Politics

[DaveKCMO]

mike sanders to resign: http://www.kansascity.com/news/governme ... 98340.html

[grovester]

KC dropped from earnings tax repeal legislation.

http://www.pitch.com/FastPitch/archives ... epeal-bill

[pash]

.

[grovester]

It's the same dynamic nationally. Amazing how little influence large cities have in congress. Gerrymandering at its best.

[FangKC]

Congress should place more value on cities, because this where most of the GDP is generated.

[flyingember]

One thought had is why do cities not do bulk orders? What is the politics that makes this not happen?

The streetcar we piggybacked on another city's order so we know it's possible at some level. So why couldn't cities form a MARC type of group that finds ways to get better pricing on the basics

This metro wide org would have contracts with cities to get the best deal on generic things that all cities use like trash cans, cleaning supplies, blank street signs, safety vests and such and they then this organization goes out for bids with a much larger pool order. They don't have any contract themselves, they're just a single point of contact.

KC wouldn't benefit much but an Avondale, Randolph and such would from piggybacking off of KC. A NE JoCo pool would be smart.

[aknowledgeableperson]

Some of that is already done on a local and statewide level.

[FangKC]

The last one out of Kansas, please remember to turn off the lights.

If you aren’t worried about the future of Kansas, here are some reasons to start

Mismanagement and chronic fiscal problems in Kansas are eroding the state’s ability to serve the public.

The situation is no longer one of short-term budget pain, as states typically experience in a recession. The financial problems are severe and deep-seated. They are pushing officials to make decisions that will harm Kansas and its citizens well into the future.

Misplaced priorities and poor leadership make matters worse. Some legislators say they are alarmed by turnover in crucial state agencies. Many capable employees have departed, leaving those in place often unable to deal with the crises that are arising with increasing frequency.

Conservative Republicans in the Legislature, who pushed for the deep income tax cuts at the heart of the dysfunction, are fond of saying that government needs to be run more like a business.

But in fact no business could get away with failing as spectacularly as Kansas has. The management team would be shown the door, something Kansas voters failed to do when they narrowly re-elected Gov. Sam Brownback in 2014.

Voters will have opportunities to turn over many legislative seats in elections later this year. It is crucial to recruit and elect candidates who will help reverse the damage of recent years.

Without a dramatic correction, the state will continue to spiral downward. Here we highlight a few of the areas of concern.

http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/edito ... 78733.html

[earthling]

Is still early but looks more like it could be a Trump/Clinton matchup. The support for Biff the schoolyard bully is bewildering but looks like many simply don't want anyone established in politics - especially blue collar WASPs. Will be interesting to see if Bloomberg runs. He seems to prefer Clinton or moderate GOP (none left - Kashich was closest) so may not run if Hillary can consistently keep ahead of Trump in the polls.

Seems Hillary will beat Trump fairly easily in the end if it comes down to them. There are many established GOP'rs who imply they won't vote for Trump (no vote) and other GOPrs whom he has insulted - far right Catholics, Latinos, etc. Hillary shouldn't have that issue with DEMs or DEM leaning who don't trust her - at least not to same degree. At least she says reasonable things to DEM leaning that are realistically achievable even if she is viewed as sly.

[mean]

If it is Trump vs Hillary, which is all but inevitable, it will be a candidate with fervent supporters who will turn out in "uuuge" numbers vs a candidate with establishment support that even dem voters don't trust and are widely apathetic about and Republicans despise who will probably be mired in controversies (manufactured as they may be) throughout the campaign. I would hardly call that advantage Clinton. There is a real possibility that Trump could be president. I don't think that's nearly as big of a deal as some are making it--presidents aren't dictators (yet)--but having a blustery dipshit with a combover and a spray tan as leader would be massively embarrassing.

[aknowledgeableperson]

I wouldn't concede to Trump yet. There is a good chance the GOP convention will be open warfare. Rubio is tarnished now so hopefully the GOP establishment will get behind Kasich and help him in the Midwest states.
And Clinton v Sanders isn't over yet. The Sanders win in Oklahoma is a definite surprise. Getting out of the South should help him and he still has cash flowing in. There is an outside chance that the Dems could also have an open convention.
It ain't over until the fat lady sings.

[earthling]

Of GOPrs I know who don't like Trump they say there is no way they would vote for him (a no vote rather than for Hillary). Of hard left Bernie DEMs I know, they don't like HIllary but would vote for her rather than no vote. Trump does not have support from moderate established GOP'rs to the point they won't vote for him. That is not the case with DEMs or DEM leaning who don't trusty Hillary - they'll likely vote for her rather than a no vote. So of no votes, I would expect far more from GOP leaning than DEM leaning.

But yeah, Trump could get more fervent voters who show up than Hillary. Black/Latino voters are expected to have high turnout especially if Trump/Hillary so Trump may not have fervent advantage. It could also mean more DEM shift for Congress seats.

FWIW: I'm socially liberal (not socialist) moderate with libertarian tendencies and favor free market over regulation but understand regulation is a _necessary_ evil - would vote for Hillary over Trump or Cruz (mostly as a not Trump/Cruz vote). Could possibly vote Kasich over Hillary but don't know him well enough - moot as he doesn't have chance.

[earthling]

If it is Trump vs Hillary, which is all but inevitable, it will be a candidate with fervent supporters who will turn out in "uuuge" numbers vs a candidate with establishment support that even dem voters don't trust and are widely apathetic about and Republicans despise who will probably be mired in controversies (manufactured as they may be) throughout the campaign. I would hardly call that advantage Clinton. There is a real possibility that Trump could be president. I don't think that's nearly as big of a deal as some are making it--presidents aren't dictators (yet)--but having a blustery dipshit with a combover and a spray tan as leader would be massively embarrassing.

If Trump doesn't get GOP nomination he'll definitely run independent. His ego is too big not to. That's an automatic DEM win.

Will be very surprised if Bernie has a chance. Most DEM analysts already marking Hillary as in.

[bobbyhawks]

I think there will be too many sour grapes in the Republican party. They will try to go brokered convention because these guys can't sit by idly while Trump does whatever he wants and ignores them. If that doesn't work, they will have a lot of establishment voters sitting the election out or even considering the foundation of a new party. From the new party angle, one of the ousted candidates may try to run. If the brokered convention does result in a different candidate, Trump will obviously still run as a third party (the Really Great Party) and suck the life out of whomever is put up on the new Republican side. I can't see this ending well for Republicans, but I am probably biased.

[aknowledgeableperson]

If Trump waits until after the convention it would be almost too late for him to run.
That was one thing Bloomberg was looking at - the cutoff dates in the various states to get on the ballot.

[earthling]

Good point however if Trump doesn't get in, could actually see him openly supporting Hillary or at least 'not supporting GOP' to his hard followers. OTOH if gets over 50% of delegates, can GOP attempt a brokered convention? I'm thinking only realistic if no candidate has more than 50%.

[bobbyhawks]

I would imagine you will hear about Trump, and possibly some other ousted candidates getting signatures even before the convention happens. Trump will do it as a failsafe. Knowing that guy, he could feasibly break away from the Republican party as a preemptive move and form his own coalition. This is a guy who sued someone for $5 billion because they understated his wealth. He will not just go away if he is stabbed in the back.

[aknowledgeableperson]

"I would imagine you will hear about Trump, and possibly some other ousted candidates getting signatures even before the convention happens. Trump will do it as a failsafe."

Again those signatures will do no good if they are turned in after the cutoff date to get on the ballot for a state.
Of course there is always a write-in option but that is a very long shot.

[shinatoo]

Good point however if Trump doesn't get in, could actually see him openly supporting Hillary or at least 'not supporting GOP' to his hard followers. OTOH if gets over 50% of delegates, can GOP attempt a brokered convention? I'm thinking only realistic if no candidate has more than 50%.

Why would his followers switch support to Clinton? She is everything he, and his supporters, "hate". A small minority might switch but the "Build a wall, deport the Muslims, we never should have freed the slaves" crowd is unlikely to move parties. They will line up behind Cruz.

[earthling]

I'm not thinking they would, but he personally may and encourage his followers not to support GOP with no votes. But yeah, Cruz would be next natural to support (for most of his base) however if GOP somehow can select Rubio in a brokered convention, more reason for Trump to Cruz followers not to support GOP - or not show up to vote.

There are more realistically possible conditions for GOP supporters/leaners to no vote or not show up out of frustration compared to reasons for DEM supporters/leaners to no vote or no show for a DEM candidate.