Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Three Republican state representatives, two from St. Charles and one from Wildwood, must be bored. And if they aren’t, they have a warped idea of what their constituents sent them to Jefferson City to accomplish.
Their latest activities make it clear they don’t take themselves or Missourians seriously.
Rep. Mark Parkinson , R-St. Charles, introduced a bill that would require Gov. Jay Nixon to play the lottery as a potential way to bolster the state budget. Two dollars would be deducted from Nixon twice-monthly paycheck to buy Powerball lottery tickets. Any winnings would be funneled into “Governor Nixon’s Scratch-Off, Match-Off Fund” in order to create more jobs in Missouri.
Parkinson said he drew up the bill to make a statement about Nixon’s proposed 2011 state budget.
Here are some suggestions for Parkinson: Write a press release. Send a letter to the editor. Start a blog. Stand on the Capitol steps and make a speech. But don’t waste everyone’s time with nonsense only meant to embarrass the governor. If it’s supposed to be a joke, well . . . Hahaha.
Parkinson’s “statement” is that Nixon was counting on $300 million from the federal government to support a jobs program. But the jobs bill was approved by the U.S. Senate Monday, without Missouri’s share of federal stabilization funds included. The House version of bill, which did include the state share, was approved late last year. The legislation goes to conference now and an identical version must be approved by both houses of Congress and then signed by the President. So the Missouri money may be forthcoming after all.
Parkinson is skeptical about the outcome. He says the odds of Missouri receiving the funds are the same as Nixon winning the lottery, or one in 195,249,054. Isn’t he clever?
Rep. Allen Icet, R-Wildwood, is co-sponsoring Parkinson’s foolishness. Rep. Joe Smith, R-St. Charles, who chairs the House Tax Committee, says it could be a potential boon to the state’s budget crisis. Really!?
Republican Parkinson, Icet and Smith are playing childish games in an effort to poke a stick in Democrat Nixon’s ribs. The proposal to force the governor to buy Powerball tickets is just plain stupid.
The GOP trio certainly couldn’t expect the bill to pass. But they made their statement about the state’s budget crisis and Nixon’s role in it.
The statement, however, is: “We don’t have anything better to do than play childish games.”
Comments
nick (anonymous) says...
Are they smarter than a 5th grader? Really!
February 24, 2010 at 5:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rune04 (anonymous) says...
Somebody doesn't have a sense of humor!! Although this is a waste of time, it is not much different than the general assembly wasting their time by declaring every day special for some special entity. "Childish games" seems to be the norm for Jeff City.
February 24, 2010 at 5:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
STL_Cornhusker (anonymous) says...
Just to add to this, "...wasting their time..." has become the norm in government overall. Bickering, pointing fingers, and claiming to be a victim. This is another example of trying to blame someone else instead of actuall doing some productive that might produce a solution. Ugh...
February 24, 2010 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
obamain2012 (anonymous) says...
This proves that Republicans don't know how to properly budget and run a government effectively. That is why every politician should be a Democrat because we know how ot get the job done.
More Obama, & More Democrats!!!!! More more more!!!!
February 24, 2010 at 8:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realityman (anonymous) says...
"government" and "effective" in the same sentence. Must be a joke. When was the last time any government was "effective" at anything.
February 24, 2010 at 9:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rune04 (anonymous) says...
I beg to differ realityman! I find the government is truly effective at keeping my wallet empty.
February 24, 2010 at 9:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rune04 (anonymous) says...
"More more more!!!!"
The Democrats ideals on tax and spend.
February 24, 2010 at 9:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
obamain2012 (anonymous) says...
Viva Obama & Viva Demócrata!!!
Viva seguro medico reform!!!!
February 24, 2010 at 11:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realityman (anonymous) says...
So true Rune04!!!!!!!!
February 24, 2010 at 12:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
climber (anonymous) says...
It is kind of clever. Why is "Hahaha" capitalized?
February 24, 2010 at 3:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wolf (anonymous) says...
This is why some states only convene their general assembly every 2 years.
February 24, 2010 at 6:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rune04 (anonymous) says...
I am beginning to understand obamin2012 leanings to the left. I have a question for you. Do you have a green card? Are you the reason I have to push 1 for English?
February 25, 2010 at 4:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JimmyUCity (anonymous) says...
I heard a good joke the other day.
"The Missouri State Legislature." As long as it is dominated by people elected by the characters from Deliverance, nothing useful will come from there.
June 25, 2010 at 4:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )