A coalition of ministers, priests, rabbis, and others active in their faiths is working to make sure the public understands issues of “faith” and “values” are not the exclusive property of the Republican party. A “Missouri Democrats of Faith Values Statement” is in draft form after more than a year of work by the coalition. It says Democrats are guided by the scriptures on social, peace, and economic issues, matters of racial justice, and environmental stewardship. Executive Director Corey Dillon of the Missouri Democratic Party says voters who cast ballots based on their religious beliefs have been getting information from only one party too long. She says Democrats have decided that situation needs to change. She says issues can be talked about without a faith basis but in today’s political climate, it’s important to discuss positions that are based on some deeply-held faith positions. She says many Democrat voters have wondered why the Republican party gets credit for having values when many things Democrats support are based in their religious beliefs. Dillon hopes the statement gives paulse to those who ask those questions and hold the stereotype that one party has a corner on faith-based issues.
Missouri Voters Face a Choice in Senate Race
Missourians have a choice in two weeks: stay with their current senator or change. Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill counts on voter unrest. McCaskill says she believes Missourians, by a wide margin, want change; that they believe the country is on the wrong track. She says she hopes voters act on that and vote for change November 7th. That change would not only be for Missouri, but could affect politics nationally. Many observers say Missouri is a key state in the Democrat’s strategy to take back the Senate in Washington, D. C. Republicans hold 55 seats currently. Democrats have 44. There is one independent in the Senate. Incumbent Republican Jim Talent wants voters to separate his run for re-election from its national ramifications. Talent says he’s hoping people look at his record and see what he has accomplished that has made a difference for them. For McCaskill, the national significance plays a prominent role. She says voters realize Republicans have control of the White House, the House and the Senate. McCaskill says she believes most Missourians like a little balance, that they like the idea that there can be a different voice, one that provides accountability. Talent says, ultimately, it’s the voters who will decide. He says he’s content to place the decision in the hands of the voters. Talent says the voters have to decide in what direction they want the country to go.
Brent Martin interviews with Jim Talent and Claire McCaskill
Related web sites:
Talent for Senate
McCaskill for Senate
Economists Express Concerns About Impact of Minimum Wage Hike
The organization opposing the ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage enlists the services of two economists to highlight what they believe would be a negative impact of approval of this proposal. Both economists raised the now-well-known concerns that an increased minimum wage would prompt employers to let go of some low wage earners and other empoyers to put off hiring new employees. University of Missouri-Columbia Economics Professor Michael Podgursky focused his thoughts beyond the immediate minimum wage hike from $5.15 to $6.50 an hour and to the impact of the costs of living increases that are part of the initiative. Missouri State Economics Professor David Mitchell echoes those sentiments, suggesting the indexing of the minimum wage to inflation could have disastrous effects on the economy. Missouri’s minimum wage is tied to the federal minimum wage, which has remained the same since 1997.
MU Receives Grant to Develop an Answer for Teacher Shortage
The National Science Foundation reports teacher recruitment has reached crisis lows in some areas of the country. The Foundation is helping fight that problem with its two-million dollar grant to the University of Missouri-Columbia. The Director of MU’s Science Education Program, Sandra Abell, says the grant will help the university develop much-needed teacher certification programs for individuals with math and science degrees, but without a degree in education. Researchers will use the new grant to study different groups of 90 individuals each, to determine how those individuals develop their knowledge of teaching.
Tackle Returns To Chiefs… No, Not Roaf
The Chiefs should get some much needed help on the offensive line this week. John Welbourn should return to the team Wednesday after serving a six-game suspension for violating the NFL drug policy.
Kansas City lost both its starting tackles from this year, and the offensive line has been inconsistent. The Chiefs led the league in offense last year; Welbourn started nine games at right tackle.
