Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas from Lafayette County Republicans to you and yours. May you have a very blessed Christmas.



Christmas Bells
By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The Carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;
‘For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Lafayette County Blogger in the Media


"Momentator", our own Lafayette County blogger, is expanding her political conservative commentary beyond her blog and web TV show to Smart Girl Nation, a weekly one-hour radio show which highlights Conservative Issues in the same format as The View. Take a look at the Political Mommentary website to learn more about tuning in to her show.

STOUFFER CAMPAIGN RESPONDS TO THE NEWS TODAY THAT AN ALABAMA DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN SWITCHES PARTIES



WILL CONGRESSMAN SKELTON SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL AND RETIRE?


Democrat Parker Griffith, a freshman Democrat from AL-5, today announced he was leaving the Democratic Party because of its liberal agenda and joining the Republican Party.

Statement from Christian Morgan, spokesman for Stouffer for Congress, on Griffith joining the GOP:

“I know all rural Missouri Republicans will join me today in welcoming Congressman Griffith to the Republican Caucus in Congress,” said Morgan. “Congressman Griffith in a press conference today announced his reasons for leaving the Democratic Party were many, but paramount was his belief that Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats’ agenda in Congress is just too liberal and far from the mainstream. I wonder what Ike Skelton thinks about members of his Democrat Caucus in Congress leaving the Party to join the mainstream Republicans standing against Cap and Trade, socialized medicine and bailouts for all. Mr. Skelton should address the current state of his Democrat Party and Leadership to the people of rural Missouri. Mr. Skelton has to see the writing on the wall in Washington and in rural Missouri – he and his Democratic Party’s views on issues are bad for this country, bad for Missouri and should lead to Mr. Skelton’s retirement from Congress.”

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Political Meanderings in Clay County writes: Missourians need to get behind a recent bill co-sponsored by Senator Stouffer


From the Clay County Political Meanderings blog:

Looks like all Missourians need to get behind a recent bill cosponsored by Senator Stouffer. Senate Joint Resolution 25 allows Missouri to opt-out of any federal health care public option or proposal. They may very well pass this, but we still have a lot of power at the state level. It’s time to remind them of that fact.

Referencing: The Stouffer Report 12/10/2009

Legislation Allows for Federal Healthcare Reform Opt-Out

The federal government is in the process of trying to take over roughly 20 percent of the nation’s economy through a power grab called “health care reform.” Sadly, it is the portions of this massive undertaking that are NOT being reported that — to me — are the scariest.

For this reason, I am co-sponsoring a joint resolution in the Missouri Senate (Senate Joint Resolution 25) intended to prohibit laws from interfering with your freedom of choice in health care. This idea is being proposed in other states as well.

If you combine the bills in the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House and all of the amendments between the two chambers, you will find thousands of pages of documents. All of the plans out there right now raise taxes on every one, not just “the rich.”

Of course, most folks are employed by individuals and businesses that fit what politicians are currently calling “the rich.” It is pretty hard to get a good, long-term job from someone with little income. The “rich,” including small businesses, are the ones that will lead the economic recovery. They are the folks who provide the jobs.

The health care reforms being proposed will have an effect on small business owners, farmers and all taxpayers. But, the most important thing to keep in mind is, this is not about ensuring health care for every one. It could lead to the government dictating every aspect of our lives, from birth to death.

In examining costs to states, consider a recent article from Reuters. Economically, California is doing worse than any other state in the nation. Any kind of government-run health care would hit them hardest. Unfortunately, it would not be much better for us in the Show-Me State.


The Heritage Foundation has written in great detail about the costs of so-called “reform.” Since there is no singular plan available, trying to determine what a federal health care system would cost our state is nearly impossible to calculate. However, I have talked with some of the folks in the Senate’s budget office, and they tell me it could cost Missouri more than $200 million.

I am not sure a government takeover of anything is a good idea, with the deficit shooting to record highs every day. In addition, the uncertainty that abounds in the many significant changes being proposed on the federal level stifles business growth in the real world. I certainly do not think letting the federal government have 20 percent of our country’s gross domestic product is a wise move.

There are ideas out there that will work, one of which we passed and the governor signed into law in 2005 here in Missouri: Tort reform. Another is allowing insurance companies to compete across state lines. Reform does not have to happen in one huge step. Little by little we can all work together to enact reforms that build a plan that meets medical needs, sustains providers and honors taxpayers.

Our country is already in a recession. We are not seeing jobs being created. As Missouri lawmakers are preparing to return to Jefferson City, I am getting more concerned about the federal mandates being forced on us. I will continue to fight these bad ideas for as long as possible.

Senator Stouffer serves the counties of Carroll, Chariton, Cooper, Howard, Lafayette, Macon, Ray, Saline, and a part of Clay.