vote 2018: stevo's ballot

"Don't want to wait 'til tomorrow.
Why put it off another day?
One more walk through our problems;
They build up, and stand in our way.

One step ahead, one step behind.
Now you gotta run to get even.
Make future plans, don't dream about yesterday?
Hey!  Come on turn, turn this thing around!

Right now!
Hey -- it's your tomorrow!
Right now!
Come on -- it's everything!

Right now!
Catch a magic moment!
Do it, right here and now --
It means everything! ..."

-- "Right Now" by Van Halen.

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One thing I meant to note from my weekend in Texas, was how awesome the "Lyin" Ted Cruz and "Bozo" O'Rourke attack ads were.  But none -- bar none! -- was better than this one from "Lyin" Ted:



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As always, I publish what my vote will look like when I cast it tomorrow.  I get that some people treasure the sanctity of the voting booth; if that is you, wonderful.  Me?  I'm fine enough with every vote I cast, that I'll allow you all to judge me on it.

And as always, if my ballot inspires you to vote in a similar fashion?  Spectacular.  If it motivates you to vote the opposite down the card?  Awesome.  Just do your duty and vote tomorrow.  Because in my (rarely) humble opinion?  You forfeit any and all right to b*tch about anything political or governmental in nature, if you don't vote yourself.

Here then is how I intend to vote tomorrow, based on the sample ballot obtained at Voter Outreach Missouri.

* US Senate: Josh Hawley (R).

(Cue "the voice of reason" keeling over with a stroke.  Ditto "bts" and possibly "jasson".  And definitely my mom.  Definitely my mom.)

As noted back in 2012, and back in 2016, I don't vote straight party ticket ... and I tend to vote to re-elect competent legislators who get the job done, irregardless of party.  (With one exception, of course; we'll get to him shortly.)  What is the biggest criticism you can level against Senator McCaskill that has merit since her last election in 2012?  That she didn't vote to appoint Justices Gorsuch or Kavanaugh?  Both were approved without needing her vote. 

She got the Bond Bridge funds approved, and anyone who has used it has to credit her for it.  (Dear God, how did the old Missouri River bridge last as long as it did?)  She has consistently voted for any military measure, is endorsed by the Border Patrol (for you hard core anti-immigration folks reading this), and is rated at exactly 50% for her voting in the Senate between Republican and Democrat legislation (which honestly, if anything, is a negative to me; I'd expect it to be closer to 70/30 Democrat given she's, you know, a Democrat).

And yet ...

Isn't that the criticism against her too?  The best thing she's done for KCMO in twelve years is a bridge?  She went against her state in opposing both of Mr. Trump's Supreme Court nominees?  She voted against the Trump tax cuts that have undeniably turned the economy around.  She also has insanely and indefensibly the last few days fully embraced the President on his plans for the border.

I'd rather a candidate go down in flames fighting for what they believe in, than caving at the last second on those alleged core values to eek out an election that strips them of all credibility, dignity, and integrity.

(I'm a Moynihan Democrat, what can I say.  Also, the words "credibility, dignity, and integrity" rarely if ever apply, to how I live my life.)

Which is why ... I'm doing what as recently as two days ago, I didn't see coming, Tuesday morning.

I'm voting for change.

I'm voting for Josh Hawley.

Not because I think he's the better candidate -- he's not.  But because I'm tired of politicians who are in it solely for them.  Whatever I may think of Mr. Hawley, noone -- not even me -- can deny he will vote with the will of the Missouri voter.  No Democrat has carried Missouri since Bill Clinton in 1996.  Only Barack Obama has come within 2 percent of carrying Missouri in the last 20 years (in 2008; Mr. McCain won by (if I remember right) less than 10,000 votes).  Mr. Trump won by ten plus percent two years ago.  Ms. McCaskill voted against every major initiative the President launched, as well as nearly every appointment he submitted, including both Supreme Court nominees.

If you can't vote with the people who elected you?

Prepare to get rejected by those people, the next chance they get.

Which is tomorrow.

* State Treasurer: Nicole Galloway (D).

Normally this is where I'd joke "you'd have to be a brain dead idiot to give a Democrat the bank book" ... but sweet Jesus, when your options are to give a Democrat the PIN code ... or elect an even shakier version of me to control the purse strings, you gotta chance handing out the PIN code.  You HAVE to.

Saundra McDowell, in a sane world, wouldn't receive 100 votes.  Her wages are being garnished folks, and she wants control of the state treasury?  Not even I'm that f*cking stupid, or arrogant, to ask for that kind of trust in you.

And last time I checked?  It's been a solid fifteen years since the words "wage garnishment" were a part of my life.

Although given this is Missouri we're talking about, she'll probably win.

* US Representative: Jacob Turk (R).

Here's the exception to the "re-elect a competent legislator" rule for me.  "Carwash" Cleaver will NEVER receive my vote, for anything.  He is a disgrace to the faith (he somehow is a minister!  Are you sh*tting me!  Some religions really will ordain a corpse!), he's beyond a disgrace to his district, and if he actually practiced the values he preaches at us, he'd resign his seat and (old school front porch rug voice) go away.

He was stupid enough to tell NASCAR to "go away" twenty years ago.  (KCK is still laughing its' collective ass off over that one.)  He was stupid enough to invest millions of dollars in a decrepit car wash, then dumped that decrepit car wash and its' debts onto us taxpayers via bankruptcy.  He's never met a racism charge he can't conjure up.  (Again, so much for practicing that faith, Reverend.)  In short, he's a sh*t stain on this community that needs to be sent packing.

(stevo sighing in disgust).

Cleaver's winning 65-35.

* State House District 25: Greg Razer (D).

Running unopposed. 

* County Executive: Nathan Kline (Green).

His opponent is Frank White.  Who will probably be fighting yet another foreclosure on his home that somehow gets a sleazy, shady, possibly criminal in nature last minute reprieve on Election Day.  How many are we up to now, three?  (mike gundy voice) Four?

Mr. White will win easily.  It just sucks that in a county that boasts over half a million residents, the Republican Party could not come up with even one candidate, to run against him.  I guess running Jacob Turk for what, the ninth time against "Sleazy" Manny Cleaver, was the best they could do in ANY race?

* County Legislature At Large (District 1): Jalen Anderson (D).

Running unopposed.

* County Legislature At Large (District 2): Crystal Williams (D).

Running unopposed.

* County Legislature At Large (District 3): Tony Miller (D).

Running unopposed.

* County Legislature At Large (District 4): Daniel Tarwater III (D).

Running unopposed.

* County Sheriff: Darryl Forte (D).

He did a solid job as KCMO Chief; I'm fairly confident he can't do worse, than the outgoing Jackson County Sheriff.

* Missouri Supreme Court: vote RETAIN on Judge W. Brent Powell and Mary Rhodes Russell.

* Missouri Appeals Court: vote RETAIN on Judge Edward R. Ardini Jr.

* Missouri 16th Judicial Court: vote RETAIN on (hang on, a healthy list coming here folks) Judge Justine E. Del Moro (Division 4); Judge James F. Kanatzar (Division 5) * ; Judge George E. Wolf (Division 11); Judge Charles H. McKenzie (Division 13); Judge Jalilah Otto (Division 15); Judge Marco A. Roldan (Division 16); Judge Jack Grate (Division 17); Judge Mark Anthony Styles Jr. (Division 19); Judge Richard T. Standridge (Division 25); Judge Gregory Burdett Gillis (Division 27); Judge Twila Kay Rigby (Division 30); Judge Mary Francis Weir (Division 31); Judge Jeffrey L. Bushur (Division 33); Judge Susan Long (Division 34).

Unless I have a specific encounter with a judge that goes against me, I always vote retain.

(*: Judge Kanatzar handled my unfortunate DUI incident sixteen years ago.  I had then (and now) zero complaints about his handling of my case.  It's a shame first time non-injurious DUI's aren't handled today, like they were in 2002.)

Constitutional Amendment One: vote NO.

Complain all you want about money in politics, I'd rather it be out in the open, than behind the scenes.  Also, since when is trying to buy a victory a bad thing? 

And as for gerrymandering?  Come on.  There's only two places that occurs in this fine state, and everyone knows no matter how you draw the district lines in KC or The Lou, it's still gonna favor the incumbent Democrat.

Constitutional Amendment Two: vote YES.

There are three marijuana initiatives on the ballot this year.  Two of them are getting my vote.  Amendment Two is the most important, as it ensures no matter what, medicinal marijuana is legalized.  It's a start.

Constitutional Amendment Three: vote NO.

A fifteen percent tax on medicinal marijuana sales is indefensible.  (Recreational taxed at that rate is a different story, but we're still at least two years away from that debate in this fine state.  (Pause).  What?  (Pause).  Well of course that means at least 5-6 more trips to Colorado in the next 24 months!)

Proposition C: vote YES.

The problem with Prop C is that the ultra conservative Missouri Legislature can overturn it in the next session.  Prop C is basically Amendment Two except with a smaller tax rate (2% vs 4%).  And again, even if Prop C passes, the Legislature can overturn it.  They can't overturn a Constitutional Amendment.  Which is why Amendment Two is the most important ... but Prop C is a crucial backup in case Amendment Two fails.

Constitutional Amendment Four: vote YES.

It involves loosening gambling regulations.  That's all you need to know.  Plus, reading the language, it's opening the back door for legalized sports gambling, in case the Legislature refuses to move forward on the issue.  That's good enough for me.

Proposition B: vote NO.

This is the gradual minimum wage increase prop.  Folks, at the risk of being brutally honest and cruel, ask yourselves this: when is the last time you walked into a McDonalds, into a Wendy's, into a Taco Bell, and actually saw someone do a job worth paying them $15 / hour to do?

Furthermore, do people who support this not understand basic economics?  (Again, at the risk of being brutally honest and cruel -- they probably don't.)  The pay increase in their salary is coming from somewhere.  That somewhere is you, and me, and every customer of their business.

Just once, I wish that instead of offering a failed idea like the minimum wage increase, I wish instead on the ballot we'd vote to somehow offer tuition to various local colleges, or at least a tuition offset, for these hard-working people trapped in jobs that offer unlivable wages.  A true hand up, rather than another redistribution of money that in the end, solves nothing. 

(Stevo stepping off the soapbox now.)

Proposition D: (reluctantly) vote YES.

I wish we'd put toll roads on the ballot; they're the most sensible, sane, and appropriate way to finance road construction.  Given that is a non-starter in Missouri, I guess a 2.5 cent / gallon gas tax is a reasonable alternative. 

I suppose this is where I could point out that contrary to what most right-wing idealogues would have you believe, not all taxes are unnecessary, evil, wasteful, or an affront to mankind, but you can't reason with people that don't have any reason.  And if you honestly think your roads just magically appear by virtue of what, the concrete fairy, instead of tax dollars and/or toll dollars?  Then you need to obtain some reason.

(Stevo stepping off the soapbox now.)

Question One: (very reluctantly) vote YES.

I despise term limits, which Question One would impose.  However, all the other good in this question -- not the least of which is taking the drastic step of insisting our legislators and county officials must (a) live in the damned county and (b) be current with their fiduciary obligations -- swing me to yes.

Question Two: vote YES.

Question Two imposes Question One on the county executive.  Seems reasonable to me.

Also, the hilarity of Frank White being forcibly removed from office by Question Two, even after winning a landslide re-election, is f*cking hysterical to me. 

Question Three: vote YES.

Question Three imposes Question One on the county sheriff, save for it grants for three four year terms in office instead of just two.  More importantly, it moves control of the Jackson County penal system from the county executive to the county sheriff. 

Who do you trust running our jail more: a proven law enforcement official ... or Frank White (who currently oversees its' operation)? 

Yeah.  Me too.

Question Four: vote YES.

Question Four imposes Question One on the county prosecutor, and more importantly, moves control of the COMBAT tax funds from the county executive to the county prosecutor.

Again, who do you trust to oversee millions in tax revenue whose collection is to attempt to reduce crime and drug abuse: a proven law person ... or Frank White (who currently oversees its' operation)?

Yeah.  Me too.

Question Five: vote YES.

Would allow the county legislature to remove the county attorney if the attorney goes counter to the legislature.  Seems reasonable.  Also raises the question of how the hell it is 2018, and this isn't already on the books as law.

Question Six: vote NO.

Would require three years experience to be allowed to join the county judiciary.  Stupid idea.

Question Seven: vote NO.

Would deny any person currently serving in a county position from running for any other level of elected office.  This is beyond stupid. 

Library Question: vote YES.

I freely admit, I don't utilize the public library system all that often.  But I did growing up (as I suspect many of you reading this, did, pre-internet days).  And in this internet era, in a county where about half of all households do not have computers or Wi-Fi, the library is vital to our kids' intellectual development and growth.  A community is only as strong as its' weakest contributor.  This is the rare tax that there's no credible reason to oppose. 

And I believe that's it.  Forty two votes to cast tomorrow, if I read the ballot right.  (I know it's a full front and back page, and nearly sprawled onto a third.)

I'm blessed enough in that I work for a company giving us the option to come in three hours late, or leave three hours early, without having to make up the time, to vote tomorrow.  I'll be voting in early afternoon at my polling site.

However you vote, just vote.  You won't regret it.