Missouri

Missouri's Democrats
by Agyepong K. Boateng

           Before the state of Missouri entered the Union on August 10, 1821, it was a leading territory in agriculture and now leads as a farming state. Manufacturing has been acclaimed as a more vital economic standpoint on Missouri than farming. Missouri is also an important agricultural state. The state usually ranks in top ten when it comes to producing such crops as cotton, corn and soybeans. Manufacturing also makes up about 25% of the total goods and services produced in Missouri annually.
           Missouri is also a Southern state in which its economic interests at first could not coincide with the Northern states economy that was drifting away from slavery in the first half of the 19th century and the situation was no different from other Southern states at that time. The anti-slavery sentiments in the North and the US Supreme Court decision of Dred Scott v. Sandford in 1857 made slavery a taboo issue in the state. Missouri like other states in the South were falling economically to a slave industry that was becoming less economical. This would eventually lead to the Civil War.
           Missouri has had four constitutions. One was in 1820 before statehood; 1865 and 1875 and 1945. Constitutional amendments may be proposed by the majority of the legislature of 8% of the voters signing a petition in two-thirds of the state’s congressional districts. A constitutional convention must be held every 20 years to oversee for changes.
           Both the Democratic and Republican parties have electoral Power in the state, but since World War II the Democratic party in Missouri which is the focus of this paper has had more control in the legislature and the state’s representation in the congress. There are many issues and concerns with the Missouri Democratic Party that are more important than ever as we get closer to the new millennium.
           Of all the issues that the Missouri Democratic party deals with the issues most vital to Missourians has to do with social policy on such issues as health care. Health care has been a major topic for abut the past two years since a field of Democrats went to Washington. The only outcome to this meeting is that there has been no easy answer to the problem. The habit of blaming the health insurance companies or providers of health care has not accomplished anything. All it has accomplished is a further delay of action from both sides making a possible compromise difficult. Those who have and still continue to suffer the most under such current conditions are the elderly, the working poor, and middle-income citizens who don’t have the ability to afford their medical bills and health insurance premiums or have pre-existing medical conditions that could prevent coverage. MEDICAID has become overburdened with more and more claims and patients that the program that can both pay for and provide services. MEDICARE has many coverage shortfalls that leave the elderly in certain positions of financial despondency. The Democratic Party has and continues to urge legislators to work on plans for affordable long-term health care programs, portability of health insurance coverage, fair charges for medical services and procedures in order to keep a spirit of compromise. The Missouri Democratic party finds it absolutely unacceptable for a situation in which acceptable professional health care is not available from the prenatal stage of infancy to the twilight years of our lives.
           On the issue of Social Security, Democrats have passed meaningful property tax relief for seniors and the disabled, helping them to live independently for as long as possible. Democrats have also passed tax credits to help alleviate the financial burden on seniors. The Democratic party is also committed to a complete solution and not just the reduction in welfare. They believe that reduction of the rolls of people on welfare can be consummated by making available measures that will foster individual responsibility, increase self-esteem, and do afar with the idea of punishment and/or guilt associated with persons in need of assistance. The integration of measures such as jobs, living wages, affordable housing , child care, affordable transportation, basic health care, subsidized income levels and education would go far in arriving at a meaningful denouement.
           One of these measures, education has been a key issue in the second and last term of Democratic Governor Mel Carnahan. In 1993 his Outstanding Schools Act was passed, with a $310 million tax increase and began the process of establishing first class schools. The Act placed a much needed emphasis on the role of technology in public schools, increased funding for PARENTS AS TEACHERS and EARLY CHILDHOOD education, created unprecedented programs designed to keep at-risk students in school and decreased class sizes in kindergarten mostly through third grade. The benefits are said to be already affecting the lives of many Missouri school children, although it may take a while for the programs to be fully set in motion. Missouri’s system of higher education has increased enrollment dramatically and te Democratic party has promised to strive to assist the educational centers to address their specific issues to continue to cater in the highest quality of educational standards to the young people. In keeping with the pledge to Missouri families, the Democratic party has promised to continue to make higher education affordable and available.
           Another issue vital to Missourians is the standard of living. Most voters in 1996 rejected a ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage to $6.25. The Democrats have been viewed as as liberal moderates as opposed to Republicans attempting to identify with a Christian right image. For over 50 years, Missouri the Missouri Democratic Party and the organized labor movement have worked together to improve hours, wages, and job-site conditions for average workers, whether union or non-union working persons. Many of the programs that are said to be taken for granted because of such an alliance. Such things as social security, workers compensation, unemployment compensation, paid vacations, sick leave, employer paid health insurance, minimum wage, and many other benefits seem to have been the results. Among the things that the Democratic party vows to do, they plan to cultivate a well trained and well paid work force, obtain more resources for a start up business, and cut the red tape on all government levels that circumscribe business expansion.
           According to the Almanac of the 50 States, in 1994 Missouri had four cities with a population of over 100,000. Kansas City, St. Louis, Independence and the state capital, Jefferson City are the major metropolitan areas of the state. Between 1970 and 1990 the state population has increased from 4.6 million to just over 5 million people and by 1990 nearly 70% of the state population were born residents. The is due to a growing business venture in the state correlative with the agriculture. In a cultural sense, Missouri remains a more conservative area than most of the more populated states. In 1989 the state’s restrictions on abortion were upheld by the Supreme Court. In mid-September of this year the state’s legal attempt to ban late-term abortion went into effect after state legislators voted to override Gov. Carnahan’s veto of the bill banning late-term abortion. Planned Parenthood, an abortion provider has filed a lawsuit charging infanticide which is a felony that is equivalent to murder. Supporters have promised that the ban on certain late term abortions will not generate violence.
           Democratic legislators passed waste management laws in 1990. They have reported that the problem with trash disposal is rather astonishing both in rural and urban areas. They also promote incentives to prevent out-of -state dumping in the state’s landfills and research for measures to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.. The Missouri Democratic Party advocates theses and other issues and promises to continue to earn the trust of citizens with ideas and programs that benefit all of the state of Miisouri.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Barone, Michael and Grant Ljifusa. The Almanac of American Politics 1998: The Senators, the Representatives and the Governers: Their Records and Election Results, Their States and Districts. Washington, D.C.: National Journal, 1997.

Harnor, Edith R., ed. Almanac of the 50 States: Basic Data Profiles with Corporative Tables. Palo Alto: Information Publications, 1998.

“Missouri” Collier’s Encyclopedia. 1996 ed.

“Missouri” Academic American Encyclopedia. 1990 ed.

Potter, Mark. “Judge delays enforcement on Missouri abortion ban.” CNN, 17 September 1999.

Potter, Mark. “Missouri’s ban on late-term abortion could face legal challenge.” CNN, 17September 1999.