August 3rd, 2024
We The People of Cass County MO Meeting This Week!
I don’t know about you, but for me, July just flew by! It’s time, once again, for our monthly We The People of Cass County meeting at Real Life Assembly of God church in Peculiar (the same place the Cass County Republican Central Committee meetings have been taking place).
180 W Broadway St
Peculiar, MO 64078
Date: Thursday, August 8th, 2024
Time: 06:45pm
Agenda:
Open with prayer
How to fight the Abortion IP
National Convention Update from Mike/Kim Bigg
WTP group activities moving forward
An Informational Video About Vetting
A new video has been put together that explains why vetting of our Republican candidates is needed, how the process works, and answers some of the common questions that come up in the conversation.
If you have additional questions or concerns about vetting, you can visit the REPACCMO Vetting webpage, which also has a list of every candidate who has completed the vetting process.
We The People of Cass County Voter Guide
For those who did not get our voter guide yet, here it is again. Please remember to vote THIS Tuesday, August 6th!
Amendment 4
One of the items Missouri voters will have the opportunity to vote on this week is Amendment 4. There is a lot of discussion going on around this measure, and unfortunately, some misinformation is being circulated. The following details are directly from the Missouri Secretary of State website:
Official Ballot Title:
Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to authorize laws, passed before December 31st, 2026, that increase minimum funding for a police force established by a state board of police commissioners to ensure such police force has additional resources to serve its communities?
This would authorize a law passed in 2022 increasing required funding by the City of Kansas City for police department requests from 20% of general revenue to 25%, an increase of $38,743,646, though the City previously provided that level of funding voluntarily. No other state or local governmental entities estimate costs or savings.
Fair Ballot Language:
A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to allow the general assembly by law to increase the minimum funding for a police force established by the state board of police commissioners to ensure such police force has additional resources to serve its communities. Currently the only police force established by the state board of police commissioners is found in Kansas City, Missouri.
A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding the funding for a police force established by the state board of police commissioners.
If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.
As you can see, this measure will not raise anyone’s taxes, nor will it directly impact any police force but Kansas City. The only thing this measure does is increase the percentage of general revenue that the city of Kansas City, Missouri must dedicate to police funding from 20% to 25%.
There are valid arguments on both sides of this issue, and rather than simply endorse one position or another, we are doing something a bit different this time around. I will be presenting my case for why I think this measure is needed, and my friend Alex Manford, with Awaken With Alex, will be presenting her case for why she things this measure is a bad idea.
Vote Yes on Amendment 4
Kansas City, Missouri is in a pretty unique position, in that the Kansas City Police Department has been under state control since the 1930s, ironically due to political corruption. Back then people weren’t as concerned with conservatism vs. liberalism. They were concerned with law and order being kept in the city, regardless of where you lived, who you were, the color of your skin, or how much money you had.
Fast forward to 2024, and people are concerned about the same thing once again. They are concerned with law and order being kept in the city, regardless of where you live, who you are, the color of your skin, or how much money you have. The last several years has seen politicians, like KC Mayor Quinton Lucas, endorsing terrorist organizations like BLM, encouraging riots and violent behavior among minority groups, and embraced as much of the “Defund the Police” movement as he can, given the restraints placed on him by the structure of the KCPD. As a reminder, you can see for yourself how he chooses to play fast and loose with the safety of law abiding citizens in Kansas City. The goal of Amendment 4 is simply to put back the funding that liberal politicians cut from the KCPD budget, so that the honest and hard working people of Kansas City have the police force they need.
I will be the first to admit that the current structure of the Kansas City Police Department, and how it is funded, is not ideal, because it is not under local control. Unfortunately, handing control of the KCPD over to the existing liberal power structure in KC would be tantamount to destroying it. That power structure already has shown how destructive it can be in virtually all other areas of governance, which has resulted in an unsafe city, with some of the highest murder rates in the country. We need a much stronger police presence in Kansas City, not a weaker one.
I would also argue that conceptually, while the form it has taken may be unusual, establishing rules and boundaries over law enforcement at the local level within the Missouri Constitution is not at all unprecedented. Our Constitution establishes a variety of rules around all aspects of law enforcement, from calling Grand Juries, to setting Bail requirements, to determining the rights of the accused. While I agree that the current structure of the KCPD is not ideal, and the problems that we face should be addressed another way in the long term, there is an immediate need that can be addressed with Amendment 4, and I support it. Please vote YES on Amendment 4 on Tuesday, August 6th!
Vote No on Amendment 4
Guest Article by Alex Manford
I am voting no on constitutional amendment #4 on August 6th, 2024. Despite this issue being framed as a measure to reinforce the police force for a large city in Missouri that’s a hotbed for crime, we must stand by our principles and stop using our state constitution for municipal matters. Not only does this set a dangerous precedent, but it also undermines the very intent and purpose of a constitution.
Preserving the Integrity of Our Constitution
Our constitution is a foundational document meant to outline the core principles and framework of our government, not to address local or temporary issues. Amending the constitution for municipal matters devalues its significance and leads us down a slippery slope. If locals are dissatisfied with the way their cities are run, they must take control of their jurisdiction. This means participating in local elections and holding elected officials accountable. If you don’t like how Democrat-run cities are governed, vote them out and change the policies.
The Danger of Complacency
We've become complacent as a body politic, and this constant amending of our constitution is evidence of that. Instead of engaging in the hard work of grassroots organizing and policymaking, we’ve resorted to easy fixes that ultimately do more harm than good. We’d rather expand state policing powers than invest the time and effort needed to create meaningful, community-driven solutions. This approach is not sustainable and does not address the root causes of the issues we face.
Staying True to Conservative Values
It can be very tempting to manipulate the system to our advantage when it suits our interests, but doing so would make us no better than those we criticize. Let’s not forget who used the initiative petition process this campaign season to bypass the legislature and amend our constitution to enshrine abortion up to full term. Or how about the last time when they legalized marijuana using the same tactics? These examples highlight the dangers of using constitutional amendments as a tool for political gain.
A Call to Action
As a Christian and a conservative, I believe in voting in alignment with the core tenets of our platform—to conserve and preserve our state constitution. This is not just about opposing specific amendments; it’s about maintaining the integrity of our constitutional framework and ensuring that it remains a document that reflects our enduring values and principles.
Join me in voting no on constitutional amendment #4. Stand up for the values we profess and protect the sanctity of our constitution. Let’s encourage local engagement, promote accountability, and work together to create a better future for our communities.
Alex Manford
Priorities
Tuesday is a big day. Come Wednesday, some folks are going to be very happy, while others are going to be very disappointed. I suppose it’s just a natural part of the political cycle, but it feels like this primary has more at stake. Maybe it feels like that every time for those heavily engaged veterans of the process. Regardless, before we get there, I felt it was important to address something that has been on my mind. If I wait until after the primary is over, it could just seem like gloating or sour grapes, depending on the outcome for the candidates I am hoping and praying win.
When my wife and I moved to Cass county, Missouri just under two years ago, and I dove head first into the political process, it wasn’t because I enjoy politics. It also wasn’t because I had political ambitions. I hate politics. It is dirty business, and with few exceptions throughout history, it always has been. Unfortunately, the political process is how our government is chosen each election. THAT, I most definitely care about. My involvement in the process is a means to an end, not an end in itself. My priority, what it is that moves me to get up and participate in a process I hate, fighting for the freedom and liberty the founders wanted for us is… my faith. Everything I do as part of We The People of Cass County MO is to secure our rights as given to us by GOD, and enumerated in the US and Missouri Constitutions.
Because faith is my priority, you need to understand that what undergirds all the work I do in the political realm are the foundational precepts included in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I think we are all familiar with the following quote.
Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
John Adams
What that means, is that once our culture is no longer made up of mostly moral and religious people, our Constitution will become inadequate to the task of governing. One would be hard pressed to argue that we have not reached that point in the United States. Frankly, no matter what victories we secure at the ballot box, if the body of Christ, that is, the church, does not get back to it’s first love, that is, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world, any political victories will be temporary at best.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:3 KJV
Each of us needs to recommit ourselves to a church that is spreading the Gospel, preaching the whole Word of God, making disciples, and telling the truth, regardless of what the culture thinks about it. These are the first things. These are the priorities of those who have been born again.
The Christian Patriot is, and will forever be, a paradox to the unbelieving world. We will fight and die for freedom and liberty, just to lay it at the feet of Jesus and take up His cross as a slave to the King of kings and Lord of lords.
NO KING BUT JESUS!