Fiscal Friday: The Reckoning and the Dichotomy

Three days out from election night, the immediate shock of the returns is starting to give way to a clearer picture. Sometimes, when the dust settles, you realize the political landscape isn't a monolith of total destruction. There is a fascinating dichotomy at play.

The Voter Paradox: Candidates vs. Principles

While the left saw major gains in candidate races—and Platte County local government will face new leadership dynamics—voters sent a very mixed signal when you look at the issues. Across the board, many conservative, pro-taxpayer ballot measures won the day even in areas where voters chose left-of-center candidates:

• Local Taxes Defeated: In Parkville, all three tax proposals went down in defeat, proving voters are still deeply sensitive to fiscal overreach.
• Voter Integrity & Protection: Several states passed strict Voter ID mandates, and Alaska overwhelmingly approved a U.S. Citizenship requirement to vote.
• Common-Sense Boundaries: Ballot measures restricting biological men from participating in women’s sports found strong support.

The takeaway? The Republican establishment dropped the ball by failing to capitalize on these winning, vital issues while they had the majorities to do so. But the American public still knows common sense when they see it on a ballot.

Turning the Left’s Rules Against Them

Take Missouri’s Amendment 6, for instance. Rather than resigning ourselves to it, conservatives should use the new framework aggressively. If citizen-led initiatives are the new vehicle, we can put forward the exact conservative reforms that our General Assembly failed to pass while holding a supermajority. Make the left regret what they wished for.

Locally, we also need absolute transparency. It is past time for a full state audit of the Platte County Board of Elections, paired with overdue gubernatorial appointments to finally clear up the administrative fog. Furthermore, as property tax bills land this week, citizens must verify whether the Senior Tax Credits and the Homestead Act relief actually made it onto their bills for Platte County’s qualified homeowners. If they were left off, accountability is required.

Economic Realities and the Market

Nationally, the next two years will feature plenty of political theater. I predict the progressive wing will overplay its hand, fracture its own caucus, and focus heavily on partisan investigations rather than actual governance.

Markets took a hit this week, and the economic headwinds from proposed energy and tech policies will be rough. But the underlying fundamentals of the Trump economic agenda—energy independence, lower baseline inflation compared to the previous administration, and manageable Medicare adjustments—provide a resilient floor.

Financial Takeaway: Do not panic-sell. Market dips driven by political panic are buying opportunities. Utilize dollar-cost averaging over the next 24 months, turn on your Dividend Reinvestment Programs (DRIPs), and let time work for you.

The ride will be bumpy, but the foundation of the country—and our markets—will outlast a two-year political wave. Stay vigilant, keep your powder dry, and look to 2028.

The Morning After: Navigating the New Political Reality

The ballots have been cast, the early voting surges have settled, and the results are in. For conservatives and constitutionalists looking at the electoral map this morning, the immediate reaction is not necessarily one of surprise, but of sober realization. The results point to a fundamental divergence in how voters view the role of government, the value of the American Dream, and the trajectory of our state and nation.

When we step back from the raw emotion of election night, several critical structural and policy realities demand a rigorous look—because the debates over these outcomes are only just beginning.

The Reality of Voter Turnout and Mandates

In Platte County and across the state line, this cycle saw staggering engagement. Early voting shattered historical midterm paces, driven by a populace that clearly felt the stakes were high. Yet, high turnout cuts both ways. While conservatives have long argued that an active electorate benefits pro-taxpayer, limited-government candidates, the final tallies indicate that a majority of participating voters opted for expansion—whether through new municipal bonds, tax issues, or candidates favoring larger bureaucratic footprints.

When voters choose higher taxes or increased spending, the inevitable result is buyer’s remorse once the real-world bills arrive. The challenge for local taxpayers who opposed these measures is holding elected officials accountable as the true cost of these policies trickles down to household budgets and fixed-income seniors.

Institutional Integrity and Administrative Friction

Beyond the policy debates, election administration itself remains a glaring flashpoint. In an era where technological capability is at an all-time high, the persistent friction points—such as tabulation delays in Platte County, reporting inconsistencies, and the ongoing confusion over voter registration list variances (ranging widely across database providers)—continue to erode public trust.

When citizens see fluctuating registration numbers and delayed reporting, it breeds skepticism. A secure, transparent, and prompt election process is the baseline requirement of a republic. Rebuilding absolute confidence in our local and national election infrastructure must remain a top priority for lawmakers, regardless of party.

The Shift in Missouri Governance: Amendment 6 and Beyond

At the state level, the passage of initiatives like Amendment 6 signals a continued shift in how Missourians view legislative authority and constitutional guardrails. For constitutional conservatives who value a system of checks and balances designed to protect minority rights from a simple "50% plus one" democracy, these shifts represent a dilution of foundational protections. When governing structures change to centralize power or alter how state resources and authority are managed, the long-term consequences inevitably ripple through local communities.

Similarly, the codification of sweeping social and medical mandates leaves traditionalists and pro-life advocates facing a starkly different legal and cultural landscape. As policy lines shift, the debate over individual conscience, parental rights, and the sanctity of life will continue to be fought on legislative and cultural battlegrounds.

The Return to Perpetual Partisan Warfare

If there was any hope that the morning after an election would bring a cooling-off period or a shared commitment to governing, that illusion was shattered before the sun even fully rose. Already this morning, national leadership and progressive commentators are pivoting straight back to threats of impeachment, investigations, and the prosecution of political opponents.

This is the exact manifestation of the problem: rather than focusing on the pressing economic realities, local infrastructure needs, or the legislative business of the country, the instinct is immediate partisan combat. It is not governing—it is perpetual polarization. For everyday citizens who simply want to see inflation tackled, communities secured, and government run efficiently, this escalation signals that the division is only going to deepen.

Standing Ground

So, where do we go from here? For those who believe in fiscal restraint, individual liberty, and free-market economics, packing up or abandoning the field is not an option. Running from systemic challenges yields no solutions.

The path forward requires active civic participation, rigorous local watchdog efforts, and a steadfast defense of conservative principles at every turn. The economic headwinds—marked by inflationary pressures, regulatory overreach, and heavy taxation—will require households and businesses to remain disciplined and self-reliant.

The work doesn't stop because an election cycle closes. In many ways, for those committed to preserving the Republic, the real analytical work of holding power accountable starts today.

Monday Memo:  The Election is upon us… Will the Republic Survive?

No, I don’t really believe that our Republic is in eminent danger depending on election results by Wednesday morning.

But it may not be healthy…

It may have incurred a stab in the back…

From the United States Congress all the way down to local municipal mayors, aldermen and tax issues, the voters will have gotten what they deserve and I pray they know to what and to whom they voted.  I imagine there will be much buyer’s remorse when those who believe new taxes needed to be levied then get the bill and feign angst as to why life isn’t affordable?!  Remember, you asked for it.

And what about those of us who did not vote for higher taxes, or for candidates bent on growing local and state governments into larger behemoths with more bureaucracy and less efficient use of your hard-earned tax dollars? Do we abandon the county and our country?  Sell our homes and move to more political and tax friendly areas?  Not likely.  And we sure won’t become ex-pats and live outside the USA.  Running from a problem isn’t the answer.  I do fear the rise in Socialism but we must stand our ground and resist it at every turn.

Look at the numbers. Platte County's no-excuse early voting window, which ran from October 20th through November 2nd, saw heavy, steady traffic. With over 7,200 early votes banked October 26th, that can be extrapolated using an average daily traffic of 1,200 voters to potentially  14,400 voting by the end of today.  Local turnouts are shattering typical midterm paces on both sides of the state line. While historical midterm turnouts often idle between 20% and 30%, the engagement we are seeing reflects a populace that is waking up. Denny Hoskins, Missouri Secretary of State has predicted a 55% state-wide turnout but that local elections will vary from 25% to as high as 75%! Higher turnouts consistently benefit conservative, pro-taxpayer issues, and I hope it reflects a true mandate from the "will of the people."

I know local churches are holding prayer vigils through Monday night until the polls open on Tuesday. I welcome those prayers. At the same time, we are inundated with messaging pushing radical societal agendas—including text campaigns claiming children have a right to medical procedures they are legally too young to consent to. If minors lack the maturity to buy tobacco, drive, sign a contract, buy a gun or ammo, they certainly lack the capacity for life-altering medical interventions. The left continues to push these contradictions to advance a harmful agenda, which makes our vigilance all the more critical.

Let’s be vigilant on Tuesday!

If you see something you believe to be hinky or irregular at your local polling place, keep these numbers handy:

• Election Protection Hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
• Missouri Secretary of State Election Complaint Line: 800-669-8683

I want every eligible citizen to vote: without intimidation, in absolute privacy, and with the utmost security to ensure a fair and honest election.

Go make your voice heard.

Wisdom Wednesday: Ballot Positions, Accountability, and the Fight for Our Republic

As we head into the final stretch of this critical midterm election, voters are facing pivotal choices that will shape the future of our county, our state, and our nation. Below are my official stances and reasoning on the constitutional amendments and propositions on your ballot, followed by a shocking revelation regarding local transparency.

Ballot Measure Positions & Rationale

• Amendment 3 — YES
• Reasoning: As a solid Pro-Life Christian Conservative, a "Yes" vote returns necessary restrictions to abortion, protects minors by limiting transgender procedures, and returns vital parental consent. This measure corrects the path by overturning the previous Amendment 3—which was heavily fueled by outside dark money and organizations using confusing language to promote unlimited abortion access.
• Amendment 6 — NO
• Reasoning: This amendment threatens our representative republic by undermining our duly elected legislature, opening the door to outside influences within and beyond Missouri, and effectively installing mob rule.
• Amendment 7 — YES
• Reasoning: While I have my healthy doubts on this amendment, investing surplus taxes to grow and build a permanent state endowment fund makes sound fiscal sense in theory. If it fails to deliver as promised, future legislatures and voters can always revisit the issue and rescind it.
• Amendment 8 — NO
• Reasoning: I am fundamentally opposed to any rule, statute, or amendment that strips power away from the people. While Amendment 8 constitutionally mandates the office of County Sheriff, it carves out several specific regional exemptions. No other county office is constitutionally mandated; they are appropriately established through RSMo Statutes, as far as I know. I could be wrong.  Most concerning, it strips the right of a County Prosecutor or an ordinary citizen to file a Writ of Quo Warranto against a corrupt, locally elected sheriff, handing that exclusive power solely to the State Attorney General. Power should remain closer to the people, not centralized further away.
• Proposition A — YES
• Reasoning: I stand behind our duly elected General Assembly and its fair redistricting map, which undoes a heavily gerrymandered 5th Congressional District designed to perpetually elect a Democrat. This map reflects authentic Missouri values far more accurately.

A Bombshell Receipt on Candidate Transparency

During this campaign cycle, voters have heard plenty of rhetoric about candidate backgrounds. A prime example of deception has come to light regarding Kathy Dusenbery, who is featured in a TV ad opposing Proposition A.

In a stunning display of hypocrisy, her official Facebook page lists her explicitly in her Intro under her name as:

"Member of the Platte County Democrat Party since March 3, 2024."

So how can she claim in the ad “I am a registered Republican”?  She cannot and she isn’t according to 2026 voter roles.

She herself admits she is a lifelong, active Democrat—not the independent conservative voice she tries to project—which explains why she is working so hard to protect Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's seat! You simply cannot make this up.

A Final Word on Our Republic

I pray Platte County sees a massive voter turnout. This midterm election is vital to the future of our county, our state, and our nation. We are at a critical crossroads—perhaps closer to losing our Republic than ever before.

This morning it was discovered that the Platte County Republican headquarters had been vandalized with awful graffiti spray painted all over the windows.  I would consider this an act of violence against a political party.  If anyone is aware or heard folks boasting they did this, please do the right thing and report it to the local law enforcement.  The left is escalating the provocations.  Let’s quell this now and keep a civil society!

As Benjamin Franklin famously warned, we have a republic—"if you can keep it." The saddest part today is that the assault is coming from within. Your vote is the most sacred of rights and our fundamental duty as citizens to ensure our voices are heard and our government is held accountable.

We must prevail.

Don't think the Left and the Socialist Destructive Democrats have come to Platte County?  Think again!

These are thugs and the Platte County Democrat Central Committee needs to condemn these actions and seek out who of their flock did this and get them under control.  It is this sort of behavior after the left accuses Republicans and Conservatives of being Nazis and Pedophiles and Fascists and all manner of other slurs and slander yet they prove to be the real Fascists and thugs.

If you believe you know who committed or promoted this behavior, please report it to the local authorities!  Many call for civility and unity.  This vandalism will only divide us further!

Outrageous!

Another great factoid from Patriot Rachel Kautz -

On this day, October 28th, 1776, The Battle of White Plains.

The Battle of White Plains took place on October 28, 1776, during the New York campaign of the American Revolutionary War.

Following major defeats in New York (including Long Island and Harlem Heights),General George Washington retreated northward into Westchester County, New York, attempting to preserve his struggling Continental Army. British General Sir William Howe pursued him, determined to trap and decisively crush the rebellion.

Though tactically a British victory, General Howe failed to trap or destroy Washington's main army. Heavy rainstorms stalled the British advance for a few days, allowing Washington to successfully pull his forces back to safer higher ground at North Castle.

By refusing to be cornered, Washington preserved his army to fight another day—ultimately keeping the revolution alive ahead of crossing the Delaware later that winter.

There are four more events that happened during 1776 all the way through December. I hope you will come back for the November 16th, and December 12th, 19th and 25-26th Events.

The Mask Slips: Establishment Alignments and Party Realities

For years, figures like Riverside Mayor Kathy Rose and former County Commissioner Kathy Dusenberry marketed themselves under a Republican banner. But actions speak louder than party labels.

Mayor Rose is actively promoting the entire slate of Independent candidates for county office. This is the same mayor who hosted a political gathering for Dale Brouk and has publicly endorsed him, and who years ago squawked loudly against Platte County lowering its road tax levy, claiming Riverside "needed the money" to maintain their roads. Mayor Rose is listed on county voter rolls as “Unaffiliated”.

Let's look at the math on Riverside's road claims, because it doesn't add up:

• Riverside pulls in $5,000,000 to $6,000,000 annually in Argosy Casino tax revenues—roughly $500,000 every single month.
• How do they spend it? On lavish projects like a massive Clock Tower at Gateway and Vivion Road, luxurious City Council chambers, and new police and fire stations.

When Mayor Rose opposed lowering the County Road Tax, she didn't want county citizens paying for county roads—she wanted county taxpayers to subsidize City of Riverside roads while Platte County taxpayers outside city limits got squeezed. Mayor Rose is a tax and spend politician—tax your money and spend your money. Larger, more expensive government. Definitely not a conservative.

Platte County needs to move to completely eliminate any road funds going to the City of Riverside. If Riverside wants to sit on millions in casino revenues that the rest of the county doesn't share, they can pay for their own infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Kathy Dusenbery is out running video ads actively opposing Proposition A—the voter initiative designed to establish fair district lines that prevent Gerrymandered carve-outs favoring career Democrats like Representative Emanuel Cleaver. After an entire political career built on a Republican ticket, surfacing in video ads to protect a Democrat-aligned congressional map lays bare where establishment loyalties truly sit. Dusenbery claims in the ad to be a Registered Republican, but the 2026 Platte County voter data shows her party affiliation column is blank. So she is lying about being a Republican and lying that she is a registered Republican. So perhaps she is not telling the truth about Proposition A?? I believe that to be the case.

We need you to get out and vote! Early voting is now going on. You can vote early until November 2nd. You must go to the Platte County Board of Elections. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. Additional evening voting hours are Tuesday October 27 until 7pm and Saturday October 31 from 8am to 12pm (noon). November 3rd, 29 polling stations across the County will be open 6am until 7pm.

To locate your polling precinct and location use this link:

https://voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov/portal/

For a PDF of all polling sites, use this link:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/561e88cee4b06543191f1ad2/t/67b8c1a6c6ae8d210bd3c033/1740161446907/Polling+Sites.pdf

There are 79,507 registered voters in Platte County, or at least that is the number on the rolls. Not all are accurate and the Board of Elections needs to glean and purge the list after November 3rd, as I got several returned mailers to voters this past July during my campaign for County Clerk. A 30% voter turnout is only 23,852 voters. Let’s see if we can get above 50% turnout this election!

#PlatteCounty #MissouriPolitics #LocalGovernment #VoterTurnout #PropositionA #Accountability