Missouri loses a notch in population ranking (Kansas City, St. Louis: house, tech jobs)

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by DeanMoore

here in Christian county, we just started building codes, and I think there is a 3 acre minimum for housing lots. For the most part I think that's a good basic platform to begin with. I would prefer a 5-10 acre minimum, but what can I do?

I have been here four years, and have been wanting to move here for 12 years before that. its all I expected and wanted, and after living in kalifornia, I think I can offer some perspective to PREVENT the kalifornication of Missouri. the little ag town I lived in in California, was overwhelmed, and destroyed by invading bay area newcomers. will this happen here? not so much. the people who destroyed california would typically never move here into deep flyover country. For the most part, the people I see coming here, are a good fit, but used to a faster, more energetic lifestyle. thats not good or bad, just different. However, they can be good at spotting the future trends we want to avoid, as they have seen it before. Anyone who has been burdened with heavy-handed government, will be actively looking to avoid or stop it, so befriend the newcomer, they may be like the canary in the mineshaft for ya.
Springfield is like Sacramento was 25 years ago. If I had my way, it wont follow the same path.

I like this guy.

BTW...Greene County is 10 acre minimum.

[cyrano]

Maybe I missed it in 14 pages of discussion but I haven't seen any mention of what to me is the obvious fallout from "losing a notch" in population ranking-- the almost certain loss of a House of Representatives seat after the 2010 census. This will require a redrawing of the House district boundaries, which will in itself be an interesting exercise, given that the General Assembly is still pretty solidly Republican but the governor is a Democrat.

Most of the analysis I've seen speculates that the district to be eliminated is the one I live in, where Leutkemeyer recently beat Baker for Hulshof's old seat. But whether they just decide to divvy up that district among neighboring districts or redraw all the districts, it's probably not going to be pretty...and we will undoubtedly hear the word "gerrymandering" many times.

The other fallout from losing a Congressional seat is that we'll also lose an electoral vote.

[DeanMoore]

This has a obvious interest for me, as I am gathering signatures to run for the house seat in the 7th district. (silence in the room) I suspect this is why Roy Blunt is going to run for Kit Bond's seat instead.
I am concerned, if the census is co-opted and estimates are allowed instead of the constitutionally required enumeration. The numbers could be shifted to St Louis and Kansas City, leaving our voice out here in the sticks -silenced-
This is exactly what happened to California, the greater bay area and south coast out-vote a nearly equal population in the remaining state, through gerrymandered districts. This could happen nationally to us very easily.

[DeanMoore]

Two presidential elections ago, the counties down in the southwest corner didn't release election results until early the next morning, forcing officials in Kansas City to release poll results without knowing the final results of the election. They had to release results earlier than they really wanted. This last election southwest counties were pressured to release results much earlier, allowing Kansas city results to just barely overcome vote totals from this part of the state.

sounds nefarious, I'm sorry, its just hard-core politics showing its ugly underbelly...

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by DeanMoore

sounds nefarious, I'm sorry, its just hard-core politics showing its ugly underbelly...

Or as I was fond of saying after 17 years in politics, "You'll never get rich by betting on the collective intelligence or memory of the American electorate!"

The unfortunate truth is, as Thomas O'Neill, Sr. (Tip O'Neill's father) once wrote, "All politics is local." Very few who live outside of a capitol city are really cognizant of what goes on. Otto von Bismarck had it right when he said, "Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made." People who do know should be appalled. Finally, the real truth, as former Speaker of the California State Assembly, Jesse "Big Daddy" Unruh observed is, "Money is the mother's milk of politics.

As always, just one man's opinion.

[MoNative34]

Originally Posted by DeanMoore

This has a obvious interest for me, as I am gathering signatures to run for the house seat in the 7th district. (silence in the room) I suspect this is why Roy Blunt is going to run for Kit Bond's seat instead.
I am concerned, if the census is co-opted and estimates are allowed instead of the constitutionally required enumeration. The numbers could be shifted to St Louis and Kansas City, leaving our voice out here in the sticks -silenced-
This is exactly what happened to California, the greater bay area and south coast out-vote a nearly equal population in the remaining state, through gerrymandered districts. This could happen nationally to us very easily.

I'm for Sam Graves for Senate. I'm a bit biased because he represents the congressional district I live in (Missouri 6th). I don't know if he will run or not. Kit Bond has really gotten under my skin the last several years so I'm not exactly disappointed with his soon exit.

I'm also curious as to what will happen when Ike Skelton retires. My guess is that majority rural district has a good chance of electing a Republican.

Ah hell. I'm no expert.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by MoNative34

I'm for Sam Graves for Senate. I'm a bit biased because he represents the congressional district I live in (Missouri 6th). I don't know if he will run or not. Kit Bond has really gotten under my skin the last several years so I'm not exactly disappointed with his soon exit.

I'm also curious as to what will happen when Ike Skelton retires. My guess is that majority rural district has a good chance of electing a Republican.

Ah hell. I'm no expert.

How about an Independent candidate who actually thinks about the individual issues instead of the standard Republican vs Democrat

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

How about an Independent candidate who actually thinks about the individual issues instead of the standard Republican vs Democrat

WHAT! You mean there are actually those with independence, good judgement and integrity who are willing to vote the issues and their consciences rather than the party or caucus line? How radical is that?

[telepicker97]

It's getting worse all over...

when I was young (the 80's), Independence was a nice town, a good place...

nowadays, you can't let your kids play outside unsupervised.

It's simply the Decline Of Western Civilization...and I think it has nothing to do with location, but the acceptance of mediocrity in society as a whole.

[telepicker97]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

WHAT! You mean there are actually those with independence, good judgement and integrity who are willing to vote the issues and their consciences rather than the party or caucus line? How radical is that?

Very.

Especially for the POTUSA.