roe overturned! Missouri is in charge.
Woohoo!!
How many of you celebrated when this news was handed down from SCOTUS? Missouri now gets to be in control of the way we handle abortion for ourselves. Yay! We conservatives love local control. Big win for us!
In this deeply red state, that shouldn't be a problem for pro-lifers, should it? You wouldn't think so. But I think it is.
the problem is the way we change our state constitution
If you voted in the November 2022 election, you know that Amendment 3 passed. It legalized recreational marijuana and a host of things related to that issue. It's passing didn't just add statute to our code book. It changed the Missouri Constitution.
In this deeply red, "conservative" state how did that happen? A simple majority, that's how.
The simple majority of voters (50% + 1 vote) rules when it comes to our constitution. In Missouri, that means that K.C. and St. Louis rule while rural Missouri's votes really don't even matter.
Here's a county map of the vote on Amendment 3. It's easy to see that only a small handful of counties were in agreement with recreational marijuana. But it passed.
abortion is next. without question. and they know it.
What happens when abortion is on the ballot in the '24 election? The exact. same. thing.
And your lawmakers - all of them - know it.
how do we change the root of the problem?
It's called Concurrent Majority Ratification (CMR).
CMR would give representation to the rural minority when we want to make changes to the Missouri Constitution.
My preference is that we would base our representation on the smallest voting districts possible, our Missouri House Districts.
Senator Jill Carter filed SJR 28 which would do this. The language in this bill says that two things must happen for our Missouri Constitution to be changed.
- A simple majority of the popular (individual) votes on the ballot measure.
- A simple majority of Missouri House Districts vote in favor.
If this was the case, Amendment 3 would not have passed because although there was a simple majority of popular votes, there was nowhere near a simple majority of House districts in favor.
the speaker of the house, dean plocher
Rep Dean Plocher is the current Speaker of the House & he's running for Lt. Governor in 2024. He doesn't want CMR.
The word on the street here is that he's going to hold up other legislation until his preferred bill is passed which is Rep Henderson's HJR 43. The problem with that is that what he wants isn't fair to rural Missourians, either!
And it likely won't stop abortion from becoming a constitutional right in '24.
HJR 43 is sponsored by Rep Henderson and is moving quickly through the General Assembly. It would also change the way we amend our state constitution, but it's not a good option and here's why.
HJR 43 only raises the threshold from 50% + 1 to 60% popular vote in favor for passage.
Example #1:
Abortion is on the ballot via Initiative Petition.
When the polls close, there is a 60% of popular (individual) vote in favor.
The result is abortion becomes a constitutional right, EVEN IF all 60% of those voters are in concentrated in St Louis & KC.
Example #2:
Rural Missouri wants to pass a ballot measure relating to farming freedom and got it added via Initiative Petition.
When the polls close, the cities easily "veto'd" the measure with only 40% voting no.
There is NO WAY rural Missourians would ever pass any amendment because the cities would EASILY vote it down.
If HJR 43 passes as it is currently written, you can assume that it is very likely you'll see legalized abortion as a constitutional right in Missouri in November '24. The liberals will come out of the woodwork to vote and will use whatever means necessary to register anyone walking. Make no mistake - they are prepared.
AND.... only a few voting precincts would be in control. How does that make you feel? And of course, they are the ones that have the most potential for fraud. So there ya go.
Guess what? PLOCHER KNOWS IT. They all know it.
You think Dean Plocher is really pro life? If he is, then he should be acting like it in regard to this issue.
You think Dean Plocher is pro farmer? Because the farmers in rural Missouri are being silenced.
You think Dean Plocher is conservative? Because the conservatives in Missouri are not being heard. HJR 43 is a bill that suppresses the voice of the most conservative voters in Missouri.
Plocher holding everything hostage to pass the 60% bill?
That's what I hear.
It's not just about abortion. It's about rural missouri having a voice.
This is the difference between a simple democracy and a democratic republic. In a republic - the minority still has a voice. Until we have concurrent majority ratification, that is not happening in regard to the changing of our constitution.
"Ruling the roost" is being done by our urban areas and the heart of Missouri is being ignored.
I'll also add that although population density is greatest in the cities, it's agriculture that is the heartbeat and economic foundation of Missouri. It's so ironic that our voices in rural Missouri don't matter in this current culture of "diversity & equity".
TAKE aCTION. there's a lot you can do!
1. Call Senator Caleb Rowden and ask for SJR 28 to be called up out of committee. It was voted "Do Pass" but he refuses to call it up so it can be debated and perfected. Wonder why...(insert eye roll).. he's going to make Dean happy & give him HJR 43 so he can get what he wants.
Call Caleb - 573.751.3931 Email Caleb - caleb.rowden@senate.mo.gov
2. Call Senator Sandy Crawford. She's handling HJR 43 in the Senate. Please respectfully let her know you want to see CONCURRENT MAJORITY RATIFICATION language using HOUSE DISTRICTS. I *think* she might be open to making changes. Let's pray she is.
Call Senator Crawford - 573.751.8793. Email Senator Crawford - sandy.crawfod@senate.mo.gov
3. Call & email your own Senator & Representative and express your concerns and ask them for support of Concurrent Majority Ratification if they have the opportunity. HJR 43 has already passed the House but they might have another opportunity to vote. Find them here: Legislator Lookup Tool
3. Sign the petition. It's super easy! Scroll down to to Initiative Petition (IP) Reform & click, fill it out & submit.
4. Reach out to EVERY conservative Missourian you know & share this blog!
5. Think about businesses and organizations that might be represented in your area & share this blog. Ask for their support - especially those supporting farmers or rural life. Think...Farm Bureau, Mo Cattlemen's Association, Mo Soybean Assoc, Corn Growers, electric co-ops, local Chamber of Commerce offices, local banks, ag industry, etc.
6. Reach out to ALL the PRO LIFE organizations, churches, citizens you know! Send them this blog & ask them to participate in helping. If they need more information, please have them contact me. I'll help them.
Also, please update Senator Crawford's email to sandy.crawford@senate.mo.gov,
God bless,
Michele
Also, please update Senator Crawford's email to sandy.crawford@senate.mo.gov,
God bless,
Michele