Wed, Oct 15 2008
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Published May 19, 2008 09:24 pm - Missouri’s Republican front-runners for governor both visited Joplin on Monday and had the chance to speak on issues important to Southwest Missouri. Instead, they blew an opportunity to earn our votes in the upcoming primary election. Treasurer Sarah Steelman trumpeted her “Life is Precious” initiative, and called for Gov. Matt Blunt to declare a special session in order to pass Rep. Bob Onder’s abortion-related bill. In our view: Focus on issues Missouri’s Republican front-runners for governor both visited Joplin on Monday and had the chance to speak on issues important to Southwest Missouri.
Instead, they blew an opportunity to earn our votes in the upcoming primary election. Treasurer Sarah Steelman trumpeted her “Life is Precious” initiative, and called for Gov. Matt Blunt to declare a special session in order to pass Rep. Bob Onder’s abortion-related bill. U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof talked up his initiative to start a cord-blood bank, so that parents can save their children’s stem cells. We believe that some anti-abortion issues are worthy of debate. But there are not a lot of differences between the views of the two candidates. They could have talked about more pressing legislative priorities, such as the needs for: n A health-insurance plan such as Insure Missouri, or the restoration of Medicaid cuts. n Regulation of concentrated animal feeding operations and protection of the rights of counties to control development. n More funding for Missouri Southern State University, which is still underfunded when compared with other Missouri universities. n Stiffer consequences for employers who hire illegal immigrants. n Harsher penalties on repeat environmental offenders, such as the penalties proposed by Sen. Gary Nodler. Instead, Steelman and Hulshof spoke empty rhetoric about an issue that’s not at issue right now. Missouri has enacted several pieces of legislation controlling abortion over the past few years. It’s no secret that a hopeful Republican needs the approval and support of Southwest Missouri. It’s also no secret that when a Democrat is leading in the polls, Republicans shift their focus to issues of morality to rally the base. But we Southwest Missouri residents are not so easy to fool. If Steelman and Hulshof want our votes, they need to drop no-brainer political ideas and concentrate on issues at hand. We look forward to future appearances in Southwest Missouri, and we hope to hear them address issues that affect us more directly. 
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