IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
W
e hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. He has refused his Assent to Laws , the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance. He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power. For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments: In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends. We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. 2
U. S. REPRESENTATIVE, 7th District Taken directly from candidate websites, campaign materials, public information websites and news websites and publications. Please refer to these sources for more detailed information and references.
DEMOCRAT Jim Evans
Jimevansforcongress.com
REPUBLICAN Billy Long
billylongforcongress.com
LIBERTARIAN Kevin Craig kevincraig.us
Personal Information Public School teacher, Beef cattle business Real estate investment and property mgmt. MA in Mathematics MSU 2 years U.S. Army Married to Terri Born in Republic, MO
2 terms U.S. House Realtor, Auctioneer Radio Talk Show Host Married to Barbara, 2 daughters Born in Springfield, MO
JD, Simon Greenleaf School of Law “I was raised in a very conservative and patriotic home. I now live in a radical left wing hippie commune called the Catholic Worker”
Stated Spiritual Values No statement found
First & Calvary Presbyterian Church.
Christian Anarchist
Civil Rights SAME SEX MARRIAGE
DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE
FREEDOM TO MARRY
States best suited to determine what is right for communities. Marriage exists as a legal institution to define responsibilities, rights, and obligations. “When I think of marriage, I visualize a man marrying a woman.”
If you're for people you support equality for Missourians in regard to same-sex marriage.
RIGHT TO KEEP & BEAR ARMS
RIGHT TO KEEP & BEAR ARMS
RIGHT TO KEEP & BEAR ARMS
“Level the playing field” for all gun purchases via enhanced universal instant background check system. Integration of more comprehensively identifying persons disqualified by mental health issues. Link appropriate firearms use and safety training to acquisition. Rigorous enforcement of laws regarding “gun trafficking.”
Government should not impede the Second Amendment. Constitution protects our right to keep and bear arms for defense or sport. Vigorously fight any attempts to reinstate the assault weapons ban or other legislation to limit the right of law-abiding citizens to own guns.
Oppose all gun control laws. Second Amendment designed to protect the rights of armed revolutionaries to defend themselves against their government. Any politician who advocates gun control laws arguably violates her oath of office to support the principles of the Constitution.
It is ethically desirable that all persons be accommodated in their commitments to consensual, loving, permanent adult relationships and legally obligatory to treat all citizens with equality under the law
Constitution The principles of life, liberty, freedom and the power of the individual are values that we need to protect.
The first step to "Liberty Under God" is "backtracking" to return to " Organic Law" of our country.
Education Local school officials and parents much better suited to know what is best for students, not federal government. Top priority is to remove burdens and let state and local authorities decide. Federal unfunded mandates try to force one-size fits all system. Empower local educators and parents with tools to address problems as they see fit.
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Education is no more governmental function than selling groceries. Give parents full choice over education, just like they have full choice over their children's diet, and watch capitalists help parents give their children the highest test scores in the world. Not to mention honesty, morality, and Christian character which is what a majority of parents want for their children..
U. S. REPRESENTATIVE, 7th District Continued DEMOCRAT Jim Evans
REPUBLICAN Billy Long
LIBERTARIAN Kevin Craig
Economy SMALL BUSINESS
FEDERAL OVERSIGHT
Repeal the job-killing health care law passed in 2010; it burdens small businesses with increased costs that force them to eliminate health care choices or eliminate employees. Co-sponsor of the Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act, which eliminates the health care law’s mandate that would force businesses to file 1099 forms for every expense over $600.
The Tenth Amendment in the Bill of Rights summarizes the philosophy of the Constitution: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
TAXES
TAXES
Deficits are not because we are taxed too little, but because Washington spends too much. Wealth belongs to those who work for it. CoSponsor: Fair Tax that eliminates IRS and income, employment, and death taxes; replaces with consumption-based tax. Tax Code Termination Act ends Internal Revenue Code of 1986 after Dec. 31, 2015, except for self-employment, FICA, and railroad retirement taxes. VOTED YES Job Protection and Recession Prevention Act to stop end of year tax increases, r. August 2012
The American Revolution was fought over tax rates of 2-4%. Americans today pay ten times more than the amount our Founding Fathers took up arms to fight. Acceptance of this state of affairs is un-American. Thomas Paine, in his influential book Common Sense, noted that Samuel warned Israel that the king they desired would take one-tenth of their income. Today it would be called "tax-relief." God commanded, "Thou shalt not steal." Today's politicians add, “except by majority vote."
Energy & Environment AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURE
Co-sponsor Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act to amend Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide and Federal Water Pollution Control Acts. ENERGY
ENERGY
Reverse Obama policies and end drilling moratorium, increase onshore and offshore production, open up resources around the country such as Alaska and North Dakota’s Bakken formation. Co-sponsor: American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act.
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We don't need to "conserve" energy, we need to develop cleaner and cheaper energy sources. It is the Free Market -- inventors, investors, industrialists, financiers, businessmen, and consumers freely planning, choosing, purchasing energy and rewarding the best businesses -- that has given us ever-increasing access to energy.
U. S. REPRESENTATIVE, 7th District Continued REPUBLICAN Jim Evans
REPUBLICAN Billy Long
LIBERTARIAN Kevin Craig
Healthcare “Repair and replace” the Affordable Care Act. Best approach to national health care is through an improved Medicare for All program. Oppose all efforts to simply “repeal and revert” as such an action will leave millions again uninsured and subject to health care access and affordability sharply limited by giant private health insurance companies.
People, not the government, are the source of prosperity in our country and they make the American health care system the envy of the world. Need common sense solutions that will strengthen our health care system. Buy insurance across state lines so competition lowers costs. Pass tort reform so doctors can give patients the best medical care possible without fear of unreasonable retribution.
Immigration Immigrants can enhance our communities and that diversity is good. Public policy in this area must also entail respect for law and acknowledge the complications that unregulated immigration poses for our economy and society.
Complete border fence and deploy National Guard if necessary until we have firm control over who enters this nation. Vigorous enforcement of immigration laws by police whenever they encounter illegal aliens, especially if during investigation of other criminal conduct. Co-sponsor: National Guard Border Enforcement Act, which directs the Secretary of Defense to deploy the National Guard for border control activities along the U.S.-Mexican border.
By 2020 abolish all anti-immigration laws. Create network of voluntary social service agencies to meet immigrants and ensure their literacy and familiarity with American values. Commit to on-going transmission of American values to immigrants. Expand, or maintain, current legal immigration quotas; increase permanently H-1B visas and deregulate employment-based immigration; remove one-year limit on filing for political asylum.
Retirement Security Obamacare cuts Medicare by half a trillion dollars and institutes a board of bureaucrats whose sole purpose is to deny care to seniors. This law is wrong for the country.
If you're under 45, forget about Medicare. You're not getting any. The system is bankrupt. Congress intends to pay off benefits with inflated currency
Sanctity of Life Men and women should have broad access to all means of family planning so that they can exercise their intimate right to choose when they conceive and rear children.
One hundred % pro-life. Co-sponsored several pro-life bills to establish that life begins at conception, prevent tax payer dollars from funding abortions, and ensure no funds under Title X awarded for performing services for, or providing funds for abortion. Co-Sponsor: April, 2011 No Taxpayer Funding for Abortions Act.
The intentional killing of an innocent, defenseless person is murder. This has to be the most basic foundation of a humane society. But even before this need arises, self-government operates to prevent unwanted pregnancies and cultivate a positive value for human life.
Veterans Our service men and women make our military the strongest in the world and defend our nation and way of life. Congress must give them unwavering support to complete their mission as quickly and safely as possible.
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Today’s soldiers are our future veterans, and should never be sent to war without clear objectives that serve definite American national security.
STATE OF MISSOURI Taken directly from candidate websites, campaign materials, public information websites and news websites and publications. Please refer to these sources for more detailed information and references.
AUDITOR REPUBLICAN
LIBERTARIAN
Thomas Schweich
Sean O’Toole
tomschweich.com Missouri State Auditor 2010-2014
otoole4mo.com Candidate for State Treasurer 2012
JD, Harvard Law School
Attorney Bryan Cave LLP Chief of Staff to 3 U S Ambassadors to UN
CONSTITUTION Rodney Farthing
cpmo.us/2014/04 Dev. Dir. ARM Prison Outreach. St. Louis Christian College Pulpit ministry 33 years Candidate for State Treasurer 2008
UNOPPOSED INCUMBENTS Republican STATE SENATOR Ron Richard
STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 127
DISTRICT 159
DISTRICT 160
DISTRICT 162
Mike Kelley
Bill Lant
Bill Reiboldt
Charlie Davis
The newly independent thirteen States were concerned their new government may become too powerful, as King George's was, and insisted handcuffs be placed on the power of the Federal Government. They subsequently created the First Ten Amendments or Bill of Rights, ratified DECEMBER 15, 1791. Our freedoms hinge on the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Regarding this, Thomas Jefferson wrote to Samuel Miller, January 23,1808: "I consider the government of the U.S. as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or exercises. This results not only from the provision that no law shall be made respecting the establishment or free exercise of religion, but from that also which reserves to the states the powers not delegated to the U.S. Every religious society has a right to determine for itself the times for these exercises, and the objects proper for them, according to their own particular tenets." The first Colonial Legislative Act, called the Great Law of Pennsylvania, December 7, 1682, stated: "That no person...who shall confess and acknowledge one Almighty God to be the Creator, Upholder and Ruler of the World...shall in any case be molested or prejudiced for his, or her Conscientious persuasion or practice."
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STATE OF MISSOURI Continued Taken directly from candidate websites, campaign materials, public information websites and news websites and publications. Please refer to these sources for more detailed information and references.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE District 161 REPUBLICAN
DEMOCRAT
William (Bill) White
Charles (Hugh) Shields
Electbillwhite.com
facebook.com/pages/Charles-Hugh-Shields
2 terms, MO State Rep Former Jasper County Juvenile Attorney JD, Washburn University U.S. Marine Corps Married to Ellen, 4 children (2 adopted)
Worked in engineering 40 years Taught Engineering Technology Pitt State 1 one year Masters, Mechanical Engineering, USC Married to Ramona, 1 daughter, 9 grandchildren
Economy Create an environment where new businesses will come to Missouri and existing Missouri businesses can expand. Free business from excessive government bureaucracy.
Energy Expand Missouri's tax base instead of forcing Missouri utilities to invest outside of Missouri or in higher priced, less effective, technologies to meet bureaucratically set requirements.
Healthcare Joplin’s quality care should not be diminished, rationed, nationalized, controlled by the federal government, or driven out of Joplin to be available only in large urban areas by current federal plans.
Retirement Security Taxes should not drive people out of their homes or reduce the basic necessities that they can afford. Programs such as "Meals on Wheels" that combine government resources and local volunteers and help to maintain senior's independence and quality of life need to be encouraged and funded.
Right to Keep & Bear Arms Will defend our 2nd Amendment rights. Firmly believe that the right to own and bear arms carries with it a tremendous obligation to do so responsibly. Support the "castle doctrine" that you have a right to defend your family and home.
Sanctity of Life Pro-family. Pro-life “It is well known that there have always been those amongst us who wish to enlarge the powers of the General Government...to overstep the boundaries marked out for it by the Constitution." ~ President Andrew Jackson, 1837
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STATE OF MISSOURI Information taken from Judgepedia.org and Courts.mo.gov
JUDICIAL RETENTIONS COURT of APPEALS, SOUTHERN DISTRICT Mary W. Sheffield
Nancy Steffen Rahmeyer
Personal Information JD, University of Miami, Miami, FL. BA, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC Married to W. Kent Wray, three children
JD, University of Arkansas MS Ed, Southwest Missouri State University BS. Iowa State University
Stated Spiritual Values None listed
None listed
Professional Experience Court of Appeals, Southern District, 2012 Circuit Judge, 25th Judicial Circuit, 2004-12 Associate circuit judge, Phelps County, 1983-2004
Appointed to the Court of Appeals, 2001 Retained in office, November, 2002 Clerk, Federal District Court, 1987-89 Part-time municipal judge, Springfield, 1993-2001 Private law practice, Springfield, 1989-2001
Additional Information Chaired the judicial section of the 2003 Hague Convention on International Child Kidnapping. Currently serves as one of four United States international liaison judges to The Hague Convention on International Child Abduction. President Millard Fillmore ended his Annual Message, December 2, 1850: "I cannot bring this communication to a close without invoking you to join me in humble and devout thanks to the Great Ruler of Nations for the multiplied blessings which He has graciously bestowed upon us. His hand, so often visible in our preservation, has stayed the pestilence, saved us from foreign wars and domestic disturbances, and scattered plenty throughout the land." And two years later, December 6, 1852, his Annual Message asserted: "We owe these blessings, under Heaven, to the Constitution and Government...bequeathed to us by our fathers, and which it is our sacred duty to transmit...to our children."
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STATE OF MISSOURI Continued Taken directly from candidate websites, campaign materials, public information websites and news websites and publications. Please refer to these sources for more detailed information and references.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE District 163 REPUBLICAN
DEMOCRAT
Thomas Flanigan
Michael Jarrett
tomflanigan.com
facebook.com/Jarrett4Mo163
Personal Information 6 years, U. S. Navy Attended University of Missouri EMT course, MSSU
3 terms, MO State Rep Carthage City Council
Special Assistant, MO State Senator Gary Nodler Owner, Thomas Flanigan Insurance Agency
BA Missouri University, Columbia MSSU Married to Anita, 3 children
Stated Spiritual Values Member, Grace Episcopal Church
Christian. Part of Spirit of Christ MCC
Economy Focus on more jobs, school funding, and paved roads.
Consistently voted YES on tax and tax rate reduction legislation.
Healthcare Co-sponsored bill to allow healthcare providers to opt out of abortionrelated and embryonic stem cell research procedures.
Big supporter of Medicaid expansion.
Right to Keep & Bear Arms Consistently voted YES on gun rights legislation.
Sanctity of Life “Two PROVEN ways to reduce abortions. 1. Comprehensive sex education (and yes, that includes abstinence but everything else as well). 2. Free or low cost birth control.”
Has consistently voted YES on pro-life legislation.
Unions Voted YES on “right-to-work” and requiring employee consent for union dues withholding legislation.
Big supporter of voting participation and unions.
"All liberty is individual liberty... The principle of equality is recognized. It follows inevitably from belief in the brotherhood of man through the fatherhood of God. When once the right of the individual to liberty and equality is admitted, there is no escape from the conclusion that he alone is entitled to the rewards of his own industry...It seems to me perfectly plain that the authority of law, the right to equality, liberty and property, under American institutions, have for their foundation reverence for God. If we could imagine that to be swept away, these institutions of our American government could not long survive." ~ President Calvin Coolidge, September 21, 1924 9
NEWTON COUNTY PRESIDING COMMISSIONER REPUBLICAN
DEMOCRAT
LIBERTARIAN
Marilyn Ruestman
Jenna Lea Booth
Roxie Fausnaught
1 term Newton Co. Presiding Commissioner State Rep 131st, 4 terms, Majority Caucus Secretary Masters in HRD, PSU
No information found
V.A widow’s pension East Newton High School
UNOPPOSED Republican ASSOCIATE CIRCUIT JUDGE DIV. II
ASSOCIATE CIRCUIT JUDGE DIV. III
Gregory Stremel
Kevin L. Selby
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
AUDITOR
COLLECTOR of REVENUE
Jacob R. Skouby
Charlotte Walker Ward
James W. Otey
COUNTY CLERK
CIRCUIT COURT CLERK
RECORDER of DEEDS
Kay Baum
Patty A. Krueger
Lenora Hyder
"We have gathered here to affirm a faith, a faith in a common purpose, a common conviction, a common devotion. Some of us have chosen America as the land of our adoption; the rest have come from those who did the same...We sought liberty; freedom from oppression, freedom from want, freedom to be ourselves. I often wonder whether we do not rest our hopes too much upon constitutions, upon laws and upon courts. These are false hopes; believe me, these are false hopes. Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can even do much to help it... And what is this liberty which must lie in the hearts of men and women? It is not the ruthless, the unbridled will; it is not freedom to do as one likes. That is the denial of liberty, and leads straight to its overthrow. A society in which men recognize no check upon their freedom soon becomes a society where freedom is the possession of only a savage few; as we have learned to our sorrow. What then is the spirit of liberty? I cannot define it; I can only tell you my own faith. The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right; the spirit of liberty is the spirit which seeks to understand the mind of other men and women; the spirit of liberty is the spirit which weighs their interests alongside its own without bias; the spirit of liberty remembers that not even a sparrow falls to earth unheeded; the spirit of liberty is the spirit of Him who, near two thousand years ago, taught mankind that lesson it has never learned but never quite forgotten; that there may be a kingdom where the least shall be heard and considered side by side with the greatest." ~ Judge Learned Hand at New York’s annual "I Am an American Day," May 21, 1944
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JASPER COUNTY UNOPPOSED Republican ASSOCIATE CIRCUIT JUDGE Division 4
Division 5
Division 6
John Nicholas johnnicholasforjudge.com
Joe Hensley
Stephen P. Carlton
hensleyforjudge.com
PRESIDING COMMISSIONER
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
John Bartosh
Dean Dankelson
RECORDER OF DEEDS
COLLECTOR OF REVENUE
Charlotte Feather Pickering
Stephen H. Holt
COUNTY CLERK
CIRCUIT CLERK
AUDITOR
Marilyn S. Baugh
Melissa Holcomb
Richard M. Webster
Samuel Adams, "The Father of the American Revolution," called for the first Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence, stating: "We have explored the temple of royalty, and found that the idol we have bowed down to, has eyes which see not, ears that hear not our prayers, and a heart like the nether millstone. We have this day restored the Sovereign, to whom alone all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven... There are instances of, I would say, an almost astonishing Providence in our favor; our success has staggered our enemies, and almost given faith to infidels; so that we may truly say it is not our own arm which has saved us. The hand of Heaven appears to have led us on to be, perhaps, humble instruments and means in the great Providential dispensation which is completing... We have fled from the political Sodom; let us not look back... We may, with humility of soul, cry out, 'Not unto us, not unto us, but to thy Name be the praise'...
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BALLOT MEASURES CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2 Full text can be viewed at http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2014ballot/HJR16pdf
Proposed by the 97th General Assembly (First Regular Session) HJR 16 Official Ballot Title: Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended so that it will be permissible to allow relevant evidence of prior criminal acts to be admissible in prosecutions for crimes of a sexual nature involving a victim under eighteen years of age? Fair Ballot Language: A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to allow evidence of prior criminal acts, whether charged or uncharged, to be considered by courts in prosecutions of sexual crimes that involve a victim under eighteen years of age. The amendment limits the use of such prior acts to support the victim’s testimony or show that the person charged is more likely to commit the crime. Further, the judge may exclude such prior acts if the value of considering them is substantially outweighed by the possibility of unfair prejudice to the person charged with committing the crime. If more resources are needed to defend increased prosecutions additional costs to governmental entities could be at least $1.4 million annually, otherwise the fiscal impact is expected to be limited. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes. Analysis: Though there are limitations and safeguards in the law, allowing evidence of prior uncharged criminal acts seems to present a potential for unintended consequences; however, the need for better protecting minors from sexual predators is undeniable. Recommend vote your conscience. Grover Cleveland, elected both the 22nd and 24th President, stated in his 2nd Inaugural, March 4, 1893: "Above all, I know there is a Supreme Being who rules the affairs of men and whose goodness and mercy have always followed the American people, and I know He will not turn from us now if we humbly and reverently seek His powerful aid." In a Message to Congress, December 2, 1895, President Cleveland stated: "Reported massacres of Christians in Armenia and the development there and in other districts of a spirit of fanatic hostility to Christian influences naturally excited apprehension for the safety of the devoted men and women who, as dependents of the foreign missionary societies in the United States, reside in Turkey. Several of the most powerful European powers have secured a right...not only in behalf of their own citizens...but as agents of the Christian world...to enforce such conduct of Turkish government as will refrain fanatical brutality. The next year, December 7, 1896, President Cleveland wrote: "The rage of mad bigotry and cruel fanaticism...wanton destruction of homes and the bloody butchery of men, women, and children, made martyrs to their profession of Christian faith...The outbreaks of blind fury which lead to murder and pillage in Turkey occur suddenly and without notice... I do not believe that the present somber prospect in Turkey will be long permitted to offend the sight of Christendom. It so mars the humane and enlightened civilization that belongs to the close of the 19th century that it seems hardly possible that the earnest demand of good people throughout the Christian world for its corrective treatment will remain unanswered."
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BALLOT MEASURES Continued CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 3 Full text may be viewed at http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2014petitions/2014-024.pdf
Proposed by Initiative Petition Official Ballot Title: Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to: require teachers to be evaluated by a standards based performance evaluation system for which each local school district must receive state approval to continue receiving state and local funding; require teachers to be dismissed, retained, demoted, promoted and paid primarily using quantifiable student performance data as part of the evaluation system; require teachers to enter into contracts of three years or fewer with public school districts; and prohibit teachers from organizing or collectively bargaining regarding the design and implementation of the teacher evaluation system? Decisions by school districts regarding provisions allowed or required by this proposal and their implementation will influence the potential costs or savings impacting each district. Significant potential costs may be incurred by the state and/or the districts if new/additional evaluation instruments must be developed to satisfy the proposal’s performance evaluation requirements. Fair Ballot Language: A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to require teachers to be evaluated by a standards based performance evaluation system. Each system must receive state approval in order for the local school district to continue receiving state and local funding. Teachers will be dismissed, retained, demoted, promoted and paid primarily using quantifiable student performance data as part of the evaluation system. The amendment further requires teachers to enter into contracts of three years or fewer with public school districts, with exceptions. The amendment also prohibits teachers from organizing or collectively bargaining regarding the design and implementation of the teacher evaluation system. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes. Arguments FOR: Requires teachers to be dismissed, retained, demoted, promoted, and paid primarily using quantifiable student performance data as part of the evaluation system. Ends the unfair “last-in-first-out” rule. Often effective teachers are let go, while ineffective teachers stay. Requires teachers to enter into contracts of three years or fewer with public school districts, so their performance can be reevaluated as it would be in any other profession. Sponsored by the Teach Great campaign run by the Children's Education Council of Missouri. In early September, Teach Great called off their campaign, saying support for the measure was not polling as well as its members had hoped. Arguments AGAINST: • Many teachers, administrators and school boards publicly oppose Amendment 3 contending it is a deeply flawed, poorly drafted proposal that creates many unintended consequences. • A “one-size-fits-all” approach treats students like numbers, assuming they will all learn at the same rate and time. Teachers are not the sole influence on student performance; some students cannot "get into the A-B range no matter what teachers do.” • Amendment 3 forces districts to abandon recently-adopted and trained-for evaluation systems. Every district would have to create a standardized test for every class they offer (including art, music, etc.), costing great time, effort and money. The new testing programs would then have to be approved by the state or risk losing state and local funding. • Teachers would be evaluated on test results, creating such high stakes that teachers would “teach to the test” to retain their jobs. • It erodes local control, removing local school board jurisdiction over employment decisions and giving it to state politicians. Salt & Light believes this initiative produces significant risk of unintended consequences, intensifies “test-focused” rather than “student-focused” teaching, and results in further loss of local control. Recommend vote “NO” 13
BALLOT MEASURES Continued CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 6 http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2014ballot/HJR90.pdf
Proposed by the 97th General Assembly (Second Regular Session) SS SCS HCS HJR 90] Official Ballot Title: Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to permit voting in person or by mail for a period of six business days prior to and including the Wednesday before the election day in general elections, but only if the legislature and the governor appropriate and disburse funds to pay for the increased costs of such voting? State governmental entities estimated startup costs of about $2 million and costs to reimburse local election authorities of at least $100,000 per election. Local election authorities estimated higher reimbursable costs per election. Those costs will depend on the compensation, staffing, and, planning decisions of election authorities with the total costs being unknown. Fair Ballot Language: A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to permit voters, in years when the legislature provides funding, an early voting period of six business days prior to and including the Wednesday before election day to cast a ballot in all general elections. This amendment does not allow early voting on Saturday or Sunday. Arguments FOR: The Amendment is a compromise measure that provides early voting at a reasonable cost in lieu of the six-weeks early voting period originally proposed. Arguments AGAINST: Missouri Jobs with Justice has called the Amendment "a sham Early Voting bill," claiming that, "It was only passed to confuse voters and undermine the citizen-led Early Voting petition." Analysis: Multiple studies of various voting reforms have produced conflicting or unclear results. For example, a 2007 study from Reed College found that between 1980 and 2004 early voting generally had no impact on turnout. The exception was one state that had only fully adopted such practices after 1998. This study and another from 2010 suggest that the institution of early voting may have a short-term impact on turnout while the option is novel, but after a few elections, the impact is negligible Salt & Light believes the start-up costs in addition to on-going administrative costs and additional staffing are not justified in light of questionable voter benefits. Recommend vote “NO”-
"[T]he Constitution ought to be the standard of construction for the laws, and that wherever there is an evident opposition, the laws ought to give place to the Constitution." ~ Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 81 "On every question of construction carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed." ~ President Thomas Jefferson
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BALLOT MEASURES Continued CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 10 Full text may be viewed at http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2014ballot/HJR72.pdf
Proposed by the 97th General Assembly (Second Regular Session) HJR 72 Official Ballot Title: Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to require the governor to pay the public debt, to prohibit the governor from relying on revenue from legislation not yet passed when proposing a budget, and to provide a legislative check on the governor’s decisions to restrict funding for education and other state services? State governmental entities expect no direct costs or savings. Local governmental entities expect an unknown fiscal impact. Fair Ballot Language: A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution regarding the requirements placed on the governor for proposing a state budget and for withholding money appropriated in the budget passed by the legislature. This amendment prohibits the governor from reducing funding passed by the general assembly without receiving legislative consent, and provides certain other restrictions on the governor’s ability to increase or decrease line items in the budget. This amendment further prohibits the governor from proposing a budget that relies on revenue from legislation that has not yet passed in the general assembly. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes. Arguments FOR: “As our governor continues to propose more and more spending while withholding funds already appropriated by the legislature it is clear that we have to restore the balance that is meant to exist between the branches of government. This would put a very simple yet effective process in place that protects the interests of Missouri taxpayers by requiring the governor to pay the public debt and by providing legislative oversight of the governor’s decisions to restrict funding. In effect, it would allow us to consider his withholding while we are in session and override it with a two-thirds vote.” - Representative Todd Richardson Arguments AGAINST: “We’ve had a budgetary process that has worked for decades. If we throw a monkey wrench in there, who knows about the unintended consequences?” – Representative Mike Colona Salt & Light believes this amendment would help restore the balance of power between branches of government. Recommend vote “YES”"Government ought to be instituted...to enable the individuals...to enjoy their natural rights...which the Author of Existence has bestowed upon man; and whenever these great ends...are not obtained, the people have a right...to change it, and take such measures as to them may appear necessary to promote their safety and happiness... All men have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences... Nor can any man, who acknowledges the being of a God, be justly deprived or abridged of any civil right... No authority...shall in any case interfere with...the right of conscience in the free exercise of religious worship." Pennsylvania Constitution signed by Benjamin Franklin, September 28, 1776
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