Amendment 4, hindering citizen initiatives, and Amendment 5, replacing Missouri’s progressive income tax for whatever taxes Republicans choose, failed miserably with 80% of Missourians voting “No.” So, why do Missourians keep electing Republican legislators who continually present us with choices we repeatedly defeat, i.e. their multiple attempts to impose Right to Work? They offered a warped replica of Clean Missouri, which previously passed with a 60% majority, to protect their gerrymandering of Jackson County so they could redraw Congressman Cleaver’s district out of existence. And prepare for a general election question reversing our initiative passed on women’s rights.
Watching local Republican candidates contest who was Donald’s most loyal
supporter, who most fervently supported the Second Amendment, who was most pro-life, and who was most committed to transforming America into a Christian-ruled nation, I could only assume none cared about health care, protection of migrants such as Kennett resident Carol Mayorga, a beloved member of Kennett’s community despite her migrant status. All seemed to support Amendment 5; were disinterested in our Constitutional voting right as legislators add new hoops citizens must meet to vote via H.B. 1878; dismissed Missouri’s rank as one of the 10 worst states to live in due to lax gun rules and the subsequent violence, as well as Missouri’s attitude toward inclusiveness which repels valuable citizens simply because they may love the wrong person or are Brown. Obviously, Missouri’s legislators reject congressional districts representing citizens incompatible with their preferred mold. Why do we keep electing representatives and senators who care only about controlling the lives of women in our families, oppose any restrictions on gun sales, and whether we are “Christian” enough?
Translating this to the national discussion, we elect officials unwilling to stop Donald’s war, proving his ignorance that no war is winnable without involving ground troops. We elect officials who disregard exorbitant fuel prices affecting everything traveling by truck — which is almost everything. We elect officials determined to make health care as expensive and unavailable as possible. We elect officials who turn their heads as Donald’s ICE kills citizens and misidentified legal migrants. We elect officials who fear to oppose Donald wasting tax dollars by destroying OUR East Wing, OUR Reflecting Pool, and by putting his face on everything possible, though most presidents have the decency to let their performance justify these plaudits. We elect officials supporting Donald’s effort to deny millions of American citizens their vote. We elect officials disregarding Donald’s imposition of tariffs that raise prices. We elect officials who overlook Donald’s repeated no-bid contracts rewarding his donors. We ignore billions in corruption Donald, family, and friends enjoy when Republicans ravaged Hunter Biden for supposed self-enrichment by millions when Jared acquired billions, Donald Jr. invested in a company that achieved implausible returns of 200%, and ignored the $3.2 billion in profits Donald Jr. and Eric are projected to obtain investing in Pentagon contracts while Donald’s shooting war requires billions daily. We elect officials who ignore Donald using our tax dollars to purchase equity stakes in 30 companies communicating to donors their opportunities to further enrich themselves. These permanent ownership stakes are intrinsically “communistic!”
The only justification for electing Burlison and Senators Schmitt and Hawley are the terror implied in two words, “socialism” and “communism!” Yet we ignore the fascism of neo-Nazis rioting in Donald’s support on January 6th. This echoes Esau’s sale of his birthright for a bowl of pottage [Genesis 25:29-34]. Our birthright is our Republic. The bowl of pottage is a mix of guns, abortion, and Christian Nationalism they are attempting to force down every American throat — along with their donors’ wishes. Rather than confronting real problems, they crucify Dr. Fauci to satisfy six-year-old grudges against a man who saved millions of lives. And no Republican, including ours, will ever admit the 2020 election was validly won by Joe Biden, fearing Donald’s poleaxe, as we absurdly relinquish our birthright for fear of two words, “socialism” and “communism,” while turning a blind eye to “fascism.”
Robert Haslag lives in Nixa.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Why do Missouri voters keep electing Republicans? | Opinion
