and they have to have it immediately. This has happened, this happens in Massachusetts now. It’s the big problem with the Massachusetts system. They have a must-insure policy, and I think they have a minimum of like 3 months, is the minimum amount of time you can buy insurance, and lots of people only buy insurance for the 3 months that they’re, that they know they’re going to be in the hospital, they know they’re going to have a procedure, or they know they’re going to have some expense. And obviously, that drives up the cost of insurance for everyone. But you know, I’ve been an advocate of letting more people into the risk pools, certainly of portability, of everything you need to do to treat people fairly, but this bill will not do that, and it certainly won’t treat people fairly who continue to buy their insurance all the time in case they need it because other people will be just paying the penalty until they need it, and this is not exactly rocket-science and people are smart, and they will quickly figure this out.

Allman: Well, stay with it Congressman, even though you’re going to be criticized and picked on for this, and treated like you’re some kind of scrooge, but reality is reality, and when you mention Massachusetts by the way, you’re absolutely right. More people are covered in Massachusetts, but premiums in Massachusetts for most people have gone up 30-40% which is unbelievable. So.

Blunt: Right.

Allman: RoyBlunt.com. We appreciate you sticking to it. And we’ll talk to you again whenever you feel like it, Congressman Blunt.

Blunt: I will stick to it and thank you for all you’re doing every day my friend. I’ll see you soon.

Allman: Alright, you take care now.